What to wear to a fall wedding?

A few have you have been asking for some ideas on what to wear to a fall wedding.  Here are some dresses I pulled from Nordstrom.  All under $200.  The halter Bardot one is my favorite and comes in all different colors like a pretty wine color...perfect for fall.  Putting this together makes me want to go to a wedding this fall!

Camo Pants...Three Ways

As I mentioned, these J.Crew camo pants were WAY out of my comfort zone.  I'm so glad I got them because I LOVE them...they fit great and can be worn so many different ways.  Here are three looks I put together....starting with super casual and getting a little dressier.

 Top - http://shopstyle.it/l/f6Z2

Pants - http://shopstyle.it/l/f6Zh

Slip Ons - http://shopstyle.it/l/f60c

 Shirt - http://shopstyle.it/l/f6ZQ

Pants - http://shopstyle.it/l/f6Zh

Wedges - http://shopstyle.it/l/f60V

Sweater (similar) - http://shopstyle.it/l/f60E  Pants - http://shopstyle.it/l/f6Zh Boots - http://shopstyle.it/l/f60a The J.Crew pants keep going in and out of stock so here are a few other similar options -  LOFT - http://shopstyle.it/l/f61v Jag - http://shopstyle.it/l/f61C True Religion - http://shopstyle.it/l/f61M  How do you style your camo??

Five Friday Favorites #4

#1 - J.Crew Camo Pants

Top - http://shopstyle.it/l/fLAS

Pants - http://shopstyle.it/l/fLCk

I posted about these this week on my Facebook page and I'm obsessed!!  I tried to step out of my fashion comfort zone with these J.Crew camo pants and I'm so glad I did.  I love the matchstick style and the petite fits me perfectly in the length.  The pants are super comfortable and have a little stretch to them which is nice.  They are selling like crazy so if your size isn't available here are some great options -  LOFT (only $26 after you add in shopping cart), Jag, GAP leggings and William Rast.  

#2 - Voluspa Candles

I LOVE these Voluspa candles especially the two wick gift sets which include three amazing sets.  These candles are two-wick and have 50-hour burn time.  They are paraben-free, phthalate-free and sulfate free.  The scents are not too overwhelming and give off just enough scent.  Check out some of my favorite trios -  perfect spring/summer type scents, great set for transitioning from summer to fall and love this set for fall/winter.

#3 - LOFT Black Dress

I have been eyeing this dress ever since I tried it on a couple weeks ago.  I didn't need another black dress but I said if I could get it at a good deal I would snag it up.  Well it did this week and I got it for under $30!  Can't wait for it to arrive.

#4 - Quilted Vests 

I showcased this vest on the blog earlier this week in a new series I'm doing on fall wardrobe favorites.  As much as I don't want summer to end, I can't wait to break out my boots, flannels and these vests!  I'm obsessed with them...I have them in three colors (orange, pink and navy).  And J.Crew Factory has them available at great prices.

#5 - L'Oreal Mascara 

This is by far my FAVORITE drugstore/Target mascara.  It's under $6 and does wonders for my lashes...gives them length and volume without clumping!  I've been using it for years.  Highly recommend if you are looking for an affordable beauty find!

More organization...jewelry and more!

More organization to share on the blog today!  This time I'm sharing my jewelry nook and how I organize everything in to fit in one place. I'm very fortunate to have a large walk in closet but this look can be recreated on any wall.  When putting this space together, I wanted something that still had a bit of a design element even though I'm the only one looking at it.  Eventually when I win the lottery, I will completely redo my closet a la Lisa Vanderpump but this will have to do for now.  Like everything in my wardrobe, I've tried to make this very versatile.  This little nook holds not just my jewelry but my undergarments, some handbags, jewelry cleaner, socks, etc.

