Breaking the Rules

I'm breaking the rules again today! I'm wearing white after Labor Day and I'm not matching my shoes to my hemline.

I've posted about this ponte knit white dress before (see initial review here).  You can see it styled here paired with gray, and here for a summery look paired with a coral blazer.  I recently wore it with a jean jacket, turquoise belt and booties for a very casual look that I will post soon.  It's been a great addition to my closet.  I was hesitant when I purchased it.  My stylist from Trunk Club suggested it, and I would never have considered it on my own.  White goes with everything though.  It can look as formal or casual as you want. And, contrary to passé rules, it can easily be worn all year long.

My cropped orange jacket is from J Crew.  It's been in my closet for a couple of years. It is made from a light wool herringbone fabric which helps make my white dress fall appropriate.  You can see it previously styled here with a houndstooth skirt, and here with a denim skirt.  The collarless style is so elegant and easy to wear.

Another passé rule is that your shoes and hemline should match.  Personally, I love the look of matching my shoes to my blouse or jacket, especially if it's a bright color.  I recently purchased these suede orange pumps to go with this jacket and a few other orange things in my closet.  I get lots of complements when I wear them, so that just reinforces my own "match shoes to jacket" rule!

Recreate the look:
White dress: Similar white sheath dress from Nordstrom
Orange pumps: Exact Marc Fisher Pumps
Orange blazer:  similar collarless orange jacket
Purse:  similar pre-owned one that's brown and black


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Orange Top and Leopard Print

I like to wear jeans on Fridays when I don't have any client appointments.  I still need to look put together though as a courtesy to others in the office who do have clients coming in.  In outfits like these though, if I'm sitting behind a desk, no one even knows that I'm in jeans. These jeans came from my first trunk club (Trunk Club and jeans reviewed here). They are from AG, and I could wear them every day.  They were an investment, but they are so soft and stretchy, and in this dark wash and straight cut they are classic enough for business casual days.

 

This is my favorite orange silk top (previously styled here, and here) by Joie, again!  It's been such a fun addition to my wardrobe this fall.  I paired it this time with this cute black blazer. You can't tell in the pictures but it has a subtle snake print design that gives it a little more somethin' somethin'.  I wore my animal print heels and matching belt, and carried my Celine Nano with orange sides, for a great fall vibe.

 

Recreate the look:

Blazer: mine is old from Tahari, but this one is similar

Top: mine is Joie, here's a similar one also by Joie but with buttons

Jeans: mine are from AG, similar AG jeans from Nordstrom

Belt: similar from The Limited

Shoes: mine are old from Michael Kors, here's his current version

Purse: Celine Nano, this one is a pre-owned one that's brown and black

When I got home I changed for dinner. I switched out the blazer for a cardigan and my leopard heels for my leopard wedges (previously reviewed here). I even threw on this little leopard scarf for fun.  I'm always amazed at how just a few subtle changes can change the whole vibe of an outfit.

Recreate the look:

Scarf: mine is so old, here's a really cute one

Cardigan: mine is old from Marshall's, similar 

Top: mine is Joie, here's a similar one also by Joie but with buttons

Jeans: mine are from AG, similar AG jeans from Nordstrom

Belt: similar from The Limited

Shoes: exact Vionic wedges in leopard print for $45

Purse: Celine Nano, this one is a pre-owned one that's brown and black

 

I use affiliate links in this blog. That means each time you click on a link to a product I get a few cents, even if you don't purchase anything. I have a full time job and I keep this blog purely for fun. All proceeds I make here I donate to charity, so please click away and know it's for a great cause! Many thanks!

Houndstooth for Fall

 

The Houndstooth pattern originated in the Scottish Lowlands in the 1800's.  During the 1930's it became the design aristocrats used in for casual wear.  By the 1960's Christian Dior and others brought it main stream and it can now be found on all types of clothes and accessories.  My first item in houndstooth was a scarf I bought while in college that I still have. The pattern seems to be reinvented every few decades, as with most fashion trends.  The size of the pattern changes as does the color combination, but the small size in black and white is always classic.  Here are two outfits with my houndstooth skirt. 

