Autumn officially began just a few days ago and I have to say that as much as I love summer, the warmer temps it brings and the easy breezy wardrobe options that it offers, there is always something so cozy about this transitional time of year as we lead into fall-my favorite season. I'm wearing jeans and a sweater as I type this, our first of many cooler days after a massive month long heat wave from 90-107 degrees that seemed to dominate every weekend of August.
This year I'm enjoying all the soft velvet we're seeing in bold, deep hues and the ruffle trend continuing. I'm still a huge fan of booties so I've shared several options that can be dressed up or down-I'm loving this pair of black booties, they are on my wish list! They also come in a riding boot version which are currently on sale. Being a dress lover, I had to include several dresses also that I've had my eye on as well as some really great skirts-you can't beat the versatility. You can click on any image above in my boutique and it will take you straight to the ready-to-shop source!
What do you have on your fall wish list this year? What is your favorite autumn hue?
Hi Lovelies! It's so great to be back, Happy April! We had a wonderful family spring break vacation out west and arrived home bright + early last Tuesday morning and we're finally back into the swing of things and have adjusted back to our own timezone after a full week. After a 2 month hiatus from the series, I finally posted a new Manners Monday post yesterday, so be sure to check it out! Also, I'm so excited to share our trip pics, details and some of my favorite outfits and locations with you in the coming weeks (including a once in a lifetime helicopter ride + outfit shoot inside of the Grand Canyon!) so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, with April being a true spring-like month for most, I wanted to share the top trends for spring along with my favorite picks of the season below each!
The basis for a classy woman's wardrobe will always be the staple classic pieces, the ones you'll invest in and own forever. Wardrobe basics are a must to build upon and once those are in place, adding to them with a few trendy of-the-moment items each season will create a more versatile wardrobe, one that is also a lot of fun.
When it comes to my own wardrobe (as you've seen in my outfit posts here and on Instagram), I naturally gravitate towards timeless style and much of what I share was often purchased years prior, with some pieces being even a decade old Every season I get inspired by the current colors, textures and trends and make a point of adding a few that best suit my personality, body type and lifestyle into my closet. During springtime, dresses always pull on my heartstrings, especially given that I live in a warm climate nearly year round so I know I'll make good use of them. During our trip recently, I essentially lived in dresses and sandals, when the sun went down and the temps dropped I simply added a denim jacket, blazer or cardigan.
Today I'm sharing 7 Top trends for Spring with you! Beneath each one you can shop my favorite looks. Over the years I've honed in on what works for me and what doesn't, there are some trends that no matter how great they look on other people or how popular they are, I just can't embrace (like ripped denim shorts for example-I just can't!) because I feel silly in them but this list is perfect for every classy woman, they are all lovely styles to complement the basics that you likely already own and can't go wrong with!
1. Lace: Romance always comes to mind when I think of lace, it's so elegant, feminine and delicate. Lace makes a comeback every spring and is a popular selection for wedding dresses, however we're now seeing it everywhere in a big way and I'm loving it! There are so many gorgeous dresses-everything from casual everyday wear to formal dresses for special events. If you're looking to add a more feminine touch to your everyday career look, incorporate a lace blouse or even a lace pencil skirt (just not both at the same time). ;) Below are a few of my personal favorite lace pieces right now, and this classic style is one on my wishlist:
LACE
2. Bell Sleeves: This style evokes a more Bohemian look, a relaxed feel and one that you may associate with hippie days or those participating in festival season. When done right, they can be very elegant and can add the perfect touch to a pair of jeans or even a skirt. In order to keep it polished, opt for tops that do not have a busy print but instead something more solid with hints of color and pattern such as these below:
BELL SLEEVES
3. Off-the-shoulder Tops & Dresses: Another soft, romantic look in my opinion is anything off the shoulder. It shows just enough skin in the right places to be considered sexy and alluring without showing off areas that should be kept covered up. I've long loved this style as well as strapless dresses and halter tops for this reason. These are so feminine and a great option for brunch with girlfriends or a date night out. Take a peek at these beauties:
OFF THE SHOULDER TOPS
OFF THE SHOULDER DRESSES
4. Espadrille Wedges: While wedges of varying heights and flat espadrilles have been quite popular during the past few years, combined together as an espadrilles wedge they are the perfect choice for shorts, skirts, dresses or jeans-they're both stylish and versatile and can be dressed up or down. How pretty is this blush pink version?! *Many I've shown below come in several colors other than the ones shown.
