Client Update-Still belting and Scarfing!

Client Update-Still belting and Scarfing!

Remember my beloved client, Lynne? Well, I got this text from her the other day and had to share it with you. It said, simply, "Still belting and scarfing!" With this gorgeous outfit.

I want to be Lynne when I grow up!

Fall Finds: Plaid, Fall Skirts, Capes, and Wool Panama Hats

Fall Finds: Plaid, Fall Skirts, Capes, and Wool Panama Hats

Since coming back from the perfect summer weather of New Orleans, it feels like fall is officially really here. I found myself feeling a little unprepared, did you? I went from wearing a few fall things to suddenly needing an extra layer in the mornings and even later. 

I've gotten many requests for personal shopping so I know lots of you are panicking about not having the clothes you want to be wearing for fall. Here's my thought: look through your clothes to see if you already have some fall basics, the things that are in style every fall. If not, I've got some affordable ideas for you. But don't feel like you need an entirely new wardrobe every season-that can get very expensive! Instead, look for basics that last year to year and top them off with a few fun pieces. 

Via

Plaid. My husband's reaction to a new plaid shirt the other day was to say "don't you already have that one?" I panicked for a minute thinking that I might have actually bought two of the same shirt. Silly guy! What he meant was that I had another plaid shirt. A few other ones more accurately. If your collection could use another plaid shirt for fall,

Up Close and Personal in the Target Dressing Room

Up Close and Personal in the Target Dressing Room

Normally I save my dressing room shots for Instagram, but I took so damn many this time that I thought you might be interested in what I found! I laughed because I showed up in black and white and tried on almost exclusively black and black & white. Know what you love, I guess?

The Good

This banded bottom dress is a tricky one, but I ultimately decided that it was a great thing to have. Here you see it styled as I would rarely-if ever-wear it. Maybe for a date night with some sexy boots or heels because, as you can see in the rear view mirror, it is a booty dress/sweatshirt thingee.

It has some odd arm panels, but don't pay those any mind.

The great thing about this comfy layer is that it will provide nice butt coverage for skinny jeans or leggings, and it is soft and cozy. Also, I love the draping it does! 

I loved how long these sweater leggings or tights were, but they were very flimsy material. The ones I tried on already had a hole in the waist. H&M has similar sweater tights for cheaper.

The OK

Ok so these next two dresses show how much I truly love and trust you all. I'm not pregnant (and not fixated on it, clearly!), but I have always been a bit squishier around the middle than I like to show off. Yes, I sometimes wear control top tights, Spanx, or at least a slip. But, these two dresses weren't flattering, and I wanted them to be easy, pull-on-in-the-morning, wear for work dresses. And they weren't going to be that for me.

This sweater dress gave me pause and made me consider my personal ban on sweater dresses. However, I did not buy it for the same reason that I never buy them: they show every lump. This goes back to my same feeling that I don't want to wear Spanx under a comfortable dress. However, if you are lump free or more at peace with your lumps, then this is a soft dress with a great pattern. Wear it alone, over tights, or with a long cardigan or blazer over it.

This dress was a pretty blue that doesn't show up in the horrible Target lighting, and I love that it had sleeves. However, it hit me at an awkward spot-just at the hips. If you have a shorter torso, then I think you'd love this dress.

The Bad

As you can see by my Kardashian face and the booty shot in the behind mirror, this was not a winner for me. If you really want to show off your curves or build up some curviness if you're on the less curvy side, you might love this peplum dress. I felt ridiculous in it.

This black top was a nice length but the split side went up so high that you'd have to wear another top under it, which I found annoying. The pants looked great in theory but were more suited to a smaller butt.

Oh, and I woke showed up like this. You know, in case you were wondering.

Oh-and Clog Watch 2014 continues. Yes, I'm still wearing them. Yes, my back is getting better, and no, I'm not a clog convert. But if you love Danskos and/or you need major arch support, these Tamara clogs are some of the most stylish options I've seen.

Does Edgy Pink Exist?

Does Edgy Pink Exist?

Spoiler alert: yes, yes it does.

You see, I'm not a pink person in general. I love coral and every hue of orange, but I don't tend to reach for the pinks for my clothing or my surroundings. However, I do recognize that many people love pink, and I'm always striving to push my own boundaries around it. And, it's become fall 2014's color of the season so why not have some fun with it?

