{Back to School}

(Clockwise from top)

Eugenia Kim rabbit fur hat, $385, Selima Optique glass shades, £280, Pouch wallet, $15, J Crew tailored shirt, $78, Victoria s Secret double breasted pea coat, $128, Sam Edelman lace up boots, $250, DV by Dolce Vita flat shoes, $70, Longchamp Au Sultan Bag, €480, J Crew striped sweater, $78, J Brand skinny jeans, £200

For the first time in a long time (17 years, but who (aka all of my life past toddler-hood) September doesn't mark the start of a new school year. It took a long time for me to accept this fact. No school supply shopping, no first day outfit and no new planner to fill with assignments. So depressing!

No matter what age you are, September does mark the start of fall, and the changing of seasons always warrants changes in one's wardrobe. This fall I'm loving updated classics, like a button-down in sophisticated leopard print or a schoolboy loafer in blue patent leather. Paired with quirky accessories like a pair of tortoiseshell librarian glasses or a felt, feather-trimmed hat, these twists on the classics are sure to carry you through the season and bring new life to your closet standbys. Maybe I only ever got excited about the start of school because of the prospect of new clothes and outfits?

Just because I no longer have a need for toting around an assortment of pens, pencils and highlighters (hell, who am I kidding, I still carry them around!) doesn't mean I can't stash my lipgloss and bobby pins in a cute pencil case, instantly made geek-chic when tossed inside a luxe leather bag.

Mix Master: Work-Appropriate Sweats

This week, I am really inspired by mixing the unconventional. I don't subscribe to one standard of style, or shop at one store in particular (J. Crew, though, does hold a large part of my heart, and closet). If I like something and think I will wear it (and if I can afford it) I buy it. To me, nothing is more fun than mixing your new purchases with old favorites, all while challenging common fashion standards.

This week's mix? Classic work-wear, such as gray twill pants, luxe jewelry and a sweatshirt! Sweats to work?! Trust me, when done correctly and tastefully, this look is both appropriate for the workplace and fashion-forward.

A crew neck sweatshirt in a solid color works best (try this one, from American Apparel) for layering. Hoods aren't exactly work appropriate, anyway.

The pants should be tailored and fit well, and tapered at the bottom to show off some killer shoes (these pants from Urban Outfitters are pictured above).

Your shoes should balance sex appeal and utilitarianism. Shoes that fit this description shouldn't be hard to find as this is a major trend for the season (I have these from Steve Madden, they are awesome in person).

With the key pieces of your outfit figured out, the ever-important accessories now come into play. A statement necklace adds a formal element to an otherwise casual sweatshirt, and is a nice juxtaposition to a man's watch and a structured bag.

The final piece just happens to be my favorite piece of outerwear for the season: anything faux fur, especially in leopard print! Leopard print is always a luxe and glamourous addition to any outfit.

Add a messy up-do and red lip, and you are good to go!

The key here is the mix of masculine and feminine elements, with a few unique touches added in to make it your own.

Weekly Obsessions

Just a few things that have made their way into my hands that I am loving this week...

{"Roman Equestrian" rain boots from Banana Republic, $98}

I have worn these every day so far this week due to all of the rain we have been having. I had been on the search for a pair of sophisticated rainboots that were both functional and work-appropriate, and these most certainly fit the bill. They keep my feet dry and toasty during rainy fall days while still looking like a chic pair of leather boots. Their price can't be beat, either.

{Men's Timex® vintage field army watch from J. Crew, $150}

I have been wanting this watch since I first saw it months ago, so I am ecstatic to finally have it on my wrist! Tom and I decided to check out the J. Crew Liquor Store (one of their men's-only shops) last weekend and it was so cool, and well worth it since we both walked away with watches for our birthdays! The masculine aspects of the watch mix so perfectly with the more feminine aspects of my wardrobe, and its just-barely-oversized size is perfect. While I love the deep olive strap it came with, I also bought a strap in blush stone for an added touch of femininity.

{Tom and I with our new watches! Please excuse the cell phone-quality photo!}

{"Boo" Spicy Pumpkin Candle from Yankee Candle, available at Amazon.com}

I bought this candle in late August, so I have been counting down the days until October rolled around and I could finally start using it. It smells so delicious, and adds the perfect amount of fall and Halloween spirit to any room. The design on the jar is super cute, too.

That is what I am loving this week, what are you loving this week?

{Wardrobe Update}

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter or Passover weekend! I spent the holiday relaxing and spending time with family. We hosted Easter at my dad's house this year, and the weather could not have been more perfect. I ended up outside, as did most of my *many* cousins, aunts, and uncles, sunning for most of the day.

I also spent this weekend continuing to work on my disaster of a closet and dresser. (I actually have two closets and two dressers as I use the ones in our guest room as well.) With each season comes the seemingly never-ending process of cycling my fall and winter clothes from one room into the other, replacing them with my spring and summer clothes, and vice-versa as the seasons change again.

I haven't finished any real organizing yet, but I did get rid of bags (and bags) of clothes. I'm sure I will continue to weed through my wardrobe as spring turns into summer, but it already feels insanely good to have so much less stuff. Granted, I still have a lot, but way less than when I started. I love rediscovering pieces I had forgotten about, or realizing how great an older piece works with something new.

And speaking of new, I just couldn't resist making a few spring purchases. Blame it on the weather. Spring fever, maybe? (On a side note, most of my purchases were very much on sale, which is always nice, and guilt-free!) I made sure to buy pieces that I felt were transitional and can work their way in-and-out of my wardrobe and mix with pieces that I already have.

{J. Crew}

{J. Crew}

{Anthropologie}

{Anthropologie}

{Anthropologie}

Have a nice day and enjoy this beautiful weather!