Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down

6:12 am … my alarm goes off.

Snooze.

6:21 am … it goes off again.

Snooze.

6:30 am … do I need to wash my hair today? Nah…

Snooze.

Sound familiar? Maybe I shouldn’t admit it, but this is my internal conversation every morning. It’s worse on Mondays. Even worse on rainy days. And the worst on rainy Mondays.

My bed is so warm … outside is too cold … or wet … or dreary … or {enter excuse here}.

It doesn’t HAVE to be that way though. You only get cold, wet and miserable if you don’t dress appropriately {I sound like my mother...}. But by investing in a good umbrella, nice rain boots, and a warm trench, you can weather any rainy day {in style}!

The last few days in New York have required just that. Coach rain boots? check. Banana Republic trench? check. Umbrella … scarf … gloves … check! This is my take on rainy day chic.

Rainy days and Mondays aren’t gonna get me down.

xoxo

Trench coat: Banana Republic (just adore this)  //  Pants: Zara (similar)  //  Rain Boots: Coach (wanting these)  //  Scarf: gift (love this)  //  Bag: C Wonder  //  Umbrella: street vendor (because why not)

Changing with the Seasons

As we push deeper into autumn toward the inevitable cold, the warm weather just won’t seem to let go. It has been a fall punctuated by uncharacteristically mild days; one that has made getting dressed in the morning an adventure.

Stuck between seasons means stuck between wardrobes. With summer clothes that aren’t warm enough, and fall clothes that are a little too cozy, you sometimes have to improvise. My solution? A trusty pair of tights. It’s the perfect way to take a summery dress or skirt, and make it more fall appropriate. They also add that little bit of warmth you need to enjoy being out and about on these rare days.

On Monday, I paired a floral dress with black tights, brown boots, and a little black jacket. I thought black and brown toned down the brightness of the florals, masking its summer look.

When you’re in a pinch and the seasons have yet to sort themselves out, you don’t have to try and reinvent the wheel.

But no one says being practical can’t also mean being chic.

xoxo

Dress: Francesca’s (old, so many cute ones here)  //  Jacket: Express (love this)  //  Boots: Aldo (these are great)  //  Bag: Michael Kors (zipper version)  //  Sunglasses: Banana Republic (different color)  //  Belt: Banana Republic (similar)  //  Necklace: Aldo (similar)  //  Watch: Kate Spade  //  Tights: Hue (so many fun colors!)

Lady in Red

After waiting a full 10 months, I am finally getting some use out of this red pea coat. Normally I can’t wait more than a day to rip off the tags and wear something new, but the timing of this purchase was not in my favor. Having bought this coat in dreary and cold January, I knew I’d have to wait until the upcoming fall. After an unseasonably warm start to autumn, that time is finally here.

It has been the perfect accessory as we transition from fall into winter, because its fairly lightweight. I’ve dressed it up, I’ve dressed it down, and I just can’t stop wearing it!

Plus, it looks great against the backdrop of autumn leaves.

It was “Casual Friday” at work … so I opted to wear my red coat over a comfy pair of leggings, and my trusty chambray. I thought the leopard print scarf was a great way to tie together the browns and blacks in my outfit.

There are so many brightly colored pea coats out there … what color would you wear?

xoxo

Coat: Zara (loving this one)  //  Shirt: Madewell (similar)  //  Leggings: Zara (similar)  //  Boots: Aldo (these are gorgeous)  //  Scarf: boutique find (similar)  //  Bag: Michael Kors (zipper version)

 

Every Week Can Be Fashion Week

For New Yorkers, the streets are our runways…the passersby, our audience…and each day is a new opportunity to show off our style to the bustling world.

Since fall has officially arrived, and the weather has begun to cool off, coats are coming out of hibernation. Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE coat weather. My short quilted jacket, long tailored trenches, and the occasional bold-colored pea coat are all anxiously awaiting their debut this season. But the downside of coat weather, in my opinion, is that you no longer get to show off what’s underneath.

Coats can hide your creativity – by very defitinion they are made to cover you up and keep you warm. So how do you combat this? How do you still let your individual sartorial aesthetic shine through?

For me, I focus on what does show. By directing my attention to things like a great shoe, intricate scarf, vibrant lip color, or fabulous bag, I can still differentiate myself amongst the sea of bundled masses.

Now that doesn’t mean I slack off with the rest of my outfit…but it does change my approach to getting dressed in the morning. I built my outfit around my favorite pair of brown boots, which recently came out of hibernation as well. And picked a fun purple, goldenrod, and yellow paisley scarf that would keep out the chill while also adding an extra splash of color.

The catwalk awaits…what will you be strutting in this fall?

xoxo

Coat:  Zara (similar here and here)  //  Sweater: The Limited (similar here)  //  Jeans: Express (newer version here)  //  Boots: Aldo (love these)  //  Scarf: The Limited (gorgeous alternative)  //  Bag: Michael Kors

Falling for Manhattan in Autumn

Blazers and scarves. Trench coats and boots. Changing leaves and the crisp morning air. The list of things I love about Autumn is endless, and its finally time to enjoy them again.

To welcome the Fall weather, I put together an outfit sampling the colors of the season. Deep purples and rich yellows, paired with navy and warm browns.

There is nothing better than New York City in the fall. The heat of the crowded city dissipates and the air thins, once again becoming breathable after the humid-rich summer. And with autumn, comes prime layering season as the fall months bring wild temperatures swings where you are chilled walking to work and sweating as you grab lunch. Being able to throw on a scarf and a jacket — then just as easily leave them behind — is essential to dressing the part as the seasons change.

Plus, much like the leaves on the trees change to burnt reds and yellows, along with deep, beautiful purples, so too does my wardrobe. It’s a change I welcome every September because I absolutely adore the palate of fall.

What are some of your fall favorites?

xoxo

Blazer: JCrew  //  Shirt: Banana Republic (also worn here)  //  Pants: Zara (similar here)  //  Scarf: NY street vendor (love this)  //  Shoes: Target (love these in every color!)  //  Bag; Michael Kors  //  Sunglasses: Banana Republic (similar color)