The Green Silk Pants Work for Fall, Too!

You may remember a certain pair of Alice and Olivia green silk pants that I was mildly obsessed with this spring/summer season. I loved them all summer although I didn't have as many opportunities to wear them as I would have liked. They made it out 4 or 5 times which just doesn't cut it for me as far as cost-per-wear goes. But last night, I had a chance to pull them out again and I loved it. And, in a sea of gray, black, and navy, it was fun to infuse a little celebration!

The breakdown goes like this:
Alice and Olivia green silk cropped pants (Spring 2011)
Isabel Marant Etoile black wool long sleeve top (Fall 2010)
Calvin Klein raspberry suede platform heels (Fall 2010)
J Crew leopard print skinny belt (Fall 2009)
pearl earrings and art deco pendant necklace

Here's the best reenactment I could come up with.

Fall-ifying the Green Silk Pants by milkbreadfashion featuring long sleeve sweaters

Uniqlo long sleeve sweater, £50
DKNY summer pants, $175
Dolce Vita suede pumps, $199
LORD TAYLOR fine jewelry, $50
Aurora Lopez Mejia yellow gold necklace, £12,775
Dorothy Perkins buckle belt, £6

Winter Skirts

Winter Skirts Galore by milkbreadfashion featuring lace up boots

Zara silk top, $80
Diesel sleeveless t shirt, $78
Polyester shirt, $76
Striped top, $58
Monsoon yellow cardigan, £55
Uniqlo cashmere sweater, £50
Mango wrap blouse, £43
Mary Portas jersey top, £35
DAKS plaid skirt, $99
J Crew knee length skirt, $128
J Crew wool skirt, $108
Karen Kane wool skirt, $79
Phase Eight full skirt, £59
Maxi skirt, $62
H M flared skirt, £25
Beige heels, 349 DKK
Vince Camuto red pumps, $100
Zara heel boots, $90
Banana Republic ballet shoes, $89
BCBGeneration platform pumps, $89
Platform pumps, $60
Dorothy Perkins lace up boots, £45
TRANSIT western cowgirl boots, £42

Thanks to cousin-in-law Kelly who wants to know what are some good winter skirt options especially that would go with boots. I had fun putting together a whole bunch of outfits and did so many that they would barely all fit into one picture. Because of that, I didn't do a lot of accessorizing on these ensembles so keep this in mind.

1. Always! accessorize. Scarves are great for winter, obviously, but you can layer long necklaces under them, too, to keep it different looking. Hats are also an easy thing to do in winter. Knit caps, fedoras, floppy hats- they're all in style right now and can be found in lots of price points so stock up.

2. If the top has short sleeves, add a leather jacket for fall. When it gets too cold for that, use a thin cardigan and then your overcoat. Faux leather is a great, less expensive option (and you can't even tell on a lot of them these days!) so try to have them in camel and black.

3. All of these outfits will work with boots, most of them with flat boots or heeled. But don't be afraid to change it up with different shoes.

4. The big question is always what tights to wear? Black opaque, brown opaque, or black subtly patterned are my favorites but I also do a skin-color fishnet (teeny tiny fishnet, please) on skirts that won't look good with a dark color.

Blush and Navy

Blush and Navy by milkbreadfashion featuring a wooden bangle bracelet

Velvet sweater, £270
Dickins Jones cotton blazer, £90
True Religion boyfriend jeans, $490
DV by Dolce Vita platform heels, $99
Dorothy Perkins wooden bangle bracelet, £10
NICOLE SCHUMANN DESIGNS long necklace, $119
Trilby hat, $105
Missoni wool scarve, £275

This is pretty much the outfit for the day. My hat is better, though! It's by Hat Attack and the ribbon is in a yummy caramel color. I got it at The Shoe Hive in Old Town. And I love blush and navy together. Super easy outfit.

Anyway, off to pick up the kids with my cool new hat!

Tribal

picture from Styled On.

I don't know where I was when the collaboration of Julian Louie and Aldo shoes was happening but I just now ran across these amazing boots. Although there was one size 8 left in the store I was in, they are basically sold out everywhere. Then I found my size on ebay and now I just keep checking on them and checking on them and they still don't have any bids... it's like someone out there wants me to have them! Anyway, here's a little everyday tribal-inspired look.

Tribal by milkbreadfashion featuring tribal earrings

Paul Joe oversized sweater, $423
True Religion boyfriend jeans, $490
Aldo shoes, $40
Ghibli snakeskin handbag, $1,200
Sandy Hyun bib necklace, $145
Yochi tribal earrings, $54

Meet Jessica Richardson- an Alexandria Lifestyle Blogger

photo by Amanda Martin www.fillmoremartinphoto.com


It seems like the perfect time to introduce you to Jessica Richardson, a fellow Alexandrian who writes a great lifestyle blog called Alexandria Lifestyle. It's a really well-curated blog about all things stylish in Alexandria. From shops to restaurants, to events, and now, to me!, if it's happening, Jessica is covering it. I got a chance to sit down with her at my favorite (and super cool) coffee shop, Buzz. She grew up in Alexandria and now lives here with her husband and two kids so of course she knows what's up. And, as an added bonus, she's a realtor with McEnearney Associates so she knows all the best properties for sale which I think would be really fun.

