FALL UNIFORM

This look is often my go-to casual "uniform" for fall. It has all the things I need to feel prepared for temperamental weather: layers, tall boots, a jacket that offers just enough warmth, and a colorful scarf. Top it off with a chunky watch and earrings and you're good to go!
Most any boot will do, but two-tone boots are especially fun and add a little unexpected flair. The pair that I'm wearing in the outfit below are from Etienne Aigner, and sadly no longer available. But I love this gorgeous Tommy Hilfiger pair and this other one from Liz Clairborne (also available in wide width).

OUTFIT DETAILS below //

TWO-TONE BOOTS [Etienne Aigner- no longer available :( ] // Similar here & here / Another in regular width and wide width 

LEATHER JACKET [From Italy] // Stunning similar ones here & here / A bit more budget-friendly here & here 

JEANS [Rock Revival from The Buckle] // Very similar pair here / Cute Express pair here

SWEATER [Target] // Almost exact here / Unique half-sleeve one here

WATCH [Fossil outlet] // Gorgeous versions here & here

SCARF [Zara] // Similar here, here, & here

EARRINGS // E-mail me for details

Shopping Adventures: The Perfect Ankle Boot.

1  Apt. 9    |  2  J.Lo   |  3  SO    |  4  Sonoma

Even though I love fashion and style, I'm always late on trends. I don't know if it's because of my cautious, have-to-know-#ALLthethings-before-I-jump-on-the-wagon personality, or because I live in a small city and popular trends hit us much later than other places. Either way,  it took me a long time to warm up to ankle boots. My stylish mom was wearing them for at least a year before I convinced myself to buy a pair and try to incorporate them into my wardrobe. But once I learned how to style that first pair, I fell in love. Living in a cold-weather state, they can seriously save your sanity by breaking up the constant monotony of rain boots, riding boots, and winter boots. And with Fall just around the corner, I've been on the look-out for new ankle boots. However, I didn't want to spend an arm an a leg on just one boot because I was hoping to buy at least a couple of pairs in different colors. 
Since I had found my ankle boots at Target last year, that's where I decided to begin my search. To my surprise, however, I wasn't overly impressed with Target's selection this year. I checked out a few other online stores before landing on the Kohl's boot page. And I have to say I was blown away. I don't have a Kohl's near my workplace anymore, so checking their website for shoes was on a complete whim. But, WOW. They have such a great collection of boots right now!  
I ended up buying four pairs-- all on sale under $60! I can't wait until they come in the mail so I can style these pretties. 

Fingers crossed that they all work out! ;) 

Shop Ankle Boots:

Better than Sweats.

Since most of the clothes I wear on a daily basis are somewhat business casual, I love when I can actually break out my jeans and other non-work pieces.  They don't get as much love as I'd like them to!  

There are even times when I go weeks without wearing jeans-- and jeans used to be SUCH a staple in my wardrobe! 

Another reason that I don't post as much casual-wear on my blog is that, honestly, my favorite thing to do on the weekends is to just shut it down and do nothing. (Which doesn't happen often!)  But, when it does, I usually roam around the house in glorious sweatpants and sweatshirts.  Sweet, sweet ecstasy.

Here are some casual-wear looks I've been hanging in lately.  Many of them have been posted in my "threads" tab already, but I wanted to include them in an actual blog post so that I could tag them as "Casual Wear" and "Autumn/Winter". ;)

Have a great week!

Her-berry Cardigan c/o Flourish Boutique (Exact here)//
Mossimo Skinny Corduroy Pants (Exact here; Similar here , here, here, here)//
Black riding boots (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)//
Pave link bracelet C/O ILYCouture (Exact here)// 
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here)    

Her-berry Cardigan c/o Flourish Boutique (Exact here)//
Mossimo Skinny Corduroy Pants (Exact here; Similar here , here, here, here)//
Black riding boots (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)//
Pave link bracelet C/O ILYCouture (Exact here)// 
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here)    

Her-berry Cardigan c/o Flourish Boutique (Exact here)// 
Mossimo Skinny Corduroy Pants (Exact here; Similar here , here, here, here)// 

Puffer vest (Exact old via Old Navy; Similar here, here, here, here)//

Black riding boots (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)// 

Pave link bracelet C/O ILYCouture (Exact here)// 
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here) 

"Follow in My Footsteps" top c/o Flourish Boutique (Exact here)//
Dark-wash skinny jeans (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)// 
Chloe & Isabel Necklace C/O Sarah VanBenschoten (Exact here)// 
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here)//
Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (Exact old; Similar here, here, here, here) 

"Follow in My Footsteps" top c/o Flourish Boutique (Exact here)//
Dark-wash skinny jeans (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)//
Forever21 jean jacket (Exact old; Similar here, here, here)// 
Chloe & Isabel Necklace C/O Sarah VanBenschoten (Exact here)// 
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here)//
Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (Exact old; Similar here, here, here, here) 

