The Coziest Cardigan for Fall

No, your eyes are not deceiving you...I AM standing here in a thick, cozy cardigan while it's most likely 80 something degrees outside right now. For a brief moment, it was cool enough outside for starting the fireplace inside (hence this outfit) but now, we are being blessed with a second chance at Summer. While most of us had already moved on to the excitement of Fall, let's just remember how thankful we'll be for this in a few months when we're cursing our frost bitten car windows for making us late for work in the morning. 

It's certainly hard to dress for this "in between" weather because the mornings are still a little nippy but then you're sweating by happy hour so layers are key and this is a great time to style your favorite Summer dresses with a few Fall-like pieces such as a cozy cardigan, a blazer or neutral booties. That way you're playing to both seasons and enjoying the best of both worlds...especially if you're drinking a Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin cold brew while doing so. Guys, I went to the drive-thru almost immediately after seeing a commercial for the new drink and it's REALLY good. It's certainly the way to a Fall-loving, iced coffee year round kind of gal's heart. Pair that with the chocolate chip pumpkin loaf I picked up at our Farmers Market last weekend and we've got the perfect recipe for my husband to start hating me extra early... once a pumpkin hater, always a pumpkin hater.

Even though we're in sundresses and shorts right now, I still want to pay homage to this amazing cardigan which made multiple appearances the first week I had it and we're just getting started. This maroon shade is typically my go-to for Fall pieces and I am sucker for the marled texture. Not to mention, it's long in length (so important to me!) and has POCKETS. Do you guys agree that pockets automatically increase the cool points of any clothing item? Seriously, I had them in a bridesmaid dress I wore recently and I thought it was genius 💓

But back to cardigan chat, it's just another J. Jill piece that has become a part of my everyday style. I have to say, it's not one of those brands that I would normally gravitate to just by walking past a store window but after working with them for a few years now, I can officially say some of my all-time favorite pieces are from them and not to mention, the ones I get the most compliments on. Their brand isn't meant to be flashy -- The pieces are classic and extremely well-made, giving them staying power to be a part of your closet for many years to come. Sometimes it just takes a bit of your own personal style to see something in a new light.

Wearing:
Cardigan: c/o J. Jill Jeans: c/o Blank NYC via Fitcode Bag: Target (similar) Booties: Toms Necklace: c/o Park Lane Jewelry Hat: Target (similar)

J. Jill Ruby Slippers

I've always had a thing for red shoes. Red flats, specifically...this began at a very early age when I saw White Christmas for the first time. The last scene of the movie is an idyllic portrait of a picture perfect Christmas with fresh snow falling, a horse and carriage and Bing Crosby singing everyone's favorite holiday song. But before I could appreciate all of that, I was fixated on the young ballerinas who gracefully glide onto the stage in their bright red ballet toe shoes which match their gorgeous leotards. I don't know what it was but I wanted them (and to be like them) badly. I had never seen anything so beautiful...until I watched the Wizard of Oz, that is. Was there ever a more iconic pair of shoes worn in a film? Not only were those ruby slippers gorgeous but they could actually take you home...kind of gives them gold medal, no?

Fast forward many years later and I have my own pair of red slippers from J. Jill. The minute I saw them, I knew they would be perfect for transitioning to Fall and providing a pop of color many otherwise neutral outfits. They may not be made for ballet or making a wish, but they certainly recall a very nice memory for me and that makes them equally special. 

Wearing:

Top: c/o J. Jill

Jeans: c/o Fitcode

Shoes:  c/o J. Jill

Bag:  c/o J. Jill

Sunnies: LOFT

Earrings: Kendra Scott

Lipstick: Glominerals - "Crimson"

P.S. Thanks to my beautiful Mom for shooting photos for me...We have started doing that once a a week and not only is it just another chance for us to hang out, but she's so supportive of our blog (being that she has a very valuable one herself). I adore my husband but let's be honest, he's not always the most enthusiastic about shooting another outfit. Mom, on the other hand, finds fun in seeking out new shooting locations with me and never makes me feel like I'm interrupting her plans...as with everything in my life, I don't know what I would do without her. 

BTW, Mom is wearing a dress from LOFT a few years back...she just found it during a closet-cleaning binge and decided it was fit for the "keep" pile. I agree...the perfect throw & go Summer look :)

The Perfect Fit Starts Here

You know when you're shopping for new jeans and the first pair you try on fits like a glove? Wait, you don't know what I'm talking about? That's because this almost never happens. When I'm looking to to purchase new denim, I never go into the dressing room with less than 5 pairs because I know the  majority of them aren't going to meet my requirements...number one is usually that they are long enough (which is extremely rare) but in the end, I'm usually just hoping to find one that's a close enough match. 

I remember in high school, my best friend and I would always complain about the jean shopping struggle. We knew in our minds what we wanted them to look and feel like...if only we had the opportunity to the design them ourselves, we thought. Flash forward 10 years later and our high school selves would be "omg'ing" all over the place because thanks #modelproblems, this issue has finally been solved...

Have you guys heard of Fitcode? The site helps you find jeans that will look and feel great based on fit instead of size. LADIES - isn't this what we've always hoped for? A size 4 with one brand can be a size 8 with another, so for us, it's not about the number...it's about how they fit and contour to your body. 

Just by taking a short quiz, you can find your personal "Fitcode." From there, you receive a custom "denim boutique" which features a variety of brands, styles and price points. The Fitcode system will use your "fit number" to inform you of which size is best based on the specific pair of denim you choose. So if you fall in love with a pair of jeans, your code will help to ensure that you end up with the right size based on how they were designed. I was skeptical of this at first, especially since I felt like jeans are something that need to be tried on in person. However, I liked a lot of the jeans in my boutique so I selected my favorites and ultimately ended up picking this Blank NYC pair based on the description provided: "A tight stretchy fit and a little stacking at the ankles. Blank NYC nailed the low pocket placement on this one, giving the booty a visual lift." 

As for the real life results? Hello, lover! They are a great length because I can leave them long or stack them for an ankle crop and the wash is different from anything else I own. With the distressed details, it's edgy meets chic depending on how you want to style them and most importantly...They are the perfect fit ;) Another plus? This has introduced me to this brand so now when I'm shopping, I'll look to try on other Blank NYC pairs first. A new bff situation in the making here, guys...

  I wore these 3 times the first week I had them... Much like JT's new jam, these jeans are the hit of the Summer. 
Wearing:
Top: Old Navy (old but similar here under $20) Jeans: Blank NYC - c/o Fitcode Heels: Just Fab (old but I love the snake print heel here too) Clutch: (old, but I like this one too) Sunnies: c/o Ilymix (similar)