Hearts

Jacket:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Shirt:  T-Luxury via Anthropologie (also old, similar here, LOVE this one), Jeans:  Forever 21, Shoes:  Classiques Entier via Nordstrom (old, identical pair here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (old, LOVING this newer version), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban, Cuff:  c/o Hearts

Like my new {very subtle} ombre locks?

How cute is this quartz cuff?!?
When Hearts.com approached me to do a product review, I was more than happy to oblige.  They have beautiful and unique jewelry and accessories on their site and each piece purchased contributes to the quality of life in Rio de Janeiro.  

In Brazil, raw materials are considered precious treasures, and artisans are often underpaid for their labor.  Hearts.com provides artisans with fair wages to ensure that they can support themselves and their families.
Ethical and eco friendly!
*And don't forget to enter my Seychelles Shoes GIVEAWAY here (ends Sunday at midnight)*

Military-esque

Coat:  J.Crew (last year, simlar here on sale!), Turtleneck:  Gap (similar here), Printed Cords:  Madewell ~ on SALE!, Boots:  Anthropologie:  (old, simlar here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (obsessed with this new version!), Earrings:  Tory Burch

Feeling very military-esque today in my double-breasted coat and riding boots.  I added the fun floral cords to take the edge off!  

Have a wonderful weekend ~ TGIF!!

P.S. ~ please excuse the appearance of my blog for the next week or so.  It will be undergoing some much needed maintenance :)

Mad for Plaid

Coat:  Bebe (very old, loving this one ~ on MAJOR SALE!!!), Dress:  Forever 21 (also very old, similar here,,here) Turtleneck:  J.Crew, Tights:  Anthropologie, Shoes: Valentino, Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (LOVING this newer version), Gloves:  Lord & Taylor (similar on SALE)

This is probably one of the more inexpensive dresses I own and I have had it for years. It has survived many, MANY closet clean-outs.  There is something about plaid that never gets old or goes out of style ~ and ~ as you probably know by now, I'm a sucker for work-appropriate dresses!

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Coat:  J.Crew (last year, very similar here ~ only $88, and here just $75!), Sweater:  Zara (similar here), Jeans:  AG via Anthropologie, Shoes:  J.Crew (old, LOVE this similar pair), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs, Belt:  H&M (similar), Bangle:  C.Wonder

Yesterday, my husband and I went to brunch with one of our favorite couples.  Whenever I think of brunch, the first thing that comes to mind is Breakfast at Tiffany's {which was also the theme of my amazing bridal shower}.  

I was definitely channeling Audrey when getting dressed yesterday.  I chose some of my favorite classic pieces ~ my cream military jacket paired with my mint bow pumps ~ that I know I'll be wearing for years to come!

Too Much of a Good Thing

Turtleneck:  Gap (similar here), Plaid Shirt:  J.Crew ~ almost sold out (similar here), Vest:  Old Navy (great alternative here), Pants:  AG via Anthropologie, Boots:  Miss Sixty (very old, similar here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (LOVING this newer version) 

Jacket:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Pants:  Citizens of Humanity, Bag:  J.Crew (similar here), Nails:  Essie "Hot Coco"

Yes, I've worn the same turtleneck with the same boots twice this past week {to different places, of course}.  And yes, I have been wearing plaid possibly too frequently lately.  I guess it's true ~ you can never have too much of a good thing!

Something New

Jacket:  Forever 21 (old, similar here under $50!!), Turtleneck:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Skirt:  Anthtopologie (also old, similar here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (LOVE this newer version), Gloves:  H&M (recent, similar here), Tights:  The Limited (similar here on sale!), Shoes:  Old Navy (old, similar here)

My husband quickly snapped these pics as I was running out the door yesterday ~ so fast in the first pic that he cut off my feet!  

The title of this post is in honor of my first blog post composed on my new MacBook Pro!!  This was my 30th birthday gift from my wonderful parents.  I know it sounds silly but I feel so liberated!  Aside from the computer my parents bought me ten + years ago when I went away to college {it barely survived the four years} this is the first of my adult life that I can call my own!!

Cheers to new beginnings with new technology!

  

The Neutral Zone

Sweater: Brandy & Melville (similar here), Tee: Urban Outfitters, Pants: Forever 21 (old, similar here), Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (LOVE this newer version), Shoes: Christain Louboutin (budget friendly version here), Necklace: Gorjana, Watch: DKNY (obsessed with this one), Nails: Essie "Good as Gold"

 

Although I thoroughly enjoy a hearty pop of color, every once in a while it's nice to tone it down with some low-key neutrals.

Into the Mystic

Sweater:  TJ Maxx (similar here ~ under $20!!!), Shirt:  Madewell (similar here), Trouser Jeans:  Joe's (very old, similar here), Shoes:  J.Crew (old, similar here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs

I love mornings like this ~ the fog so thick on the lake that the rising sun appears hazy and mysterious.  Makes you wonder what the day will bring.  This kind of sunrise brings to mind one of my favorite Van Morrison songs:

"I want to rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
And together we will float into the mystic"

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Sepia

Jacket:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Sweater:  Forever 21 (very old, similar here), Pants:  Madewell, Shoes:  Tory Burch (old, similar here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (LOVE LOVE LOVE this newer version)

I'm kinda obsessed with these printed cords that my mother-in-law got me for my birthday.  They are neutral, yet they make quite the statement. 

The different shades of brown remind me of the sepia filter on a camera.  I paired them with other neutral pieces here but I'm excited to wear them with some pops of color too!

