Peplum Perfection

Top:  J.Crew, Skirt:  J.Crew (old, very similar here), Shoes:  Christian Louboutin, Bag:  Target

I always think that too much of a good thing is just the opposite ~ not a good thing. I never buy two of the same item, and I try to limit my trendy purchases. Last year I purchased two peplum tops - one in black with a short sleeve {seen here} and a sleeveless version in cream {seen here}. 

After that I vowed that I had filled my peplum quota...

...until J.Crew came out with this little ponte number and I just couldn't resist. I love the fit and especially the sleeve length. I broke my rule but I'm sure I will be wearing the heck out of this top!

And don't forget, there is still time to enter my fall fashion giveaway {HERE}!

Clouds

Top:  Free People, Pants:  AG Jeans, Shoes:  Classiques Entier (old, similar here), Bag:  Free People, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban, Nails:  OPI "In the Cable Car Pool Lane"

Along with my recent career change, came a wardrobe change particularly in the area of footwear. When I was working in a school, I didn't feel the need to wear heels every day. Even when I did wear heels, I would usually switch them out for flats after an hour or so.

Now that I'm in an office environment, I wear heels pretty much every day. I do try to keep a pair of flip-flops in my car at all times in case I need to go somewhere that is not heel-friendly {like the grocery store} after work. But what will I do when it's no longer sandal weather?

Enter Clouds. When Fit in Clouds approached me to review their flats, i was over the moon. Portable ballet flats that fold and fit in a small pouch that you can throw in your bag?!? SOLD! 

Get your own pair HERE.

{happy feet}

P.S. - DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY FALL FASHION GIVEAWAY {HERE}

PB&J + Margo's Favorite Fall Picks GIVEAWAY

Jacket:  Sanctuary via Anthropologie (very old, similar here), Jeans:  Rag & Bone, Booties:  Anthropologie (very old, similar here, here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (LOVE this similar option), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Just one quick pic today because I'm super excited to announce that I've teamed up with the lovely ladies of PB&J Boutique to help kick-start one lucky Classroom Couture reader's fall wardrobe!

I've always been a HUGE fan of fall fashion ~ the textures, the rich colors and patterns, and of course the LAYERS!

When the gals from PB&J asked me to pick my favorite pieces from their site I didn't know where to begin. I finally narrowed it down to my top three:

1. All Things Fabulous - Run Wild Thermal

2. Rachel Pally - Wildcat Leggings

3. Ti Mo - Vicky Dress

Winner of the giveaway will get to choose one of the three items above. To enter simply follow the instructions below and leave a comment telling me which item you would choose. Good luck ladies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Giveaway ends Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 12 am EST. Winner will be announced on Friday, September 29, 2013.

**Giveaway open to US and Canada only.

Dark and Stormy

Top:  Aritzia (similar here), Jeans:  Rag & Bone, Shoes: Zara (similar here), Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Last night I came home to a dark house as our power was out due to thunderstorms that swept through northern NJ. My husband and I had no sooner grabbed the camera to snap some pics when we heard the rain coming. We made it inside just in time - whew! I don't think I've ever run so fast in heels in my life.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

It's In The Bag

Top:  H&M (old, similar here, LOVE the Equipment version), Jeans:  AG via Anthropologie, Shoes:  Ann Taylor (old, great alternative here), Bag:  Free People

My new job requires me to work some weekends, which I actually don't mind because I truly enjoy what I'm doing.  

Not to mention, it gives me the opportunity to kick back and wear some distressed denim to work.

On a side note, I have to discuss this bag with you because I think it may be my favorite tote EVER. I had been searching for a tan leather tote for fall ~ and I looked EVERYWHERE.  I spotted this vegan leather tote on the Free People website the other day and I was smitten. Not only does it look like leather, but it feels like leather too. As if that wasn't enough, it comes with a long shoulder strap, a tan pouch large enough to fit an iPad {or use as a clutch}, a small coral-colored pouch, AND the bag is reversible!

So...I have a new tan bag and a new coral bag!

Black Lace

Dress:  Free People, Jacket:  Madewell, Shoes:  Zara (old, similar here), Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Sunnies:  Forever 21 (old, similar here)

Celebrating the remaining warm-weather days by wearing flirty little frocks that show off the remnants of my sun-kissed skin.

I look forward to pairing this dress with booties and tights when the temp drops for good.

Happy Monday!

