Art deco

Yay--it's so nice to be home this week on break and be able to take outfit pictures outside in this great 70 degree weather!  This sweater was a great find at Target--it's a thin cotton knit with a lovely drapey fit and comes in many bright colors!  I was tempted by the mustard and turquoise as well.

Outfit details
Top: Target

Skirt: Madewell

Shoes: No 6

Accessories: Vintage necklace and cuff

More plaid

 

Here's a solo outfit pic snapped from our trip to Missouri.  It was a warm and sunny 40 degrees when we were up there which makes me laugh b/c if it's 40 in Austin, I'm in bed under the heat blanket.  Hope everyone had a good time with family and friends this holiday season!

Outfit details
Top: Jcrew

Vest: Anthropologie

Jeans: Paige

Shoes: Uggs

Accessories: Jas MB bag

Madewell Spring 2012 Lookbook

Oh happy day!  Images from the new Madewell spring lookbook are online!  Check out the entire lookbook at Lucky magazine.  Big thanks to Jcrew Afficionada and Will Work for Shoes for the scoop!  Here are a few of my favorite looks:

I've got a few similar pieces already I can't wait to mix and I simply adore the green and striped dresses!

Happy holidays!

above graphic from Anthropologie

Lululemon rehearsal top

Here's a different silhouette from my norm: a long flowy top and skinnier bottom.  This Lululemon top is the softest top ever--I would say go check it out but then you'd be sucked into buying just about everything at that store and be broke by the new year.  I know I am.

Outfit details
Top: Lululemon

Pants: Gap

Shoes: No 6

Accessories: Jcrew locket

Season of Giving

Check out the lovely Linda's blog today where I share three items for my favorite people!
(and stay to check out her stylish outfits and creative doodles!)

Birthday!

My birthday outfit--went to the Anthro sale early for some dealz and then BK took me out for breakfast with lots of scones and clotted cream.  I finally broke out my new T by Alexander Wang asymmetrical top--it is so lovely on, I'm addicted!

Outfit details
Top: T by Alexander Wang

Jacket: Madewell

Jeans: AG

Shoes: No 6

Accessories: Jas MB Melissa

Candace Ang necklace

Jcrew lady lace popover

 

Here's an outfit from this weekend, worn to a casual work party.  I love this lady lace popover from Jcrew--the lace is such a gorgeous detail.  I took my new Jas MB bag out for a spin--it's smaller than my other bags so I can't hold my usual bug spray etc. but on the plus side it's not super heavy and is perfect for events or all day shopping trips.

Outfit details
Sweater: Jcrew

Jeans: AG

Shoes: No 6

Accessories: Jas MB Melissa

Birthday pup

Happy birthday to Link dog--the best companion, snugglebug and puppy model anyone could ever have!

Jas MB Melissa

Hello new friend!

Jcrew blouson dress in royal paisley

I broke out my new Jcrew dress for our hunt.gather.style Christmas party at Uchiko where there was lots of delicious food and great conversation with Grechen and Sydney.  I'm really glad I found this dress on super sale, I adore the print and was torn between it and the pencil skirt.  We had a freak day of 70 degree weather and even though it was raining, I loved it--I can't wait to get back to hot weather and my summer wardrobe.  Good thing winters in Texas are short!
 

Outfit details
Cardigan: Jcrew

Dress: Jcrew

Shoes: Camper

Accessories: Madewell necklace

vintage mice belt, vintage bow bracelet

I heart stripes

I've been stalking Jcrew sale for popbacks of striped tees and ended up with 3 more. Can anyone say "intervention"?

Outfit details
Top: Jcrew

Skirt: Madewell

Shoes: No.6

Accessories: Jcrew locket and belt

My new (to me) vintage heart padlock bracelet!!

Tess Dress

Here's an outfit from last week during our hunt.gather.style mini holiday pop up shop at Link Coworking. The Tess Margaret is one of my favorites, with a slim bodice and full skirt. Thank you Sydney for the picture!

Outfit details
Sweater jacket: Jcrew

Dress: Tess Dress

Shoes: Nine West

Accessories: Jcrew necklace

vintage kissing mice belt and bracelets

Anniversary

BK and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary this weekend!  We went estate sale hunting in Elroy, TX, ate lobster rolls at a local food trailer, watched a matinee of The Muppets and went out to dinner at Perla's where I wore the above outfit. Here's to another 7 years! (hey you gotta take it one step at a time right? :)

Outfit details
Top: 3.1 Phillip Lim

Dress: T by Alexander Wang

Shoes: Seychelles

Accessories: Jcrew necklace

Vintage and Shaesby rings

And check out my awesome anniversary present by St. Kilda!

Anthropologie sweater sale

Anthropologie is having a great 50% off sale on full priced sweaters and outerwear today and tomorrow!  I've imbibed a bit too much already with all the great sales so I'm not sure if I'm going to partake in this one, but just in case, here are a few goodies I'm eyeing...

