Awesome Fall Staples with Elle for Kohl's!

Today I am featuring another awesome Kohl's brand for you here on the blog.  If you missed last weeks highlights of the Elie Tahari for Kohl's launch… definitely check it out!

Kohl's Elle line focuses on runway inspired pieces with feminine silhouettes and attention to detail.  These pieces are perfect for everyday wear - you can dress them up or dress them down - so they are great for the office or the weekend.    Here are my top picks from the line… there is something for everyone here!  These items would make for amazing basics for your fall wardrobe.

top row, from left: peplum jacket, boyfriend jeans, bow heels, 'oui oui' top, fur/houndstooth jacket

bottom row, from left: fit & flare striped dress, white peplum blouse, cable knit sweater, ponte legging, bow-back blazer - you have to see the cute detailing on the back of this sweater!

This post is sponsored in collaboration with Kohl's and Popsugar. All opinions are my own.

my everyday style: lady like blazer!

This blazer always makes me feel a little lady like.  Add a silk blouse and a bold necklace and it's a done deal.  I love how a little blazer can instantly make a look feel pulled together.

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Blazer, Gap (similar or LOVE this one!)

Blouse, J.Crew Factory (similar)

Jeans, AG

Shoes, Madewell (similar or similar or love these too!)

Necklace, J.Crew Factory

Bag, J.Crew Factory

my everyday style: graphic tee + blazer!

It's officially blazer season… as deemed by me! :)

And what better way is there to break out all your favorite blazers from last year than to pair them with all the graphic tees you amassed this past summer.  Graphic tees and blazers were made for each other.  Not to mention this handily brings your summer wardrobe right into fall with a snap of the fingers.   Pretty great right?

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

"masterpiece" tee, J.Crew - on sale! (or similar or similar)

Blazer, J.Crew Factory (similar or similar)

Jeans, Gap (similar or similar)

Flats, Piperlime 

Bag, Madewell (similar or similar)

Sunglasses, Warby Parker

the damage… september, 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.

September was a bad month for shopping for me… I came away with a few great pieces but I mostly did my shopping online this month - which isn't necessarily out of character for me - with little to no luck. I returned a TON of stuff that didn't fit or I didn't like - which is very out of character for me.  I hate returning stuff and rarely, rarely do. I like to make final decisions in the fitting room.  Not only is it a huge pain to run to a million stores (again) to return or pack up boxes to return I always just feel disappointed doing it.  I hate to send back a gorgeous jacket or pair of jeans when they don't fit.  So overall it was a weird shopping month. I feel like I am a little behind on my fall wardrobe because of it.

Let's take a look at the pieces I did buy and keep this month…

Black Drapey Sweater, LOFT, $54.50 with coupon $29.50 (worn here)

White Lace Front Sweatshirt, LOFT, $59.50 on promotion for $29.50 (worn here)

Grey Jeweled Sweatshirt, LOFT, $54.50 on promotion for $29.50 (worn here)

Grey Button Back 3/4 Sweater, LOFT, $44.50 on promotion for $29.50 (worn here)

Space-Dye Blouson Tank Dress, LOFT, $54.50 on promotion for $21.80 (worn here)

Scarf, Zara, $29.90

Total Spent: $169.70 (saved: $127.70)

Thoughts on the budget: Obviously when shopping doesn't go as planned and there are returns it can be good to be under budget!  And last month I was quite over budget - so it does even the budget out a bit.  I am thankful for that.  LOFT always has great promotions and I took advantage of them this month for sure!  There are a few stores where it never makes sense to buy an item full price… LOFT is one of those, they have so many great deals.

Thoughts on the pieces: I didn't mean to buy only from LOFT this month (with the exception of the scarf). But I really love their offerings lately.  It's no surprise that I am into neutrals lately and this shopping month proved that as well.  I am sure you gals will ask, so these are the items I returned: these boots, this jacket, these jeans, this jacket.  These items would have definitely put me over budget and for October I am deciding if I should re-order in different sizing or not.  Stay tuned!

Do you share your monthly shopping budget on your blog? I would love to read it - share in the comments!

Have you seen the Elie Tahari for Kohl's line?

Elie Tahari just launched a clothing line for Kohl's inspired by the city that never sleeps - New York City! With an iconic reputation for modern womenswear Elie Tahari inspired his line for Kohl's after the city where he got his start in fashion.  With fun plays on cityscapes and skylines, and see if you can spy the Chrysler Building in one of his patterns… this line is perfect for dressing up or down for weekday or weekend wear.

I am loving the neutral palette and classic lines of this collaboration. Look for this line at your local Kohl's or online now!  Here are my top picks:

1. crepe soft pants 2. Chrysler Building top 3. open knit chenille sweater 4. NEW YORK CITY tee - love this! 5. mixed media jumpsuit 6. Brooklyn Bridge graphic tee 7. ombre tunic 8. french terry jogger pant - these look so comfy! 9. pleat -back sweater 10. faux fur sweatshirt

Aren't these such fun pieces? Check them out soon!

This post is sponsored in collaboration with Kohl's and Popsugar. All opinions are my own.

my everyday style: casual style with a lace sweatshirt!

I absolutely LOVE the sweatshirt trend these days… but I have to be careful in which styles I choose and how I style them other wise they can look really frumpy on me (or so the fitting room mirrors have told me).  This could actually be a blessing in disguise as my closet could be about 20+ strong right now with sweatshirts but instead I only have two or so.

This lace front sweatshirt is soft as a dream and fits just right with no frump quality.  It's the perfect relaxed fall piece and while I loved wearing it on it's own, it will be awesome to layer as well - I can tell already.

On another note I recently had an a-ha fitting room moment… I am often between a size XS and S at many stores and I recently found that a Small Petite from LOFT fits perfect!  So if you are on the petite side and are often between sizes try going up a size in Petite sizes and see how that works (perfect for those stores that carry petites like LOFT, Banana Republic and sometimes J.Crew).

(photos by Jennifer Ketchum)

Details:

Lace Front Sweatshirt, LOFT

Jeans, Gap (similar or similar)

Bracelet, Towne & Reese ℅ - old, but similar

Boots, Sam Edelman (similar)

Bag, J.Crew - on sale!! What a steal!

how to style waxed denim!

Lately I have found myself pulling from my archives for new blog post content… have you noticed that? This is why:

I think that once you wear an outfit it's not done or expired.  I wear pieces multiple times (two days in a row sometimes even!) in real life… so I really feel like I should highlight that here on the blog.  I don't always have time to shoot one piece in 4 or 5 different looks… but pulling from the archives is a great way to highlight the versatility of one piece  - especially over the years or seasons.  The clothing we add to our closet should hold up style- and quality-wise to a high number of wears over the seasons and years.

Ultimately we want our wardrobes to feel fresh and new to us even when we've already worn everything once before. Mixing and matching the pieces we love into new outfits is the way to do it… (I talked more about that here) If we are always depending on new purchases to make getting dressed fun it can be expensive and a huge disservice to the great pieces we already own.

My kids and I have started watch The Cosby Show re-runs on Hulu.  That show has to hands down be one of the best shows ever - it is rich with humor, thoughtful family scenarios and parenting advice and I never get sick of watching the old episodes, it's so fun to see my kids watch them for the first time.  Granted my outfits in re-runs don't hold a candle to The Cosby Show in re-runs… but  still.  Nothing wrong with a re-run in my opinion.

waxed denim options:

save

mid-range

splurge