4 Easy Ways to Feel More Stylish This Fall

4 Easy Ways to Feel More Stylish This Fall

Recently I read an article about a trend forecaster. First, that's a thing?! How fun! Where do I sign up? Second, this blog post is not that. This blog post is about looking at what you already own and making it cooler with very little effort. Maybe about buying one new thing (shirt, belt) and wearing it with pride. Not about hats made from one piece of fabric to wear to fashion week. Although, that would be cool...

1. Wear a belt not in belt loops. Wear a belt over a skirt. Wear a belt over your cardigan around your waist. Wear a belt over a dress. Wear it, wear it everywhere! Do not match your belt exactly to any other item you are wearing, including shoes, bags, etc.

2. Wear one thing that's baggy and one thing that's tighter. This could be a loose shirt and skinny jeans or a pencil skirt and a comfy sweater or wide leg pants and a fitted blazer.

3. Cuff your pants. Cuff them above booties or sneakers or (if you're currently doomed to comfortable shoes like I am) even clogs. (Yes, Ashley. I said clogs on my blog.) Works with boyfriend jeans, skinny jeans, and slim leg trousers. (See how I said both clogs and trousers there?)

4. Tuck your shirt in. Whether you do the half tuck, the side tuck, or don't know what the TUCK I'm talking about, take a piece of your shirt or your entire shirt and tuck it in. Don't wear a belt with it.

You can find all the links from today's post on my Fall Finds board.

Friends Don't Let Friends Wear Bad Plaid

Friends Don't Let Friends Wear Bad Plaid

I rarely say a categorical no to things on my blog. I'm not someone who categorically says "Don't wear X" or "Never wear X with Y." I think there are things that aren't suited to every body type or every moment in life, but that's pretty specific to the person. Even things that I won't wear myself (I'm looking at you the second time around, Berkinstocks with socks!) might be right for you.

However, I have to take a stand today. A stand against bad plaid.

No, don't laugh. I'm serious.

That's better. Here's the thing, I grew up in Vermont. In the 80s and 90s and all the way to 2001. I think that makes me uniquely situated to weigh in on the subject of plaid. And bad plaid is out there, my friends. Here's what I think bad plaid is: it's pretending to be flannel and cozy, but it's thin. I'm not talking about sheer nouveau plaid (that's fine), but rather about low quality plaid. It's too busy. I'm a bit of a purist, and I think plaid (and you can find it at all price points!) should have a nice, big, graphic pattern, preferably a buffalo plaid. Too many stripes and boxes and lines defeats the purpose of a bold pattern, I think.

That's it! Simple. Bad plaid=thin fabric, too busy. Good plaid=thick, lush fabric and a bold print. Aside from that, any color goes, from classic red to pinks, greens, whatever. Got it? So, please, don't let your friends (or your best friend, yourself!) wear bad plaid.

Oh! Looking for great plaid? Try this adorable Asos coat with cape sleeves, DIY this unisex infinity scarf, pair these Asos pants with white ankle Converse, get fancy in this saucy dress, pick your favorite color of this classic buffalo plaid Gap shirt, or layer plaid-on-plaid like I did in the top photo in this photo shoot (yes, that's a green plaid jacket over a red plaid shirt!) with this cozy vest. And say yes to these adorable loafers. And to everything that's happening here.   


Photography : Lauren Modny Photography
Modeling & Design : Tomboy
Personal Styling : Start Close In
Creative Concept & Direction : Piccadilly (Love Always Hannah)
Location : Georgetown University

The Bold & The Bohemian: Go Boho in Just a Few Steps

The Bold & The Bohemian: Go Boho in Just a Few Steps

Add a Kimono

If you don't already have a kimono that you love, this is the place to start. I've been wearing my mom's vintage kimono from Japan for a few years, but there are also some great new ones out there. I recently purchased one from TJMaxx, for example. The thing that I love about a kimono is that it's light and airy but also provides a light layer for a trip to the movies or dinner in a chilly restaurant.

Via Asos

Look for one with colors that you typically wear so that you can throw it effortlessly over jeans shorts and a t-shirt or a maxi dress. At this time of the year, I'd recommend that you look toward neutrals or dark colors because this is something you can easily wear over jeans or leggings for fall. See how the rest of her outfit is not boho, but she still just looks cool?

Or, go whole hog and boho up the whole getup!

Fall Weekend Style Ideas

Fall Weekend Style Ideas

Don't get upset! It's NOT FALL YET. Let's make that clear, but I do know that the fall stuff is coming to stores, and you might be looking around. Here is what I want to wear this fall on the weekends. Let's pick pumpkins, sip hot apple cider, and make winter vacation plans for somewhere warm and by the water, ok?

