10 Closet Staples for Fall 2015

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Every season, like the weather, your wardrobe changes. Some people shop throughout the season, which I tend to do,too. However, at the beginning of each season, I usually select 8-10 “foundation pieces” that I can easily switch in and out to create multiple looks and build with various accessories and other pairings that I already have or pick up later on.

For fall, it’s all about looking put together with pieces and silhouettes that look polished and classic. Therefore, you will notice that my foundation pieces this season are very simple and easy to wear and play around with for endless moments of classic fall style. Check out my 10 closet staples for fall 2015.

  • Structured blazer – A well-made, structured blazer is a must for a tailored look, but it can also primp up a casual look of jeans and a tee shirt. This clean blazer from Zara is perfect and has enough warmth to carry you from fall all the way throughout winter. Such a great addition to any closet.
  • Boyfriend Cardigan – Is it really fall without buying a new sweater? Well, it is, but not for me until I find, buy, and wear daily a brand new sweater; preferably boyfriend fit and roomy enough to layer. I usually get a safe neutral color, but this year, I’m planning to venture off and seek more colored sweaters. First color I need is a red one, like this one. Great to have for a pop of color in a monochromatic look.
  • Button-down Blouse – There is nothing like a white button-down oxford blouse. Very crisp. However, the iconic blue one is just as crisp, but a little more relaxed and casual. This one from L.L. Bean is extra relaxed, because it’s wrinkle-free and washable. Great for those mornings when you over sleep, but still need to look like you have job…that you want to keep.
  • Classic grey tee – Grey is definitely the forgotten neutral color that’s flattering on most complexions and is a great way to add a chill and cool factor to your look. H&M recently (and finally!) opened up a store here in Memphis and I instantly loaded up on their jersey tees, including a couple of grey ones.
  • Khaki Chino – Realistically, every closet should have a pair of khaki chinos that are sleek, minimalist friendly, and timeless. J. Crew’s broken- in boyfriend chinos fit the bill, but they also have a relaxed and comfy feel that would make them perfect for casual Friday or running errands.
  • Boot-Cut Jeans – Boot-cut are going to have a great season. A dark rinse pair of boot-cut jeans will get you anywhere and everywhere this season.
  • A-Line Skirt – Every seasonal wardrobe needs to have the opp for a skirt moment. This season, it’s all about the a-line skirt. Straight-line knee-length is great style to aim for, because it perfect for flats and tall boots, when that awesome time finally comes around. Marc by Marc Jacobs has the the perfect a-line skirt that chic and classic.
  • Nude watch – After over 5 years, I’m over the chunky, men’s watch inspired look. It was an awesome time or chicness with just the right touch of gaudiness, but now I’m all about the minimal design for a watch that’s a perfect blush shade for everyday wear, like this Kate Spade Second Hand Spade Metro Watch. Subtle and timeless.
  • Utilitarian tote – One of my favorite totes is my Madewell Transport tote. Clean lines and goes with everything. Pretty perfect. However, Madewell recently reworked the transport bag to make it extra functional by adding outside compartments and zipper closure. Definitely my next everyday bag.
  • Leather loafers – When I initially started thinking about what I wanted to add to my fall wardrobe this year, a classic pair of penny loafers were one of the first things I knew that I needed. Bass is renowned for their high-quality and classic leather shoes including their wayfarer loafers. Although black would be safe, there is just something about a burgundy or deep cognac color that does it for me.

Those are the first 10 items I’m buying for fall, this year. Along the way, I’m going to pick up some more accessories like scarves, a cognac satchel, and I’m thinking about looking into re-introducing pearls in my life. I’m not sure, yet. Right, it’s just a thought.

If you have any suggestions for “foundation pieces” for a fall wardrobe, please share them below.

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Documentaries to Watch This Weekend

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I plan to have a good ol’ super lazy weekend that consists noshing on a cheese plate for one and creating a dent in my sofa and/or bed. I haven’t exactly narrowed down the location of this “laze fest”, but it’s going down.

Although, I do have some mini binge watching of shows resting in my DVR, I would love to get catch up on some documentaries that I’ve been meaning to watch and/or rewatch. There are some really entertaining and informative documentaries lurking on Netflix and even Youtube that we should look into watching.

In the meantime, here are just a few of the docs that are on my personal to-watch list this weekend.

