Do you know about the “arm party” phenom? Of course you do…stacked bangles haven’t been this big since Madonna. But I’m a little too, um, something, to rock the full arm of plastic bracelets like I did when I was 12. Plus, most of us have jobs now, that necessitate both typing and not looking like we just came from an all-night dance club, which means the full-fledged arm party just isn’t practical for most of us.

But that doesn’t mean you have to sit this one out. No, I’ve honed my arm party to a carefully-calculated science, friends – it’s the perfect balance between fashion and practicality, and I promise – totally, utterly wearable.

Here’s my formula:

{First my feet, now my arm…what’s next? Full body shot? Imagine!}

Yep, that’s my very own arm. See? It’s like arm-party-lite. It still makes the statement, while keeping your wrist free to conduct business as usual. Want the details on all that beautiful bling? Of course you do.

Those delicious gem-studded bangles are from Kara Ackerman – the green prehnite at the top is my favorite, with the rose quartz running a very close second. If you love them, you are going to loooooove the party Kara and I have cooked up for Black Friday (that’s what we like to call a “teaser.” You’re on the edge of your seat, right?).

The studded bangles, and that gorgeous rose gold leather wrap bracelet are all from Gorjana, a perennial favorite of mine for making luxe, on-trend pieces you can actually afford. That leather wrap is especially wonderful because it fits trim to your wrist. Layer it closest to your hand, and it will keep everything else from sliding down (and from banging on the desk while you type).

There are a few vintage bangles mixed in there, which you can find for about $1 at just about any thrift shop. And the sparkly crystal ones are from J.Crew, though I don’t recommend them as they’ve snagged about 800 of my sweaters.

Last but not least is the big chunky watch. Mine was my grandfather’s, so you can’t possibly get that cool, I think. But Michael Kors makes my absolute favorite menswear-inspired watches – if you don’t already have one, it’s a must. The big watch really anchors this look, and takes it from Material Girl to Thoroughly Modern Millie. Or something like that. Just make sure you put fitted bracelets on either side of the watch to protect it, or the watch will clunk around and end up getting scratched. Lesson learned the hard way, friends.

What do you think about the arm party? Are you ready to give it a try? Be bold, my friends…and mighty bracelets will come to your aid.

I love a good tuxedo jacket. Love them every single time I see someone wearing one, whether casually on the street or all dolled up on the red carpet. I love them in black, in white, in blush…just love.

So, are you surprised to learn I don’t actually own one? Me too. As much as I love them, I had two problems. First, I wasn’t entirely sure what a casual girl like me would do with one once I had it in my hot little hands. And two, I hadn’t found perfection. Until I spied this version from EmersonMade, that is.

I fell hard for this beauty, friends. Can you blame me? Yet even through the haze of retail lust, I hesitated – I just wasn’t convinced I could make it work. But fashion is the mother of invention (or something like that), and EmersonMade kindly offered to let me take my best shot. I’m always up for a challenge – especially one this fun!

Friends, this is the tuxedo jacket to end all tuxedo jackets. First, the white is perfect – so much cooler than black, I think. Only it’s not really white. It’s a deep, warm cream that’s utterly perfect for fall/winter. It’s also linen, which scared me a little. But it turns out that rough, nubby texture is exactly what this jacket needs to keep it grounded, and to give it maximum style portability from casual to dressy. Plus, the construction is that of a jacket far pricier than this $238 price tag. Fully lined, sharp shoulders, fabric-covered buttons – definitely structured enough to be a serious closet workhorse.

And it’s proven to be a workhorse indeed. As it turns out, this beautiful jacket is the easiest thing to style since the grey cardigan – but infinitely hotter. I’ve been wearing it with everything (and I do mean everything) from a silk shell (this emerald version from Zara is my current fave) and dark denim (I’m partial to J.Crew’s Matchstick) to a men’s-style grey tee and busted-up boyfriend jeans.

{Let’s see…top by Topshop, but I prefer the Zara version I mentioned (and which I actually own), jeans by J.Crew, earrings by Gorjana, bag by Olivia Harris – love! – and scarf by Pucci.}

I even tried it with my favorite tuxedo pants – and it’s flawless, thanks to the luscious cream color (trying to match blacks being nearly impossible, of course). But the best transformation of all was what it did for my LBD (remember the one from LK Bennett?). It took that dress from sexy to structured without missing a beat, making it instantly perfect for a work holiday party/theatre evening/red carpet. This beauty is definitely earning its keep.

