Black and White

Second day in a row you have seen this faux-fur stole. It was just so darn cold in my classroom I had to wear it around. I was kinda giving off a Cruella De Vil vibe here but I'm ok with that. Black and white are just such an easy combo I couldn't resist.

My photographer's selfie

Dress: CK (similar)

Necklace: Oia Jules

Watch: Michael Kors

Tee: Ann Taylor (similar)

Booties: ShoeMint

Lips: YSL Glossy Stain #9

Navy Camo

This is turning into a very trend-heavy week. On top of yesterday's black-and-white trend that is so hot right now, there is also a camo craze out there too. It has struck me hard and I wore camo 3 days this week to work.  

Are you wondering how I managed to pull off professional camouflage looks not just once, but multiple times? This lady-like camo shirtdress is the first of 3 camo looks that will be on the blog this week. Get ready and hope you can find me! Get it? Sorry bad camo joke that my students seem to enjoy.

Dress: Gap

Shoes: TJ Maxx

Belt: Old Forever 21

Earrings: Forever 21

Jacket: Macys

Necklace: Oia Jules

Fall Dress Trends

I may be busy trying to squeeze in a final wear of all my favorite summer dresses and skirts, but I'm still dreaming of fall dresses.

It's that time of year just before the freezing temperatures force us to wear tights with everything. I intend to work a lot of leather accents and prints into my fall attire. Here are some of my favorite dresses I've found that fit that bill, and have me excited for the slightly cooler weather.

From left to right: Color block leopard dress/ Colorblock zebra dress/ Leather sleeved tweed dress/ Brown leather belted dress/ Black & white print dress/ Black and white faux leather colorblock dress/ Plum leather piped dress

Fall Shopping List

While this girl is usually one for color and girly pieces, I seem to be drawn to all these great black-and-white leather and moto inspired peices out this fall. I for one am happy that the leather trend isn't going anywhere, and I hope to mix it with lots of my colorful and more feminine pieces. That's really the fun of fall, layering. So stack that moto vest on top of a plaid shirt (think 90s plaid) or over a silk blouse. And dont forget to add some Cheetah shoes (these flat ones work too) to the mix. They totally count as a neutral!

From left to right:

Top row: Snow leopard heels/ Laser cut leather tank/ Buckle waist wrap jacket/ Two-tone moto vest/ leather blazer/ Two tone zip moto jacket

Middle row: Waxed jeans/ Tan and leather trench (also comes in black on black) / Black side zip boot/ Green moto jacket/ Brown leather-sleeved blazer

Bottom row: Cropped moto jacket/ Gray coat/ Lace-up cheetah heels/ Black zipper coat/ Leather collar coat/ Black moto vest

Overexposed

As I mentioned yesterday, the quest for a good place to take pictures is becoming harder and harder now that we lost our secret spot. Expect more indoor pictures from my scenic work hallway. Although it's not the best lighting, it gets the job done without risk of catching a major cold!

This super sunny shoot was at a Home Depot parking lot where we received a hearty amount of whistles from the day laborers waiting for work. We have GOT to find a new location... FAST!

Many of the children I teach seemed very concerned that I killed many snakes to make my leggings and wanted to touch them to make sure they were not "real." I really do love watching my students try to understand my fashion statements sometimes.

Bubble Necklace: J Crew

Chambray shirt: Target

ASOS Vila sweater

H&M leggings (old)

Vince Camuto Fivvy boots

Michael Kors Watch

A Whole Lot Goin' On

I feel like all I talk about is blazers lately. Maybe it's Fall or maybe it's just the first time in my professional life I've worked in a school that didn't get heated to 98 degrees the second a chill hit the air! I'm really enjoying being able to wear blazers comfortably all day long. I always wondered what it would be like to not be hot  all the time and now I finally get to experience it.

This little herringbone Jacket has been in my collection for a few years now, purchased at Banana Republic, which is a store I rarely find things that fit me well. It seriously feels like a sweatshirt but gives such a polished finish. 

