Owl You Need for Fall...

The leaves are beginning to turn in NYC which seemed like the perfect opportunity to wear this perfectly fall outfit showcasing a few of my new autumnal pieces. This adorable owl bag was an early birthday present from my mom, an amazing Kate Spade find at TJ Maxx. How cute are all the details of the layered "feathers" and the big round eyes?! The shades of brown and yellow in the bag are ideal for pairing with fall outfits like this burgundy shift dress and oversize scarf. 

It seems like everybody and their grandmother has this exact scarf by now, but I had to have one too because it's just so darn cute and cozy, and only $10!! The multi plaid makes it easy to match with just about everything, and I think everyone needs a good blanket scarf in their life for wrapping up in when it's cold!  I love all the color combos going on here with the raspberry reds, browns, and orangey leaves. A very fall color palette! 

Dress: BB Dakota (this years version). Scarf: available on Amazon. Bag: Kate Spade (available on eBay). Boots: Frye. Earrings: Gorjana. 

xoxo CC

Personal Style: Classic Colorful Girly

I recently started taking some online classes in fashion basics through the Parsons X Teen Vogue program. I am really excited about how much I am going to learn about the industry and hoping that that knowledge will help me advance my career. One of the projects they asked students to do was to identify your personal style and put together a look that exemplifies it. 

This is the outfit I styled, which I've titled A Playful Take on the Modern Romantic.

My friends in the city always like to remind me that wearing all black is "so New York," but even though I've moved closer in that direction since living here (see some of my city inspired mostly black looks here: 1/2/3) color will always define my personal style. Whether it be pastels or brights (or in this case, both!) I almost always have a splash of color in my outfit. Color makes me happy! And the other thing about NYC is you can wear whatever you want and it's totally acceptable. I am always playfully mixing colors and textures and incorporating patterns into my looks, and I like to remind people to not be afraid of trying something bold. Bold doesn't have to mean red lipstick or an all-over sequined dress, bold can be as simple as pairing pink with purple, or stripes with tweed.

While this overall look is sweet and girly, a few tougher details keep it from getting too over-the-top. A moto jacket, jaguar ring, and structured details on the blouse ensure that the outfit is modern and mature. Classic silhouettes and romantic details like the embroidery on the top are always going to be favorites of mine. This look feels very true to my style and lets people know who I am through my fashion styling choices.
What do you think!? Let me know in the comments :)

Top: Zara (old). Skirt: J. Crew (love these 1/2/3). Jacket: bebe. Shoes: Kate Spade (love these). Clutch: Ruche. Earrings: Gorjana. Necklace: Kate Spade. Ring: Jeanne Ruland Jewelry.

xoxo CC

Faux Fur Fall

This fall I am all about layering. Faux fur vests are my new go-to to complete an outfit and keep me cozy warm. This taupe-y grey one is perfect because it is lightweight and matches with almost everything. I particularly love it with this printed navy blouse, since it picks up on the similar shade in the print, and it also coordinates well with my new tote bag. I love that this look is casual enough for a stroll in the park but also nice enough for dinner and a comedy show (yes, I've worn it for both!). 

Vest: BB Dakota. Top: H&M (similar 1/2). Jeans: Sneak Peek (similar 1/2). Bag: Rebecca Minkoff.  Booties: Steve Madden (similar). Necklace: kate spade. Bracelet: kate spade. 

xoxo CC

Skirt & Sweater Season

My favorite way of transitioning into fall is by pairing my skirts (and even dresses or shorts) with a lightweight sweater. This pale blue skirt is a light summery hue, but when it is worn with a black sweater and ankle boots it becomes perfectly appropriate for a fall day. Matching your pretty pastels with darker fall colors is a great way to keep your outfits colorful and seasonal without having to put all your summer pieces away at the last 80° day. 

This sweater never seems to photograph well, but it is a mesh-type fabric that is great for layering. Tying it up at the waist shows off the silhouette of the skirt and provides definition. Adding a berry hued lip and neutral bag keep the look from getting too dark while still playing with fall colors. I love the way the baby blue and berry pink balance off each other! 

P.S. sorry I've been MIA recently, things have been busy around here! I promise I'm trying to get back on top of my blogging schedule! 

Skirt: LOFT- on sale! Sweater: Soft Joie (last seen here). Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Necklace: Kate Spade. Bracelet: Goodnight Macaroon. Booties: Steve Madden via TJ Maxx. Lipstick: BareMinerals "Risk It All." 

xoxo CC

Spotlight on J. Crew Jewelry

Have you seen the glitzy line of J. Crew jewelry currently on their website? Their recent collections are stunningly beautiful. Every time I go to their site to find links for my blog posts I am blown away by the vibrant and glittering collection. Full of rich rainbow hues, glittering gems, and statement silhouettes, you can't help but be drawn in by them! I have always loved their jewelry selections, and the vivacity of these pieces is no exception. Any of these would make a great finishing touch to a simple dress with heels, or to dress up a cute blouse and jeans combo.

While I would take any of these gems in a heartbeat, the deep teal hue in the top left pieces is a winner in my book. Blue has always been a favorite color of mine! It matches so easily with most other colors in any season. Which of these pieces would you pick?

J Crew iridescent necklace, $175 / J Crew sequin necklace, $200 / J Crew colorful jewelry, $200 / J Crew crystal statement necklace, $185 / J Crew colorful jewelry, $135 / J Crew cuff bangle / J.Crew crystal stud earrings, $40 / J.Crew earrings, $47

xoxo, CC

Blush Pink for Fall

Happy October! 

Since fall is now well underway (even if we're still experiencing some warm days here in NYC) I wanted to share one of my favorite fall colors: blush pink. While this shade is often seen as a more summery color it works amazingly well alongside traditional fall colors too. I like that it is a softer shade than the deep browns and burgundys often seen this time of year, which I personally tend to steer clear of. Keeping to shades of blues, beige, and grey fits my style better when it comes to fall colors, and blush pink updates my looks while still keeping a neutral palette. 

This past spring I finally got my hands on a soft pink moto jacket and I'm loving how it incorporates into my fall outfits now. Today I'm sharing a few other items I've had my eye on in this same soft hue. While the bag, sunnies, and jacket have been on my radar for a few weeks, I just discovered those Giuseppe Zanotti sneakers, and oh boy am I obsessed! Wouldn't those be the perfect finishing touch to a sweet and casual fall ensemble?

Banana Republic jacket / Sophia Webster high heels stiletto / Giuseppe Zanotti low top sneaker, $670 / Rebecca Minkoff crossbody shoulder bag, $225 / Kate Spade round frame glasses, $180 / Kate Spade tech accessory / Miu Miu pink sunglasses, $295 / Essie nail polish 

xoxo CC