If you're local, definitely add this blog to your list as a must read. And, if you're thinking of moving here, what better way to get an idea about our fair city?

One final note- Jessica mentions in her blog that she didn't know what to wear when she met with me. I must tell you that she looked totally pulled together and cool and not like she was trying too hard- which I mean as a major compliment!

Jessica Richardson, Realtor
McEnearney Associates
703-864-3438
www.alexandrialifestyle.wordpress.com

This Outfit is CHEAP!

I'm not always known for getting the best deals when it comes to my clothing. I'm good at it when I'm looking for other people but I think I just get tired when I'm shopping for myself and tend to forget about coupons and sales and stuff. (I'm sure my husband will be really happy to read this!) But this outfit is the exception and it makes me so happy. Usually if I'm wearing "low," I mix it with "high" so you don't make any assumptions about the cost of things. But I found this dress at H&M after I popped in for a quick look around. It was $35. The shoes are the free pair that Philip Simon sent me. The belt is mine from an old L.A.M.B. dress that I've had for about 4 years. And the purse is bcbg from about 10 years ago! That makes this ensemble basically free. Awesome.

pics by Amanda Martin with FillmoreMartin Photography
www.fillmoremartinphoto.com

Obsession

I can't stop thinking about these shoes. Can you tell that the top is light suede and the bottom is... gold glitter! I know they seem ridiculously unnecessary and maybe to some of you just plain ridiculous. But I LOVE them and I know I would wear them with lots of things. Like the high waisted purple pants from Alice and Olivia. Or the floral dress from last season from J Patterson Kincaid. Or a pair of wide legged jeans, white silk top, and skinny leopard print belt. Oh yeah. They will work with a lot.

Holy Crap! We're Losing the Gap!

Well, not exactly. But the rhyme was good so I couldn't pass it up. However, Gap is reducing by 10% it's number of stores in the U.S. while increasing it's presence in China. To additionally fight a tough economy and major competition from stores like H&M, they are looking at some collaborations. Looks like Diane von Furstenberg is doing one for Gap Kids that would hit stores this Spring. That's a collaboration I could get behind! As for losing some Gap stores... yawn. I don't think anyone will even notice.

More Rain

After a too brief respite from the rain, it's moving back in again. I hate the rain. But, if I had this outfit, I'd hate it a little less. And, yes, when I found these boots for this picture, I stopped what I was doing, ordered them, and then got back to work. As dumb as high-heeled rain boots sound, I just couldn't resist.

Rainy Days Ahead by milkbreadfashion featuring embellished tops

Quiksilver embellished top, $35
J Crew zig zag shirt, £70
ROY ROGERS skinny leg jeans, $137
Gabriella Rocha lace up rubber boots, $89
Alexis Bittar fringe earrings, $295
American Apparel yellow umbrella, $28
Rag Bone floppy brim hat, $150

Perfect Fall Outfit

Running around with the family. Cool in the morning, warmer in the afternoon. Here's my perfect fall outfit.

Perfect Fall Outfit by milkbreadfashion featuring plaid shirts

Billabong plaid shirt, $70
Helmut Lang leather vest, $995
J Crew short pants, $80
Rag & Bone high heels, $595
Stella McCartney cross body handbag, $790
Alexis Bittar gold earrings, €198

Making My Shorts Work for Fall

Here's how I'm making those Theory leather shorts I got in the spring work in the Fall. That is, if it warms up past 60 degrees! I love it with the lumberjack plaid shirt for some reason. As a side note, the shirt is from Forever 21. I got it because I had purchased a black suede vest from them a couple of weeks ago for a costume party at which I was considering dressing as Slash (from Guns n' Roses, in case you don't know but I'm assuming if you're reading my blog, you probably do.) When I opted to dress as Courtney Love instead (of Hole fame and Kurt Cobain infamy, but you know that, too, right?) I returned it only to find out that Forever 21 does not refund money!! What?!! That really annoyed me. I mean, they are a big chain store so what the heck? Same reason I don't shop at BCBG. Anyway, I digress. I used my credit right then since I won't be back and found this shirt. I LOVE it! And, being from there, it was super cheap. Tomorrow, I'm going to try it with my straight leg white COH jeans and some moto boots by Rag and Bone. Yeah!

P.S.
That's my super cute Pearl with me. My sister-in-law was taking pictures of us for Round 4 of the Lucky Magazine contest. That's right! I made it to the semi-finals! Here's the link to vote for me (as many times as you want once you register- just back click to get back to my page once your register). Lot's more pics of good outfits for me and great outfits for Pearl!

http://contribute.luckymag.com/blog/my_best_connection-136/mother_of_pearl-778