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!
Wednesday, 3 September 2014
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!
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!
Tuesday, 2 September 2014
my everyday style: it's (unofficially) fall!
It's unofficially officially fall. Which gives me major whiplash and leaves me a little dumbfounded to be honest. Wasn't it just June?
Apparently not. My kids start school today (praise the Lord, hallelujah!) and I'll be busy this week getting caught up on whatever I didn't get done over the past three months of non stop fun and complete indulgence. Which is pretty much everything. So here's to fall and to an "everything" to-do list on a Tuesday that feels like a Monday.
Enter an easy outfit… that's about all I can handle this morning.
Apparently not. My kids start school today (praise the Lord, hallelujah!) and I'll be busy this week getting caught up on whatever I didn't get done over the past three months of non stop fun and complete indulgence. Which is pretty much everything. So here's to fall and to an "everything" to-do list on a Tuesday that feels like a Monday.
Enter an easy outfit… that's about all I can handle this morning.
(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)
Details:
Oxford Top, H&M (similar)
Shorts, Gap
Bag, J.Crew
Sandals, Sole Society
Watch, Daniel Wellington - ℅
Friday, 29 August 2014
the damage: August 2014!
At the end of each month this year I am planning to pause to take a look at my spending as it's related to my closet. I call these posts "the damage." Each month my target budget is $300 and only 5 pieces of clothing or shoes. For 2014 I chose 5 items because I am working on making my closet a more curated place and also to try to put an end to the constant closet clean outs where loads of clothes get sent to charity - but I have failed pretty miserably at the 5 things goal. It was a lofty goal I experimented with this year and I guess you win some you lose some, but this was in the "lose" category for sure. Oh well, just keeping it real here for you gals!
For some this budget may sound like a lot and for others it may not... for me personally this is my monthly goal. It works for my budget and lifestyle and doesn't break the bank. Shopping budgets are a personal thing, but I share mine here to show how I stretch my budget and work to create a well curated and fully stocked closet.
It's hard to believe we are wrapping up August! I am headed out this weekend so I thought I would check in with my August clothing budget before the weekend fun begins.
For some this budget may sound like a lot and for others it may not... for me personally this is my monthly goal. It works for my budget and lifestyle and doesn't break the bank. Shopping budgets are a personal thing, but I share mine here to show how I stretch my budget and work to create a well curated and fully stocked closet.
It's hard to believe we are wrapping up August! I am headed out this weekend so I thought I would check in with my August clothing budget before the weekend fun begins.
J.Crew Factory, Quilted Vest, $98 with $5 off was $93
J.Crew Factory, Warm Spun Elbow Patch Sweater, $78 with promotions was $62.40
J.Crew, Cocoon Coat, $365 with 25% was $273.75
Old Navy, Mid Rise Rockstar Jeans, $36.50 with promotions and coupon was $12.03
Banana Republic, High Low Cardigan, $89.50 with 50% off was $44.75
Banana Republic, Zip Back Cream Sweater, $69.50 with 40% off was $41.70
Banana Republic, Faux Leather Sloan Dress, $150 with 50% off was $75
Total Spent: $509.63 (saved: $376.87)
Thoughts on the budget: I splurged on the Cocoon coat and I'm still undecided about it. It is a GORGEOUS coat, just stunning. But that price isn't messing around. I'm glad I got it on sale but it really busted the budget and is hands down the most expensive piece of clothing I have ever bought (handbags not included). The J.Crew Factory pieces have me a little bummed out as I bought them in store hardly on sale - I didn't do my online research before shopping and I really should have because I definitely didn't get the best price for them. That can be the problem with shopping on vacation sometimes - I wasn't really thinking and I don't have a store near me for a price adjustment or returns. Oh well, live and learn.
Thoughts on the pieces: My fall shopping is off to a solid start! I'm starting to really get excited for fall (even though it's brutal to say good bye to such a fun summer) and shopping for fall clothes always helps. I went for a lot of neutrals, which is definitely my style lately - but also the predominant style this season it seems too. These pieces will be great staples for my fall wardrobe. The dress is for a fun upcoming event - I can't remember the last time I bought a cocktail dress so I am super excited about that.
