Fall Dress.

I bet you all thought I was a headless blogging wonder, huh?  Welp I’m risking losing my sympathy viewers here, but surprise! I have a head.  I actually got my act together and did my hair/make-up on a Sunday so deemed it okay to have it posted to the blog this time.

So, this week’s garment, the fall dress.  I love tricking people with dresses.  That sounds weird, but what I mean is when you wear a dress people automatically think you are semi to super dressed up, without even trying too hard.  But here’s the big secret they don’t know about, dresses are easier than jeans + shirt or any other 2 piece ensemble and a lot of times more comfortable.  It’s one article of clothing, throw it on, BOOM instaoutfit.  No matching, no thinking, no whats, no buts, no coconuts, it’s awesome.

WORK.

I am almost convinced that you could throw a statement necklace and blazer on a burlap sack and it would look sophisticated.  Hmm….burlap sack…future blog post idea, I think so!  When I am wearing a plainer/color-blocked outfit like this one I like to pair patterned or bright colored heels with it to make it a little bit more zingy (I know what you’re thinking, “really? zingy, Maureen? that’s what my Grandpa says to describe a bowl of chili). Actually, a lot of times I will plan an entire outfit around the shoes themselves.  A lot of guys do this too, I hear them all talking about it and planning their Monday outfits during half-time on Sundays.

Fall Dress + Statement Necklace + Blazer + Houndstooth Heels

PLAY.

So check out that watch.  I “borrowed” that from my friend Casey when we all went out the other night.  It wasn’t my fault, the tequila made me do it, which is strange because I thought tequila was supposed to make your clothes fall off, but apparently it makes me put more on.  Sorry I’m not THAT sorry Casey, I LOVE that watch 😉  So back to the dress, I like the belt around the waist because it makes it look a little bit more put together and gives you a nice hourglass shape.  Boots with dresses are one of my favorite looks and you only have a small window in Sept/Oct when you can wear them without tights so hussle to your closet before they predict a Halloween blizzard!   PS – Also a good accessory, dogs.  Dogs are a good accessory.  With almost any outfit. (<3 you Layla)

Fall Dress + Printed Scarf + Brown Leather Belt + Suede Boots

DON’T CARE (but hey, I kinda care)

Holy cow this outfit is comfy.  Like I want to wear it to watch tv, to bed, in the shower, everywhere. I didn’t even change out of it after I took these pics when I went to the grocery store.  I risked one of my thousands of followers seeing me at Whole Foods and getting a sneak peak of this week’s post. Don’t worry, I didn’t run into any, PHEW that was a close one.  The leggings make you warmer, but also allow you to sit totally unladylike without anyone singing “I see London, I see France” (you know the rest) and you feeling like the town hussy.  Okay, don’t you just wanna snuggle up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate (with fluff in it!)  in this outfit?  Or ya know with your husband or boyfriend or whatever instead of the hot chocolate if you’re into that.

Fall Dress + Oversized Knit Cardigan + Leggings + Fluffy Knit Scarf + Flats

Stay tuned for next week’s post, it’s going to be wild RAWR!  (stay tuned?  What is is this an old timey radio show?)

Booties.

I wonder how many dudes clicked on this post just because they thought it would be a bunch of butt shots…hmm.  Well for those of you who DON’T know, booties are also ankle boots (anddd cue the guys closing out of this page).  I find that a lot of girls have tall boots and wear them all the time in the fall/winter.  They may have one pair of ankle boots lingering in their closet, but they NEVER wear them.  Sup with that?  Rumor has it they aren’t sure how to wear them or with what (who spreads rumors about boots?  so weird.)  Well guess what, NOW is the time to start wearing them!  They are super versatile (versatile…versastyle…get it?  gawd I’m clever) and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to pair them with different outfits.

Oh and a special shout out to my friends Rebecca and Rachy for giving me the idea to highlight booties this week!! (whenever I say “shout out” I immediately flashback to watching TRL after school and fantasizing about being next to Carson just so I could “shout out” to someone…such admirable goals I used to have)

 

WORK.

This outfit just screams fall to me.  It’s sad to say that it’s getting cold enough to wear tights, but they look so damn cute I don’t mind, for now.  Although, I do wish the weather would make up it’s freaking mind already.  Without fail the day I wear flannel it’s a sweltering 80 degrees and so I wear shorts the next day and I’m freezing my bootie(s) off (<— see what I did there).  Anyyywayyys what were we talking about?  Oh yeah, fashion, boots, the reason for this blog, right.  So pairing booties with tights is always a good idea, I generally wear them with skirts, but there are many dresses that look great with them as well, just make sure the styles match up (i.e. don’t wear a casual ankle boot with a fancy dress).

