LACE BLOUSE
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Happy hump day! Despite the torrential rain yesterday I had a lovely birthday which started with breakfast in bed and ended with sushi (my fave)! Also there was in between there was a lunch with my friend Eva and a massage. Canβt complain! I had a moment on Monday when I thought I was turning 35 and started freaking out. Not that 35 is much older but I feel like its a milestone Iβm not quite ready for! Good thing I have another year to get ready:)
So excited for this SALE! For four days you can save using code STOCKUP18. Today is super humid in Connecticut but I know that the caller temps are right around the corner. Here are some upcoming events Iβm shopping for right now:
Love this sweater for Thanksgiving (and no its not to early to shop for this!)
My favorite brand/style of mom jeans. Size down because you want them too be tight or theyβre too 80βs (and not in a good way:)
LOVE LOVE this dress. If I didnβt already have one for my sisterβs wedding this would be it! If youβre going to go for it you have to be OK with something thatβs not body con and your hubs may call it a pregnancy dress BUT your girlfriends will swoon. You know what I mean lolβ¦#marrepeller.
Iβve always had a thing for coin necklaces - this one is under 100 and would be so pretty with a lace silk cami and a cardigan.
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PERFECT PLAID
GET THE LOOK
more plaid
SOMETHING NAVY LAUNCH
FALL UNIFORM
It doesnβt have to be all leggings all the time! One of my favorite comments from a recent client was, βI donβt have to think when I get dressed anymore, and I feel and look great!β. Every season I start with a statement coat. If its in your budget to purchase one long and one short, that would be my suggestion. I love all the styles in todayβs post because theyβre classics but stylish. You never want to buy anything that you wonβt want to reach for next year.
Iβve been getting requests to link some of my favorite Zara sweater styles. This is the grey style I wore in a recent blog post. I love this camel one paired with black denim or a skirt. This one isnβt available yet but it would be great with a pair of blue jeans or cords! Iβm also LOVING this sweater from Sezane. If you havenβt shopped the brand yet everything is designed in Paris and the price point is very reasonable. Insider tip: there wool can be a little itchy! Hope everyone has a great day! TGIF:)
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FALL COLOR EDIT: RUST
Surprisingly I didnβt shop a ton while we were in Belgium. Our daily schedules revolved around the boyβs naps and it was hard to find an extended period of time to break away. Also, every day was so new and exciting that I didnβt want to miss out and leave the group. BUT when my mom and aunt offered to take me one day I jumped at the chance! My favorite spot to shop in Belgium has always been at the Belgium Coast in Knokke. They have everything from Hermes to Zara and everything in between. My favorite stops were the Belgian and other European designers that I donβt get to see in the US: Essential (Antwerp), Patrizia Pepe (Florence), River Woods (Belgium), and a few more. The best shop though is called Princess.
Side bar: It was in the 60s the entire time we were in Belgium so Fall was definitely on my mind. I walked in and was immediately inspired for the new season and couldnβt wait to bring something home (see pic below of one of the racks). I zeroed in on this rust colored open cardigan (referred to as a βBernadetteβ sweater in Europe) and decided I had to try it on. It was surprising because it also came in a light gray, but I decided to try something new. The color worked! In the shop I paired it with a navy silk camisole because I knew I had this one at home. This color also looks amazing with other browns, ivory, tonal florals, and I came home to find that its everywhere and as Iβm styling it more Iβve realized it looks good on everyone!
Girl Guide Update: When I left my job at Theory in June to focus on my styling business and the blog I decided I would let the summer play out and see where it could/would take me! Well I have to say I am still pinching myself every day that I get to do what I love. That being said I have decided to start putting a little more structure around things, starting with my blog posts. For the last three months I was averaging about 4 blog posts a week but there was no set schedule or consistency. Full disclosure - I hated that! I want my readers to know what to expect and when and to be able to count on me:) Starting this week I will post three times per week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Iβm really excited and I hope you are too!
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get the look: rust
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THE TEDDY COAT
Happy Monday friends! I hope you all had a great weekend! I had a little case of the scaries last night around 10pm when thought about how nice it was that we were all together this weekend. Luke had his first soccer practice on Saturday and it was adorable. I donβt know what I expected (possibly a little more organization and coordination hehe) but I had so much fun watching him on the field with all his friends. Heβs getting so big! Also I should add that 16 month old Harry was running up and down the field like a champ too. Second child!
If youβve been following me for a little while you know, Iβm a neutral lover. When it comes to finding the perfect Fall coat the first thing I look for is a color that will go with everything. From the moment I saw this Bernardo teddy coat I knew it was perfect. Not only is it the perfect shade of beige and will go with all of my tonal winter white looks, it can also be worn back to Fall florals and black. Iβve been looking for something to wear to The Berkshires for my sisterβs wedding next month and wanted a coat that would work for the rehearsal dinner and for the day of. Love that this style is both functional and lux.
Hope everyone has a great week!
