One annoying thing about dressing for the cold is that on the streets, no one can see your carefully assembled outfit because it's too damn cold, which is unfortunate. This is my main excuse reason for having multiple winter coats - practical down-filled puffy ones for when the weather is truly frightful, a basic black knee-length coat, and then at least one that's a little more fun, perhaps because of the color, or an addition such as a hood. I recently purchased this coat from Zara (below) and love it (I'd recommend sizing up), because of the light gray, the hood, the knit neck, long zipper, belt, and the fact that it's simply flattering! (Plus the fact that it was only $129 helped.)

Image via Zara

 Everyone should have a coat that not only covers up and keeps them warm, but also that makes you feel good. On the inside. 

Here's a roundup of a few options that I'm loving...

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six

The best part? They're all under $200!

Sometimes J. Crew just gets it right. This time, I'm referring to their printed pants - they have so many gorgeous ones to choose from, and they're all perfect alternatives to predictable dresses or skirts for holiday parties. Plus, once your parties/the holidays are over, take a cue from J. Crew's styling and pair them with a solid sweater and some flats to dress them down.

I realized recently that the 5 scarves that I own are either pink or purple (no surprise there, really!), so I think it's about time I picked up a few more in new colors. I love the way a good scarf can add something unexpected to an outfit while also keeping you warm (pretty and practical!), so I rounded up some budget friendly options, all under $60. 

I've spent a lot of time thinking about what new clothing/shoes/etc I want for this change in season. At first, I really wanted the Rag & Bone booties. But after thinking about it, I realized I didn't want to spend that much money on shoes I can only wear at night/on weekends. I work in an office and although it isn't a super "corporate" type office in terms of the dress code, I just don't think wearing super-cool-but-more-casual-than-not booties during the 9-to-5 are appropriate for me.

So this got me thinking about what I really need in my closet. As you may have read before, I have a ton of sweaters, so I probably don't need any more of those. However, I do need more work pants & work-appropriate but comfortable shoes! The only comfortable but still appropriate pants I have is one pair of black Minnies, which probably isn't going to last me through the rest of fall. (Skirts are sometimes just too cold for the season!)

My point is: I'm trying to consciously spend money on clothes and shoes that I can wear to work, since that's where I spend 70% of my time. And while I'm shopping for work, I'm trying to shop smart by really thinking through my purchases and making sure that they fill a hole in my wardrobe, rather than buying something simply because I like it and want it.

So it doesn't look like I'll be buying Rag & Bone Harrow booties this season (sadly!), but it's perfect timing for the J. Crew 25% off sale! (25% off all orders/purchases over $150, online and in stores until Sunday.) I picked up navy & red Minnies, and am debating between 3 different pairs of black patent shoes (below) - all either flat, or low enough that they'll be comfortable enough to commute to work in AND wear all day long. (How I envy those who drive to work and therefore do not need to totter around on heels going up and down subway steps...!)

What do you prefer to spend your money on when it comes to your wardrobe?

How cute are all these Gap slip-ons? Although not quite as luxurious as Stubbs & Wootton's slippers (which average at $400 a pair), at just $39.95 a pair, I wouldn't complain! I particularly love the Herringbone pair with the purple trim, but I might even spring for a couple of them! Maybe the animal print one, or the polka dots? (Since I already have leopard print slip ons from Topshop...) Hmm...decisions, decisions!

Which ones are your fave? Would you wear these, or are they too preppy for your style?

Michael Kors // mark.

I love big, oversized gold watches for the summer! Sadly, I just don't feel justified spending $250 on one when my mother gave me a lovely silver Hermes watch for my 21st birthday, so luckily there's the less expensive mark. version! If you look, there's hardly any difference - I only know that those mini dial things (what are they called? - and can you believe I used to write the watches section in a magazine? haha) are purely for decoration purposes only on the mark version, but I don't know about the Michael Kors!

I have the mark. one and after having 2 links removed, it fits me perfectly. It's got a nice weight and feel to it, and I love the rhinestone detailing! When I was at a Michael Kors store about a month ago, the sales associate literally thought my watch was MK! 

