best boots for fall 2015!

Boots have got to be one of the most exciting purchases of the fall season… there is nothing quite like a fresh pair of boots in the fall!  I honestly thought I could get away with not purchasing a new pair this year… but now that all the new styles are out, my will power is nonexistent.  I want new boots. And I want them now. (And preferably more than one pair!)  Who's with me?!?!

The boots I featured here are leather AND practically priced.  I don't like spending TOO much on boots - let's be honest, they are a little bit of an investment piece - but I find that spending just the right amount on boots can get you the best of both worlds - beautiful boots that are high quality enough to last a few seasons.  Most of the boots that I featured here are less than $100 - which I think is a perfect price point for a great pair of boots!  Especially if they are leather or suede!

What boots do you have your eye on for this fall!?! I'd love to hear, so let me know in the comments!  Happy shopping and have a super fab weekend friends!

1. cognac zip-back riding boots 2. black knee high boot (elastic back) 3. suede ankle wrap wedge knee highs 4. dark grey suede knee high boot  5. olive suede bootie 6. black stacked heel bootie 7. cognac western bootie 8. burgundy short ankle bootie 9. brown ankle wrap bootie 10. grey tassel bootie 11. black suede/leather ankle strap bootie 12. suede wedge bootie

Or shop the pieces below!

my everyday style: fall finds with Forever 21!

We have had the most glorious fall so far… the leaves have stayed on the trees for longer than I remember in the past. the afternoons have been sunny and warm and the crisp evenings are just magical. I love that scarves and sweaters and layers have been the preferred outfit of choice and that my winter coats have (so far) stayed in the closet. 

Today I've partnered with Forever 21 to showcase their great fall offerings so that you can layer it up and keep those winter coats in the closet for a little bit longer too!  Here, I am wearing this cardigan and this tee.  Scroll down for more of my Forever 21 fall picks!

 (above: cardigan, tee, shoes, jeans)

top row, from left: black/white plaid scarf, cape, shawl collar black coat, boyfriend jeans

middle row, from left: tasseled poncho, comme ci comme ca tee, red plaid scarf, double breasted coat

bottom row, from left: leopard coat, plaid top, distressed jeans, baseball tee

This post is brought to you in partnership with Popsugar/Shopstyle and Forever 21, all opinions are my own.

dress your home/dress yourself with #targetstyle!

This blog has been a discovery of my personal style over the past 6 years… and as I've slowly honed my personal style as it relates to my clothing choices, I have also found that my personal style for my home has fallen into place as well.  

It actually came as a surprise at first that how I dress my body is also very similar to how I dress my home.  Now I am comfy cozy with the idea and wish I would have realized it sooner.  When getting dressed in the morning I go for classic pieces with great texture that mix and match easily and add in a few stripes or plaids (especially this time of year).  The same goes for my home… I like classic pieces with great texture that mix and match easily - and even at home I throw in a few stripes here and there!

Isn't that just one of the reason we all love Target so much? We can dress our homes and our selves all with one simple stop (and stock our pantry/fridge, grab a few things for the kids and a couple of cleaning supplies and call it good!).

Here I pulled together a few of my Target favorites for home and closet… and these you don't even have to leave home to shop for!

dress your home:

throw pillow, throw blanket, desk, graphic rug, striped jug, fabric storage bins

dress yourself:

plaid scarf, earrings, ankle boots, pleather skirt - love!, miracle gel set (have you tried these yet? I'm dying to!), faux fur vest, flannel top

This post was created in partnership with Target and Popsugar all opinions are my own.

my everyday style: a pale pink coat!

I am equal parts totally in denial that cold weather is on it's way and also a little excited for wearing cozy layers and gorgeous winter coats (and the holidays are coming… but I'm getting ahead of myself!).  The change of seasons is always a little tricky like that.  Plus, we are having an awesome fall - the colors are so pretty! - that I am trying to enjoy the moment.

Like I said, awesome winter coats make the cool mornings and cool forecasts much more bearable.  H&M recently asked me to check out their new outerwear line for fall and winter.  I got inspired for winter by shopping their budget friendly outerwear options - most of them under $100 and right on trend for winter.  It seems like I've seen pale pink coats on Pinterest quite a bit lately… so when I saw this ultra feminine pale pink double breasted coat at H&M I snagged it right away!

Isn't it fun? And a steal at $80!

Details:
Coat, H&M - ℅
Scarf, H&M - ℅ (similar)
Sweater, J.Crew (similar)
Jeans, Old Navy
Bag, Madewell (similar)
Sunglasses, Warby Parker
Flats, Piperlime

my everyday style: cardigan weather!