First let's talk jewelry...the main piece of my organization came from this awesome Etsy shop - fairlywell.  She creates these beautiful wooden jewelry holders that not only keeps your jewelry organized but also showcases it in a really cool way.  She offers two options one wood piece has hooks for bracelets and necklaces and the other has a solid bar solution for your dangle earrings.  They go on the wall super easy with 3M command Velcro strips.  You definitely don't want to put too many necklaces on at one time to make it too heavy because the Velcro will pull off so I've distributed them over three rows.  Since I got these a few years ago, she's expanded to offer white, blush, gray, natural and dark brown stain options along with brass and silver hook/bar finishes.  And the best news of all is she is giving Christina's Favorite Things readers 15% off through the end of September with code Christina15.  Definitely check it out.  

Now moving away from the wall to what's freestanding...the rest of my jewelry is resting on this great Room Essentials cubbie organizer from Target.  In the cubbie itself I utilized four of the sections as pull out drawers thanks to the coordinating fabric storage bins.  In those bins I have my unmentionables (every day and athletic) and socks.  The two open slots store my jewelry steam cleaner and my clutch type handbags like this one, this one and this one.

On the top I've got two additional ways to keep my jewelry organized...first is this dual bracelet holder.  While I love it...the opening is a bit wide for some of my bracelets so I'm looking to change it up to something like this or this.  And the Missoni looking tray is actually from Target's Missoni line from year's ago but I found something similar here.  This space is where I put my other jewelry that has pouches for storage, watches and rings.  

I want to hear from you...how do you organize your jewelry??

Fall Wardrobe Staples - Outerwear

Fall is by far my favorite time of year for clothes so I'm going to do a whole series on what I think your fall wardrobe essentials should be.  Many of these items I've had in my closet for years and they are my go-tos when the weather starts to cool down.  First up is outerwear!

Navy Blazer
It's not really outerwear but more a layering piece...wasn't sure how to classify this one so it's going in outerwear for now.  This is a go-to piece for me for work in the fall because it goes with soo many things.  I'm not a fan of the "lady" suit but I do love a good blazer and my navy one gets a lot of use.  The one pictured below is from J.Crew Factory (three years ago) and it has stood the test of time.  It goes with anything...a nice dress, a graphic tee or simple long sleeve shirt.  It can be paired with flats, boots or booties.  Here are three different looks I love -

Blazer - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffye

Tee - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffyj

Jeans - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffrH

Shoes (similar) - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffsA

Blazer - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffye

Dress (similar) - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffyI

Boots - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffus

Blazer - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffye

Tee - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffr9

Jeans - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffsx

Boots - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffus

Necklace - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffzH

Quilted Vest
I love a good quilted vest in the fall...I might have a slight obsession with them.  J.Crew started making them a few years ago and I began my collection with a fun orange one that I love to wear with a navy stripe shirt (seen below) and then J.Crew Factory had them at a much better price so I added bright pink and navy...and now this season I've added this patterned one to the mix.  What I love about these is I can wear them for a casual day/night out or if I'm lounging in my athleisure wear.  I've only ever gotten the J.Crew ones but they last, I have washed them and they come out looking great.  Here are a few ways I style it -

Vest - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffvr

Dress (similar) - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffv1

Boots - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffus

Vest - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffvr

Shirt (similar) - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffws

Jeans - http://shopstyle.it/l/feG9 

Boots - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffsG

Vest - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffvr

Shirt (similar) - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffwO

Pants (similar) - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffw4 

Sneakers (similar) - http://shopstyle.it/l/ffxm

Utility Jacket
A good utility jacket goes with about any outfit. It's a great for a layering look and I love giving it a little something extra with a scarf for color.  I actually found the perfect utility jacket (in my opinion) from Madewell during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale...and it's still available here.  Great fit (runs on the smaller side so I'd size up, I'm wearing a small)...good quality and really looks good with anything.  Not a fan of this one, you can check out my blog post from a couple weeks ago where I featured a few other utility jacket options.  Here's how I plan on styling this jacket -

