Since it's Thursday I decided to do a throwback post of some past Holiday looks! For the past 2 years I've worn my burgundy velvet Theory pants, maybe this year I'll give them a break. As you will also notice, I have a thing for velvet. Definitely one of my favorite fabrics, especially for the holiday season.

Work Holiday Party 2012

Various Family Christmas Parties 2012

Christmas Eve 2011

Even older:

Let's start today off with a story, shall we? Last weekend I had an appointment in Westport, so obviously I headed over to Roundabout Resale afterward. I walked in and turned and my eyes were instantly drawn to a burgundy, patchwork blazer perched on the end of a clothing rack. I grabbed it and looked at the size first, it was my size and was practically brand new (no signs of wear at all)! Next I noticed the label: Etro (their blazers go for $1200+). Instantly I knew I could not walk away without buying the blazer, it was meant to be. I looked at the price and my heart dropped slightly, it was $269, a bit too much for me to spend on one piece.  Then one of the kind women working at the store came over to me to tell me about the promotion going on: buy one item get 10% off, buy two get 20% off and 3 items would get you 30% off! So, naturally I went in search of two more items so I could get the blazer for $188 instead of $269. 

Normally Chanel isn't included in their sales, but this time everything but bags would qualify! Sadly most of their Chanel clothes (including a GORGEOUS teal tweed blazer) were $800+ and even at 30% off that's a bit much. BUT I found an adorable pair of black velvet flats that were $275. I have been hunting for an "affordable" pair of Chanel flats for a while and have had my heart set on these, but sadly they are $620 on eBay so I can't justify that, even though they are my two favorite colors.  Finally I found a cute Ralph Lauren top that was $27. The top happened to be 30% off by itself and with the sale it was an additional 30% off. So I got the blazer, flats and top for less than just buying the blazer and flats.

Even on sale these items were a bit of a splurge, but I'm glad I did it. Every time I look at them they make me smile.  The blazer is just so totally me with the burgundy and crazy prints and patchwork. I love that it is asymmetrical too. I always tell myself I'm not going to buy more blazers but then I find an even more perfect one and have to break my promise.

Anywoooo, I wore this outfit that afternoon for lunch with Lydia and Christine at one of my favorite restaurants - The Chowder Pot. We chatted fashion, Christine's marathon running (I wish I were brave enough for those,) boys, etc.  After lunch we stopped at Starbucks for some coffee (and hot chocolate with a straw for me.)

Blazer: Etro (Roundabout Resale), Tee: H&M, Jeans:  Free People, Flats: Chanel (Roundabout Resale), Purse: Chanel, Sunglasses: : Ray Ban 'Emma' (Marshalls),  Necklace c/o Anjolee, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

We're getting really close to Christmas so holiday parties are starting to pile up. Below are a few suggestions on what you can wear! You can go dressy, casual or a mix of both. I'm more of a mixer myself dpending on where I'm going.

Dress: Notte by Marchesa dress, Jean-Michel Cazabat pumps, Alexander Wang clutch, Elizabeth Cole necklace, Chanel Cinema nail vernis, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Espirit,

Pants: Alexander Wang pumps, Iris & Ink sweater,  Stella McCartney pants, Bijoux Heart earrings, Leighton Denny Golden Girl nail polish

Skirt: Richard Nicoll skirt, Iris & Ink top, Skaist-Taylor blazer, Saint Laurent heels, Elizabeth Cole earrings, Elizabeth Cole necklace

Last Wednesday Coach held an event at their newly reopened downtown flagship store on 5th Avenue. Model Karlie Kloss and Lucky editor Eva Chen chatted about Coach, travel, trends for Spring, holiday gifting and much more. They invited a select group of influencers to actually be in store for the event and also livestreamed the full thing.  I was lucky enough to be invited and was able to leave work early to attend.

Obviously I was the first one there because I hate being late, so I got first pick of seats. I decided to sit on a couch in the back because it was comfortable and I would have felt awkward just staring at Karlie and Eva from the front row. I was joined on the couch by the lovely Dianna of Beyond the Row who I chatted with for a bit.
Listening to Karlie and Eva was like hearing two best friends talking.  I also learned that Eva shares my love of Lord of the Rings. While talking about her favorite color for this season she said she should have been an Elf so she could walk around in hunter green all day.  She also loves aubergine, which is one of my favorite colors as well, although I just say purple/maroon because I'm boring.
While talking about great gifts to get for the holiday season, Karlie mentioned how much she loves her Coach Borough bag, she has both the mini and the largest size which she uses for travel. Eva suggested the classic Coach Legacy Duffle and mentioned you should get it monogrammed for free at a Coach store to make it more personal!  I like bags with a little twist so I would personally choose the Legacy bag in Aubergine with haircalf paneling.

Photo thanks to BFA

I took the time to find their exact outfits for you all, should you want to steal their amazing style.  All items are from Coach, obviously. Can I have everything they wore!?
Eva Chen: Handknit Aran Polo Neck Sweater, Leather Sexy Skirt, Samie Heel, and the Legacy Slim Clutch in Leather
Karlie Kloss: Zip Back Fine Gauge Crewneck Sweater, Leather High Waisted Trouser, Tabitha Flat, and the Mini Borough Bag in Polished Calfskin

I was braver than usual and asked both Eva and Karlie for a photo together. For those of you that know me, that's big! I'm always super shy at events and usually watch and drink everything in.