ESPADRILLE WEDGES
5. Straw Hats: I love straw bags in spring and summer weather, I take them with me to the beach, to a resort with a pool or even just around town while running errands and straw hats are no different. Everything from boater hats to floppy hats can really help to block the sun's harsh rays all while looking stylish at the same time. My favorites right now are those with a message like this 'wish you were here' floppy hat or this 'lovely' version. I own this $15 black & white hat and it goes with so much!
STRAW HATS
STRAW BAGS
6. High Neck Bikinis & One Pieces: If you've been looking for a new swimsuit for an upcoming trip or just to round out your collection, you may have noticed that many have higher neck options which I really love because they are both practical and chic. As a mom to a busy toddler, I'm constantly bending over to build sand castles, dry her off at the beach and attend to her needs so tops where people have a clear view of my chest when I bend over is a no-no. Also, while swimming with her I find that somehow she manages to pull my bikini tops up (it's a constant battle) so this is a great solution as are one pieces. There are so many pretty colors and styles this season, take a peek...
HIGH NECK SWIMSUITS
7. Lace-up Flats & Lace-up Sandals: I don't know about you but I'm loving the look of lace-up shoes and sandals, particularly pointy toe flats. They add such a polished look to even the simplest skirt of pair of jeans, especially in classic black but I must say I'm loving bold colors such as cobalt blue and blush pink too. Last fall I started seeing them popping up everywhere and that trend has continued. Of course, many sandals with stiletto, wedge and stacked heels are also emerging and are equally as beautiful. *Many I've shown below come in several colors other than the ones shown.
SHOP: LACE-UP FLATS & LACE-UP SANDALS
Other trends that are worthy of noting but I haven't included above are: Ruffle hem tops (similar to peplum tops but I love the looser options this season), round sunglasses (such a 70's vibe as are bell sleeve tops, flare jeans and off-the-shoulder looks), pompoms on accessories such as shoes and straw bags (I love this clutch with pom poms-it makes me happy), tassels on handbags, clutches, shoes and other accessories such as earrings + bracelet sets as well as bold colors. It's such a great season to have fun with fashion!
Classic styles that you can never go wrong with this spring (if you're focusing more on building a timeless spring wardrobe) are: scalloped edges (love this tank which comes in 3 colors), pastel hues, ruffled details, gingham, rompers and of course everything lace.
The weather these past few weeks here in central Florida has been nothing short of gorgeous! We've been going back and forth from 40-something degree temps to the mid 80's, with most afternoons hovering around 70 with warm sunshine and a slight breeze which is pure heaven in my books. It's the time of year I look forward to most here. Growing up in Toronto, we endured some pretty cold, harsh winters and while I do enjoy living in the sunshine state, I also love layering up and wearing cozy sweaters which is something that I rarely get the chance to do anymore.
I know so many of you are in a deep freeze right now and all you can probably think about is spring, so looking forward as March is just around the corner as is spring break for many, I'm including my favorite resort wear, swimsuits, heels, florals, pretty dresses as well as a few warmer pieces to make it through the next few weeks.
I recently bought this adorable eyelash & lips tee for just $11! It will be the perfect little flirty casual top paired with denim and shorts this spring and summer. I am in love with this floral maxi length skirt, it is beautiful as is this soft pink floral halter dress, both could be great options if you're attending a spring wedding. I'm a bit obsessed with lace up flats and sandals right now. There's something so playful yet elegant about the look. These are a favorite pair I've come across and how fun are these with the fringe? If you're looking for a classic sheath dress to wear to work, this gray one has a beautiful jeweled neckline which would also be ideal for a wedding or church. You might be a bit shocked by my selections of swimwear. I tend to err on the side of being more conservative but when it comes to a one-piece which is already pretty modest, to amp it up a bit with a plunging neckline that shows a bit of sexy, is pretty refreshing, especially for those who don't have a large bust area. This year so many are lingerie-inspired and many of fun mesh panels that just show a hint of skin while remaining mostly covered up. Here is a great neutral floppy hat for just $38 to pair with your favorite swimsuit! You can never go wrong with classic black!
