Outfits of the Month

 What I wore in November.

floral boots

{utility dress - jessica simpson (last worn here) // floral boots - altar'd state // denim bag - rebecca minkoff}

all black with a festive pop

{black button down - h&m // black faux leather pants - gap // plaid bow flats - j.crew // fringe bag - milly}

autumn neutrals

{floral button down - vici // suede skirt - tobi // tan boots - rachel zoe // cream bag - coach}

statement shoe

{contrast trim blouse - zara // leather skirt - bcbg // plaid bow flats - j.crew // bag - coach}

temps in the 50s

{sweater - gifted // sherpa vest - zara // olive green leather pants - current/elliot (last worn here) // combat boots - dolce vita (also worn here)}

classics

{boucle jacket - rachel zoe // white tee - victoria's secret // flare jeans - abercrombie // pointy toe boots - target (also worn here & here) // bag - tory burch}

Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

Festive cocktails are always a fun way to get into the holiday spirit (pun-intended!)

I tried a fall twist on the ever-popular espresso martini, and it did not disappoint. 

Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

{makes two cocktails}

ingredients

3 ounces vodka (Tito's is my go-to)
3 ounces kahlua
2 ounces espresso (or strong coffee)
2 ounces coffee creamer (vanilla or pumpkin spice)
1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

directions

In a cocktail shaker, add a lot of ice + the ingredients listed above. 

Shake, shake shake! Pour the cocktail into a glass, cheers and enjoy!

Master Closet Makeover

I'm a very organized person by nature as a Type A - I like things orderly and clean. But somehow my closet got out of control. My amazing husband generously gave me the entire master closet, which was in complete disarray to say the least. I have A LOT of clothes. I blame it on my job - I'm literally a women's apparel buyer so I'm constantly buying new clothes and accessories. Earlier this month, I spent an entire weekend cleaning it all out. 

I wanted to make my closet more functional while not spending a fortune on a full custom buildout. So I envisioned how I wanted it to look, measured and re-measured, and ordered a few pieces on Amazon that would fit the space and aesthetic. For less than $300 total, I completely transformed my closet from a dumping ground into my own personal boutique.

First up - I went through every single article of clothing in my closet and dressers (tops, bottoms, dresses, underwear, bathing suits, accessories, etc) and made 4 piles: keep, donate, sell, toss. This was definitely the most time-consuming part of the process. In order for me to keep an item, it needed to check multiple boxes: I currently wear it, it fits well, not stained/damaged, and I would buy it again today if I saw it in a store. Thankfully I was in a good headspace the weekend I was purging clothes because I wasn't too emotionally attached to anything. 

I was able to purge dozens of hanging pieces - some of which I've been moving from place to place for the past decade, but my style has since outgrown them. I like to hang tops, jackets, and dresses by color so it is easier to get dressed. I had previously hung multiple pairs of jeans on plastic hangers, but found these single clip hangers on Amazon which are slimmer and don't take up as much real estate. Also found some great waterfall hangers for skirts to save additional space. 

For formal dresses, I rounded them all up, put them in a garment bag, and moved them into the hallway storage closet so I'm not distracted by fancy gowns when I just need an outfit to run to Target in. All of my t-shirts were folded down and moved to my dresser so I had more hanging space for other tops. Folding sweaters is also the ideal way to store them since hanging can stretch out the fibers. I made stacks of sweaters by color on the shelf above my dresses, skirts, pants and jeans.

Bags are by far my favorite accessory and I wanted a place to display them. We took down the wire rack on that wall and added two white wood bookshelves. Now the bag wall is the first thing I see when I open the closet door, and it instantly sparks joy! The polka dot trunk stores additional bags, and I stacked straw hats on top.

Lastly, I needed a more efficient way to store my shoes. I had plastic bins and a basket overflowing with sandals, heels, sneakers and boots. It was impossible to find anything, and some shoes were being damaged in the process by getting smushed. After editing the assortment and ditching 20 pairs, I kept the woven basket for sneakers, and placed my sandals, heels, flats and boots on two white metal shoe racks.

Not quite my ultimate Pinterest-worthy dream closet, but I'm so happy with the result! I love all of the pieces I kept, and it's easier to reach for them without all the random stuff I don't want/need anymore. Getting dressed is fun again with my closet being organized and beautiful!

B E F O R E

A F T E R

Leather Jacket 4 Ways

There are some pieces in your wardrobe that are timeless, and can act as a chameleon by wearing it in many ways. One of those items for me is a black leather jacket. I invested in a classic real leather jacket last year and looked for a style that was simple - no extra zippers and epaulettes, etc. It's the perfect lightweight layer for chilly weather and instantly adds an edge to any look I pair it with. Below I styled it 4 ways with the basics of black, white, denim and leopard accents, proving just how versatile a leather jacket can be.

B R U N C H

{white dress - francesca's (last worn here) // sandals - target // leopard bag - michael kors}

A white sundress goes from girly to edgy with the addition of a leather jacket thrown over your shoulders. I added chunky sandals and leopard bucket bag to finish off the look.

C O N C E R T

{striped tee - zara // shorts - levi's // leopard boots - sam edelman // fringe bag - milly}

Casual with a twist: knotted striped tee & denim cut-off shorts paired with a leather jacket, leopard booties and a fringe crossbody bag are perfect for a concert or festival. Comfortable while also being fashionable.

O F F I C E

{silk blouse - joie // flare jeans - abercrombie // boots - target // belt - j.crew // bag - michael kors}

Leather jackets can be chic & professional too. I layered mine on top of a silk blouse, denim flares, pointy-toe boots and leopard belt. A structed bag to carry all your work essentials completes the office-appropriate outfit. 

N I G H T  O U T

{bodysuit - vici // jeans - vici // heels - zara // clutch - clare v.}

I love dressing up a leather jacket for a date night with Greg or happy hour with the girls. I started with a white bodysuit & ripped skinny jeans, then added my leather jacket, heels and a leopard clutch.