Crazy Cat Lady

I'll admit it.  I have a thing for kitties.  There's something about their cuddliness and purrs that tugs right at my hear strings.  The problem with really liking cats?  The title of Crazy Cat Lady.  It's a term that conjures up images of a trailer filled with twenty cats and a lady who only wears fuzzy pink robes and eats frozen tv dinners while watching bad soap operas.

Eww.

I've recently decided to ignore that term and really put my love for kittens out there.  I'm starting small, in tiny details.  And this fair isle sweater from J. Crew has just enough feline appeal that I can't help but love it..

Cashmere Cured Me

When I started typing this post, I started out with, "Today was *such* a Monday."

Today, was in fact Tuesday.  But that is wonderful example of how my brain has been functioning as of late.

Today I needed a little pick me up.  And although I have really made a valiant effort not to use retail as my therapy, I caved and bought the prettiest camel colored, cashmere sweater.  It cheered me completely up after a long day at work followed up with a hot and sticky run (just wasn't feeling it today, folks.)  I'm already dreaming about all the ways I can wear it this autumn.

J. Crew, Cashmere Bateau Sweater

An American Christmas

Ralph Lauren is about as American as applie pie and baseball, and when I'm looking for classic clothes with a refined, preppy feel, you can bet that RL and Polo are my go-tos.   Last week I mentioned how badly I was wanting some festive sweaters.  Although, once again completely out of my price range, Ralph Lauren's Blue Label has mastered the classic, slightly earthy tone I was looking for.  

I would also wear these mens sweaters in a heart beat.  Belted w/ leggings and my fringed Minnetonkas. Hello, holidays!

At the Chalet

I headed over to Net-a-Porter yesterday and had one of those experiences where I made myself step away from my laptop.  This week's e-magazine is "Chalet Chic" and to say I have been craving ski-worthy sweaters would be the understatement of the year.  I went into Abercrombie and Fitch yesterday and left smelling of horrid cologne and gravely disappointed that all their sweaters looked... well, too "Abercrombie".  On my way home today I stopped at the Ralph Lauren outlet and was equally disappointed in the selection.  There were a few that were "okay", but who wants to buy something "okay"?   My third and final strike out was picking up my mom's copy of Gorsuch.   Yeah, you bet I found about ten sweaters I loved, but alas, not a one was under $700.   So you can imagine my horror/excitement when finding this Chalet Chic collection.   But I think a couple of these might be Christmas list-worthy and if nothing else provided some great inspiration as to what it is I'm looking for.   Below were my favorites and I even managed to find some other gems at different online sites.  Which would you choose?

French Connection

Moschino

Jonathan Saunders

3.1 Phillip Lim

Aubin and Wills

Stella McCartney

Sandro

Paul and Joe Sister

An Autumn Outfit

This weekend I was back at my parents' home in Lake Geneva and I felt like I finally got to enjoy fall.  We went on lots of walks with our new pup, visited an orchard, and got to see old friends.   Although many trees had lost their leaves, I still think this is the most gorgeous time of year.  And what better to accompany the cooler weather than some cozy outfits.  I'm completely in love with sweaters, and I would love to dress one up like the picture above.   Below is an outfit I'd love to give a go.  The dramatic skirt, the amazing knit, the fingerless gloves - it's a little bit of heaven in the form of an outfit.  

Sweater - Joseph

Gloves - Duffy

Boots - Tory Burch

Sunnies - Linda Farrow Luxe

Tights - Falke

Skirt - Vanessa Bruno

Punkins

Happy Friday lovies!  Below is the comfy, oversized, ridiculously soft sweater I was referring to in yesterday's post.  And although I was slightly scared I'd look like a punkin wearing it, I couldn't be happier with my purchase.   Speaking of punkins, this weekend I'm bound to do all things Autumnal.   Some inspiring photos are below.

Sweater, Sanctuary

Autumn Air

It is a chilly one here today in the Midwest, and I can't lie - I'm loving it!  Today's cloudy, dreary, high-of-sixty has me craving warm soup and cozy sweaters, and when I spotted this spread of Reese Witherspoon in Marie Claire - I fell in love with the sweetness of simple knits paired with delicate undergarments.  It puts me in mind of the Sex and the City episode when Carrie is holed up in the Russians apartment during a winter storm, wearing oversized sweaters and not much else.   Hope you're bundled up this brisk day!

A Good Knit

More than shoes, jewelry, or jeans, finding a good sweater makes me so very happy.   There is so much to take into consideration - knit, texture, cut, color, fit - it can really be a process.  I'm so happy fall is here, I'm now on the hunt for wonderful knits.  This Chloe sweater is exactly the look I'm loving, so expect some future sweater posts! ;)

Cool Air + Warm Sun

This editorial of Mona Johannesson in Marie Claire Italia has completely gotten me in the mood for autumn.  The chunky sweaters, knit dresses, and floppy hats are all looks I'm dying to wear this fall.   Shot by David Bellemere, I can't help but notice how he perfectly captured those days in fall where the air is brisk but the sun is still so warm - I can almost smell the air (you know that fall smell that's part dried leaves, earthy sunshine, and maybe just a hint of smoke from someone burning leaves somewhere).