Cable Me This

Sweater and T-Neck: H&M; Pants: Ann Taylor Loft;

Booties: Tori Burch (gift); Jewelry: Silpada

I love my fur vest, but it's more of a layering piece. Cute over dresses, turtlenecks and tees. But there are times when I just want a sweater and a little fur accent. Enter this darling cable knit sweater with faux fur panels! This type of sweater is everywhere right now. Ann Taylor Loft, Ann Taylor and White House Black Market offer similar styles, but none are at such a great price as the one I found at H&M. I'm all for trends, but you know my motto, don't spend on trend! Use your wardrobe funds on staples and fill in with inexpensive trends. And, H&M is the place for that!

 

Stolen Concept

T-Neck: Ann Taylor; Vest: Rachel Zoe Luxe via QVC;

Pants: Ann Taylor Loft; Shoes: Moshino Cheap and Chic;

Trouser Socks: ??; Chunky Necklace: Tori Spelling via HSN;

Earrings: Gorjana via Gilt;

Bracelets: JewelMint; Ralph Lauren; Fossil

Do you know those people that go crazy for Shark Week? Yeah, I don't know them either. I, however, am crazy for fur and have decided it's Fur Week! Faux fur that is! I stole this look from a recent Banana Republic ad and I love it! I would never have thought to pair red with brown. Not sure why because it compliments each other so well. I new color combo that has been introduced to my repertoire.

With Fur Week ahead of me, I can't wait to piece together my looks! Super excited and I hope you are too! If sharks attack, fur strikes! They are striking accents to any ensemble!

Thankful Weekend

There were many outfits but not many photos captured. With it being a holiday weekend, I focused more on time with family than getting a picture taken. There were family photos to commemorate McKinley's first Thanksgiving and let me be the first to tell you how smart he looked! He was decked out in style wearing a brown multi-colored striped cardigan with shawl collar, a cream long-sleeved polo shirt and brown herringbone pants with suspenders! Adorable, right?

I chose to wear the traditional Thanksgiving color, orange. Nothing fancy here, just dark denim and brown suede booties. One needs to be comfy while parked on the couch watching the parade and later while sitting around a festive table for dinner. The necklace was something I won in a random drawing from Halls. I entered several weeks ago for a handbag not knowing it was a store wide drawing. Got the call one week after my birthday and it felt like my birthday all over again!

This year, I have so much to be thankful for. As I looked around at my little family, and that of my parents as well, I felt blessed. Not only for a loving family, food on the table and shelter over our heads, but to also have such a stylish little family too boot! Hey, this is a style blog after all! ;-)

Skinny and Cropped

Jacket: Anthropologie (gift); T-Neck: Ann Taylor Loft;

Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft: Boots: Steven by Steve Madden (gift);

Bracelets: Ralph Lauren, Fossil; Ring: Hope, Faith, Miracles

As I continue to dress for this short week, I decided to keep the short theme going by sporting this darling cropped jacket. One of my favorites from seasons past, I paired it with my skinny jeans and my rock star boots. If you are afraid to sport skinny and cropped at the same time, never fear. Just layers something a little longer under the cropped so you feel that you have little coverage. The length of the t-neck helps balance out my hips.

As I was telling a co-worker yesterday, I'm not sure why I don't wear these more often. It's not like I'm afraid of stilettos, but I find these scary to wear at times. An early New Year's resolution, where these boots as often as I can!

Blush with Chocolate

Sweater: French Connection via Rue La La;

Pants: Ann Taylor Loft; Belt: Ann Taylor (gift)

Shoes: Ann Taylor (gift); Trouser Socks: Hue;

Bracelets: JewelMint; Ralph Lauren; Fossil; My Mom's;

Ring: Hope, Faith, Miracles

Thursday was a dreary day so by the time I got home it was already dark! This getting darker earlier is killing my blog photos! Hopefully, we can start capturing some outdoor photos soon. In the meantime, my living room will have to do!

I bought this sweater while still pregnant last winter so I obviously never got a chance to wear it. I pulled it out from the depths of the sweater box, forgetting just how lovely it is. I love the color, the piles of ruffles, the fact that it's wool but doesn't feel like it and how well it goes with chocolate. Everything is better with chocolate, right? The color or the sweet!

Short Week

Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft; T-Neck: Target;

Shorts: H&M; Tights: Hue;

Booties: Seychelles via Habitat Shoe Boutique;

Scarf: Handmade by JenLovesKev via Etsy

And because it's a short week, I thought I would start it off with...shorts! I've been wanting to try the shorts/tight trend for several seasons but couldn't find the right ones. Well, my Friday shopping trip to the new H&M paid off. These darling gray shorts were just the pair I'd been looking for and fit like a dream! I went casual with a t-neck and sweater, but I would love to dress them up for the holidays with either my sequin jacket or a cropped tuxedo jacket.

Would you wear this trend?

Out On A Limb

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft; Belt: L.L. Bean (gift); Tights: Target;

Boots: Steven by Steve Madden (gift); Ring: Piperlime;

Bracelets: Jewelmint; Ralph Lauren; Fossil;

Earrings: Gorjana via Gilt (gift)

I totally went out on a limb yesterday and wore teal green tights with my oatmeal dress and cognac boots. Normally, I would pair this look with chocolate brown tights and chocolate brown boots and leave it at that. I am CRAZY!! Okay, I'm not crazy, I'm just trying out new things with my wardrobe. I have to say I really liked it. 

What do you think of my new pyramid ring? I ordered this exclusive to Piperlime ring several weeks ago and just haven't worn what I thought was the appropriate look for such a statement piece.

This is still the best accessory to any outfit! I just love this little guy to pieces!!!

