Geek Chic

It was cold this morning. Like under 30 degrees cold. I am a California girl. Who lived in the south. I don't do this weather. However, I have these wool pants for Black Fleece (a Brooks Brothers like) that seemed perfect for a day like today. 

Sweater: JCrew; Shirt: Madewell; Pants: Brooks Brothers' Black Fleece; Shoes: Tory Burch; Watch: Michael Kors

They are silk lined wool and a pretty charcoal, burgundy and tan plaid. I wore my tan on tan Tory flats, as well as a tan cable knit crew neck with a white silk button up underneath. 

Glasses: Chanel; Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner; Shirt: Madewell: Sweater: JCrew

My monogram necklace, a side braid and my glasses completed the look: I spent too much time not wanting to get out of my warm bed this morning to have time to do my hair or put in contacts. But by the time I was done getting ready I realized that I looked kind of like a big old nerd. But I was ok with that :) 

Until next time,

Xo

T 

PS: I wasn't kidding about the weather...

Holiday Spirit

Happy December! I am so excited that the holiday season can officially start...

Yay! With that said, I broke out my red pea coat again, and my black JBrand skinnies and leopard flats. 

However, I switched out one of my usual Kate Spade bags for this Longchamp tote. I've had this bag since I was about 18, and it is still going strong. Granted, I don't use it everyday, but when I do it's because I need to load it down with tons of books/electronics/etc. I also use Longchamp duffle bags when I travel, and would highly recommend those as well. They are amazing bags that stand the test of time! 

I paired everything with this light pink and red Kate Spade tank I bought this weekend (on super sale!). I loved all the red in my outfit today, and made me so excited to get my decorations out of storage and start making my house as festive on the outside as I feel inside! 

Happy December,

xo

T 

Furniture Shopping

Matt's mom is a very accomplished interior designer, so when she offered to help us find furniture for our new house, we obviously jumped at the opportunity! 

I decided to dress comfortably, in jeans and a white silk button down and loafers, but I added a few classic touches such as a twisted hammock of pearls and my double breasted blazer. 

Is there anything more American than a big pile of pearls and a classic navy blue blazer? This is such a great, go-to combo for days when you want to loo put together but also comfortable. 

I cuffed my JBrand jeans to give them a trendier vibe, and paired the outfit with these tan Tory Burch loafers. They are accented with a little bow across the instep, so when I saw they were on sale on the Tory website, I had to get them! I guess all of these amazing sales are a silver lining of the bad economy ;) 

When I got home the Aussie dog wanted to try on my pearls... I think she looks pretty cute :)

Until next time,

xo

T

French Food & Friends

The cocktail party I was supposed to attend last night was randomly canceled last minute, and so some of my friends and I decided to go out to dinner at a great French restaurant in our town, the Left Bank. 

It is down the stree from our high school, and it used to be our "fancy" restaurant when we were kids. We'd go there for each other's birthdays, and sometimes we would stop in on rainy afternoons just to get a side of French fries. 

Now that were older we usually order some champagne cocktails, but we still always get some French fries or fondue, too :)

Since it was a fairly last minute plan, and not really a crazy night out, I wore this bright pink long sleeved shirt from JCrew. I've had it for a few years, and it is definitely a holiday staple for me.  I paired it with my navy blue double breasted blazer (also JCrew), black skinnies (shocking that if wear those, I know), and my leopard smoking flats from Target. I was a little bummed that I didn't get to wear my new heels out, but I'll just have to find another fun occasion for them! 

Until next time,

xo

T

Casual Friday.

Jacket: JCrew; Sweater: Target; Necklace: JCrew Factory; Jeans: JBrand; Shoes: Sam Edleman; Bag: Kate Spade

Happy Friday! I woke up this morning and my whole front yard was frozen! Eek! Despite my desire to stay in my pajamas all day and drink tea by the fire, I had things to do. So I decided to take full advantage of casual Friday protocol and wear jeans with these cute Sam Edleman booties. 

I was tempted to wear riding boots because it was so cold, but I hadn't worn these in a while, and I think they add a slightly dressier vibe. My JCrew field jacket was a great layering piece over this cute fisherman sweater from Target. Target has had so much cute stuff lately! I have been tempted to just start throwing things into my cart! 

This JCrew Factory necklace finished things off.  It helped dress up an otherwise casual outfit, kind of like the booties. 

Until next time,

xo

T

Unexpected Combinations

Sweater: JCrew Factory; Shirt: JCrew Factory; Necklace: Chanel; Pants: JBrand; Shoes: Chanel; Watch: Michael Kors; Bag: Kate Spade

Pearls and bows and ballet flats... and plaid? This outfit could have been completely girly, but to add an appropriate level of quirk and to balance out the felinity I added this plaid button up from the JCrew Factory. My oversized Michael Kors watch furthered the balance. 

