The Weekender

sweatshirt peacoat (Splendid, AJs Casuals, Lexington), jeans (Paige), tshirt (GAP), chucks (Converse)

bracelet (Stella & Dot), shades & watch (Michael Kors)

A weekend filled with family, football, and a fall festival sounds like the absolute perfect one to me!  We have quite a bit on deck for this weekend and can I just say this Splendid Sweatshirt Peacoat is the perfect cozy addition to the outdoor activities.  After all, it has the classic shape of a peacoat with the never ending comfort of a sweatshirt--perfection! Wishing you all an enjoyable weekend filled with some fun & relaxation--make it a good one!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem

Sweats & Leather

  

sweatshirt (Current/Elliot, options below), leggings (Members Only, oodles of options below), oxford (J.Crew), shoes (Zara), satchel (Cambridge Satchel Co.), watch (Tag Heuer), bracelet (Stella & Dot), ring (Lagos), shades (Michael Kors)

Faux leather that is.  Two things I will indefinitely repeat the heck out of this season--the leather legging and a good ole' cozy sweatshirt.  They make for a lovely pairing don't you think?  I like how the fitted toughness of the legging is balanced by the ease of the sweatshirt--not to mention the whole rig is so darn comfortable...truly! 

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem

Army vs Navy

jeans (Joe's Jeans, AJs Casuals c/o), jacket (HM), sweater (GAP), booties (Belle by Sigerson Morrison), necklace (Stella & Dot), ring (David Yurman), watch (Tag Heuer), bracelets (iSanctuary), shades (Michael Kors), bag (Aleya NY, Bloomingdales--old)

Fall did not disappoint here in the Bluegrass!!  Chilly temps this morning indeed, with a warmer spike in the afternoon.  With that being said, it is most important to layer, layer, layer.  This army surplus style jacket is perfect enough to add a little warmth and dimension to a rig be it girly, urban, or more rugged.  It will also serve as a nice neutralizer to some of the bright hues this season.  Check out some great options below.  

If I may switch gears & take a moment to discuss these ruggedly darling bangles. iSanctuary, whose tagline, "Purchase with a Purpose," provides rehabilitation options for survivors of human trafficking.  Simply stated, all of the jewelry is made, packaged, and processed by survivors.  I was engaged the moment I was made aware--beyond amazing what iSanctuary has and continues to accomplish.  You can't help but be inspired by this company's purpose. Make sure you take a gander & y'all enjoy this gorgeous start to my favorite season!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem 

"Kelly" Green

skirt (Tinley Road, Piperlime), booties (Belle by Sigerson Morrison), blouse (Old Navy), blazer (J.Crew), clutch (Adele of Lexington), pearl & horse necklace (Stacey Gudeman, Adele of Lexington), gold chain (vintage), ring (David Yurman), cuff (not a darn clue), watch & shades (Michael Kors)

If you know me, you know there's a little play on words in this post's title...dad would be proud.  As I was citing the look and noticing the various price points, I was reminded of something that is trite but true--INVEST IN KEY PIECES--ie:  a Black Blazer & BLACK BOOTIES.  We know those suckers ain't going out of style any time soon, so put your money in the pieces that will carry you through the seasons.  Once you have your foundation, you can then splash in some affordable fun, like this KELLY GREEN TULIP SKIRT ...did I mention it was under 40 BONES?  Upon sprucing up the basics, you add some major giddyup with your accessories. I truly could not resist this Pearl Clustered necklace & clutch from Adele--did you notice the horse detail on the necklace--stop it!  And I'm not going to deny that I dig showing some local Lexingtonian jewelry love for Stacey Gudeman--gal knows how to make a bauble! 

If my non-Lexingtonians want to snag a little gem from Adele, my FAVE interior boutique in town, just mention "s e e r s u c k e r + s a d d l e s" when calling or FB-ing and they'll ship for FREE!  Make it a good one, gang!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem

Blazer & Bows

dress (Trina Turk c/o AJs Casuals), blazer (Aqua Bloomingdales), heels (Zara  ADORE these, too), bag (Kate Spade c/o AJs Casuals), bracelets (Stella & Dot, Jcrew), shades (Michael Kors), watch (Cartier), ring (David Yurman)

Ladies, this is my idea of the PERFECT transitional dress.  First of all, I am a sucker for a tie neck--simply adore the girly factor.  Secondly, the colors fulfill the Fall requirements, and the fabric allow for it to be worn alone before the chill sets in, or with a Blazer, Leather Jacket for toughness, and/or Tights!  Pair her with a a killer heel or bootie, and you've got yourself a perfect fall ensemble.  You truly cannot go wrong! 