Jacket - http://shopstyle.it/l/fqo3

Shirt - http://shopstyle.it/l/fqpv

Scarf - http://shopstyle.it/l/dHAT

Jeans - http://shopstyle.it/l/fqoX

Sneakers - http://shopstyle.it/l/fqoN

Jacket - http://shopstyle.it/l/fqo3

Dress (similar) - http://shopstyle.it/l/fqpi

Boots - http://shopstyle.it/l/fqoQ

Jacket - http://shopstyle.it/l/fqo3

Shirt - http://shopstyle.it/l/e2Vg

Jeans - http://shopstyle.it/l/fqvI

Shoes (similar) - http://shopstyle.it/l/fqvR

Fleece Jacket
A good fleece jacket is perfect for those really cool mornings or evenings in the fall and I like to give myself options depending on outfit.  I try to keep these types of jackets to neutral colors like creams and grays so they can go with anything.   Here are a two of my favorite fleeces -

Fleece: http://shopstyle.it/l/fpxd

Jeans: http://shopstyle.it/l/fpxl

Sneakers: http://shopstyle.it/l/fpwf

Fleece: http://shopstyle.it/l/fpxj

Jeans: http://shopstyle.it/l/fpxl

Boots: http://shopstyle.it/l/fpv8

Five Friday Favorites #3

#1 - Kut from the Kloth Jeans 

Being 5'1", I have a really hard time finding cute pants that fit in the length without having to hem them...jeans are the hardest too because most of the brands I love don't make petite.  That was until last year when I discovered Kut from the Kloth.  They make amazing, great quality jeans at an affordable price (usually under $100) and they come in petite sizes!!!  My love started with the Catherine slim (left picture).  I ended up getting them on crazy sale at Nordstrom (under $50) and they fit perfectly...no hemming needed.  I was sold.  My second favorite pair came this Anniversary Sale with the step hem style (or as my friend calls them...my mullet jeans).  Now I'm on the hunt for a pair of boot cut ones.  I find the jeans run true to size...I'm wearing a 2P.  Shop the other pieces in my outfits - LEFT - J.Crew tee, Superga sneakers; RIGHT - J.Crew blazer, Bobeau top, Tory Burch flats (similar)


#2 and #3 - J.Crew fall arrivals

J.Crew released their fall collection and offered 20% off for cardholders so of course I jumped at the chance to fill my cart with some new goodies!!  I was especially swooning over this plaid shirt and ruffle sweater.  I LOVE a plaid shirt in the fall...paired with a quilted vest is my go-to outfit.  I don't have anything with these colors in a plaid in my closet.  I ordered a petite because I need the length to be shorter.  Fingers crossed.  I also love this ruffle sweater.  I went with green because I don't have anything that color in my closet...need to get out of my comfort zone.  Can't wait for them to arrive...I got a notice that they've shipped so hopefully reviews will be coming next week!

#4 - Ray Ban Foldable Sunglasses

I am obsessed with these sunglasses.  First, I love a good pair of Ray-Bans (also own aviators) and second, I love tortoise shell.  But the main reason I love these is THEY. FOLD. UP into a nice compact little case.  They fit in all my handbags...even going out ones.  And I don't care if my kids get a hold of them because they are basically indestructible.  They also come in black.  Highly, highly recommend...great investment accessory.  

#5 - All Purpose Cleaner

My friend Lara introduced me to this all-natural, all purpose cleaner by Puracy last year and I LOVE it!  It's all I use to clean our countertops and tabletops.  I'm not this 100% organic, all natural type of person but I do like to be aware of what ingredients are in the products I'm using.  Ans since I use an all purpose cleaner EVERY DAY, MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY, I want it to be free of a lot of chemicals but still effective...and this product does the work.  You can use it on basically everything and it has a nice mild smell.  Now, don't expect for this to extremely soiled, stained and neglected things like stoves and ovens but works great for every day messes.  

On an Organization Kick...Pantry Clean Out!

I have been on a MAJOR cleaning, reorganizing and purging kick.  You saw what I did with my home office last week, well this week I tackled our pantry.  I'm very lucky to have a walk in pantry with more than enough space for everything but it was so cluttered and disorganized.  It's too narrow to get pictures of all sides so I'll do my best to describe my thought process and provide links to the items I used.

