Two-Tone Coat

Coat: Nine West (old but similar here) // Flannel: Old Navy // Jeans: Forever 21 // Bag: Nordstrom BP // Sunglasses: Forever 21 // Gloves: H&M // Boots: Ivanka Trump (similar and on sale) // Hat: Akira Chicago (similar)

There's snow in Chicago. What's new. These photos were taken before everything turned into a giant ice mountain. Back when it started to snow we thought it was novel and pretty. I'm so beyond that point right now. I would like to see my ankles again. I know they are in there, trapped under some fuzzy socks and snowboots. Come on Mother Nature, give me a reason to get dressed again!

Leather Skirt to Work

Every now and again, you stumble across a great deal. This outfit is a prime example of two of those great deals. I found this faux-leather skirt for a minuscule $7 at the H&M sale last winter (I would say two winters ago, but this one is STILL HERE). The blazer was found in the clearance section at Target! What is a perfectly good timeless black blazer doing in the clearance section. Waiting for the right home I suppose.

Skirt: H&M (cute faux option here)

Blazer: Target

Plaid top: J. Crew

Nails: Essie Truth or Flare

Necklace: H&M (old but super cool pendant here)

Boots: Ivanka Trump via Nordstrom

Lips: YSL

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

Knit Sparkles

This is a look from a winter day were I didn't want to admit to myself that it was necessary to wear a coat! I thought if I just piled on the layers that I could warmly walk two blocks down the street to the store. It kinda worked although I wound up feeling a little lumpy. But who really cares when you are just going to the grocery store? Well, I guess me, since I am wearing a sparkly sweater, lip color and jewelry.

Yeah, nevermind.

Jeans: Zara

Boots: Ivanka Trump

Sweater: H&M (holiday sale score $15)

Cargo Vest: Old Navy
Necklace: J Crew

Double Duty: One Sweater, Two Ways

I think I'm no longer proudest of how an outfit turns out, but instead how long I can tolerate being outside without a coat to photograph it!

It was straight-up freezing this day and you can even see the frozen puddles behind me. Not to mention this sweater has a pretty open weave to let all that brisk Chicago wind right in! Yikes!

This sweater got a lot of use in the last week. First for another one of my husband's work parties, then for an "End of the World" party from last Friday.

Do you have any pieces that have been doing double duty this holiday season?

 Yes folks, those are some ice puddles... and I am standing here with my coat off! Smart, I know.

 Very old men's watch from Target. Vintage ID bracelet. Real goosebumps!

DIY mint rhinestone necklace from this post from a few months back.

Boots: Arlecia by Ivanka Trump

Green Sparkle Sweater: H&M

Jeans: Zara (on sale now)

Necklace: Forever 21

ID Bracelet: Vintage from the Randolph Street Market

Watch: Very old men's watch from Target

Blogger friend Amy and I dressed pretty much the same the last day of work!

LOOK 2: What I wore to another holiday work party

Heels: Zara (last seen here)

Faux-Leather Skirt: Forever 21 (last seen here)

Sparkle Collar Necklace: Charlotte Russe (last seen here)

Sweater: H&M

Lady Camo

As you may recall from yesterday's post, I recently went bananas at H&M. I mentioned this floral blouse in my massive list of finds. It drew me in because it kind of reminded me of all this galaxy print stuff that's been going on in the fashion world lately. I find it a bit too trendy for me to have a constellation on my shirt, but an abstract floral print that is reminiscent of one (and will stand the test of time) is just fine by me. And also as I mentioned before every thing was crazy cheap so this was just $15!

Those were my thoughts on the print, but now, here's what one of my ten-year-old students told me; "Teacher, you look like a lady soldier. Like what they wear in the army!" I don't recall velour skinny pants and floral being part of that uniform but what do I know...

Forever 21 Velour Skinny pants

J Crew Studded belt

H&M Floral Blouse

Ebay Elephant Bracelet

Ivanka Trump boots (purchased last October) 

That's a Wrap

I don't know why I keep assuming that I can deal with bare legs outside. 

I need to face it, it's getting cold. Like the kind of cold where you just have to wear tights even if you're wearing boots. I guess I'm still trying to hold on to the Fall weather.

This coat is an old Zara favorite that I found at the Winter sale a few years back. Basically it works for every occasion because it's a wrap coat. So it's super easy to throw on, plus I love how the oversized collar dresses it up to wear for winter weddings and events. 

I call it my Shirley Maclaine coat because in the move The Apartment she wears one like this and I was OBSESSED with it (and her, she's my favorite!).

Stay warm out there you Chicago ladies and don't forget to wear your tights!

LOFT Leopard Dress (sold out but similar here) 

Macys Vest

Forever 21 necklace(find here)

Ivanka Trump boots

OPI Royal Rajah Ruby nail color (buy here)

Feeling French

On a recent trip to Madewell I fell in love with this Parisienne Storyteller Scarf . This tends to happen whenever I go in that store! Their scarves are beautiful, unique and of such amazing quality. I hoped there would be a sale and I wouldn't be subjected to pay full price for my new love.

And then there behind a scarf rack was a sign for 25% off! True love? Oui!

Boots: Ivanka Trump

Leggings: TNA via Aritzia (my favorite leggings EVER!!!)

Sweater: Mac & Jac

White thermal: Old Navy

Bag: Aldo Outlet

Madwell Scarf

J Crew belt

Nordstrom hat

Target Sunglasses

Andrew Marc Toggle Coat

Black and White Cable

While running errands I stopped by the H&M on State Street and found this cozy sweater. Usually I find cable knit and horizontal stripes to be quite widening but I think the vertical pattern of the cable down the front helped streamline this sweater.  

Of course H&M got me in the door with their "buy one get one free knit sale" that was going on this weekend, but somehow this very KNIT sweater didn't count in the sale! Thanks a lot!

Sweater: H&M , Jeans: Zara, Boots: Ivanka Trump Arlecia, Necklace: Piperlime, Purse: Kate Spade Gold Coast Ginnie Pink, Sunglasses: Target