"Follow in My Footsteps" top c/o Flourish Boutique (Exact here)//
Dark-wash skinny jeans (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)//
Forever21 jean jacket (Exact old; Similar here, here, here)//
Chloe & Isabel Necklace C/O Sarah VanBenschoten (Exact here)// 
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here)//
Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (Exact old; Similar here, here, here, here) 

Striped dress (Exact old, via Forever21; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Striped sweater (Exact old, via Forever21; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Black riding boots (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)//
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here) 

Striped dress (Exact old, via Forever21; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Striped sweater (Exact old, via Forever21; Similar here, here, here, here)//
Black riding boots (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)//
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here) 

Cream blouse (Exact old, via TJMAXX; Similar here, here, here)// 
Forever21 Skinny Jeans (Exact old; Similar here, here, here, here)// 
Target Merona Leopard Print Flats (Exact here; Similar here, here)// 
Leopard-print belt (Exact old, via NY&CO; Similar here, here, here)// 
Pearl cluster necklace C/O T+J Designs (Exact here)// 
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here)

Cream blouse (Exact old, via TJMAXX; Similar here, here, here)// 
Forever21 Skinny Jeans (Exact old; Similar here, here, here, here)// 
Target Merona Leopard Print Flats (Exact here; Similar here, here)// 
Leopard-print belt (Exact old, via NY&CO; Similar here, here, here)// 
Pearl cluster necklace C/O T+J Designs (Exact here)// 
Alex Tortoise watch c/o Wristology Watches (Exact here)

Chiffon top (Exact old, via GAP; Similar here, here, here)// 
Dark-wash skinny jeans (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)// 
Green blazer (Exact old, via H&M; Similar here, here, here)// 
Leopard-print belt (Exact old, via NY&CO; Similar here, here, here)// 
Leopard Print Flats (Exact here; Similar here, here)// 
Italian Horn Dangle Earrings C/O Feisty Christine Designs (Exact here)

Chiffon top (Exact old, via GAP; Similar here, here, here)// 
Dark-wash skinny jeans (Exact here; Similar here, here, here)// 
Green blazer (Exact old, via H&M; Similar here, here, here)// 
Leopard-print belt (Exact old, via NY&CO; Similar here, here, here)// 
Leopard Print Flats (Exact here; Similar here, here)// 
Italian Horn Dangle Earrings C/O Feisty Christine Designs (Exact here)

H&M Chinos in grey (Exact here; Similar here, here)// 
American Eagle sweatshirt (Exact old; Similar here)// 
Mossimo Ona (Exact old; Similar here, here, here) 

H&M Chinos in grey (Exact here; Similar here, here)// 
American Eagle sweatshirt (Exact old; Similar here)// 
Mossimo Ona (Exact old; Similar here, here, here)

Polka dot blouse (Exact old; Similar here, here, here)// 
TJMAXX striped sweater (Exact not available online;Similar here, here, here)// Forever21 mint skinny jeans (Exact old; Similar here, here, here)// 
Forever21 riding boots (Exact old; Similar here, here, here)// 
Forever21 chunky pearl necklace (Exact here; Similar here) 

Fabulous Fall Oatmeal Sweater C/O Flourish Boutique (Exact here)// Forever21 Skinny Jeans (Exact old; Similar here, here, here, here)// 
Target Merona Leopard Print Flats (Exact here; Similar here, here)// 
Leopard print scarf (Exact gifted; Similar here, here, here, here)// 
Forever21 jean jacket (Exact old; Similar here, here, here)// 
NY&Co watch (Exact old; Similar here, here, here)// 
Louis Vuitton Speedy

Fabulous Fall Oatmeal Sweater C/O Flourish Boutique (Exact here)// 
Forever21 Skinny Jeans (Exact old; Similar here, here, here, here)// 
Target Merona Leopard Print Flats (Exact here; Similar here, here)// 
Leopard print scarf (Exact gifted; Similar here, here, here, here)// 
Forever21 jean jacket (Exact old; Similar here, here, here)// 
NY&Co watch (Exact old; Similar here, here, here)// 
Louis Vuitton Speedy

Fabulous Fall Oatmeal Sweater C/O Flourish Boutique (Exact here)// 
Forever21 Skinny Jeans (Exact old; Similar here, here, here, here)// 
Target Merona Leopard Print Pumps (Exact here; Similar here, here)// 
Leopard print scarf (Exact gifted; Similar here, here, here, here)// 
Forever21 jean jacket (Exact old; Similar here, here, here)// 
NY&Co watch (Exact old; Similar here, here, here)// 
Louis Vuitton Speedy

JCPenney top, Target Mossimo skinny ankle pants, Bamboo flats, Forever21 chunky pearl necklace, NY&Co watch

JCPenney top, Target Mossimo skinny ankle pants, Bamboo flats, Forever21 chunky pearl necklace, NY&Co watch

layer up!

