Vintage Chic

What a beautiful, sunny, freezing cold day!! I was freezing my a** off trying to get these photos done in the whipping wind -- but worth it, right? Ah, what we sacrifice for the sake of fashion. Luckily this vintage coat handed down to me from my grandmother is 100% wool and super warm. I keep seeing images from Paris Fashion Week Men's going on now, and so many of the ladies attending are wearing long tweed coats just like this one. 

I paired this coat with a navy blue teeshirt featuring a floral hemline for a touch of print mixing.  Simple black jeans and booties keep the look classic and clean when I'm all buttoned up, while pretty vintage-glam inspired earrings add subtle sparkle. From afar the coat looks like a navy and brown combo, but up close you can really see how pretty the jewel tone greens and blues are. I wanted to pick up on the blue and green in the coat with the navy tee and greenish earrings. This long straight silhouette is back in style these days so I'm embracing the vintage feel for a classic feminine look that adds a little print to my winter outerwear style. 

As I was writing this post the song Thrift Shop kept running through my head with lyrics like,

 "I'mma take your grandpa's style, I'mma take your grandpa's style,
No for real - ask your grandpa - can I have his hand-me-downs?"

"Is that your grandma's coat?"

Yes, child from the Macklemore song, it actually is. 

Coat: Vintage (similar styles 1/2/3/4). Tee: J. Crew. Jeans: J brand. Booties: Jessica Simpson via DSW. Bag: Kate Spade. Earrings: Ruche. Necklace: Kate Spade. Nail tutorial. 

xoxo CC

Charmed: One Necklace, Three Ways

I bought this charm collar necklace when September's NYFW had me thinking of ways to spice up my outfits with unique and interesting pieces. Chokers have been making a big come back, but they will always remind me the 90's and 2000's when I wore them with bell-bottoms and blue eye shaddow (thanks fashion, for bringing back the awkward memories...). I have mostly avoided the choker come-back, but this particular piece stood out to me. The dangling charms and structured gold wire brings a certain elevated edge to the piece that I like. That edgy yet sophisticated feel adds an element of 'cool' to your outfit, and I'll bet you'd never guess where it's from: Banana Republic!

One thing I was unsure about was what types of necklines I could wear this necklace with. It turns out that it works perfectly with a few different styles. I love the way it compliments a high neckline by bringing a bit of sparkle to the neck and resting just along the fabric. This is my favorite way to wear it, with high neck dresses, tanks, and crewneck tees. I like that it blends in with the neckline when they fall at the same spot, but still adds a unique touch.

For a more statement look that definitely evokes a 90's vibe, I paired the collar necklace with a low scoop neck top. Anything that exposes the collarbone, like a scoop or v-neck tee, will show off a choker and draw attention to the neck. For this look, I paired a long tank with slouchy distressed jeans and ankle booties for a tough-girl look offset by soft curls and hot pink lips. 

The third neckline that I discovered works incredibly well with a charmed choker, is the split-neck or button-down style. The shirt itself comes up high on the neck but with an opening at the front it allows the necklace to peek through and add a little sparkle. I like the subtlety of this combination and the way it incorporates the necklace into a dressier, more formal outfit.

Necklace: Banana Republic (also like this and this). Earrings: Gorjana.
High Neck: Top: Zara. (1/2/3) Jeans: H&M. Booties: Jessica Simpson. Lip: BareMinerals "Risk It All." with Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush "So Jelly" gloss.
Scoop Neck: Top: Three Dots (black/white/navy). Jeans: H&M. Lip: BareMinerals "Risk It All."
Split Neck: Top: Old Navy. Jeans: J Brand. OTK Boots: Sam Edelman. Lip: e.l.f "Pink Umbrellas."

xoxo, CC

At The Lake...

Nothing feels more like summer to me than being surrounded by lush green foliage and spending sunny days outdoors in the yard or by the lake. I spent time last week doing just that, on a little escape from the concrete city. 

A cute sundress is a no-fuss way to approach days at the lake. This feather-print piece is unusual with the angular pockets creating dimension, and the zipper detail on the front. The bright multi colors are perfect for evoking a summery vibe while I enjoy some of my favorite activities: lounging in the sun and playing with my dogs. While this one piece outfit is easy and comfortable (just the adjectives I want when I'm on vacation), the mod drapey pockets and statement print don't sacrifice style. Now doesn't that sound good? 

Bold prints are great pieces to pack while traveling, or just when you want to be comfy because of how easily they make an outfit seem complete. See what I packed last time I headed up to the lake for a mini vacation!

Dress: old (similar 1/2/3). Sandals: Sam Edelman. Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters. Necklace: Kate Spade. Earrings: Gorjana.

xoxo, CC

Retro Floral & Daisies

I promised myself I wouldn't buy another maxi dress…but then I saw this one. And while I was buying a wishlist sweater that was on sale for $7.50, I might as well add the dress to my cart too, right? Well, that's what happened anyway. 

The colors in this dress are so lovely and the floral has a very retro vibe to it. I love the t-strap back and the way it cuts low in the front (but not too low! I can still wear a normal bra with it). The maxi dress silhouette is so elongating, and wearing this swishy flowery dress makes me feel so elegant! Paired with wedges and some pretty statement earrings I've got the perfect summery outfit to wear to a friend's backyard-barbecue birthday.

Dress: Ruche. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff via TJ Maxx (similar, similar). Earrings: J. Crew Factory. Sandals: Splendid. Bracelets: J. Crew Factory, Goodnight Macaroon. Belt: Express (similar at F21). Necklace: Gorjana. Headband: J. Crew. Lipstick: BareMinerals "Cherries on Top."

xoxo, CC