As much as I'm loving stocking up my winter wardrobe during this unusually good clearance season, I can't help looking ahead to spring and summer. The boho girl in me is missing my paisley prints, airy blouses, and caftans. Though it's still early for all that, there's probably nothing more transitional than a big beautiful scarf that you can wear at the office now and as a sarong on the beach in a few months. Celebrity favorite Theodora & Callum  has been delivering jet-set ready, 70's inspired scarves and ready-to-wear since the early 2000's. Inspired by their travels in Africa, Morocco, and beyond, their pieces are guaranteed to give you a Diane von Furstenburg moment.  Normally, a scarf will run $175 and up. But fortunately for us, MyHabit has an assortment of their accessories and clothing starting at 70% off.

Theodora & Callum linen blend scarf- $34 (was $175)

Theodora & Callum linen blend scarf- $34 (was $175)

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XO

(Even Bigger) Sale Alert

Holy moly. Zara has not only done 1st markdowns, and 2nd markdowns, they've just laid on 3rd and 4th markdowns. So that faux fur coat you've been looking at on sale for $79.99? It's now $39.99. Hurry! I'll be shocked if these styles aren't sold out by the time this posts!

Mohair blend sweater- $39.99 (was $99.90)

Wool blend poncho- $39.99 (was 99.90)

Faux fur jacket- $39.99 (was $149.90)

Marled long sheath skirt- $9.99 (was $19.90)

Chain necklace- $9.99 (was $29.90)

Jacquard scarf- $29.99 (was $79.90)

Daily Deal

If you guys haven't already been checking Zara's annual winter sale, I suggest you do it ASAP! It's been about a week since it started, which means they've been making further reductions on sale prices. My very favorite piece for a great value is this versatile faux fur vest. The longer length is so glam and the simple shape means you can pair it with just about everything. I love what adding a third piece can do for an otherwise basic look.

faux fur vest- $35.99

faux fur vest- $35.99

 

XO

Sale Alert!

Happy Saturday! Madewell is once again having an additional 30% off of their sale items. But this week, they have a lot of Fall/Winter 2014 denim marked down to $49.99 (or $34.99 after the additional 30%). It's so good you'll want to chuck your entire denim drawer and start over. And as always, shipping is free and fast (and so are returns on denim!).

Below are some of my basic and fashion faves.

An edgy coated motorcycle jean with pintucked detail at the knee. Also available in a dreamy merlot. 

A great basic dark wash with whiskering. The cropped length lets you show off a festive shoe or detailed bootie.

The slouchy denim trend continues to be hot, but Madewell's Slim Boyjean is a happy medium. Not too skinny, not too slouchy, you'll want to wear these with everything.

A cleaner take on the moto jean, these have great zippered pockets and jodhpur-inspired seaming details.

xo

Sale Alert!

So many sales, so little time. A round up of a few of my favorites this morning..

One of my favorite international shopping sites, Shop Latitude, is starting their (infrequent) sale today. Stock up on peshtemals, gorgeous statement necklaces, and other trinkets from your would-be trip to India. Everything is at least 50% off. Free shipping with code, FREESHIP.

Canadian brand Aritzia is having up to 50% off of just about everything on their site.

TJMaxx online is offering free shipping on all orders (and all of their employees are off today!). Get your gift on with my picks below.

Stay tuned for Zara's early Black Friday sale, starting tonight @ 8pm. I can't think of a better reason to be excused from the table!

Happy Thanksgiving!

xo

Gift Guide: The Cool Girl

She's your cool co-worker/cousin/best friend and you're always asking her "where did you get that?!" Get it for her this year.

The pop of color in this faux leather backpack will give her winter coat an instant makeover.

This cuff manages to be both classic and a little badass at the same time.

She probably already has a closet full of chic sneakers but these python print slip-ons via Madewell are sure to be her new favorite.

These cat eye metal tipped sunglasses will have the it-girl in her squealing with delight!

