gift guide :: shawty

Good Morning! Am I the only one who spent most of the weekend listening to Christmas music and plotting gifts that I'm going to give? I sure hope not. It doesn't take much for me to get into the spirit of the holidays, and now that Thanksgiving is over, I'm all in. Raven and I busted out the Christmas decorations yesterday, I ordered our very first tree as a married couple, and blew up our credit card with gift purchases (sorry Raven). Gift guides are MY FAVORITE kinds of posts to view, ever. I love discovering new brands, products, and hypothesizing which loved one would be into which item. Since I am always (and I mean always) on the hunt for interesting wares, I'm spending this week bringing you folks a few of my favorite things. Today: the lady on your list.

Tights ::

Do! Put a quality pair of tights on your list this year. I own one pair of tights from Wolford and they weren't cheap, but I've had them for years now with nary a run. The above are merino wool. I take that to mean: skirts in the winter.

Cuyana Tote ::

The price tag on these totes is just silly. The quality and craftsmenship is easily worth twice what they're charging. Mine has been all over New York and carries my laptop around in it like a boss. They come in a rainbow of colors, for those of you who will stray from the Manhattanite's black and the Brooklynite's brown.

Eugenia Kim hat ::

Beautifully made and cheeky to boot. Whenever you buy a piece that's made by women for women, you know it's going to be super wearable. Enough said.

Killer Pouch ::

Aside from my wallet, I have in my purse a pouch for supplies (Advil, hair tie, band aids, floss), and a pouch for receipts. As New Yorkers, we're always packin, and we need a nice way to do that. I love the fun colors that Comme des Garcons offers, but if you're on a budget, check these by Truffle.

Tiny Bracelet ::

Anyone else feel like they're too old for friendship bracelets but too young for fine jewelry? Melissa Joy Manning's line is the perfect in-between.

Champagne Truffles ::

After a tip from Raven's cousin, we discovered these magical chocolates on our Honeymoon. The Swiss brand Bachmann doesn't (to my knowledge) distribute in the US, but these have great reviews and you kind of can't get better than that packaging.

Stella McCartney Jammie Set ::

These were on my wedding wish list but in the end, I couldn't swing the price tag. Silk jammie set! Stella McCartney! 40% off! Go.

Mason Pearson brush ::

This summer my sister-in-law brushed my hair for a good half hour and I will never be the same. This bougie brush is apparently the best for redistributing oils, which stimulates hair growth. Plus it's just old timey and cute.

Cashmere socks ::

I purchased these for my bridesmaids (and myself) for the wedding, and they are just so comfy and luxurious. They're the perfect gift: you don't need them, but once you have them, you don't know how you ever went without.

Happy Menocal stationery ::

Last but certainly not least, the ultimate gift for snail mail lovers on your list - some gorgeous stationery from Happy Menocal. You could even frame a couple, since each card is a work of art in and of itself!

More gift guides all week (plus a super special weds-day post!)...see you tomorrow!

(ps pretty sure 3/4 of the items above are on sale because it's Cyber Monday!)

xoxo,

3 layering questions, answered

Friends! So nice to be back here - I have definitely been hit by the wedding stress bug over the past  few days; it's good to have an excuse to just talk fashion. We're in that super in between right now, where it's too cold to go without a jacket, but it's a little weird to pull out the parka. In New York, layering is key; we have far too many places to go without the storage that having a car affords us, so from 9-5 and beyond, we need options. Today I'm sharing my answers to 3 layering queries that may be leaving you stumped this Fall.

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1.But my shirt is sticking out! Is that okay? 

Why, absolutely. This falls under the category I like to call "break your own rules." Occasionally, we decide what is and isn't acceptable when it comes to fashion, and we stick to that with no real rhyme or reason. As you all know, the front tuck is one of my favorite ways to wear a shirt. Even if you have a meeting, an audition, or an interview, it's an acceptable form of dressing. Throw your cardigan and jacket over it, and yes, if the tail of your shirt is showing, I salute you, because you're lookin' fresh. Lookin' for a tunic-y button down? Go buy now.