White {Shoes} After Labor Day

Sweater:  J.Crew, Skirt:  J.Crew, Shoes:  Steve Madden, Bag:  C.Wonder (LOVE this similar alternative) Bangle:  C.Wonder (identical one here)

Although I totally believe in wearing white after Labor Day {or wearing whatever makes you happy for that matter}, I just can't get on board with white sandals in the fall.  After today I'm sad to say I'm going  to have to pack these beauties away until Easter!

Btw ~ TGIF!!!

linked up to CB&BP and FACE IT

Camo & Lace

Jacket:  Madewell, Top:  Madewell (old, great alternative here), Pants:  Gap, Shoes:  Zara (old, similar here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (very old, newer version here)

Lace + camo + sassy sandals + red bag + denim jacket = five of my faves combined into one outfit.

Happy hump day!

Gingham & Dots

Top:  J.Crew (old, similar here, LOVE the sleeveless version here), Skirt:  H&M (old, similar here), Shoes:  Zara (similar here for under $20!), Bag:  Unknown (great alternative here)

I started to change my closet over to my fall clothes this weekend, which naturally goes hand-in-hand with my seasonal closet clean-out. I came to this skirt and the first thought was to put it in the giveaway pile. I've had it for more than a year now and it still had tags attached. This is a rare occurrence for me. I usually think my purchases over very carefully and only buy something if I'm sure I'm going to get lots of use out of it. This also presented a challenge to me. I was not about to let this poor skirt go out without a fight. And so ~ viola ~ I present you with this perfect-for-work ensemble. The skirt has been spared for at least another season.

So Long Summer...

Although it's not the official last day of the season, Labor Day for me {and I'm sure for many of you too} pretty much symbolizes the end of summer.

This year is strange for me as it is the first year since I started Kindergarten that I will not be going back to school next week. I am, however, done with training and officially starting my new job on Monday.

I leave you on this long weekend with a summer recap of some of my favorite outfits of the season, and the promise of some fabulous fall fashion to come!

White and Nude

Sweater:  Brandy Melville (old, similar here), Jeans:  Henry & Belle c/o PB&J Boutique, Bag:  C.Wonder (old, newer version here), Shoes:  Zara (similar here under $20!!), Aviators:  Ray-Ban

Since Mother Nature seems to keep reminding us that fall is around the corner, I decided that I need to wear all of my summer faves at least one more time before autumn arrives.

Excuse my adult sip-cup.  I was literally about to hop in my car {running late for work} as my husband snapped these shots.

Workwear Evolution

Blazer:  Zara (old, similar here, here for just $32!!), Top:  Tibi, Jeans:  rag & bone ~ on SALE here, Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Necklace:  House of Harlow

So I have to say that I see my work style already beginning to evolve. I used to describe my style as preppy with a hint of glam, but now I see it teetering the other way ~ glam with a hint of prep.  More heels, less flats, and many more blazers {mainly because our office is always freezing cold}. Hope you all enjoy the change!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Tulip

Blazer:  Aritzia (old, similar here, LOVE this one), Dress:  Amanda Uprichard, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Shoes:  Zara (old, similar here), Sunnies:  Forever 21 (similar here)

At the end of every season, I find myself digging to the back of my closet to find something I haven't worn in a while. This may sound a little redundant, but yes, I pulled this dress from the deep dark depths of my closet. I don't wear it often as it's too short for work {even now}, and a little too low cut.  Nonetheless, I hold onto it year after year because it's such a classic silhouette, and such a vibrant color. I also love the tulip wrap detail of the skirt. 

Happy hump-day!

A Maxi Moment

Dress:  Anthropologie, Clutch:  c/o GiGi New York, Rings:  unknown (LOVE these), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban, Nails:  Essie "Camera"

I almost passed on this dress when I first saw it in my local Anthro store thinking ~ where am I going that I could possibly wear this?  Being that this is probably the first summer in 10 years that we have no summer weddings to go to, it just didn't seem that practical.  When I went back a week or two later and saw it on sale, I thought ~ I'll create my own occasion.

I decided to wear it to a close friend's baby shower and dressed it down with a very plain pair of nude flip-flops, and bare minimal accessories.  It was perfect for the occasion.  I will also be wearing to work sometime in the next week or two with a jean jacket to create a more casual {and work appropriate} look.
2 days left to enter our GIVEAWAY ~ don't miss out!  Click HERE to enter.