Halloween Fashion Pt. II

I realized this morning that I hinted at my halloween costume for this year in previous posts, but never updated you darling readers on the final project...  I was the Tea-Party!  My other favorite thing about halloween (aside from the fashion-bonanza) is that it falls on the weekend before general elections.  And politicians never fail to provide fodder for costume.  In fact, while at a bar in Austin over halloween weekend, I ran into another 'Tea-Party'.  Kid. You. Not.  His costume was... okay... but he definitaly did not allow his costume to consume his entire week-before-halloween like I did.  Without further ado, here's the masterpiece...

Sadly, some of these people won their races...

Until next halloween, stay creative and stay political!

Halloween Fashion

Halloween might just be my favorite fashion holiday of the year.  "Fashion holiday?" you may ask.  Yes, Fashion holiday.  Compared to Spring and Fall runway weeks, and the mullings over of various outfits to wear to new year's celebrations, birthdays, and holidays, Halloween by far takes the cake of the best fashion holiday EVER.  This year, however, I'm cutting it close.  Real Close.
Last year, I worked for weeks on the beloved, and amazing Mr. Peanut Costume:

This year, I'm contemplating two equally as perfect tea-party themed costumes.  One political, and one that is perfectly timeless.  Sigh... the CHOICES!!!  For awhile I had planned on going as Christine O'Donnell a.k.a. "not-a-witch."  I decided that it wasn't "global" enough for people to get, and believe-you-me after the Mary-Kate Olsen/Derelicte debacle of 2008, I vowed never to go down that path again.  So, that's really the purpose of this post, to talk about how I am struggling between two halloween costumes and how I only have 4 days left to make the one I choose (I should note now, that as of a young age, I have been raised that Emersons make our costumes.  This is evidenced by the handmade duck, Miss Piggy, Kermit, Princess riding a horse, "live" Painting, and artist costumes my sisters and I have worn over the years).  Regardless of which I choose, I cannot wait to spend it with dear friends in Austin!  What are you wearing this year?

Fashion Sunday.

To me, fall is, and always will be, about tradition.  It's the season where the color palette never changes from red, orange, and gold.  It's the season of homecomings and holidays and football.  It's the season of warmth and of magic.  And, I'm getting a bit too nostalgic.  I'm not sure whether it was the arrival of the Brooks Brothers catalog or my new glasses, or the ever-so-slight change in weather, but my mind has been dancing with thoughts of fall fashion classics...

like my new Wayfarer glasses (I'm incredibly in love with them and they make the scary of my missing corneal cells disappear with their coolness)

Mulberry Bayswater Tote in Oak Natural Leather: $950 at Mulberry

Movado 'Museum Classic' Black Leather Strap Watch

Willliams-Sonoma Home, Red and Ivory Plaid Cashmere Throw: $298 at Williams-Sonoma Home

Burberry Checked Wool-Crepe Shirt Dress: $425 at Net-A-Porter

Burberry Cotton-Twill Trench Coat: $1395 at Net-A-Porter

Many other, beautiful Trench Coats at the Burberry Website

The Frye Company's Jane Stitch Boot, a slightly different take on the legendary Campus Boot:

$298 at The Frye Company Website

And, of course, all the above things are even sweeter (er, nicer) with a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.  Who do I need to call to get this a year-round drink?  No, seriously, I always want one of these when they are not "in season"

Canton, TX

For many of us who grew up in the Dallas area, Canton, TX was a place where our mothers often escaped on the weekends for the "world-famous" First Monday Trade Days.  For me, Canton, TX was a place where the whole family went.  I remember trips that were unbearably hot.  I remember begging for a sausage-on-a-stick (one of the many culinary delights available at the trade days).  And I remember the feeling that days at Canton would never end (It is undeniably the Smithsonian of trade days/flea markets).  "Canton" is a gigantic conglomeration of people selling antiques, crafts, and junk.  This past weekend, the roommates and I headed east on a beautiful Texas morning to find treasures.  It turned out to be a bit warmer than we thought and extremely more crowded.  Canton is truly an overwhelming undertaking, but afforded some good times and great finds.  Here's some pics from the day:

(we ended up getting the office chair on the far right- truly amazing)

baubles and beads and bags

awesome light hangings

"junk"

I should have bought that sign...

Fashion Sunday.

Oh Fall, I love you so - mostly cloudy skies, a chill in the air, the need for long-sleeved t-shirts and chai lattes.  Fall has come fast and furiously to the Dallas area and I couldn't be happier.  I'm SO excited about upcoming sweater weather, falling leaves, jackets, coats, buffalo plaid, etc., etc.
In light of the change-of-weather and my next-weekend plans to explore Canton (on what will hopefully be a perfect fall day), I provide my thoughts on the perfect fall outfit.  BUT, not for women, for men.  My reasons for which include watching the last 3rd season episode of Mad Men (where Don looks absolutely dashing in a sweater/oxford combo) and the fact that I haven't done a men's post in a long time.  So here goes: my idea of the perfect men's casual outfit for fall weather:

Levi's 501 in indigo Ridge Wash: @ J.Crew $98

Quote from Website: "The jean that made denim famous by the brand that made jeans legendary"... so true.  I also like the vintage-slim pair below in a vintage, worn-in wash, also from J.Crew, $96:

I am IN LOVE with the Informal Collection by Thomas Pink, especially this shirt for fall.