{Since I know you’re dying to know: Sequined top by Vince, black tuxedo pants by Burberry, emerald earrings from Gerard Yosca, velvet clutch from Marc by Marc Jacobs, and shoes by Vince Camuto}.

If you have holiday events ahead (and really, who doesn’t?), this is an absolute must. Nab it now and save yourself a holiday season full of wardrobe stress – the answer will nearly always be this jacket, no matter the occasion. Just be sure to do a good job checking the measurements on this piece (thank god for websites that post product measurements, don’t you agree?) – I ended up going down a size.

And PS – if you want one, order it by Thursday, 11/9, and get as much as 20% off by being EmersonMade’s Facebook buddy. What, you weren’t already?

Have you seen all of the goodness going on at CARDIGAN this fall?

Sigh…I’m pretty sure it’s love. But, truthfully, I’ve always been smitten. Designer Lynne Hiriak has a way with creating the most covetable, classic cardis and striped sweaters – her styles have become a staple in my closet. But this season seems especially wonderful – all of those cozy, chunky knits and bold colors have me ready to curl up by a fire with a hot cup of cider.

While I’d happily snatch up absolutely anything from this collection, a couple of favorites may have made their way to my closet recently. This pretty polka dot Stella crew ($198) is the perfect step forward now that I’m feeling a bit stripe-weary. Wearing it feels just like pulling on your favorite menswear sweater – thick, warm and comfy – but this packs an infinitely superior style punch. Wearing it with jeans and a tee (you’ll want to layer, since it’s wool) is a no-brainer, but I love the idea of taking this up a notch with some warm fall colors.

Paired with: Rachel Comey Mars boot, $385; Rag & Bone Malin pant, $290; Old Navy chambray shirt, $29;
Botkier Brinks shoulder bag (again, I know- it’s just so good!), $425

As is always the case with this brand, the cardigans steal the show. I’ve gotten a compliment (or three) literally every time I’ve left the house in this beautiful Daphne cardigan ($298) – the fair isle knit is so perfect for cold weather, and oh, is it warm! I’ve paired it with everything from summery silk dresses to an all-denim look (it works, I swear!) with my Frye Engineer boots. Since casual is a cinch with a piece this classic, I thought I’d show you how to dress it up a bit.

Paired with: Linea Pelle clutch, $195; Oasis leather skirt, $160 (loving the leather skirts this season!);
Proenza Schouler silk tee, $187; Scout & Catalogue scarf, $118; Frye Naiya platform moc, $173.

You’re feeling warmer already, right? One little tip: these are built for a very oversized look, so if (like me) that doesn’t work for you, you’ll want to size down. (Always a nice ego boost as well, right?)

Do yourself a favor and peruse CARDIGAN’s fall lookbook…if nothing else, the pictures are transportingly lovely, and it will give you oh-so-many styling ideas for the season.

Mostly, though, it’ll make you crave sweaters. Lots and lots of sweaters.

I’ve had a crush on Frye’s Engineer 8R boots ($208) for years. That distressed leather, the buckles…it all creates a tough, take-no-prisoners, vastly-more-hip-than-I-appear style I long for every now and then. But I’ve never taken the plunge, mostly because I wasn’t quite sure what to do with these beautiful boots once I got them home. That downtown vibe is just what I’m after, but I wasn’t sure how to make it mesh with my eternally preppy style. Plus, the height throws me a bit. They’re too high to be “short boots,” and too low to be “tall boots,” giving me serious concerns about the boot height falling in the danger zone of making my calves look like sausages.

But despite all this, my crush persisted. So, when Frye offered to let me try out some styling ideas, I jumped at the chance to test out these bad boys. And I learned a few things.

{The Frye Engineer 8R in sand…so pretty, right?}

First, these are amazing with jeans of all shapes and sizes. You’ll see some wearing them with skinny jeans, and that’s all well and good.

