Lace Up Love

A plaid sweater with leather trim, distressed denim, and combat boots...if it wasn't for the long locks and red lips, you'd think I was describing a handsome man (AKA the coveted #lumbersexual). I enjoy pink and sequins as much as the next girl but come wintertime, I tend to embrace everything rustic and rugged. 

 I pinned these boots to my Pinterest list a few months back and luckily my Mom took notice. I LOVE the standard lace up combat boot but when I saw them in this camel color, I was hooked. They paired perfectly with this cozy plaid jacket for a rainy sunday breakfast and coffee date with the family and I can't wait to mix them with skirts and dresses come Spring...Versatility at its finest ;)

Jacket: c/o Sheinside | Jeans: Old Navy | Boots: Sole Society

Bag: Old Navy | Watch: Michael Kors (similar) | Lipstick: Kate Spade

Recreate this look with a few similar pieces during Shopbop's BIG EVENT (details below!)

Rebecca Minkoff | JOA | Sam Edelman

I Dream of Denim

When you dream of the perfect denim, what does it look like? I envision a distressed darker wash with enough extra length to be cuffed at the bottom so I can wear a chunky heel ankle bootie (similar to this and this). My closet is filled with skinny and even skinnier styles, perfect for sandals, flats and boot tucking (my go-to shoe selections), but with the change of season, I decided it was time to develop my denim collection by purchasing the ultimate pair of flared jeans: Enter J Brand. 

I love the long lines that a fit and flare creates, as they tend to make your legs look like they go on for days. I’m already tall at 5’9” so to add heels and a flare may bring back that “jolly green giant” nickname I earned in 5th grade but as Taylor says, “haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate.” 

Blazer: Piperlime (via Lisa) (similar) // Jeans: J Brand // Blouse: JC Penney (similar) // Booties: Just Fab (similar)

Hat: Swap with Katrina // Purse: Michael Kors // Necklace: Old Navy // Watch: Timex (via Lisa) 

Do you prefer fit and flare or straight and skinny?

Color Me Green

Blouse: Express (similar) // Jeans, Booties, Bag (similar): Just Fab // Sunnies, Necklace: Old Navy

 Belt: Michael Kos // Ring: Francescas 

I found this blouse in my latest swap bag from Lisa and fell in love with the color. I don't own many emerald green items but I wore it to the office recently and one of my co-workers pointed it out right away: "You should wear that color more often, it looks great on you!" 

I always notice when my Mom wears certain colors that complement with her platinum blonde hair and wonder what color works best with my skin tone and hair, but perhaps I've found it. Next on my green wish list? Just a little number from Elie Saab ;)

Do you know what "your color" is? 

Rocked it & Swapped it

Who doesn't like a great tote bag? Now, let's talk about the ultimate tote bag, the Hamilton Bag by Michael Kors. For Christmas 2011, my husband bought me my dream bag. I never in a million years thought I'd ever own this bag. I am not a big "designer label" collector. Wait, let me rephrase that...I do not have the finances to collect designer items on a regular basis. I was 32 years old when I finally got my first real designer bag. 

I think owning a few designer items and mixing them in with what you already have is perfectly fine. There is no reason you can't pair Michael Kors with H&M. TRUTH! As a stay-at-home mother of two, I realize how many groceries this bag could have bought, but my hubby wanted to spoil me and far be it for me to stop him ;)

Kaitlyn borrowed it and styled the bag with this amazing backless dress. I love how adding a classic black tote can really dress up a look! It can be worn for a night out on the town or even for everyday wear (I mean, if you are own the bag, wear the bag!)

Here's how I styled it the day after I got it and Kaitlyn showing us how to keep it dressy chic:

What do you think of the Hamilton Tote Bag?

Do you have a dream bag you hope to one day own? I now have a new dream bag...one day Chanel... one day! 

Here are some tote other bags we are loving:

Bringing Backless Back

"'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar louder, louder than a lion"…I can't help but feel like Ms. Perry should be providing the soundtrack for this cute little number from Topshop (via Nordstrom). 

I remember finding it during the Nordstrom Annniversary sale last year…I was on the hunt for the perfect dress for my bachelorette party when I saw this bright pop of orange peeking out from in between all of hastily cast leftovers. The size on the tag read much larger than I wear but I decided I had to try it on anyway and good thing I did because somehow, it fit like glove…fashion serendipity in full force.

Dress: Topshop  // Heels: Just Fab (for sale in my closet!) // Purse: Michael Kors (swap w/Lisa) // Necklace: Forever 21

Do you believe in "fashion destiny?" :)

Feminine in Florals

The minute I saw this top and skirt separates set, I liked the romantic feel of it and thought it was perfect for a summer date night, not to mention it's unlike anything I have in my closet. Shows you how well Lisa knows me because when she saw me, the first thing she said was, "I LOVE that! It's so different for you" and I totally agree.

I have a large collection of summer dresses but I seem to have a strong attachment to stripes and animal prints so I'm happy to be mixing it up a bit. I typically enjoy combining masculine and feminine looks for an unstructured feel but this was 100% girly and I loved the feel of that -- hence all the strutting and twirling. (#sorrynotsorry)

Top & Skirt: Target // Jacket: J. Crew // Wedges: Just Fab // Sunnies: Old Navy // Purse: BISTM

Watch: Michael Kors // Bracelet: Forever 21

Do you ever step outside of your style comfort zone? 

Because Kaitlyn Wore Black & White

This necklace, again? Yes, you got it...this necklace, again. Sorry not sorry -- it is my go-to statement piece because it literally makes everything look better. I can pair it with a gray graphic t, a cocktail dress or even my pajamas (as SJP would) and feel just as stylish in any of those choices because of its luxe detail. 

I also really like this black and white bag that Lisa swapped me so I decided to style everything around that theme for the NAPW Chicago event we participated in - minimalist with a pop of print on the shoes and color on the lips.

Sweater: LOFT (similar) // Skirt: Forever 21 (similar) // Bag: Just Fab (swap w/Lisa) // Tights: Von Maur

Shoes: Target // Necklace: T+J Designs // Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs // Bracelet: LOFT // Ring: Francescas 

Even though we're all tired of the snow, it sure makes for a gorgeous city backdrop, doesn't it?

Photos by Hannah 

Because Kaitlyn Rented the Runway

This is the 4th time I've ordered a dress from Rent the Runway and had another wonderful experience. I had a wedding to attend so I placed an order for a gorgeous dress but due to Chicago's never ending blizzard (hashtag Chiberia), the dress wasn't going to make it in time.

So, I received a voicemail from RTR letting me know that I could pick a dress of my choice under $125 and they would overnight it to me at no charge. Because the orders they ship out are time sensitive, they realize that people count on their services so I thought this was such a professional way to handle a situation like this and I was extremely impressed with their customer service. 

I have had this Badgley Mischka dress in my "favorite" list for quite some time so I was ecstatic to get the chance to wear it. I absolutely love the color, fit and everything about the style, so much that it was difficult to put it back in the bag to ship back…it was the perfect choice for a winter wedding.

Dress: Rent the Runway (badgley mischka) // Heels: DSW (similar)

Clutch: Michael Kors (similar) // Earrings: Francesca's (similar)

I really liked mixing the blue dress with emerald earrings…my two favorite colors.

Have you ordered from RTR before? How was your experience? 

(Check back next week to see the original dresses I ordered) ;)