Color Me Styled - Layers, and Blocking, and Boots! Oh my!

Usually I have to put a fair amount of thought into outfits.  But, this one came so naturally I can't explain it.

Color Me Domestic - Essential Tool



About a month ago now I made our first soup of the season.  It was a lovely summery but spicy soup that was perfect for late August.

Color Me Domestic - Fall Cleaning

image via Pinterest

I've got big plans for the weekend.  Big cleaning plans.  Just like Spring cleaning fall cleaning is important.  It is time to shake out your sweaters, push the tank tops to the back of the drawers, and pack the flip flops away until next year.

Color Me Styled - September Issue

IT ARRIVED!!!

The VOGUE September issue is here. 

Drop anything else you might have to do and get your hands on it now.

Color Me Styled - #OOTD 70s in October?

I am not going to complain about Indian Summer weather.

But it is a little frustrating to bounce from 35 and rainy to 75 and sunny. It was warm enough to order iced coffee this morning and not feel silly. I even posted a few days ago about how lovely cape coats are and I would love to be wearing one but it is far to warm. I went from wearing long pants with sweaters to today's Outfit of the Day (#OOTD) which I think balances Work Approp. with Fall and June like temps.

Suiting dress from Banana Republic, Leopard Flats from 9 West (they're 2 years old but here are a similar pair from Madewell), floral scarf and jade bead necklace from J.Crew (similar here from Macy's)

I also had a lot of fun with today's Chicago Red Eye. My favorite article compared Taylor Swift Lyrics to Craig's List Missed Connections posts. 

I think most people have a soft spot in their heart for Tay. It is like my soft spot for Avril Lavigne. Can you remember who you sang "Complicated" about? I can. Also, Sk8r Boi is a classic.

Color Me Trendy - The Cape Coat

I love layers. It is rare to find me wearing just a shirt without a jacket or sweater over it. So when the weather turns chilly I am drawn to all sorts of outerwear including trench coats, bombers and more than ever, the cape.

Capes instantly dress up any outfit! Doesn't it also make you think of having a cozy blanket wrapped around you? Like a super classy snuggy.

I am so coveting a cape for winter! But I can't decide which one to go after. I love classic tweeds in brown but I already have a brown tweed trench. I love grey as a neutral option but I have a grey pea coat in my closet. So I think my only option is to go with black. I just hope I don't start calling myself batman.

This cape from Alice + Olivia punches up the fun factor with bright mustard piping. I also love the belt which keeps this cape from becoming a tent!

I also love these styles from Leslie Tessler.

Maybe I'm into yellow?

And if I feel super ambitious I could take a whack at a DIY Cape originally posted by Anna at In Honor of Design. INOD is a daily read of mine so I was so pumped when I saw her successful DIY!

Color Me Bonita - Fall for Bathtime

Jacko c/o LUSH Cosmetics

Our friends at LUSH are up to it again. This season they've released a whole new set of fall products including Jacko. Draw yourself a bath and pop Jacko in and he'll fizzle away leaving a fragrant, warm and comforting bath time for you. After all the little trick or treaters have paraded through, take a little "me" time. You deserve it. you gave out Kit-Kats after all. (They were are my favorite candy bar)

I felt like I was dipped into a mug of chai tea! After a long day in my heels and battling the rain the warming bath with clove bud and cardamom oils melted my stress away. Lush added spearmint oil to Jacko for a refreshing twist! It is a limited edition fizzer so get your hands on one while you can! Or four... I wouldn't complain about 4 more Jacko soaks.

You've got half of Gone Girl left and a great time to enjoy it would be in a bath!

Color Me Styled - Earmuff Already!

image via Pinterest, via ExtraPetite.com

After a summer of hard work my sweat glands are glad to have these chilly temps return, but trying to find the right amount of clothing to wear for 30 degree temperature swings is beyond tricky. The last thing you want is to have to pack along all the essential layers for 35 - 55 degrees (literally, that is Chicago's temperature today).

Plus a hat, although adorable, can sometimes mess with your hair do for the day. And let's not try to add anymore stress to this already tense situation of warmth.

Enter, earmuffs. 

