Thanksgiving Sparkle

Just a quick outfit inspiration with Thanksgiving in mind! I wanted to put together something a little dressy but still totally comfy for sitting around the house with the inevitable stuffed-belly football and National dog-show watching that will go on. This outfit is totally comfortable but the sparkle on the top adds a little something extra and festive.

I love that I can find high end trends at affordable prices at H&M, such as this top. Several people asked me if it was from J. Crew, since they are known for this style, but no, I was able to score the look for half the price at trusty H&M!  The colors of the outfit ended up being rather Christmasy, so this could also be worn to a holiday party.

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Top: H&M, also cute. (J. Crew version, also adorable). Skirt: Splendid (similar fit, similar color). Booties: Nine West via DSW. Bag: Emma Fox via TJ Maxx (similar). Earrings: Kate Spade. Jacket: Tulle (check out their Black Friday sale, that's when I got this jacket last year, total steal!).

xoxo, CC

Cozy Monday

Rainy, rainy Monday…. All I want when the weather is gross is to be dressed comfortably in something cozy. This forest green military-inspired sweater was my solution to that desire. Not only is it warm and cozy but it is certainly not boring thanks to its structured fit and brass-toned buttons. The deep shade of green looked nice layered with crisp white and brass toned jewelry, but also called for some lace and a touch of sparkle to keep things feminine and fun.

I acquired this sweater on my semester abroad in college studying in France during one of the coldest and snowiest winters they'd had in a while. Anyone who's studied abroad knows how hard it is to pack everything you need for an entire semester into just one or two suitcases, especially when you like to have options, as I do. So naturally as it got to be winter I was freezing constantly, mostly because my room at my host family's home was not very well heated or insulated, and I didn't have enough warm clothes with me to combat the cold (sweaters and coats take up too much precious suitcase-space!). Of course, that meant only one, thing: I had to go out and buy more warm sweaters. I was successful at Zara and scored the one featured here, and a great button-down 'grandpa' sweater with elbow patches. Even four years later they are still some of my favorite sweaters when the temps start to get chilly!

Sweater: Zara, old (same color sweater) Lace top: H&M (similar in long sleeved). Rain Boots: Chooka at DSW. Earrings: Kate Spade. Necklace: Dogeared.

xoxo, CC

Zipper Details

I just love the shade of cobalt blue of this sweater. It adds a nice touch of color to the wintery neutrals I've been mostly wearing lately, while still feeling like an appropriate seasonal shade. I love how the zippers add just a little something extra to the sweater, and the gold tone paired nicely with my metallic manicure. The bright color called for some sparkly earrings in a matching hue. The sweater cuts short in the front so I thought it would be cute to layer with a lacy tank, then add dark jeans and booties to finish the look.

Sweater: Francesca's. Lacey tank: American Eagle (similar, sequined). Earrings: JoJo Loves You (similar). Necklace: Dogeared. Boots: DV by Dolce Vita.

Short and sweet today,

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

Pocketful of Glitter

This time of year glitter starts to creep its way into my outfits….by winter it will be in full force on my nails, my holiday dresses, and anywhere else it can sneak. Glitter is known for that, for showing up in places it wasn't expected and sticking there. But we all need a little sparkle to get through the darker months, am I right? Well, it's started already when I brought this fun sequin-pocket sweater out of my closet on Sunday. I paired it with ripped jeans and wedge booties since the day wasn't too cold, but I wanted to be cozy in an oversized sweater. Gold toned jewelry and gold nails complimented the pocket's sparkle. 

Sorry for the selfies, but the lighting was just so good in these mirrors! 

Sweater: Paizlee (old). Jeans: H&M. Booties: Nine West via DSW. Initial necklace: Kate Spade. Bracelets: Kate Spade and Brandy Melville. Earrings: Banana Republic.

xoxo, CC

Leather/Sweater

 Faux leather is very in this season. It's comprising or adorning skirts, tops, dresses, and the more I see of it the more I want to join in the fun. And voila, this leather mini. I decided to go ahead and purchase  one because even though it's short and pleather I realized that I can pair it with sweaters and button ups to dress it down for daytime wear. I found a good high waisted one so that I can wear it with crop tops too, and the effect gives the illusion that the skirt is not so short after all. I love that the skirt has a perforated pattern going down the sides and across the back which adds texture and contouring. This day I decided to wear it with a striped sweater for a casual black and white outfit. I paired it with black tights and booties, but the day was so warm (65 degrees, in November!) that I ditched the tights after all. Because, who likes wearing tights. 

Skirt: H&M (similar, also liked this one). Sweater: Target (similar. Also love this & this). Booties: Steve Madden via TJ Maxx. Bag: Ruche. Bracelet: J. Crew. Necklace: Kate Spade. Earrings: Kate Spade. 

xoxo, CC

Feelin' 25

I celebrated turning 25 over the weekend! For festivities I had some friends over to my apartment for a little party and I treated myself to a little shopping too. I don't know how this always happens, but somehow I didn't end up taking any pictures with my friends that night! So I snapped a few later to recap this quarter-century celebration. 

For my party I cooked up some delicious snacks including guacamole, bacon-fat popcorn, and cupcakes with chocolate ganache frosting. I wore a pretty blue cutout dress that has been in my closet for quite a while waiting for an occasion to call its name. I complimented it with gold eyeshadow to match my gold nails, pink lips, and a wristful of armcandy. 

On my actual birthday I took myself on a little shopping trip to H&M and to Kate Spade to get these super fun glitter Keds. How cute are these, though? After trying several brands of cute little sneakers such as Superga and Gola, I've concluded that Keds are by far the most comfortable for my feet. So, when they make a Kate Spade glitter version, how could I not get them? And then, my lovely roommate got me a pair of Kate Spade earrings too! All in all it was a good birthday, and I am excited for this next year! 

Dress: Isle of You boutique (similar, similar). Glitter sneakers: Keds for Kate Spade. Earrings: Kate Spade (similar). 

Gold eyeshadow: Bare Minerals "true gold." Blush: Bare Minerals "charm." Lipstick: NYC "Blossom."

"I don't know about you but I'm feelin' twenty(five)"

-T Swift (and me)

xoxo, CC