Caped Crusader

Cape:  c/o Sheinside, Dress (worn as top): c/o Sheinside, Jeans:  AG, Bag:  Mansur Gavriel, Shoes:  Classiques Entier (old, love this similar pair), Earrings:  c/o LilahV, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

It's unusual to be having fifty degree weather in December in NJ.  The day after Christmas felt more like Easter time. Lucky for me, the warm weather has provided the perfect opportunity to break out my new colorful cape.

But New Jerseyans know better than to be fooled but the unseasonable temperatures. Better enjoy it while it lasts!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Wine Wrap Coat

Coat:  T Tahari, Dress:  Free People, Bag:  French Connection (old, similar here), Tights:  Express, Shoes:  Zara (old, love this similar pair)

I've been on the hunt for a wrap coat for a while now. I had ordered several in the past, but none seemed to work out. With wrap coats, I feel there is a fine line between chic outerwear and plush bathrobe.

I finally came across this reasonably priced, wine-colored winner.

Hope everyone is enjoying the 12 days of Christmas...only 9 days to go!

Festive Flannel

Sweater:  Forever 21, Top:  J.Crew, Pants:  Nordstrom, Boots:  Stuart Weitzman, Bag:  Mansur Gavriel, Earrings:  c/o LilahV

Sixteen days until Christmas and I can't ~ nor do I want to ~ shake that festive feeling. When deciding what to wear in the morning, I find myself reaching for my seasonal favorites {holiday red being my color of choice}. 

No doubt you will start seeing some sequins and sparkle soon.

Happy Monday everyone!

Black & Winter White

Coat:  c/o Sheinside, Top:  The Limited (old, similar here), Jeans:  H&M (similar here), Beanie:  Urban Outfitters, Bag:  Manur Gavriel, Booties:  Matiko (also here)

Hello and happy December readers! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and enjoyed a few extra days off as much as I did. I really feel relaxed and revived - a great way to start the Christmas countdown.

As you can see from the pictures, we ended up having a white Thanksgiving in NJ. I didn't mind as we stayed local this year, and the scene at our house was absolutely enchanting.

I've been trying to get my hands on this Mansur Gavriel bag for months now, only to find that my mother had joined the waiting list at Steven Alan and snagged me one for my birthday. I was afraid that the large tote would be too big, but to my delight the size is just right. It added the perfect little pop of color to my black & white ensemble. 

You'll definitely see this one on major repeat all holiday season long. What are some of your winter favorites?

Blue Suede Shoes

Coat:  Zara (old, similar here), Sweater:  H&M (similar here), Shirt:  J.Crew (love this one), Jeans:  c/o East & Lo, Bag:  Forever 21 (similar here), Shoes:  c/o Isaac Mizrahi, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

In the words of Elvis,

"Don't you step on my blue suede shoes."

Cheers to a super-short work-week!

Waffle

Coat:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Sweater:  Free People, Jeans:  H&M (similar here), Shoes:  Zara (old, love these), Bag:  c/o Isaac Mizrahi

Whether it's Belgian style with a hefty scoop of vanilla ice cream, or in the form of a cozy turtleneck, there is no denying my love for all things waffle.

And I picked up this waffle knit sweater just in time because the temperature dropped below freezing this weekend.

Looks as though Mother Nature may have a white Thanksgiving in store for NJ.

Happy Monday everyone!

5050

Coat: Vintage (similar here, and here for $65!!), Top:  Aritzia (old, similar here), Skirt:  Nordstrom ~ on sale!, Boots:  Stuart Weitzman, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Necklace:  c/o LilahV, Lariat Necklace:  Forever 21

These boots may be called the 5050, but I was 100% elated to receive them as a birthday gift from my wonderful husband.

While I'm definitely a boot girl, I am super picky about boots. They have to fit my calves perfectly, which {with these chicken legs} is no easy feat.

I can remember my mother purchasing my first pair of good boots in high school. We searched high and low and far and near, but it was just impossible to find a pair of boots that would fit my {then even more twiggy} legs. We finally purchased the pair with the smallest circumference we could find, and then took them to a cobbler to have them taken in!

I know, I know...woe is me.

Anyhow, flash forward to these calf hugging beauties. I didn't know if I would like the elastic at the back, but once I put them on it was love at first step.

Happy Monday everyone!

Rails

Top:  Rails c/o PB&J Boutique, Jeans:  rag & bone, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff, Shoes:  Zara

Coziest. Flannel. Ever. Perfect for this super chilly Monday.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Burgundy Times Two

Sweater:  Forever 21, Shirt:  J.Crew (old, love this year's version), Jeans:  H&M (great alternative here), Bag:  Zara (old, similar here), Shoes:  c/o Marc Fisher, Earrings:  Kate Spade

Out of all of the brilliant fall colors, burgundy is probably my favorite one. It's such a rich hue, and looks great with most skin tones.