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teddy jacket // Bernardo
MY FAVORITE SKIRT + IVORY SWEATER ROUND UP
OK so this skirt! I hate saying it but its old! I tried finding similar styles though and linked them below:) Funny story: my mom is a PRO at getting stains out of things and I desperately needed her services after spilling black tea all over this skirt while driving one day. I was so excited when she called me to tell me that she had cleaned it and it looked like new! Fast forward a couple weeks when I got it back and EEEEK! My mom had pressed out all the PEATS! Click here to see what it originally looked like:) I had a moment and then decided it still worked sans pleats. Needless to say I will never part with this one! If you want to recreate this look I love this skirtβ¦not a maxi but would look great layered with a shorter sweater (turtleneck would be great!).
Here is a link to this sweater. Iβm a huge pom pom fan so when I check Zara I usually start by typing in βpomβ and I always find great tops and dresses and in this case an awesome sweater. I love Zara and Mango because most of their things are machine washable. I always say I can wear ivory every day but I have to be able to clean it! Hope everyone is having an awesome Thursday!
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SKIRT
ivory sweaters
CROSSBODY
TRANSITIONAL MINI SKIRTS
How did it go from 100 degrees to 55?! I canβt complain thoughβ¦Iβve been begging the weather gods to get me to sweater weather:) I picked up this skirt at Zara in Belgium - it was love at first sight. Love the micro pleat and the colors are a grayish brown, perfect transition into Fall with blush, ivory, and browns. I think Iβll style it again with black tights, boots, and a black sweater in October/November.
A few questions answered from Instagram!
Flats from this post!
Iβve been wearing a very similar pair of pointy black woven flats in stories but I canβt find them online. Here is a VERY similar pair:)
My sweater (also in grey on stories) was a purchase from a Belgian market. Send me a note if its something you might want (considering bringing some back to the states)!
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GET THE LOOK
sweaters
skirts
slides
the bag
WHERE TO STAY + EAT - BRUGGE & GHENT, BELGIUM
BRUGGE
where to stay - The Dukeβs Palace
why we loved it: kid-friendly, gorgeous, amazing food, central location, there is really nothing bad to say about it!
where to eat - Restaurant Patrick Devosο»Ώ
why we loved it: kid-friendly, pre fix lunch options for this Michelin rated restaurant, dairy-free options, everything was delicious!! Insider tip - They have a gorgeous private room upon request!
GENT
where to stay - The Marriot, Ghent
why we loved it: location, location, location (and we had Marriott points) no but really its in the heart of the historical area overlooking the canal and picture PERFECT! One note - it is definitely a hotel for business travelers so if youβre looking for a more boutique feel this is not your place. Service was great and we' were upgraded to the Presidential Suite!
DATE NIGHT IN GENT
where to eat - ALICE , Eat Love Lasagna
CLEAN + MODERN
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OH HOW I LOVE SEPTEMBER
silk pajama jacket // francΓ©s austen
denim // mother
september I love you
its my birthday month! whoop whoop September 25th (mark your calendars hehe)
back to school - am I the only weirdo who loves the feeling of going back to school? Ever since I was a child its been one of my favorite times of the year. I think its because everything is fresh and new again. My mom would always get us a new pair of shoes (usually Keds) and school supplies, love fresh pencils!
apple picking - sounds cliche but apple picking has been a family tradition for as long as I can remember. We go to Wilkins Fruit and Fur Farm in Yorktown, NY.. Even those in between years (not a kid anymore and don't have kids yet) I would go. Frank and I love it!
indian summers - Its kind of an oxymoron to like both apple picking and warm Fall temps but when I say Indian summer I mean upper 60's with sun! That is my ideal - just cool enough to wear a cardigan or light jacket and still warm enough for a maxi dress and booties.
loose leaf tea - I drink hot tea pretty much all year round but I love when the temps start to drop a little and everyone else likes drinking it with me!
fall styling - I linked some of my favorite pieces for pre-fall here. There is not transition love more than going from summer to Fall. My favorite looks are jeans or a skirt paired back to a fresh sweater.
september favorites
WEEKEND READING + LDW SALES
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ldw sales
- Love this lace blouse - wear it into fall tucked into dark denim. Here is another similar style also under $100
- Do you ever shop this site? I'm always on the hunt and I love finding pieces from my favorite designers that I've missed. Like this one! and these:)
- This blush ruffle dress - buy now and thank me next Spring!
in my cart
weekend reading
We desperately need to renovate our kitchen but I've been feeling very overwhelmed about it lately. I liked this article's perspective and tips for making the change a little more interesting.
- Speaking of home design, I've been looking for new wall sconces for our front door. Thinking about these...I really want gas lanterns but unfortunately we don't have gas in our home so I think this would be a nice alternative. Now if I could only choose a finish....
- My eyes LIT up when I first saw this collab. LOVE everything!
- After a long fight jet lag and dry skin is no joke! I just ordered this mask...hoping it lives up to all the hype!
MY DAILY LOOKS : Belgium
the flight
day one
day two
day three
day four
day five
day six (day)
day six (night in Ghent)
DAY SEVEN
DAY EIGHT (EXPLORING BRUGGE)
dress is old camilla and marc (tagged similar)