Chestnut Booties + Black Tights + Pleated Straight Skirt + Lightweight Sweater + Knit Plaid Scarf.

 

PLAY.

You could wear this outfit shopping down Newbury, to the museum or to Catholic School (just kidding you would be kicked out immediately, by the nuns, not the fashion police because this outfit is H-O-T hot).  A lot of people may not think to wear exposed socks with their boots, but let me tell you it is the THING to do this season, and not just with skirts or booties, play around with pants, tall boots, snuggies, whatever you’re into.

Chestnut Booties + Scrunched Knee Socks + Plaid Mini Skirt + Ruffled Top + Lightweight Coat.

 

DON’T CARE. (but hey, I kinda care)

This is simple and easy to put together.  Cuffed skinny jeans look absolutely adorable with booties. Like, SO adorable that if you put this picture next to a picture of a baby wearing booties on facebook THIS would get more likes.  Alright, FINE, it wouldn’t, especially if the baby had little ducky booties on, but come on you can’t deny this style looks fresh.  You can of course also just not cuff the pants and wear the ankle boots straight up (or on the rocks?  Yeah, I think I had one too many drinks at the bar last night) over the skinny jeans, but cuffing adds a little bit of fierceness (RAWR) to your outfit.

Chestnut Booties + Black Jeans + Cut-out Tank + Slouchy Cardigan + Watercolor Scarf.

PS – I would love to hear people’s opinions (unless they’re negative in which case you can scram, jk I’ll take constructive criticism) and also would LOVE suggestions for future posts!

Chambray Shirt.

cham·bray
ˈSHamˌbrā,-brē/

noun

1. a linen-finished gingham cloth with a white weft and a colored warp, producing a mottled appearance.

Who writes dictionaries anyways? A chambray shirt is a denim shirt, a jean shirt. Got it?  Good. Let’s talk about it.  Then wear it…to work, to the bar, to the zoo, on a date, to bed (after a few drinks), to the movies, anywhere, everywhere and I’ll show you how!

I think everyone should own one of these, and keep it forever. My best friend’s Mom has literally been rocking this style from when she was yelling at us for eating all the ice cream (we were 5), to yelling at us for sneaking out to party (we were 15), to yelling at us for eating all the ice cream after getting back from partying (we’re 28). I went from loving it to hating it to loving it AGAIN. Like most styles this will go in and out, but right now it’s IN and regardless I think it’s a classic staple to add to any wardrobe.

 

WORK.

Wait. What?  I can wear denim to work??  YUP.  Well, assuming you’re not a hoity-toity lawyer or lion tamer or something.  Let me just say first that I LOVE scarfs.  It’s one of the only things that makes me feel okay about it getting colder out.  They can make any plain outfit look like a put together decision that must have taken hours to determine, when in reality you took about 30 seconds to wrap it around your neck.  That’s the secret here people, basic, well-fitting pieces with one or two accessories that make the ensemble POP.

Chambray Shirt + A-line Skirt + Floral Scarf + Mary-Jane Heels.

 

PLAY.

This is a good outfit to wear on a date, out to a cafe in the late afternoon, or to the pub for a couple beers (or on a date that goes well at the cafe and is followed up by beers at the pub).  And guess what, it’s comfortable too!  I tucked in the front of the shirt and left the back untucked for that “this is a casual outfit with a little sassiness” look.  That’s exactly what you thought when you first saw it too, right?  YESSS, NAILED IT.

Chambray Shirt + Tribal Patterned Mini Skirt + Gladiator Sandals.

 

DON’T CARE. (but, hey, I kinda care)

This outfit is COMFORTABLE.  And if you’re a single lady like myself you may get hit on more in this outfit than the other two because of the bizarro obsession men have with yoga pants.  I think the lace cami adds a little bit of pizazz (does anybody under 90 use that word?) to this look as well.

Chambray Shirt + Cream Lace Cami + Black Leggings + Chestnut Riding Boots.

 

PS – I bet you are all wondering what amazing photographer I used to take these photos? Oh you’re aren’t? You can tell I took crappy photos with my iphone and then instagrammed them? WELL that’s because I want this to look as natural as possible, I want to show attainable looks for the average, everyday woman. Inspire looks with clothes that most already own, but may not have thought to put together in that way.

Because I could easily afford a famous photographer ya know. I’m rich. I have a butler and a maid and sleep on sheets made of gold (wait…that actually sounds uncomfortable). Can’t you see I’m posting these “awkward in front of the fireplace mantel” photos for YOU.  So, in all seriousness, I hope you were inspired at least a little bit, so go out there and Get Your Chambray On….literally.