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

Floral Blouse

I was holding on to this top waiting for something inspiring to come along to pair it with, but that moment never came. However, my need for a put-together look that didn't require much effort came first. And thats how my "magic pants" came to meet this blouse!

Blouse: Forever 21

"Magic" Pants: Express

Bracelet and black necklace: Forever 21

Shoes: C Label Hudson 10 (on sale here for $39.00)

Long necklace: Lia Sophia

Watch: La Mer via Stitch in Bucktown

Black & White with a Splash of Red

Here's that "color" I promised you yesterday. it comes in the form of my new H&M scarf. I wasn't sure I wanted to keep this scarf until I tried it with this combo. I thought it really completed the look, plus it's light enough to wear into the spring and maybe even the summer.

The Hunters were worn out of complete necessity, considering the Chicago streets are nothing but slush.

This is also my second attempt (here first) at the "curing my hair and leaving the ends out" technique. I find that this is a lot harder than it seems because it really matters what direction the ends are sticking out of the curling iron/flat iron. It's a science I'm learning to perfect. What do you think of the curls?

Scarf: H&M (recent)

Jacket: Zara

White top & Pants: Express

Boots: Hunter

Lips: Smashbox in Mandarin

Hearts on My Sleeve

On a recent trip to the J. Crew Factory store (my favorite part of driving to Wisconsin) I picked up this adorable heart cardigan. I wasn't super fond of the print when the regular J. Crew stores were selling it in black and white but the red hearts on this one got me. I'm always looking for more ways to incorporate a good red into my wardrobe.

And in case you were wondering, sometimes I wear glasses. Mostly when my eyes hurt which they did this particular day. What do you think? Would you like to see them make more appearances in outfit pictures?

Happy Valentines day all!

Sweater: Factory Classic Crew-Neck Cardigan in Hearts

Pants: Express "Magic Pants"

Scarf: Ebay(Fun fact: Used around Christmas time as a tree skirt for our tiny tree!)

Boots: ShoeMint Holly

Necklaces and black bracelets: Forever 21

Watch: La Mer

Coat: Andrew Marc

Hot Pink Windowpane

Another cold day, another bathroom photo shoot. You probably didn't need to know that this was taken in my work bathroom but oh well, there it is. 

I had been eyeing this windowpane silk J Crew top for a while, like I do anything pink and sold at J Crew.

One morning over my Christmas break, a lovely man from J Crew called me. To my surprise he asked me if I'd like to come by and pick up a bag from one of their holiday displays -- I had asked a few weeks prior if they would donate their old decorations for my classroom -- and he remembered! Of course, while I was there picking them up I spotted this top again, but this time on sale as well as a fabulous tweed dress. With the 30% off sale prices and then my 15% off teacher discount on top of that, I couldn't resist! 

Aside from awesome customer service and great clothes, now they have also helped my classroom! Just one more reason to love J Crew!

"Magic" Pants: Express

Heels: Cole Hann

Silk boy shirt in Windowpane: J Crew

Earrings: Francesca's

Necklace: Forever 21

(We Were) Snowless in December

When we took these pics last weekend it was still snowless in December, and as I write this the snow is finally coming down in Chicago. It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

Have a great weekend everyone and don't forget to buy those last minute gifts ASAP!  I'm still hoping a certain sister-in-law's magic pants show up in time in the mail before the 25th!

Wedges: (old) Urban Outfitters

Pants: Express "Magic Pants"

Sweatshirt: Forever 21 (last seen here)
Faux-Fur Vest: Forever 21 (on sale for $28!)

If you are a Face Book fan of mine, you have seen this holiday mani. If not, It's Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI,  some random metallic rose gold polish near the cuticle that I tapered off as I moved upwards. Then I added some chunky silver glitter around the base of each nail and a layer of Essie, Good To Go! It still looks this good 6 days later!! I kid you not! I'm looking at it right now!

What Lies Beneath

I've been meaning to start displaying my ever-growing collection of cape coats (this one is from last year), but it's either been too hot or too cold! Yesterday was just right for all these easy layers, so here they are from top to bottom. 

Is this the first time I've ever worn a hat on the blog? Well folks get used to it! I like hats just like I like a good pair of sunglasses in the summer. Just imagine how happy I am when I can wear a winter hat AND shades! That's one happy head!

I bought this cape last year for a mere $25

 Got this rugby-stripe top at j crew for a ridiculous $13!

 Last years staple brown boots in my wardrobe, Fivvy by Vince Camuto

Cape (another option here), round stone bracelet, hat and necklace: Forever 21, Pants: Express (also known on this blog as the magic pants!), Oxford Buckle Boots: Vince Camuto Fivvy, Chambray shirt: Target, Rugby-Stripe Boatneck top J Crew, Arrow Bracelet: Ebay.