Pier 1

I always love seeing the skyline of NYC; it is dreamy and imposing all at the same time. This view is from a quiet pier on the upper west side, reflecting all the blue of the Hudson River onto the towering buildings.

The air has a distinct fall chill lately, which means I'm wearing more long sleeves. I still want to keep my looks summery (because unlike most of the world I hate having to shift into fall... long live summer!) so white jeans and a playful top are the perfect combo for these 75 degree days. I fell in love with this whimsical print a while ago and was so excited to find it again on this top! The scattered print includes cacti, owls, flamingos, pineapple, tea kettles, bicycles and more in a darling sketch style. 

The top and jeans together create a pulled together yet casual vibe, that I dressed up with wedges, jewelry, and soft curls. I think this outfit would be perfect for weekend brunch, or even a casual work day, but here I wore it to run some errands and stroll in Riverside park. And did I mention that Ruche is back?? My favorite online boutique closed down a few months ago, but I am so delighted that they are finally back up and running under new ownership! I couldn't contain my excitement, and I purchased this top and a cute sweater dress you will surely see me wearing pretty soon.

Anyone else with me on stretching summer into fall? 

Top: Ruche (similar 1/2). Jeans: J Brand. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Shoes: H&M. Bracelet: J. Crew (similar color). Choker: similar 1/2/3. Sunglasses: AJ Morgan.

xoxo, CC

The Denim Guide Part 2: A Broke Girl's Case for Expensive Jeans

 
(J Brand, Hudson, J Brand, AG)


A Broke Girl's Case for Expensive Jeans

Last week I shared my opinions on affordable denim brands, and today we are moving on to the pricier brands that are oh so popular! Having worked with designer denim brands such as J Brand, Hudson, AG, DL1961, and Citizens of Humanity I have had the opportunity to try these jeans, own a few, and get to know their characteristics.
While I realize that spending $150-$200 on a pair of jeans is way out of many peoples' price range, I encourage the skeptics to at least consider investing in one pair. I'll be honest, I'm not sure if I would have taken the plunge had I not had an employee discount, but as soon as I did I knew it was one of the best $100 I'd ever spent on a piece of clothing. I've always had a hard time finding jeans that fit me properly but these brands tend to take fit seriously: they are truly made with women's bodies in mind. What you're paying for is not just a pair of jeans, but quality, fit, and comfort, and all of the research that goes into finding the optimal fabrics and fits.
If you're wary of spending so much on a pair of jeans, don't rush it. Try on lots of different brands and styles to find one that works best for you. Invest in a classic jean that you can wear in many different ways, and take proper care of them. I started with a dark wash skinny jean which can be dressed up or dressed down and worn all year round.

My all-time favorite jeans are by Hudson. Their jeans run long enough for me, their denim is good quality, both thick/solid enough and comfortable, and their super skinny is truly ankle-hugging. Some people don't like their back pockets, personally I think they are flattering, but they do make many styles without the pocket as well for a more sleek look.

(Hudson jeans featured in Light Bulb)

J Brand. Some people love 'em some people hate 'em. Personally my only complaint (besides the price!) is that they tend to run a little short on me. Otherwise I love that J Brand offers good quality jeans with such a huge variety of styles, washes, fits, and fabrics. They are always on trend and coming up with new fit technology. Some people complain that their jeans don't hold up well, and I myself had an experience with a pair of their thin fabric jegging-type jeans ripping in the crotch (they were my favorite pair too!) so I'd advise staying away from the super thin fabrics, as comfortable as they may be, and stick to something with a little more stretch. 

(J Brand jeans featured in Soft Color)

AG has more relaxed styles along with the classic fits and tends to be a favorite with women seeking stylish-but-age-appropriate jeans. They have an appeal to a broader range of ages than most brands. They offer good solid denims as well as super stretchy options, and I personally tend to love their specialty styles, such as the seasonal velvet jeans.

(AG velvet jeans featured in Snowflakes and Florals)

DL1961 is known for having great stretchy jeans that keep their shape. As opposed to J Brand which gets many complaints of stretching out after only one wear, DL jeans stay tight through repeated wears. They tend to run really short, so they are great for people under 5'7 but I've never been able to pull them off. They have a following of dedicated customers who love their shape retaining qualities and trendy styles.

(DL1961 Florence jean)

Citizens of Humanity is a brand I'm still getting familiar with, but they are widely known for their quality. They have great skinny options, and I personally love the fit of their high rise jean, the Rocket. I find that they are not unlike J Brand in their popularity, variety, and quality, though many people strongly prefer one brand or the other. Citizens offers great classic styles in fabrics from super-soft comfy denim to thicker traditional style denim.

(Citizens of Humanity Rocket High Rise jean)

Keep in mind that all denim will stretch! If the jeans feel tight when you first try them on chances are they will stretch to a comfortable fit, and shrink back when washed. If they are loose (or even "just right") in the dressing room they will only get looser as you wear them. Find a pair that is comfortable in the waistband and snug but flexible through the legs and knees: these are your golden ticket to jean comfort!!

