legging love

You can guess what's on my mind lately. CHRISTMAS. Specifically, curling up on the couch with babies and animals. I don't want to sound TOO 2008, but I've been thinking a lot about leggings lately. They're easy, they're (usually) flattering, and they're comfortable. Let's do leggings right this holiday season. Here's how I would style them for myself:

// sweatshirt // leggings // earrings // sneakers (on sale!) //

Sneakers are the footwear loophole for leggings. Wear them with your leggings, unabashedly, as if to say "I could be working out, or I could be looking really busy, or I could be hanging out." We don't really want anyone to be abundantly aware that we're wearing leggings  - they're the most polarizing pants out there. So aside from not being see- through, we need to mind our calf / ankle situation. The only rule is, no lower calves / ankles. Cover those babies up. That is to say,  no loafers, no flats, no brogues. It's either boots, sneakers, or bust. Check it out:

// sweater // leggings // watch // boots //

Another good rule of thumb is: cover your bootie. Even though David Lerner leggings (please, if you're going to buy a pair of leggings, invest in his) are thick and not sheer, it's not really apropos to have people seeing your junk up close and personal. So, long sweaters and tunics. And I just like to avoid cardigans because I feel like they're a little too easy and obvious. There are exceptions to every rule, believe me, I'm not trying to shame everyone, I just want to give you all my opinion.

// dress // leggings // boots //

My sister often wears mini dresses over leggings (as opposed to tights) to work. I love this look - it's office appropriate and uber comfortable. Any dress that you deem too short for work is probably perfect for this look. Throw a jersey knit turtleneck under any short sleeved dress to transition to a winter look. These rag & bone booties work beautifully because of the high rise in the front.

What do you all have to say about my tips? Any questions?

xoxo,

i've got my new boots on

Wow! I need to do giveaways more often! I am feeling the love, and it feels really nice. I'm so pumped to work with the winner on their closet! Don't forget, you have until tomorrow morning to enter the giveaway. Game on. How important is your shoe closet (I use the term 'closet' loosely)? Mine is pretty precious to me; like we've talked about before, shoes kind of make or break your experience when in NYC, if only because of comfort. It tickles me when fall rolls around and everyone I know is talking about boots, for I share their love of boots. I had this pair of boots in college that I wore to shreds - I would still wear them if they were in decent condition - and I think that's when my love affair with boots really deepened. Today I want to look at my fall uniform, with 6 different pairs of boots that I could wear with it to completely change it up. It's like a great Price is Right round...

 jeans // jacket // shirt // biker chick // apple picking // date night // ladies night // work // brunch

To review, my uniform for fall is: fun jeans, silky top, lots o layers (biker jacket is a must this year - the one above is faux!). I can't decide which of these boots I want most, I think it's a tie between the red, green, and blue. What about you all?

FIVER: winter wonderland essentials

Snow My God.  There are very few things that could take the joy out of a good old fashioned snow storm for me. This weekend was no exception.

Days like Saturday make me want to escape to a little cabin in Vermont, where Charlie could run around the snowy yard at will, and Raven and I could hang by the wood-burning stove.

Alas, I did not escape, but I did venture out.  In New York, we need quite a few staples to survive the trekking and schlepping while dressed to the nines, without needing to bring a suitcase.

1. The greatest coat known to man: Really. A down or "puffy" coat can be found in every New Yorker's apartment.  Mine kept me warm last eve when I was essentially wearing a tissue paper dress.  Word to the wise- they ain't cheap, but you will be toas-tay.  Canada Goose coats come in colors and styles galore, are guaranteed for life, and I highly suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing.  Reasonably priced alternative here.  (Down is one of those things that, as a non-meat eater, I feel a little funny about wearing, so I would need to put in more research before purchasing a product like this again).

2. Do' protectors: I saw Court wearing earmuffs like these recently, and she looked like the sweetest little snow bunny.  Do protect that hairdo, friend.

3. Heel Holder: In the midst of a snow storm, one cannot be expected to walk from point A to point B in fancy shoes.  So goodbye clutch, hello bright, roomy bag in which I may store my booties.

4. Stem Insulators : Just because it is snowing, does not mean I have to hang up my frock.  Nor does it mean I must suffer with bare legs like an NYU freshman.  These?  They're basically just leggings with feet.

5. Travelin' Boots that Still Look Good with Your Freakum Dress: I searched high and low for these sparklers a couple years ago, but I could not find them in my size for the price that I wanted (Sorel has great sales!).  I did find a simple black pair, however, during one of these aforementioned sales.  Good in rain and snow alike!

What are your NYC winter essentials?

all images via Pinterest

shopping in your own closet

Welcome to little red's well!

What is it about fall that makes everyone just want to start fresh?  I may be 28, but every year at the end of August/start of September, without fail, I'm on the hunt for a new back-to-school wardrobe.

Unfortunately we don't always have the time, or more importantly the funds, to spring for a new wardrobe every year.

So it got me thinking...

The lovely Court just organized her closet, and I thought it would be fun to go through her clothes and put together a few outfits that she normally wouldn't wear.

The upside? Totally revamped wardrobe.  Added bonus? $0 budget.  We did this for FREE with 1 hour of time.  All clothes, shoes and accessories belong to Court and all of the outfits we came up with received what we like to call the PSA (partner seal of approval!) from her husband, Craig (who happens to be multi-talented and took the incredible photos you see below).

Outfit 1: Casual

There is ALWAYS room for denim on denim, and luckily you can find an inexpensive chambray button down just about anywhere.  We styled up this simple outfit, perfect for running errands, with one of Courtney's silk scarves repurposed as a belt.  My one recommendation to take this outfit from late summer to full on fall appropriate is a pair of simple black flats.  We realized while styling this shoot that Court doesn't own any ballet flats! Here are a couple of cheap pairs she could spring for: ASOS LAILA Ballet Flat $18.56 , London Rebel Studded Ballet Flat $21.10

Outfit 2: Day to Night Out

Every New Yorker knows it's a pain to run home and change for a night out after work.  Here we took that same chambray shirt from the first look and put it under a summery dress with black tights and casual boots.  With this outfit Courtney can go from an audition, to work, and out with friends without having to bring extra clothes.

Outfit 3: Date Night

Most likely our significant others don't really mind seeing that same LBD every date night (or in my case, same flannel button down and black skinny jeans, but I digress), but sometimes it's nice to switch it up.  Pairing a boxy shift dress with jeggings and fun heels is unexpected and playful, and the brooch adds the right amount of accessory.  No muss, no fuss, this outfit is perfect for dinner and drinks.

Outfit 4: Formal

Speaking of that Little Black Dress, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it!  The key is finding a piece that fits you properly, and knowing how to style it.  Not that anything looks bad on Court, but she looks like a knock out in this dress, so my work was basically done.  Normally she said she would pair this with black pumps, but we chose a nude peep toe that elongates her leg.  One great bracelet to accessorize, and that's it!  It stands on its own.  With the chilly weather, she'll probably need something to keep her warm.  I myself am not a fan of wearing pashminas instead of outerwear to formal events.  Friends, that is not going to do anything to keep you warm!  My go to is a Burberry jean jacket, but with Courtney's outfit, here are a couple fun/transitional options for her: River Island Draped Shearling Jacket $118.13 , ASOS Blazer in Crochet Lace $92.82

© Craig Hanson Photography | www.craig-hanson.com

What pieces in your own closet could use a fresh outlook? What are some of your favorite ways to change up your look? Let us know!