This is the time of year that I begin to wear as many layers as I can in order to avoid my winter coats.  It IS exciting to break out the winter coats… but we will have plenty of time to wear those later this winter. For now at least I am trying to rely on cardigans, jackets, blazers and sweaters to ward of the growing chill in the air.  I have a feeling this may not last for long though…

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Cardigan, Banana Republic - 40% off today!

Top, J.Crew (similar or similar or similar)

Necklace, J.Crew (similar or similar)

Jeans, Gap (similar)

Shoes, Sole Society (similar or similar)

Sunglasses, Warby Parker

Clutch, J.Crew Factory

my everyday style: blazers and scarves!

I blinked and we are already heading into the second full week in October. Where did September even go? Before I realized it, it's bundling up season.  While I don't necessarily look forward to winter, I do love breaking out the layers like blazers and scarves.  There is something quite exciting about it.

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Scarf, Lole

Blazer, Gap (similar or similar)

Striped Top, J.Crew (similar or similar)

Jeans, AG "Prima"

Shoes, Madewell (similar or similar less expensive)

Watch, Daniel Wellington - ℅ 

wish-listing for fall.

I feel like my wish list for fall is a million miles long right now! Am I alone? I always seem to fall into the trap of 'wanting all the things' each fall and this one is no exception.  The only problem is that I am kind of set on sweaters and tops and my wish list right now includes shoes, jeans and jackets - which tend to be a little pricier than a top or sweater. I've created quite the predicament for myself…

1. I am a little late on the Birks trend here… but I think they would be so fun with jeans and cozy sweaters this fall as one last hurrah to sandals. 

2. The sweaters at LOFT are killing me right now with their cute-ness.  This jeweled one is a definitely favorite.

3. The AG Stevie jean is one of my favorites… this distressed pair is swoon worthy!

4.  I've loved the Regent blazer since it first popped up at J.Crew this fall and last week I stopped by the store and made the mistake of trying it on… it's SO gorgeous in person and fits so amazing! This is going to be a hard one to resist.

5. I can never have enough plaid scarves. Who's with me?

6. A black moto leather jacket has been on my wish list for about 4 months now. It's hard to pull the trigger because the leather versions are $$$ and even the "pleather" versions aren't super inexpensive either.  This leather jacket is great… just great, isn't it?

7. I can't stop it with the distressed denim and this black pair are really calling my name.  I love Madewell jeans so much too.  Tough decisions here people.

8. This bag. That is all.

9. I have a really appetite for burgundy this fall.  These shoes are just delightful!

10. Again LOFT is really excelling at tops lately… I tried on this leather sleeve tee recently in store and left it behind, now I am having second thoughts.

What is on your fall wish list?

my everyday style: a little sporty!

Athleticism and physical activity don't come naturally to me whatsoever. I think it's because I tend to be quite uncoordinated and I'll be frank - I don't love to sweat so much either.  So this past summer when we had two quite "active" vacations on the docket I knew I needed some footwear that could work on mountains and trails and keeping up with my kids.  

I'm so glad that sneakers are having their moment "in style" right now because I wore these a lot this summer… all while still feeling like I was at least a little on the fashionable side.  Since then, I continue to get a lot of use out of these puppies.  They are perfect for fall weekends around town - or for hiking. I'm all for a versatile and handsome shoe.

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:
Sweater, H&M (similar or similar)
Gingham Top, Gap
Jeans, AG
Shoes, New Balance (or similar)
Sunglasses, Warby Parker (or available here)

my everyday style: le tote boutique box!

2014 is all about the subscription box. Is it not? And I, for one, am a huge fan of this type of service.

Enter Le Tote - a try before you buy personalized clothing subscription service. You tell them what you like/love/want to try and then they send you a box of clothing & accessories in your size for you to try… or buy! You decide!  You can wear stuff and return it all or wear stuff and keep and buy the pieces you like - even at a discounted rate.  One of the things I love the best is that the shipping is LIGHTING fast.  It's almost unbelievable how fast you can exchange your tote for a new one.  And with a monthly subscription you can change in your tote as many times as you want.  With this type of service you can totally experiment with your style and even treat the service like your own personal shopper.

I've gotten a few totes from Le Tote already and I have loved trying new styles and brands that I usually wouldn't choose for myself.  This gorgeous sweater has already gotten it's fair share of attention in my closet and this delicate bracelet that they recently sent couldn't be more my style lately.  I highly recommend you try out the service yourself!

Today I've partnered with Le Tote to not only highlight their really cool service - but to also give my readers an awesome discount on their first tote.  Use code: GoodLife for 50% off your first tote! (awesome, right!?!?)