{Left: Keira Knightly, Coolspotters; Right, BlueJeanBruises, whose head I removed in case she doesn’t want to be here!}

(Technically, those boots on the right are the Engineer 12R, but you get my drift.)

But my preferred method is to pair them with a straight-leg jean, cuffed at the bottom. The end result is the perfect balance of prep and rock…or so I told myself.

(Once again, my feet make a SMC cameo…I think all this celebrity is going to their toes.)

Good, right? They also work well with a boot-cut jean, though I think in that case, you have to be careful about keeping the rest of the look more young and fun, or they risk looking woefully out of place. Think moto jacket, not cardigan.

That said, of course, there’s another option for these beautiful boots, and it’s one I’ve always favored in theory but feared in reality. Pair these bad boys with your girliest, frilliest summer dress, and watch them instantly add that dose of edge you’ve been wanting (it also does a great job of translating the look to fall, especially when topped with that same moto jacket…or even a cardigan). Tights are optional – personally, I prefer a bare leg with this look. But in any case, this isn’t a look to attempt if you’re at all self-conscious about your calves – it does bring a bit more attention to that area, and you should never spend the day in an ensemble that stresses you out!

{Clockwise from top left: Evangeline Lilly, Coolspotters; Hailee Steinfeld, Apega/WENN;
Keira Knightly for Vogue, 2007, via habitually chic}

One last tip: if you’ve been trying to figure out how to pull off the maxi-skirt trend for fall, these are your ticket in. Again, go for floaty fabrics like chiffon or silk – paired with these rugged boots, it’s a match made in fashion heaven.

What do you think? Are you ready to give these downtown classics their due?

I’m craving a great dress this fall. Something I can dress up or down, that will look amazing solo but has enough versatility to be styled a dozen different ways. I hadn’t seen anything that really fit the bill…until I spotted the Brijitte from Milly’s fall collection.

Yes, that’s exactly what I had in mind. The big, bold print is strong enough to stand on its own (just leave that neckline open a bit, so there’s some skin to break up the pattern), but will be easy to mix into all sorts of styling options. And I’m so grateful to finally see a dress I love with a knee-length hem.

For work, styling is simple. Loosen up the neckline, and pair it with a classic blazer with a perfectly nipped-in waist – something in black, navy, even chocolate brown is easy, but I’m feeling tweed for this look too. Keep the leg bare, or add an opaque tight and a great jewel-toned pump (suede if you have it). If you have a less conservative office, a heeled bootie would be amazing too. You don’t need much jewelry with the neck tie on this dress, but a classic gold hoop would be a perfect pairing.

But then, of course, there’s the weekend…and the thing I love about this dress is its 24/7 appeal. Ditch the blazer and add a long cardigan or vest – oh how I love this herringbone vest from Elizabeth & James. You could even funk it up with one of the fur vests you’re seeing everywhere (I know, I know…but trust me – but the fur vests aren’t as scary once you try them on). Keep the ankle booties or try a riding boot* for a bolder choice. Push up the sleeves, add a long pendant necklace in gold (I’m thinking of that pretty chevron locket from Acanthus) or something bolder (perhaps from that amazing Elva Fields), and you’re ready for just about anything.

*Speaking of beautiful riding boots, I have to take a moment to tell you about these. I’ve been wearing those very boots, the Frye Amelia in cognac, nonstop. I cannot get over how much I adore them. The fit is perfect (size down a half size), the color is so striking, and they’re ridiculously comfortable. Best new boot this season, if you ask me.

How would you style this beautiful dress?

How lucky am I that the one and only Monica Botkier emailed me last month to see if I’d like to check out a beautiful new bag from her fall line, and help her style it up for you all? You can guess how quickly I replied to that email.

Botkier‘s Fall line is probably my all-time favorite from the company, but even so, the moment my eyes landed on the Brinks shoulder bag, I knew I’d met my match.

Friends, this bag has a quality. Like that guy you spot across the bar, and know instantly that you’re in trouble. It’s part lady bag, part equestrian-inspired, it can go over the shoulder or across the body, it doesn’t require major bag-load-reduction maneuvers to carry, and then there’s that delicious cognac leather and mod gold hardware…I’m a big, big fan. The Brinks hits every trend’s sweet spot, but still has a life all its own, so it has all the style longevity you could hope for. Plus, at $425, it’s a splurge, but a feasible one.

