Fall Staples

Maybe it's because I was forced to wear a brown and white plaid jumper for much of my childhood, but I do get excited when I get to plan a "First Day of ___" outfit. I'm starting a new job within less than a week, and I've been scrambling to find ways to make business casual not so...bizz-nizz-y.  I'm leaving behind years of being able to wear nice tailored jeans such as these, and searching for clothes that say:

1.  Take me seriously...my age and my new graduate degree make me an certified adult (sort of).

2.  I don't take myself that seriously.  

Admittedly, the message is a bit of an oxy moron. I've just purchased two items that will fall into the business casual dress code but still manage to be stylish, updated, and young.

These pants are phenomenal.  They are so phenomenal that I just purchased another pair.  I'm going to hem one pair to be ankle-length so I can wear them with flats.  My new pair will be kept longer so I can wear them with heels (meow).  They have an amazing fit, and for being skinny pants, they're surprisingly flattering!

and if you use the code "savebig", you can get 30% off your purchase!

This shrunken blazer will undoubtedly make its way into at least one outfit per week.  Pair it with jeans, skirts, or the skinny pants shown above, this updated spin on a classic piece will instantly pull together any outfit. Underneath I can wear a thin turtleneck or a silk cami depending on NY's unpredictable fall weather.

Forever Searching...

for the perfect pump.  I'm not really much of a shoe girl, not because I don't like shoes, but mainly because most of the shoes that I love and admire are half a month's paycheck {oh wait, I don't have a paycheck}.  I spent much of my exciting Friday night  scouring the Internet for the perfect neutral pump with the caveat that it needed to be reasonably priced.  My criteria:  

• Neutral colored - grey, bone, or beige
• Minimum 3 inch heel - any shorter and it's unflattering on my 5'2" frame
• Not too pointy, not too round, it had to be juuuuuust right {a la Goldilocks}

I was surprised that I found these at DSW's website!  I know it looks kind of old lady by itself, but picture it with a printed spring dress or with a great pair of black trousers.  Are you with me now?  

Then, I found this adorable pair of flat sandals.  I really love the turquoise color.  It will add a bit of color to my normally neutral colored outfits.  Pair them with these jeans or this skirt, and voila! 

Both pairs are well under $100...mission accomplished!

A Trend I'll Never Get

I understand fashion is up for personal interpretation, so it's rare that I ever come out and say, "Whoa. Whoa. That should never be worn."  Even with the crazy haute couture stuff...in my opinion, those pieces are considered artwork and should be admired for their beauty and handiwork.  

I will never get the menswear trend that is hitting WOMEN's fashion.  I am a WO-MAN, with an emphasis on the WO.  There are a few things I take issue with:

1.  No man in my life has items like this in his closet.  Granted, if I wanted to execute the menswear trend based on the "male muses" in my life, I'd be wearing hooded sweatshirts, vintage t's, a lot of fleece, and running shoes.

Example 1 Wing-tipped Oxfords

Example 2 Boat Shoes

These should only be worn by a woman if she is manning a ship or some other type of aquatic vessel.  I get the preppy trend, but I can't get on board with these (pun intended).

Example 3 Pleated High-Waisted Khakis

This item is wrong for so many reasons.  Not until a few years ago was I successful in banishing all pleated pants from my husband's closet.  #1. They're not flattering.  #2.  1984 called and they want their pants back.  

2.  Women should dress in a way that is body-conscious and flattering.  I'm all for gender equality, but it should stop when it comes to clothing and accessories.  I've never been one to dress for male attention, but men don't want to look at a woman wearing baggy, pleated pants and boat shoes!  Unless they are of the ilk who keeps the September issue of Vogue on their coffee table, they won't get that you're trying to be on trend.  They'll just think you raided your father's closet c. 1982.  Not cute.  

3.  I get that not all women love pleats and ruffles, but there's a way to dress that is chic and minimalist without looking like you are a dude.  Here are some of my picks from my favorite line Theory.  Theory does a great job of making amazingly flattering clothes that are appropriate for even the most conservative office setting.  Their pants are pricey ($250+), but I assure you, they're worth the investment.  I've had mine for 5+ years and I will cry on the day I retire them.  

Her shirt is fitted in all the right places and the pants are loose enough to be comfy but cut in such a way that makes her legs look like they go on for miles (okay, that might have something to do with her being a model).

This blazer is double-breasted (a nod to the menswear trend), but made feminine with a wide belt and a girly blouse underneath.  

Lastly, if you are compelled to take part of the menswear trend, I suggest offsetting the dude factor with sweet ballet flats like these:

Chills!!

I don't think it's any coincidence that Sex and the City 2 is coming out on my birthday this year!  SATC is one of those shows that I can watch at any time of the day and be enthralled in each and every episode regardless of how many times I've watched it.

The newest SATC2 trailer is here and I got chills.  It looks like Aidan's back, who for the record, was one of my top fave boyfriends next to Big.  I mean, look at him!  Does she finally give Big a taste of his own cheating medicine?  I will honestly not be able to handle it if they break up in this movie.  I've been on that emotional roller coaster through several seasons (and one movie) and my poor heart will not be able to endure any more pain.  If they Big and Carrie go kaput, look for me checked into the mental ward at the hospital down the street from the 86th Street movie theater.

Without further ado...

