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?

{Dedicated: Martha Stewart}

It is no secret that I love Martha Stewart. Ironically, however, I don't ever seem to have the time to test out the many recipes, crafts, and tips this multi-faceted woman offers through her magazines, website, blog, TV shows, etc. Luckily, with my summer becoming more (unexpectedly) open-ended by the day, I think I am going to have ample time to delve into the seemingly endless crafts and recipes of Martha's that I have stored away, hoping to one day be tested out.

Though I truly enjoy working and interning, I am looking forward to at least a little bit of downtime to start crossing things off of my seemingly endless to-do list. My bedroom at my Dad's house has never been finished decor wise, and it has been over two years since I first started!

If you are ever in need of something, whether it be a cupcake or appetizer recipe to bring to a summer barbeque, or a quick-and-easy hostess gift, Martha has it all. Her website is very comprehensive, and the Recipe Finder is a great tool.

Here are some of the things I have been perusing for inspiration...

{So pretty! It is made from costume brooches.}

{I love all the fresh ingredients!}

{The wooden beads are perfect for summer!}

{The frames are decorated with beans. I am going to try this out in my bedroom.}

{Yummy! I can't wait to bring these to a Fourth of July barbeque!}

{What a clever way to display jewelry. I love the idea of using frames to "frame" unconventional items.}

What crafts, recipes or tips from Martha Stewart have caught your eye lately?

{Happy Summer!}

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Weekend; I know I sure did! Here on the beaches of New Jersey (I refuse to call it "the shore") we had beautiful weather which helped to make it an especially memorable weekend.

I have spent the fast few weeks transitioning into summer mode... aka time-to-get-all-of-those-projects-done mode. My goal this summer? To sort through EVERYTHING I have accumulated over the years. I'm talking every drawer, closet, box, nook and cranny. While definitely a tedious task, there is nothing so rewarding as sorting and de-cluttering a room, and nothing so relaxing as enjoying your revitalized space.

Summer mode also means updating my wardrobe, both in terms of what I wear on a day-to-day basis and clearing out things I no longer need or wear. I really am trying to live a more simplistic lifestyle as I have been coming to the realization that I have way too much stuff (never thought I would say that!).

So, here's to a great summer 2010, and I hope it is a successful one! In terms of friends, family, career, home decor, fashion, and hobbies! There is so much to look forward to...

{beautiful blooms}

{so true!, via bryn alexandra}

{amazing sunsets}

{effortlessly chic outfits}

{delectable meals al fresco}

{flowing dresses and beachy hair, via coco+kelley}

What are you looking forward to about this summer?

{Elle Decor}

As I have mentioned before, I love a good magazine. And a good supplement to these magazines, is a good website. Some magazine websites really fall short in my opinion - they don't have much to offer, are outdated, etc.

One magazine website that does not fall into this category is Elle Decor. This website not only features the spreads from the current issue, but frequently updated shopping tips, beautiful homes, and trends. It is one of my favorite places to go for inspiration, and is a great alternative for the times when I don't have the cash readily available to purchase the magazine.

Elledecor.com has a really cool feature called "ED's LookBook," which can be found on the homepage. Here you select the type of room, and then your personal style (broken down into categories) from a drop-down menu, and are then presented with a slideshow featuring looks that match your search. I love how quick-and-easy this makes searching for inspiration, I wish that other websites offered a similar feature!

{I love a good breakfast nook, and this is a GREAT breakfast nook. It is part of a renovated 110-year-old barn/house.}

{A bedroom in the same renovated barn. How amazing is this room? That bed is bananas, and I am loving all the natural light.}

{Some plates from the "Shopping" section of the site. I love the idea of mixing colors and patterns in a table setting, much like I love doing in my wardrobe.}

{I adore these Jonathan Adler Positano pillows with crisp white linen contrasted with bright grosgrain ribbon. I love how geometric they are.}

{Actress Ellen Pompeo's living room. Her home was featured in the most recent issue of the magazine. This room is so simple-chic, and not at all fussy.}

{Ellen Pompeo's kitchen. I have been obsessed since I saw these images. I have always been a sucker for open shelving, but this room is beyond my wildest dreams. It feels so lived-in and is so "undecorated." I also love the use of a very large picture resting on counter space as a focal point.}

{Decorator Joe Nye gives advice for summer table setting. A perfect place for a Sunday brunch with friends and family, no?}

This is just a sampling of the great inspirational images and ideas to be found on Elle Decor's website, so head that way if you are looking for something chic!

{Dedicated: Workout DVDs}

As I have mentioned before, I love working out. I wish that I had the freedom in my wallet to belong to a gorgeous, up-to-date workout facility (Lombardi Center, you are no Equinox). I also wish that I had the space in my schedule to head to the gym seven days a week, if only for a short 20-minute interval workout and some lifting.

Unfortunately, I have neither the freedom in my wallet nor the space in my schedule to do accommodate these wishes. Being a "poor" college student, I am stuck working out in that eyesore that is the Lombardi Center. And because I am a student, I have classes, interning, and meetings to worry about before I can even begin to think of working out.

Admittedly, I am usually pretty good about waking up before class and heading to the gym, or prioritizing my day to be sure I have at least 45 minutes for a solid workout. But then, of course, there are days like today, where I have been up for interning since 7:00 a.m., and don't return home until 9:30 p.m. (I went shopping after work... I can't be "poor" all of the time haha)... which is why I am posting now. Tired from a long day, I don't always feel like changing into my full workout gear and trekking to the gym.

My solution? Workout DVDs! I was skeptical at first about using DVDs. I worried that I wouldn't do the moves properly, or that because no one was around (we all know we try hard at the gym partly because there are people there who can see us) I wouldn't put in my usual amount of effort.

Boy, was I wrong. I have slowly been amassing a collection of DVDs, most focused on abdominal workouts. The DVDs have introduced me to moves I would never have thought of trying, and I am definitely noticing a difference in my stomach. I have never had abs, and probably will never officially have them. But, my core is most definitely tighter and more sculpted. My favorite part about the DVDs is that most of them have 10-minute workouts that are quick and really blast the areas you want to target in the shortest amount of time.

Right now I am loving:

{Michele Olson, PhD: Fitness Prescription: Perfect Legs, Glutes, & Abs}

{Exhale: Core Fusion: Lean & Toned}

{Exercise TV: Ultimate Body: Quick & Incredible Abs}

{Crunchless Abs}

So, if you are in need of a workout but don't have a lot of time? A workout DVD is definitely the solution!

**All titles available on Amazon.

{Classic Style}

I read A LOT of magazines. Each month I look forward to I look forward to receiving my various subscriptions in the mail and carefully examining each and every page for any type of inspiration. I tear out the pages that have something that I am drawn to; a makeup look, hairstyle, certain outfit, color combination, home decor, etc., and save them for future reference.

In the May issue of American Vogue, I was ecstatic to find an entire fashion spread that I loved. Shot by the fabulous Mario Testino and styled by Marie-Amelie Sauve, I found myself drooling over the simple, chic elegance of the looks featured in the spread " Americans in Paris." And I can't forget to mention model Daria Werbowy's sultry smoky eye and long hair with choppy bangs. I always strive to incorporate the hottest trends into my wardrobe, but there is definitely something to be said for classic looks.

So perfect, in every way.