The romantic in me loves everything flowy, soft, blush pink, airy, lacy and delicate. Don't miss out on my favorite lace overlay top (that I can't stop talking about) that I showed above in taupe but purchased in pale pink and also black and it's on sale again for just $15! It comes in 8 colors and all sizes have been restocked-perfect for shorts, skirts, jeans or a dressier pant, so versatile and is so much more feminine than a plain tee. This bow-adorned black ball skirt is so pretty, perfect for a spring evening. As far as dresses goes, this multi-color floral print halter dress is at the top of my list! I love all of the jumping off points of color in it and would pair perfectly with heeled sandals or flats for a more casual look. Add a set of bangles or statement bracelet, a pair of delicate earrings and you're ready to head out the door!
As always, I'm linking to the the the best sales that are currently taking place, so you can take advantage of them as you add to your wardrobe this spring and stock up on classic winter items that are on clearance that you can wear now as well as the years to come. Shopbop is having their annual spring event where you'll save up to 25% OFF all of your favorite designer brands, which appllies to your whole entire order using code: BIGEVENT16 until 03/04.
I wore this outfit last week on the most beautiful January day. It started off fairly chilly but the sun warmed things up quickly by noon. It was one of those days where you look for excuses to spend time outside even when you're supposed to be working inside. ;)
I don't typically wear a lot of plaid, and while I maintain a classic wardrobe and look most days, sometimes I like to experiment outside of my norm. Case in point: this pink plaid flannel shirt. I received a gift card for Christmas and decided to go for something different and because it was super soft and felt like pajamas, well I just couldn't resist! Since it was a casual day where I was running errands all over town coupled with working on proposals for clients at home, comfort and a punch of girly color was my goal for this look.
These are one of my older more worn-in pairs of skinny jeans (they started off as this dark rinse a few years ago and Loft still offers this modern skinny style), I paired them with a pink leopard print skinny belt in a similar hue for some pattern play, a pearl bracelet and pearl stud earrings to add a touch more femininity along with booties in a lighter tone. I added my sand color leather Calvin Klein handbag that I've owned for several years and a black corduroy jacket for the early morning temps, along with a swipe of pink lip gloss and some curls which completed the look.
Stay tuned for the next post, I recently bought the cutest skirt that I can't wait to wear! As always, if you liked today's post, please share it with a friend or pin it for future reference to Pinterest.
I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! Lily has been feverish and not feeling well as it's going around and it seems her entire class is sick, so I've been getting my snuggle time in with her as she's usually too on-the-go to cuddle.
As I do every month, I've put together my favorite pieces for this wintry time of year although I'll admit, I've craving the colors of spring evidenced by a few bold pieces I've included. Even though I live in the sunshine state, we still get our fair share of 'cold' weather and rain during the winter months. I love wearing cozy sweaters, layering up and finishing off my outfits with a soft scarf. Oh, and boots have been mandatory almost every day for the past few weeks! Winter with all of its layers always feels a bit more formal and polished which I really like, so many of the pieces I chose reflect that but I also love a relaxed feel too so I made sure to include those as well.
