7 day challenge!

Oh, hey there! Thanks for stopping by on this lovely Tuesday. Friends, I need to hit reset. Fall makes me so happy, I feel like this:

But when I look into my closet I feel like this:

I see the same thing over and over. Instead of being nose blind, it's like I'm CLOTHES blind (mmmhmm, Dad joke) - I can't see the good stuff right in front of me!

All kidding aside, I feel blah. I don't need any new clothes. Neither do you, admit it. But, I could use a little creativity and a little imagination. I need purpose, a motivation! So, starting THIS FRIDAY and for 7  whole days, I am going to wear an outfit I have never worn before, with items I already own.

See, the thing about this blog, is that it's just a blog. About my life, and clothes, and things that one could argue are trivial. I spend a lot of time justifying the voice in my head that tells me that writing about fashion is laughable and a waste of time. But I believe in the Butterfly Effect, and if nothing else, maybe you do this challenge with me and you save some money, or your crush compliments you, or you feel more confident than you've ever felt before. And that will open you up for some good deeds, and so on and so on. Also, WHY NOT?

Here's the scoop. Starting Friday, post a pic of your outfit on the 'gram with the hashtag #LRWmademedoit. Let's start a sartorial revolution!

Thank you for reading my not entirely trivial blog. I so enjoy writing it for you :)

Also, I need that plaid suit.

gifs via an extensive google search, will update with links!

real deal // huge steal

Good morning gorgeous friends! I realize I've never done a splurge / save post for you guys! I know how much I love them, so I'm hoping you guys enjoy them too. It's no secret that I love outerwear. My personal style is all about adding on, and outerwear is like the very snuggly cherry on my style sundae. It's September 8th, and the fact that I haven't yet purchased a coat for the Fall is...uncharacteristic. When I see a piece that I like, I build and entire scenario around it, and I find myself hurtling toward the checkout counter with unstoppable force. Well, Mama found her first coat of the season, and my sartorial reverie has been interrupted by the price tag.

Isn't she beautiful? Isn't she PERFECT? If I had the money, I would be writing this post while wearing her. But alas, no such luck.  So can you imagine my delight, my mental fist pump into the air, when I stumbled across THIS:

I feel so much better. Come to Mama, lovely.

Tell me, friends, what piece of clothing is hardest for you to resist?

xoxoxo

picture of the week [13]

Sooo...it's Fashion Week! My friend asked me if I was doing anything for it and, embarrassingly, I'm not. I've never seen a show at Fashion Week, nor have I participated in any events as a blogger. Honestly, it intimidates me a lot. As you guys know, as a stylist my philosophy revolves around approachable, honest, wearable  style. Fashion Week is ART. It's beautiful and I hope hope hope that someday I'm at the level that I can dress clients (or myself, let's be honest) in clothes that walk down the runway, but for now I'm content admiring from the sidelines. With that being said, are any of YOU going to Fashion Week?

If not, what are you doing this weekend? I'm attending the INSPIRING, AWESOME Monarch Workshop tomorrow, and I'm SO EXCITED. Then Sunday I'm actually going to San Francisco for work (I've never been!!) so it should be an exciting few days. Of course, here are my favorite links from the week:

A non-fashion person's guide to Fashion Week (teehee).

Man Repeller's Fashion Week prop kit.

A look at Joan Rivers' style (RIP, Joan).

Have you all tried the app Hyperlapse yet? I think it's so cool!

Have hair like an Olsen.

Raven and I lit a pumpkin candle last night! This one's my favorite.

Crop tops come with us into Fall (and I finally bit the bullet and purchased one!)

Is the iPhone 6 a week away??

In case you missed it, here's this week's FIVER.

image via.

FIVER: items to pull out of storage now

Well, so much for the chill in the air, yeah? It's going to be in the 80s and 90s all week this week...I'm not thrilled, but, this is good opportunity to start thinking about the ways we can blend our summer and fall items in the most awesome way.  (Also good luck to everyone who started school today! I told the kids I babysit for that I finished ALL my school and it blew their mind.) On a closet makeover last week (photos to come soon, it was...epic), we focused solely on summer stuff, and we briefly touched on pieces to start layering into my client's existing summer wardrobe to take her to fall.

Listen, I know I'm talking a LOT about transitioning seasons. It's just so satisfying to me, so bear with me.

If you live in NYC and your closet is the size of a large froyo container, here are 5 items to pull out of fall storage that you will definitely use for the next couple weeks:

1. Handbag: I've been wearing my fall handbag for weeks. Dark green seems so clearly autumnal, and yet, here I am, defiantly wearing it around town with white shorts. I'm being facetious when I say defiant, but it's definitely more of a fall color. Who cares!? Bring out that black leather bag, trade in that cotton tote for a more structured piece. The time is now!

2.  Closed-Toe Shoes: Let's do it. Our toes will thank us. Mine are looking ready to go into hibernation, and I see no need to deny them. Remember, there are no rules. Go ahead, wear suede booties with shorts, patent leather or metallic loafers with white pants. In fact, if you do, send me a pic, because respect.

3. Lightweight Button Down: Start the layering. Unabashedly. All of your offices are freezing - I know this. Silky top, button down. Me likey.

4. Plaid: Plaid is a year round endeavor for me, but I know there are those of us who pair it only with fall like pb&j. Bring it out, wear it with a mini skirt, tie it around your waist.

5. Outerwear: Ditch. The. Denim. Give it a little break. No more jean jackets. I want to see blazers! Vests! Give me give me.

Wow, I sound like a drug addict. It's true, I need my fall fix. Please, friends, take some pictures this week and tag me @littleredswell because I want to see your beautiful outfits.

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?