Outfits Of The Days (Valentino Booties + A Short Showcase of Lace)

Oh, how I love lace.  It is just so pretty and, in my opinion, can be incredibly versatile if worn the right way. It can also be easy to cross the line from sweet to scandalous with this ultra-feminine fabric, though--so here are a few quick personal rules I have for wearing it:

1. I prefer lace tops and tanks with higher necklines--lace already evokes a sense of sultriness with its peek-a-boo, airy design so cleavage is definitely not needed.

2. Look for lace tops, dresses, and skirts in interesting patterns.  Lace seems like it should be a pretty standard deal, but it isn't--it can come in stripes (like the ASOS Blouse with Lace Overlay), zig zags, a variety of floral prints, and lots more. By picking a lacy piece with a bit more interest to it, it can help make the item look a little bit more luxe (even if it really isn't!).

3. Still don't feel comfortable showcasing lace as a major component in your outfit?  Try a lace necklace (like the Golden Lace Long Necklace with Chains at Ann Taylor), a handbag with a little bit of lace detail, or even a pair of lace pumps or booties.  It will add a pinch of pretty without seeming too precious.

Here we go!  A little bit casual....

Blazer: Nordstrom (similar here) (and here + take 10% off with code "TOPARTY") (and here for under $30)

Top: Zara (similar by Ella Moss) (similar at ASOS) (love this too!) (and under $50 at UO)

Belt: J Crew (similar here) (similar here)

Pants: J Crew Minnie Bi-Stretch Wool Pants in Redwood (buy them here) (similar here, on sale) (and here + take 10% off with code "TOPARTY")

Ring: Yves Saint Laurent Arty in green (buy it here) (similar here) (and here for $14)

Shoes: Valentino Asymmetric Lace Booties (similar style here) (and here for $66) (and if booties aren't your thing - a beautiful pump by jimmy choo)

Bag: Lanvin Happy Mini Pop in Metallic Python (buy it here) (similar here) (similar here for under $50)
Nails: OPI for Sephora's I'm With Brad (here) with Butter London's Chancer (here)

And tickling my fancy with a little bit of taffeta & tigers eye, too:

Top: Zara (similar by Ella Moss) (similar at ASOS) (love this too!) (and under $50 at UO)

Skirt: J Crew Marvelle Mini (similar here) (and here)  (similar here at F21)

Shoes: Valentino Asymmetric Lace Booties (similar style here) (and here for $66)

Fur Stole: ASOS (buy it here) (similar here + take 40% off with code "FRIENDS") (similar here at Express)

Earrings: c/o Kendra Scott Darby Earrings in Tigers Eye (buy them here)

Ring: Banana Republic Tigers Eye Ring (buy it here)

(Currently listening...)

Outfit Of The Day (Faux Fur And Yellow Pumps And Tiger Faces, Oh My!)

Here I am!  Again!  Kinda!

Colorado had its first blast of winter this weekend, with about 5 inches of (extremely) heavy snow.  Blah!  Gross!  I'm so not ready for this!

Except..I kind of am ready for this.  It's always fun hauling out winter sweaters, coats, and jackets and wearing them for the first time, isn't it? Whether it's for the first time ever...or simply the first time in a few months, it's fun to have some "new" pieces to play with.  

As brilliantly captured by all of the faces I'm making below, cougggghhh:

Sweater: Madewell Bird's-Eye Pullover (buy it here) (similar style here) (and here by Elizabeth and James) (and here for $39.60)
Tank: American Eagle Outfitters (similar style here) (similar style here at Banana Republic) (and here for $12)
Pants: Old Ann Taylor (similar style here) (and here at J Crew) (and here for $39.60)
Coat: Topshop (buy it here) (similar style here in black) (and another rusty-hued coat here)
Belt: J Crew (buy it here in bright cobalt)
Bracelet: c/o Kendra Scott Audra Bracelet (similar style here)
Bag: Marc Jacobs Cooper Crossbody in Nude (buy it here) (similar style here) (and here for $59.40)
Pumps: Manolo Blahnik Uliepe Pumps (similar style here at J Crew) (and here for $45.50)

Speaking of some new pieces--how pretty is the Audra bracelet from Kendra Scott? I had been searching high and low for something to soothe my obsessive compulsive freaky-matchy-matchy matchiness go with my yellow pumps--and I had nearly given up. This bracelet is perfect! And while it appears to be no longer available to purchase online, the Petra bracelet is similar or you can head over to the (overwhelmingly huge) color bar to design your own.

And finally--here is a continuation with my little blast from the past. Did you know that Homemade Knitted Tiger Face Sweaters™ come with an invisible cloak of bravery?

And a really bad perm. That's all I have.