Sample Sale Find

I just about died when I found this sweater at a sample sale in Wicker Park.

Blogger friend Peggy and I got early-access tickets to the sale, where I found this sweater all by its lonesome, full of marled-knit, mustard-hued, non-itchy perfection! Mustard and I have not always gotten along so well (the color, not the condiment) but I think the black mixed it up enough that I ended up really loving the color. The interesting knit pattern really added to this sweater's richness and ultimately lead to it coming home with me!

Hat: J. Crew (similar)

Sweater: Pure Knits

Pants: Nordstrom (40% off)

Coat: H&M (from last year, but similar here)

Boots: Banana Republic

Purse: Target

Lips: Nars "Yu" (seriously, the most flattering shade of hot pink on all of my friends!)

Cobalt Tweed

Last year I mentioned my Express "magic pants" quite a bit. After some weight loss I was left magic pants-less! 

This winter there is a new pair of magic pants in town. These pants fill their "magic" title because they are super-comfortable, slimming, have a mid rise, match with everything and are long enough even on my 5-foot-9 self! Even one of my friends who bought them after I gushed over them calls them "sweatpants jeans!" That should tell you just how comfortable they are. They are quickly becoming everyone-I-know's favorite pants!

Oh and did I mention they are also 40% off right now? Seriously, why have I not ordered another pair of these? If you'll excuse me, I think I have a purchase to make.

Jacket: Target (sold out online)

Tee: Forever 21

Pants: Nordstrom

Shoes: J. Crew

Hat: J. Crew (similar)

Necklace: HRH

Pop of Purple

To complete my week of black-and-white themed outfits, I snuck a small dose of the trend in on jeans day in the form of my J. Crew Snowcat shirt. I love how it added both interest and warmth under this cheery shade of purple. The hat was just out of necessity, much like the hunters were two days back.

This weekend brings one of my favorite bi-yearly events here in Chicago, the Nordstrom Cosmetics Trend Show. At last season's show, I not only forgot to put the battery back in the camera, but also watched in horror as the camera face-planted -- lens straight to the ground -- off a chair and broke. Between the Nordstrom purchases and the camera lens replacement, it was an expensive day. Let's hope that my camera stays safe this time in its double-protected bag!

Next week, a new fun "fashion challenge" theme will be chronicled over here on HOTPINKstyle! More on that Monday!

Last week was black-and-white; any guesses on what next week's theme could be? Or any future outfit suggestions/challenges you want to throw my way? I'd love to hear them in the comments below!

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Booties: ShoeMint Holly

Jeans: Zara (similar)

 Snowcat Button-down: J. Crew

Sweater: J. Crew (Tippi)

Nails: OPI in Cajun Shrimp

Hat: Nordstrom Rack (similar here)

Chain Bracelet: Forever 21

Wrap Watch: Le Mer (buy same here) from Stitch in Bucktown

Staying Warm

I'm at the point in the winter where I'm over wearing a coat and wish I could just wear a bunch of layers and be warm enough. Sadly, it didn't work but it sure looks like I'm staying warm in my four top layers! 

Jeans: Zara

Sweater: ASOS

Booties: ShoeMint -Francoise

Vest: Forever 21

Striped Button down: Uniqlo