To give you an idea of just how versatile the Brinks is, I thought it might be fun if Monica and I each styled a look, so you could see all of the different ways to wear this beauty. You know those jobs that are so easy, they become hard? That’s how it was with this…I had options running through my head nonstop. I came up with – literally – 9 different looks before I settled on one. Turns out, this bag is more versatile than even I’d given it credit for. Monica, however, knew exactly what to do:

{Clockwise from top left: CC Skye earrings, $128; DVF Ahiga turtleneck, $345; that beautiful Brinks, $425;
Lanvin wedges, $1,636 (a girl can dream); Current/Elliott Boa print skinny jean, $198; Eddie Borgo bracelet, $550.}

That look is how you know Monica Botkier has some serious style, my friends. Just look at those snakeskin-print jeans! And that heel…I have instant respect for a girl that knows a good shoe. And Monica definitely knows a good shoe.

As ever, my look’s a bit more girly, a bit more preppy, but no less perfect with the Brinks:

{Clockwise from top left: Michael by Michael Kors watch, $250; DVF Mikhaila coat (adore!), $745;
Topshop dress, $60; Betsey Johnson earrings, $35; that beautiful Brinks, $425; Frye Miranda mary jane, $188;
J.Crew belt, $40; Leigh & Luca scarf, $200.}

(That coat is haunting my dreams, by the way. But anyway…)

Are you already envisioning all of the different ways you’d wear the Brinks? I had a feeling. You can see the entire fall Botkier line here, or just save yourself an hour of waffling and nab the Brinks before it’s gone.

A few of you might have noticed my annoyance with StyleMint, as I vented pretty liberally on Twitter (have you noticed that social media has become the official place to whine?). But, for all of my customer service woes (not to mention my serious irritation with their response-challenged public relations team), I somehow managed to buy a tee to test out for the blog.

For those that don’t know, the basic premise is this: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen design tees, and sell them in a “club” setting. So, you pay $30/month, and you get one tee for that price, which has been selected for you based on your style preferences. Of course it would be easier to just charge $30 for the tees, but this gives them an air of exclusivity (each is limited edition, and new pieces come out every month). Plus, they charge you the $30 whether you buy a tee or not, unless you “opt out” sometime between the 1st and the 5th of the month.

Confused? Me too.

But, I somehow navigated all those waters and tried out the Prince tee, because I was in the market for a white crew neck tee to pair with my pretty, pretty Valentino jacket from the Outnet $2 sale madness. As we know, crew necks and busty silhouettes don’t mix…so I’ve had a hard time finding a winner.

Turns out, it was worth the work. The Prince tee is pretty excellent. Good shape, sheer without oversharing, and the neckline is sort of a wide crew, so it still shows a bit of skin, which is much more flattering. The cut is great, the fabric is soft, it washed well…two thumbs up to the Olsen girls. If I had one complaint, it’s that I’d be even happier if the tee were an inch or two longer, but then, I’m a tall girl at 5’8″.

So, the upshot: Not so great customer service, but good tees. In fact, I bought a second of the white Prince (if you find a perfect white tee, always buy in multiples!) when they launched a 50% off discount, good today only. If you’re at all interested in testing out StyleMint, it’s a great chance to try the brand, and it’s the first coupon I’ve seen from them. Use code SUMMER50 to nab the deal….just make sure you keep an eye on that account so you don’t get billed for September unless you really want the tee!

I have these weeks when I think I’ve seen all the fashion there is to see, and nothing will ever excite me again. This is, of course, great news for my bank account, but it’s terrible news for the writer in me. And so, whenever despair hits, I give myself a couple of days off, pray for a new copy of Bazaar or Vogue to land in my mailbox, and – when all else fails – turn to European fashion sites. That nearly always works…especially since most either don’t ship to the US or they charge so much I can’t bear to even think of buying.

Today, I’ve been browsing Matches, a much-lauded, painfully chic department store in London. I think of it as the British version of Barneys. They’ve recently started shipping to the US – but fortunately, shipping is $45. Just enough to restrain me from impulse buys, but reassuringly available if I found something I really and truly couldn’t live without.