First up when you are looking at the pantry dead on (as seen in the picture), I keep all the snacks (and then a small portion is breads - bagels, loaf of bread, buns).  Before everything was all over the place...in different size bags and it was hard to see everything. To create so order (starting from the top shelves), I got these awesome OXO Pop Containers to put things like pita chips, goldfish and pretzels in....not only can I see what we have but it also keeps it fresher longer.  I also use these smaller ones too.  For the items that have "pieces" or multiples like microwavable popcorn, different kinds of nuts, fruit snacks and others I got these Room Essentials containers in various sizes like this one and this one.  And then lastly, on the bottom for the snacks I buy in bulk at Costco I got these baskets to store Pirate Booty and Veggie Sticks.  

The left had side of the pantry has a variety of different items but all grouped together by category like oils, condiments, pastas, rice, etc.  The very top shelf has all the cereal and again I put it in these OXO containers to keep it fresh but also see how much we have.  The bottom shelf has easy access for zip-loc bags, foil, plastic wrap, etc.

And on the right side its mainly beverages and baking needs.  I buy my K-cups in bulk via Amazon subscribe and save or Costco so this bin helps store the overflow.  I use the same organizational process to keep things together buy category...top, top shelf is coffee, tea, hot chocolate; next shelf is baking needs with sugar, flour, etc; and so on.

Simple (and not very expensive) changes made a huge difference in cleaning up the pantry and will hopefully help avoid over buying and eliminate a lot of waste!  How do you keep your pantry organized?

Trunk Club Review and Box Reveal #1

After many failed attempts at Stitch Fix, I decided to give a new "shopping box" a try.  Decided to go with Trunk Club because its a Nordstrom company and I LOVE me some Nordstrom.  There were so many pros to using Trunk Club vs. Stitch Fix that I had to bullet them out.

• Before anything was even sent to me, I got to have a conversation with my stylist on the phone to really explain to her what I was looking for.  I like that I was paired with someone that I could talk to vs. having to fill out a questionnaire and hope that they match my style. 
• You have the opportunity to review the box ahead of time and take things out if you don't like them.  Don't worry they will be replaced with new ones but I love the option to do a first edit.   
• They send you more than five items to pick from...I love a bigger selection.  
• I found the items to be of higher quality and brands I know, trust and love like Vince Camuto, Chelsea28 and Pleione. 
• If you keep your Nordstrom card on file to pay for the pieces you keep then they waive the styling fee...huge plus (and of course you earn points towards reward dollars).   
• You can use your alteration credit from your Nordstrom card and take it in to any Nordstrom to get adjusted! 

From a downside, there's only one con that I've found so far and that is the price point on some items is a little higher than Stitch Fix.

Now let's get into what was in the box.  Getting the box when I did was poor time since I just finished some major shopping so it was tough to make decisions.

First up is a Pleat Back Blouse by NYDJ.  I actually really like this blouse.  The fit is great, I can wear it to work or on the weekend, it's like nothing I have in my wardrobe and a great price point ($88).  I passed on this because I ended up keeping three blouses from the anniversary sale.  If you need a great blouse though,  I definitely recommend this one.  It comes in all kinds of solid colors and prints.

One of the things I asked my stylist for was a new black flat.  These Jutti Toms are the first of two options she sent.  These are SO comfortable...seriously like walking on clouds.  The fit was great (true to size, wearing 6.5).  There was just one issue for me...I'm not a fan of the shape of the toe area and the overlapping look near the toe cleavage.  I really, really wanted to like them because they are so comfortable but they just weren't for me.

This Pleione stripe poplin drop waist dress was the piece I was most excited about.  It's so my style and not like anything I have in my closet.  Unfortunately as you can see from the picture it was WAY too big.  I'm wearing the XS and I'm just swimming in it.  If you are going to try it then I definitely recommend sizing way down.  The price point is great ($69) and the quality is there...if only it fit better.

I like these Rag and Bone Simone slim pants.  If I didn't already have a couple of pair like this in my closet then I definitely would keep them if the price point was lower.  They are $295 and I just can't justify that...shoes or handbags yes but not black pants.  They are very flattering and comfortable.

I wasn't expecting any jewelry in the box but appreciate that she threw something in.  These Kendra Scott earrings are very cute and would go with a lot of things but if I'm going to change out my diamond studs then I want something a little more fun.  JFYI, these come in all sorts of colors.