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Top, via Le Tote

Bracelet, via Le Tote

Jeans, Gap (similar, similar or similar)

Shoes, Madewell (similar or similar)

Sunglasses, Ray Ban

Bag, J.Crew

*this post is sponsored by Le Tote in partnership with Collectively, all opinions are my own.

fall must haves 2014: boots!

It's hard to choose a favorite item to buy in the fall… but boots definitely are up there on the list.  And while I don't always love the price tag that comes with boots I have always found that you get what you pay for in this department. Spending $100 to $200 or more on boots is definitely a hit to the clothing budget and pocketbook but putting on a great pair of boots and having them last you through the cold and long winter and then some is a great feeling.

Leather boots are always worth the investment and this time of the year is the best time to snag a new pair.  Here are a few of my favorite picks for this fall and a couple of ways I hope to style them up!

(above: one, two, three, four, five, six)

(get the look above: jeans, sweatshirt, glasses, boots, bag)

(get the look above: bracelet, leggings, sweater, bag, boots, scarf)

fall must haves 2014: track pants!

If you are just tuning in I have taken a few days over the last couple of weeks to cover my favorite fall trends right here on the blog. I try to comb my favorite stores for the easiest and most practical of the "trends" and break it all down right here for you.  So far we have covered:

grey-black jeans | loafers | high rise jeans | cozy sweaters | handbags

Today's must have is super trendy and while I like the idea of it… I'm still on the fence about the trend in general.  Today we are talking "track pants" - not your average run of the mill pants you wear to the gym, no these are the fancy-pants kind that are made of sumptuous fabrics and nice slim cuts.  They can be dressed up and down and you can find them at all price points this fall.  Here are my top picks and few tips on how to style them. 

Will you be jumping on the track pant trend this fall?  Check out this inspiration below and then let me know what you think of this trend.

above: one, two, three, four, five, six

above: pants, top, jacket, flats, bag

above: pants, sweater, glasses, purse, shoes

fall must haves 2014: the hottest handbags!

There is nothing like the thrill of a new handbag in the fall!  When it comes to handbags I really like to go for quality over quantity and invest in a new handbag a couple times a year.  Fall is a great time to switch up your handbag and invest in a new one.  This season beautiful neutrals are where it's at for handbags which makes investing in one so easy because these beauties won't be going out of style any time soon.

Here I chose a few of my favorites and then styled them up for you for inspiration… just add crunchy leaves and a pumpkin spice latte and you are set for fall!

above: one, two, three, four, five, six

above: jeans, sweatshirt, jacket, rings, shoes, bag

above: jeans, sweater (or less expensive option), boots, headphones/earrings, bag

fall must-haves 2014: cozy sweaters!

Between boots, jeans and sweaters it is impossible to decide which is my favorite item to purchase each fall - it's a three way tie… and since we've already talked about fall trends for jeans this year (here and here) I am excited to dig into sweaters next.

What is more fun that cozying up in a brand new sweater in the fall? Not much in my book.  This season I am drawn to creamy whites, cozy grays and classic carmel hues.  They go perfect with boots and flats and are easy to throw on for cool and crisp fall days.

Here are my top picks and some suggestions on how to style them as well… happy sweater shopping!

above: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven

above: jeans, sweater, bracelet, clutch, boots

above: jeans, sweater, sunglasses, scarf, bag, shoes

fall must haves 2014: high-rise jeans!

Every fall I take some time to outline some of the trends I am most looking forward to wearing this season… new styles and trends are everywhere from the runways, to the magazines, to your favorite stores these days. But with this series here on the blog I really try to break it down into truly wearable trends, those that you will feel comfortable and confident in.  And also trends that hopefully will stand the test of time - or at least more than one season.  I really want to seek out the pieces that you will love wearing (and wearing, and wearing).

So when you first read "high-rise jeans" you were all probably like "what is she thinking!?!?".  But bear with me here!  I promise these babies are worth trying.  High- or even mid-rise jeans are making a comeback and they really are worth checking out.  The number one reason? Usually our waist is the smallest part of our torso… and along the past few years the waist has been completely forgotten amidst low rise jeans.  What a shame! It's time to bring the waist back.  And the best news about high- and mid-rise jeans is that they virtually BANISH the muffin top and can really suck in the lower belly portion of our body that after having kids can be a really trouble area.  Low-rise jeans can just let all that junk hang out sometimes… so why not switch up?  Don't just take my word for it… head on out to the fitting rooms and give them a try this fall!

Here are my top picks for the high-rise jean this fall…

above: one, two, three, four, five, six

(above: jeans, sweater, denim jacket, bag, bracelet, shoes

(above: jeans, chambray top, moto jacket, bag, shoes)

So what do you think… will you maybe give this trend a try?