You'd be surprised by the warmth just covering your ears will provide. Plus designers at all price points have options for you! If you get a neutral pair, like the Burberry ones in the picture above (which I adore by the way) you can wear them with nearly anything. But I am really digging the green coat, tights and boots, and bag that Jean at extrapetite.com

I am rocking a pair of 180s that wrap around the back of your head because they're the only pair I've got! But I am putting these pairs onto my wishlist.

The top contender? These Kate Spade NY Carriage House Earmuffs. They look so fuzzy and luxurious!

Kate Spade NY Carriage House Earmuffs

But I also wouldn't complain about any of the earmuff options below. There are even muffs out there that will plug into your iPod, iPhone or Walkman too! 

Color Me Trendy - Monogrammed Velvet Slippers

New to J.Crew this fall are Stubbs & Wootton classic velvet slippers. These luxurious flats pair perfectly with A-Line skirts, cuffed jeans and cropped trousers. You can even up the ante by ordering a customized pair... for $900.

Coveting this style led me to try a DIY when I found these Mossimo Vianca flats from Target (similar ones from Dorthy Perkins). Then all I needed was some puff paint and I was on my way.

I love monograms. They've helped me to adopt my married name and I've got them on jewelry, shirts, bags and now... shoes! I free-handed a simple cursive "eb" on each toe. One is a bit bigger than the other, but I did it myself so I'm not complaining!

Then there was a little strip on the back of the shoes that was just asking to become a racing stripe. 

And now I have a whole bottle of neon pink puffy paint...

I'm not upset about it.

Color Me Styled - Falling for Fall

What do you think of our new banner? 

It was designed by our graphic designer friend, Liz Kovalak, who also created the original banner and recently launched her own design company! We're so proud of you Liz. Check out her work on her new website http://www.kovalakdesign.com/

But now it is full on fall and we love it. Take time over the next few weeks to notice the changing colors and the cooler mornings. Relax with a favorite hot drink, sweater and a scarf. And your favorite fall boots too of course.

Color Me Trendy - Fall Booties

They're hot this fall and I think they make a great transition piece for dresses and skirts and shorts. The short bootie. If you don't have a pair... go get some because they are extremely versatile.

I had trouble deciding if this should be Color Me Trendy or Color Me Styled because I view them as classic but they're "so hot right now" (yes, think Zoolander) that Trendy won out.

Style maven Katie Holmes has rocked a pair of Isabel Marant Dicker boots since July and has paired them with dresses, skirts, skinny jeans, boot cut jeans, wide leg jeans and probably her PJs! You can snag her exact pair but they're a bit pricey.

Images via Daily Mail

The good news is that many styles are available across all price ranges for you to get in on the trend too. I have a pair in brown as well and have really enjoyed them over the last month. I've worn them with bright shorts and a chambray shirt, with dresses and with jeans with both wide and skinny legs. The kahki color is a perfect neutral color that will go with nearly everything.

Also... I wanted a chance to share some of my favorite K.Holmes style shots of her every day life. I think she has the american chic look perfected! 

Color Me Styled - Fall Nail Colors

image via pinterest

Spring and summer was all about the Nail Art. There are thousands of Pinterest boards dedicated to the subject. However, a lot of what we saw was neon or bright pinks which is super fun, but maybe not best for fall. 

So as we transition seasons I think the nail art trend is gonna stick but try some of your favorites with fall-y colors. Think purples, reds, browns or copper colors. 

For my first fall trendy-mani I did a mauve and metallic combo. The mauve shade, Island Hopping by Essie is one of my favorite nail colors of all time. The other two shades I used are Brisbane Bronze by OPI (it is super old so try this one or this one instead) and Disco Nap by Color Club (available at Birchbox.com).

I think next I'm going to do teal and navy... maybe try ombre with those two. And I really like the brown and grey combo in the Pinterest picture so I'll have to get my hands on some brown polish.

Color Me Trendy - Style to Stick With

New York Fashion Week is wrapping up and the verdict is in. A lot of the trends we rocked this year will be around next spring! (Which means we get to add to our closets, not replace!)

Mixed Prints were prominent at J.Crew (pictured above). Florals were big almost everywhere. There were stripes galour! Stripes in red, blue and the super chic prison stripe. Finally, bold colors and monochrome were back. There wasn't as much neon but yellow was big.

So, come next spring time we should be wearing our florals, strips and brights and mixing them all together like we did this year! 