Most of my Fall layers are a few years/seasons old because I bought them with the hopes of wearing them but never really could. Now they get so much use I actually had to go purchase more...not that I'm complaining.

By the way, that $30 Camel Target blazer I talked about yesterday, I wore today while I was making a return at J Crew. I was shocked to see this blazer which was near $800 bucks! Now my Target jacket is NOT made of fine Italian cashmere, but for $770 less I got the cheap version that looked so similar  to the J Crew one, that the woman working the register actually asked if it was from there! I'd call that a steal!

Jacket: Banana Republic, Yellow Sweater: J Crew Outlet, Leopard pants: Loft, Booties: Report Marks (buy here), Watch: Michael Kors, Necklace: Forever 21(also worn here and here with much redder hair), Earrings: Francesca's.

Have a fabulous Fall weekend everyone and thanks for reading!

Roman Date

Ok, so its not faux leather this time, but somehow all my Friday posts involve me wearing an all-black ensemble. It just happens, without fail, at least once a week. I guess it's my dark side that needs to get out.

This was what I wore out to dinner one night. Then after dinner we went back to the hotel where I promptly changed shoes and put on some comfy flats. I know I'm a city girl who pretty much walks all over downtown Chicago at home, but man there is a whole lot of walking in Vegas! Thank goodness I brought a bunch of flats!

Have a happy weekend all!

Asymmetrical cut out dress: Heels: Nine West, Bag: H&M $13 bought here in Vegas, Necklace: Vintage, Bracelets: (from left to right) first 2: Forever 21, Arrow: eBay, Watch: Michael Kors, last bangle: Natasha Couture via Nordstrom

New clutch bought here in Vegas at H&M

Fun Louis Vuitton store windows

Faux Leather Friday

This infusion of faux leather seems to be a little Friday trend I'm starting. Last week it was this Zara top with faux leather pocket and shoulder panels, and this week it's on these awesome new leggings from Topshop. I love them now but will I be able to get away with these while teaching? Hmmm... I'll find a way.

I tend to have an overly colorful wardrobe. I think my closet pretty much has every shade of the rainbow and then some. But about once a week I crave a tougher look, something that consists of dark shades of clothing and a bit smokier makeup. I guess it balances out all the girliness of the bright and cheery colors I wear the other 6 days of the week.

I am a little addicted to Zara t-shirts lately. So comfy and cool all at a reasonable price. They always have enough detail to step them up from the average tee. And my favorite part is that they are long which is great for us tall girls who like to wear the legging and tee look and still keep covered up. 

Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!

Tee: ZARA(get this one while you can, it's selling out fast!), Leggings: Topshop, Sandals: Sam Edelman Trina, Bangles: Nordstrom, Natasha Couture, Watch Michael Kors. Chain and leather necklace: Oia Jules on Etsy

Digital Sequins

I'm starting off today with a Fashionable Friend Feature, something I'd like to make a regular occurrence on this blog because lets face it, my friends have great style too.

This is Erica looking ever so glamorous on a casual Saturday morning at the Randolph Street Market. She was doing a whole lot of window shopping that day...get it...see what I did there?

 Top: Banana Republic , Coral capris Target (Mossimo): , Sandals: Famous Footwear , Gold watch: La Mer via Gilt

This was on our way out to our Cuban date At 90 Miles Cafe. We had a great date with the best service from Raul. He gave me a big bag of wine corks for a DIY project I have planned and showed me where the secret bathrooms were so I didn't have to wait in line! Truly the way to my heart!

We finally had a chance to drink the wine we got from our friends rehearsal dinner at a winery in Ohio. Gotta love BYOB.

 Top: Nordstrom Digital sequin print, Shorts: Loft, Shoes Reef Summer on sale here, Watch: Michael Kors, Bangles mix of Forever 21 Nordstrom and new find from the Randolph market earlier that morning. Bag: vintage Coach Willis

 I love the bow on the back of this top!

 Close up of this digital sequin print and my new opal/pearl-ish bangle from the market. Only 9 bucks!

BYOB