This Jcrew tshirt would look great with jeans, a puffy skirt that was overly feminine in a nice contrast with this shirt, or patterned harem pants like they did here.  

Or this Born to Boogie tee, maybe Vote for Love on Saturday and this on Sunday? I'd love this with a blazer and a tight skirt for a date night out with my husband. Put on some heels and make him turn his head.

 I have loved the look of multiple rings since I was a kid, and I still love this look.

Fall Finds, Mother-of-the-Bride/Groom Fashion, Maternity Style that Doesn't Suck, and All Black, All the Time

Fall Finds, Mother-of-the-Bride/Groom Fashion, Maternity Style that Doesn't Suck, and All Black, All the Time

Boy-oh-boy does food poisoning suck the life out of you! My sister visited from Sunday night to Wednesday, and the first day and a half of her visit were fabulous. We shopped, we breakfasted, we giggled and talked in sister code, and then...and then....we ate thai food. And it all went to Hell in a hand basket.

On nearly the other side of it all, I'm easing back into the online world with some good old fashioned pinning! I have a few Pinterest boards that I've been adding to lately that I want to share with you! I have to say, the whole "back to school" thing really bums me out. I love summer above all other seasons, and I tend to get a little blue in the fall. This year, I'm trying to combat that by getting excited about fall fashion. Here is a sneak peek of my Fall Finds board, which I'll continue to update with pieces you might already own or want to buy and images that have me inspired for fall.

Via

I love the moody florals in this jacket and, of course, her hair.

Monday Roundup

Monday Roundup

Happy Monday! I'm just back from a couple days spent in PA to celebrate my cousin's baby girl on due in September! Of course, I took some pictures to share with you later this week.

Today, I'd like to start off the week sharing some of my favorite links from what I read online last week. First, the fashion. I loved many of the new Boden pieces (no surprise!) for fall, including this gorgeous 1950s-inspired jacket. I know lots of you love vintage looks, and I think you'll love this whole collection!

H&M also put out a fall preview, not in stores yet, and one of my favorite bloggers had a sneak peek. I giggled at

In Person Styling and Personal Shopping: Shaunie

In Person Styling and Personal Shopping

Last week I went to Pennsylvania for a marathon personal styling day with the funniest client yet: Shaunie. We spent the day together, and we cracked each other up!

I had no idea that one person could have so many versions of the same necklace! And she had no idea that I would suggest that she wear more than one shade of blue! We were quite the pair, I tell ya! Here are a few tips from our time together (in her closet and also out shopping at the mall) that I thought might be useful to you, too.

Would You Wear Faux Leather?

Would You Wear Faux Leather?

I'm funny about certain things. Like faux leather. I have some pants that are mostly coated jeans but have a faux leather look to them, and I must have liked how they looked in the store, but until two weekends ago, I hadn't worn them outside the house. Wait, let me clarify that: this time around I hadn't worn them outside of the house. Last time that faux leather was in style a few years ago, I wore them a lot (think "liquid leggings"), which is probably why I was feeling like I was too old to wear them this time. Well, I bit the bullet! I put them on with a cozy, longish sweater on top and headed to the mall in the middle of a torrential downpour.

A funny thing happened-I meant to change out of my rain boots after bringing the dogs out and before getting in my car, but I arrived at the mall with the boots still on. Then I realized: they're just PANTS! Like any other pants! Somehow the strange pairing with my boots made me feel more comfortable about them. Here is me realizing that they're OK!

And, since they're just pants, like any others, I could do things that I do with pants, like roll them up at the ankle, pair them with cozy fisherman sweaters, and take gratuitous selfies in the Gap changing room!

My thought is this: maybe wear something this week that kind of scares you or has you feeling like you're not as _______ as you were before/would like to be/could be. Chances are, you're gonna love it.

And, of course, I'd love to see what comes out of this experiment!

Weekend Deal to Make Gift-Buying Easier

Check Out This Weekend Deal to Make Gift-Buying Easier!

Check out this great deal from Baby Bump Bundle. They're offering a deal where you spend $40 and it gets you $60 toward any Baby Bump Bundle. They have gift boxes for nursing moms and awesome baby shower gift boxes for newborns, too! The deal is this weekend (3 days) only, and I think the best part is that you can use the voucher toward a gift anytime between now and April 15, 2014 so if you have any friends who are pregnant or might get pregnant then this could come in handy!

Don't miss my fall and winter maternity finds-also great for gifts!

Oh-and Baby Bump Bundle isn't a sponsor; I just think it's a great idea since I attend a lot of showers and have lots of pregnant friends and coworkers!