Happy Friday

How cool is this winter lookbook for Threadsence?  I love the music and styling.  I think this is how I'm going to spend my weekend: going through my closet, walking around the city, buying myself flowers, vintage shopping, coffee and art gallery. Complete with music in the background following me around, 'natch.

A little baby chic

Since having a baby, my shopping focus has turned from my own clothes to pint size frocks.  The great thing (or rather, the expensive thing) about kid's clothes is that you always have an excuse to shop. They can only wear their 3-6 mo. outfits for about a second, then it's time for a bigger size!

Fortunately for me, Crew Cuts starts at size 2T, so I have a little while before going completely broke.  Or so I thought....this past fall, I discovered that Zara now has clothes for the little ones.  I mean, wee little ones - like, 0-9 months. And they have an even larger selection for 3-36 months.  Bad news is that you can't order online.  Good news is that it's all on sale now!

For the itty bitties (0-9 mo):

And for the bigger bitties:

It's still winter, so I have a few more months for my bitty to wear this stuff, right?  Please, Zara, continue the baby line into spring!  At least just this year!

Copy Cat Chic

You know when you see a random stranger who looks so effortlessly put together and you think, "I want to look like her"?  Well, that's what I thought when I saw this Michael Kors ad in Vogue a few months ago.

 

And since I've spent the past few days in these pants, I thought I'd add the rest of the pieces to re-create this fall weekend look.

 Faux fur wrap, 19.99 orig 39.99

Long cardigan, 147.90 orig 248

Wedges, 89.99 orig 139

Double wrap belt, 28

Knit pants, 49.50

Leg warmers, 39

The slim fitting "un-sweatpant" is a little more universally flattering than the hi-waist harem cropped pants that the model is wearing in the ad.  And I can't tell, but is she also wearing socks with her shoes?  That's a lot of look, but she makes it all so easy.  What do you think?

happyhappyjoyjoy

image via

Guess what I got in the mail today???  A happy little package from APART clothing!

Backstory: I entered a giveaway on The Lil Bee, one of my favorite daily reads. I never win anything, so I thought nothing of it. Then, the Bee announced that Apart is making everyone a winner and WE ALL GET A CAR! YOU GET A CAR! AND YOU GET A CAR! AND YOU GET A CAR! AHHHHH!!!!!

Wait - where was I? Oh yes, we all won something.

So today, I received my prize: no, not a car or a trip to Australia, but a yummy capelet cardigan in winter white. Lovely, no?

I like how they styled it here, and I imagine I will do something similar, since the skinny jean or legging is the staple of my winter wardrobe.

My other favorite looks are a camel riding coat worn over all black (leather pants? yes please), a sweater dress with military inspired buttons, a graphic print tunic, and a blazer + printed chiffon blouse and harem pants.  Check out the rest of the looks at ApartStyle.com and report back with your faves.

Thank you, Lil Bee and Apart Style, for putting a happy ending to this loooong, grumpy week!

Now, go to The Lil Bee to see her oh-so-pretty preggo pics and read her funny posts: "On My Mind this Monday Morning".  It's a fun way to start off your week!

Happy Holideals

It's November, which means fall product is getting marked down and sales abound!  That's right, FALL product is on sale to make room for Resort deliveries so it's a great time to buy a few pieces that you can wear right now.  Here is a preview of a few of the sales starting this weekend:

• Nordstrom: Half-Yearly Sale for women & children.  Earn double rewards points this weekend on your Nordstrom card.
• Macy's: Big Sale.  Take an additional 20% off with a WOW! pass in-store or 20% and free shipping online.
• Saks Fifth Avenue: Online only, save an additional 25% off already reduced items.  Prices go back up Nov 7.  Next week is Private Sale in the stores and certain full-price items will be reduced for one day only.
• Neiman Marcus:  First Call.  Fresh markdowns have been taken.  Next week, select styles of regular priced merchandised will be marked down for one day only.
• Last Call: (Neiman Marcus outlet) WOW sale - 50% off handbags and children, 40% off fall/winter apparel, and 30% off clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Happy shopping!

T.G.I.F

What are you wearing this weekend?  How about a mix of any of the three tops and bottoms below.  Simple, comfortable and no matter which top and bottom you put together, you will be ready for a fun, fall, pumpkin-picking weekend.

     * A dolman sweater is dressed down when paired back boyfriend sweats. (Yes, "gym couture" is in right now, just make sure they aren't the same pair of sweats you've had since your first year in college.) But you can also dress it up with skinny khaki pants.

     * A howling dog sweater is all you need to make a pair of slim khakis more fun, or throw it on with jeans and head to the park for an afternoon picnic.

     * A chunky sweater is the perfect complement to distressed skinny jeans, or wear it with the khaki pants for a cool monochromatic look. 

Click on any of the pieces below to view on retailer's site.