As I was leaving the event I got a gift bag with the latest issue of Lucky and a box from Coach.  I waited until I got home to open it and was greeted with a beautiful maroon croc embossed tablet case! I haven't been able to find it online but if I do I'll be sure to share the link in case you are interested. It is gorgeous and I plan on using it as a clutch as well as a case for my iPad.

Coach should be releasing a recap video shortly and I'll be sure to update this post with a link (or embed it if I'm able) UPDATE: Here's the video! You can see me a few times, but the best part is 2:57. Then there are glimpses of me after.


Thanks again to Coach and Lucky for the invite, I had an amazing time!!

Happy Friday! We're less than 2 weeks until Christmas - YAY! I've got quite a lot of plans this weekend. Tomorrow I'm going to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug with my best friend and then our other best friend is meeting us for lunch. She doesn't like Lord of the Rings...for shame!  Then Saturday night my family from Ohio is arriving for a few days, so the rest of the weekend will be spent with them!

Apparently I went Chanel crazy on Wednesday, ha ha. I have always wanted to wear the skirt and blazer together and I wanted to wear comfortable flats - so I chose my new Chanel flats.  Funny how I bought them all over the past year at Roundabout Resale for far less than retail and they all go perfectly together! The reason I wanted to wear comfortable shoes was because I was going to an event at the Coach flagship store on 5th avenue for #ChatWithCoach with Karlie Kloss and Eva Chen (Lucky Magazine editor). It was so much fun, I'll be posting about it next week!

Monday: Sweater: DKNY Cozy (Marshalls), Tee: Cullen (Rue La La), Jeans: Free People, Heels: Dolce & Gabanna (Uptown Consignments),  Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

Tuesday: Sweatshirt: Phillip Lim for Target, Jeans: rag & bone (Shopbop), Boots: Grandma's Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

Wednesday: Blazer: Chanel (Roundabout Resale), Tee: Everlane, Skirt: Chanel (Roundabout Resale), Flats: Chanel (Roundabout Resale), Necklace: Geoclassics, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

Thursday: Men's Sweater: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Marshalls), Skirt: T by Alexander Wang (Net-a-Porter), Booties: Alexander Wang (The Outnet), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

Also, Jen tagged me in this sweater weather thing. I'm going to be bad and not tag other people.
1. Favorite candle scent? Midsummer Night from Yankee Candle has been my favorite for a long time
2. Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate, no coffee or tea for me.
3. Do you switch up your makeup routine for the season? Not really.
4. Favorite Thanksgiving food? Turkey (of course) and my mom's Rice & Beans (a Jamaican thing)
5. Hats or scarves? Scarves, I don't look very good in hats.
6. Most worn sweater? I'm not sure, I wear them all quite a lot.
7. Must have Fall nail polish? Chanel Vamp, one of my favorites.
8. Football games or jumping in a pile of leaves? Jumping in a pile of leaves
9. Skinny jeans or leggings? Skinny jeans!
10. Boots or Uggs? Boots!
11. What is your #1 favorite thing about Fall? Too many things! The colors and the smell mostly
12. Best fragrance for fall? I don't really wear much perfume, but when I do wear it, it's Marc Jacobs Dot
13. Favorite Fall TV Show? New show? Reign on the CW, I'm in love with it! [side note: the guy who places Francis had a teeny role in Harry Potter, he played young Dumbledore. Sadly most of his stuff was cut but he is in a photo]

I'm excited to share that the 2nd Oscar de la Renta for THE OUTNET Exclusive Collection, featuring Miroslava Duma, will be released this coming Tuesday, December 17th! The collection is comprised of 19 pieces, from party dresse and embellished tops, to skirts. It is priced from $325 to $1,095, which is a great deal less expensive than Oscar de la Renta's regular line. The Outnet have sent over some photos of Miroslava in the collection that can be viewed below:



Finally, enjoy the campaign video and behind the scenes below:

I'm getting into the habit of picking at least one of my outfits from the previous week and photographing it for the next weeks outfit posts.  This weekend I chose my comfortable, print-mixing look from Wednesday.  After I took the photo in Friday's post and was about to leave for work I decided to throw on my fur vest and didn't have time to re-take the photo, so here's what I actually wore on Wednesday. It's the time of year where I break out my Miu Miu heels at least once a week because they instantly elevate a look. For these photos I also added my new Brilliant Imports snake ring which arrived this weekend, it is definitely going to be one of my new daily rings.

This sweater from Marshalls was actually from the men's section. Luckily for me, it somehow ended up in the women's section and made its way into my cart. I can never resist Marc Jacobs, especially when it is a super comfortable sweater. That's why I love Marshalls, you never know what (or who) you'll find in the racks.

Men's Sweater: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Marshalls), Vest: French Connection (Marshalls), Jeans: Genetic Denim c/o Piperlime, Heels: Miu Miu (eBay), Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports snake ring & Mom's

Burberry's Pre-Fall collections always seem to be my favorite. And the Pre-Fall 2014 collection is no different. I would happily wear (almost) any of these looks.  Luckily for me, last year I got a shirt from Oasis that is very similar to their London/NYC/etc. skyline tops - see it here.



Photos from style.com