Don't forget to check out last week's post on Affordable Favorites!

xoxo, CC

Floral and Rips

Introducing my favorite purchase of the spring: ripped white skinny jeans. Not only are these probably the most pricy thing I've purchased this spring, but they've likely gotten the most use as well (aka totally worth it). Distressing at the knees adds a fresh take on the classic white jean look, and I've been pairing these with everything from a simple tee to a silky top. Today I brought out the sweeter side with this loose floral top. 

The pleated style, square neckline, and flutter sleeves make this patchwork-print top fun and adorable. With the lacy details, I've been able to both dress it up and dress it down for different occasions. I purchased this top at my favorite French store, Promod, where I spent most of my money while I was in France a few years ago (oops). They have fun whimsical and trendy styles that are totally affordable, and totally can't-live-without. I still wear the pieces I got there all the time. I was excited to discover last summer that they've begun opening stores in the US! 

A pink bangle and beige shoes finish the soft look while accenting the colors in the top.

Jeans: Jbrand. Top: Promod 1/2/3. Sandals: J.Crew 1/2 Necklace: Kate Spade. Bracelet: Kate Spade. Ring: Gorjana. 

xoxo, CC

Shorts Aren't Always Casual

When you want to wear shorts but still look nice, what do you do? 

Some days are just too hot to think about wearing anything other than shorts. But what if you still have to look nice and put together? These corduroy cutoffs are a good place to start because the dark color and the fabric are a little nicer than denim shorts. Adding a loose fitting detailed white top and strappy wedges elevate the look and make it more dressy. 

Shorts: Jbrand (love these 1/2). Top: Zara (1/2). Wedges: Ruche. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Necklace: BaubleBar.

xoxo CC

All Black … Almost

As a resident of NYC I feel like I am beginning to embrace the infamous all-black look… but with my own little twist of course: I always add a little pop of color. Here, it's the red sleeves on this charcoal-black cashmere sweater. (I posted a pic on my instagram recently of another all black look adorned with a bright scarf). I can't seem to stay away from color! Baby steps, people, baby steps. I also bundled up in my oversized evergreen scarf in an attempt not to freeze to death while taking photos! 

I've been on the hunt for the perfect pair of OTK boots for a while now, and I finally found exactly what I was looking for: these boots are a matte black (not shiny!) and have a practical silhouette with a slight heel. They actually come above my knee (barely! tall girl probz…) and the heel is nice and thick for comfortable walking all day. And with a little saving up they were within my price range! We all know I'd love a pair of Stuart Weitzman's, but a girl can dream, right?

Sweater: Garnet Hill (similar). Jeans: JBrand. Boots: Sam Edelman (shiny here). Scarf: Pimkie (1/2). Clutch: Ruche (similar). Sunglasses: Ruche. Necklace: Kate Spade. 

xoxo, CC

Jewels & Cashmere

You know its officially winter when the snow finally sticks to the ground for more than a few hours! When I want color in winter I tend to go for jewel tones: rich and pretty but slightly muted for the darker season. A step up from basic wintery black, to be sure! As the days are reaching true snowy-Jaunary-cold temps I've also been turning to my cashmere for cozy warmth. A snuggly piece like this striped sweater is great for brightening and warming my day. The details like the pops of magenta and the mesh panel on the shoulders make this cashmere sweater anything but ordinary. I decided to play up the gemstone colors by adding a glitzy necklace in similar hues. 

Sweater: Jamison (Similar 1/2/3). Neckalce: J. Crew (similar 1/2). Jeans: Jbrand. Ring: similar 1/2.

xoxo, CC

Thrifty

A while back I stumbled across a thrift shop, and popped in to look around and I was delighted to find that they had some really nice things at totally cheap prices! I am not usually much of a button-down kind of girl, but I couldn't pass up this Burberry shirt for $12. The cheery red plaid is perfect for the holiday season, especially when paired with a little sparkle. I layered it with an embellished tank and a pearl necklace and then pulled on my trusty brown boots for a sturdy look with a touch of fun. 

I also snagged a super cute Nanette Lepore sequined sweater dress on my thrifty shopping streak (which you may have seen me post on instagram!) and a Club Monaco shirt, all for $30. A little worn to be sure, but totally worth it. Second-hand shopping in the city can result in some great finds! 

Shirt: Burberry, thrifted. Tank: Express (similar: 1/2/3/4/5). Jeans: Jbrand. Boots: DV (similar). Necklace: Dogeared. iPhone case: Kate Spade.

xoxo, CC

Cocoon

The pattern on this long open sweater reminds me of animal print, but it is very subtle and sophisticated mixed in with the stripes. That and the drapey cocoon silhouette make it a great throw on because it is comfy and still cute. I love that because of the two tones in the pattern I can wear it with black and with brown, even at the same time. My favorite way to wear the sweater is just how I paired it in the photos, with this black tee and my short brown boots. Add a long gold necklace and it becomes an easy and stylish outfit to throw on in the morning. It is a very neutral colored outfit, but it looks nice with my hair!

Sweater: Local find, almost identical at UO. Tee: Bobi. Jeans: Jbrand. Necklace: Target. Earrings: Gorjana. Boots: DV Dolce Vita. 

xoxo, CC