This oversized plaid scarf from ASOS will quite literally go with everything in her closet.

The classic fisherman sweater gets a modern update with directional cables and an asymmetrical hem.

xo

And the countdown begins ..

Something struck me as I was walking past the Macy's at Herald Square today .. CHRISTMAS IS NEXT MONTH! The signs are kind of hard to miss .. the weather's cooling down, stores are starting to play holiday music (!) and I've heard Santa is starting to show his face at some of the local malls. Maybe a little early, but exciting nonetheless. People might think I'm crazy, but I love to Christmas shop year-round. My theory is, the longer you wait, the more you panic and start shelling out cash like there's no tomorrow. And I also prefer to truly enjoy the weeks leading up to the holidays. While people are out scrambling for gifts at an already crowded mall, I'm usually happily (and elaborately!) wrapping thoughtful presents. I think my friends and family deserve fabulous things, and with a little effort and planning, I give them just that!

This is the first of a few gift guides for the holiday season. First up, my picks for Mom.

If your mom doesn't already have a pair of cashmere gloves, get her a pair!  In bright fuchsia, these will make her smile on even the most bitter winter day.

LOVE this take on a Mongolian fur gilet. It's more glamorous than a down puffer vest and just as warm.

This tote with clean lines and texture mixing is a weekend must for mom. And at this great price, you could even use it for a gift bag.

For all the trips to come, a chic passport cover is a must.

This linen robe will make every day feel like a spa day.

xo

Sale Alert!

For the next 3 days, Neiman Marcus Last Call  is offering an additional 40% off of any single item on their site. They are yet another one of the online discount department stores that have improved their offerings dramatically over the last few years. AND they're opening a new location in my neighborhood next month (in addition to the TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack!!), so Brooklyn girls stay tuned for a locals-only discount. While Vince, Joie and James Perse are some of my favorite brands to score major deals on, don't forget to check out their handbag selection. It is not unusual to get over 70% off of retail (especially during these additional 40% off sales!) on brands like Botkier, Ash, and Furla. Not to mention the shoes ...

Fall Wardrobe Essentials; Day 10

Whew! It only took over a month, but we're finally at the last day of our fall wardrobe essentials! Today is all about the anchor of all of the looks we've been talking about, and probably the biggest denim trend over the last year, relaxed denim.

From mom jeans to boyfriend jeans to high waists and dropped crotches, "relaxed jeans" run the gamut. If you're new to this trend, I suggest keeping the wash clean and on the dark side and adding a heel to balance out the extra volume. For those of you who've been on this trend for the last few years, have fun with destruction, exaggerated proportions and color.

xo

Sale Alert!

One of my very favorite boutiques, Calypso St. Barth, is having an additional 25% off of their sale over the next few days. While there are a TON of gorgeous buy-now, wear-later summer dresses and blouses, there are a few pieces that I want to wear this-very-second!

Get them while you can!

xo

Fall Wardrobe Essentials; Day 8

Basics are tough. To me they're like a great pair of jeans- you really have to try a lot of brands and decide what works best for you and your lifestyle. Do you wear a suit to work? A formfitting, luxe tee in a rayon blend is probably your best bet. No rules? Creative types have more freedom here and can play around with shape, texture and pattern. At the end of the day, you have to be mindful about what you're wearing your basic tee with and what purpose it will serve. Below is a round-up of both layering pieces and tees that stand on their own.

xo

Sale Alert!

Run, don't walk over to H&M to check out their early fall clearance. Things I've been coveting for the last few months can now be found at 50% off or more! Check out my picks (and purchases) below.

Daily Deal

Before I'm off for one last beach weekend, I wanted to share these 2 great (and way marked down!) coats. First up from McGinn is a feminine take on a military inspired coat. Great detailing, a flared fit, and what might be the perfect shade of green make this one a must have! All that and it's only $100!

This wool-blend moto coat from Sam Edelman with faux leather and shearling trim has such a high-end look to it. If I didn't know any better I might think it's Helmut Lang or A.L.C. This is definitely one for the downtown girl!

xo

Mad for Plaid

Adding my own "fall wardrobe essential" today- the plaid shirt! Oversized, tailored, tunic length or sleeveless- I can't get seem to get enough plaid shirts season. I just couldn't keep these Velvet Heart via TJMaxx goodies to myself! In soft tencel and rayon, they all originally retailed for $100. On TJMaxx they're all under $30. It's going to be really hard not to buy them all...

Fall Wardrobe Essentials; Day 6

The shirt dress is the epitome of versatile. Wear it in warmer temps with bare legs and later with tights, add a belt, or even wear it open as a jacket. The latter definitely works best in plaid and stripe patterns. Appropriately, the fashion world continues to have an obsession with 90s grunge and I couldn't be happier. Something about this time of year brings memories of back-to-school shopping and makes me mad for plaid, flannel, and boyfriend jeans (hello Wayne's World!). These dresses totally fit the bill.

xo

Fall Wardrobe Essentials; Day 5

Nothing says fall like a good ol' crunching-leaves-through-the-park cozy sweater. I can just picture all of the outfits I'll make in the upcoming months; an oversized sweater with leather leggings, a cropped sweater with a floaty skirt, a cable knit sweater with destroyed boyfriend jeans .. And any of these outfits paired with boots from yesterday's post is basically the perfect fall look. In sweaters I always gravitate towards novelty stitches, an interesting shape (asymmetric hem, high-low hem, oversized, etc) and a marled texture. I think all of these things add up to an expensive looking sweater. Which, of course, you didn't pay full price for.

xo

Fall Wardrobe Essentials; Day 3

A coat isn't just a coat these days. No longer purely utilitarian, a coat is now considered an outfit-maker, a topper, a finishing piece. Coats should be fun! Color, novelty fabrics, leather trim and hardware make a basic coat something personal and unique. The thought of having something special to put on during the upcoming cold days makes me insanely excited. But that's not to say I won't be whipping out my floor-length North Face puffer at the sight of the first snowflake .. 

Get Graphic

I grew up on 70's Rock & Roll, from Led Zeppelin to The Rolling Stones, and I've always idolized the style of their lead singers. Robert Plant's leather pants, grungy t-shirts and messy hair; nothing is cooler to me. I think that's why I've always been partial to graphic tees. I used to scour thrift stores for them in college, but I'm loving these cleaned-up versions that work in a casual office under a blazer or on the weekend with a frilly skirt and leather jacket. They really add the perfect dose of personality to any outfit. 

Groupies not included! 

Daily Deal feat. Monrow

I think everyone needs some elevated lounge pieces in their wardrobe. As much as we want to look polished 24/7, comfort usually wins out. So what better to throw on than a a pair of chic, expensive sweatpants? LA based Monrow has the relaxed, LA look down pat. Soft and yummy with a vintage wash, a pair of their sweatpants can easily run over $100.

When I saw these pieces on TJ Maxx (at almost 70% off!), I knew I had to share them with you. 

Keep it Simple

Jeans and a blouse is about as basic as it gets, but only if you stop there. By adding special pieces; a vintage inspired lightweight jacket, a heavily embroidered bag, and some jewelry, you've got yourself an outfit. This Current/Elliott shirt was a major score from Piperlime last year ($30 marked down from $225!). Like a denim shirt, it is a wardrobe workhorse. Over a girly dress it adds just the right amount of toughness. With my outfit below, the pattern and hardware add interest and texture. 

I have to say, as sad as I am to see summer go, I am beyond excited to switch out my clothes and my look. Stay tuned for more outfit posts this week! 

jewelry: vanessa mooney

wearing: joe's jeans (similar here and here), madewell top, sam edelman booties, current/elliott shirt (other great camo pieces here and here), banjara clutchlipstick: Nars "heatwave"