Here are a few that I'm looking to add to my own wardrobe...The blue suede lace up flats shown above are one of my wish list items right now, they come in several different colors and are handmade in Italy in small batches (they also make a black leather version). I've had my eye on these gorgeous Tory Burch burgundy embellished pumps for months, and now they're half off! I own several blazers but a classic red is the next color that I'd love to add, this one is marked down by the way! The shape of this neutral handbag is so unique-perfect for year round! A few pieces of statement jewelry like these brooch floral earrings (50% off!) are a must. I'll admit this stunning bell-sleeve black lace top is completely out of my budget but a girl can dream, right? I'm hoping to find a similar look for less. As much as I love investing in quality handbags, I've always been drawn to the shape and simplicity of a great clutch day or night and this black faux croc version with gold hardware + strap is so pretty and oh so affordable too at under $50! Neutrals are essential to a well stocked wardrobe and this cowl neck sweater dress is perfect day or night worn with pumps or over-the-knee boots, it's a cozy addition to any closet.
In case you missed any previous recent posts where I've shared the best end-of-season and winter sales/clearances taking place, I've rounded them up for you again below. There are some seriously amazing deals to be had right now. I've been stocking up over the past few weeks and taking advantage of the sales.
ANN TAYLOR: 50% OFF entire purchase w/code: PRETTY50
ASOS:Final clearance up to 70% OFF, new styles just added.
BANANA REPUBLIC: Extra 50% OFF sale + up to 40% off new 2016 select styles
J.CREW: Extra 40-60% OFF final sale styles w/code: SHOPNOW
LOFT: 40% OFF new arrivals + 60% OFF all sale styles.
LORD & TAYLOR: Up to 75% OFF all clearance w/code: FINAL
MACY'S: Extra 25-40% OFF clearance. Total savings of 40-85% off select items.
NEIMAN MARCUS: Up to 75% OFF when taking add'l 20% off already reduced items.
NET-A-PORTER: Extra 20% OFF final clearance items labeled 'sale must have'.
NEW YORK & CO: Everything on sale up to 50% OFF including new arrivals.
TORY BURCH: Up to 60% OFF lots of sale styles of clothing, shoes, boots + accessories!
TOMMY HILFIGER: Extra 50% OFF all sale items w/code: EOS50
For December's Classy Fashion Favorites I wanted to focus on pieces for the cold temps, holiday parties and providing lots of ideas for New Year's Eve since it's just around the corner!
Winter calls for pops of sparkle, bright + cheery color and embellishments such as bows, gold accents, feathers and metallic detail to name a few. Any of these items would also make for the perfect gift too!
ANN TAYLOR // 50-60% OFF almost everything w/code: MERRY50
ANTHROPOLOGIE // 30% OFF candles, throws rugs and more!
It's not to late to order online, most retailers have deemed today to be a cutoff date to ensure your gifts arrive by Dec.24th using standard shipping and many are offering FREE shipping also with no minimum amounts. If you're making purchases online after today you'll want to use express shipping. If you're shopping late in the game, as you can see from my list above, there are a lot of deals to be had!
I'm back with another edition of Classy Fashion Favorites for this glorious fall season. As the temperature continues to drop (although in Florida I'm beginning to wonder if that's ever going to happen as our heatwave presses on!), so too becomes the need for warmer clothing, layers, proper outerwear and boots. I believe neutrals are the basis of every wardrobe, especially in the cooler months so you'll see several of them here.
Above, via the boutique widget I'm sharing a collection of 80 favorite pieces that I've come across for the month with these 8 being on my immediate wish list. As always, I'm linking to all the best current sales for you below! Most of you have likely packed up your summer clothing now and have had a chance to take a little inventory of what's needed for the new season in your closet. Maybe you're lacking a great fall blazer, long sleeved tees, a pair of comfy go-to boots, a cozy sweater or a the perfect coat to polish off your daily look, whatever it is, there are a lot of great sales going on that will allow you to pick up those needed pieces at a great price. My favorite is the Nordstrom Fall Clearance Sale which includes everything for women, men, kids and the home with many items up to 40% off (I've even seen some for up to 50% off!) Be sure to check it out! You can see my recent 'Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas' post inspired by the sale.
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ANTHROPOLOGIE: 20% OFF tops + sweaters w/code: TOPITOFF
Welcome back to our fall edition of classy fashion favorites, focusing on the transition into early fall. I love everything about autumn! I grew up in the north and so miss the changing of leaves and crispness in the air early in the early morning and evenings. I love the look and feel of layering up and cozying up to a fire, baking pumpkin pie, enjoying a mug of hot apple cider or a pumpkin spiced latte and a chance to change up my wardrobe and color scheme.