Miss Saralee, I sure hope you've got some baubles on your wishlist...You won the BaubleBar giveaway!!!  I TRULY cannot thank you all enough for the participation...I just love reading all of the comments--we need to make that a habit!  We'll do another giveaway in a couple of weeks indeed.  Make it a good one!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem

Manic Monday

 

      Look 1:  sweater & skirt (J.Crew), belt (Milly), pearls (Target & J.Crew), ring (David Yurman), polish (OPI ski teal we drop), watch (Cartier)// Look 2:  jeans (Express BOGO special), shoes (BCBG old)// Look 3:  blouse (J.Crew), shoes (Converse), bracelet (Stella & Dot)// Look 4:  dress & blouse (J.Crew), watch (Nordstrom)

Got quite a hectic one ahead of me today!  Therefore, just a few of my favorite things to start off our week.  As are many, I am so Loving the Peter Pan Collar.  It's dainty, feminine, a good foundation for layering...just pure loveliness!  Countering the femininity, one of my fall must haves is a Deep Blue Nail.  Another rich hue that I am coveting and know will carry me through the season... Burgundy. This shade is so perfect for this season and versatile (I paired the above look with a blush blouse).  Switching gears...good ole' college football---a favorite of many! Why not try switching things up from the usual sports Tee & Jeans?  Take your team's color palette (FSU & UK) and infuse it into a fun & casual look!  Alright gang, back to business as usual tomorrow with an outfit post, and the winner will be announced for the BaubleBar Giveaway.  Entry ends this evening at midnight!  Make it a good one!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem

BaubleBar Giveaway

$75 Gift Card to

       

How 'bout we jump start the weekend with a little BaubleBar giveaway?!  One lucky gal will win a $75 gift certificate to one of my fave accessory spots.  Loaded down with fun & affordable cuffs, bibs, and chandeliers, I truly cannot get enough of this site!  I am currently craving the lovelies below and actually just snagged the Single Rolo Strand from the Nina Garcia collection...such a beauty!

We're gonna stick with what we know works and use Rafflecopter--Entry rules are a cinch!!  Make it a good one, gang!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Work & Play

  

look 1//blouse, skirt, vest (J.Crew), heels (Michael Kors--options below), belt (J.Crew), bag (Burberry), shades (Ray Ban), watch (Cartier), rings (David Yurman & Stella & Dot), initial necklace (Maya Brenner)  look 2//dress (Zara), jacket (Banana Republic--options below), necklace (J.Crew), shoes (Enzo Angiolini--old), shades (Chanel), bracelets (J.Crew)

Remember Monday's POST?  The vest is just another way to add an element of ease to the skirt suit.  As for this little petal number, I hope it's a friendly reminder that our summer frocks can certainly transition thru the Fall or possibly even the Winter.  Whether you toss on a leather jacket to toughen em' up or a pair of tights, remember to let your lovely little summer pieces appear throughout the upcoming seasons!  Alternative options of my fave pieces from these looks (Leo + Leather) can be seen below....check it!

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem

Deconstruct the Suit

 

 blouse (Gap), skirt (mm Couture), blazer (J.Crew), booties (Schutz love THESE & THESE), belt (BCBG), clutch (Monkees of Lexington), earrings (Loren Hope, Design Darling), watch (Cartier), bracelet (J.Crew), ring (David Yurman), ring (Stella & Dot), shades (Colors in optiCS), pearls (Target)

Looking for a way to infuse a little creativity into your work wear?  Deconstruction of the suit is one of the easiest ways I know how.  Be it pairing the jacket with a skirt or possibly tossing on a vest with the pants, there are a multitude of ways to add some zest to your power suit.  Don't get me wrong, there are times when the agenda calls for the simplicity of the suit---but for today, we're going to incorporate a little personality.  

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem Photography

Sparkles & Stripes

blazer (Express), sequin T (J.Crew old, love THIS or THIS), jeans (Ernest Sewn), heels (Charles Jourdan, Love her SUEDE sister), bangles (Stella & Dot, J.Crew), watch (Cartier), shades (Michael Kors), clutch (Kate Spade, love this, too)

Not just for NYE or a nighttime soiree, sequins can make quite the splash during the day.  Hunker her down with some blues and a versatile blazer or possibly with some leather shorts and ballets, and you've got yourself several different ways to sport the sparkle.  Moral of the story, just because it may be a traditional evening piece, doesn't mean we can't tweak her for a daytime rig!  Take a gander below to get pieces of the look:

photos courtesy of Kristin Tatem