Ski weekend gear

We're headed to Mammoth this week for a ski weekend with friends and I can't wait. I'm looking forward to hitting the the slopes during the day and cozy nights with good friends. My packing list looks something like this. What do you pack for a ski weekend? 

 Ski gear: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Cozy gear: 1| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Stylish sneakers

Did you see the pretty sneakers featured at the Chanel Spring 2014 Couture show? As a tall girl who also has little stamina when it comes to painful heels, I love the idea of pairing stylish sneakers with an outfit.

Below are some of my favorites, but first, don't forget to enter the Henry and Belle skinny jeans giveaway (here)!

images via Vogue

Urban flair

Just in time for your holiday shopping, items for the cool, hip city girl in your life.

Jacket | iPhone case | Wristlet | Earrings | Sunglasses | Watch | High tops | Headphones

Loving: Black & Gold

Maybe it's the holidays right around the corner, but I am loving black and gold pieces lately! There is something so glamorous and chic about pitch black paired with a shiny gold. Here are a few of the pieces I have my eye one.

Purse | Bracelet | Necklace | Pumps | Clutch | Watch

Favorite fall boots

As much as I didn't want to let go of summer, I do love fall for the changing leaves, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin-flavorered everything. And with cooler weather, every gal needs a great pair of boots. If you're in the market for a new pair, I highly recommend checking out the selection on Onlineshoes.com!

I first became acquainted with Onlineshoes.com when I participated in a blogger styling contest (here) and thanks to them, I have a gorgeous pair of Clark's boots (here) that have become my go-to fall boots. The site is great because it has a huge inventory of name brand, quality shoes and easy searching and filtering capabilities.

Below are few of my favorite boots for fall. The are all are available on Onlineshoes.com, so check them out (here)!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 

And if you wan to try a different look...

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Disclosure: Gift certificate was provided by Onlineshoes.com. All opinions expressed herein are my own. 

1920s Parisian Party

One of my best gals, Aravinda (of foodie blog, Linguini & Colette) is hosting a Midnight in Paris dinner party and I can't wait! She's amazing in the kitchen, so I'm excited to see the menu and a 1920s Paris is probably the chicest theme for a party ever! 

I also happen to love the movie Midnight in Paris!

via

I'm still trying to decide what to wear, but my bachelorette party dress is a big contender. The look below would be pretty perfect too, don't you think?

Dress | Heels | Headband | Lipstick | Ring | Clutch

How To: Rework a Bridesmaid Dress

Thanks to savvy retailers and designers and brands who know what their customers want, bridesmaids dresses are more stylish and rewearable than ever. 

One of my very best friends is getting married this Saturday and I couldn't be happier about the bridesmaid dress I'm wearing for her wedding (here).

But sometimes, whether it's a mental block - I wore this in a wedding, ergo it is a bridesmaid dress - or the style/fabric reads a little bridesmaidsy - silk dupioni, anyone? - it can be hard to reimagine a bridesmaid dress. 

So how do you do it?

A tell-tale sign of a bridesmaid look is pretty, put-together, but not-too-flashy styling. Because who wants to out-sparkle the bride?

Shake the bridesmaid look with bold accessories. Pick pieces that that can transform a simple dress like a statement necklace, a belt, and chic shoes. Don't be afraid to play with color, pattern, and texture to give your bridesmaid dress a whole new look!

dress | earrings | bangle | nude pumps | necklace | suede pumps | belt

Fall favorites

While I'm not ready to let go of summer just yet, I do have my eye on a few pieces for fall. I'm trying hard not to shop right now, so these beauties will be going on my wishlist.

What are some of your fall favorites?