I can think of many other things I'd rather buy with the $190 I saved - a couple dresses, some shoes...put it in my piggy bank to save for vacation...

Which would you choose? 

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One thing I am never without is a drugstore hair tie around my left wrist. I hate how it looks there, resting among my bracelets and watch, but I hate even more when it's not there and I have to dig around in my purse or pocket with one hand holding my hair. (When this happens, I've normally already pulled my hair back and forgotten that my hair tie isn't on my wrist!) Plus, my mother dislikes the way it looks too, but up until now I haven't had a better solution - I'd rather have something be convenient and not look as good than to be annoyed later!

No more!

I came across Mane Message when I googled "hair ties", in search of a more stylish solution, and they were exactly what I was looking for! These hair ties are made to double as a bracelet, and come in what looks like a million different colors (either solid or tie-dyed). On top of that, they claim to not leave dents in your hair! 

My only problem now? Choosing which colors to get!

Shop here

Gucci // Boutique 9

I fell in love with these Gucci pumps when I saw them on Net-a-porter last week, and instantly added them to my wishlist. They're perfect for work - the heel is only 3.5" (as opposed to 4"), and I love the d'orsay cut and the pointy toe, not to mention the shiny patent leather! Then today, while browsing Bloomingdale's sale, I found pretty much the exact same pair, for over $400 less than the Gucci pair!

If you're going to be picky about it, it looks like the main differences are the stitching (the Gucci pair doesn't appear to have any), and the heel - the Gucci heel is all black, whereas the Boutique 9 pair have a beige strip facing the sole of the shoe.

However, those details alone aren't worth $400 to me!

Which would you pick?

(The Boutique 9 pair also come in nude.)

To be completely honest, I didn't know a whole lot about Trina Turk before I researched this post - mostly I just had a vague idea that her designs had a lot of colorful patterns. After reading about her on her homepage, I've fallen in love with her bright, playful line, and also her design aesthetic. 

I think this paragraph from her website sums it up:

Trina Turk is both inspired by and represents the lifestyle of California: optimistic, progressive, accessible, effortless, colorful, and confident. Her ready-to-wear, accessory, and home collections are influenced by her love of vintage apparel, jewelry, and accessories from the '60s and '70s, modernist and graphic arts, and mid-century modern architecture. Turk is widely known for her use of dynamic colors and signature prints, from bright florals to bold graphics to vintage inspired jacquards. 

Needless to say, I'm now a fan! I love that the collection for BR came out just in time for pool parties, hitting the beach, and hot summer days. My two favorites are the tunic dress - I envision wearing it to the pool or beach, and then throwing it on after and jazzing it up with accessories for a night out; and the enamel bangle - I love the colors, and that it's got a hinge (I have tiny wrists so most bangles are too big for me). I also think that cowl neck dress would be nice for work with a white blazer thrown over it - fun and summery, but modest enough for the office.

Check out the whole collection here; and her website here

Images via BR

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If only we all looked that graceful in the rain!

I don't actually mind the rain too much, as long as I'm properly attired. I absolutely love it when I have no where to go and can stay in drinking something hot and watching my favorite movies or a Friday Night Lights marathon with my sister. 

When I don't like it so much is when I have to go to work, and cram into a subway with everyone else's wet clothes and umbrellas - yuck! One of the things that I dislike most is having my feet shoved into rainboots all day - especially when it doesn't rain - so that prompted me to hunt for other footwear for days where it isn't pouring, and that, combined with the (cold and) rainy weather we had yesterday in NYC, is what prompted this post!

I'd been on the hunt for the perfect pair of slightly cropped, skinny work pants, and finally tried on the Minnie from J.Crew ($89). Perfection! I'm lucky that my office isn't super corporate-y, and these pants go with everything, I swear. (For those of you who need more "corporate" looking pants, the Cafe Capri is similar!) I've worn it with a polka-dotted blouse, an Equipment shirt, with black heels and with nude wedges, and everything works! They're super flattering, slightly stretchy (the sales associates recommend that you go one size down since they apparently stretch out), and not too expensive! 

I only got a pair in black, but I want a pair in every color...

Images: J.Crew