Also, I'd consider it a neutral it pairs easily with almost everything in my closet. 

Happy Monday everyone!

Quickie

Blazer:  Helmut Lang, Tee:  Splendid, Skirt:  H&M (old, love this similar option), Bag:  French Connection, Shoes:  Zara (old, obsessed with these), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

A super-quick hello and happy hump day today. This photo was taken last week. The temperature has significantly dropped since and I think the days of bare legs are over until the spring.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far!

Patterns and Textures

Sweater:  Forever 21, Shirt:  The Limited (old, similar here), Skirt:  J.Crew, Bag:  Zara (old, similar here), Shoes:  J.Crew, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Yes, our leaves are out of control! But I love the beautiful colors ~ they make the perfect backdrop.

This season I'm all about mixing patterns and textures. This outfit combines four of my favorites:  waffle knit, pinstripe, houndstooth and calf hair.

Happy Monday everyone!

New Tricks

Coat:  Vintage (similar here), Top:  Gap, Jeans:  Flying Monkey for East & Lo c/o East & Lo, Bag:  French Connection, Shoes:  Zara (old, similar here, LOVE this pair), Necklace: c/o LilahV, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Denim - a fit possibly as personal as underwear. Ladies, how many times have you gone into a fitting room with 10+ pairs of jeans and come out with not even one perfect fitting pair?

I know it's happened to me countless times.

People say the older you get, the more set in your ways you are. I believe this to be particularly true of denim. I know what I like, I like what I like, and I stick with what works.

...Until I tried these Flying Monkey jeans. One of the best feeling/fitting pairs of jeans I've ever worn. They are super-soft with just the right amount of stretch. Best part? These beauties are under $100!

I guess you can teach an old{ish} gal new {denim} tricks.

Happy Monday everyone!

Seven

Happy 7th wedding anniversary to my husband/best friend.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday!

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!

First Signs of Fall

Jacket:  Aritzia (old, similar here), Sweater:  J.Crew (borrowed from my hubby, love this one), Jeans:  Forever 21, Scarf:  Alexander McQueen, Bag:  Marc by Marc Jacobs, Shoes:  Sam Edelman, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

It finally started to feel like fall over the weekend. A little crazy considering last weekend was 80+ degrees and I was wearing my skimpiest sundress in an attempt to stay cool at the winery.

But I welcome the crisp chill in the air.

A great excuse to break out my scarves and sweaters.

Happy Monday everyone!

Dinner Date Dress

Dress:  Free People, Shoes:  Aquazzura, Bag:  Forever 21 (old, OBSESSED with this one), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban 

I was first drawn to this dress on the Free People website because of the name ~ 'Dinner Date Dress'. I immediately thought to myself, yes, I could use a good dinner date dress. 

I mean, can't we all?

I love the creamy colored crochet, and the high mock neck detail. 

Not only is this dress perfect for a romantic dinner date as the name implies, but it is the perfect wear to work dress also. 

I guess the name 'Wear to Work and then Out for a Dinner Date' was just too long?

Hello, October. Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Floral and Flared

Sweatshirt: H&M (old, similar option here, here, here), Skirt:  H&M (another similar option here on sale!), Bag:  Target (old, similar here), Shoes:  Schutz (sold out, LOVE this similar option), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

Another outfit that is as comfortable as it is chic. Aka ~ the perfect Monday ensemble.

Happy Monday everyone!

Retail Therapy

Top:  J.Crew (old, LOVE this similar option), Skirt:  Topshop (old, great alternative here), Bag:  Forever 21 (similar here), Shoes:  Aquazzura, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

I've been so busy lately that I have not had time to do much fall shopping. However, I did do a good amount of internet shopping while I was home recuperating {retail therapy really is the best medicine}.

While I wait for my new duds to arrive, I pulled out a few of my good old fall favorites. 

I love how this flannel looks so perfectly matchy-matchy with the oxblood kicks.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday & weekend!

Dressed Up Track Pants

Blazer: Forever 21 (old, similar here), Tee:  Splendid, Pants:  Michael Stars c/o Montana Blues ~ use code MARGO15 for 15% off of their entire website!, Clutch:  J.Crew (old, similar here), Shoes:  Classiques Entier (old, simlar here, OBSESSED with this similar option), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

It's finally feeling like fall!

 I apologize for the blogging break but I had a small surgical procedure {nothing serious} last week and was feeling way under the weather.

I finally started feeling like myself again yesterday, and hope to be back to work by mid-week.

Major thanks to Montana Blues for these super comfy track pants that can easily be dressed up for an office chic look. They are the perfect choice when you really want to do is stay in your PJ's, yet are required to look dressed to the nines.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday.