Look of the Week: Comfy Casual

I have decided to start a new tradition on this blog, that may inspire you and me to change things up or try a new look each week. I hope you enjoy it! I miss working at the boutique in Boulder, it was fun to be fashion-minded and know what was the latest trend. Even though I am not surrounded by beautiful clothing anymore... a girl can still dream right :)

So for this week is a comfy casual look. For my life stage right now, there is no need to dress up during the day, I need something easy going that can transition from cold to warm weather throughout the day. I love this look, it is simple and easy, plus the bag is a fun pop!

xo.

Earrings - JCrew

Scarf - Madewell

Top - Paul&Joe Sister

Bottoms - JBrand

Bag: MarcByMarcJacobs

Shoes - Urban Outfitters

Wardrobe rut.

So, to be honest, I am not into those many blogs of girls who post daily photos of themselves. In any capacity really. Usually they are showing off their new clothes, hairstyles, or just really love looking at themselves and think everyone else does too. But, for some reason, this blog has stuck out to me and I am totally into it.

I am not too big of a risk taker when it comes to trying new outfits, and if I do step out of my comfort zone I need to be told by at least Stone that I don't look like a total fool. Well, this girl has my style with a 'out of the box' twist. Her outfits are so great and it inspires me to try pairing some things together that I may not normally. Go here to see more, and maybe find some new fresh ideas too!

Ooo Lala!

My sister-in-law just sent me a link to EmersonMade's new spring line! I am in love. Seriously. I have put four things on my wish list (including that polka-dot skirt with scalloped trim!) and there are more to come! I cannot wait to see. Ge here to see more. xo.

Guest Blogger: Courtney

Top Row: Fireworks Skirt, Chiffon Cascade Dress

Middle Row: Yuketen Hunt Ring Boots, The Brownstone Bag, Spiked Bib Necklace

Bottom Row: Hooded Parka, Sparkle Shape Tee

Kate Spade Stocking Stuffers

Every morning, especially around this time of year, I wake up to a laundry list of enticing emails from my favorite stores wanting me to Buy! Buy! Buy! Of course, I usually delete them. But, around the holidays, I take extra time in the morning to go through them all and check out the deals that each store has come up with and the new fun products. Kate Spade this morning was especially great, they sent a link to their presents under $75 (and men, it is free shipping AND they will wrap!). Also, they are all small enough to fit into the stocking :) Husband and I made a pact to only get stocking stuffers this year for each other and I appreciate Kate for making it all so easy on him! Go here to see the complete list.

Shimmer & Sparkle.

The Holidays are the perfect excuse to wear sparkles, and even layer those sparkles with MORE sparkles. Right? So I found some of my favorite shimmery things of the season and thought I would share them with you. My favorite thing of the group are the bloomers, I would just love some party bloomers :) So, have fun at all of your Christmas parties this season and don't forget to sparkle! Enjoy.

Top Row: JCrew Sequin Mesh Bell Skirt, Alice + Olivia Sequin Bustier Dress

Middle Row: Urban Outfitter Glitter Oxfords, JCrew Starry Night Cardigan, Kate Spade Glitter Emanuelle Clutch

Last Row: TopShop Sequin Boomer Shorts, Kate Spade Pop Rocks Ring, Deborah Lippmann Glitter Polish, Anthropologie Past Echoes Dress

Need fashion inspiration?

I am loving this Sartorialist-ish site with amazing style inspiration from Stokholm, who knew? Just another thing to add to your daily reads I suppose!

Go here to see more.

Lauren Moffatt

I first read about this designer here and have just fallen in love with her beautiful collections. Her clothes are so whimsical and fun... I would want to wear everything in her collection from the 70s inspired dresses to the motorcycle jackets, it is all perfect! Below are just a few of my favorites for Fall, but you can go here to see all of her looks... AND she is having a sample sale today in NYC so if you live there, you are in luck :)

Going to sample sales in NYC (which I have never been to) remind me of that scene in Shopaholic where there are hundreds of woman tumbling over each other and fighting over boots... yikes!

Also, she has another beautiful line (below) that is called the 'Honeymooner' collection! Love it.

