Fantastic Find Friday
Looking for something cheap and easy to dress up your work attire? How about a fun bracelet like this one from Ann Taylor Loft:
Ann Taylor Loft Cabachon Cuff
During colder months, I often find myself wearing various permutations of the same look- merino sweater and dress pants. Day in and day out, that can get pretty boring. Well, really….it’s boring after one day. This cuff bracelet polishes things up and makes you stand out just a bit in a business casual crowd.
Cabachon Cuff at Ann Taylor, on sale for $19.99
Snuggly and warm. Surprisingly attractive.
I used to see people in their North Face jackets and just not get it. Oh, North Face people. How they got on my nerves with their devotion. It’s just a fleece! How special can it really be?
And then my husband bought me a North Face fleece jacket.
It is no exaggeration to say that this might be the favorite winter item in my closet. It is warm enough to wear on the chilliest of days, light enough that you aren’t overheating on slightly warmer days. This jacket is the perfect weight for many temperatures. It is also considerably more like a jacket than your average fleece. It zips all the way up or down, as opposed to the short neck zips of many fleeces. Thus, you can take it off without completely destroying, or static-cling-ifying, your hair. It’s also light enough that it can be worn over sweaters without causing you to look like a puffball. I have the Opus jacket:
The North Face Opus Jacket
But the most ubiquitous North Face piece is the Denali Jacket:
The North Face Denali Jacket
All of their jackets are high quality, amazingly resilient, and look completely fresh and new after an annual trip to the cleaners.
Opus Jacket at The North Face, $129.00. Available in sizes XS-XL. In a variety of colors.
Denali Jacket at The North Face, $165.00. Available in sizes XS-XL. In a variety of colors.
Love for gloves.
Every single year I cannot help myself and I purchase a pair of knit gloves. And every year I wear them once. Maybe twice. I HAD vowed to never again purchase gloves as my state’s weather just doesn’t require them.
I may have to break that vow:
Delia's Cherie Flower Glove
These gloves are just so precious. The chevron knit detailing. The flower accents. And I especially love that they are long enough to cover the entire wrist, which means no more of that exposed skin cold spot that gloves that cover only your hand allow. Delia’s has an entire Cherie Flower set- also available are a hat and scarf. Perhaps all three together would be cuteness overload. Perhaps that wouldn’t even be a bad thing.
Cherie Flower Gloves at Delias, $12.50. Available in pink and black.
I just love it when being fashionable also prevents wrinkles.
Of course, I’m talking about sunglasses. In the fantasy world I live in inside of my head, I spend my days driving around in my vintage Mercedes convertible, silk scarf tied around my hair with giant frames perched on my face. I am the definition of glamour. Unfortunately, I don’t actually live in that world. But these sunglasses from Banana Republic make it a bit easier to dream:
Banana Republic Doris Sunglasses
There’s something about them that just screams “Drive down the Pacific Coast Highway!” But also “I am tough business lady!”
Spoken in more practical terms, I like sunglasses that look both appropriate for everyday and working, and trips to the beach as well. These sunglasses strike just the right balance between fabulousness and practicality. Offering 100% UV protection, they will save your skin as well.
Banana Republic Doris Sunglasses, $118.00. Available in Gold, Olive, or Black.
Another Form of Neck Decor
I love scarves! So very much! I often dream that one day in Texas, it will actually be cold enough for a scarf. But for those of you for which scarf weather is already a reality, let me introduce you to this beauty:
Anthropologie Amplitude Scarf
Oh, how I adore thee, Amplitude scarf! Often times, coats are purchased in basic, neutral colors. This Missoni-esque scarf is a lovely way to add a bunch of color to your winter coat. The metallic sheen will also add a bit of glamour to your outerwear.
I purchased a scarf made of a similar material this summer for a trip to San Francisco and it kept my neck nice and toasty without being too warm. This scarf is also the perfect length to experiment with various scarf knot methods. And for those of you looking for various ways to tie knots, I found this guide from Zia Moda to be most helpful!
Amplitude Scarf at Anthropologie, $58.00.
Accessories Week Begins!
This week, I’ll be featuring some of my favorite fall accessories. If there is any accessory you are interested in having me attempt to locate, please leave a comment!
Let’s get this show on the road with necklaces!