2. A blazer isn't warm enough, but I need to look professional. What do you recommend?

Can I tell you? This is my absolute FAVORITE way to layer. Enter: the vest. Faux fur, fluffy, puffy, or sleek...they all work and add the warmth + are chic and typically affordable. You can add a blazer or even a lightweight jacket underneath without sacrificing style (and still looking professional).

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3. How do I wear a scarf before Fall turns to Winter?

Great question, smarty pants! Since we've been talking a lot about the blazer today, let's keep on with that example. It's not cold enough to abandon our fashion ideals, so when you approach scarves this Fall, think about scale and function. The scarf, in this scenario, serves as a little extra warmth, not a piece of clothing to shield your poor neck from wind burn and frost bite. Do: add in a silky, colorful scarf which can remain part of your outfit all day long. Do: wear an oversized, chunky scarf with your blazer that will come off when you sit down to work. Don't: do this:

Please. Don't ever.

Ever.

Questions?

xoxo,

style me pretty feature!

Hi friends!

A wedding that is very, very near and dear to my heart is up on Style Me Pretty today! Check it out here.

I cannot tell you how grateful I am for wonderful clients, amazing colleagues, and opportunities like this one. Thanks, as always, for supporting and reading. I'm going to go dance in the corner now.

ps: if you're getting married and want to know all about my day-of services, click here.

xoxo,

photos by Kelsey Combe.

my top 5 net-a-porter picks and their affordable counterparts

I don't know about you, but Net-A-Porter's home page is one of the first places I stop on Monday morning. Cup of coffee in hand, it usually takes me about 5 seconds before I start getting a wave of inspiration. NAP's offerings are almost exclusively designer (read: they don't have much under $250), however, and more often than not I'm left with a sense of wanting after I click out of their site. Maybe you feel that way, too. Maybe you wish you their incredible edits were priced for us regular janes. Well, I love a challenge, so I've rounded up my 5 favorite pieces on their site, and searched the web high and low for inexpensive look-alikes. Without further ado:

Miu Miu, $2355

Topshop, $60

Miu Miu's Fall '15 collection has to be my favorite; glitter, bright croc patent leather, fancy blouses, and plaid. Unfortunately, I don't wear skirts enough to justify taking out a loan for their kilt skirt, above. Isn't the Topshop mini skirt a dead ringer though? And you can't beat the price...

Isabel Marant, $765

Topshop, $75

I've had my eyes on that Isabel Marant sweater for some time now. It's not hard to find a cable knit sweater, but it's hard to find one that fits properly. I love that it fits almost like a t-shirt; it's meant to be worn, not layered. Thank goodness for Topshop's incredible rendition, whose candy apple red color will add some cheer into any closet.

Elizabeth and James, $595

J.O.A., $150

In New York, one has to be practical about outwear, but I still believe it's important to have a couple fancy options in one's arsenal. The above Elizabeth and James option is a Fall to Winter transitional coat, and can be worn dressed up or dressed down. I kind of like JOA's more affordable camel colored option, though. It feel particularly 70's inspired and would look adorable at a Fall wedding (Ahem) or over jeans.

Stella McCartney, $1100

Mango, $59.99

I've been staring at these Stella McCartney platforms for months, scratching my head. In the end I decided, how nice of her! The height without the heel! But I'm not sure I'm ready to empty out my checking account, so I love this Mango version, which I'd pair with a flowy mini dress or some wool slacks.

Gucci $2700

Topshop, $52

Okay, so this one is not technically from NAP, however, it's the kind of bag that evolves with the wearer, and is special enough to pass down from generation to generation, like a quilted Chanel or Hermes Birkin. But, if you just need a bag to take with you for apple picking or a weekend in the mountains, Topshop's version is just for you.

xoxo,

get the look :: denim coat

Jean jackets, beware: you're on the way out.

Not only because it's getting cold around these parts, but because this Fall is playing host to a new denim trend: coats. Not jackets, but an entire outerwear situation fashioned out of denim. I started noticing this trend when I peeped Marques Almeida's collection, and, as trends are wont to do, it has trickled its way down into the hands of some of our favorite brands and retailers.

This Fall, I dare you to throw away tuck your North Face into the back of your closet and familiarize yourself with some denim amazingness:

$88

$375

$143

$388

$290

Heck, even Zara, ASOS and H&M have awesome versions!

So, what do you think?

xoxo,