This sweater is also from the Factory... That place is amazing! So many cute things for such good prices. I had originally discovered it while in Pennsylvania for a friend's wedding, and kind of forgot about it for a while until I recently rediscovered it while searching for this sweater. It is definitely my new go-to.

I bought this Chanel pearl necklace after saving up my paychecks from one of my first part time jobs. I worked at this amazing boutique in college that sold Marc Jacobs and Dolce and Gabbana, so saving my paychecks was always pretty hard! One of my college friends and I were going to New York for Spring Break, and so I saved for MONTHS. This was such a splurge, but I wear it all the time, and can completely see myself passing it down to my future daughter or granddaughter someday.  

Last but not least, my classic Chanel flats grounded the outfit... There was a lot going on on top so I kept the bottom of my outfit simple with my favorite JBrand skinnies and these flats. I might have a slight Chanel obsession... Matt always asks why I couldn't find a less expensive brand to love.  But that's kind of like asking why fire is hot, isn't it? 

Until next time,

xo

T

Pearls & Plaid

Boots: Tory Burch; Pants: J Brand; Shirt: JCrew; Vest: JCrew; Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Happy Veteran's Day! Matt and I had some friends over today to celebrate this important day, which is even more important to us given that he's a veteran as well as almost even male in our families! But before the festivities could begin, I got productive and ran about town taking care of errands. 

Necklace: JCrew

My glammed up everyday/company ready outfit is pretty basic: JCrew vest with a JCrew plaid, but with a big tangle of pearls thrown on top. 

This Rebecca Minkoff bag is honestly the best bag ever for running around town. It's cross body, so it stays out of my way, and it has several pockets for organizing my life, including one for iPads and tablets. I literally don't take it off some weekends! 

My birthday present Tory boots came out to play again. I paired them with some khaki skinnies that I've had for years... They're JBrand and AMAZING. Perfectly stretchy and perfectly comfy. Aka perfect for the weekend! 

Until next time,

xo

T

Weekend Warrior

Boots: Tory Burch; Pants: JBrand; Shirt: JCrew; Sweater: JCrew; Vest: The North Face; Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

It's cold here in Seattle! It drizzled all day today, which is the most annoying weather! You feel like a dork wearing a rain coat, and you don't need an umbrella, so you kind of just have to wing it. I layered a buffalo plaid JCrew button up under a simple grey crew neck, under my North Face vest. It was still chilly! 

Necklace: Kate Spade

My favorite Kate Spade necklace added some much needed bling to the outfit...

I also wore these Tory Burch boots that, to be honest, I never know how to wear. I wanted them SO badly a few years ago, but I always feel a little too rocker chick I them. But I thought this was a good balance. 

 I don't know about you, but I ends to have a tinier bag when I'm out running errands: just enough to hold my wallet, phone, to do list and Chapstick.

Hope your Saturday was as productive and fun as mine! 

Until next time,

xo

T

Winter Whites

Well October came and went and with Novembers arrival, it seems that winter is here in full swing as well. We've been super busy here in Seattle, what with the new house and the horrible flu Matt and I have come down with. But today was the first day that I actually didn't just wear an oversiezed sweater and Minnie pants... Plus my new cords that I bought during JCrews last 25% off sale came in the mail. Yay! 

The pants are white corduroys in the JCrew matchstick cut, which I love because it's so feminine and Audrey-esque, which is never a bad thing with a masculine fabric like corduroy. 

I paired it with a black pullover and my denim button up. I like the denim during the winter/fall because it is slightly heavier and gives me some more warmth when it's super chilly out!  

My quilted Barbour jacket was a great jacket to wear, it is thin enough that it doesn't make you look too bulky when you're layering and the plum added some color to my black and white outfit. 

I added my gold and black Reva flats to match my black pullover, as well as my bow ring and Michael Kors watch, all of which are basically my everyday essentials. 

Until next time,

xo

T

Sugar and Spice

Today was such a beautiful fall day! The air was crisp, the skies were blue, and the leaves were falling, scattering the ground with their lovely jewel tones. I layered (as usual) and wore my new JCrew bejeweled sweatshirt.

Shirt: JCrew; Sweatshirt: JCrew; Pants: JBrand; Bag: Kate Spade; Watch: Target

Matt's team likes to make fun of my bejeweled sweaters, but I get lots of compliments on them! So even if they're not guy friendly, I like them and wear them anyway :)

Shoes: Kate Spade

The sweatshirt and denim shirt I layered under it went great with these eggplant colored JBrand jeans. 

This leopard print wrap watch is from Target... It always adds some spice to your look! 

These Kate Spade two tone flats were the perfect compliment to the bedazzled and colorful outfit, and they match my Beau Bag perfectly. 