Well she knows I love me some Vince Camuto and this dress is great.  I LOVE the color!  The fit was great and the chiffon layer added an element of fun to it.  The price point wasn't bad at $148 but I didn't hold on to it because I just don't have anything to wear it to right now.

Two for one in this pictures.  She caught on to my love of Kut from the Kloth Jeans but these were a disappointing miss for me.  I really wanted to like these because I'm on the hunt for a new pair of basic, dark wash skinny jeans.  For me the ankle wasn't skinny enough and I wasn't a huge fan of the wash...to "dirty."

I love a good plaid shirt in the fall and I had high hopes for this Treasure and Bond one but there were two things that made me not keep it - it's was just a little too long and big (I'm wearing an XS)...I could have gotten over it if the pattern had a little more color too it.  It's a nice blue and white but I wanted a little more.  Price point is good ($69).

This Chelsea28 dress was the other item I was really excited about.  I LOVED it except that it was too small...I couldn't get it zipped over my rib cage.  I definitely would need a small.  If you need a simple, basic black dress then I definitely recommend this one...just make sure you size up.  This is perfect for any event and can be great for work as well.

I was pleasantly surprised by these Michael Kors ballet flats.  At first I didn't think I was going to like them because of the bow on the top but after wearing them around the house my mind changed.  They are very comfortable and actually the bow detail grew on me.  I like the two toned patent and basic leather.  And you can't be the $79 price tag.  Yay for a keeper!!

The check out process was easy...give the same type of feedback as I did with Stitch Fix and then you can pick a date for UPS to come and pick up the package.  Super easy.  You can schedule a delivery every month, every two months or every three months.

For the next box I'm going to request a mule loafer like this one, some fun earrings to spruce up black tops and a little more color...in the fall/winter months I tend to go for blacks, whites and grays so I'm hoping she can help me add some color to my wardrobe.

Interested in trying Trunk Club??  Check it out here.  I've only done it once so I'm not at a "highly recommend" yet but so far so good...and I'd say it's worth a try.  Stay tuned for next month's review!

Five Friday Favorites #2

This week was hard to narrow down my favorites because there's so many things I'm loving right now but here it goes...

#1 - Stella and Dot Taj Clutch 

This fabulous Stella and Dot Taj clutch was a birthday gift from my minis.  It was on backorder for the LONGEST time and finally came in last week.  It's the perfect clutch....love the bright colors, it's big enough to fit all my stuff and goes with almost any outfit as you can see above.  And it's under $100.  I highly recommend this bag for your collection.  It will get so much use...definitely a must have piece.

#2 and #3 - Jamberry Nail Wraps and Sally Hansen Cuticle Remover 

My nails were in DESPERATE need of a manicure.  I didn't have time to get to the nail salon between work, my kids, travel and keep up with the blog so thank goodness for Jamberry nail wraps.  I was able to do my nails one night after the kids went to bed and they looked like I just got back from the salon.  And with that comes Friday Favorite #3, Sally Hansen Cuticle Remover...this stuff works like a charm to prep my nail and melt away my old cuticle.  Nothing beats having someone trim them (in my opinion) but this is the next best thing.

#4 - Old Navy Cardigan 

Thank you Old Navy for ending my hunt for the perfect orange cardigan.  I had been looking for over a year because the J.Crew cardigan I had to go with this GAP dress got holes in it.  It needed to be soft, light weight and comfortable and this Old Navy Open Front cardigan fit the bill.  It's PERFECT and the price was even better at under $30 with additional savings.  The color is technically deep rose but it's definitely on the orange side.  I highly recommend this for fall/winter.  It comes in a wide variety of colors.    

#5 - Neutrogena Make Up Wipes

I love a good drugstore (or in my case Amazon/Target) beauty find and these Neutrogena Make Up Wipes are top of my list.  I use them everyday (sometimes twice a day).  It's the perfect product to take the grime off your face before giving it a good wash.  I also use them for my eye make up remover.  They are the best!  And the best deal on them is definitely through Amazon Subscribe and Save or Costco.