tis the season...

for party dresses!

i rarely stray from a LBD, and this one seems a bit more festive than the norm with its laser-cut silk fringed sleeves (fashioned to look like ostrich plumes,) delicate lace trimmed hem, and a row of shiny buttons on the back.

available here.

ardor for barbour

the chill in the air and the frost on the ground brought something to my attention...  my wardrobe is lacking a solid fall jacket.  i have a knee length puffer coat, perfect for snowy, sub-zero days, and a beautiful fur ideal for festive evenings.  i'm lacking a jacket for the awkward interim time when the nip in the air permeates a wool sweater but a puffer coat seems overzealous.  

after surveying my options, it sees like barbour might be the perfect choice...

between actual royalty

and fashion royalty

i would be in good company.

here's my favorite style, available at orvis:

antique emily

for a more traditional look, the beaufort jacket

and a less expensive option available at j. crew:

the downtown field jacket

or size down and try the men's woodland jacket

fall frenzy.

fall is by far my favorite season... i look forward to that moment each year when i first feel a brisk crispness in the air, inviting me to pull my sweaters out of storage.

other things i look forward to:

1. incorporating this food into my diet-

oatmeal, smoothies*, ravioli, bread, cookies... i could go on and on.  it's a superfood so don't be shy!

2. buying new sweaters-

i just received this purchase and i love the unique back details. 

3. impending holidays!  i look forward to thanksgiving and christmas all year: spending time with my family and eating tasty food by a fire... it doesn't get much better.

4. riding boots.  i find myself wearing them everyday.  with leggings and a cozy sweater dress, it's the perfect fall ensemble.

if price was no object, these loeffler randall boots would live on my feet:

5. holiday parties.  i love an excuse to get gussied up and wear sequins!

what's your favorite fall festivity?

*i drank a pumpkin smoothie post-run this morning and it was absolutely delicious!

taste-of-fall smoothie

serves 1

1 cup vanilla almond milk (or milk of your preference)

1/2 cup of pumpkin puree (plain pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix)

1/3 cup greek yogurt (i prefer fage)

1/2 cup frozen banana slices

cinnamon and/or pumpkin pie spice to taste

a few ice cubes

combine all ingredients and blend thoroughly.

colour my world.

i know colored denim is the thing, but it wasn't until i saw this picture of cameron diaz that i felt the need to get behind it.

i don't love these j brand skinnies... all the colors are too jolting for me.

but these pale rose mid-rise j brands (seen on rachel bilson) would look great paired with a neutral, tailored blazer a la cameron diaz.

ahoy.

i love the shape of this dress... and don't get me started on nautical navy stripes.  although it looks borderline inappropriate in the length department, it's definitely worth a see.

oh la la.

i'm a big fan of lela rose.  however, her classic sheaths are typically out of my price range.  not so on rue la la.  submit your email address and a password and you have full access to a bevy of frocks fit for brunch, wedding showers, or other business casual events.
   

business in the front.

i just returned from the first official social event of dr. magoo's medical career: a residents' dinner.  it was a great evening... the only thing that was slightly amiss was my wardrobe selection. 

having spent the last 4 years working in an office where uggs, jeggings, tube tops, and sky-high louboutins are fair game, my wardrobe has a deficit in the "casual professional" department.

i think any of these dresses would make a nice choice the next time around...

available at j. crew

available at reiss

 available at dvf

lilly who?

i'm typically not a huge fan of lilly, but after spotting an ad in matchbook, i had to find the dress that was featured.  isn't this dress so pretty?

for a similar look, try ann taylor loft (who knew?)

i wore this dress to dinner a couple nights before my wedding (i embraced the bridal theme.)  i received so many compliments.... one of my girlfriends couldn't believe i snagged it for $60.  (rumor has it, the brand has frequent 40% off promotions.)