HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

HAVE FUN!
J.

Closet Notes

I've been on vacation for a little while...Mom's been in town, and haven't had too much time to post, so here's a few small fashionable notes from the past week...

Some good things...(How very Martha Stewart of me...)

So I wasn't able to come across Chanel's Jade Nail polish, but instead found Orly's "Green With Envy"

And I must admit I'm on day 6 with no chips so far...I love it when a pedicure lasts! It makes every moment of pampering last even longer.

I also had the opportunity to do some thrifting with my friend E. who is always really honest about how something looks or if it's worth the price. I was super happy to come across this jacket at Salvation Army and it was 1/2 price day!

The sleeves have a slight puff at the shoulders and it's exactly what I've been looking for to go with a beautiful nude lace skirt that I've never worn...A later post.

And now some boo hoo-

I went to the Nordstrom Rack opening, stood in line for an hour and a half in the rain, purchased 2 dresses without trying them on and both of them were horrible on me! I looked like a big blue rectangle in one of them and the second one...well let's just say I didn't have enough to fill it out in the right places. When I went back to exchange them for something that did fit, I came up empty handed! I guess it made my pocketbook happy!

Boo hoo #2-
My boots have not yet arrived! I found out upon calling customer service that there happens to be a postal strike going on and it could still be another week or 2. By that time, winter in Texas will practically be over! Ok, that's an exaggeration. It's just that it took me so long to make up my mind...oh never mind...we all know how it is to be waiting for something you've ordered. It's like it will never come! But they will...(hurry, hurry!)

Enough of my obsessive rambling for now.
J.

Flying Out Of My Closet - The Last Butterflies of Summer

As I mentioned last week, I visited a farm with a beautiful butterfly haus


and wanted to post my photos but held back thinking "Isn't it a little late in the year to be talking about butterflies?"

After all, it was only in the 50's this morning when I woke up, hardly butterfly weather.

So I was going to wait until probably next spring before using these.
Until I came across this lovely robe and slip from Topshop by Kate Moss-

(Photo from topshop.com)
So pretty! This collection of nightwear will debut on Thursday the 29th, not next spring. So according to my calculations, I'm still within the proper time frame to post about butterflies. And I can still wear this dress (with the proper layers of course.)


Wearing it with this belted denim jacket is perfect mid day when the sun is out.

(Close up of print.)

Ok, now we can move forward with Autumn.
J.

Must Add To My Closet- Jade

Mom has been in town for the past few days and today we went to Wild Seed Farms here in Texas. Sounds a little country but the weather was amazing and having family around is always good. They have beautiful flowers, an incredible butterfly house (more on that later,) and colorful pottery everywhere. In fact, the following pictures I took made me realize how bad I really want (need?) that Chanel Jade Polish...



I must hunt it down...maybe I'll find it in time for tomorrow's mani/pedi.
J.

Soon to Be In My Closet - Top Shop Over The Knee Boots

(Photo from Topshop.com.)
After much debate and hunting, I purchased the Britany2 Over The Knee Boot from Topshop over the internet last night and now have 5-7 business days to wait for them. As per my last post, Pearl from Fashion Pearls of Wisdom really had me thinking about them and after a little more research I found this pair that I think will work really well with my wardrobe. I'm looking forward to wearing them specifically with dresses this winter. I hope they keep me warm!

J.

Finally Out of My Closet - New Boots

I've been sick for over a week - actually, make that a month. I went from one ailment right into another one within about 4 days, but I'll spare you the fun details...

I'm feeling much better now, a few coughs aside and was excited step out of the house and enjoy the beautiful day. It's extremely sunny but only in the 50's. It proved to be the perfect weather for pulling out my new boots...

I haven't really worn them much, but I figured that the amount of walking we'd be doing was just enough to break them in. They turned out to be much more comfortable than I thought and I think they'll be in my top rotation this winter.

They look great with jeans-

But I'm looking forward to tights and skirts. I love a versatile shoe! I wish they would have had them in black. I have been searching for black boots for months! And after reading about over the knee boots from Pearl at Fashion Pearls of Wisdom, I think they might need to be looked into...

Anyway, on my agenda this morning, coffee (priority) and the local weekly Farmer's Market. Nothing like fresh veggies to help heal!

While there, we (my boyfriend was with me,) ran into Adam H. who introduced us to these 2 bloggers,

David from blog "The Forty Days" is exploring a different activity every day for 40 days from flying lessons, and unicycle riding to volunteering and open mic night. It's crazy but inspiring- check it out, he's on day 31.

Jodi's blog "Tasty Touring" has her living off food samples all day today. Good luck Jodi! I know I tried some crazy things today, there's no telling what's out there! She also has some excellent local food deals for those of you around the central Texas area.

I'm looking forward to dinner tonight. I haven't had much of an appetite while I was sick, but I can finally taste and smell again. Now if we could do something about the congestion in my ears I'd be as good as new.

J.

