Last Days of Gingham

Summer is officially winding down and I'm finding myself scrambling to get onemorewear out of my favorites. I picked up this skirt last week on sale at Asos and have been trying to wear it as much as humanly possible before I have to pack it away until next year. 

Gingham is one of those patterns that just screams high summer to me, so come September it will be the first to go. But swapping a white blouse and espadrilles for a black tee and sandals makes it ever so slightly more transitional.  

Skirt- Asos; Tee- Brandy Melville (similar here and here); Sunglasses- Raen (similar); Sandals- Madewell (similar here)

Back to Basics

Fall is in the air here in Brooklyn and it's got me thinking .. what will my uniform be this year? I rarely deviate from jeans, t-shirt, and booties, but this year I'm upping the ante with some well-made basics that will see me through November. 

A hat just makes everything cooler, and I've been pining over one from Janessa Leone for a few years now. Rather than buying a couple of $40 hats throughout the season, this one will be the hat. Rationalizing! 

Ah, this J.Crew blouse with it's Ulla Johnson styling meets Gap price.. how could you say no? 

Zara has been killing it in the denim department lately with their "REAL" vintage denim collection. No stretch, high rises and great washes (and under $50 price tag).. you'll be like RE/DONE who??

And I think my hunt for the perfect black leather Chelsea boot may have ended...

1. Cigar band ring- Vrai & Oro (cheaper version here); 2. Hat- Janessa Leone (cheaper options here and here); 3. Eyelet blouse- J. Crew (cheaper options here and here); 4. Hi-Rise jeans- Zara (more options here and here); 5. Chelsea boots- Raye (more options here and here)

Getting Real

Finally putting on my big girl pants and doing this blog the right way. I'm probably never going to be completely satisfied with the way I look in photos and I'm never going to lose those last 5 pounds so what am I waiting for? No more excuses here! I'm finding that sometimes you have to get out of your own way. 

So what better way to kick off the official launch of my blog than with the most "me" dress I own? Nothing says summer like an easy embroidered maxi dress, and this one from Bardot is just perfect. My summer style ethos is to be ready to jet off to Greece at a moment's notice. Or at least look like it! 

Dress: Bardot (old- similar short version), Hat: H&M (similar), Shoes: Charles David (cheaper version here), Bag: (bought from Bali- similar here and here)

photos: @JP

Candy Stripes

Had to share this fabulous dress that checks all of my warm weather boxes- linen, stripes, off the shoulder, ruffle. Oh, and it's still full price on Shopbop and Nordstrom. But don't worry I found it for $29 on Lulus. AND if you sign up for emails it's an extra 10% off. You're welcome! 

Moon River striped off shoulder midi dress- $29 (was $110)

Linen

Lush ruffle hem linen-blend dress- $29.99 

Zara off-the-shoulder linen blend dress- $39.90

Abercrombie square neck linen dress- $68

I've been a huge fan of LA brand Reformation since the label launched in 2012. Their easy, feminine pieces are classic and timeless, while still managing to look completely "right now." But let's be real, not everyone can afford the $200+ price tag.

But other retailers are taking notice. Natural materials (think linen and cotton blends) have been taking over along with organic-looking colors and stripes. 

 I will always love embroidery and boho prints, but there's also something appealing about throwing something on without having to think in 90 degree heat and looking like you just strolled in off the Riviera. 

Hint: just add espadrilles and a handmade accessory from previous 2 posts! 

Maria Innocenti linen jumpsuit- $29.99 

Mango linen cold shoulder dress- $59.99

Jetset Diaries "Haven" dress- $69 (was $169)

'Tis the Season..

Ash "Zora" ankle tie espadrille- $55 (was $155)

Sam Edelman "Lynda" mule- $55 (was $100)

Steve Madden "Tazz" star print denim espadrille- $34.99 (was $80)

For espadrilles!

There's no other shoe that completes a summer look like the espadrille. Lace-up, platform, or (my new fave) mule, you just can't go wrong. 

Manebi "Ibiza" platform espadrille- $59.99 (was $117)

Zara mule espadrille- $49.99

Act Natural

Rounding up some of my current favorite accessories that will give any outfit that perfect relaxed, just back from vacation vibe. Bonus points for anything straw!

Doen Phoebe Moroccan Basket Bag- $38

Antik Batik Embroidered Bag- $48

Diani Living Lifeguard Hat- $40

Sol Sana "Selma" Sandals- $39.99

Embroidery Always

With spring on the horizon, you can bet that anything embroidered, floaty and feminine is high on my list. 

Love Sam "Wanda" Embroidered Top- $39.99 (was $260)

C&C California "Dahna" Dress- $39.99 (currently $167 on Revolve.com!!!)

Higher and Higher

By now I've gotten rid of almost all of my low-mid rise jeans. There's something about high waisted jeans that feels so right these days. Maybe it's about my age and wanting a little more coverage, but I'm finding a higher rise is so much more flattering. 

I've picked up a few from Citizens of Humanity on MAJOR sale but I'm also loving these J Brand options I've been checking out from good old T.J. Maxx. 

Will you be trading in your jeans too??

J Brand Maria High Rise Jean "Decoy Destroy" $59.99 (was $228)

J Brand Maria High Rise "Arrested" $59.99 (was $198)

J Brand Carolina Super High Rise "Elusive" $59.99 (was $228)

Spring is Coming

I know, I know. The east coast is predicted to get 12-18" this week, a week before the official first day of spring. But I swear, sandal weather is coming. 

I've been wearing Australian brand Sol Sana for years. Well made, classic silhouettes translate to pieces you'll be wearing for seasons to come. 

I recently picked up a few goodies via 6pm.com and just had to share the wealth. These are lined up in my closet just waiting for that first 65 degree day! 

Sol Sana "Lara" gladiator sandal- $37.99 (was $109)

Sol Sana "Kennedy" sandal- $29.99 (was $85)

Sol Sana "Teresa" slide- $29.99 (was $85)

Sol Sana "Casper" gladiators- $52 (was $185)

Sol Sana "Tali" slide- $37.99 (was $85)

Black Friday Continues

Black Friday isn't over yet! There are still plenty of great deals to be had around the web and I'm rounding up some of the best shoe buys below. Who wouldn't get excited about boots at over 90% off? In fact, if you're interested in revamping your boot collection, you could get all 8 pairs of shoes below for $184 (!!!)

I'm mostly featuring Matisse shoes from Shoemetro below. Well made with classic western details and something unexpected, they've been a wardrobe staple of mine for a long time. Sold at Free People, Nordstrom, and Nastygal, they're a cool girl go-to. 

Matisse "Roscoe" bootie- $17.99 after 20% off code (was $189)

Matisse "Bess" bootie- $18.50 after 20% off code (was $135)

Matisse "Mustang" western bootie- $19.20 after 20% code (was $190)

Kate Bosworth x Matisse "Judith" western mule $21.60 after 20% off code (was $389)

Kate Bosworth x Matisse "Hoyt" Chelsea boot- $32 after 20% off code (was $395)

Matisse "Jacques" lucite heel bootie- $23.20 after 20% off code (was $204) 

Kim & Zozi "Native" embroidered sneaker- $32 after 20% off code (was $139)

Matisse "Vixen" lace-up bootie- $19 after 20% off discount (was $179)

Don't forget to use code "cyberdeal20" at checkout to get that extra 20% off!!

Golden Girl

This season, I'm having a serious obsession with anything golden hued. From mustard to saffron to bronze to camel, this rich color just screams fall. Bonus points luxe fabrications like velvet and satin! 

Moon River lace-up sweater- $34.99 (was $80)

Mango faux fur coat- $199

Urban Outfitters crushed velvet scarf- $19

Missguided satin two-fer dress- $54

Zara velvet dress- $29.90

Forever21 burnout velvet cami dress- $24.90

I'm With the Band

My fall uniform is always the same: destructed denim, booties, a band tee, and some sort of layering piece (sweater, flannel, etc). So over the years I've built up quite a collection of vintage-inspired concert tees. I've been OBSESSED with madeworn's collection, but spending $160 on a t-shirt is just not my thing. 

Luckily, I found this amazing Rolling Stones version at Zara. The front and back graphics are perfect, and so is the price! It keeps selling out so if you really want it you'll have to keep checking back like I did! 

Zara Rolling Stones concert tee- $22.90

Westward Leaning

If you know me at all, you'll know how much I love a good Western bootie. Part Erin Wasson and part Ralph Lauren, this style with its pointy toes, seaming and embroidery give that perfect masculine edge to every look. I fell in love with these Dolce Vita booties earlier in the season via Nordstrom (seen here and here), but the $160+ price tag had me thinking twice about even dreaming of buying them. 

Thank goodness for TJMaxx! I recently found two of my favorite pairs for $59! Get them while you still can. 

Dolce Vita "Seth" booties- $59.99 (was $180)

Dolce Vita "Skye" booties- $59.99 (was $160)

Fit to Be Tied

The skinny scarf is by far my favorite new accessory this season. Part scarf, part choker, these give that perfect edgy accent to your fall dresses and blouses. 

Chan Luu Chiffon Necktie- $45

More options here, here, and here! 

September Dressing

September is all about transitional dressing. Your favorite embroidered blouse with jeans instead of shorts. That floral dress you've been wearing all summer with boots and a denim jacket. What I love about the below dress from British brand Glamorous is how right it feels for right now. It's a solid color, in of-the-moment dusty chambray blue, and has a Little House on the Prairie vibe. I'm wearing mine with a western boot, this fringed sweater and my favorite hat. 

Glamorous "Vida Bonita" Maxi dress- $14.50-$58 (was $62) 

The Best Western

I know it's bordering on 100 degrees here in NYC today, but it's never too early to start shopping for fall. Especially when you find the most perfectly perfect western boot for over 80% off. In fact, you might even get two colors .. Come on, boot season! 

Ash "Hurrican" Bootie- $41 (was $245)

Chestnut color here. I was lucky enough to pick them up when they were $44!

Levi's Customized Vintage 505

I have a pretty serious thing for destructed denim. Soft abrasion, full-on knee blowouts- I love it all. But what I'm particularly loving right now are heritage and vintage washes that companies are revisiting from their archives. And not surprisingly, Levi's is at the top of my list. 

Enter the 1967 Customized 505 jean from Levi's. The true blue wash, the mid rise and straight fit combined with the patchwork and vintage stitching detail makes my heart swoon. It's safe to say that these jeans are the fit of the summer. And for over 80% off, these are by far the best value for your money. 

Levi's Customized 505 Vintage jeans- $49.99 (was $278)

L&T

I have to admit, I never thought of Lord & Taylor as a hip shopping destination. The department store in my hometown mall growing up was decidedly uncool. But today, with the addition of their inspired Design Lab collection and some amazing contemporary designers, they have converted me! 

Check out some of my current faves from Bardot, Banjara, Design Lab and Blank NYC. 

Bardot "Satorini" peasant top- $31 (was $109)

Blank NYC embroidered denim hoodie- $36 (was $98)

Bardot "Evita" blouse- $27 (was $79)

Bardot "Chloe" denim skirt- $34 (was $142)

Design Lab off-the-shoulder dress- $33 (was $88)

Banjara "Maiara" blouse- $38 (was $64)

Banjara "Isla" top- $22 (was $64)