L-R:  
Angled Boucle Cardigan--looks so soft and cozy and I love the cropped length which is great over dresses!
Shallop Pullover--yay stripes!  This sweater is super soft and has these cute buttons running down the side
Cloud Knit Sweatercoat--I'll need about a 2nd cut sale before this one is within my price range.  It seems like it would be super versatile (just like my Downy Loops vest!)

L-R: 
Kites and Constellations Cardigan--a unique twist to your basic navy cardigan.  Love the constellations detail!
Cashmere Boatneck--the name says it all: cashmere with an interesting funnel boat neck
Winking Sky Cardigan--cardgan + beading = grandma approved!


Are you excited about anything from the Anthropologie sweater/outerwear sale?

Downy Loops Vest

I snapped up this cozy vest at Anthropologie's Black Friday sale and have hopes that it will be the most versatile piece in my wardrobe this winter.  I'm looking forward to pairing it with maxi skirts and dresses and worn over button down tops and sweaters.  As for my thermal tee in this picture, I'm usually not a pink girl, but somehow I make the exception for neon pink!
 

Outfit details
Top: Jcrew

Vest: Anthro

Pants: Madewell

Shoes: Uggs

Accessories: Madewell necklace

Jcrew Blythe top

I patiently waited for this Blythe silk blouse to go on sale but the problem is, now it's just a bit too chilly to wear silk!  I felt like I was putting on an ice cube in the morning.  Maybe next time I'll try a cami underneath?

Outfit details
Top: Jcrew

Skirt: Anthropologie

Shoes: No. 6

Ships in the night

 

Just a simple button down and pants outfit for the work week.  I've discovered another addiction, one that might rival my cardigan, belt and dress addictions.  I introduce to you--the humble button down.  They can be silk, cotton or flannel; plaid, checked or quirky--I'll take them all! (and some better lighting for these pictures)

Outfit details
Top: Anthro

Pants: Madewell

Shoes: No. 6

Accessories: Bora ring

Madewell maxi

I'm still on the hunt for cropped sweaters to wear with dresses and skirts.  I wore mine half tucked which probably looked a bit sloppy.  Next time I might employ the safety pin trick from Jentine and try a faux tuck.

Outfit details
Top: Banana Republic

Skirt: Madewell

Shoes: No. 6

Accessories: ?? necklace

Puppies + Bergdorf = Magic

Black Friday

I know a lot of people avidly avoid Black Friday sales but I was not one of them this past weekend.  In fact, I was with the group of 400 people lining up at the mall at 6am on Black Friday.   Is that a bit crazy?  Sure.  I don't really mind crowds and the thrill of the hunt energizes me.  To prep, I do advance detective work on what the sales are going to be (ie 50% off sale at Anthro) and then have a mental list of things to look out for.  Then I go in, I peruse, I grab, and I buy (my shopping version of veni, vidi, vici). 

This year, I did get some of the items on my mental wishlist, and was pleasantly surprised by the Madewell sale.  I scored big time and above are some of my favorites: a chambray shirt, a cozy sweater coat and two maxi skirts--just in time for the cooler weather!

What did you find this Black Friday/Cyber Monday?

Gap bird top

Do you gravitate towards certain combinations when choosing an outfit?  Here's my tried and true favorite:

• Am I in a skirt?
• Do I have a cardigan on? 
• Am I wearing any shades of grey? 
• How about some comfort shoes?
• A belt?
• And lastly, any sort of quirky animal print?

Outfit details
Top:Gap

Cardigan: Jcrew

Skirt: Vintage

Shoes: No. 6

Accessories: Lisa Levine necklace

Vintage bracelets, Jcrew belt

Tess + Sikara event

Last Friday evening, Grechen, Sydney and I attended 

a lovely event at Sikara featuring the new Tess Dress holiday collection. 

The space at Sikara is gorgeous and filled to the brim with beautiful jewelry and gemstones.

Here Sydney tries on the coolest silver cage ring, one of my favorites of the evening

Theresa's holiday line of cocktail dresses feature her trademark fit and attention to details and 

are done up in beautiful silk dupioni in vibrant colors.  You can check out the entire line here 

and also a fun feature on how to style the dresses here (I love Sydney's choices!)

We had a lot of fun trying on all the gorgeous jewelry and 

here's the gemstone ring Sydney went home with that night!

It was a lovely evening of fashion and friends--thank you Tess and Sikara!

Fall wear

Trying out the sweater over a dress look.  It's a great way to extend the life of my summer dresses and change the look up.  The length of the sweater is probably the trickiest part.  I tend to panic if I don't have my waist defined with a belt b/c then I feel sloppy.  Fortunately, a cropped sweater is a fair compromise and I was comfortable in this outfit all day *and* it hid the enormous amount of Thai food I consumed at dinner!