Even though I've lived in Michigan for over half of my life.  I'm still that girl who's always cold.  And honestly, I'm not ashamed to pile on the layers.  Why try to defy the cold and freeze all day?

So, when I dressed for an all-day conference yesterday, I made sure to layer up!  And guess what?  I stayed nice and comfortable all day long. :)

Apt. 9 Button-up via Kohls (in purple), Banana Republic V-neck sweater (in cream), MNG by Mango blazer via JCP (in black), The Limited Exact Stretch Skinny Pants (in black), Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (in Banana Bread), Target Merona Cheetah Scarf  (in black/white)  

Apt. 9 Button-up via Kohls (in purple), Banana Republic V-neck sweater (in cream), MNG by Mango blazer via JCP (in black), The Limited Exact Stretch Skinny Pants (in black), Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (in Banana Bread), Target Merona Cheetah Scarf  (in black/white), F21 chunky pearl necklace 

boyfriend jeans & one more.

I've had a few requests about boyfriend jeans that don't make you look like you're actually wearing your boyfriend's jeans.  Because, really, who wants that?  We just want that relaxed, sexy,look.  Not frumpy and dumpy!
Well, you're in luck, because LOFT just introduced a great line of boyfriend jeans.  They're very comfortable, yet still sassy and cute!

Banana Republic sweater (in burnt orange), F21 polka dot scarf, LOFT Boyfriend Jeans (in very vintage blue), Target Mossimo Pearce Pumps (in camel), NY&Co watch (in rose gold), earrings via Francesa's   

Banana Republic sweater (in burnt orange), F21 polka dot scarf, LOFT Boyfriend Jeans (in very vintage blue), Target Mossimo Pearce Pumps (in camel), NY&Co watch (in rose gold), earrings via Francesa's

And here's another 'casual wear' look I wore last week.  In case you're interested. ;)

LOFT outlet sweater, The Limited skinny pants, F21 scarf, Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (in Banana Bread), NY&Co watch 

a green affair.

Green is in this year.  And boy have I taken that to heart.  I'm loving everything green.  
Mint green.  Emerald green.  Forrest green.  I'll take one of each, please!

What colors are you loving this season?!

Sheer Contrast Trim Shirt, LOFT pencil skirt, Nine West Mary Janes, Swarovski flower necklace

JCP wool sweater, F21 mint skinnies, F21 riding boots, bubble necklace via eBay, Renegade bracelet c/o Erika Lehman for Stella & Dot 

JCP wool sweater, F21 mint skinnies, F21 riding boots, bubble necklace via eBay, Renegade bracelet c/o Erika Lehman for Stella & Dot 

work wear & casual wear, lately!

Hey, Loves!

I have just a quick second to post, as my lovely parents are visiting from LA.  Just wanted to share what I've been wearing lately.  Hope you're having a great week! <3

F21 Gingham Print Shirt,  Sweater via Target (in black), khaki jeans via Target, F21 riding boots, bubble necklace via eBay, NY&Co watch, Louis Vuitton Speedy bag

H&M button-up (in light blue), Old Navy argyle sweater, Target pants, Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (in Banana Bread), NY&Co watch 

F21 polka dot blouse, F21 red skinny jeans, Target Mossimo Ona flat (in blush), gifted necklace 

F21 plaid button-up, F21 Classic Denim Skinny Jeans, F21 military jacket, Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (in Banana Bread), Target Bead Bib Short Necklace (in crystal), Pandora/pearl/other bracelets (various)

F21 plaid button-up, F21 Classic Denim Skinny Jeans, F21 military jacket, Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (in Banana Bread), Target Bead Bib Short Necklace (in crystal), Pandora/pearl/other bracelets (various)

F21 Boxy Polka Dot Shirt (in cream/black), F21 cardi (in mint green), Target Mossimo Ankle Stretch Pant (in royal blue), Target Bead Bib Short Necklace (in crystal), Target Mossimo Vivian Pump (in blush), Pandora/pearl/other bracelet (various)

F21 Boxy Polka Dot Shirt (in cream/black), F21 cardi (in mint green), Target Mossimo Ankle Stretch Pant (in royal blue), Target Bead Bib Short Necklace (in crystal), Target Mossimo Vivian Pump (in blush), Pandora/pearl/other bracelets (various)

Express button-up (in light pink), Banana Republic sweater (in burnt brown),Banana Republic outlet Martin Wool Trousers (in dark khaki), Nine West Jobst pumps (in cognac), LOFT outlet necklace 

Express button-up (in light pink), Candie's via Kohl's tweed jacket, The Limited Exact Stretch Skinny Pants (in black), Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (in banana bread), F21 pearl necklace 

F21 Gingham Print Shirt, Etienne Aigner Chip riding boots (in banana bread), JCrew Factory corduroy pencil skirt (in moss green), F21 necklace, NY&Co watch, H&M belt