Until next time,

Xo

T

Polka Dot Party

I haven't posted anything in about a week... Sorry! Matt and I have been in the process of moving into a new house, which is as exciting as it is tiring! I think I have come down with a little cold as a result of all the craziness... But it was such a beautiful fall day today! I wanted to dress the part :)

Jacket: JCrew; Shirt: JCrew; Pants: JCrew; Necklace: JCrew; Bag: Kate Spade

I wore my polka dot skinny jeans from JCrew... They're always just what the doctor ordered when you need some getting ready motivation. 

The outfit actually ended up being pretty much all JCrew, with the exception of my Beau Bag. But since I wanted to be comfy I just paired my chambray button up with a light pink bubble necklace to add some polish. 

My double breasted navy blue blazer made it work day appropriate, too. 

Shoes: Tory Burch

And these nude colored, patent leather Tory Burch flats added the perfect neutral tone.

Until next time,

Xo

T

Autumn Colors

Jeans: Madewell; Boots: Tory Burch

It's my birthday on Friday! I had a tiny celebration this weekend with Matt and some friends, and Matt surprised me with these new boots! I had wanted them from a while, and was so excited to get them! 

I wore them for work today with these red Madewell jeans.  This is the only pair of Madewell pants that I have actually fallen in love with, all of the others I've bought I've ended up returning for various reasons.  I wore my chambray JCrew button-up under this tan cable knit JCrew crew neck that I think I've had since high school, but it's such a great classic that I keep wondering why they don't still sell them! 

Sweater: JCrew; Button-up: JCrew; Necklace: JCrew

Of course I added a statement necklace (also a JCrew purchase - last Christmas on sale!), because I thought otherwise the outfit was pretty casual and a little too tomboyish for me. 

Wrap bracelet: Tory Burch; Bangle: Kate Spade; Watch: Michael Kors

Last but not least, my Michael Kors watch, Tory wrap bracelet and my new Kate Spade bangle! This outfit is pretty casual for me for work, but it's my last day of the week today, because I'm taking a mini-vacation back home starting tomorrow! Woohoo!

Until next time, 

xo

T

Pink Makes the Boys Wink

Jacket: JCrew (old); Shirt: Milly; Skirt: Theory; Shoes: Kate Spade

I spent last night out on the town with Matt and our friends who were in town visiting. I took the opportunity to wear this pink tweed jacket my Mom got for me last Christmas. It is one of my favorite things in my closet! 

Shirt: Milly; Jacket: JCrew

This jacket is seriously all of my favorite things wrapped into one: it's pink, tweed, and it has little bits of lurex thread woven in giving it an extra bit of glam. I wore it with my go-to black Theory skirt and this Milly top. I love how the Milly top is refined and ladylike with it's pointed collar and tuxedo pleats, but then adds some edge with the leather bow at the neckline. I do love a good bow! 

Bracelets and watch: Kate Spade

My Kate Spade stacked wrist... 

Ring: Kate Spade

And this Kate Spade bow ring Matt got for me a few Christmases ago. This is one of the only rings I ever swap out my signet ring for! 

Until next time,

Xo

T

Friday Stripes

Jacket: JCrew; Dress: Theory; Scarf: Target; Shoes: Tory Burch; Headband: JCrew

Today was one of those days. You know what I'm talking about. Those days when you wake up but the outside is grey and ominous. But I was determined to make

It not that kind of day. So I wore this! I didn't wear tights or boots, which was a terrible idea around lunch time when it was pouring, but worse things could happen. 

Until next time, 

xo 

T

Cat Burglar

If I were a cat burglar, a la Anne Hathaway in The Dark Knight Rises, this is what I would wear:

Sweater: Equipment; Pants: JCrew

I felt so sleek and cool today! I bought this leopard print Equipment sweater a few months ago after I had waited a solid month for it to end up in stores. I paired it with my JCrew Minnie pants, which are completely amazing in that they're comfortable and stylish and appropriate for work. 

Watch: Michael Kors

Seriously, I walked outside my house and felt like Audrey Hepburn playing the role of a cat burglar. 

Shoes: Kate Spade (old)

I paired the two with these cap toe Kate Spade flats.  I bought them a few years ago because I thought they were a perfect work and play shoe... and they're tan with black, which goes with essentially everything in my wardrobe. 

Earrings: Kate Spade

I also decided to wear these new Kate Spade earrings I recently bought.  I love that they're bows, but also that they're a little edgier with their streamlined lines a pyramid stud in the center.

I thought I'd finish with a close-up of the front of the sweater... yep it's only leopard on the front! The sleeves and back and finely knit wool, and the front is leopard print silk. Seriously THE softest silk. Equipment is such a great company, as they sell classic button-ups and funner, trendier pieces like this one, but everything is absolutely amazing quality. I also just love leopard print for the fall.  It goes perfectly with richer, fall appropriate jewel tones like burgundy, and also adds a little spice to more traditional pieces like riding boots. So try out a sweater or a scarf! 

Until next time, 

xo

Tara