Bow Peep

Coat:  Forever 21 (old, similar here ~ under $100!), Skirt:  Bebe (a wardrobe staple!!!), Sweater J.Crew ~ almost sold out (simlar here for $25!!), Shirt:  Madewell (similar), Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Shoes:  J.Crew (old, great alternative here), Earrings:  Kate Spade, Watch:  DKNY (similar), Nails:  Essie "Glamour Purse"

It's certainly no secret that I'm a huge fan of bows, and often display them not only in my clothing but in my accessories too.  So when I saw these adorable Kate Spade earrings at Nordstrom, I just couldn't resist adding them to my collection.  They add such a feminine classic touch!

Belated

Coat:  J.Crew {on sale!!}, Top:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Skirt:  Forever 21 (similar here), Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Tights:  Anthropologie, Gloves:  Lord&Taylor (simlar here)

As a result of holiday chaos, I failed to recognize Classroom Couture's 1st birthday!  January 2nd marked one year of blogging for me and it has been a wonderful year of change and growth.  I have learned so much, made some new friends, and just enjoyed the creative outlet that the blog has been for me.  Thank you so much for following and for your continued support ~ it truly means the world to me!!

As for year 2 ~ I plan on making some changes in the blog in upcoming weeks.  Just a little {much-needed} updating and restructuring.  Exciting things to come!

#YOLOMONDAY

NYE

Jacket:  Anthropologie (very old, LOVE this one), Sweater:  Gap ~ ON SALE!, Pants:  Citizens of Humanity, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Shoes:  Valentino

Arm Candy:  c/o Left of Right (more of their fabulous baubles to come!), DKNY (similar here), Cara via Nordstrom

A casual NYE this year since my husband and I are both feeling under the weather ~ Chinese food followed by hot toddies should do the trick!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy & stylish New Year!!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Coat:  Forever 21 (old, similar here under $50), Sweater:  TJ Maxx (similar here, here under $20), Jeans:  Citizens of Humanity, Boots:  TJ Maxx (old, similar here, and here on major sale!!!), Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff

This is what I get for wishing for a white Christmas.  Luckily I have my favorite flat boots to keep my feet warm and dry.  My mother picked out these fur-lined beauties for me last year at TJ Maxx ~ a great find ~ stylish, warm, and super-comfy!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week and pondering some New Year's resolutions!!

Holiday Style: Work Party

Dress:  Black Halo, Belt:  Forever 21 (similar here), Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Earrings:  Chico's (similar here), Nails:  Essie "Hot Coco"

With the holidays in full swing I decided to dedicate this week to holiday dressing.  I haven't addressed my rules of holiday style on the blog yet, so it's about time I shared.

Rule #1:  OVERDRESS!!

A dress is definitely my holiday garment of choice and over the years I have accumulated a plethora of dresses.  Rather than buying a new one for every party/event, I try to rotate them.  For the most part, my husband and I attend the same parties year after year.  The key is to remember what dress was worn to each event the previous year so that there are no repeats!

This dress {an eBay find} was perfect for my work holiday party ~ sophisticated and chic.  When attending an after work event I don't want to feel as if I'm going to work.  I choose to wear an outfit that is fancier than anything I would wear on the job.  Last year I wore this dress for Thanksgiving.

Buffalo Soldier

Shirt:  J.Crew, Jacket:  Forever 21, Vest:  Aqua (old, similar here), Pants:  Citizens of Humanity, Boots:  Nine West (old ~ last seen here in my first blog post ever, similar here), Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Necklace:  Gorjana

It's about time I snapped some pictures of this buffalo plaid shirt because its been on frequent rotation in my closet for the past few months.  It's probably the softest, lightest flannel shirt that I've ever owned.  Easy to dress up or down, it's the perfect go-to button-up. 

Skirted

Turtleneck:  Anthropologie (new version here), Skirt:  Anthropologie (old, loving this graphic skirt with gold trim), Shoes:  Classiques Entier via Nordstrom, Tights:  Hue, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Gingham and Bows

Blazer:  Zara (old, similar here), Sweater:  J.Crew, Gingham shirt:  Madewell (similar here), Pants:  AG via Anthropologie, Shoes:  Tory Burch (old, similar here), Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff

...and my bow obsession continues... 

Are you out there on a quest for bargains today?

#YOLOMONDAY

Autumn Attire

Vest:  Aqua via Bloomingdales (very old, similar here), Shirt:  Madewell, Pants:  H&M (LOVE these), Shoes:  Classiques Entier via Nordstrom ~ on sale!!!, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Necklace:  House of Harlow, Wrap Bracelet:  Forever 21 (similar here), Watch:  DKNY(this gold & tortoise one is on my Christmas list), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

 

 

I especially love the mustard/oxblood color combination in the fall.  It reminds me of what the trees looked like before they lost their leaves. I added my fur vest for some warmth because it's been pretty cold in NJ. 

