Pink Ruffles

Happy New Year to everyone!

I know this look is a little past it's prime season by now, however I just had to share these photos I shot this fall featuring this fun ruffle sweater. I've worn the sweater more recently as well with high rise jeans (it's pretty cropped) but this look could still be pulled off with a pair of black tights and booties over here on the east coast. And for those of you lucky enough to live somewhere warm: I am jealous.

I bought this sweater with the idea that I would wear it during my trip to Milan, but it ended up being too chilly to style it with bare legs and this skirt as I had planned. The sweater was also included in my capsule wardrobe a while back and I kept with the same color scheme here in this outfit, using the taupe clutch and a black skirt to round out the look. I love the statement sleeves on this vibrant sweater so I wanted a skirt that would compliment the bold look without getting overshadowed but neither competing. A simple black skirt with buttons up the front fit the bill for statement simplicity. Ruffles have been back on trend this year and I just adore how big and bold these sleeves take the trend. They are so fun to flounce around in, it's bound to be a good time wearing this sweater!

I also love the way the button latching this clutch echoes the buttons on the skirt. Little details that bring it all together are what make an outfit really appealing and special. Altogether the outfit is sassy and sweet with details that speak to my personal style and also the current trends.

Sweater: Asos (similar 1/2/3). Skirt: mint, similar also 1/2. Clutch: similar style 1/2. Watch: kate spade 1/2. Ring: similar. Nails: Sephora by OPI, similar 1/2.

xoxo, CC

Travel Diary; Capsule Wardrobe in Milan

Remember this dress from my fall capsule wardrobe? The cozy sweater material is a dream to wear, and this taupe color matches with so much, including pink and burgundy tones which I incorporated into this look with a scarf. Neck scarves like this have always lent a European vibe to an outfit in my opinion, and they are back on trend right now so I had to try out the look while in Italy. It's kind of nice the way they replace a necklace and act almost as jewelry while adding a touch of color to your look. 

I also love that while the dress is a long midi length it has a high slit up each side that adds a sexier flash of skin. I usually am careful to wear a heel with midi length skirts to balance the length, but somehow this dress looks awesome with flat sneakers too. And believe me, sneakers were necessary for a day walking in Milan!

We had a blast finding local street food for lunch after a morning of shopping. I had seen Spontini pizza on Instagram before the trip, and knew I just had to try it. It was SO worth it! (We even went back the next night to pick up slices for dinner!) After our Spontini slices we headed a few streets over to a spot my mom had heard of called Luini that serves mini fried calzones, which again were amazing. Talk about an indulgent pizza lunch!! And since it was my mom's birthday we had to top it all off with fancy gelato cones. Yum, yum, and more yum!
For dinner that night I dressed up this outfit by changing into these lace up flats, also from my capsule wardrobe, and we headed out for another delicious meal.

Shopping is cardio, I deserve this pizza.

Outfit // Dress: Ruche. Jacket: Zara. Neck scarf: vintage. Sneakers: Keds. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Sunglasses: Anthropologie. Lip: BareMinerals "Cherries on top."

Spontini Pizza at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Double fisting fried calzones!

We found this cool courtyard with interactive colored circles all over.

The entryway to our Airbnb apartment building had such a tiny door! 

xoxo, CC

Shorts and Sweater Weather

One of my favorite looks is pairing cozy sweaters with casual shorts or girly skirts. Unfortunately the weather only allows for this a few times a year; late spring and early fall. We've had a slight chill in the air a few days in NYC that makes this short sleeved sweater a perfect option. I love this shade of periwinkle for all times of year, and it definitely will add a nice touch of pastel color to my winter wardrobe. It looks especially pretty paired with crisp whites, like these shorts and my new sunglasses.

I love that the sweater and shorts combo is casual but also very chic. I added some touches of leopard and shiny gold jewelry to add variation and keep the look elegant. I got so many compliments on this sweater, and I love that the short sleeve length makes it wearable in so many seasons! I am definitely packing this one along for my upcoming trip to Milan next month! But for now I will be pairing it with crisp whites and girly details as I ease into cooler weather here in NY.

