K.I.S.S.

And a very good morning to you! Hope your weekend was lovely - ours definitely was. I had my bridal hair trial which turned out perfect, spent QT with all 3 of my nephews, then capped off the weekend by hanging with our good friends Kevin and Cara at the Warwick Valley Winery (which I highly recommend). When we got home last night, we spent a good couple of hours in front of Netflix's new season of Orange is the New Black, and now here we are! Sometimes my sense of style needs a little palate cleanser - perhaps I've spent the weekend trying too hard, or I just feel like I need a little refresh. Yesterday, that was definitely the case. As we were getting dressed for the winery, I must have put together 10 different outfits, all of which I vetoed. I just wasn't feeling like myself. So, I headed to the back of my closet and ended up wearing a bunch of pieces I've had for years, and I felt great.

Now, I can't quite come to your houses and rifle through your things to find a palate cleansing outfit (actually, I can, just email me) right now, so I thought I'd show you an outfit that is giving me life and inspiration this morning:

// the perfect white tee // long necklace // the comfiest pants // statement makers //

When you have a piece that is the outfit, let the rest of what you wear be easy and simple. These shoes are everything - we could pair them with a funky dress, an all denim outfit, a jumpsuit, hot pants, you name it, there are a million ways to go. But! Nothing is as easy on the eyes to me as keeping the outfit so simple. UGH! You are so COOL! By the way, here's a less expensive shoe option, and another cute necklace option...JIC.

xoxo,

style dictionary: henley

Good morning from snowy Astoria! Everyone in NYC is bummed about yesterday's small storm, but you have to admit, winter wonderland is better than just plain cold (with a side of filthy snow). And what's more, we're free to dream about Spring no matter the weather! Which is why I'm excited for today's style dictionary word: HENLEY. Henley is defined as "a casual top with a scoop neck and a short row of buttons in the center of the neckline."

If you still have no idea what I'm talking about,

Originally more of a men's shirt (worn by English rowers), ladies can find henley's just about anywhere these days. My favorite come from J. Crew (see above); the brand does menswear inspired so well.

A henley is perfect for Spring - chic, effortless, comfortable, and classic. Here's how I envision the look:

// henley // jeans // bag // espadrilles // sunglasses //

Talk to me, friends. You like? I think this outfit would be perfect for a sunny vacation. Don't forget to subscribe to LRW and get my packing list for free!!

xoxo,

crayola color block

It's. Cold. I'm waiting to take Charlie on his morning walk and he is burroughed underneath the covers next to Raven right now. He's no fool, as my dad would say.

This weather makes me tick. It's inspiring to me and I just feel more myself in the winter (insert cold-hearted bitch and/or Frozen joke here). Not to mention, getting dressed is so much more fun. The more layers, the more possibilities, the less of a chance people will see the stubble on my legs. Of course, I kind of wish I were on a ski weekend in Vermont right now, but New York in the cold is magical, too.

// coat (old, similar) // J. Crew sweater (old, similar) // jeans // boots //

There's nothing like a little primary color color blocking to keep your disposition nice and sunny in this weather. Oh! If you're loving my scarf, as I mentioned on Instagram, my SIL made it! She is a force with knit goods, and she is opening up an Etsy shop SOON! In the meantime, if you'd like a custom piece, please email me allie AT littleredswell DOT com for her contact info.

A special thanks to Ashley Caroline Photography - in between an epic day of shopping with her and Julia, we squeezed in a mini photoshoot. Love you, Ash!

xoxo,

                                                                                                                                              all photos by Ashley Caroline Photography.

la vie en rose

A couple weeks ago, my friend Julia and I headed out to the flower market to say so long to summer...here's part one of what we whipped up:  

We wanted one last summer hurrah before everything turned into a pumpkin. Julia has been dying to shoot at the flower market, so off we went!

Top: Rails // Blazer: Ralph Lauren (old, similar here) // Jeans: J. Crew // Shoes: Prada (sold out, similar here) // Bag: Celine // Necklace: Adornia // Bracelet: Giles & Brother // Ring: Ariel Gordon // Sunglasses: Ray Ban // Lipstick: Nars Heat Wave

Thank you Julia for being the sweetest and making a lady feel pretty. Love you!

xoxo,

all images by the lovely Julia Bushe Photography.

coffee wear + coupon code!

Yesterday Raven remarked at how I've been making hot coffee everyday, instead of iced (which we usually do in the summer). My argument is that hot coffee wakes me up more, and while tackling emails and catching up on my favorite blogs, it's way more cozy. So, the hot coffee streak continues (especially today, it's so cool out!). Here's my daydream of the perfect coffee drinking situation:

Top // Sweats // Mug // Pillow 1, 2

Please oh please order those J. Crew sweats. I've been living in them since I got them last year. Definitely oder a size down - they stretch! - and add a monogram, because you can. Isn't that mug beautiful? I contacted shop owner Sylwia in May to order 2 personalized mugs for my friends, and she absolutely exceeded my expectations. I was so excited about the outcome (I was able to choose the color of the flowers, and request that each mug be a little different), that I reached out to her about a coupon code for you lovely people!

She said yes, so for the next 30 days, please enjoy 20% off anything in her shop with the code LITTLEREDSWELL!

Enjoy, friends, and have a great day :)