Elizabeth Arden

Dress: Target; Belt: Ann Taylor (gift)

Tights: Hue; Shoes: Tory Burch (gift)

Bangles: Jewelmint, Ralph Lauren and Fossil

Earrings: Gorjana via Gilt (credit)

I can't help but quote Steel Magnolia's when it comes to this backdrop. In the words of Truvy, "Well I'm gone paint my front door red and change my name to Elizabeth Arden." I am obsessed with red and leopard print mixed together. Remember when I wore it earlier in the season? Leopard print is a must-have in any girl's closet!

I am loving my mesh buckle bracelet from Jewelmint. A statement piece worn alone or mixed with a bunch of bangles.

The original Red Door. Elizabeth Arden salon on Fifth Avenue in New York!

Photo of Elizabeth Arden in NY courtesy of nycgo.com.

Y is for Yellow

Blouse, Cardigan, Jeans and Belt: Ann Taylor Loft;

Booties: Tory Burch (gift); Earrings: Tori Spelling via HSN;

Bracelets: Ralph Lauren; Fossil, Silpada, My Mom's 

Yesterday was definitely a Monday. A good Monday though as it was my dad's b-day! Since we were spending the evening at their house for dinner, pie (he prefers that over cake) and presents, I wanted to be comfy. What equals comfy in my book, jeans! Plus, it was an excuse to wear my new blouse!

As soon as I saw it, I knew exactly what to pair it with...my mustard yellow cardigan. There are so many details too. The ruffled neckline and sweet "Y" print through out the top are just a few. It also has a looseness to it that you don't see. Will be great un-tucked with my fur vest! And photographed next to the yellow pansies just makes the whole look pop!

Fur Trend: Styled My Way

Vest: Gift; T-Neck: Target; Jeans: Ann Taylor Loft;

Shoes: Tory Burch (gift); All Jewelry: Silpada

Handbag: Pour la Victoire via Rue La La

Last Friday I blogged about the growing fur trend and the top five items I think are must-haves. In honor of the post, I decided to dress the part as well. I love this vest! Super warm wool and the fur collar is detachable. If you make an investment in something like this, but want the option to wear without fur, look for something that you can remove. It prolongs the life of your item beyond the trend!

What do you think of my new color-block shoes? I love them! Super unique but can be worn with everything! They come with laces but I will never put them in. Love the look without.

And what do you think of my new handbag? I am in love! This is the new Pour la Victoire Vivien tote. It holds everything, and when I say everything, I mean it! This morning I pulled out bibs for McKinley, my camera, a scarf, the camera cable and that's in addition to all the essentials I carry everyday. Gotta love a roomy bag and one that's so chic!!!!

All Things Fur

Fur is a huge trend right now and something I've been wearing for years. Now, when I say fur, I'm personally speaking to faux. One, I can't afford the real thing and two, I just don't feel right wearing real fur. Below are five items I think should be in every girl's collection.

1) A faux fur vest. This can be worn with everything! Perfect with jeans, cute over dresses or worn as your actually outerwear and layered with scarves.

2) A faux fur circular scarf. This is great with just a t-neck and jeans. But you can also pair this with your overcoat for a luxe look.

3) A leather and faux fur trimmed jacket adds a level of cool to any outfit. Worn with jeans or over a dress, this jacket can be worn in so many different ways.

4) These mittens are darling and will compliment any coat this winter season.

5) This faux fur hat reminds of the movie "Doctor Zhivago". Super chic and super warm!



Floral Bouquet

Dress: MNG by Mango via JcPenney (gift); Belt: ??;

Boots: Seychelles via Habitat Shoe Boutieque; Bangles: Silpada;

Necklace: Style and Grace Boutique

Yesterday was our nine year wedding anniversary and instead of my husband sending me flowers, I brought my own bouquet with this lovely maxi dress! This is the dress I've been waiting for all fall and it's finally here! A birthday gift my aunt and grandmother, I can't wait to mix this dress up with different layers all fall and winter long! I'm already thinking of my faux fur vest, a vibrant or muted t-neck underneath or a cropped sweater layered over the top. So many options for this bouquet of vibrant colors!

I so wish all of the photos had been as vibrant as the one below. But, with this photo of the print, you can see how pretty all the colors are throughout the dress.

Emerald

Dress: Land's End (gift); Cardigan: Kate Spade;

Belt: Ann Taylor (gift); Tights: Hue; Boots: Nine West;

Earrings: Gorjana via Gilt Groupe; Ring: Hope Faith Miracles;

Bracelets: Ralph Lauren; Fossil; Silpada, My Mom's

It all started with this dress. It was my canvas. Because it's sleeveless, I knew I needed to layer. I started with a cream t-neck which just looked horrendous! The neckline of this dress does not lend itself to anything layered underneath. I tried jackets, long sweaters, think cardigans but none of them worked. Then I eyed this little cardigan at the last minute. Perfection! The length was perfect at the waist. I love the detail on the sleeve and the amber glass buttons. The belt just kind of happened. A birthday gift from my mom (and dad), it was the right shade of snakeskin. I love the mix of cream, chocolate and black.

I originally paired all of this with black tights and patent Mary Jane's, but the black was too heavy. I switched to chocolate brown tight and tall boots. Much better! Fashion for me is all trial and error. You sometimes have to try several things before you land on a look. I loved this whole ensemble!

It was another gloomy, rainy, fall day here in Kansas City so that meant another indoor photo session. Here's hoping that tomorrow brings sun. I've missed it!

Remember when I mentioned how I'm loving Atlantic-Pacific and how she wears layer upon layer of gold bracelets? Well, I attempted this trend but so didn't do it justice. It's a work in progress. Check her out here.