We laughed at James Corden tumbling down the stairs, we cried when Adele pledged her eternal devotion to Beyoncé and we collectively swooned as the cameras panned down to Blue Ivy dancing in the front row dressed in head-to-toe Gucci. Sure, the red carpet gowns were stunning, but Blue’s bubblegum pink tuxedo topped with a velvet hair bow and a much-talked about minaudière stole the whole dang show and sent me straight to my keyboard to try to recreate the look tout suite.
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On the Cheapish
Sweater: Old Navy // Shirt: Old Navy // Jacket: J.Crew Factory // Jeans: Old Navy // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff // Boots: Sam Edelman // Bracelet: Julie Vos // Ring: Stella & Dot // Nails: Essie in Blanc
I learned a new word this week: Chiberia. And with temperatures dropping below -15° with wind chill in Chicago, I came to a full and complete understanding of the origin of that chilling nickname.
As winter settles in for the long haul, I’m daily realizing how ill prepared my wardrobe is for sub-zero weather. Not to mention the fact that I’m still without proper footwear due to the massive nationwide shortage of duck boots. But let’s look at the silver lining of this snow cloud, shall we, and discuss this cozy ensemble that fought bravely against the elements.
My plan of attack is to layer until I’m warm enough or I can no longer fit into my coat, whichever comes first. Thankfully, this fair isle sweater and button-down combination provides warmth while maintaining a streamlined silhouette—win-win. Even better? I got both on mega-sale at Old Navy.
Dress: Forever 21 (old, similar here) // Boots: Chinese Laundry // Bag: Deux Lux // Necklace: Forever 21 // Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs // Nail Polish: Julep
If you’re like me, you’ve spent hours wondering what your life would look like if you owned a pair of 5050 boots. The iconic over-the-knee boot is a perennial favorite of celebrities, bloggers and off-duty models alike. It’s also a bit of out of my price range. So I dedicated a good few weeks to hunting down the best alternative, taking into consideration value, quality and similarity to my dream pair.
What I found was actually much better that I was hoping for. At just under $100, these Chinese Laundry boots fulfill all of my requirements. Since I ordered them online, I was a little worried about the quality of the suede, but in person, I’m very happy with the suppleness and substance of it. With a low stacked heel, tall silhouette and slightly rounded toe, this boot really echoes the 5050 in every way. All in all, I’m extremely happy with this purchase and plan to wear them all winter long.
I’ve never been a hat person. Sure, I tried them on from time to time, but it was always an exercise in futility. Baseball hats, sun hats, and beanies all looked…not great. And then I realized that this failed head/hat relationship was due to the fact that I have an abnormally large head. After this revelation, I pretty much resigned myself to a hatless life. And I’ve been almost completely okay with this situation—with the exception of the Panama hat.
I can’t even count how many times I’ve tried on the classic J.Crew version. I actually almost bought it once. But even when I managed to find the L/XL size (yes, really), I couldn’t pull the trigger. It was a bit too pricey for a hat that still didn’t look quite right. And then, one fateful day in the not-too-distant past, I took a trip to Target. As I was rounding the final curve of my compulsory lap around the accessories section, I spied the telltale off-white woven palm and black ribbon of a Panama.
Like any insane person, I decided to once again try on a hat, fully expecting that, once again, it would look horrible. I barely even bothered to look in the mirror, so complete was my assurance that this attempt would be as unsuccessful as all the rest. And then…and then, for the first time maybe ever, a hat looked good on me! That this particular hat was only $16 to J.Crew’s $60 was just sweet, sweet icing on the cake.
Since I’ve finally found the hat for me, I’ve been making up for lost time and wearing it pretty much everywhere. Last weekend I whipped it out to take a trip to the farmers’ market, where in addition to these fragrant roses, I purchased the makings of some muy delicioso ceviche.
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Hat: Target // Top: Target // Cardigan: H&M (similar) // Shorts: Forever 21 // Purse: Forever 21 (similar) // Bag: Target (dollar section!) // Shoes: Old Navy // Nails: Essie in Lights
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Julie Vos // Kenneth Jay Lane
Julie Vos // Nasty Gal
I’ve been admiring Julia’s gold coin pendant for quite awhile, so I finally clicked through one of her blog posts to find that she sells this very necklace in the Lemon Stripes store. But as much as I love it, I’m not ready to shell out over $150 for it. So I went on the hunt for a more affordable alternative. I can’t wait to add these Kenneth Jane Lane and Nasty Gal pieces to my costume jewelry collection for some gilded, gypsy-inspired flair.