how to: shop online

You all know that I shop almost exclusively online, right? The only time I venture into a brick and mortar situation is either when I'm with a client or when I'm boutiquing it (or when I'm in the midwest for 10 days with nothing else to do...). I've developed a knack for (usually) knowing which pieces will and will not work in person. From what I can tell, I'm in a minority here. Most of my friends and clients split their shopping habits evenly between online and in-store; my mother rarely shops online at all. So, I thought I'd reveal some of my online shopping tips and tricks for you all here today!

1. Free Shipping, Free Returns - Spotting these four words on a website is a virtual green light to try items on. I don't mean order a bunch of pieces "willy nilly" as my Dad says, I mean that when you take a risk on a item that you're unsure about, you can rest easy knowing it will go back as easy (and as free) as it came. Order 2 sizes if your bank account will allow! My favorite FSFR sites are Shopbop, ASOS, and Zappos.

2. Learn brand sizing - I'm a whole pant size up in J. Crew, but a 00 (how??) in their shirts. Learn the sizing. If you feel better, try in store and then make a mental note for online shopping. This goes for shoes, too! I'm a size 6.5, literally smack dab in the middle, but for fancy european brands, I'm a FULL SIZE up! So do your research! Some sites like Shopbop tell you what size the pictured model is wearing. This is great. I know I'm usually the same on top as the model, and a size up for pants. Boom, done.

3. Peep the material - I had my eye on this jacket so hard. I was ready to pull the trigger on it. Okay, I did pull the trigger on it (I had a 20% coupon!). I received it and was SO sad. Like a dodo I didn't check the material. Not wool, not cashmere, not even a nice blend. Back it went, immediately. Think before you buy. Is it lined, is it good material, or am I just paying for the brand? Knowing this and being able to choose when to spring for the real thing and when to save on a less expensive piece will save you a lot of money (hundreds, if we're using the above example).

4. Love on the zoom - I used to see an item and fall in LOVE, order it immediately and then scratch my head when it arrived. It didn't look like that in the picture! Since I discovered the zoom button this no longer happens. Hover over that image and really check out the piece. Know what you're ordering so you're not surprised.

What do you all think? Tell me, do you prefer online or in store shopping?

xoxo,

image by Ashley Caroline.

real deal // huge steal = fall sunnies

Happy Monday, gorgeous humans! I was right. Just as suspected, taking the weekend to step back from work a little bit completely recharged my inspiration battery. Did you guys have a good one? Raven and I took Charlie hiking here yesterday, and loved watching him lose his shit over all the smells in the woods. We headed here afterwards to pick apples (read: eat apple cider donuts) but I think they squeezed over 1000 people into an acre of land. It was a mob, so we bought some apple cider and hit the road. All in all, a great weekend.

Lately I've been thinking about sunglasses. Such a weird thing to think about this time of year, right? Well at least to me it is, which is so silly - it's still beautifully bright out. But the other day I found a pair of sunglasses that I was itching to bring home with me...and then I got sad because I could buy so many OTHER things at their price point. Imagine my delight when I cam across today's save or splurge:

Karen Walker // ASOS

I love these so much! Something about tortoise shell that goes so perfectly with all of the mossy greens, ox bloods, navy blues and deep beiges we see this time of year. Of course, I'd pair them with plaid...but you know that already. Yes, accessories are on the brain, which reminds me. I haven't yet announced this week's giveaway!

If you've been reading LRW a while, you know my obsession with etsy shop SeaAndCake. Well, Stephanie, the lovely owner/designer, and I put our heads together and came up with the best giveaway ever.

Meet Karma, one of the best selling items in Stephanie's shop. Gorgeous, right?? All you have to do to win this beauty is leave a comment below. I will randomly select a winner on Friday Morning!

xoxo,

blazer daze

Morning friends! So, I get a lot of requests to do posts on classic, go-to, budget friendly pieces. You know, the "10 items you should own by age 30" or "5 classics every woman should own" roundups. Truthfully, aside from feeling like I'm just doing what every other blogger does, it is my firm belief that these classic items are fluid, not strict. What I mean is, depending on the closet, the classic pieces may change a bit. One girl may find herself in need of a leather jacket, another a pair of really great slacks. But I aim to please, so today I'm bringing you a roundup of incredible blazers. I will say this: I don't think every woman needs a black blazer. Every woman needs a great blazer. Mine is navy blue with sleeves that (intentionally) fall past my wrist. I encourage you all to find something a little different than just plain black. Here are my suggestions:

left to right: one // two // three // four //  five // six //

Classic means, to me, never go out of style. How do we achieve that while still staying true to our sartorial selves?

Things to consider:

1. Cut: One button or two? Or none? Suit, moto or schoolboy? Let it be whatever you feel best in.

2. Color: Stay in the navy / black / grey family. USUALLY. Muted colors will definitely stand the test of time (as opposed to bright colors or color blocked blazers).

3. Material and texture/pattern: Go wild. Velvet, wool, houndstooth, pinstripe, herringbone, etc. Don't bother with questions like "will it match!?" Believe me...YES. It will match.

Okay...thoughts? Yes to this roundup? Yes to more like it? Tell me about your go-to blazer...

xoxo,

fall under $100

Call me crazy, but I feel myself pulling ever so slightly away from button down shirts. Perhaps it's that I now work for myself, or it could be that I now think of this past summer as a sartorial revolution for me. Or I could cut the crap and say that I'm just sick of them. Whatever the reason, when I was sourcing pieces for this morning's post, I found myself silently vetoing plaid button downs. You see a lot of them here and I appreciate that maybe you may not share in my enthusiasm. But a drapey blouse. It's like giving a heroin addict methadone. Okay that's a terribly inappropriate analogy, but do you see what I mean? It's a nice go between. Ever flattering, not quite a button down, but a nice departure for me. Bonus! Every item in this moodboard is under $100. Have at it, friends!

top // denim // bag // boots

My dream is for this outfit to be paired with this incredibly cozy coat. What say you? Are you loving this as much as I am? You could easily swap out the jeans for a pair of trousers to make this corporate appropriate attire.

Friends! Do not forget to enter the giveaway! I'll be announcing the winner this Friday!!

xoxo,

real deal // huge steal = wedding lbd

Oh HEY there! How was your weekend? I had the most magical time assisting my friend Ashley Caroline on Alex and Evan's wedding in the Hamptons! I cannot tell you how many times I abandoned professionalism in favor of squeals of delight during the day on Saturday. I had such a blast, and the cherry on top of the weekend was a closet makeover session with a client followed by snuggles with Raven and Charlie. I am tired today, no lie, but I've got wedding on the BRAIN, and thought I'd translate that into a post for you all today! What does one wear to a fall wedding? I recommend your trusty LBD. Of course I've got my eyes on a pricey Carven number that I cannot afford. Luckily I was able to source some incredible comps for you lovely folks.

$780 // $61

I'm going to make a bold statement and say that off the shoulder is the new cut out. It's the most subtly sexy way to show some skin. I love the Carven number because it's got long sleeves for chilly climes, but throw a sweet boucle or moto jacket over that ASOS dress and I think you'll give the bride some sensible best dressed competition. Here are some other LBD mini dress options: one, two, three, four.

Happy Monday, lovelies!

xoxo,