Fall tights.

I love that tights are back in these days and with such fun colors and patterns! Besides the fact that they keep your legs warm throughout the chilly months of winter, they also are an inexpensive way to spice up any old skirt or dress :)

Below are some favorites found here. Don't be afraid to try something a little different, think back to when you were little, you would have loved a pair of mustard yellow tights.. now channel those thoughts and go for it!

Happy Socks Cotton Tights, Kate Spade Graphic Dot Mustard Tights, Forever 21 Classic Textured Tights

The Limited Sheer Diamond Tights, American Apparel Rounded Diamond Fishnet, Express Diamond Texture Full Tights

Forever 21 Classic Sheer Tights, Hansel From Basel My Lost Glasses Tights, Falke Glamour Tights

Free People Mesh Rose Tights, Topshop Floral Wool Tights, Express Lace Print Full Tights

Billy Knox ties.

I have been meaning to write about this for a while now... but a bit ago we received a package in the mail containing the much anticipated tie made by our friend Billy Knox. It is awesome to say the least. He made it for Stone (and it looks really REALLY great on him, I love it when he wears ties!) and coined it 'The Crandall'. Not only did the tie come in a box full of wood chips and lavender, but it had Billy's initials sewn in it. I have said it before and I will say it again... the guy should make a business out of these.

If you would like one for you or your significant other I am sure arrangements can be made if you contact him through his blog here! And I would contact him if I were you :)

Photos taken by my husband.

Shark cardigan.

Hmmm... perhaps I should consider getting this shark cardigan for our move out to California... maybe if I wear my fear, the sharks will just think I am one of them and wont seem so freakin' scary :) Wish it came in a wetsuit.

Fall clutches.

Loving these Emerson Made leather clutches! They are perfect for Fall and she has added some great fabric to some that pretty much will go with anything.

Go here to buy!

JCrew: Liquor Store Vintage

JCrew has done it again. The first menswear-only boutique 'JCrew Liquor Store' opened in the old Tribeca Tavern in New York. The original wood bar is still intact and they have expanded their product with vintage collectable watches, LPs and first edition books! So next time Stone and I head up to NY he can go to the Liquor Store and I will head to their new bridal boutique (do I have any use for a wedding dress? no. but it would be fun of course!).

What will they come up with next I wonder? Maybe furniture, that would be so great!

I should have thought of that: Weddings

My engagement ring is really special to me because my husband designed it himself and actually helped in the making of it. It is fun to have photos of him from the day he went into the jeweler and actually 'threw the platinum' (which, I think is so awesome). And I love every single detail of my ring and remember the day he gave it to me being so blown away by how beautiful it was. Here is a photo below, but it is kind of difficult to see the actual ring.

Anyway, I recently came across this jewelry designer and love the unique style. I think this would be a great idea to do for our engagement ring, wedding band, or even a celebration band later down the road! I have always thought it would be a fun idea to get a band for each baby that Stone and I have and then wear it until they are older and I can pass it down to them. And I would love to stack a few of these together, their are so many options to choose from too. The price point is not too bad either and they use raw diamonds in a lot of their rings, which is beautiful. They also have an option to custom design your own rings like Stone did for me :)

Go here to see more!

Oxfords for the gals.

When I was in California this past weekend I noticed so many girls wearing oxfords and I love the look! Really, I saw them styled in so many ways, with cut-off jean shorts, a pretty dress with tights, and rolled up skinny jeans. Above are some that I have added to my list of 'wants' (notice I don't call it a list of 'needs'!) for the Fall/Winter. I am thinking a grey color would go with lots of outfits and is a good neutral. The ones with cut-outs are also fun to have for summertime too and I love the "loafer style" fringe on the brown pair at the bottom. All great choices :)

Top Row: Urban Outfitters 'The Chelsea', Robert Clergerie 'Filmw', Joan & David 'Zena Jazz'

Second Row: ALDO 'Lahaie', Forever 21 'Tonal Oxford'

Third Row: Urban Outfitters 'Swiss Dot', Urban Outfitters Ecote Woven

Last Row: Steve Maden 'Trouser', Madewell 'Aberdeen'

Bangin' bangs.