Dress | Jacket | Purse | Bootie

jet set in style

as my grandma once told me, "a lady should travel in style," and with holiday travels right around the corner, i have travel accessories on the brain. these chic items would make braving the airports a little more glamorous, don't you think?

headphones | eye mask | luggage tag | passport holder | luggage

the working girl's office stash: part two

at the risk of being considered a hoarder, having food on hand is key to surviving the work day. better yet, having healthy meals and snacks packed and ready-to-go will help keep the cravings at bay and help you resist the cookies in the break room.

and most important of all - a water bottle. having a BPA-free bottle on your desk will ensure you stay hydrated and will be a good reminder to drink more water, particularly if it's pretty like the one below.

i'm curious to know what's in your stash. leave a comment below letting us know what powers you through the work day.

tupperware | water bottle

*food images via teen vogue, real simple, seventeen, prevention.com, cookinglight.com

the working girl's office stash: part one

i recently shared tips for building a versatile work wardrobe and today is all about what to stash at your "office." where ever you work, whether it's home, downtown, in a high-rise, or out in the suburbs, having these items on hand can be a life-saver.

finding time to work out during a busy day can be tough, but if you're prepared with a packed bag of gym clothes, when a 30-minute window in your day opens up, you'll be ready. having your workout clothes on hand might also motivate you to get moving! if you work in the corporate world, a sleek, black bag like this one will keep you looking professional.

having a pair or two of neutral shoes on hand is a must, especially for the city girl who commutes - you can keep them in a drawer at the office or carry them along in your bag, but either way, they go with everything and won't get ruined on a rainy day.

leaving a cardigan or blazer hanging on the back of your desk chair means you won't freeze on a particularly chilly day or will be ready for that impromptu meeting with the client.

stay tuned for part two tomorrow!

sports tank | sports bra | tennis shoes | running shorts | hair ties | bag
nude pumps | flats | black pumps | cardigan | blazer

have this? need that!

i'm bringing back the "have this? need that!" series today with a fall-flavored point of view. having grown up in texas, i never paid much attention to cold weather clothing. jackets, scarves and the like were utilitarian and i only reluctantly spent money on them. it was much more fun to buy sundresses, sandals and sunnies.

it wasn't until i moved to the midwest that i realized that accessories that protected me from the elements were important and would become a large part of my wardrobe. i learned how to layer properly and moreover, that these pieces could be cute and stylish.

my hunter wellies are a must-have for rainy chicago days and they wouldn't be complete without cozy knit accessories. socks that peek out of the top of the boots, a scrunchy beanie, and a great scarf can be worn with a skirt and sweater on warmer days and with jeans and a jacket as the days get colder.

i realized after i put these pieces together that the colors are pretty much identical to this outfit post and had to laugh. what can i say: at least i'm consistent? all joking aside, these colors are on-trend and work well together.

                                                                                  boots | hat | socks | scarf

gilded goodies from zara home

like i'm sure many of you were, i scoured zara home as soon as i heard word that it launched and let me say, it was worth the wait. the housewares are current, stylish, and better yet, priced really well.

when i saw the bevy of gold accessories, i immediately thought of my girl cave and how nicely they would fit in.

created by me via

as i've mentioned before, the mr. isn't a huge fan of gold or brass decor, so when i do set up my girl cave it will be a gold explosion. don't you think the gold accessories below would look great in the girl cave? me too!

if you've had a chance to check out zara home, what were your favorite items?

1 | 2 | 3| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

the loveliest wedding

happy friday, dear readers! i thought i would head off into the weekend with some pretties. you might remember the loveliest bridal shower and today, i have details for a lovely wedding. this palette of gold, peach and pink is just the sweetest, isn't it?

flowers | gown | cake via 

what to wear to a fall wedding

if you're like me and have a fall wedding to attend, think about incorporating transitional pieces, into your look for those cool-but-not-quite-cold days and nights. in fashion, "transitional," refers to articles of clothing that are worn in between seasons and can transition from one season to another.

think of a lightweight sweater or trench coat for those sunny spring days when there's still a chill in the air. or pairing tights under your skirts and dresses as summer turns to fall. these are the items that will keep you comfortable and weather-appropriate before a season is in full swing.

coat | dress | bracelet | ring | pumps | clutch | lipstick

i love this rich emerald hue for fall; the jewel tone is elegant and flattering on most complexions. pairing it with rose gold is a sophisticated, but unique touch. with a neutral trench and modest nude pumps, this look is appropriate for a wedding, but i've kept it fun and fresh with a leopard print clutch and red lipstick. 

fabulous fall staples

now that fall is officially here, i have busted out the sweaters, boots, scarves, and cozy cable knits. i'm loving army green and burgundy (sorry, folks, just can't bring myself to call it "oxblood") for the season and put together my ideal uniform for fall!

                                                                              coat | jeans | scarf | boots | socks

glamorous crate & barrel living room

man, crate & barrel has been knocking it out of the park lately! c&b has been a longtime favorite of mine for affordable, stylish home goods, especially for dining and entertaining. the mr. and i received lots of beautiful pieces from c&b and especially love our drinkwear and flatware.

but i have to admit, i viewed c&b as a store for basics and staples and didn't consider it a go-to for chic furniture or on-trend decor. and then this month's catalog came in the mail. i have to say, i am impressed. from beautiful wooden casegoods to nail head details, the product offering is chic, fresh,  and more sophisticated!

i was planning on posting a round-up of some of my favorite pieces, but i had so many products on one page, i realized i could create an entire room! now picture this space with dark hardwood and benjamin moore's lancaster whitewash on the walls.

what about you? are you impressed with c&b's new look?

*all items pictured available at crate & barrel. this is not a sponsored post, but feel free to e-mail me if you have specific questions or can't locate a product!

the suede shoe: a must-have for fall

although i'm mostly in denial about the end of summer, i do love fall and the warm, cozy fabrics that accompany the season. knit sweaters and textured tights are a couple of my faves, but no fall wardrobe is complete without a suede shoe. the fabric is season-appropriate and makes for a great transitional shoe. just make sure to spray with protectant before you hit the streets, in case you get caught in the rain (or snow!). i recently purchased these black suede wedges and i love them! a suede wedge is the perfect day-to-night fall shoe and it goes with everything!

1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8

have this? need that!

i decided to make "have this? need that!" into a series after sharing my newest fashion find. i love dreaming up new ways to style great pieces i already have and hopefully it will offer a little inspiration for you too!

i believe every woman needs a great high-waisted skirt. it can be a mini, midi, or maxi, but the key is fit. the waistband should fit snugly at your natural waist or a bit higher (1-2 inches above your navel) and should be looser throughout the thigh. the exception of course is a pencil skirt, which is fitted throughout the thigh and tapers at the knee, but be careful not to go too tight.

i personally think a-line or bell-shape are the most universally flattering fits - both cinch in a woman's waist and create structure for a clean line. pairing with a silk tank and statement necklace is a chic daytime or evening look, depending on hair, makeup, and shoes. you can also pair with belted cardigan or tights, boots, and a blazer for fall.

                                                                          skirt|tank|necklace

workwear essentials

today's post is dedicated to one of my readers who sent me an e-mail asking for help styling workwear options. she is about to enter the workforce and needs budget-friendly, stylish pieces to wear to the office.

i was happy to help because i remember being fresh out of college and not really knowing what type of clothing was appropriate. i've worked in offices that have required business professional more often than not (suits) and ones that are business casual (blouse and skirt/trouser), so over time i've learned a few tricks that work for me.

first off, where to shop: below are my go-to retailers for chic workwear. i've listed what i typically buy from each store and if you've never shopped for professional clothing at these retailers before, this checklist might make the trip a little less daunting.

but let's get down to it. what are the items a girl has to have to survive the work week? in short, a pencil skirt, a silk blouse, a work-appropriate dress, a cardigan, trousers, heels, and jewelry. now, if you only buy one of each item, you will probably be making several trips to the dry cleaners. my suggestion is to find the items that work best for your body and buy them in different colors/patterns. for example, buy a pencil skirt in black (that's a staple!) and another color you love, and a silk blouse in white and a color that will match your 2nd skirt. with those four pieces, you have most of the work week covered.

so, what does this look like? using j.crew products as an example, i've shown you which pieces are essential building blocks for a versatile work wardrobe.

make mixing and matching your bff - it is the number one way to the most bang for your buck! and keep in mind, that means mixing and matching pieces from different retailers. banana republic has beautiful sleeveless silk blouses (i own at least four) and they regularly have 40% off sales. it should be enjoyable - your wardrobe can be a great way to express yourself, so have fun experimenting with different looks!

now, let's put it all together. here, i've taken the workwear essentials and given you a few ways to mix and match. there are dozens of other possibilities, which means with a few carefully selected pieces, you will have a work wardrobe that is versatile, fresh, and budget-friendly!

blouse | skirt | bracelet | belt | nude heels | nude & black pumps | dress | necklace | cardigan | trousers