 

On a side note, I'm a major holiday season junkie so my spirits are extra high this week.  Can't wait to officially kick off the season on Thursday. 

 

I have so much to be thankful for!

Thirty is the New Twenty-One

Sweater:  Aritzia (borrowed from my sister-in-law, similar here, here), Tee:  Anthropologie, Pants:  Forever 21, Shoes:  Christain Louboutin (budget-friendly version here), Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Necklace:  Forever 21, Nails:  Essie "Butler Please"

This past weekend marked a major landmark in my life.  I turned 30!!!

My friends teased me for wearing all black saying I was mourning the passing of my twenties, but I'm actually excited to begin this new decade.  

I vow to make it even more exciting than the last!

{photos by Madison Royle ~ my extremely talented 13-year-old niece}

The Truth About Date Night

Blazer:  Aritzia (similar here), Tee:  Urban Outfitters, Skirt:  Madewell, Necklace:  Helen Ficalora, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Shoes:  Zara (similar here) Belt:  Forever 21, Nails:  Essie "Sole Mate"

 

Once in a while {ok, once I week} I have those days where I look in my closet and think 'I have nothing to wear'.  This, of course, is a ridiculous thought as I am staring at a closet full of clothes.  Some days it's just hard to get dressed. 

 

I thought I would take you on a stroll through one of these days.  

 

The first two pictures show how my outfit started out.  I had my heart set on wearing my new Madewell metallic skirt, and although it looked perfectly fine, I just wasn't feeling the white tee on this particular day. 

 

So...

 

I threw on this short-sleeve turtle-neck knit top and a pair of flats.

 

Top:  Anthropologie (similar here), Cuff:  Unknown (identical cuff here), Flats:  C-Label

 

 

...but then I looked like I was going to work rather than going out to dinner so I threw the heels back on and spiced up the outfit a bit with this leopard print silk tee.

 

Top:  Anthropologie (similar here), Shoes:  Aldo (similar here)

 

And VOILA ~ ready for dinner!

Finger Lakes Photo Diary: Part III

Top:  Madewell (simlar here under $10!!), Pants:  J.Crew (old, similar here), Shoes:  Old Navy (old, similar here), Belt:  Madewell, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff

A few final photographs from our weekend away.  The picture above is of the beautiful victorian style B&B we stayed at.  Our hosts, Renee and Chris, were the most hospitable people.  The rooms were cozy and private and immaculately clean.  Each morning we were served a three-course gourmet breakfast.  We couldn't have been happier with our choice of accomodations.

As per our usual, my husband and I have no pictures of us together ~ the only downfall of a getaway for two.

{downtown Watkins Glen}

(Montour Falls}

{that handsome man again}

Khaki Colorblock

Top:  H&M (old, similar here with cute peter pan collar), Skirt:  Forever 21 (old, similar here,, here, designer version here), Jacket:  Nordstrom (very old, OBSESSING over this J.Crew version), Shoes:  Christain Louboutin, Belt:  Anthropologie, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff

 

Happy Wednesday ~ hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

 

Black and Blue

Top:  Aritzia (old, similar here),, Skirt:  Forever 21 (old, similar bow skirt here, similar houndstooth skirt here under $30!!), Shoes:  Dolce Vita (old, similar here), Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Ring:  Madewell, Tights:  Hue

 

I have a bow theme going on ~ it is hard to tell in the pictures above.

The earrings below have a very special sentimental value to me; my mother gave them to me as my first "good" pair of earrings after I got my ears pierced when I was in kindergarten.  They are very delicate and definitely one of my favorite pairs ~ a perfect match with my new Madewell ring!

 

similar earrings here

Winery

Sweater:  Madewell, Pants:  AG via Anthropologie (old, newer version here), Shoes:  C-Label via Piperlime, Belt:  Madewell, Necklace:  House of Harlow, Bangle:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff

 

I intended to wear the outfit above to a local winery on Saturday but the weather is so strange lately that by the time we were ready to go it was entirely too hot.  I decided to go with a plain white tee instead.  Not the best decision considering we got caught in a torrential downpour. 

 

Despite the weather we had a great time.  I love this candid my husband snapped of my friend Danielle and me:

 

White tee:  Urban Outfitters, Nails:  Essie "Hot Coco"

Danielle is wearing:  Vest:  BCBG via Lomanns (LOVING this one), Tank:  Unknown (old, similar here), Necklace:  Forever 21 (similar here), Earrings:  Kendra Scott