Fall 2008: Autumn Hues

Autumn is probably my favorite season (along with spring). I love the activities that go with it: hayrides, apple picking, Halloween, pumpkin carving, falling leaves, football. I once had a colorist tell me that warm colors suit my skin-tone and look best on me. So it must be inherent. Here are some autumn hues to inspire you for the season. All images from Piperlime, Pottery Barn, Banana Republic and Nordstrom and wallpaper.cz. Enjoy!

Fall/Winter08/09 and Beyond: The Fitted Jacket/Blazer, A Wardrobe Essential

If there's one essential you buy for fall that will carry on beyond the season's must have trend, it is the fitted jacket. The fitted jacket will do double duty for you, in this season and in your essentials closet. I love jackets and own several. The reason being that you can always complete an outfit just putting one on with other basics, like a blouse or tee or cami, with jeans, a skirt, or trousers. A jacket can go from work to a lucheon to an evening out.

If you are buying a jacket for your essentials wardrobe, you may want to consider a material that you wear year-round, like twill or a poly blend, and make sure it doesn't have a trendy detail that may not be around in two years, like ombre. And again, if it's for your essentials wardrobe, it's ok to spend more on something you will wear for years. But your jacket can also be specific to a season, like corduroy or tweed. One example I have of an essential jacket in my wardrobe is a satin black fitted jacket that I wear during the holiday season with everything, but I have also worn it to weddings in the summer or to dressier evenings out. If you are short-waisted like "a different kind of girl" mentioned in her comment, be sure to wear a tank, blouse or tee that hangs well below the jacket to show an elongated silhouette. Below are some fitted jackets on my wish list this fall.

My favorite line at QVC, Motto, has several fitted jackets I love. I own two of theirs and wear them often. The stretch denim crop jacket with latern sleeves is $34.12. The red stretch tie-front jacket is $56.50 and also comes in navy.

















The jackets below are both from Ann Taylor Loft. The green corduroy double pocket jacket is $59.00. The West End plaid ruffle jacket is $79.00.

















The following jackets are from Nordstrom. The Ambition short trench jacket is $78.00. The Hinge ruched twill blazer is $98.00.

Celebrity Chic but Cheap: Rachel Bilson

How about Rachel Bilson (picture courtesy of http://www.seenon.com/) wearing a Forever 21 blouse? She looks cute, comfortable and real with her skinny jeans and ballets. See how I re-created her look below:

All the looks below are from Forever 21. The pop art floral blouse is $19.80. The Claudine skinny jeans are $24.80. The Bellvue Ballerina Flats are $20.80.

Stylish Person of the Week: Jill

My pick for Stylish Person of the Week is Jill. Jill works at Fibres Boutique and designs knitwear. Her site is called PurlyGirl Knits. Jill is wearing a great tunic dress she found at Filene's basement, with black leggings and black ballet flats. Unfortunately Filene's doesnt have an on-line store yet.

To get Jill's look, check out what I came up with below:
The Marc Bouwer printed dress, is $55.00 on QVC. As are the leggings by the designer for $33.50. These great Aerosoles Printz Charming shoes are $68.00 and also come in leopard and zebra prints.

Here's a couple of my favorite items from Jill's knitwear site- she is so talented!

Philosophy vs. Ulta brand: which is yummier?

I've been having a love affair for awhile now with the Philosophy Brand 3 in 1 line of shampoo, bubble bath and shower gels. I love how you can use the same product to wash your body and hair and you come out of the shower smelling great. My son always requests one of the flavors for his bath too. They always come up with unique flavors and cute gift idea, like the haunted house and the coffee collection below. The set of three sells for $30.00.

But then Ulta Beauty opened up in my hood, which is similar to a Sephora, and I went to check it out. My eyes immediately spied their 3 in 1 shampoo, bubble bath and shower gel line. The flavors were so.very.yummy. So I HAD to have them! Here are my favorite flavors:banana, caramel apple, white chocolate mousse, and warm apple pie. They are on sale individually for $9.99 and they are larger sizes than the Philosophy brand. So you get more bang for your buck with them. Which do I prefer? BOTH! I am a sucker for all things that provide sensory overload in the shower!

Special Promo: NY and Company

New York and Company is offering a great promo right now. If you make an outerwear purchase, you get FREE SHIPPING! This offer is good through 11/3/08! To check it out, click here!


Here's a couple of my favorites from NY and Company: The City Trench and the City style vest.

Choose or Die:Jump without a Parachute?

What do we make of all the jumpsuits we saw at the NY Spring 2009 shows? Pictures below courtesy of style.com, from the Proenza Schouler and BCBG Max Azria shows.

















What about the harem pants AKA parachute pants? Pictures below, courtesy of style.com, are from the Proenza Schouler and Isaac Mizrahi shows.

















Should we channel MC Hammer and begin humming "Can't Touch This?" I think not, but it is fun to reminisce about it. So readers, here's my standard question: If you had to choose one of these styles to wear, or walk the plank, what would you choose?

Ask Christina: How do I accessorize my Essential LBD?

Reader Question:Dear Christina,
I’ve conceded to needing your help. My ??th high school reunion is 2 weeks away. I have borrowed an above-the-knee Little Black Dress that is sleeveless, but I could use your help in accessorizing it for the reunion (and fall). I need shoes, purse and anything else that you think would make ‘the look’ complete and maybe some sort of wrap for over-my-bare-shoulders.
Here’s the kicker. I’m not really sure if the LBD is suitable for the reunion. It will be at the Carlisle Inn in Walnut Creek, OH , which isn’t exactly like a night out at Johny’s Downtown.
Thanks for any help that you might provide.
Darcie

p.s I LOVE your blog. I read it every single day!

Answer: Well first, I am not sure what to tell you about whether the LBD is suitable for the reunion- it's hard to guess whether an event is going to be more casual or not, but I don' think you can go wrong with it. I think it's a safe choice! A LBD is a wardrobe essential, after all, just for these situations! What I would do, is add a pop of color somewhere in your outfit, with the purse, shoes, jewelry or wrap and then keep everything else neutral. I came up with some choices below:

If you want to add a pop of color with your shoes, I think you'll be able to find a good selection everywhere. Here's a couple pairs I found at Payless. Otherwise, choose from their nice selection of black dress shoes.











Or add a pop of color with your purse or necklace, or both together, as long as everything else is neutral. I found the purse and necklace below at The Limited. The Limited finally has an on-line store, which I am psyched about. I am always able to find great accessories there, especially jewelry.












Finally, you can choose to add color with your wrap. The one I found at Nordstrom is more pricey, but I consider a wrap to be an essential item in your wardrobe, so you will have it and use it for years to come! If your pop of color is coming from elsewhere in your wardrobe, buy yourself a nice black wrap that I guarantee you will find many uses for. I also think it might work to wear an open cardigan or swing jacket on top of your dress. Be sure it is made with a finer knit material so it is not too casual. The freelance open cardigan below is from QVC.

Darcie, I hope I helped! Let us know how it all worked out for you!

Celebrity Chic But Chic: Tom and Katie

TomKat looks classy and casually chic in their outing together (photo courtesy of People). The key pieces that stand out in their wardrobe are Katie's fabulous statement scarf, worn over skinny jeans and a white top, and Tom's vibrant blue button-down shirt worn over jeans. Get their look below:

Try the La Fiorentina paisley scarf from Bluefly for $30.00.
The cobalt blue shirt can be found at Banana Republic on sale for $39.99.

Add your own shades and you will look tres chic!