Sweater: ASOS. Shorts: J. Crew. Belt: J. Crew. Sunglasses: Anthropologie. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Shoes: Sam Edelman. Earrings: Gorjana. Bracelets: kate spade. Necklace: kate spade. Lipstick: MAC 'Flamingo.'

xoxo, CC

Mix and Match

5 Items, 4 Outfits, Under $100.

I love a good mix and match--and the other day I found a perfect set of 5 pieces from H&M that mix to create four totally different looks. As I've mentioned before, I don't like to wear an exact outfit more than once, instead trying new ways to match things. So I love that all of these pieces can mix and match with each other as well as everything else in my closet. The sweater, skirt, and bag combo goes so perfectly together it's like it was meant to be. The off white shade ties them all together seamlessly. I was amazed how much I actually loved the floral on floral look of the skirt and tank together once I tried it on. Since the prints are different sizes and they are both in a similar color scheme the look is not too crazy for me and I actually like how girly and bold it is. 

Once we start to get into a little warmer spring weather I can't wait to wear the shorts-and-sweater combo. I've always loved the way a slouchy sweater pairs with shorts or a skirt in transitional weather. And for another print mixing look the floral tank and striped shorts make a great summery match. I love that these pieces give me options to wear from now through summer! The two tone bag (a Gucci look-alike) is fun because it goes perfectly with whites without blending in entirely, and the neutral tone is totally multi-seasonal.

It's rare, especially at a store like H&M, for everything I took in the fitting room to work out, so it seemed like a sign to me that these items were a perfect set to purchase. Plus, this whole haul was under $100.00! The shorts I snagged on sale for $7, the sweater was on sale for $9.99 and the bag at full price is only $19.99 so I felt like I was getting a pretty good deal for four outfit options. Which look is your favorite? 

Ok, the sad news is I literally can't find any of these clothing pieces on HM.com, so I am linking to similar options (the bag is available online!). Check in store though, I find that their website often is not aligned with what they have in store.
Sweater, Skirt/option, Tank/option, Shorts, Bag from H&M. Boots: Sam Edelman (old). Sneakers: Keds. Necklace: Kate Spade.

xoxo, CC

Chunky Sweater Layers

The weather in NYC has been so back and forth recently, bouncing between warm and cold, snowy and sunny. While last week I was able to wear a skirt with bare legs outdoors in tolerable 55 degree weather, today I am bundling up again layering with a cozy zip-detail sweater. A simple blue thermal makes a great base under itchy or open-knit sweaters and adds warmth with an appealing layered look. I could seriously wear this one every day on its own or layered because it is so comfy and fits so well! 

I added a few prints to the otherwise neutral look with the subtle leopard boots and striped clutch. What I really love about this bag is it's extreme versatility. It is both perfectly summery with its beachy stripe pattern, and equally appropriate in the winter since the colors are muted and urban.
We have experienced such a frigid weekend with negative wind chill temps so outfits like this are on repeat until the weather warms back up again...

Sweater: Anthropologie (available in pink). Thermal: Three Dots (crew neck version 25% off with code PRESDAY). Jeans: Hudson (20% off your first order!). Booties: Matisse (similar/similar). Earrings: similar. Bag: Ruche (similar 1/2). Lip: Lipstick Queen 'Frog Prince' (see my review here).

xoxo CC

Stacks of Sweaters...

'Tis the season for stacks of fluffy warm sweaters! And I'm not joking, since there is minimal storage space in my NYC apartment I have stacks of sweaters all over my room--the windowsill, the floor, my step stool (which literally never gets used for anything other than hosting stacks of clothing)... you get the picture. But it's okay, because winter is all about surrounding yourself with warm cozy things, and if I'm not currently wearing a cozy sweater it's nice to see them piled close by waiting to layer on and warm me up. 

Since many of my favorite winter sweaters are in neutral tones I put together a few outfits featuring ways to wear winter neutrals. Layering with knits, little pops of color or sparkle, and mixing textures are some of my favorite ways to keep cozy neutrals anything but boring. Check out some of the ways I've styled these sweaters:

Sweaters from top left: Vintage Havana, Jamison, Francesca's, Paizlee, Wooden Ships, Athropologie.

Get the look:
1. leggings/sweater/wallet/shoes/earrings
2. scarf/sweater/hat/bracelet/socks/necklace/booties/jeans
3. sweater(or this)/sunnies/bracelet/bracelet/socks/jeans/lipstick/booties
4. sunglasses/chambray/sweater/necklace/lip stain

xoxo, CC