The Blues

~ I forgot my sunglasses ~

Wearing //

Loft softened chambray shirt, similar here and here on sale

Express jean leggings

Zara kitten heels, similar

Michael Kors bag

Stella & Dot necklace and bracelet

(Don't forget to use Noelle Engel as your hostess ;)

Beauty //

Make up for ever HD Ultra foundation

MAC twig lipstick

This time of year is always bittersweet for me. I used to love Christmas because it was really the only chance I had to see my extended family. My mother would go all out, working like a mad woman to ensure the perfect decorations, lights, and presents. But after my parents got divorced when I was eighteen, family stopped coming around. We isolated ourselves from people, and I spent most holidays going to friends' houses who were gracious enough to let me join and be a part of their families. Now that I have my in-laws, it's wonderful to be included in their traditions. I'm extremely grateful, but there's still this little ache in my heart because I haven't spent a single Christmas with my own family since I was a teenager. With the work that I do with foster children, I see how this otherwise happy time affects them as well. They long to feel normal. They don't care about gifts like a lot of well-adjusted kids do. All they want is to be reunited with their parents, and unfortunately, that's not a possibility for obvious, heartbreaking reasons.

I don't mean to write such a sad post, especially when it's attached to an outfit I wore but I know I'm not alone in this. Plenty of people experience the holiday blues, more than we probably imagine. In the hustle and bustle of putting together fun looks to wear to parties, gift guides filled with pretty things to buy, and traditions to carry out, I just hope we can be aware that not everyone thinks this is the most wonderful time of the year. For some, it really isn't. I hope for most of you reading this though, you are having a great end to 2015. I am trying my best :)

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Mary Tyler Moore

Wearing //

INC coat from Macy's

Express cami and jeans

Old Navy flats, old

Stella & Dot Bianca lariat necklace

Chanel bag, similar

Beauty //

MAC lipstick in Twig

Essie nails in Limited Addiction

Nate thinks I looked like Mary Tyler Moore in this get-up. And yes, he also called it a get-up. I used to watch Mary Tyler Moore when I was a kid with my parents. I loved her cute little office pencil skirts, bob haircut, and that adorable hat she threw up in the air during the iconic opening. So I'll take the reference as a compliment, however odd it may seem.

I love my new coat! I got it on sale at Macy's last week and used the remainder of a gift card on it. These open draped coats are popping up in my feed on Instagram, and I'm drawn to the relaxed look of them. They are perfect for our weather, where a lightweight coat or jacket is really all we need to get through Fall and Winter. It's an easy topper to throw over as an extra layer.

How was your Thanksgiving?

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Little White Jacket

Wearing //

Target jacket

H&M cami, recent check stores

Loft jeans

Zara pumps, similar

Chanel bag, look for less

Stella & Dot Bianca lariat necklace

Henri Bendel ring (I've had it for years!)

Beauty //

Essie nails in Limited Addiction

There are certain things that I truly believe every woman should own in her wardrobe. Most are fairly obvious, and if you've flipped through any fashion magazine I guarantee that these will be there . The little black dress, a nice button-down shirt, a tailored blazer, classic black pumps, a timeless trench. That's stating the obvious, right? But may I add something a little less unexpected to that list. I am convinced that a white jacket can carry over into any season, and it looks just as crisp and classic as any other jacket you may reach for. I never realized how much I loved this one in particular from Target, until I finally got the sleeves hemmed last week. It had been sitting in my closet for months and I had no idea what to do about it until I came to my senses and took it to be altered. The alteration was very simple, and in two days, I had my perfect little white jacket ready to be worn. I paired it with other classic pieces for a fool-proof outfit that will be in heavy rotation. 

Notice the pretty leaves at my feet? I'm so happy that they are finally changing color here. There's a part of me that gets giddy over them each year because the time for them to fall is fleeting. I hope it's just as beautiful where you live. 

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The New Classic

Wearing //

Zara cape, similar in white (want!)

Express cami and jeans

Sole Society pumps, similar

Chanel bag

Stella & Dot rebel necklace and renegade bracelet

Connect with me!

Beauty //

MAC lipstick in See Sheer

You know I love something when I've worn it several times in just one month. I still gravitate towards classic pieces that I can mix and match into my existing wardrobe, and there's something about a structured blazer that instantly pulls together any look regardless of your age, size, or personal style. The cape trend is just a modern twist, and I can't get enough. I love throwing it on with dark jeans and pretty shoes, even better in a classic color combination. Black, white, and pops of red are fool-proof for looking polished. I've never been good at math so I can't say much about formulas but this is one that I can fully grasp. I love this cape so much that I'm seriously considering it in white as well. 

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