So many cardigans

I probably have over 40 cardigans in my closet. I swear I have almost every color there is - yet every time I go shopping, I browse through the cardigan sections as if I need another. I'm not sure why I wear them so often... occasionally for work I'll put on a cropped jacket instead, but if I have my choice I stick with my favorite. Cardigans are just comfortable and you can add them to an outfit without sleeves to layer it for winter, or you can wear one in the summer to cover your shoulders. I'm going to go ahead and call this my biggest wardrobe staple. Mr. Rogers was definitely on to something.






Karen Millen cardigan (similar); J Crew factory blouse; Banana Republic pants; Zara shoes; Michael Kors watch; Francesca's clutch; F21 bracelet; old earrings; (Plā) Beauty lip gloss in Sheer Delight

Typical

Still trying to incorporate more brights into my winter looks... this look is suuuuuper typical of my work style. Classic navy trousers, white button down - funny how I put on this patterned scarf and bright orange bag and thought 'oh good, not so boring anymore!'  Then I look at the pictures and think 'nope, still pretty boring' haha. :)  What can I say?  I can't exactly pull off cutting edge fashion in my office environment (at least without getting looked at like some kind of freak), but I try to make the best of it. :)




Ann Taylor Loft blouse and pants; NY&Co scarf; Banana Republic belt (similar); Zara shoes; Cynthia Rowley bag; Michael Kors watch; WHBM earrings (old); Charming Charlie's ring and bangles; Francesca's sunglasses; L'oreal Colour Riche lipcolor in Volcanic (similar)

Cozy and Classic

Apparently it's boring outfit week on Pencil Skirts & Lattes. As much as I love fun colors and patterns, sometimes I just prefer a simple, classic look... like this cozy, camel-colored sweater and black skinny trousers. I added a statement necklace and a bright lip. That helps, right?




TJ Maxx sweater, Banana Republic pants, Michael Shannon ankle boots, Aldo bag, Michael Kors watch, Anna and Ava ring, F21 earrings, Charming Charlie's necklace (similar), Francesca's sunnies, L'Oreal Colour Riche lipcolor in Volcanic 

Trench

This Karen Millen trench coat is one of my absolute favorite purchases ever. I bought it last year at the beginning of summer (when it had been steeply discounted - yay!) and I knew I would get lots of use out of it in the fall/winter. It is just the perfect weight for nasty weather without being overly bulky or heavy. I also love the details and cut, I always feel a little bit like The Duchess in it :)  As an investment piece for your wardrobe, I highly recommend an amazing quality trench that is well tailored.  You get countless uses out of it, and it is a great way to add instant classic appeal to almost any look.








Karen Millen trench (similar style here 40% off), Francesca's blouse (similar) and clutch, AT Loft skirt and necklace (old), NY&Co Earrings, Hue tights, Michael Shannon ankle boots, Charming Charlie's ring, Michael Kors watch, Nars velvet matte lip pencil in 'Damned' 

Here we go

To say that I am not looking forward to going back to work would be SUCH an understatement.  It's not the work or job that I mind, it's just that I've really enjoyed my time off.  Being able to relax, run, shop, cook, and get some home projects squared away has been complete bliss.  Not having to set the alarm has been awesome, too.  Want to know what the very best part of being off work is at this time of year for me? DAYLIGHT.  I hate that it is still dark when I wake up for work and dark again by the time I leave the office.  The good news is that it will start to stay light for a little longer each day, and in less than 10 weeks (yes, I'm already counting) we gain a whole extra hour!  Bring.It.On.      






AT Loft cardigan and jeans, Old Navy shirt, Banana Republic belt (old), Michael Kors watch, Zara heels, Francesca's sunnies, Charming Charlie's ring, Anna and Ava elephant ring, F21 earrings, Louis Vuitton 'Sarah' wallet

Need a little color

Clearly a tan is out of the question, but I needed to perk up my entirely too predictable black/grey ensemble with at least a little color. How do we feel about fuchsia? Good? Great. I'm so glad that all of the messy rain and gloom is gone... even though it's still cold, I'm LOVING this sunshine. Let's hope it stays around for a bit!






Express tank dress (old), Cynthia Rowley jacket from TJ Maxx (similar for 75% off!), Charming Charlie's scarf, Seychelles boots (similar), NY&Co earrings and bracelet, Michael Kors watch, Francesca's clutch, DG sunglasses

Attempted 'How To' Post

I love the idea of wearing white after Labor Day. Sure, part of it is the rebel in me (yes, I know - whoa now)... but mostly it's just because I think white is perfect when mixed together into a palette of fall colors. This outfit was going to become a 'How To: Wear White after Labor Day' post - but it truned into something else. First let me say, I loved this outfit in person... I was very comfortable and felt stylish all at the same time (bonus). But all day I just felt like this outfit reminded me of something. Something funny. I couldn't put my finger on it until I saw the pictures...








