Fall Favorites - Chanel Jacket Swaps

Canadian Thanksgiving has come and gone, and for me that officially signals the start of fall.  Although the loss of summer weather is one of the major disappointments of the seasonal change, fall fashion is one of the greatest benefits.  Blazers, loafers, and sweaters - oh my!

Riding jackets are a forever staple, but there's something so chic about Chanel's famous tweed topper.  From fashionistas, to ladies-who-brunch, it's a must-have for any truly fashionable woman (who can afford it, that is).

Thankfully, the elegance achieved with a Chanel jacket is available in a myriad of different price points, colors, and updated styles. 

Lilly Pulitzer Hagen Jacket | Estee Lauder Lipstick in Electric Mauve | Milly Chain Trim Jacket | MAC Lipstick in Girl About Town | J Crew Maple Tweed Jacket | NARS Liptick in Afghan Red | Banana Republic Piped Tweed Jacket | NARS Lipstick in Niagara  

So pick your favorite jacket, add a fabulous shade of lipstick, and take possession of your own future!

xoxo,

Pajama Sets for a Night In

There's nothing better than coming home after a long day's work and collapsing into bed or onto the couch in your favorite set of pajamas.  Sure, an old t-shirt and flannel pj pants are also easy and comfortable, but there's something more fashionable and fancy about having a coordinated nighttime uniform.  Add a glass of something hot (or calming), your go-to nail color, and a great book (or stack of magazines), and it's the perfect night-in.

So pick your set, any set:

1. Brooks Brothers Pajamas | 2. Wedgewood Tea Set | 3. Pride and Prejudice | 4. Julep Nail Color | 5. Pottery Barn Throw | 6. W Magazine | 7. Vogue Magazine | 8. Grace: A Memoir | 9. Kate Spade Wine Glass | Julep Nail Color | 11. Cosabella Pajamas |  12. CB2 Blanket | 13. The Atlantic JFK Special Edition | 14.  Vanity Fair Kennedys Special Edition | 15. These Few Precious Days | 16. Julep Nail Color | 17. J. Crew Pajamas | 18. Cape Cod Lighthouse Mug | 19. HBC Collection Blanket 

xoxo,

Tortoise Shell-Shocked

I consider tortoise shell up there with pearl, tweed, and herringbone as wardrobe pattern/texture staples.  Multi-tonal, it has the ability to complement almost any color and is now incorporated into a myriad of different products.  From shoes to glasses (drinking and sun), you can make tortoise shell your go-to pattern of choice in almost any aspect of your life.  For the truly obsessed, you can try your hand at tortoise shell nails.

I may pass on the complicated nail experiment, but I couldn't pass up these Ralph Lauren beauties (on sale!).

I mean, they're a classic....

Ralph Lauren Jewelry | Anne Klein Watch | J Crew Hair Accessories | Lookmatic Frames | Design Darling Necklace | H&M Shoes

And, frankly, whatever Grace wears is forever a classic by me!  Pearls, tortoise shell frames, and red lips - oh my!

xoxo,

Equestrian Overdose

My coworkers can attest to my love of horses.  Our director emailed out a note with news of a pitch to a horse-related organization..... and within seconds I had emailed a response (kindly) demanding that I create the proposal and work on the potential project. There may or may not have also been a squeal or two (or three... plus a hand clap) involved.  I was beyond overjoyed!

I rode my first horse at the age of seven.  Just like countless girls before me, I instantly fell in love with riding, horses, and the whole equestrian experience. My fear of heights dissipated the second I swung my leg over the horse, grabbed hold of the reins, and let my horse carry me away from the barn and into the riding ring.

My first riding experience! It all started with a horse named Ami. 

While Summer is always overflowing with nautical motifs, Fall is abundant with equestrian everything.  Silk scarves emblazoned with bits and stirrups find themselves wrapped around the necks or purse handles of chic women everywhere.  Riding boots are slipped on and worn trekking through piles of colorful leaves.  Houndstooth hacking jackets provide the perfect cover up on chilly day.  You'll never run out of possibilities:

Pink Pineapple Shop Earrings | J Crew iPhone cover | Ralph Lauren handbag | Ralph Lauren dress | Gucci scarf | Stubbs & Wootton slippers | Fornash necklace 

When I was old enough to drive, I still begged my parents for a horse instead of a car.  In hindsight, I appreciate the Volvo more.  Although a girl can still dream!

Buying up a new collection of equestrian goodies is perfectly acceptable if I get to work on a horse-related marketing project, right...?

xoxo,

Admiring the Famed Red Soles

Fashion exhibits are the ultimate window-shopping experience.  Decades of delicate, intricate, spectacular couture, all in one impeccably curated salon.  Some don't see the value in paying to see what can be admired with a trip through a high-end department store, but to see a single designer's career collection all at once provides an intimate look into their inspirations, their creative process, their vision, and their tremendous skills.  

A glance into the workshop of Louboutin

I make it a habit to attend every designer exhibit I can.  From the Met's awe-inspiring annual Costume Institute productions (the Schiaparelli and Prada exhibit with fictional conversations between the two women was beyond cool) to the theatrical set-up of Jean Paul Gaultier's greatest collections at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, I leave each one with goosebumps and a renewed love of the art of fashion.  

This weekend I finally made my way to the Design Exchange for the Louboutin retrospective.  It is probably one of my favorite fashion exhibits that I've ever seen.  From the moment you walk in, you feel like you've entered the glamorous world of the man who frequented burlesque clubs, exotic locales, and parties with the most fabulous of women since the 70s.  The setup was perfection - providing the perfect context in which to view these tiny works of art.  I mean, THIS is what you see when you first walk in:

I wish I could have a magical carousel with rotating Louboutin heels!

I've never seen such an incredible assortment of shoes.  There were heels made from the most imaginative of materials - from tree bark to garbage, from goat hair to peacock feathers.  Any girl could buy into her own definition of glamor. Here is just a sample of the shoes on display:

I wish I could live in that exhibit.  With each new step in my own shoes (simple penny loafers, unfortunately), I held back a squeal of excitement and resisted an attempt to pick up a shoe to stuff it in my over-sized tote.  The exhibit officially closed on the 15th, so I'll have to make do with the occasional walk through the Holts shoe department until I can one day own my own pair of red-soled beauties!

Has anyone else heard of any other fabulous fashion exhibits coming up that I should be aware of?

xoxo,