Most of us are not quite into the 'bundling up' weather (especially not if you live in the south like myself where we're still experiencing high 80's and 90's in Florida!) but we did get the very first hint of fall this past weekend and even though it warmed up from 62 in the early morning to 79 degrees at the peak of the day, I still rocked my riding boots and long sleeves for a change of pace. Today's post focuses on what to wear right now before it's too cold to wear open toed shoes and when a coat is truly a necessity and not just a fashion statement. Since I'm so inspired by everything fall right now, I think this is my largest 'favorites' post yet!
I've been purchasing a few pieces for fall and have been most excited about getting to wear boots. These gorgeous booties arrived in the mail today and I immediately tried them on and they fit perfect so I planned today's outfit around them. Here is a pic of me wearing them and here's an up close detailed shot via Instagram. They also come in 2 other colors-navy and khaki green-I honestly want a pair in every color now! If you see your size available, I highly recommend grabbing them because they won't last and all sizes in the coffee color are currently out of stock! I read a lot of reviews before purchasing them which turned out to be true-that they fit amazingly well especially at under $100. They truly are a must-have item for the season! Whether you have a thicker ankle or wider foot (or thin ankles with narrow feet like me) you will love these because they accommodate all of the above which is rare. I ordered them in the coffee color in my usual size 9 and they fit true to size. What I love most is that they can be dressed up or down-with skinny jeans (cuffed up or not), with skirts, leggings topped with a long tunic, dresses and even shorts. I'm looking forward to styling them many different ways.
Speaking of boots, I'm IN LOVE with these burgundy wine color heeled boots. They are definitely an investment piece to be enjoyed for many years to come and they're at the top of my wish list right now. Loving this leather trim wool cape and wish it was within my budget-it's so classy. I love the St. John brand in general, you can always expect quality & elegance.
In addition to my booties, I also recently purchased this rose midi skirt which I've seen for a while and love and this floral print dress in a heavier weight-perfect as it cools down. I also have another pair of these black patent Tory Burch sandals on their way because I wear them so much and they needed to be replaced as I wear them nearly every single day at some point-I love an easy, flat slip-on sandal for chasing after my little one.
Below I'm sharing several current sales to take advantage of while you add new pieces to freshen up your fall wardrobe!
My inspiration piece for today's style board was this colorful and beautiful dress front and center. It might just be the most perfect dress to transition into fall. Am I right? I'm a huge fan of dresses year round but I also love the look of perfectly coordinated separates too, which aren't always easy for everyone to achieve. What I most love about this dress is it provides both a polished, put together look without a lot of fuss, making getting dressed in the morning a breeze! The best part is it's currently 50% OFF! It has received top ratings, fits true to size for most and is available in all sizes still from 0-10. I guarantee this one won't last!
This modern, ladylike dress can be dressed up or down. Here I'm showing you some colorful as well as more neutral options so it can serve every purpose from being office appropriate paired with pumps, an elegant option for church with sandals along with a colorful clutch or out on the town with a more casual and edgy vibe when coupled with the leather zip moto jacket and black booties. If you wanted, you could easily layer up the top portion to wear it as a skirt with a bulkier black sweater when the cool weather really hits so it's quite versatile. I'm always looking for ways to stretch new pieces in my wardrobe.
ANN TAYLOR: 60% OFF fall styles & sale styles w/ code: SHOP60
ANTHROPOLOGIE: Extra 30% OFF sale items w/ code: EXTRA30
Happy Labor Day! I hope you're all relaxing and enjoying the last long weekend of the summer season. We celebrated a little bit early by heading to the beach to meet up with my in-laws. This had been a pretty low key weekend for us otherwise as we recently returned from a week-long road trip throughout the south. I've shared a few of my photos via Instagram but I'm working on putting together a little recap of our time away. As always, thanks for stopping by!