 

I'm wearing it with this pumpkin blouse again (see how I last styled it here). This time I paired the blouse with this collarless J. Crew blazer in the same color (see previously styled here). I like this outfit formula of a matching blouse and blazer with contrasting skirt.  I tried it for the first time only a few months ago, after seeing it on Pinterst over and over.  I use this formula often now. 

 

 

Houndstooth skirt - Albert Nippon (similar)
Orange silk blouse - Joie (similar)
Orange blazer - J. Crew (similar)
Black pumps - Ralph Lauren (similar)
Handbag - Celine Nano (similar)
Belt - Hermes (exact, pre-owned)


For my second outfit I paired my houdstooth skirt with a cobalt blue blouse and a black blazer.  Until I saw these pictures together I didn't realize that I always wear my Hermes belt with this skirt! The skirt doesn't have belt loops, but it does have a defined waistband, so I guess in my eye that needs a belt.  My blazer has a subtle snakeskin print.  A bolder print would have been too much paired with the houndstooth, but this is subtle enough that it's not overpowering.  I finished the look off with my awesome suede cobalt heels.

Houndstooth skirt - Albert Nippon (similar)
Cobalt blouse - The Limited (similar from Target)
Black blazer - Tahari (love this similar one)
Cobalt pumps - French Connection (similar and cute)
Belt - Hermes (exact, pre-owned)

Charity - I use affiliate links in this blog.  That means each time you click on a link to a product I get a few cents, even if you don't purchase anything.  I have a full time job and I keep this blog purely for fun.  All proceeds I make here I donate to charity, so please click away and know it's for a great cause! Also, please tell me what your favorite charities are in the comments.  I will donate to the ones that are most popular. Many thanks!


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Pumpkin Spice

I'm starting to see pumpkin flavored everything in the grocery store, and this morning when I went outside it was almost cool. Fall will be here soon!

This pumpkin colored blouse will likely be in heavy rotation for the season. I just purchased it and it's made of a beautiful silky fabric that drapes nicely. With short sleeves it will be easy to wear with a jacket for work, or on its own on weekends. And, bonus, since orange is opposite of blue on the color wheel, if you have blue eyes the orange will really bring attention to them!

This crop tweed jacket is also a recent purchase from White House Black Market. It's light weight so I'll be able to wear it year round.  I've always loved military inspired details like these Epaulettes. I'm so excited to see military details trending. The neutral color is so versatile, and matches my suede sandals and belt.

I wore my favorite denim skirt for a more casual look, but my navy skirt or black skirt would have worked too. I chose the denim because it has belt loops, which gave me the opportunity to wear my reversible Hermes belt, that I usually only wear on the black side.

My Celine Nano inspired the whole outfit, and ties everything together by repeating the color palette. 

 

 

Crop jacket: White House Black Market, similar, similar 

Top: Joie available in several colors

Belt: Hermes

Denim Skirt: White House Black Market, similar, similar, and this similar on that's under $40

Purse: Celine Nano black and white version

Shoes: Audrey Brooke/DSW similar, similar under $50, similar

 

Over to you, what's your favorite pumpkin flavored food, or pumpkin colored item in your closet?

Charity - I use affiliate links in this blog.  That means each time you click on a link to a product I get a few cents, even if you don't purchase anything.  I have a full time job and I keep this blog purely for fun.  All proceeds I make here I donate to charity, so please click away and know it's for a great cause! Also, please tell me what your favorite charities are in the comments.  I will donate to the ones that are most popular. Many thanks!

Style Statistics

What I love most about the Stylebook Closet app is the statistics it gives me on my wardrobe (see previous app reviews here and here). When I first started using the app 5 months ago I worked on my "Never Worn" list. It took a couple of months to wear everything in my closet once...and actually there are still 143 items on that list. Those last remaining items are sweaters, corduroy pants, boots and jackets, so once the weather gets cooler I'll clear out my "never worn" list.

