spring wishlist

here

 The weather in Chicago has been ridiculous lately. In the past week, we've had snow, freezing rain, and fluctuations of 20 degrees in temperature. Today is 45 and drizzling, tomorrow will be 62 and storming, and by Thursday will be at 19 and possible snowing. Needless to say, I have no idea how to dress appropriately much less presentably, and I am truly, truly earnestly waiting for spring to arrive. Which explains why I've been aimlessly perusing the web for anything spring related and why I now have a spring wishlist:

1. cognac colored tote + crossbody

2. chambray shirt

3. simple, bold watch

4. pretty, soft nails

5. warmer season, lighter scent

6. animal print flats

7. chic flip flops

8. nude wedges you can dress up or down

9. classic, flat sandal

10. timeless shades

11. delicate earrings, necklaces, and bracelets  

 

vamp

Estee Lauder Beyond Black Collection

I'm a vampy nail polish kind of girl, and Estee Lauder's Beyond Black collection is definitely right up my alley. I'm seriously craving the two colors singled out,  Blue Blood and Viper.  At $20 a bottle, they're a definite splurge, but I've heard that the colors are amazing and that the formula wears like iron.  

A new fall manicure is sometimes all the retail therapy you need.

J.Crew 2013 S/S

J. Crew's new collection has me wanting badly. Some of my favorite looks:

All images via style.com

Images #1, 3, 6, 8, and 10 are at the very top of my list. I love the great colors yet very clean, classic lines that somehow feel new all over again.

anew

via polyvore

 

It's 86 degrees today in Chicago, and while normally this would make me groan about another hot day in this summer of hot days, I'm relishing one last breath of summer before the weather cools down to the low seventies tomorrow and lower over the next few months.

And, as the new season begins, I'm going to start writing down goals that I have for the end of this year and the next:

1. lose 20 lbs. by Thanksgiving

2. work out 4-5 times a week

3. eat better

4. set a budget and stick to it

5. pay down debt by 25% by January

Here's to fall and the start of something new.

recent purchases (Labor Day weekend)

polyvore set here

one: J. Crew Sydney sandal  // two: Gap striped cardigan

three: J. Crew cabochon fan necklace in peach

four: BR Jenna pump // five: J. Crew painter boatneck striped tee  // six: J. Crew cafe capri 

seven: Gap academy blazer // eight: Cole Haan Victoria tote 

nine: Zara cowboy ballerinas // ten: BR Jocelyn wedge 

eleven: J. Crew factory shorts // twelve: J. Crew factory heart sweater

thirteen: J. Crew biennial satchel // fourteen: Shoemint sandal  // fifteen: BR panama hat 

sixteen: Garance Dore for Kate Spade iPhone case

I went a little crazy this Labor Day weekend. On the downside, my wallet is a lot lighter. On the upside, my closet is ready for fall, and then some. All items listed above were purchased for a minimum of 30% off the regular price, except for the Zara flats. Oftentimes, discounts were combined whenever possible. I'll probably return some items (a pair or two of shoes, one of the bags, maybe the hat) after I really assess what I need, but all the above was less than $750. I'd like to get that number down to $500.00. (I'm not counting the necklace and the Shoemint shoes since they were gifts from the boyfriend.)

I don't usually spend this much money, but fall is always when I add the most to my closet, and aside from the $120 spent in August, I really haven't gotten shopping since back in March, and I don't anticipate that I'll want or need to go shopping again until the holidays. 

What are recent additions in your closet?

seeing red

polyvore set here

one: NARS nail polish in Jungle Red 
two: OPI nail polish in Red Lights Ahead...Where?
three: J.Crew Tippi Sweater in Heather Burgundy
four: MAC lipstick in Russian Red
five: NARS lipstick in Autumn Leaves // six: Madewell Suede Sidewalk Skimmer
seven: Zara Basic pumps // eight: Topshop Alvin boots
nine: Dannijo cameo-crystal drop earrings // ten: J. Crew Biennial Satchel 
 eleven: Coach Legacy Crossbody // twelve: Current/Elliot Rider legging jean



I am loving the slew of red for fall. Whether siren red or deep burgundy, it's such a rich, versatile color that's a perfect match for fall's cooler temperatures. On nails, go with moody crimson (1) or watch-me red (2). For the perfect fall sweater, pick a saturated hue in a simple cut (3) and pair it with an equally saturated pair of jeans with a little equestrian twist (12). Lips can be coppery (5) or showstopper (6) red. Pick an attention grabbing bag, either large (10) or small (11). Zara makes a great red pump (7), but if boots are more your thing, Topshop has these buckled boots (8) in a deeper oxblood. Meanwhile, Madewell has some suede flats in a rich red (6). Lastly, I think the most glamorous way to wear red this fall is through a pair of statement earrings, perhaps like this Dannijo pair (9).


Are you seeing red and loving it?

recent buys

clockwise from top left: Old Navy polka dot shirt, OPI got the blues for red,  
Sinful Colors snow me white,  New Balance w690 sneakers (multiple colors),  
Banana Republic pleated skirt, Pour La Victoire isadora wedges (in black & tan)


In an effort to keep track of how much I'm spending and on what, I'm going to start making detailed "recent buys" posts. "Currently eyeing" posts refer to things I have on my wish list/want list but haven't yet bought. They're a way to indulge without hurting my wallet. I want to be fashionable without breaking the bank too much, save for an investment piece here and there that I've saved up and budgeted for. Here's to keeping me honest.

OPI nail polish: $8.50 from Target, gift from KC
Sinful Colors nail polish: $1.99 from Target
New Balance sneakers in grey/blue (different color from above): $39.99 from TJ Maxx
Banana Republic skirt: $44.99 on sale + discount from BR online
Pour La Victoire tan wedges: $25 from MYHABIT  returned

Total: $111.97 $86.97+ tax

when the leaves start changing...

1. Gap black leather jacket (couldn't find this exact one, but similar) 2. Fitzwell brown leather riding boots 

3. butter London in Royal Navy 4. Gap light chambray shirt 5. Dolce&Gabbana the one

6. Michael Kors gold watch 7. Donna Karan Woman

Autumn is my favorite season. I love everything about it, but especially the smell of crisp, cool air, the explosion of color as the leaves change, apple picking and pumpkin pie, my birthday, our anniversary...and of course, great fashion. 

I'm really trying to buy investment pieces for the upcoming season: a leather jacket, well-made riding boots, a timeless over-sized watch, oh-so-versatile chambray. In addition, I'm looking forward to switching to a deeper, more sensual perfume for the cooler weather. I love Dolce&Gabbana the one, (and the rose version, too ), but I smelled Donna Karan's new perfume, Woman, and I was intrigued (and the bottle is like a mini sculpture). As for my nails, I love the darker moody colors - stormy greys, rich hunter greens, and vampy purples. Now I'm looking to add a saturated navy blue to my polish collection. It's classic yet edgy, and a surprisingly versatile and softer take on black. 

What's on your fall wish list?

currently crushing (happy friday)

Old Navy "Rock Star" legging jeans. Butter London nail polish in "Macbeth". NARS semi-matte lipstick in "Heat Wave".  Zara asymmetrical skirt. J. Crew Tillary Bucket Bag. Aldo Broudel sandals. Jason Wu for Target dress.