Maroon Dress

Dress: J. Crew Factory (on clearance right now!) // Button Down: J. Crew Factory // Hat: Sole Society // Bag: Nordstrom // Coat: Zara (old) // Boots: Chinese Laundry "Riley" // Necklace: J. Crew  // Lipstick: Fashion Revival by MAC  // Tights: c/o Wade & Belle (aka the best tights ever!!)

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love a dress with sleeves! This one was a great find from J. Crew Factory clearance that I found in the outlet mall on the way home from a family holiday celebration in Wisconsin. You can get it here right now too!

I wore it over Christmas break while doing a little holiday sale shopping with my blogger buddy Samantha, who snapped these pics for me over by Water Tower.

If you have a shoe size any smaller than mine which is likely (hello size ten big feet!!) you can still probably find these amazing OTK boots of mine from Chinese Laundry that look almost identical to the 50/50 boot for just a fraction of the price. While you're at it you should also pick up some of these Wade and Belle tights. They have the most comfortable no-dig waistband that stays up and oh-so-comfy all day.  No tights waist line detectable through even the tightest of dresses (not that I'm wearing anything like that, but in case you're in need)

Stay warm out there everyone and enjoy your snow day!

Photos by Samantha Kramer of Gold Coast Girl

Red Puffer Vest

Hat: Zara // Jeans: Forever 21 // Plaid Flannel: Old Navy // Vest: Ross For Less (c/o) similar here // Lips: YSL Glossy stain #8  // Booties: Urban Outfitters // Gloves: Target // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff MAB tote

The name of the game is to stay warm and layer up this winter. Thanks to Ross for Less for this cozy red puffy vest is helping me survive! These gloves have the coziest insides and keep your hands toasty warm! I have them in mitten form too and they are awesome and under $20! Stay warm everyone!

Loft Flippy Skirt

Skirt: Loft (new spring version here) // Gloves: H&M (similar from Macy's) // Tights: DKNY // Boots: DSW // Hat: Sole Society // Necklace: Forever 21 (similar) // Coat: Macy's (old) // Sweater: Joe Fresh (great sales right now!) (similar here and here)// Turtleneck: J. Crew

Some days the light, the outfit and all the tweeds, textures and colors just work together in perfect harmony. This was one of those days. 

 I hope you all are enjoying the begining of the week as much as I am. I started Monday with no school for MLK day and had some ladies over to do a fun little photo shoot/collaboration (more on that soon! Can't wait to share!) and see my "new" apartment.

With the rest of the day I caught up on Glee which always leads me to tracking down an item of clothing seen on the show. This time it was an amazing Trina Turk dress Quinn wore that was on Mega sale (sooo many cute dresses on sale with an extra 20%off!) and I literally got THE least one in stock! Yay for me. Anyone else think the best purchases are ones that have a backstory with a sweet ending?

Also while catching up on my magazines, something I very rarely have enough free time to do, I came across a picture of Gwen Stefani wearing these L.A.M.B heels and fell in love. The only reason I'm not seriously considering getting these is I know myself, and know a 4.25 inch heel just isn't practical for me. I rarely wear a shoe with a heel to school and if I do its a mid heel. Guess I'll just admire from afar.

Cable Knit Sweater

Jacket: Marc Andrew // Sweater: Target // Gloves: H&M // Button down: J. Crew // Scarf: Etsy // Jeans: Joe Fresh // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Love Crossbody (c/o) Shopbop // Boots: Chinese Laundry "Riley" // Lipstick: Ruby Woo

Casual and layered looks are about all I can muster up lately. It's basically too cold to look cute. This warm toggle coat, infinity scarf and cable knit sweater sure help keep me warm. I have been collecting so many cute things I want to wear that I just cant bear putting on knowing they will just be covered up with coats and boots. I pretty much wear snow boots as my daily footwear because the streets surrounding my school have never been plowed. Fun stuff huh. The glamorous life of a Chicago Public School teacher.

Powder Blue Wool Coat

Zara Coat // H&M shirt (similar) and skirt // Topshop Necklace // LOFT bag // Nine West Pumps // Michael Kors Bradshaw watch // Burberry Lipstick // earrings

I have an addiction of the worst kind. Coats. More specifically winter coats. Don't get me wrong, in a place as cold for half the year as Chicago is, I get lots of use out of all of them. The real problem is storage. I had to build a whole extra closet just to house them all.

To make matters worse I added this pretty powder blue wool Zara number to the mix. I can honestly say that I didn't own a pastel coat and have really wanted to add one to my winter wardrobe for awhile now. I'm so happy I found this one. Too bad its part of the new line at Zara and wasn't included in their fabulous sale going on now.

Speaking of sale I got this top on sale at H&M in the sale section for $15 bucks! I also picked up this pencil skirt with a cute little zipper on the back slit. These midi length pencil skirts that have been all over this fall/winter are perfect for me since most skirts usually run so short. The extra length also gives some added warmth which is a plus.

Over the Knee Boots

Chinese Laundry Riley boots // Rebecca Minkoff "Love" Crossbody bag (c/o Shopbop) // Zara Sweater // H&M necklace // Forever 21 Jacket // Mac Ruby Woo lipstick // Loft Skirt

There is so much I just love in this outfit! Let's start with these boots. They are amazing knock-offs of the Stuart Weitzman 50/50 boots. The suede is gorgeous, they are truly OTK boots even on a tall girl like me, and the best part they are about 1/7th of the price!! They are on sale here at Nordstrom, Macys, and Zappos! Get em while you can!

This Loft skirt I liked so much I bought in 2 colors. This hunter green and also winter white. It was on sale for 60% off the sale price so I couldn't say no. Something about the sweet little flare shape doesn't make it seem so short and inappropriate for teaching, as long as it's worn with tights and boots or flats.

This was also the first time I tested out my AMAZING new GHD oval curling wand! It gives you these great denty waves that look like intentional bed-head! That't the best way I can think of describing it.

This statement necklace was a recent find at H&M! For under $20 it packs quite a punch, don't you think? Easily adds so much to a simple sweater like my tan cable knit one.

I also broke out the Mac classic, Ruby Woo, for my holiday look. It's such a great true shade of red and I think it looks great on so many different skin tones.

Hope you are all getting a chance to scoop up some great after Christmas sales. Don't forget to hit up my favorite sale going on at Zara right now!

Black and Plaid

Dress: TJ Maxx (this Asos one is pretty great too) // J. Crew Factory plaid shirt (similar 30% off)// J. Crew Necklace // Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote c/o Shopbop // Vive booties // Gap jean jacket

It's starting to seem like all I do is wear plaid. Tis the season I suppose. Today's look is a super teachery take on the plaid trend, but there are so very many other ways to pull off this cold-weather staple. I've been loving Old Navy's plaid flannel tops that I've worn with both pencil skirts and jeans, They also make for great layering pieces for a pop of color under an otherwise ordinary sweater (love this one on clearance for $18). I've even gone so far as to incorporate plaid into my outerwear with this plaid moto jacket!

I've got a little plaid round-up from bags (how cute is that duffle bag?!) to shoes to help you jump aboard the plaid trend!