Freeway: Crack In The System documents the rise and fall of a drug dealer, Rick Ross (not the rapper), and the crack epidemic of the 80s. Gripping moment: a former billionare crack dealer crying, remembering how his daughter was born small enough to fit in his hand due to crack exposure.

Hot Girls Wanted explores the world of young girls seeking fame in the seedy world of amateur pornography.

Open Secret is about a man who has known for the majority of his life the truth about his adoption, which his whole town already knew.  The filmmaker shows great care with his relatives, as he tries to understand their decisions. We also learn, poignantly, about the context in which the choices were made.

Somewhere Between follows the lives of four Chinese teenage girls who were adopted as babies by American families.

Burt’s Buzz is the story of Burt’s Bees’ founder, Burt Shavitz, and how a reclusive beekeeper reluctantly created a renowned multi-million dollar business.

Fed Up dives into the how the US government works and backs up the corporations that produce our food; good and bad.

 

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DEFINE DESIGN: Shabby Chic

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Shabby Chic is definitely not for everyone or all the time. In hind sight, shabby chic is what I always envisioned my dream bedroom was to look like when I was a little girl. I wanted all white wicker furniture, a big canopy bed, and everything else to be various hues of light pink, white, and accents of gold. Personally, I blame the creative teams behind the Sears and JC Penney catalogs who used to curate the quintessential depiction of “girly” bedrooms that pretty much looked like a big baby pink lacy pillow.

However, 33 year old me is not about the shabby chic life and that’s okay, but it’s still nice to look and pick little pieces from the design aesthetic to incorporate in my home. Now a days, I prefer my shabby chic tendencies to show up in my choice of undergarments and make-up. Okay?

Back to shabby chic. Here is a quick rundown of characteristics of a shabby chic design:

  • Colorful, vintage (vintage-looking) items
  • Distressed furniture
  • White walls
  • Lots of light decor (i.e. soft pinks, blues, yellows, and green)

Here are some examples of shabby chic living spaces that are very livable and not too over the top…in my opinion.

Shabby-chic-living-room-5 Shabby-chic-living-room-4 shabby-chic-living-room-3 Shabby-chic-living-room-2 Shabby-chic-living-room-1 shabby-chic-kitchen-3 shabby-chic-kitchen-2 shabby-chic-kitchen-1 shabby-chic-dining-1 shabby-chic-decor shabby-chic-bedroom-3 shabby-chic-bedroom-2 shabby-chic-bedroom-1

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LINKAGE LOVE: August 2015

iamge here

Linkage Love: August 2015

 

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Create Your Own Luxury Hotel Bedroom

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Now that summer break is pretty much wrapping up, we’ve pretty much used up all of our vacation time excluding the few you’re (or should be) saving up for the holiday season.

Back to vacations. Aside from being logged off from work emails and obligated to show up to an office and sit in front of two monitors…clicking my day away, I love staying in hotels. Not just any hotel, a 4-star or better with plush furnishings, comfy complimentary robes, and premium toiletries. Since I’m a fan of paying for experiences, I will shell a little extra of my vacation budget to stay in a better hotel. It’s really hard to not fall in love with a really curated hotel.

So, over the years, I’ve found and adopted ways to make my own living space, especially bedroom, give me all the comfort and good vibes of a luxury hotel. Although there are plenty of elements that make an excellent hotel…excellent, this are the basics that you can easily create your own luxury hotel bedroom…at home.

  • High Quality Bedding – A good mattress is important to have…period. However, having high quality bedding is the cherry on top. I’m still a fan of parachute bedding. The material is premium without the premium pricing. Their sheets made me fall in love with my bed all over again.
  • Luxe Lotion – Luxury hotels have some of the best toiletries and l love it when they carry lines that I’ve yet to discover, especially rich lotions. I suggest Vetiver Lavender Lotion, which is an amazing luxe everyday moisturizer for your face and body. The lavender scent encompasses all the feels of a luxury hotel; comfortable and relaxing.
  • Plush Robe – Can you really consider a hotel luxury if they don’t have a large, comfy robe hanging in the closet for your convenience? I don’t think so. If you love the comfy feel of a robe when at a hotel, then you will appreciate the nap Robe. Soft, plush, and not too heavy so you can wear it all year.
  • Soft Lighting – Lighting is everything, especially when trying to create a mood. Hotel lighting is always soft and usually comes from a sleek and chic lamp. This acrylic column table lamp from West Elm adds just the right amount of light, but the clear acrylic base blends well into the background of any room.
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