For years, I didn’t actually wear necklaces. I had some bizarre theory that necklaces made my face look fat. I know. . . ridiculous! However, I will say this for my theory- it saved me money. Because ever since I recognized the error in my ways with regards to necklaces, I’ve had a hard time resisting adorning my neck with all manner of jewels. It certainly doesn’t help matters that the jewelry designers at J.Crew have been consistently producing highly covetable necklaces like this one, which has already made my Christmas list. The price, while not ridiculous, is hardly within impulse buy territory. This Forever 21 necklace, however:
Forever 21 Cluster Bead Necklace
Well, at $7.80, the price is just right. This would be fantastic paired with a white button down shirt for the office, or fabulous with a simple strapless dress for your holiday parties. All of the pleasure. None of the guilt.
Cluster Bead Necklace at Forever 21, $7.80. Final Sale.
The Perfect Fitted Jacket to Dress Up Your Casual Wear
I have a small collection of fitted jackets that I use on chilly days to dress up my office casual wear. Something shapely to pair with tees and thin sweaters will make an ensemble look just a bit more put together. This same idea can work for SAHMs and WAHMs for running errands, picking up the kids, or going to the grocery store.
I love this cord jacket from J. Crew:
J. Crew Stretch Cord Jacket
The fabric has “a hint of stretch,” which will make it easy to wear while reaching for kids toys or that box of cereal on the top shelf. The back is shirred in the center, which will give this jacket shape. It can easily go with jeans or a pair of chinos. The bright red color will give your simple basics a pop.
Stretch Vintage Cord Peplum Jacket at J. Crew, on sale for $59.99. Available in sizes 2-14 in navy, ecru or red.
More Stylish Tees
So it seems there is a demand for stylish t-shirts. In lieu of words, I give you pictures!
BKE Pointelle Top
First up, this pointelle tee from The Buckle. I haven’t shopped at the Buckle since I was in college. And even then, it was only because I was living in Waco where shopping choices are limited to say the least. Perhaps that was in error because their site is a treasure trove of affordable, stylish basics like this $22.00 top, which is available in 3 different shades sizes XS-XL.
Rather ironically, stores aimed at teenagers seem to have a ton of different options that would be perfect for the SAHM/WAHM. Like this gathered top from Forever 21:
Forever 21 Kenitra Top
At $13.80, you won’t be shedding any tears if it gets a few drops of the baby’s breakfast on the sleeve. This top is available in Royal Blue in sizes S-L.
For for more great finds, try the casual tops section at Forever 21. There are also a ton of adorable, low-priced sweaters on their site. Do bear in mind that when shopping in these stores, you may need to order up size wise as they are typically fitted for juniors. Also take note of their return policies, as some only accept exchanges and do not give refunds.
A Cute Hoodie. NO, REALLY.
So hoodies. They get a pretty bad rap, eh? I can’t blame people for taking their name in vain. Hoodies are kind of symbiotic of the dress-down culture that predominates today. Don’t fret, hoodie lovers! Hoodies can be stylish! I swear!
Billabong Avacado Hoodie
How adorable is this number from Billabong? I love the pink and green color combination. I love the print. What separates this hoodie from the pack are the details: the gathered shoulders, the hidden zipper, the toggle closure. This hoodie also has a more defined shape than most, and thus will not create that not-so-flattering sack silhouette commonly associated with hoodies. This piece is perfect for working at home- and you can leave the house to run errands in comfort AND style.
Billabong Avacado Hoodie at Lulu’s, $59.50. Available in size Medium. For other hoodies with style, try Lucky Brand Jeans and their fabulous collection.
Practical Shoes Don’t Have To Be Boring.
Obviously, a stay-at-home-mom is going to need some practical shoes. While I proudly confess to being a heels devotee, even I am not immune to lusting after the adorable flat from time to time. However, flat shoes are one of those purchases about which I become uncharacteristically….frugal. As in, I don’t want to spend more than $20 frugal. Thankfully, I can always count on Old Navy to come through in such situations.
Old Navy Satin Rosette Ballet Flats
These ballet flats will be perfect with sweaters or tees and jeans, and they are even dressy enough to be coupled something more formal. In the past, I’ve been wary of Old Navy shoes because they can be uncomfortable and poorly cushioned. However, I have tried on several pairs of these gathered-type flats in store and they were quite comfortable indeed.
Presently, Old Navy has several other gorgeous pairs of flats that can be dressed up or dressed down. They also have a fantastic classic suede driving moc on sale for $16.50 in a variety of colors.
Satin Rosette Ballet Flat at Old Navy, $19.50. Available in sizes 6-11 (including half sizes), in four different colors.