Cardigans by Forever 21
Distressed Denim by The Limited

Crazy for camel

One of the hottest colors of the season isn't a color at all.  Camel is everywhere: in sweaters, sequins, pants, dresses and accessories.  To keep the tonal look from looking too drab, mix textures and add some sparkle.  Wear a sequin tank with menswear-inspired hounds-tooth shorts.  Or, if you feel like it's a little too much of a good thing, mix something camel with a charcoal or red piece. 

1. Sequin tank, Express $29.90

2. Camel faux suede top, XXI $27.80

3. Oversized top, XXI $27.80

4. Leather bracelet w/ chain, Lori's Shoes $36

5. Leather stud wrap bracelet, Lori's Shoes $19

6. Cuffed houndstooth shorts, XXI $19.80

7. Stretch corduroy, Victoria's Secret $39.50

8. Faux suede leggings, Arden B $28 

9. Clog, delia's $79.50

10. Suede platform wedge, Jeffrey Campbell $125

Hue new

Wearing a solid outfit in a neutral like camel, black or gray is easy and always classic.  It makes you appear taller and slimmer and doesn't take much planning to pull it off.

Wearing a solid outfit in one color, on the other hand, is a little harder to pull off. The trick is to keep within the same shade, but not exactly the same color -- unless of course you are living in a retirement community in Florida wearing your jogging suit before tonight's game of canasta.

This fall, designers are showing bright colors from head-to-toe:

image via

Below are a couple of more practical options in berry and lime sherbet to inspire you. 

Purple long sleeve sweater, Victorias Secret $29 (orig $38)

Purple tiered skirt, Charlotte Russe $10.99 (orig $22.50)

Black bow belt, Steve Madden $38

Suede pumps, Urban Outfitter $48

Lime cashmere sweater, Bluefly $89 (orig $240)

Sage green cargo pants, LOFT $19.99 (orig $59)

Gray knitted cuff boot, asos $71.51 (orig $193.76)

Purple clutch, Kitson $48

Kmart 2010 Fall Campaign

I was perusing through my 726-page, 10-lb September issue of Vogue over the weekend and noticed an ad spread from Kmart.  Kmart???  In Vogue?!  And it's right on-trend and oh-so affordable!  What do you think?  Which pieces will you add to your fall wardrobe?

Attention 3/4 Length Military Jacket $99.99

Attention Faux Fur Vest $59.99

Route 66 Short Military Jacket $29.99

 Camouflage Sequin Tank $14.99

Attention Bomber Jacket $39.99

Revolution Lace Print Tee $16.99; 

Route 66 Cargo Pant $24.99

Attention Short Pea Coat $89.99 and Necklace Tee $16.99

 all images via Kmart.

Caped crusader

Click on the links below to purchase or view retailer's site:

1. Nordstrom $78
2. J. Jill $29.99 (on sale from $99)
3. Anthropologie $58
4. Old Navy $39.50

I can't say the word "pancho" without thinking about Ugly Betty, so while magazines and retailers may be using that term, I prefer to refer to them as capelets.  Whatever you want to call them, they are everywhere this season and provide the volume on top to balance your skinny jeans or leggings.  They're also great for days when you're afraid to walk by a mirror and catch a glimpse of last night's too-much-Mexican-food-bloat.  Throw them on over a long-sleeve tee or turtleneck, some boots or clogs and a big statement ring and you're done.  Bring on the margaritas, extra salt.

These boots are made for walkin'

Boots are one of my favorite fashion things about fall.  Wear them with a dress, skirt, leggings, skinny pants or jeans.

You can make your spring dress work into fall with a pair of boots, tights, and a chunky knit sweater.  Or pair them back to a belted cardigan and pencil skirt to toughen up the tailored look. And of course, they are the perfect complement to jean leggings. Whatever your style, invest in a good pair that you'll wear year after year.

Below are a few fall boots in my three favorite colors this season: olive green, nude, and gray.

Click on the links below to purchase or view retailers site:

1. Anthropologie $298

2. Cole Haan $298

3. Nine West $149
4. Zurich $64.97 (on sale from $198)

5. Charlotte Russe $40

6. Target $39.99

7. Frye $428

8. Blowfish $59

uh-ten-shun!

Today's look: military inspiration from Forever 21 and olive green boots (with a low heel for running around!) from Steve Madden.

Click on any of the images to purchase or view on retailer's site:

Jacket by XXI
Jean leggings by Gap Boots by Steve Madden

falling for fall

Neiman Marcus July Book

Fall is here, fall is here! Sweaters, leggings and boots, oh my! Ken Downing, Fashion Director at Neiman Marcus, lists his top fall 2010 trends in the photo above. Other trends include:

• Classic Fifties (think hourglass silhouettes, bustiers and below the knee pencil skirts, a la Mad Men)
• Color (head to toe in the same hue)
• Borrowed from the boys (a feminine take on masculine's pieces)
• Long skirts, kitten heels and flat boots

I love the mix of tough olive green & military inspired pieces back with feminine fur, feathers and pearls. And pencil skirts are forever my go-to piece when I'm late for work and need to throw something on without thinking too hard.

These trends can be found at any price point and it's easy to pick up one of this season's pieces to go back to all the basics you already have in your closet. Happy fall!