camel chic

now that it’s fall, i need easy go-to outfits for work. in the summer months i grab a dress and cardigan so for some reason this season feels particularly challenging when it comes to dressing for the office.

this is definitely where your wardrobe staples come in. black pants. turtleneck. trench coat. you really can’t go wrong! this look was inspired by these lovely ladies:

it is also a classic look that really channels audrey hepburn – it’s that era of pearls, trench coats and little black dresses.

here is my take on the look – opt for a camel turtleneck, black trousers that fit perfectly and a red pump. keep the jewelry simple with a gold watch, pearls and a long necklace that hits in the middle to lower bustline:

camel chic
camel outfits via i, ii, iii

the denim jacket

there is something inherently american about blue jeans and denim jackets. i really do love a denim jacket with nearly everything (same as a perfect-on-you black moto leather or pleather jacket). pair it with jeans, a white dress, all black, boots….wear it any season of the year. it really is a wardrobe staple and i definitely encourage all of you to invest in one that fits you perfectly for how you want to wear it (i.e., if you want to wear it with a light hoodie at a tailgate be sure to try one on with a hoodie on underneath).

here are some ideas of how to wear your denim jacket this fall:

pair with a cluster of brooches. etsy is great for this (vintage finds!) or even H&M or a place like claire’s or xsre. wherever you find some you like. if you want to incorporate some color into an all-white brooch, check out emily’s (cupcake and cashmere, emily) tutorial for a quick and easy DIY – just remember, this is SO not the time for family heirlooms.

this is definitely one of my favorite looks for fall. pair your jean jacket with an extra dark wash jean and brown booties or wood soled platforms. obviously you can wear chambray with this, but paired with a crisp white shirt under a buttoned up jean jacket gives a little extra interest for the season. i also love this look with nice navy blue dress or work pants – perfect for that weeknight drinks with the girls straight from the office.

jean jacket denim how to wear fall fashion boots rachel bilson

for a great weekend look that is totally effortless, pair your favorite black denim and boots with a neutral t and your denim jacket. very grab and go! or throw (on) and go!

denim jacket jean jacket fall fashion how to wear kate hudson sexy

denim jackets go a little extra sexy with cigarette jeans in a dark navy or black, a low cut t and those black pumps that make you feel like a million bucks.

denim jacket jean how to wear fall fashion layered look layered necklaces

my office is pretty casual so i love this look with my dark wash flare jeans on a friday (or really any day that isn’t client facing). pair a pinstripe button down with a sequin tank or vest and add some layered necklaces for extra sparkle. rock a top knot and relatively understated makeup.

so, ladies, will you be rocking your denim jacket into the fall?

polka dots and roller skates – or, why i love kate spade

there is something about kate spade that i may not be able to quite put my finger on but makes me fall in love with the brand over and over again. there’s something about this company that just makes me want to devour everything they have to offer. enter, their new campaign featuring polka dots and roller skates.

this video reminds me to embrace my girly side, express myself however i want and above all else to have fun. life is too short not to.

hope you’re all enjoying your weekend!

[youtube=http://youtu.be/rwWj5Ddfouc]

fall essential: mint

i know what you are thinking right now – mint? for fall? it’s crazy, i know. but i really do love the color (any color really, but i do love mint!) for early fall. here are some of my picks and how i tone down the color in the cooler months. what are your essential fall colors? (psst i think you can do better than black and brown! oh and olive green too.)

fall essential: mint

i think mint is just gorgeous on any skin tone and any size. do it! (how cute would that skirt be with navy tights? yum!)

fall essential: mint

throw on a navy blazer with any color this fall to tone it down. this will help you transition your warmer weather pieces into the fall (also great under a chunky oatmeal or other neutral sweater when it’s super chilly outside).


fall essential: the perfect hat

i know there’s nothing ground breaking about saying a hat is a fall essential. but it is for this girl, ’cause i very rarely wear a hat. i’ve always loved the look of a fedora, but definitely don’t look great in one. and always, always, loved the floppy hat look but figured if i can’t pull off a fedora, i definitely cannot pull off a floppy hat.

i think it’s a great addition to your winter and fall layer-y wardrobe. i mean, as we know, accessories make the outfit.

so for this fall, i charge you darlings to go out there and find a hat that looks fabulous on youopt for fall/winter fabrics and colors – darker straw, and felt for example. pick a neutral or a bold color (or even a print! )-no matter what just try it! here are some of my favorites for this season:

fall essentials: the perfect hat

fall essential: the flare jean

now that fall has officially arrived – not only in formality here, but also in temperature – it’s time to switch out the wardrobe and head for warmer clothes. this is my absolute favorite time of year. the air is crisp. the sweaters are layered. the boots and booties come out, the tights and skirts come out and the denim is heavier.

this week, we’ll be talking all about fall essentials, starting with my pick for denim – the flare jean. this is a little biased because i just discovered the flare jean is absolutely perfect for my body, but i think it looks great on anyone. from a boy shape, to a pear shape, trust me you can rock the flare.

you don’t want to confuse this cut with a wide leg jean, however. a wide leg jean is like a bootcut jean on steroids. what’s great about the flare is that it is fitted through the leg and then goes out slightly at the end. it doesn’t get heavy at the knee like a boot cut or even heavier like a wide leg jean.

pair with a great pair of fall wedges, boots, booties, or even a pair of patent leather peep toes for early fall. i prefer to pair flare with heels to give some height and elongate your leg – this helps you take full advantage of all this awesome cut has to offer. but if you opt for flats, just make sure you take your denim to a good tailor with a pair of flats so they can adjust accordingly. if you let all that cloth pool at the bottom of your leg it will do you no favors!

here are some of my picks for great flare jeans, just in time for fall 2012!

fall essential: flare jean

are you rocking flare jeans this fall? i would love to see! send me a note with a picture and i’ll share with everyone: herlongwayhome at gmail dot com.

getting ready for fall

with cooler temperatures (note “cooler” not “cool”) beginning to creep in on the nyc metro area it has me thinking about moving my summer wardrobe into an early fall look. how do i take my summer uniform of distressed cuffed denim jeans, a white t, and nude peep toes into the fall?

easy! throw on a cropped blazer in a sweet and girly hue and a pair of fantastic camel pumps to wean into the fall spirit. hey, it’s better than thinking about all of the cozy sweaters that i’ll have to write about soon once the weather truly breaks! plus i’m not quite ready to part with my summer uniform.

photo via

creme de la creme: get the look

i’ve seen this look floating around pinterest for weeks and just cannot get it out of my head. it’s a great, easy-yet-chic, weekend look that can take you from running some quick errands to brunch to a late lunch before getting ready to go out. throw on a glitzy top for a quick day-to-night (in a pinch) change and you’re evening ready in a jiffy. top it off with a big ballerina bun!

creme de la creme

a little ballet is always a little chic

dressing up is fun, but oh so rare. tonight, me and the boyfriend are going to see jersey boys in the city. read: this girl has an excuse to dress up.
how could i not be inspired by this?! chic, comfortable, romantic and a little cute-meets-sexy.

tonight will have a little ballet going on with a blue chiffon skirt, a casual gray sweater, a gold necklace and nude peep toe pumps. so excited to spend the evening in the city with my love!