Black and white

Source: Uploaded by user via Cameron on Pinterest

Isn't this just an easy look to meet friends for coffee on a Saturday morning, peruse around a flea market, ride your beach cruiser bike around the city with fresh flowers in the basket...wait, I was day dreaming again...

Cut to real life: wake early, make breakfast, play with Bitty, try not to get strawberry-jam-baby-hands on white skirt, run errands, find peanut butter in your hair (again), lunch, nap time/clean up, bathe, dinner, bed.....

Ahhhh, well, a girl can dream.

Get the look here:

• Striped top, 39.99
• Skirt, 89 - not the exact same but still a really cool look
• Belt, 14.50
• Hat, 40 - complete with red feather
• Glasses

Gray days

Someone told me that she wears bright colors when she's tired to brighten her face and (hopefully) detract from the circles under her eyes.  So today, I looked for a bright color in my closet and the best I could come up with was a gray tee.  It worked with the cloudy morning.  I have a problem wearing bright colors on gray days.

I was also wearing a blazer with the sleeves rolled, and while it's different than your average suit-y jacket, you can't see the details in my horrible self-portraits, so it came off.  And I actually wore flats all day but threw on heels for an afternoon meeting.  They stayed on through the commute home because sometimes, a girl's be gotta taller than an eight-yr-old.

The soft, slouchy tee with blazer and stretchy skinny pants are so comfortable, I think I'll wear this for the rest of the week.  I might change up the accessories....but probably not.

Make it work for you:

• Wear ballet flats, like these ultra sweet gray wool maryjanes, instead of heels
• Throw on a bright coral floral scarf (say that three times fast!) or a long gold/coral bead necklace
• Add a cardigan - I'd take this fair isle one
• Wear tall brown boots like these gorgeous over-the-knee-I've-had-them-forever pair. (Yes, you can wear brown and black together.  And you can wear black and navy together.  Do it.) 

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?

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

What to wear now & later: the men's shirt

Nothing exciting in your closet?  Time to look into your husband's/boyfriend's/baby daddy's and dig out one of his well-worn button up shirts.  (Try to find the one without the hot sauce stain.)  They're soft, cotton, and classic...and best of all, they smell like his delicious cologne.

Who knew there was a whole new world of outfits to be made out of his stuff!? Here are a couple of suggestions on how to style it:

 Men's chambray shirt, Gap $41.99 (orig $49.50)

French terry short, Victoria's Secret $19.50 (orig $35.50)

Chunky gold ring, ASOS $ 20.25

Croc wood wedge, Theory $99 (orig $295)

Anorak jacket, Urban Outfitters $98

Jodhpur pants, Charlotte Russe $26.50

Pearl/chain necklace, Charlotte Russe $14.50

Menswear inspired wedge, Piperlime, $70

Celebrity Style

Every once in a while, a lady's gotta lunch - and Rachel Bilson's look is perfect for a date with the girls.  It's ladylike with a little bit of cool edge, and easy to throw on and walk out the door. 

Here is her look re-created with similar and more affordable pieces, the total price just a fraction of her Miu Miu bag:

Topshop dress, $110

Payless boots, $39.99

DSW bag, $59.95

Urban Outfitters sunglasses, $14