Not So Fast

Unless you are a Chicagaoan vacationing somewhere warm like me, you're still experiencing frigidness - thank goodness for Florida! While the calendar promised spring, it seems that the mumblings and grumblings about the cold wil not dissipate for a bit yet. Therefore, keep your sweater tights, wool coats, and gloves in close reach.

NY & Co leather jacket, American Apparel sweater, XXI blouse, Charming Charlie brooch, vintage plaid skirt, Audrey Brooke booties

South by Southwest

I picked up this cardigan on major sale at Zara a couple weeks ago and immediately thought of how perfect it will be to wear for a music festival, street fest, flea/antique market...essentially, any outdoor warm weather activity. If I was going to South by Southwest in Austin this month, you better believe I'd be wearing this with a graphic tee, jean shorts, and gladiator sandals. But for now, I'll pair it with some cold weather earth tones and dream of sunshine!

Zara cardigan (similar), Gap henley and leather jacket (similar), LOFT cords (similar), Franco Sarto booties (similar), Stella & Dot Leona pendant, Gap snood (similar hereand here), leather quilted purse via Crossroads (similar), Tory Burch sunnies

Skirt Suit

Even though I passed on the pill box hat (in favor of a cameo brooch), I felt very Jackie Kennedy in this skirt suit. The boucle texture and boxy, collarless jacket is incredibly ladylike, form fitting, and timeless while still serving a professional function. After all, Mrs. Kennedy herself did say, "There are two kinds of women: those who want power in the world, and those who want power in bed." I feel like in this skirt suit, you can be both!

XXI blazer (similar) and skirt (similar), H&M tie neck blouse (love this one), vintage cameo brooch (similar), NY & Co cape (similar), Nord tights (similar), Jessica Simpson booties

Share Your Love

On days like today when it's bitterly cold, I didn't sleep well, the phones are ringing off the hook at work, and I want to take the next plane out of town, I remember how gosh darn lucky I am for being able to give and receive love every, single day. So, I called my fiancé and shared my sentiment. Who can you share your love with today?

Loft skirt, Old Navy sweater (graphic sweaters here), J.Crew shirt (similar), Nine West boots (similar), Assets tights, Stella & Dot hoops and Renegade Cluster bracelet, Michael Kors watch, Nars Heat Wave lipstick

Slit to There

After some memorable slits during last night's Golden Globe awards, I figured I'd join the ranks! Even though my favorite looks were more demure - I'm looking at you Kerry Washington, Emily Deschanel Carla Gugino, Rosario Dawson, and Jennifer Garner! I also noticed that I was drawn to those that resembled wedding gowns (Catherine Zeta-Jones, Megan Fox, Amy Adams, Helen Hunt, and Amanda Seyfried)...I wonder why?!

I Heart Ronson blazer (similar), XXI skirt, Zara tank (similar), Nine West booties (similar), Stella & Dot and Akira jewelry, Loft belt (similar), similar tights

Longer Lengths

After holding up my new green skirt (scored with an American Apparel Groupon) to the "tops" section in my closet, I decided to wear it with this watercolor tee. Normally I would wear a cropped jacket with a maxi skirt to ensure that my waist is defined rather than pair long with long; however, the colors in this tee (green, mustard, brown, burgundy, and peach) were begging to be worn with my peach boyfriend blazer! So, why not add a wide brim hat and fur vest to really work the boho chic look? Why not indeed.

Club Monaco fur vest (similar), H&M peach blazer (similar), Simply Vera tee, American Apparel skirt, Gap hat (similar), Fownes Brothers gloves, Franco Sarto booties (similar), Hue sweater tights, Tory Burch sunnies

Favorite Gifts I Gave (For the Gals)

From top left clockwise to bottom left:

1. Stella & Dot Lapis Drop Earrings

2. Steve Madden Neenaa Boots

3. Fownes Brothers Tech Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves

4. J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt

5. Elle Lurex Tweed Jacket

6. Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick

A Sign of Growth

The combination of it being dark when I come home, my fiance starting work before I'm ready, and a non-DSLR camera have led to an overall feeling of underwhelm with the photographic evidence of my outfits as of late. I guess this is a sign of growth in my expectations of this lil blog, as pictures inside the halls of my office building were accepted as the norm this time last year. I can't well expect my co-worker (and current paparazzo) to brave the chill and take time out of her lunch hour to take my picture. Therefore, I must upgrade to an instrument that can capture the beauty of texture, shine, and pattern in fluorescent lighting. Any recommendations?

XXI skirt, Express blouse, Elle at Kohl's faux leather blazer, Club Monaco faux fur vest, White Mountain booties, Stella & Dot necklace, Skaagen watch

Stoplight

Old Navy shirt, vintage leather skirt, LOFT tights, Nine West booties, United Colors of Benetton purse, J.Crew overcoat, Charming Charlie necklace, Stella & Dot Petra bracelet, Nars Heat Wave lipstick

Official

While items like leather, boots, boucle, or suede might signal the changing of seasons to some, I never stopped pairing those textures with my summer staples. Therefore, once I open my tights drawer, it becomes officially fall. Even if they barely offer any coverage, as in the fishnet variety, it still counts. It doesn't hurt that they also made one of their first appearances with camel, cognac, hunter green, and a print that closely resembles fallen leaves. Welcome to Chicago, fall. I am overjoyed to meet your acquaintance once more.

Simply Vera tee, Loft skirt, Gap jacket, Hue fishnets, Nine West booties, Stella & Dot earrings

Fierce

Before getting my haircut, I decided to fashion a bit of a mohawk with the last of my length. My hair grows faster than you can imagine. You'd think with that fact, I'd let it go and take advantage of the ability to gain length quickly. However, with short hair, my bf (who is hair growth challenged) thinks that I am mocking him less. I just think short hair is fierce, so I guess it's a win-win. 

Zara blazer, H&M blouse, XXI trousers, Stella & Dot necklace, Rock & Republic skull earrings, Nine West booties