In My Closet- Winter Coat Collection

Living in central Texas means it's rarely cool enough to wear a big, heavy winter coat. However, having grown up in the midwest, every autumn I pour through magazines and lust after the styles, shapes and fabrics fully knowing that I have very little use for any of them, they'll only take up space in my closet. In all honesty, I may wear a winter coat only for about 2-3 weeks. But do you think that stops me? Nope! In fact, I have a small but lovely collection of coats that I will never give up. I try to choose classic shapes and styles that I can wear for years and it makes sense to hang onto them.


The basic black overcoat. My sister bought it for me for X-mas some years ago and of course it can be used for may different occasions. If I need a heavy coat for work, this is the one. It covers from neck down to almost my knees and is very warm.

A must for every woman's closet, the trench. (The picture looks like one button is missing, but it's there.) This one is from Michael Kors and it was marked at $250 usd but I think I got it for about $80 as it was March and already above 85 degrees. The length is mid thigh which, being only 5 foot, is perfect for me. Anything longer sort of swallows me and looks like I'm dressing in Mommy's coat. I love the fun, silvery-blue unexpected color and it looks as good with jeans as it does a suit.

This one is faux fur fun! It looks black in the picture but it's actually a dark brown, with a slight purple under tone. I love to dress this one up and the wide collar means I can wear a variety of scarves or necklaces.

This is a recent thrift find from Goodwill. I was walking up and down the Halloween costume aisle and this poor creature called out to me. I carried it around for a while before trying it on and as I ran my hands over it I found...

POCKETS! How cool is that! It's vintage, but not in perfect shape, the lining has a large hole and it goes all the way through in one spot. But you can hardly see it and the price I paid was silly inexpensive. It reminded me of something you'd see one of the Olsens wearing. Boho glamish...I haven't worn it yet (too hot,) but I'm dieing to wear it with my new boots.

Of course, none of these can compare to the navy blue, fuzzy, knee length with even fuzzier white cuffs and collar coat that I wore to church every Sunday as a child. It was a sad day when I had out grown it!

What winter coat will you be wearing this season?
J.

I Need More of These in My Closet - The Bib Necklace

I was cleaning some pictures out of my computer when I came across this pic of my one of my favorite necklaces. I've had it for 4 years or so and it never fails to get a comment. (Mostly good!) It's something that can look modern, or if worn as more of a choker, a little alternative.

I'm a fan of the big statement necklace and have been drooling over the bib styles that are out and about right now, like these

(Photo from www.maxandchloe.com)
This company, Max and Chloe make some good ones with great prices.

(Photo from www.maxandchloe.com)
I love how this looks rock and roll yet art deco at the same time!

(Photo from www.portiajewlry.com)
This just makes me feel like tropical island, white bathing suit and cancerous tan. Love it!

I need to go now and find some of those little paper umbrellas and a drink in a pineapple.
J.

'Over The Top' Blog Award

An enormous thank you goes out to Pearl from the Fashion Pearls Of Wisdom blog for bestowing me with this award. I received it on Saturday but I didn't have access to a computer, only a phone and it's hard to blog from the phone, so please forgive me for being late with this!

The award also asks you to answer the following questions with one word only, which will probably be more difficult than I think, so here it goes...

Where's my cell phone- purse
My hair- shaggy
My mother- amazing
My father- heavenly
Favorite food- french fries
Dream last night- gone
Favorite drink- smoothies
What room I am in- bedroom
Hobby- house (It never ends...)
Fear- strays
Where I was last night- ACL
Something I am not- tall
Muffins- any
Where I grew up - "Little House on the Prairie" (Ok - this is hard!)
What I am wearing- uniform
My pets- hairy
Friends- sisters
Something I am not wearing- mittens
Favorite store- Sephora
Favorite color- green
The last time I laughed-today
My best friend- beautiful
Place I go over and over- Coffee-A-Deli (Bad name, amazing pastries!)
Person who emails me regularly- Astrology.com (you fill out one little survey...)

Now I get to choose 5 (and only 5) blogs to pass this award to...
(This is even harder!)
In no particular order...
I really like Cari at FINANCIAL SERVICE IS NOT FASHION
And the girls from The Owls Are Not What They Seem
I just started enjoying On The Fringe of Fashion

This one isn't about fashion, but it's beautiful
Thinking Out Loud

And Anya from Oui, Je Suis round out my tops.

Check these blogs out...I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

(Thanks again Pearl! )
J.

Had To Have In My Closet - Calvin Klein Sandals

I am in love with these suede Calvin Klein sandals.

I've been wearing them with everything, (I'm sure it's been noticed.) I had really been looking for suede boots when I came across these. I saw someone else trying them on in my size and I wanted to rip them off her feet. Bummer for her, they were too small, or so I heard as I hovered around her chair. But it was my lucky day!

The criss cross at the ankles make it look a little tough but I'm all about mixing the tough with the sweet.

The thick heel is sturdy which makes for a great shoe when going out for drinks, if you know what I mean. (I am far to prone to ankle injuries.)

Cocktails anyone?
J.