Did you blog about your clothing budget this month? Leave a link so I can check it out!
Thursday, 28 August 2014
currently obsessed: Beautycounter!
Have you heard of Beautycounter? When a friend recently posted on Instagram about a beauty retailer that publishes a "never" list, I was super intrigued. Beautycounter is a new-ish beauty brand that takes safety and authenticity in product development to a new level. Their "never" list lays out all the products that they promise to never put in their products. It's a startling fact that the United States has not passed a federal law pertaining to ingredients in personal care products since 1938. The EU (European Union) has a strict code banning more than 1300 additives and ingredients to personal care products but the US only bans 11. That's kinda scary. Because if you have read the back of your makeup bottles lately it's practically in a different language. So who is looking out for the consumer?
Enter Beautycounter - they have committed to not using over 1500 ingredients that they don't feel are safe in beauty products all while offering the consumer a great finished product. One that is safe and beautiful on the inside and out. We worry so much about what is in our food, but we often overlook the products and chemicals we are putting right on our skin!
With recent mentions in magazines like Allure, Vogue, Elle and Lucky word is spreading fast about this revolutionary brand. Even J.Crew is carrying a few of their items these days. This is a brand to watch for sure and one that I am seriously falling in love with. Here are a few of their products that I can't wait to get my hands on… (they even have kids products!).
Enter Beautycounter - they have committed to not using over 1500 ingredients that they don't feel are safe in beauty products all while offering the consumer a great finished product. One that is safe and beautiful on the inside and out. We worry so much about what is in our food, but we often overlook the products and chemicals we are putting right on our skin!
With recent mentions in magazines like Allure, Vogue, Elle and Lucky word is spreading fast about this revolutionary brand. Even J.Crew is carrying a few of their items these days. This is a brand to watch for sure and one that I am seriously falling in love with. Here are a few of their products that I can't wait to get my hands on… (they even have kids products!).
lip conditioning peppermint balm, lustro face jasmine oil, tint skin & brush, countertime anti-aging skin system, protect face spf, rose water face spray, lustro body oil
Have you heard of this amazing company before? They also have a great blog that talks about product safety, how to use their products and more… it's such a great resource.
(please note: this is not a sponsored post, I am just super excited about this brand… so excited that I signed up on my own to become a consultant to spread the word!)
Wednesday, 27 August 2014
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:
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.
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
my everyday style: last call for summer!
Can you feel that in the air… the end of summer? This is the time of year I start doing a snatch and grab on all my favorite summer pieces and wear them as much as possible. I can feel summer slipping away and I hate to see it go without a fight. You know?
I hardly wore my white jeans all summer - such a shame - so I decided it was time to remedy that stat. This black tank from Madewell has seriously been my summer mvp, I haven't worn it here on the blog much but my husband and girlfriends are probably sick of this top as it's been my going out to eat/girls night out/wear it on vacation/if I see you at the store/it's my birthday/date night tank top - all summer.
Not only is it light as a breeze, but I'm also a little obsessed with tuxedo-inspired tops, which by the way seem to be in style this fall as well! (hello, I'll take this one and this one!) What items are you trying to wear as much as possible before summer is over?
I hardly wore my white jeans all summer - such a shame - so I decided it was time to remedy that stat. This black tank from Madewell has seriously been my summer mvp, I haven't worn it here on the blog much but my husband and girlfriends are probably sick of this top as it's been my going out to eat/girls night out/wear it on vacation/if I see you at the store/it's my birthday/date night tank top - all summer.
Not only is it light as a breeze, but I'm also a little obsessed with tuxedo-inspired tops, which by the way seem to be in style this fall as well! (hello, I'll take this one and this one!) What items are you trying to wear as much as possible before summer is over?
(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)
Details:
Necklace, Sole Society
Sandals, J.Crew (similar)
Monday, 25 August 2014
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!
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!
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