In the meantime I've been working my "Worst Cost per Wear" list. This list takes the price you paid for an item and divides it by the number of times you've worn it, and then ranks the top 25 items. There's also a "Best Cost per Wear" list. Most of the items on that list tend to be my less expensive pieces like shorts and tee-shirts, but my top item on that list is a black pencil skirt that is currently $1.11 per wear! I've obviously gotten my money's worth out of it! Which is exactly what this app is helping me do. I want to get my money's worth out of my clothes. I don't mind spending a little more on an item if I know I'm going to wear it many times, but I hate to see high end items languishing on the "Worst Cost per Wear" list.

My outfit today includes three items on my "Worst Cost per Wear" list: the blouse, purse, and necklace.

I bought my necklace at the Gold and Diamond Mall in Dubai. It was pricey, but I wear it often, and will continue to for decades, so it may one day be $1.11 per wear too!

I also love my Celine Nano Tote. It was a little pricey too, so even though I've carried it 10 times since April it is still on the list. I carry it much more in the fall and winter, so it will be in heavy rotation soon, and will work it's way off the list in no time.

My blouse on the other hand is a reasonably priced item but prior to today I had only worn it twice. This black wrap top is from M M Lafleur, and it is one of the most comfortable, yet polished business tops I own (see previously styled here), so I don't know why I don't wear every week! I love the 3/4 length sleeves, and the front draping. Another plus is that the wrap part it fully sewn so I'm not fussing with it all day to insure I'm not flashing any cleavage.  It looks polished enough to wear on its own as I did here, but it also looks great under a blazer, and it pairs well with jeans too.

M.M. LaFleur is an interesting company (read their story here), started by a woman in finance who wanted a more inspired wardrobe. They design and manufacturing professional women's wear, and pay a lot of attention comfort, quality, and ease of care.  On top of that their customer service is excellent.

If you want to give them a try I recommend ordering a Bento Box. A stylist will curate and send you some items. You get to try everything on and keep what you like. My first box wasn't quite me and I ended up sending everything back. Then I got a sweet email from their marketing director, apologizing for missing the mark and asked if she could send out another box. I of course accepted their gracious offer and ended up with this lovely blouse. It currently comes in wine and ivory as well as black, and both are on my wish list.

Blouse - M.M. LaFleur Deneuve Blouse

Skirt - White House Black Market

Spectator Pumps - Lauren by Ralph Lauren

Bag - Celine Nano

 

Charity - I use affiliate links in this blog.  That means each time you click on a link to a product I get a few cents, even if you don't purchase anything.  I have a full time job and I keep this blog purely for fun.  All proceeds I make here I donate to charity, so please click away and know it's for a great cause! Also, please tell me what your favorite charities are in the comments.  I will donate to the ones that are most popular. Many thanks!

Casual Friday

This denim pencil skirt from White House Black Market has become a workhorse in my wardrobe.  When I bought it I though it would just be a weekend skirt, but styled correctly, it looks professional enough that I can wear it to work on Fridays too.  The a dark wash, pencil skirt style, and small slit in the front all help elevate it to work appropriate. The denim has a lot of stretch in it so it's comfortable all day long also.

I've paired it with this white and beige chevron stripe blouse by Laundry, and this orange J Crew collarless blazer. I've accessorized with my Celine Micro Luggage bag, Hermes belt, and these navy suede Stuart Weitzman wedges.

I kept seeing these navy wedges on Princess Kate and after a little research (Kate's favorite shoes) I was able to find them.  They are my first pair of shoes in this brand.  I originally bought them in my usual size 7M, but they were too long and narrow. I exchanged them for a 6.5 wide and they fit well. I've since read reviews that this brand tends to run narrow. They took a couple of wears to break in, the outside edge of the shoe rubbed against the top of my foot, but I now wear them without any trouble.

Happy Friday!

Outfit of the Day

This jacket and navy skirt are both JCrew and I bought them both on Ebay.  I've had great luck buying JCrew staples on Ebay.  This jacket and skirt were both practically new.  JCrew is pretty good about having standard sizing, so I know what size I wear in the brand and when I order that size it fits.  This has been a fun jacket to own; the 60's vibe is fun without being over the top.  I've worn it to work and to evening work events.  Here I paired it with my Celine Micro Luggage bag, which works perfectly!  I'm also wearing Manolo Blahnik's that I bought at a high end resale store here in Houston called The Little Bird.