Outfit details
Dress: T by Alexander Wang

Sweater: H&M

Shoes: Madewell

Accessories: Vintage necklace and bracelets

Black Friday sales

Are you looking forward to Black Friday deals?  It seems like most retailers are already starting their sales--it's tough to hold on to my pennies!

Speaking of which, I was perusing BF ads and came across this one from Northpark Center in Dallas.  I had to count the zeros twice.  Only 2 after the decimal, whew!

Which stores/items are you stalking for Black Friday?

Jcrew jersey dress

Still trying to figure out indoor pictures.  If anyone has any tips let me know!  I was happy to pull out this Jcrew jersey dress from my winter clothing pile.  Usually I wear a belt with it but went with a big necklace instead.  

Outfit details
Dress: Jcrew

Shoes: No. 6

Accessories: Anthro necklace

Accessories Part II

Outfit details
Dress: 3.1 Phillip Lim

Sweater: Mayle

Accessories: vintage belt

Madewell cuff, Shaesby ring

vintage knot ring

Madewell widelegger

Today's post is for the petite ladies.  It's great that brands are now coming out with petite lengths for pants and jeans but I will say that a 30-31 inch inseam is sadly still too long for me.  Seriously.  I wear a 27 inch inseam for flats and maybe 29 inches for heels.  That's another reason why I dislike pants because my proportions are usually off (longer torso, short short legs).  Heels are a great way to offset some of that, hence my endless search for comfort shoes with a heel--and these No. 6 clogs certainly fit the bill, giving me 3 inches of height but are wearable and walkable every day.   Next, these Madewell wideleggers are close to the perfect pant because of the shape of the leg.  It hugs in at the thighs and knees then flares out at the bottom, giving the appearance of length.  From a gal who doesn't love pants, these are actually my favorite so that's saying a lot!  I highly recommend them and they're on super sale right now as well!  ps. I still had to hem them but other than that, they're still pretty perfect!

Outfit details
Top: Patterson Kincaid

Pants: Madewell

Shoes: No. 6

Rearranging

Welcome to daylight savings time and a new change of scenery!  Since it's pitch black dark when I get home now, B and I are trying to figure out another suitable location to take outfit pictures.  (well, I am, B naively thought we'd just stop outfit pictures all together--sucker) As you can see, not only do we have limited knowledge on how to operate our fancy camera, we also aren't quite sure about lighting.  Do you stand under the light, by the light, away from the light?  The puppies are also quite confused by the new location. We'll get it together soon enough!

Outfit details
Top: LE Canvas

Skirt: thrifted

Accessories: totally forgot the brand of the necklace right now

Shoes: No. 6 / Joie

I wore my No. 6 clogs with this outfit for the day but came home to these gorgeous Joies waiting for me.  What do you guys think about "shooties" (it's a shoe, no, it's a boot!).  I like the unique look but the heel is a bit unwieldy and you know how I like my comfort shoes...

Wide leg pants

Ok, so I can't give up wide leg pants just yet.  They are so comforting to me and if I don't try to buy the next size up like I usually do, I don't look like I belong in a skate park.  Not that I do anyway but you get the point.  Anyone remember JNCO jeans?  That's a way back flash back for ya.

Outfit details
Top: Jcrew

Sweater: LE canvas

Pants: Level 99

Shoes: No. 6

A love hate relationship

I have a love/hate relationship with jeans and pants.  I love that they keep me warm, but I absolutely hate how they look on me.  Due to my body shape (pear, bottom heavy), it's challenging to find pants that fit properly, let alone look good once they're on.  I've gravitated towards wide leg jeans and pants because I guess camouflage is part of human nature.  However, a wise stylist kindly told me that baggy pants weren't exactly flattering either and encouraged me towards trying slimmer pants.   I'm still not going all out emo skinny jeans or leggings, but here is my compromise.  With the weather turning cooler, I've either got to figure out how to pose in pants or find me some fleece lined leggings to wear with my beloved dresses and skirts.  Am I the only one out there that hates pants? *crickets*

Outfit details
Top: Muji

Blazer: Jcrew

Jeans: Paige

Shoes: No. 6
Accessories: Candace Ang

Secretary blouse

I never fail to visit a H&M when I'm near one and recently found this gem of a top in NYC.  I've been trying to curb my spending at H&M because it's rare that I keep a piece of theirs longer than a season or two.  Still, they are a nice way to try out a trend for minimal dollars and this secretary blouse with a tie front is impressive at just $10.  The fabric is actually quite lovely and light and drapes well and the print works perfectly for fall. I'm plotting on how to wear it next, perhaps under a blazer or cardigan!

Outfit details
Top: H&M

Skirt: vintage/thrifted

Shoes: Camper
Accessories: Jcrew belt

And a bonus picture, just because I think Link is mocking me: looking down and putting his left foot oh so delicately in front of his right.