I have had my bangs for a little over a year now, and I love them only half the time. This morning I came across this article with different suggestions for styling bangs and I think perhaps trying some of these things will give a new umph! to my plain ol' bangs!

As of right now I do not use any product in them and perhaps that is where I am going wrong, so off to the beauty shop (as my grandmother, Nonnie, would call it) to pick up some supplies. I will try and remember to keep you updated because I am sure you are dying to hear how my hair experimenting goes :)

The Swoop— Create a swoop effect by loosely pinning your bangs to the side. Use a dry shampoo and a texturizing pomade to keep hair manageable.

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo and Malin + Goetz Hair Pomade.

The Sexy '70s—Add a hippy, '70s feel to loose, flowing hair by parting your bangs down the middle and flat-ironing them in place.

Rsession Tools Pin Point Straightening Iron and Goody brushes.

The Elvis—Get Elvis-esque by applying a strong hold gel. Next, tease back your bangs and secure them with a few bobby pins. Pull hair back into a ponytail and spray the finished look.

Davines Defining Glam Power Spray and Nexxus Exxtra Gel.

The Pin-Straight—Straight, sleek bangs give an edge to a chin length bob or long locks alike. For best results, start with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner and finish with a smoothing cream.

Shu Uemura Shusu Sleek Smoothing Shampoo & Conditioner and Smoothing Treatment. TIGI Rockaholic Rock My World Stellar Smoothing Cream.

.

Who says you can't wear white after Labor Day?

This 'rule' that has long been followed needs to be thrown out. White (just as any other color) can be worn year round. Now, maybe the shade of white, or the fabric will change throughout seasons, but feel free to wear it proudly. As you may have noticed, in fashion these days it seems like almost all rules have gone to the wayside. If you want to wear an oversized sweater with holes in it, over a pair of leggings with military style boots... well, sure, why not? Mix and match every hue of color in any pattern imaginable to create a wild outfit combo... even more interesting!

I spent some time looking through some of the Fall months on the Sartorialist getting ideas (above) for how white can be worn. I love the woman who has mixed a white dress with an off-white blazer!

Also, I know there is so SO many more Fall white 'looks' out there, but here are some I ran across that I like.

By the way, the girl on the far right in the Paul&Joe Sister top looks pretty plane jane, but, if you look closely at the top there is some great detail to the front. We are actually carrying this top at the boutique I work at in a great teal color and I just love it paired with jeans and boots!

From left to right: Calypso Clothilde Dress, JCrew Lia Dress, Paul&Joe Sister Joyau Top

These boots were made for walkin'.

So there was definitely a chill in the air today here, which makes me think that the nice crisp Fall weather will be hear soon! I have just a few (okay maybe a little more than a few) boots on my winter wardrobe wishlist (what? do you not have one of these? you should get started on your own then, soon!). And really, all roads lead to Frye. My husband has a pair and I think he looks so dang handsome when he wears them :) So, I think it is about time I get a pair of my own. Now, how do I narrow these down?

I like Frye because they last forever (my mother-in-law still has hers from forever ago!) and they have a little country in them, but not too much.

I will still need these in California... right? I mean, maybe they will not be as much of a necessity as they are here in Colorado, but still totally justifiable!

The Romantics.

Have you seen the newest JCrew catalog?

They had the cast of a new movie coming out called the Romantics model their clothing. I thought this was such a great idea since we all feel like we know famous people (What? You don't feel like you are best friends with Katie Holmes? Well, maybe that is just me then...) to see them wearing clothes that we can also easily buy makes the clothing that much more desirable. Good marketing plan JCrew... you got me sucked in for sure!

Also, I have an even bigger girl crush on Katie Holmes after seeing these ads. She is so dang cute!

Go here to see The Romantics movie trailer.

California chic.

I'm loving the fun and flirty looks coming from designer Heidi Merrick. Reminds me of easy breezy California-style... which I will need to be learning more about in the near future (will explain more on that exciting news soon!).

Check out her new fall line here.

Enjoy!