Zara scarf and dress; Hue tights; Ann Taylor cardigan; Louis Vuitton bag; Dolce & Gabbana aviators; Michael Kors watch; F21 bangles and bracelet; Posh Boutique ring (similar from Shop Frankie's); Francesca's boots and ring


and THIS is what I realized I kept thinking of while wearing this:

Source: google.com via Star on Pinterest

BAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAA. GO ahead and laugh.  I did too :)

Wicked Weekend

I love getting to wear an outfit for the first time with several of my favorite things in it.  I completely died over both this jacket AND these boots when I found them.  So obviously when I had the opportunity to wear them together for the first time, it was magical.  Okay, not 'magical' - but awesome.  What made it more awesome was that we went to see Wicked on Saturday, then to Tavern for dinner (any of you who follow me on Twitter saw the smorgasboard that was our dinner Saturday night there - thanks for the +5lbs in one night, Mindy).  Anyway, I saw Wicked a few years ago in Chicago and it was incredible.  I was so happy it came to Nashville this year, and it was just as awesome as I remembered it.

Obviously, I opted for a more grown-up celebration of Halloween this year (musical + dinner date) as opposed to seizing the opportunity to dress up like a slutty _______ (fill in the blank with nurse, teacher, student, angel, devil, witch, blah blah blah).  No offense to any readers who ran with that sort of idea, I'm just over it I suppose.  I'll open the floor for any rude comment retaliation now.  Thanks.








Rebecca Minkoff Linda jacket, Paraella blouse (similar), NY&Co jeans, Elie Tahari boots (from TJ Maxx!! - here in gray or similar here in black), Michael Kors watch, Bauble necklace from Woo Nashville (similar), Francesca's Collection clutch (similar), Ann Taylor Loft ring (similar), old ring (similar), Lancome L'Absolue Rouge in Jezabel 

Updating the classics

No matter how into fashion trends I am at any point in time, I always love a polished, classic look. A black pant and a white blouse is a timeless chic work look. I like to put an updated spin on the classics, styling basic wardrobe staples in a way that keeps them current.  Something as simple as a scarf in an of-the-moment print, a skinny pant, and a not-so-classic pump can freshen up a classic and make it perfectly on trend for any season.    

How do you update classic pieces in your wardrobe?  










J Crew blouse, Banana Republic pants, Kohl's scarf (years ago, similar here), Nine West shoes (similar), NY&Co bangle (similar), AT Loft Necklace (old, similar here), Express earrings (similar), Michael Kors watch, Francesca's clutch (similar), DG sunglasses from TJ Maxx (similar)

Finally... faux fur time!

I've been tweeting and blogging about various faux fur pieces that I've been coveting for months now in anticipation of cold weather. Wouldn't you know on the very first cold day of the year here, that is exactly what I wore. Another thing I'm crazy about this season is a wedge boot. I love these, they're surprisingly comfy and got them for a great price. Actually, this entire look was a complete bargain - this sweater is actually on sale at AT Loft right now. LOVE when I find more trendy items for a great price. I will drop some serious cash on an investment piece, but for a trend I venture toward the sale rack quite a bit more.

I'm sure you all have shopping strategies about this sort of thing. What types of items will you splurge on, and on which pieces do you prefer to save?? Tell!










AT Loft cardigan (new and ON SALE or super splurge worthy one here) and necklace (old, similar here), NY&Co dress (really old, similar here), Spanx tights (awesome, highly recommended), DG sunglasses from TJ Maxx (similar), Michael Kors watch, F21 bracelet (similar), Francesca's wristlet (similar), Seychelles boots

Back to Life

I really can't complain about the move... Apart from the garage ceiling falling in at my old place (no big deal, right?), everything went surprisingly well. Even though it went smoothly, moving is undeniably exhausting. Now that I'm all settled, I've finally gotten motivated to pick out furniture as well... So before long there will actually be a place to sit in the new place. ;)

I felt like bright red, suede wedge pumps were the best back-to-life/work option for a post-move Monday morning. And a pencil skirt, of course.






Parker blouse (sold out, but available here in a similar pattern), Zara skirt (similar), Ann Taylor shoes and belt (similar), Francesca's collection clutch, F21 bangles (similar here and here) and earrings/ring (similar), Michael Kors watch