There are perfect sweaters, cardigans, and jackets to top off a classic pair of jeans.

For even Cooler weather, I LOVE this jacket from Rugby:

The University Fleece Toggle Coat, $178 at Rugby.com

Purple Part Two

The other day I wrote about deep, lovely shades of purple for the home.
Today, I write about purple for people.  Beautiful, dark, sumptuous shades of plum and violet on anything and everything from silk blouses to purple watches!  These perfectly colored treats make me long for a chai latte and foggy London weather.

J.Crew's Betsey Wrap Cami in dark plum: Select Colors now $40

J.Crew Silk and Sequin scoop-neck tee in dark Plum: $148

I MUST Acquire this NOW!!!

J.Crew Double-cloth Colletta coat: $298: SWOON!

American Apparel Cotton Spandex Jersey Leggings in Eggplant: $26

YSL Muse large leather tote in (TO DIE FOR) Violet Patent Leather: at Net-A-Porter, $1350

Michael Kors Chonograph Watch: $195 @ Net-A-Porter

Versace Leather and PURPLE! Suede bag: At Net-A-Porter, $2950

Diane von Furstenberg Ruched suede ankle boot: At Net-A-Porter $395

Alexander McQueen Cashmere and silk-blend sweater dress: At Net-A-Porter $1095

OMG! This beautifully-colored, perfectly constructed, excitingly original mini dress is by Versace.

Versace Wool Tank Dress with patent leather trim@ Net-A-Porter $1695

...and because nothing will top this dress today, this post is done.

Happy Friday

Sugarplum Palette

I am in no circumstance where it is at all feasible to be thinking about furniture, paint colors and linens... but here I am, longing about amassing glossy deep purple furniture in a charcoal-colored room.  Or deep violet walls and grey bedding.  Or any combination of anything deep purple and grey.  Once again I am longing for colors and themes of much cooler seasons than those outside my window.  But, how can you not when things like this dance around like sugarplums in my head... oooooh, sugarplum....

Ralph Lauren Paint in Embassy Purple (above), other vibrant hues here

Perfectly luxe Italian Cypress Paisley Bedding @ Restoration hardware in fog

Purple Gloss Kitchen... swoon... at lovehome.co.uk

Purple Rosette Quilt at Anthropologie $48-$268

Coralie Bed in a beautiful charcoal color - at Anthropologie $1998 - $2398

And Violet Latte Bowls, also from Anthropologie.  Reasonably Priced at $20/4

 

AMAZING Grey/Charcoal Walls (photos from here)

Deep Purple Painted Door on charcoal brick house - Welcome to Fall/Winter Palette (Image from here)

Fashion Sunday: "First" Outfits

For many, tomorrow will be a day of firsts... Very first days of school... First day back... First day of college... First day of graduate school... First day of a new job... (cheers, Kendi!)
For me, tomorrow will be the first day of my fall internships.  (Yes, I am a 25-year old with a doctorate degree and I will be "working" for free the next few months.  Perhaps I should have thought about this law thing a bit more thoroughly... but, I digress.)
"First Days" are, for me, synonymous with "first day outfits."  The question, "what are you going to wear on your first day," was asked with bated breath at our dinner table last night... but was not quickly answered.  What is it about that first day look that gets so many frazzled?  Perhaps because it sets the tone of the rest of the year?  It shows how interested you really are?  Whatever the case, and as I continue my ponder between pants or a skirt, I'm drawing inspiration from these looks:

more of a fall look from Brooks Brothers Black Fleece Line

Found here; Jacket, $750; Skirt; $350; Oxford $165

Diane von Furstenberg Little M navy pinstripe blazer;

found here; $385

Wing-Tip Shoe

Brooks Brothers; found here; $500

J.Crew's Kelsey Ruffle Top

here; on sale! $40

Fall Dreaming.

Some people dream of Summer.
This people dreams of Fall.
Cooler weather.  Layers.  Freshly sharpened pencils.  School zones.  Orange, red, and gold.  Swoon.  Even though it's approaching a million degrees outside, I'm sipping coffee and dreaming of Fall.  Everything looks better when the days are a little shorter and the temperatures are cooler.  The ultimate Fall fashion house?  Hands down, Burberry.  This post is a cheer to the approaching season and a hope that it comes soon... and, of course, an ode to my fave design house- Burberry.

Classic Fall: The Burberry Shower-Proof Trench.  I need a job immediately to purchase this.

@ Net-A-Porter here: $995

The Cotton-Twill Trench: Not so much for rain, but so much for style.

Love the Belt... and these shoes (also Burberry, found here).

Trench- at Net-A-Porter: $1395

Silk and Cashmere blend Cardigan.

a little military-inspired. a lot cute: found here. $395