Twenty Twelve Favorites

From left to right: Sunday Best/Sunday Best/Sunday Best: Revisited/Leopard & Lace/Sunday Best/Mint & Berries/Anchors Away/Red, White and Sparkle/Casual Stroll/Tailored/An Autumn Tale/Brooklyn Camo

Roses Are Red

I am a sucker for rosettes. A bright red dress with rosettes all over the skirt is obviously right up my alley and perfect for the holiday season. This dress (and this jacket) were are part of H&M's 2011 Conscious Collection.

Conscious Collection Red Rosette Dress/H&M (jacket worn here)

Black Stocking/Nordstrom Rack

Patent Heels/Payless

Smokin' Hot nail polish/Essie

Brooklyn Camo

Camo is not usually my thing, but I couldn't resist this cute skinny pair in an unexpected hue. The addition of the necklace and patent shoes help bring together a look that says tough, yet chic.

Knit Combo Coat/Loeffler Randal

No Sleep Till Brooklyn Sweater/Kate Spade

Camouflage Trousers with Zips/Zara

Necklace/Forever 21
La Mer Collection Phantom Sapphire Crystal Wrap Watch/amazon

Shoes/Payless

Coveting: Holiday Hues

It's that time of year. I am craving jewel tones, metallics and textures. Any and all of the items below would make excellent holiday party attire, but for me the one shoulder Trina Trunk ruby dress takes the cake.

Trina Trunk Ruby Organza Dress/Piperlime

Sequined Peplum Top/Zara

Jillian Silk Bow Dress/Kate Spade

Full Mini Skirt in Peacock Print/Asos

Scattered Sequin Sweater/J.Crew

Trina Trunk Domino Stripe Jacquard Dress/Piperlime

Icy Wedding

Last weekend I attended a wedding that was icy both inside and out. November in Michigan meant freezing temperatures outside and ice sculpture center pieces meant frosty temps inside as well. I pretty much wore this lace dress coat for the entire wedding and reception and would only part with it when I hit the dance floor. 

Hot Cocoa Cafe Coat/Modcloth

Strapless Bubble Dress/Banana Republic

Statement of the Art Necklace/Modcloth (sold out, available here)

Cay Brocade Peep Toes/Nine West

A-Taupe the Space Needle nail polish/OPI

Plum Luck toe polish/Sally Hansen Salon

Daytime Sparkle

I'm always looking for a way to add some glitz to my daytime attire. This time I paired this tinsel top with a basic black dress. It adds some much needed interest to the ensemble and satisfies my need for sparkle.

Dress/Target (seen here)

Tinsel Top/H&M

Purple Herringbone Tights/Gap (seen here)

Mary Jane Heels/Aldo (seen here)

La Mer Collection Phantom Sapphire Crystal Wrap Watch/Amazon

From the Fitting Room: The Bizarre World of Maison Martin Margiela for H&M

Since this collaboration was announced several months ago, the world of fashion has been abuzz with anticipation and excitement. After checking out the preview, I knew it wouldn't really be my style, but seeing it in person took it to a whole new level. 

There is only one word to describe the collection. Bizarre. Totally and utterly bizarre. I am all for avant garde design and understand it's place in fashion, but normally you would look at the pieces as works of art and marvel in their beauty, even if you would never actually wear them. The pieces in the Maison Martin Margiela for H&M collection do not look like masterpieces. Judge for yourself below. The only thing I liked about anything I tried on were the nice fabric tags (also pictured below).

Duvet Down Coat/One Size/$349-I'm not even really sure what to say about this. Being someone that is always cold, I have many times wished I could just walk around with a blanket wrapped around me. But for this price, I would be better off just using my own comforter. And I can guarantee it would be more flattering.

Tailored Mannequin Blazer/Size 2/$149-This blazer actually fit well and was probably the most wearable piece of the collection. I guess it would be good for those people that like a little underarm ventilation!

 

Sock Sweater/Size XS/$99-This sweater wasn't too terrible. The fit was nice with the exception of it being a little too long. It did have these weird "sock like" seams on the elbow.

 Felted Dress/Size XS/149-In addition to the duvet coat, this was probably the strangest thing I tried on. I am not sure where in the world you could possibly wear this except maybe to bed. The length was not bad on my 5'3" frame, but the material and fit just don't do it for me. I do however like the style of the neck.

 

Wool Trouser Mini Skirt/Size 2/$99-I don't think I would wear either these trousers or this skirt on its own and definitely not together. The pants wear way too long and the skirt part very tight around the hips.

Casual Friday

I have pretty much been living in these booties this fall. From skinny jeans and cords to dresses and shorts, they go with everything!

Optic-Dot Boatneck Tee/J.Crew

Jackie Cardigan/J.Crew

Cuffed Skinnies/Forever 21

Motorcycle Jacket/Ann Taylor

Collar Necklace (seen here)

Melissa Bootie/ShoeMint (seen here)

An Autumn Tale

 Field Jacket/Forever 21

Bird Print Dress/Charlotte Russe

Jackie Cardigan/J.Crew

Locket Necklace/J.Crew Factory

Woven Leather Bracelet/Positano Street Vendor

Scarf/Forever 21

Boots/Ann Taylor Loft

Calm Before the Storm

We had some beautiful weather here on the east coast before the storm hit. It was the perfect opportunity to "fall up" one of my favorite summer dresses and showcase my new booties from ShoeMint. The booties are pure perfection; comfortable, cute and great quality.

 

Swirl Self Tie Dress/Forever 21 (seen here)

Striped Moto Jacket/Forever 21 (seen here) 

Melissa Bootie/ShoeMint

Woven Leather Bracelet/Postiano Street Vendor

Prabal Gurung for Target!

With the exception of a couple of pieces (I'm looking at you Tracy Reese sequin blouse), I was mostly disappointed with the Target + Neiman Marcus Holiday collection. And with that in mind I am trying to hold in my excitement for their latest designer collaboration. It's not working. 

Prabal Gurung has stolen my heart with his bold looks and unique approach to color, prints and patterns. Did I mention how truly excited I am for this collaboration? Based on the chaos of Target's last two major launches (Missoni and Jason Wu), you can expect items to sell out very quickly. The 80-piece collection, featuring clothing, accessories, shoes and jewelry, will be available at stores and online starting February 10.

Coveting: All Sorts of Things

J.Crew Polka Dot Sequin Top: I love everything about this top. It's my one must have from this list and I will definitely be stalking it until it goes on sale.

Markus Lupfer Kaleidoscope Dress: Much like most Markus Lupfer items, I love the cut, style and mixed textures of this dress.

Zara Capri Pants with Argyle Jacquard: Argyle and Jacquard. Yes please.

Echo Brooklyn Bridge Scarf: Love the simplicity to this elegant printed scarf.

Madewell Owl Sweater: I definitely do not need another animal print sweater, but if I did, this would be it.

Eva Franco Doll in All Dress: This dress is not for fall or winter, but I love it nonetheless. So playful and whimsical!

Southern Stripes

Savannah was perfect. Just like I had always imagined it would be. Casual stripes and leather flip flops were the perfect compliment to this charming, laid back and artsy town.

Soprano Dress/Nordstrom

Rainbow Sandals

Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo/Saks

Necklace/Byrd Jewelry Etsy Shop

Coveting: Cozy Knits

J.Crew French Hen Sweater

Sochi Sweater Dress

Madewell Hare Cardigan

Anthropologie Crisscrossed Glow Cardigan

Iro Waffle Knit Kristen Jacket

Madewell Sheepmeadow Sweater

French Connection Sequin Collar Sweater

C.Luce Intarsia Sweater Dress