J. Crew November and Link Love

I received my November J. Crew catalog yesterday and I am kind of crushing on a few items.

Thought I'd share... Enjoy!


Adorable! Work, going out, cleaning the house, really for anything.



Loving the cashmere shawl sweater. Warm and Cozy, as well as chic



I want to be wearing this black wool dress right now!

Links to love...

Puppy and kitty love... Adopt a pet from Animal Haven
2010 Calendar...Loving Linda & Harriet... thanks design is mine
For the New Moon obsessed... new footage
The Very Hungry Caterpillar... Anthropologie... 40th Anniversary pop-up addition!
Wrist Worms by Sandra Junto... super warm... slightly bewitched

Fall on a budget - Studded Handbag

Playing off the metal trend for Fall are studded handbags. I guess the rebel has come out in the fashion world. There are some designers like L'Wren Scott and DKNY that have gone the feminine 40's bombshell route and others like Armani and Nina Ricci that have pushed for more of a masculine/feminine trend.

But on plenty of runways, i.e Balmain, Gucci, Phi and Alexander Wang (to name a few), the punk/rocker strutted down the well-lit strip.

Aspiration

Marc Jacobs, $1,958 at Far Fetch


Budget Friendly


Diane Von Furstenberg, $595 at Bergdorf Goodman



Michael Kors "Ludlow", $448 at Michael Kors



Nine West "Chails", $89 at Nine West



"Liberty" bag, $39.90 at Alloy

Fall on a budget - Ankle Booties

Monday, we prepared for the chilly Autumn/Winter ahead by adorning ourselves in velvet blazers, today we must cover our feet.

When warm and comfortable, our feet take us all over town, shopping, skipping, running, brunching and working. They deserve to be adorned in beautifully lovely boots. Ankle booties are a great purchase because of their versatility.

(I differentiate ankle bootie from ankle boot because the bootie sits below the ankle, while the ankle boot traditionally fits over the ankle. For anyone without perfect ankles and calves this is a not the most flattering of looks. Hence, the ankle bootie, which works for everyone!)

They finish off a skirt and tights perfectly, you can always throw them on with jeans, or step it up a notch and flaunt the newest black sequin pants with a blouse and chunky cardigan. Really, the options are out there!

If you want more punch to your boot there are studded, folded and laced versions everywhere. Leave a comment with what you are looking for, along with a price point, and I will reply with some examples.

Enjoy!

Aspiration

LOVE!
Christian Louboutin "Moulage" ankle boot, $995 at Saks Fifth Avenue


Budget Friendly



Suede bootie, $29.99 at Charlotte Russe



Michael Antonio, $60 at Piperlime




Jaiden, $79.95 at Bakers Shoes



Max Studio, $199 at Macy's

Fall on a budget - Velvet Jacket

For the next couple of posts I am going to highlight budget spending.

I will take one aspirational item and find affordable pieces that match up to it's style, fit and chicness, but for a much less hefty price tag.

We are starting with the velvet blazer.

This is a great piece that can carry you from Autumn through Winter. The blazer has a wonderful silhouette. The nipping in at the waist creates curves and a feminine shape, it also plays off the menswear trend that is ever prevalent for fall. It is versatile and luscious. Pair it with a cocktail dress for evening or jeans and boots for the day. I wear mine to work, to walk around the park, to dinner, you name it. Enjoy!

Aspiration


Dolce & Gabbana, $1,995 at Bergdorf Goodman


Budget Friendly


Velvet Eden blazer, $148 at J. Crew



Velvet blazer, $128 at Victoria's Secret
(available in berrylicious, deep jade and black)



Shape fx, $69 at Newport News



She Said, $39.99 at JC Penney

Shimmery Fall Moment

I am kind of loving the metallic, shimmer moment fashion is having right now. It's fun to sparkle when I chassé down the street (and by chassé, I mean expertly trying not to fall in rockin' 4 inch platform oxfords while maneuvering grates and tourists).

The great thing about "the sparkle moment" is the range of colors, styles and pieces that can be worked into any wardrobe. Do you flaunt a basic suit for the office? Throw on a metallic bib necklace to add some texture and shine to your day. Do you have a basic white blouse? Awesome, pair it with strappy heels and a shimmering skirt for the evening. Going to brunch in your favorite tie-collar dress? Grab a slinky, shiny jacket/cardigan to bring that merino wool blend to life.

Enjoy!

From left to right:
Anthropologie, $198, anthropologie.com
Express, $44.50, express.com
Marni, $1,295, net-a-porter.com

Adam, $495, net-a-porter.com
Robert Rodriguez, $297, saks.com
Theory, $595, bloomingdales.com

Zac Posen, $1,090, bergdorfgoodman.com
Wren, $385, intermixonline.com
Topshop, $160, topshop.com

Pick and Choose Fall Trends

So, if you haven't read this yet, you will now. There is a plethora of trends to filter through for Fall 2009.

Let me name a few: shear, shine, menswear, layers, rocker chic, floral prints, hippie chic, 40's glam.

I am overwhelmed just thinking about it. This is one of those seasons where picking and choosing trends is not only helpful, it is necessary. Fear not my fashion loved ones, this is a great year to try new things and let go of those you really shouldn't touch.

Below are the trends I am working into my wardrobe for the beautiful autumn days ahead. (Here is the link to my initial Fall Trend list directly following the shows, click here)

This is just the clothing side, the handbags, shoes and jewelry are still to come.

Enjoy!

Shine



Menswear



Layers
Layer your knits or go for layered textures and frill, this one is up to you.



Rocker Chic



40's Glam



(Photos: style.com)

Target + Rodarte = Love

Target is bringing Rodarte to the masses! The designing Mulleavy sisters will create a 55 piece collection launching on target.com on December 20th. The line is part of Target's Go International phenomenon that has featured such great vision as Anna Sui (Sept 09 launch), Alexander McQueen and Thakoon.

This is bound to be one fantastic line, price points range from $9.99 for knee-highs to $79.99 for a leopard jacket. This is bound to sell very quickly, so mark your calendars for December 20th, 2010. You won't want to miss this.

Below are some of my favorite Rodarte pieces from their Fall 09 collection. Enjoy!

(photo source: style.com)