But the best news? Every single one of those pieces is at least 50% off, and the vast majority are under $300. Plus, you get an extra 20% off with code MFR2985 – talk about temptation!

A L C blue dress, $269
3 1 Phillip Lim dress, $543
Marc by Marc Jacobs geometric dress, $133
DAY Birger et Mikkelsen sleeveless dress, $230
Beyond Vintage top, $237
DVF Bryssa top, $162
DVF Brutus leather jacket, $578
Cacharel floral print skirt, $230
3.1 Phillip Lim gold pants, $232
Anya Hindmarch peacock feather shoes, $144
Lanvin handbag, $995
Sophia Kokosalaki gold bracelet, $285

One little tip: when browsing these sites that are bound to tempt you, start in the sale section. Since European styles tend to hit the US a bit later, their end-of-season castoffs are your brand new ideas. Plus, you’ll see a more edited (less overwhelming) selection…and, hello, sales are always a good thing! Just do make sure you’re shopping in your native currency…it’s easy to think something’s a steal in GBP, only to be bitterly disappointed when you see the USD on your credit card statement.

Happy hunting!

Don’t worry, we’re not turning into a celeb trend site, nor are we morphing into a Catherine Middleton fan HQ. But I did sort of love her outfits on her tour de North America, and I think there are some lessons to be learned about how possible it is to look chic with just a closet full of staple items. Since I took the time to sleuth out where she found some of my favorite pieces, I thought I’d share.

Image via Racked…thanks, guys.

See what I mean? There’s nothing really exciting about this outfit – in fact, I’m guessing you have it in your closet righ now. But she’s picked pieces with a bit of detail that make them feel special, and take them to the next sartorial level.

Really, it’s the belt that grabbed me – it’s the one unique touch here. It gives a perfect pop of style and a bit of youth to her look, without standing out too terribly much. The design is by Linda Camm and (for now at least) is quite reasonable at $72. That’s practically a steal to own something a princess owns, don’t you think?

And then there’s that navy Smythe jacket, which is easy to love – I’ve fallen for more than my share of Smythe. This particular version just has a bit more style than some classic navy blazers – that little gold button at the side, and the cutaway vent in back – and does genius things to emphasize her (already very narrow) waist. Shockingly, it’s now sold out at Saks, Shopbop and Neiman Marcus, but I did manage to find a few at Singer 22.

Of course, if you nabbed the Canvas by Lands’ End version we talked about this spring, and spent a few dollars at the tailor for a button swap and you’d have a very similar version for about one-third the price. Just sayin’.

And then those infamous little espadrille wedges from Pied a Terre. I do love them – and god bless her for showing off a moderate heel without shame – though honestly, I might be a bit more partial to these from the same line:

What are you thinking about all this Kate-mania? I know it’s a bit much at times…but I admit, I kind of love all the princess crazy.  Her style is just so much closer to what I’d actually wear than, say, Michelle Obama (not to be unpatriotic…).  Plus, she still wears pieces we can (for the most part) afford. Who knows how long that will last, but I intend to get in on the action while I can.

Friends, I’m in a panic this morning! I’m having my photo taken by the lovely Melissa at Soulmates Photo, and the styling decisions are torture! Straight hair or wavy? Jacket or blouse? Chunky necklace or classic chain? Agh! Styling brain overload.

All I know so far is that I’ll be wearing this gorgeous silk shirt by Equipment:

The color should really pop in a photo, and the fabric skims over imperfections I might not be looking to memorialize on film. I’m thinking I’ll pair it with a pair of black skinny jeans and my coral patent leather Prada flats (colorblocking!).

But, the jewelry/scarf situation has me stumped. Should I go simple, layering a long rose gold chain with maybe this House of Harlow necklace? Or should I go more Man Repeller and wear my grandmother’s vintage squash blossom necklace?

Then we come to bracelets…I’m thinking of my Hermes double tour watch with its pretty new blue strap:

But should I pair with a bevy of gold Gorjana bangles, or keep it simple with a single enamel bangle? Or I could go with my new favorite – my Kara Ackerman rose gold diamond bangle.

So many decisions, friends…and so little time! I’m due at the studio in an hour. Any suggestions?