And in the time between now and Spring continue to mix prints but start to put the bright colors towards the back of your closet. Fall fashion is all about fall colors and plenty can be mixed with all the reds, browns and oranges out there.

Color Me Styled - Dress for the Weather

With temperatures ranging from the 60s to the 80s in the next week it is challenging to pick a style and stick with it. But you don't have to rush into fall just yet... there will be plenty of time for jeans tucked into boots with sweaters and scarves (it is only the 2nd week of September). 

We were spoiled this year with unusually hot temperatures so 70 degree temperatures feel cold, but they're not! You'll be sweating after 20 minutes if you've got a long sleeved shirt, scarf and jeans tucked into boots.

Since it might be difficult to decide what to wear with temperatures being all over the place and the change in season, I've decided to put together this little guide. It works for me and I hope it works for you!

Color Me Domestic - Hot Temperature Fall Dessert

Mother Nature must not have a Pinterest account. She clearly has not gotten the memo that sweater weather outfits are trending and any dessert with pumpkin in it is getting repinned right and left.

So, what are we to do with 80 to 90 degree temperatures when the pumpkin craving calls?

Pat's Pumpkin Dip, that's what.

This dip is light, best served chilled and not too shabby calorie wise either! Depends on what you "dip" it with but the dip itself is gluten free and kosher (contains Dairy). A true party pleaser!

Pat's Pumpkin Dip

Ingredients

- 1 8 oz tub of Cool Whip (you can get any type you want full version or fat free)

- 1 12 oz can of canned pumpkin pie filling

- 1 tbsp of pumpkin pie spice (or you can make your own)
- 1 package of vanilla pudding mix (sugar free is A-OK)

Mix everything together, and mix it well. Chill it and serve with things to dip in your delightfully easy concoction. 

Dipping Objects To Consider

- Graham Crackers - plain or cinnamon

- Chocolate Teddy Grahams

- Apple Slices

- Strawberries

- Spoon

- Ginger Snaps

- Thin Mints (if you have any left... and if you do... share you hoarder!)

- Bananas

This dip is great for tailgates, Halloween parties and even as far as Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

If you are serving to a gluten free party mate, be kind and have a separate container for them to keep everything un-cross-contaminated. And for my vegan readers, I found this recipe for vegan whipped "cream" by using coconut milk. Worth a shot... you shouldn't miss this treat!

Color Me Styled - Mint for all Seasons

Mint for all seasons by ebdaily

So you invested in mint skinny jeans this spring and wore them all summer with your favorite Ts in pastel hues and now Fall is calling and you can't bear to part with them.

The good news is that you don't have to! Just pair them with more traditionally autumn pieces like burgundy, camel and orange. Tuck your jeans into your favorite brown boots and off you go... Pumpkin Spice Latte in hand of course.

A lot of these pieces can be found at Gap, J.Crew and even Target. Keep your accessories bright if you are wearing mint and camel. If you are pairing mint with orange, stick to a brown bag. Of course, you can always have your accessory be the thing you are pairing with your jeans by wearing a white top or even (a CMS favorite) chambray.

But don't rush into Fall just yet. Now that summer temperatures are cooling off across the country remember to get good use out of your summer gear before it gets packed away until next year. One of the cutest looks around is shorts with a sweater! Very beach-night chic.

Color Me Styled - Seeing Spots

A good animal print is an easy staple in your wardrobe. The trick is to treat the print like it is a neutral. Yes, treat an animal print like it was just plain old black, white, grey or brown. Then style it with what you would normally wear and wha-la you're as stylish and trendy as the best of em.

Leopard is going to be a go-to for a long time. But, for an updated twist, this fall (yes, we're talking fall fashion already) we are liking good ole puppy spots! That's right. Dalmatian is back.

This does not mean that we are channeling Cruella DeVille but the black and white spot will be a fun update to the animal print scene. If you're nervous about animal prints start small with accessories. This watch from ASOS is a great way to add a pop of print without the risk. Slightly more of a statement is the Rebecca Minkoff Ex wristlet in Dalmatian. 

But, for the bold, this dress from H&M is lovely! Plus, you can't beat the price. And never loose your coat at a holiday party again (yes, we are also already thinking about the holidays) with this coat from Sonia Rykiel.

Plus, you'll have a wonderful smile on your face every time you rock this print because you can't get these little guys out of your mind!

And these.