Sunday Funday

I packed my bags for NYC in a bit of a rush, and I just realized that I forgot my dress for Easter Sunday.  It wasn't a new dress, but I wanted to wear a dress to church and to a family gathering.  I'm sure I'll see people dressed in jeans at church and at my in-laws, but my mom drilled it into my head to be dressed up for holidays. I can't say that I disagree.  I distinctly remember getting a new dress for every holiday.  I liked the tradition more when someone else was paying for it!

I discovered this A-M-A-Z-I-N-G website a few months ago, and I had to stop visiting it because it was such a time sucker!  Daydreaming for an Easter outfit for this Sunday, I put together this outfit on Polyvore.

It's going to be 60 degrees on Sunday which means it will be warm enough to rock a frock sans tights.  And since this dress is sleeveless, I decided to pair it with this military-inspired cropped sweater.  

The dress and cardigan are from Forever 21, where I'll surely wear 4 sizes bigger than normal since their clothes are cut sooo tiny.  I own the patent black flats (in at least 4 different styles because one can't have too many black flats).  Sadly, I don't own the Chanel quilted bag...one can dream, right?

I mean it, rain. Go away.

Yet another rainy day in Boston.  With no surprise, my umbrella (ella ella eh eh eh) broke and I've got a million and twenty things to attend to today, all of which require going out in the rain.

Every girl's rainy day wardrobe should contain three essential items:

1.  A classic belted trench

2.  Knee high wellies

3.  A makes-me-smile-even-though-it's-raining-cats-and-dogs umbrella

After all, your clothes have to make you look cute even when your hair looks like wet dog and your smeared mascara makes you look like a panda.

Although I'm not the biggest fan of Burberry RTW fashion, I do love their modern, girly spin on the trench coat.  I'm a sucker for pleats, what can I say?

...and the fun doesn't stop there.  Look at the pleats in the back!

Next stop, rain boots.  Knee high wellingtons are the most flattering, and these Hunter rain boots will never go out of style.  Therefore, they are worth the $115 investment.

Lastly, you need an umbrella.  I've bought $50 ones that I lose in a cab within two days of purchase, $5 ones that I've bought at a NYC deli that have lasted 5 years, and $15 ones that are cute, but can't stand up to the wind.  That said, my choice below is chosen purely on aesthetics.  Don't blame me if it turns inside out the minute you walk outside.

(and it's masculine enough that the boy in your life won't be ashamed to carry it when he's surely forgotten/lost his own).

Job well done, L.L. Bean!

This dreary, rainy day has me dreaming of how I can update my Spring and Summer wardrobe.  L.L. Bean has always been known for their no-nonsense clothing, accessories, and outdoorsy gear.  I was so pleased to find out that they launched a new line called L.L. Bean Signature. I'll admit that I was skeptical as many line and brand extensions in fashion disappoint me, but on a night when I couldn't sleep, I perused the online catalog.  Don't get me wrong, I like L.L. Bean, but not necessarily for their fashion, but more for the timeless Boat and Tote bags and durable duffles.  

Not sure if it was the jet lag that blurred my judgment, but I came upon two dresses that were fashionable and smart with modern details.  I won't be able to determine if the cut is better suited for someone who wears "mom jeans" (as their original clothing line was very boxy and not body-conscious in the very least), but the dresses look great on the model.  

A staple for every wardrobe should be a shirt dress like this one.  Pair it with flat gladiator sandals or leggings and cute flats and you'll be dressed to impress. And for $79, it's a steal as you'll have it in your wardrobe for much longer than a celebrity marriage (I'm still heartbroken for Sandy Bullock).  With a purchase of over $50, you receive a $10 gift card! 

This next number is just as timeless, but a little more dressy. With a boatneck neckline (which will appease my mom's demure taste) and an adorable waist tie, I think this might be a contender to wear to a bridal shower or summer party. What's great about this dress is that you can be all WASPY and wear it with flats and a single strand of pearls OR sass it up with these Christian Louboutin heels and a chunky necklace.  

Let's fast forward to the summer please.

We have a few weddings this summer to attend. This adorable frock by Jill Stuart is a winner.

Cute and feminine dress found here.

Oh What Fun!

As I was perusing the Internet this morning in a very serious effort to avoid running in the cold, I came across this gem of a website.  The stuff is just adorable.  I won't have to shed a tear when cutting the onions for my tuna salad each week with these Onion Goggles.  How cute are these?  So cute I might actually wear them outside of the kitchen.  Okay, that's a bit much.

Or how about this lunchbox?  This would be perfect for moi now that I'm a poor b-school student who has to bring her lunch every day.  Add an extra point for being environmentally conscious! The only drawback is that it's hard-sided (that's what she said), and probably won't fit will into my school bag.  Maybe I'll just ditch my textbooks just so I can carry this cute contraption.  

I know I said in an earlier post that a $600 bag was a recession friendly gift, but these 2-in-1 cashmere gloves truly are a steal for only $59.50.  They're cashmere!  Who doesn't love the feel of cashmere?  These puppies are practical too...Boston winters will definitely require gloves that go up to my elbows.  For reals.  

Santa, I've been good!

"

Champagne-Taste-on-My-Tap-Water-Budget-Bag 

Balenciaga Giant Arena Bag

I'm loving Rebecca Minkoff's Nikki hobo in this gorgeous cranberry color.  This is a recession-friendly bag...at least in comparison to other 4-figure priced bags I've been dreaming about. Sigh, I am really missing my Bloomie's employee discount right about NOW.   

Now that we're officially in the holiday season, I like to daydream about the packages I'll be opening on Christmas Day.  These are two bags that would make me a very happy girl.