If you live and/or work in Chicago, I wanted to let you in on a fun little party happening this Friday, November 2nd at the LOFT store at 111 West Monroe. LOFT is hosting a Grand Re-Opening Party where shoppers can enjoy Magnolia cupcakes, hot cider, and live music, while browsing LOFT's new holiday collection {which is pretty amazing I must say}. Guests can also instagram a photo in the store for a chance to win a $250 LOFT shopping spree {score}. I plan on popping by around noon for an hour or so, so if any of my readers work in Loop or have some free time on Friday please come say hello!
Outfit: Gold Toes
J.Crew Stadium Cocoon Coat // J.Crew Loomknit Sweatshirt // Paige Skyline Skinny Ankle Jeans // J.Crew Bow Necklace // J.Crew Metallic Etta Heels // Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Bag // NARS Lipstick in Heat Wave
J.Crew completely stole the show in this outfit, but for very good reason. Like I mentioned last week, I snatched up this coat and heels at a J.Crew event and they have quickly become my go-to's for meetings, client lunches, drinks with the girls and dinner with Dave. I also took a note from Alicia, and the adorable + chic ways she glams up a sweatshirt. I have to say, easy and effortless, my kind of outfit.
Happy Halloween!
Girl On A Budget: Great Items Under $60
H&M Denim Shirt // ASOS Sunglasses // Bauble Bar Scalloped Necklace // Dorothy Perkins Ivory Boucle Skirt // H&M Crossbody Bag // Madden Girl Booties // Topshop Tights
Individually perfect but even better together. Easy and effortless items for cooler days ahead! I especially love the skirt and its cute bow detail at the waist.
Tips for Maximizing Your Closet
Let's talk about what is wrong with these photos...
The shelves are packed with items that should be stored somewhere else, the folded sweaters are a mess, summer shorts should be put away, my child hood polar bear has made his new home amongst overflowing clothes, shoes take up an entire shelf {such a waist of space}, hangers are random and cause rack to be bulky, and hanging clothes are disorganized. Sound familiar? It happens to the best of us, and when it happens to me, I get so anxious that I can't do anything without organizing my closet first {it seriously ruins my day, starting with getting dressed!}. Call me anal, I guess that is why I am in the biz! Here are a few tips for making sure this doesn't happen to you {that often}.
Fold down items that won't wrinkle to free up some hanging space.
Separate your summer and winter clothing, usually you can see a clear difference. I don't necessarily store all of my summer pieces, but I will organize them towards the back of my closet.
Organize your hanging racks. People do this in different ways, and if you look at the above photo you may not think it is organized - but this is how I work: I separate my tops by style, then by color/shade, then by print. So, left to right you will see my sleeveless tops, from light to dark, from non-print to printed {within each color}. Then it follows the same routine through short sleeves shirts, blouses, button down shirts, sweaters, and dresses. It works for me, but plenty of my clients prefer a color coordinated closet which I sometimes do as well.
Pull out your seasonal essentials {these are my blazers}.
Pull out your boots {I like to stuff my Sperry's, which are retired until Spring, into the legs to keep them standing}.
Purchase a small step ladder. I seriously take this with me to every client's closet. You can't half ass a closet, it is a big project but totally worth it. You will need this to get to the hard to reach areas.
Maximize your space with additional racks. Instead of my shoes taking up one long shelf, they are now stacked and arranged so my favorite pairs are the first thing I see when getting ready. I purchased this shoe rack from Ikea.
The result: clean racks, synchronized hangers, and a clean space to play dress up every day.
This task can be daunting {and take awhile} so if you are need of some help, email me! It is my favorite way to work with my clients!
{If you are looking for any item sources, please email me.}
Giveaway: Illume Candles
I really love a good candle. Especially this time of year when I want my home to feel cozy, warm, and well lived in. It is rare that someone comes over and I don't have a candle lit, so you can imagine my excitement when Illume Candles sent me a box full of fabulous scents for the holidays {it felt like Christmas}.
Not only do their candles come in the most luxurious scents, but their packaging and product design is super fun and comes in a bunch of different styles to fit your aesthetic. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a candle in every room of my home.
These Naughty + Nice candles are meant to be burned together and have set up home in my guest bath. I love the idea of mixing two yummy scents to create something different, they are also equally amazing when burned separately.
But, this Balsam & Cedar Decadent Footed Glass candle takes the cake. First of all, I could not be more obsessed with the gold dots {so Kate Spade!}, and it multitasks as a center piece, a light for late night reading, for curling up on the couch, and so much more. Plus, it smells like a Christmas tree. Yep, it's perfect.
On to the giveaway...today you have the chance to win a Balsam & Cedar Decadent Footed Glass candle of your own!
Follow the directions on Rafflecopter for your chance to win...
