crops + boots.

with regards to personal style, i think it's important to take risks...dress outside of the box, as i like to say.

otherwise, we never change; and change is good.

take this cardigan from Patty's Closet, for instance. while i loved the [faux] leather trims and zipper details, the idea of a long in front, cropped in back style never really appealed to me. i tried it on anyways with an open mind, and to my surprise, i liked it. here's why it worked for me: i'm short. the cropped back elongates by showing off the entire length of my legs while still giving the illusion of a longer style in front. to further elongate, i threw on these tall platform boots from JustFab.

i'm glad i tried something different and found a

new favorite cardigan in doing so.

do you take risks or play it safe when it

comes to your personal style?

what did you try that was different from your norm?

JustFab Valletta boot.

love, love, love these boots. i chose the Valletta because it had a smaller calf circumference. i was unsure about the platform and 5-inch heel height, but it's comfortable and easy to walk in. this style seems to run a 1/2 size smaller which worked out perfectly for me. JustFab is ON right now; i love everything i've been getting. JustFab recently launched its LUXE line of genuine leather shoes. i purchased the remington and

eagerly await its arrival. 

(Patty's Closet jacket c/o; pacsun denim;

JustFab boots c/o; sonia rykiel bag)

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dark denim.

with fall comes darker colors, and denim is no exception.

i had a void in my closet for a pair of super dark, ankle-length, skinny jeans. while my search, locally, produced no results, i remembered that madewell had a signature dark wash. coincidentally, refinery29 had a madewell promotion where $60 got you $100 to spend...it was the perfect opportunity to try the jeans. the whole thing turned out to be a big disappointment (my fault) because i sized up just in case and ordered the rail straight style instead of the skinny. the jeans actually fit ok when i tried them on (which is why i didn't return them), but by mid-day they were so stretched out that i felt sloppy.

enter pacsun. i've raved about their bullhead denim before, so i don't know why i didn't think to look there first. as someone who's had a motherload of jeans in my lifetime, pacsun bullhead jeans rank among the top. and the bonus? they were $39 and buy one get one free last weekend. guess that makes up for my $98 loss at madewell.

to date, i have five pairs of bullhead black denim jeans,

and i love them all. these are the denim jeggings, and i'm wearing their "skinny" here.

how cute is this starfish bracelet? also in white and navy. (buy)

(pacsun denim; ON top; nine west shoes; JustFab bag c/o; INpink starfish bracelet c/o)

check out these other pacsun styles:

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patty's closet. the floral blouse.

i love the simplicity of jeans and a tee.

it's comfortable and practical for anyone who's on the go.

but on the occasion that you need a more polished look, swap out your cotton tee for a silk or chiffon tee. this bright blue blouse from Patty's Closet is the perfect example of a dressier "tee". i kept the flats for comfort, added a few key accessories, and layered a vest for depth. i could easily throw on a blazer and my red heels for an evening out.

visit Patty's Closet to find a location near you, and do

check out their selection of printed tops.

f'real milkshakes

these shake machines hit gas station convenience stores recently, and according to mini-she, they're all the rage. so, we had to give it a try. there's always a line, and each shake takes 1 minute, 7 seconds. after you select your flavor from the refrigerators, this is what happens: see video clip.

oh, and they're good, but at a whopping 500+ calories,

they will be more of an exception than the norm.

do you have f'real shakes in your area?

(top c/o Patty's Closet; pacsun denim (buy);

tory burch shoes (buy); mark bag; ON cargo vest (similar))

Patty's Closet: facebook | instagram | shop | twitter

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double denim + summer layering.

it's been uncomfortably warm lately, even in the mornings and evenings when the temperature tends to cool down. as someone who usually prefers the sun on my skin and wind in my hair, i've even had to resort to using ac in the car. lightweight jackets come in handy during the summer. paired with a paper thin blouse, i'm able to continue layering throughout these warm, summer months.

mini-he just finished a week-long kindergarten readiness class at his new school. i'm happy to report that he loves his new school and friends and had no problem separating. (whew!) 

his big concerns? how come we aren't napping? i'm going to be tired. and, where's the playground? i think he'll do just fine.

what's going on in your neck of the woods?

after 18 months, our pineapples are finally ready!

i missed out on the first one since the kids gobbled

it up, but they said it was sweet.

(american rag jacket (buy); JustFab Mini Icon bag c/o; aeropostale denim shorts;

sam edelman shoes; top via local boutique; ray-ban sunglasses)

you might like these:

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a week of work wardrobe basics. archives.

this week was all about work wardrobe basics. build your wardrobe around these key pieces, and there will be endless re-mixing possibilities. as always, take the time to find pieces that fit you well so that you feel comfortable and confident when wearing them. i highlighted a few items throughout the week; here's the full list and some ways i've put them together in the past.

1) black pants

2) pencil skirt

3) jersey dress

4) dark denim

5) button-down blouses

6) black pumps

7) crisp white shirt

8) blazer

9) tees in neutral colors (white, black, gray)

10) black long-sleeved shirt (turtleneck or cowl neck)

11) cardigan

12) utility jacket

dark denim / button down

jersey dress

pencil skirt / cardigan

button down blouse / black pants

pencil skirt

 

black pumps / button down shirt

blazer / pencil skirt / white tee

crisp white shirt / black pumps

black tee / pencil skirt / black punps

button down / pencil skirt 

button down shirt / utility jacket / dark denim

black tee / pencil skirt 

hope you enjoyed this week of work wardrobe basics.

are there any basics on your list that's not on mine?

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in case you missed it:

monday's black pants

tuesday's pencil skirt

wednesday's jersey dress

thursday's dark denim

a week of work wardrobe basics: dark denim.

another must-have in your work wardrobe is a pair of dark denim jeans. it's acceptable in most offices and looks polished and professional compared to lighter washes. invest in a good pair, and you will always have something to wear. this has been the go-to item in my closet because of its versatility. i'm wearing it here with a crisp, white shirt (also on my list) for a simple and classic outfit. a bold necklace and fun bag keep it from looking too much like a uniform.

two things to consider:

fit and style: a trouser style or boot cut works well. it should be fitted through the leg with a flare that allows the jean to fall nicely over your shoes without bunching. a skinny jean works, too, as long as it isn't too tight at the ankles. opt for one with a mid to high rise waist, and it should be fitted, not tight.

design: none! plain, non-descript, dark denim is best. the more embellishments it has, the less versatile (and office appropriate) it becomes.

i've had this pair for the life of this blog! here's the proof in one of my first posts! it's finally starting to fade...time to start looking for a replacement.

(express denim; gilly hicks shirt; jessica simpson shoes)

you might like these:

in case you missed it:

monday's black pants

tuesday's pencil skirt

wednesday's jersey dress