Perfect Print for Fall

Sunnies, Tank, & Necklace: Charlotte Russe, Cardigan: Land’s End (via Savers), Skirt: Downtown Threads, Jessica Simpson Booties: MarshallsAs a maxi skirt this tribal print piece was virtually unwearable. It’s done in a deceivingly heavy fabric so wearing it as maxi skirt was like being rolled up in a stale burrito wrapper (not that I know what that’s actually like, but you get the idea). Enter my wonderful tailor Christine. She removed almost two feet of fabric (which I’m saving for a DIY project) and gave this skirt a whole new life.

I tried to offset the skirt’s bold print by pairing it with classic pieces in camel and navy and simple but chic accessories (like my Jessica Simpson peeptoes). Unfortunately, and I hate to say it, this may be the last time you’ll be peeping my peeptoes (or toes) for quite a while; there’s been talk of snow flurries.

What are you sad to pack away for the season? What pieces are you looking forward to wearing well into winter?

Pleats and Low Maintenance Summer Hair

Sunglasses & Ring: Charlotte Russe, Silk Tank: Old Navy, Necklace: Forever 21, Skirt: Quarter Life Vintage, Sandals: Payless

This floral print pleated skirt used to be a vintage dress that I won from the lovely Sammy of Sammy Davis Vintage and Lisa of Quarter Life Vintage. Since the dress was a bit too large for me I took it to my amazing tailor Christine* and she was turned it into the perfect easy, breezy summer skirt. I just wish I’d had the foresight to snap a few before and after pictures.

My wardrobe isn’t the only thing I prefer “easy breezy” in the summertime. Since we’re active and outdoors for most of the summer my hair and makeup routine is the last thing I want to worry about which means more often than not I’m letting my hair air dry instead of blowing it out and straightening it and going fresh faced minus a few swipes of mascara and lipstick.

To tame my wild mass of curly hair I run a small amount of  Moroccan Oil through my hair after I get out of the shower and dry it just enough so my hair is damp not wet.  Once partially dry I twist my hair into a bun at the nape of my neck and let it air dry (like above). When my hair is completely dry (not only does Moroccan Oil help control frizz and flyaways but it also cuts drying time way down) I carefully untwist and shake out it out and am left with soft, beachy curls.

Does your wardrobe/beauty routine change in the summer?

*if you’re in the Burlington area and looking for a wonderful tailor/seamstress let me know and I’ll email you Christine’s contact info

My “Go-To” Look

Sunnies: Gifted, Sweater & Earrings: H&M, Skirt: Talbots (via Goodwill), Tights: TJ Maxx, Bracelet: Gifted, Booties: BambooLook familiar? This is a re-imagination of one of my “go-to” looks; black tights, my black H&M Sweater, a skirt and a pair of heels (seen here, here & here).

A “go-to” look should be something that you can throw on without thinking about it, makes you feel confident and can easily be tweaked to work for a variety of situations. My “go-to” looks is simple, easy to dress up and down and can be worn everywhere from work to dinner and drinks. It wasn’t until I went to post these photos that I realized just how often I wear a variation this look.

My “go-to” getup has served me well and is perfect for Mondays those mornings when I wake up late and hate everything I put on.

What’s your “go-to” look?

Remember this Skirt?

Sunnies: Greece, Scarf: Gifted, Coat: H&M, Denim Button-up: Walmart, Skirt: Old Gold, Belt: Forever 21, Tights: The Sox Market, Socks: Gifted, Boots: Old Gold The last time I wore this skirt [here] I missed the mark a bit. I’m much happier with my second attempt. I think the chocolate brown tights and worn in rodeo boots work well with the denim button up while the vintage Italian wool skirt keep the look for being too casual… or western.

I’m really getting into colored tights this fall and these brown tights from the Sox Market have become a wardrobe staple in the last few weeks I’ve had them. I was unsure about colored tights until I started working them into my wardrobe and now I love them. When it comes to trying new trends I advise looking at what you’re already comfortable with and going from there. In my case I own half a dozen pairs of black tights so I opted for grey and navy tights first. The dark neutral tones reminded me of my black tights and made my new colored tights even easier to style.

What new items have you been playing around with styling?

Splish Splash Sash

Top: Florence, Italy, Belt: H&M (taken off a top), Skirt: Downtown Threads, Ring: Charlotte Ruse, Heels: AldoIt’s felt more like late summer than early fall in Burlington lately. The unseasonably warm weather gave me the opportunity to wear one of my favorite summer skirts again.  To break up the muted color palate I opted to use a bold sash from an old H&M tunic instead of a belt. The bright green really popped and surprisingly complimented the coral heels. I love when unexpected color combinations end up working.

What color pairings have you excited this season?

Chic Perfect to Cheap Perfect

Sunnies: Downtown Threads, Scarf: Savers, Tee: Target, Belt: Goodwill, Skirt: Downtown Threads (vintage), Jacket: T.J Maxx, Heels: Target
my cheap perfect version of this “chic perfect” look.

Since I was wearing this to the office I kept relatively covered up in one of my favorite vintage skirts. I tried to get a close up of my skirt but none of the photos came close to doing it’s sheen justice. It’s quite luminescent.* I played down the skirt’s shimmer with a simple grey v-neck tee and safari inspired belt.  *A small part of me is terrified this skirt is the bottom of a horrific mother of the bride skirt suit…*

While the “chic perfect” look that inspired this outfit is undoubtedly sexy, I was able to create my very own office friendly “cheap prefect” version using items I already had in my closet. Not to shabby when you consider the $65 price tag!

Jacket $29.99, Sunnies $12, Scarf $1.99, Tee $7, Belt $0.50, Skirt $7, Heels $6 

What cheap thrill pieces do you have in your wardrobe? Was my inspired look hit or miss? 

this was suppose to be a close up of my scarf…just like this was suppose to be a flattering photo… stupid skirt pooch

Cool Tone Color Blocking

Sunglasses: Downtown Threads, Blouse: Battery St Jeans, Belt: T.J Maxx, Skirt: Thrifted, Slip: Vintage (via Downtown Threads), Heels: Target, Bracelet: Gifted, Ring: Montreal St Vendor

I snapped these pictures yesterday when it wasn’t cold, rainy and grey outside (like it is today). I would be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous of the beautiful pink and orange color blocked outfits that I’ve seen virtually everywhere. You blondes and brunettes look stunning in such bright, warm colors; pale redheads like me… not so much.

For my first time playing around with color blocking I opted for cooler jewel tones and kept my accessories to a minimum so the colors were center stage. I wish I’d had a bright solid color heel in yellow, red or pink to pair with this outfit but I liked the texture the snakeskin pumps added to the look.

Have you played around with color blocking? Do you wear more cooler tones or warm tones?

Coral & Cobalt

Sunnies: Tom Ford (gifted), Tank: H&M (via Clothes Exchange), Heels: ALDO,  Slip: Vintage (via Downtown Threads), Skirt: Vintage/Thrifted, Ring: Street Vendor in Montreal

When I was debating weather or not to buy these heels I remember asking myself, “are these practical? Will I wear them enough to justify buying them?” At the time the answer to both those questions was no but the mix of coral suede and smell of new shoes was so seductive I bought them anyway.

Since then I’ve worn these heels with everything from cocktail attire to leggings and everything in between. For the height these heels are deceptively comfortable and easy to wear all day. It’s funny to think that a few years ago I saw heels as devices of torture, made to keep women off balance… until I bought a pair of heeled Steve Madden cowboy boots.

I loved the strong, sharp sounds their sturdy 2″ heel made made when I walked and how they made my legs feel longer and stronger. It wasn’t too long before my closet was filled with platforms, stilettos, wedges, kitten heels and more. It took some practice (and a handful of epic falls) before I felt truly confident in high heels but now I’m just as (if not more) confident in a pair of platforms than I am in flats.

What pair of shoes kick started your shoe collection? Are you a flats girl or do you prefer high heels?

New Staples

Button Up: Wal-Mart, Tee: Consignment Shop in Florence

Belt: Possibility Shop, Skirt: Downtown Threads

Wedges: Vintage (via my mom)

So you may be asking yourself, “why are these photos taken from so far away?” Well my allergies flared up, leaving my nose redder than my hair and my eyes as glazed as a Krispy Kreme doughnut. I am miserable. Luckily my allergies will wind down as the cooler fall temperatures roll in. If you have cope with allergies year round, I salute you. I don’t know how you do it.

When I am feeling this yucky comfort is paramount and this look fits the bill. This outfit is made up of two of my wardrobe staples: a distressed denim button up and vintage pleated skirt. If you’ve followed my blog for a while (thank you!) you probably recognize this skirt… since I wore it all summer, (here, here & here).  I never thought I’d say this but this button up, from Wal-Mart, has become a staple in my wardrobe (see here, here, & here).

What pieces do you consider wardrobe staples? What do you wear when you’re feeling under the weather? 

School Boy Blues

Sunnies: Zinnia, Sweater: Lands’ End (via Goodwill), Tee: Target,

Belt: Forever 21,  Skirt: Vintage (via Downtown Threads),

Heels: Guess (via TJ Maxx), Opening Ceremony Hair Donut Tutorial 

How did you all fair this weekend? We experienced serious winds and the heavy constant rain brought devastating flooding in many parts of Vermont.  I wore this last Friday. Even though it was perfect late summer weather the cardigan was much needed during the day as my office is always freezing.

I scored a ton of great fall pieces when my sister Anna and I went thrifting at Saver’s last weekend. From the boy’s section alone I came away with a Polo button up, black and navy blazer and this navy blue school uniform sweater by Lands’ End.  I can see myself wearing this outfit into fall and even winter with a pair of tights, chunky heels or clogs,  a knit scarf and a great hat.

The camel and navy look paired with the white linen skirt. give this look a university chic feel. This outfit’s silhouette reminds me of New England Ivy League in the late 50’s early 60’s. I’m on the hunt for a perfect patch or varsity letter for the sweater and I have lofty plans for the black blazer (that includes my new bedazzler!)

Were you affected by Irene this weekend? What additions have you made to your wardrobe for fall?