A winner will be announced on Friday, November 2nd. Good luck!
Sunday Shopping
West Elm Boxwood Wreath // Rifle Paper Co. Recipe Cards // Illume Woodfire Mercury Glass Candle // Mini Bow Studs // Pave Acorn Earrings // Fur Funnel // Cashmere Fair Isle Turtleneck // Quinton & Chadwick Fair Isle Mittens // Hunter Short Rain Boots
A random collection of my favorite parts of fall: a fresh wreath for my door, new recipes, constant burning candles, cozy sweaters, subtle and easy accessories, fur snoods, happy mittens and boots.
Weekend Style
Illesteva Leonard Round Sunnies // Kate Spade Gumdrop Earrings // Lulu Frost Siren Collar Necklace // J.Crew Loomknit Sweatshirt // J Brand Waxed Denim // Club Monaco Rochelle Bag // Essie Polish in Leading Lady // J.Crew Sasha Suede Pumps
What may appear to be comfortable {and is!} is instantly glam-ed up with some sparkly accessories and fabulous heels. Hope you're enjoying your weekend, friends!
Happy Friday!
How is it already the last weekend in October? I still have so many fall festivities to complete before the holidays show up! Are you celebrating Halloween this weekend? I am sad to say that I don't think I will be dressing up this year, to be honest it kind of caught me off guard and I am completely unprepared. The weather dropped some crazy degrees in the city, so I plan to enjoy my favorite weekend rituals: sleeping in, enormous cups of coffee, morning walks all bundled up, bloody mary brunch, trips to the dog park, and dressy dinners.
I have some exciting posts coming up next week, including an extremely cheerful holiday giveaway on Monday, some closet organization, and a few outfit posts up my sleeve. I am trying to be better about that, I always fail to document myself - I am usually wrapped up with what's around me.
Enjoy your weekend, friends!
I'll Take One of Each
I am pretty sure that Madewell's new shoe collection satisfies all of my fall and holiday shoe dreams.
A J.Crew Event
Last night, Alex and I went to an event at J.Crew with Melissa Skoog Dunagan + Tom Mora, head of women's design at J.Crew, to benefit the Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum. The event was celebrating the Fall/Holiday 2012 Collection, which was styled up perfectly for the evening.
Sequined stripes and polka dots were twinkling throughout the night.
This Fair Isle ski sweater is on my wish list.
Their shoes kill me, which is why Alex and I plopped down on the couch and tried on several pairs...
These two lovely ladies {this pair is on sale! with an extra 30% off promo} came home with me, plus this coat {in heather stone} which I've been eyeing for a month or so. All in all, it was a fun night of shopping, sipping on cocktails, and meeting a few readers! Thank you for those that came up to say hello!
Noticing a Trend
I have noticed over the past couple of seasons, my Pinterest boards tend to create a pattern for my seasonal mood. I am sure this is true for most people, but my uber feminine, pretend to dress like I'm ten, girly accent overload side tends to come out when there are holiday festivities on the horizon and it is fun to scroll through for inspiration.
{witty tee's and cozy sweaters}
Are you noticing a trend in your style for this fall/winter?
S&S on Charm & Chain
I am guest posting today on the Charm & Chain blog, a favorite shop of mine that carries the most gorgeous baubles - from monograms, statement necklaces, fabulous earrings, + more!
Make A Statement:
Asha White Topaz Theodora Earrings // Suzanna Dai Carnival Earrings // Shourouk Memphis Mega Necklace // Suzanna Dai Silver Sunset Blvd Cuff // Mawi Jade + Skull Bracelet
The Perfect Arm Party:
Kenneth Jay Lane Gold Large Link Bracelet // Gorjana Graham Leather Wrap Bracelet // House of Harlow Skull End Cuff // Kenneth Jay Lane Rhinestone Tiger Bracelet // Frieda and Nellie Pink Metal Mama Bangle // Giles and Brother Hook Cuff
Monogram It:
Circle Monogram Charm Bracelet // Square Monogram Earrings // Mini Signet Monogram Ring // Square Monogram Ring // Wide Monogram Cuff
If you haven't yet, make sure you pop over to their shop to check out their amazing inventory. The items featured here are just a small slice of the big, beautiful pie.
Tie Me Up
Madewell just released some new arrivals and I am completely smitten with their new scarves. They remind me of something that my grandmother would hand down to me, in quirky prints, pretty florals, and maps of her travels. They seem like pieces that you would keep forever; that would go with just about everything just because. What do you think? Do you dig them?
Outfit: A Plaid Scarf
Probably my most favorite fall accessory; my plaid scarf gets a lot of use once the weather starts to cool down. Yesterday was the most quintessential fall day so I threw on a gold lurex sweater, some dark skinny jeans, and spent the afternoon in the suburbs. The perfect end to an eventful weekend!
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