Outfits Not Just Clothes

blouse- Le Tote , pants-Jcrew Factory(sort of similar here ), jacket-Asos(super cool option here ), heels-DSW(similar here ), necklace- Duro Olowu for JCPenny , rings- Jewel Mint  The lighting isn't great for showcasing the pattern and textures of this outfit, but who cares, THE SUN WAS OUT! Finally a break from freezing wind and snow and slush. Which is ironic since I'm wearing a blouse with penguins on it. This jacket was a last minute addition inspired by a recent article over on Refinery 29.  Here's to life in the sunshine! 

Last week I had a brief glimpse at the New York Fashion Week collections and made some predictions here .  I've had a few more ganders and here are some looks/designers/trends I'm feeling.  Alexandre Herchcovitch I enjoy everything about this look, especially the kooky glasses, but mostly this sleeveless coat-like dress.  It's a statement piece in a neutral shade that can be worn alone or layered over standard basics.  Alice & Olivia Completely opposite from the minimalist look above, but does echo menswear inspiration. Two things spring to mind: 1)Hello "Party" Suit!  2)The pattern of the blazer and trouser obviously matches, but also contrasts... very clever!   Belstaff Throwing you for a loop here, Belstaff is actually apart of London's Fashion week happening right now. I loved EVERY look of this collection. Talk about coat porn. Here's another one for you! Belstaff I predicted androgyny would be a theme/trend for Fal...

February has several arbitrary holidays, Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day (for those romantics out there, I'm sorry this is not a real holiday) and today we have President's Day. I'm not quite sure what the official rules are for celebrating this bank holiday, but I do know there are a sh*t ton of sales happening RIGHT NOW!  So here are some discount codes for you. I myself am still entrenched in a Year of No Shopping so I cannot take part, but you should!  The Gap has select sales items at an additional 40% off AND 20% off all items with the code "TREAT". Here's a look from their new arrivals that caught my eye. Gap Jcrew is taking an additional 50% off sale items with the code "EXTRA50". This would be a great time to stock up on some fun tops and blouses like this: Jcrew At Club Monaco you can ta ke an extra 30% off already-reduced merchandise with code "WEARNOW".    Check out some of the go-to frocks like t...

Earlier this month in this post I highlighted a local boutique Mid-Atlantic Mercantile for the Union Hall Times .  This week I had the pleasure of writing a feature on a local paper goods start-up Jack + Bean again for the Union Hall Times, that issue here .  If you're in the market for custom invitations or stationary then I highly recommend you check out Jack+Bean, which is run by a colleague of mine Molly Wilson Knorr.  Here are a few product pics: Birthday Invites (FYI, names and address have been redacted) Wedding Programs Shower Invites Save the Dates Cupcake Toppers!  Who would have thought! Thank you Notes I am definitely thinking its time to redo my business cards. They are fairly generic. Also, I'm thinking about customized thank you notes I can use whenever the occasion arises, just have them on standby.  For more dets on Jack+Bean check out my profile for Union Hall Times here and go to the blog here . 

coat-Joe Fresh(similar here ), sweatshirt- Peter Pilotto for Target , shirt/skirt-Jcrew Factory(similar here  and here ) , heels- Nine West , necklace- Cookie Lee It's all about the sweatshirt here. I basically chose every other piece of this outfit based off cues from its color and pattern, and I'm quite pleased with the result. It almost seems like this coat and sweatshirt were meant to be together and the scarf makes it all pop. And winter keeps marching on...  

Full disclosure, there is no outfitting happening in this post.  Instead I felt the need to showcase one of the oddest emails I received from Sky Mall, wherein I was introduced to this product: Camiwraps Bra Pocket Okay, I'm just going to say it, "What the fuck?"  At first I thought these were panties with pockets, which almost makes sense...  Here's the product description: Go purseless with Camiwraps -- a stylish attachable bra pocket. Adjustable elastic bands easily snap around your favorite bra or sports bra, no special bra required. Hidden zippered pocket in the back holds items securely and discretely: phone, money ID, keys, even lipstick. Comfortable and lightweight.  So, let's say I'm out and about with my camirwrap on and I stop for an ice cream or coffee.  Can you imagine the server's face as I reach into my top, unzip what appears to be a camisole and then hand them cash that has been nestling in my cleavage...  Yep, I'm thinking...

Look! A barge in the background! We had to jump out quick to get these shots before it passed us by.  Okay, now to the outfit.  Okay now for the trick...  It's a shirt dress! jacket-Mikkat Market(similar here ), shirt dress-Landsend(shirt dress here ), jodhpurs-Asos(something kind of similar here ), scarf-H&M(more scarves here ), necklace-Banana Republic(similar here ), bracelet- Michael Kors boots-Forever 21(similar here ) I've been thinking about fun ways to layer and I came across this idea via Refinery 29 : I played around with a front-tie to make this dress more of a shirt, but with a button-down shirt dress you have a variety of styling options. Tuck-it in, leave loose, have it buttoned all the way or just to the waist. IN addition to the versatility of my shirt dress, I'm of course loving these jodhpurs, they've been on the blog several times ( here and here ) and are a great cold weather pant....