Colored Denim

Blazer:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Shirt:  J.Crew, Pants:  J.Crew, Clutch:  Anthropologie (old, this one is on my wish list), Shoes:  Christian Louboutin (budget-friendly version here), Sunnies:  Ray-Ban, Necklace:  Gorjana, Bracelet:  c/o Left of Right, Nails:  Essie "Topless & Barefoot"

We had one 60-degree day last week and I jumped at the opportunity for a warm(er) weather ensemble.  I had purchased these J.Crew pants in "bright papaya" {seen here, here, here,} around this time last year, and loved them so much that I found myself wearing them very often.  So of course I was elated to see them on super-sale a few weeks ago!  I snatched up several pairs in different colors ~ each between $12 & $15!  I've already filled my colored denim quota for the upcoming season without breaking the bank! 

Damask

Jacket:  Buffalo Jeans (old, similar here), Turtleneck:  J.Crew, Pants:  Forever 21 (similar here ~ on sale!), Bag:  Forever21, flats:  Zara (similar here)

Just a quick post today wearing my favorite printed pants {last worn here}.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week ~ happy hump day!

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!

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!

Oxblood Accents

Coat:  Forever 21 (old, LOVING this one), Dress:  Zara (last year, similar here), Tights:  Anthropologie, Clutch:  Aldo (similar here, LOVING this one), Shoes:  Madewell ~ on sale!!, Bangle:  C.Wonder, Nails: Essie "Hot Coco"

I purchased this dress at the end of the season last year form Zara {on sale} for $19.99.  It is probably my favorite winter, work-appropriate dress that I've ever owned.  I love the long sleeves, the hint of leopard and of course THE POCKETS!!!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Skating On Thin Ice

Coat:  Tulle (old, cute options here, here), Plaid Shirt:  J.Crew (almost sold out ~ similar here) Chambray:  Old Navy (old, similar here), Jeans:  Forever 21 (similar here), Boots:  Franco Sarto (old, LOVING this pair for just $59.99!!), Belt:  Forever 21, Necklace:  Gorjana, Earrings:  Tory Burch, Sunnies:  Ray-Ban

My husband and I took our nephews skating this past weekend ~ *correction* ~ my husband skated with them while I watched.  He played ice hockey in high school and is extremely graceful and light on his feet.  My nephews who are 3 and 5 years old, take skating lessons and in my opinion are both on their way to the NHL.  I, on the other hand, have a hard enough time walking on solid ground.  And, no, they were not actually "skating on thin ice" as the post title implies, but "skating on a perfectly safe frozen solid pond" did not have the same ring to it.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

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

Lady in Red

Coat:  Tulle (old, similar here), Top:  H&M (similar here), Jeans:  Forever 21 (similar here), Bag:  J.Crew (old, similar here), Shoes:  Christian Louboutin (budget-friendly version here), Belt:  Forever 21 (similar), Nails:  Butter "Royal Navy"

Back to the daily grind ~ at least it's already Wednesday!  And no, I did not wear this to work today, but I woke up wayyyyy too late to snap a picture so here's one from the archives.

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: Christmas Eve

Coat:  Forever 21 (old, similar here under $30!!), Turtleneck:  Anthropologie, Skirt:  Madewell (similar here for under $20!!),  Tights:  Hue (similar), Bag:  Forever 21, Shoes:  Valentino, Necklace:  Forever 21 (old, LOVE this one)

Every year I look forward to celebrating Christmas Eve with my family.  Our tradition is really simple but is probably my favorite holiday tradition.  We go to my uncle's house where my aunt prepares an array of appetizers and a delectable dinner.   My cousin {who should be a professional pastry chef} finishes off the meal with a decadent dessert.  There is something about spending a holiday in a familiar home that warms my heart.

Rule #3 It's your time to shine ~ literally ~ add some sparkle to your step.
Be bold in a pair of sassy sequined pants, a fierce metallic mini, or add some glitz with some encrusted accessories.
Whichever way you choose, do like the lights on the tree and sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!!!

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. 

Hodge-Podge

Sweater:  Brandy Melville (similar here), Jeans:  Forever 21, Stole:  Unknown (similar here), Bag:  Gucci (old, similar here), Bracelet:  Unknown (similar here), Earrings:  gift from my grandmother ~ HUGE selection of pearl earrings on myjewelrybox.com ~ a FABULOUS gift idea *hint* *hint*

My husband and I are now fully into holiday mode which means there is not a minute to spare {which means I'm at a lack of pictures for the blog}.  Between parties, parades and charity events we have had no down time.  Therefore I share with you these three out-takes ~ pictures that never made it to post...until now. 

Jacket:  Buffalo Jeans (old, similar here), Turtleneck:  Anthropologie, Jeans:  Forever 21, Bag:  Forever 21 ~ under $20!!!

{it's all in the details}

Top:  Joe Fresh (similar here), Skirt:  Madewell (another cute option here), Tights:  Ann Taylor, Bag:  Rebecca Minkoff

On Your Mark, Get Set...

Raglan Tee:  Forever 21, Sweater:  Aritzia (last year, similar here ~ on sale!!), Pants:  Citizens of Humanity, Shoes:  Christain Louboutin (budget-friendly version here), Clutch:  ASOS

My husband and I were supposed to go to Raceway Park yesterday so he could drive a Ferrari F430 around the track {my birthday gift to him}.  

I was ready in black and white {& a pop of red} with the hope of being able to wave the checkered flag!

Unfortunately, his driving event got cancelled because of an inclement weather forecast.  He was totally bummed so I suggested that we take his father's Kelmark out for a spin ~ not exactly the same but it'll have to do until we can reschedule.

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.

Leather and Lace

Dress:  Zara (similar here), Coat:  Bebe (very old, similar here), Boots:  Miss Sixty (old,similar here), Clutch:  Unknown (liking this one ~ under $25!), Necklace:  Forever 21 (old, similar here), Bangles:  Max and Chloe, Nails:  Nicole by OPI "Virtuous Violet"

Now that the holidays are here, I'm constantly on the lookout for the perfect holiday dress(es).  In reality I could probably get away with wearing the same dress for all holiday events/parties, but what fun would that be?

This dress was just screaming my name ~ leather and lace together???  It's like peanut butter and jelly, movies and popcorn, wine and cheese.

Stay tuned over the next few weeks for more of my holiday dress selections!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

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!