Checked Scarf

Coat:  Zara (old, LOVE this one), Top:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Jeans: H&M (similar here), Scarf:  Zara (recent, similar option here for $6!), Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  Target (similar here), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

I've reached for this scarf every day this week as I ran out the door. 

It's the kind of weather where the big morning debate is to wear, or not to wear a coat. When in doubt, I grab the scarf and call it a day.

Happy hump day everyone!

Tropical Leather

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Dress:  Topshop, Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  French Connection, Sunnies:  Forever 21 (old, similar here)

While I've started to transition my wardrobe over to more springy pieces, I'm not quite ready to retire my winter faves just yet. Which is why I've paired this tropical dress with my leather and wool blazer. The piles of dirty snow that remain are a constant reminder that at any moment we could go back to the polar vortex. 

In the meantime, I'm totally enjoying some outdoor activities and fresh air.

Happy hump day!

Entrenched

Trench:  Bebe (very old, similar here), Top:  J.Crew (old, great option here), Skirt:  J.Crew (old, similar here), Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  3.1 Phillip Lim

I definitely am a huge fan of trench coats. They are perfect for three out of four seasons, can be dressed up or down, and they never go out of style.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Revel

Coat:  J.Crew (old, LOVING this similar option), Sweater:  Forever 21, Jeans: Forever 21 (old, great budget-friendly option here), Bag:  Target, Shoes:  Valentino,  Sunnies:  Forever 21 (similar here)

Happy Monday everyone! Hope everyone had a wonderful, relaxing weekend ~ I know I certainly did. 

I spent the day in NYC yesterday celebrating my sister-in-law's upcoming nuptials with a bachelorette brunch. We went to a fabulous restaurant ~ Revel ~ in the Meatpacking District. I would highly recommend if anyone is looking for reasonably priced {unlimited drink} brunch destination.

Unfortunately, between all of the walking {and the drinking} I was not able to snap any city outfit pics, therefore I share with you my NJ brunch outfit from last weekend.

My Better Half

{1}                                                       {2}

{3}                                                       {4}

{5}                                                       {6}

{7}                                                        {8}

TGIF :: Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Winter Wedding

Dress:  Tibi via THE OUTNET, Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Tights:  Hue, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

 I wore this dress on Saturday for a winter wedding. I had promised myself that I was not buying any more winter clothes ~ period. However, when I saw this sassy silhouette on THE OUTNET, I just couldn't help myself. 

Since it was super last minute, I chose their same day Premier delivery option. A mere five hours after placing my order a van pulled up in front of my house, and my order was delivered to my door ~ not in a boring brown box, but in a shiny new shopping bag. First class service that THE OUTNET offers to their customers in parts of NY and NJ.

The dress was the perfect pick and I plan on wearing it into spring for a few other events I have coming up.

Chic and Cozy

Coat:  J.Crew (old, LOVING this similar coat), Dress:  Velvet via Anthropologie ~ also here!, Bag:  French Connection, Shoes:  Valentino, Tights:  Hue, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

I was back and forth about this sweater dress when I first saw it because it is a LOT of leopard, but after putting it on I was completely smitten. It is the softest, coziest knit I have ever put on my bod. I've also gotten a TON of use out of it, wearing it to two Christenings, church on Christmas Eve, and work on several occasions throughout winter. It's one of those pieces that looked dressed up but feels like PJ's.

Gotta love a chic and cozy dress!

Resolution

Top:  Anthropologie (similar option here), Skirt:  J.Crew ~ on SALE!, Shoes:  Valentino, Clutch:  BCBGeneration (old, identical here for $12!), Tights:  Express, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

As I've mentioned in the past, I'm not a huge fan of New Year's Eve. I may sound like a curmudgeon, but between the inflated prices and the crowds, it's a night I definitely prefer to spend at home with my husband {on the couch in our pjs} which is exactly what I did. Since I also had to work yesterday and today, and decided to bring some sparkly NYE glam to the office. This sequined mini added just the right bit of glitz.

Although I haven't made one yet, I like this simple, straight-forward quote for resolution inspiration:

Pretty much sums it up.

Cheers to 2014 to being the best year yet!

Black + White

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Dress:  Madewell (old, similar here under $40!), Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  French Connection, Tights:  Express, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

No matter the season, no matter the weather, you're always alright in black and white.

Happy Monday!

Turkey Day

Coat: Vintage (similar here, here, drooling over this one), Dress: Amanda Uprichard (old, newer version here, identical option here), Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  French Connection, Tights:  Express

A short and sweet post today featuring the first of many holiday looks. My husband snapped this picture of me last week while we were at West Point celebrating Thanksgiving with my family. The weather was beautiful even though it was bitter cold. I broke out one of my favorite holiday dresses of all time. This sexy red sheath proves to be a staple year after year, and the coat added the perfect pop of print.

