{DIY} faux fur scarf

Click links to view or purchase items:

Faux fur scarf (as seen in Self Mag) 39.50 || Bracelet 29.99 || Watch orig 250, now 169.99 

Similar ring 21.82 || Ribbon - JoAnn Fabric 4.99 + use 40% coupon

I received this {faux} fur collar as a gift last year but never got a chance to wear it while it was still cold out. The ends snap together to be worn as a 'neck warmer', which makes it a little too close to my face (and my lip gloss) - so I decided to do a little DIY this weekend. I've seen fur scarves with a little ribbon to make them longer (like here and here) so a trip to the fabric store and a spool of grosgrain ribbon later, and I had a fancy new scarf. I wore it this weekend with jeans and felt instantly glam. A little over dressed for the grocery store, but still glam.

Flattering flats

Since spraining my ankles earlier this week, I've been in riding boots and flats every day. Tomorrow I have a presentation for a group of women about the latest fall trends, which would normally call for my highest of heels. Not this time. So I've put together two inspiration looks with one classic sheath dress and two different flat shoes. One for the ladies who lunch (and listen to me talk about clothes) and one for weekend brunch.

Look 1:
A fur scarf is spot-on trend this season, but still a classic with a sheath.
Simple pearl earrings and one gold watch is all you need to accessorize.
Matching shoes and handbag fit this ladylike look.

sheath dress 188 || fur shawl 298 || ballet flats 139 ||  handbag || gold watch 250 || pearl earrings 100

Look 2:
A textured triangle scarf dresses down the sheath and gives a cozy vibe.
The belt buckle mirrors the print on the tote.
A wood bracelet and riding boots add to the natural, earthy feel of this look.

sheath dress 188 || tribal bag 25 || wood bangle 258 || leather belt 336 || woven scarf 38 || Gucci boots

And since I haven't asked in at least 5 days...could you spare a minute to vote for Mommy Chic? mwah!

By Best Mom Fashion Blog

Boho bottoms

In case you were curious about the bottom half of my date night outfit...

See, I was actually wearing pants!  The wide-leg, high-waist, super paper soft variety.  While I love the skinnies, these babies are the perfect, lightweight pair to have on summer nights when you didn't shave your legs the restaurant will be on full-blast air-conditioning.

Make it work for you:

• Top: My top is an embellished-neck silk blouse I bought years ago at Neiman Marcus.  It isn't meant to be worn with anything underneath but it's so low-cut on me that I risk a wardrobe malfunction, so I found a camisole to layer under.  Now that I have a little one, I'm not wearing silk on a regular weekend day, nor am I bothering with the underpinning-and-extra-straps-while-carrying-a-baby issue.  This top has the same boho feel but much more user-friendly.
• Jeans: Unfortunately, my 7 for all mankind jeans from Saks Fifth Avenue are no longer available in that wash but the same fit is available this darker wash. These Gap jeans aren't as soft, but for $34.99, you can't go wrong.
• Shoes: The shoes are Michael Kors wooden platform heels (shown here), which is not recommended when you're drinking and walking.  Definitely not recommended when you're running after a busy toddler.  Stick with flats with a 1" wedge and wide leg jeans for that easy boho feel. If you need extra height (do we have to sacrifice height for children?) these wedges are a cool bohemian alternative.
• Extras: Add a statement necklace with all the right natural elements and a small suede clutch to finish off the look.

You say tomato, I say coral

I've been on the hunt for red (or coral) jeans since I spied these J Brands at Neiman Marcus.  I live in jeans and white shirts in the summer - usually of the Hanes mens v-neck 3-in-a-pack variety - so I thought a bright color on the bottom may spice things up around here.

blazer, jeans, scarf, oversized clutch, sandals

I've been wearing my old white blazer so much that it's turning into a lovely shade of dirty-kids-hands. Care instructions say "dry clean only" but it's 100% cotton, so I don't see why it can't be tossed in the wash.  Famous last words, right?

Orange crush

My closet consists of black, gray, and navy, yet I am constantly drawn to pops of orange (see here, here or here).  I own four bright coral dresses - maybe 5 - and almost bought another one this week.  Then I stopped myself before the cameras from "Hoarders" entered the building and staged an intervention in the middle of the sales floor.  But just because I didn't buy anything, doesn't mean I can't obsess online...

image, wedges, watch, XL clutch

Bell bottom blues

I took inspiration from my own post and dug out the high rise, wide leg Sevens I bought a couple season's ago.  These jeans are ridiculously soft and comfortable, so I'm uber excited to be wearing them this spring. 

We were having random spring-like weather over the weekend, so I threw on a heathered oatmeal tee, stacked some bangles, a clear ring and owl necklace.  Because I'm a munchkin, I can't wear a wide leg without heels, and these heels are straight out of the 70's so I they're forever married to these jeans.

Make it work for you:

• Sandals like these, on sale (and maybe not such a wide leg jean unless you're over 5'6")
• A darker wash would make it dressier.  Add a blazer for work.
• Sweater.  Winter is back so if I wear this again this weekend (probably definitely will), I'll add a chunky knit cardigan like this one (also on sale for $24)
• Turtleneck or fitted long-sleeve top
• A wrap bracelet like this one, rather than a stack of bangles so you don't have to hear them all day long

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?

Weekend brunch and what I wore

Our first Sunday brunch with friends - sans baby - and the great friends, great food and great weather made it the perfect maiden outing.  I tried to take a self-portrait, but as previously mentioned, I'm not so great with the camera.  I am, however, good with Photoshop, so here is a picture of what I wore:

Yes, that's my new APART sweater with a gray J. Crew turtleneck.  Paired back with more oldies-but-goodies from my closet: Paper, Denim and Cloth distressed jeans (I said ooooldies), a brown suede Balenciaga bag, Ralph Lauren heels, Michael Kors gold watch and Forever 21 owl necklace.  And that is the last time you will read about the labels in my closet because it's just shameful.  (But don't you love the shoes?  They're gray wool & brown wood and the buckle in the slingback has little, sparkly crystals like the embellishment across the top.  And the heel is a really manageable height, unlike the rest of my 5-inchers.)

I tried to do socks-with-heels but I just wasn't ready to pull it off today. Your thoughts?

Hope you had a lovely weekend!

White hot

Not wearing white after Labor Day is as old a rule as not mixing black and navy or wearing matching belt-shoes-purse.  Aside from summer weight fabrics, you can wear white all year round.  (Exceptions to that rule are: no white hosiery, white shoes or white bags.  Sure some people can pull it off, but most will look like Nurse Betty.)

Here are a couple of ideas to wear white now:

Look 1: Turn your summer white jersey dress to fall by layering a faux-fur vest over a long cardigan and pairing with over-the-knee boots.

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

Faux fur vest, Old Navy $29.50

Long boyfriend cardigan, Mossimo Black $20

Over the Knee boot, LOFT $198

Tunic dress, Vila $20.22

Double wrap bracelet, J.Crew $26.50

Look 2:  White jeans work all year when worn with a long wrap cardigan and booties.  Add a khaki sequin-front tank to add sparkle and texture.

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

Wrap cardigan, Old Navy $49.50

Sequin front tank, Charlotte Russe $18

White jeans, MICHAEL Michael Kors $48.50

Suede lace up boot, ASOS TOTALLY $185.35

 Happy Labor Day!