Child-like

Sweater:  Anthropologie (OBSESSED with this cozy-looking version), Pants:  H&M (recent, similar here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (old, newer version here), Shoes:  Ann Taylor (old, similar here, LOVING this Jimmy Choo cap-toes)

 

As my husband was getting the leaf blower out today I asked if it would be ok to just frolick in them for like 5 minutes.  They just looked so fresh and pretty on the ground. 

 

He did, however, draw the line when I asked him to blow all of the leaves into a pile for me to jump into.

 

That's ok ~ they'll be back next week!!

The Shirtdress: A Classic

Dress:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Boots:  Anthropologie (old, LOVE these), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs, Belt:  Forever 21 (similar here)

 

 I purchased this shirtdress years ago and it's one of the few items I still wear almost as frequently as when it was new.  It's such a classic design & perfect for so many occasions.  I've worn it with thicker belts and thinner, flat shoes, boots, pumps and even sandals.  It's also a dress that can easily transition to different seasons.  Yup, not much this dress can't do!

 

Masculine vs. Feminine

Sweater:  H&M (old, similar here), Blouse:  Aritzia (old, similar here for under $30!), Shorts:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Shoes:  Seychelles (very old, similar here, here, cute flat option here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (LOVING this new version here)

 

 

I typically like wearing a shorter short, but I like the contrast that this longer version brings to the outfit.  The masculinity of the long short vs. the femininity of the tie neck blouse ~ such a perfect contradiction!

 

The length also keeps me from stressing about dress code!

 

Happy Monday & first day of October everyone!!

Swiss Dots

 

Sweater:  J.Crew (similar budget friendly version here), Blouse:  Joe Fresh (similar here), Skirt:  Bebe (old, similar here), Shoes:  Christain Louboutin, Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (old, newrsio ven here)

 

I'd say this is the quintessential teacher uniform.  Very "J.Crew catalog" looking.  Preppy yet chic.  I'm obsessed with this swiss dotted sweater that I picked up last week ~ another item you can count on seeing again!

 

Transition to Fall

Trench:  Bloomingdales (old, similar here), Dress:  Anthropologie, Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (old, loving this newer version), Shoes:  Nine West (old, similar here)

 

The fall wardrobe transition is always difficult for me.  I enjoy summer so much and usually it's pretty warm in NJ until the beginning of October.  Pieces like this adorable sleeveless shift definitely make the transition smoother. 

 

I'll be sure to re-work it into an outfit involving tights when the temperature finally drops.

First Day of School

 

Blazer:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Top:  H&M (similar here), Skirt:  Forever 21 (similar here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (old, liking this one), Shoes:  Enzo Angiolini (old, similar here), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

 

 

 

I can remember when I was younger spending hours picking out the perfect 'first day of school outfit'...

 

...not much has changed because evey year I still spend a lot of time choosing what to wear for the start of the new school year.

 

I have a feeling that this year will be the best yet!

 

So Long Summer

Top:  Ella Moss via Anthropologie (old, similar here), Pants:  J.Crew (similar here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs, Shoes:  Zara (similar here), Bracelet:  Nordstrom (old, LOVE this one), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

 

Top: Equipment via TJ Maxx (similar here), Necklace: Unknown brand (similar here)

 

Dress:  Anthropologie (old, similar here ~ on sale for $44!!), Shoes:  Tory Burch (old, similar here), Bag:  Tory Burch (old, similar here)

 

Dress {worn as top}:  Forever 21, Skirt:  H&M (similar here), Belt:  Anthropologie, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff

 

Skirt:  Ann Taylor (similar here), Shoes:  Aldo (old, similar here)

 

Well, it's official.  As of Monday summer is over ~ tear.  School starts on Thursday and then chaos will inevitably ensue.  As an ode to the past 3 wonderful and relaxing months I thought I'd put together some outtake photos that never made it to post.

 

Hot Crossed Buns

Top:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), J.Crew (similar here), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs, Shoes:  Zara (similar here), Bracelet:  Nordstrom (love this cuff, LOVE this one too!), Sunnies:  Tom Ford

 

You'll have to excuse my hair today ~ getting it cut and colored first thing tomorrow morning.  At the moment {from the sun and lack of maintnance} it's about 5 different shades of brown with some lovely natural grey highlights coming through.  A top bun was the only solution.

 

Hope everyone is enjoying the last official week of summer!

Blast from the Past: Rehearsal Dinner

Dress:  Tracy Reese via Anthropologie (old, similar here for under $50!!), Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs (old, newer version here, here), Shoes:  Aldo (old, love these) Necklace:  borrowed from my mother-in-law (similar here, this one is really cute) Wrap Bracelet: Unknown (similar here, here)

I remember the day I was shopping with my mother-in-law at Anthropologie and we came across this adorable Tracy Reese dress.  We agreed it was unique and wold be great for my rehearsal dinner.

 

The gold and brown was the perfect color combo for early fall {the dinner was in October of 2007 ~ the night before the wedding}. 

As you can tell from my last two posts, I have a slight obsession with fit-and-flare dresses.  I like the way the accentuate my waist and then flare out in such a girly and feminine way. 

In this picture with me are five of my TEN beautiful bridesmaids {my husband and I had a 20-person wedding party ~ and that's not including our twin flower girls and one adorable ring barer}.

Reminiscing this week has brought back so many great memories and has been so much fun. You'll have to stay tuned for pictures from our big day which will be posted sometime in October!