In other news...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations to my giveaway winner Dani! I will be contacting you soon. Thank you so much to everyone who entered. As I always say, stay tuned for more fabulous giveaways to come.

Graphic Image Giveaway

Coat:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Sweater: H&M (similar), Skirt: TopShop, Bag: J.Crew (old, similar here), Shoes:  Valentino, iPhone Case: c/o Graphic Image, Tights: Express, Sunnies: Ray-Ban, Nails:  Essie "Hot Cocoa"

Hello and happy Monday readers. 

I'm in an extra delightful mood this Monday morning for several reasons: 

1. it's a short week {bring on the turkey} 

2. Christmas music on the radio 24/7 {makes the morning commute much more bearable} 

3. I'm hosting ANOTHER fabulous giveaway {'tis the season of giving}

Before I get to this week's giveaway, I would like to thank everyone who entered my Our World Boutique giveaway and congratulate my winner Melanie R. I will be contacting you shortly.

I am ecstatic to present today's giveaway as I am a huge fan of Graphic Image's products. They make fabulous leather handbags and accessories and offer monogramming for most of their products. You may be familiar with their GiGi New York line of fashion forward accessories and bags {seen here, here, here, here}.

A cute quote that sums up my feeling on personalization..."If it's not moving, monogram it!"

The winner of my giveaway will have their choice of a personalized iPhone 5 case, a fabulous gift for yourself or anyone on your holiday list. I'm kinda feeling like Santa right not that I get go host such a fabulous giveaway. Follow the instructions below to enter and good luck {ho-ho-ho}!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Birthday Suit

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Top:  Anthropologie (old, similar here), Pants:  Gap, Shoes:  Valentino Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

I wore this outfit to celebrate my birthday over the weekend. No over the top celebration this year but my husband took me out to our favorite restaurant for a quiet romantic dinner. 

I had been lusting over this Helmut Lang blazer for a very long time and finally treated myself to it as it was included in the Saks friends and family sale last month. 

Happy birthday to me!

Don't forget to enter my jewelry giveaway HERE!

Pajama Dressing

Blazer & Pants:  Aritzia (old, similar blazer here, and pants here), Top:  Zara (old, similar here), Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Necklace:  Helen Ficalora

These pants are beyond comfortable. Perfect for a day when you don't feel like getting out of bed, or for a casual Friday.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Industrial

Blazer:  J.Crew (this year's version here), Jeans:  Citizens of Humanity, Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Scarf:  Aritzia (old, similar here)

My husband and I stopped at this asphalt factory on the way home from Sunday brunch last week. It's strange how photo inspiration can come at the oddest time and in the strangest places. The cold feel of the quiet factory matched the chilly fog in the air, and offered the perfect contrast to the warm feel of the camel blazer and plush leopard scarf.

I'm off from work tomorrow, giving me & the hubs the perfect three-day weekend to celebrate our six-year wedding anniversary.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Leopard Coat

Coat:  BB Dakota via Urban Outfitters, Sweater:  H&M (old, similar here), Jeans:  H&M (old, similar here), Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff

I was on the fence about this coat when I first bought it, but after wearing it for the past few days, I know keeping it was the right choice. It goes with everything and takes a simple ensemble to the next level.

Happy Hump Day!

ONLY A FEW HOURS LEFT TO ENTER MY FALL FASHION GIVEAWAY {HERE} ~ DON'T MISS OUT!

Leather Weather

 Top:  Anthropologie (old, identical here), Jacket:  Madewell, Skirt:  Zara (recent, great option here), Shoes:  Valentino, Bag:  J.Crew (old, LOVING this one), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban, Nails:  OPI "In the Cable Carpool Lane"

Although I would say that summer is my favorite season {due to my love of the beach}, fall is a very close second. I love everything about it. The slight chill in the air, apple and pumpkin picking, the changing colors of the leaves, and of course fall fashion. 

I've cropped most of the ombré out of my hair, changed over to dark nail polish, and just like that, I'm falling into fall.

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!

Summer Romance

Dress:  Free People (also buy here, LOVE this color), Shoes:  Valentino, Bag & Earrings:  Unknown (similar bag here) (similar earrings here)

I was a little hesitant to buy when I first saw this dress.  The waist is a tad higher than what I normally wear, and I'm not really into the "baby doll" look.  To my pleasant surprise, the cut is actually really cute and flattering.  Now that I'm kinda starting to transition into fall wardrobe mode, I immediately began thinking of all the ways I could style it for colder weather. But for $29.99, I'm pretty sure I would have bought it either way!

I wore it to dinner over the weekend ~ my husband took me out to celebrate my first week at my new job.  It was the perfect mix of romantic and chic.

Don't forget to enter our group giveaway HERE to win a $300 J.Crew gift card!