Pieces of Flair

Photos: Katie Derus| Suit: BR | Top: Ann Taylor (last seen here) | Shoes: Ann Taylor (similar here) | Bag: Longchamp | Sunglasses: Van Heusen | Necklace: BR | Bracelets: Ann Taylor, F21, Nordstrom, J.Crew | Earrings: Kendra Scott via Gilt Groupe

If you run into me during the week, it's likely I'll be dressed the way I am in these photos, carrying my trusty Longchamp Le Pliage laden with files, a laptop, a spare pair of shoes, and all my other daily necessities. Although I'm still hunting for the perfect work bag, this one has been incredibly practical and versatile. When I'm carrying a bunch of heavy things, it's hard to add a weighty leather purse with lots of hardware to the load. My Longchamp bag is durable, light, washable, and cute enough to tote around everywhere.

Although most of my workdays require me to wear a suit, I try to find ways to make the typical neutral-colored suit a little more palatable for color-loving me. I often go for shells that are colorful or that have interesting details to add some interest, and I also like to pile on the "flair" with interesting (but tasteful!) jewelry. (Check out more work style photos here and here.)

Winter Garden

Welcome, StumbleUpon visitors! Thanks for checking out my personal style blog, Hello, Framboise! If you like this post, please give it a thumbs-up and then explore more outfit inspiration. Thanks so much! Cheers, Tam

Photos: Katie Derus| Cardigan: Arden B. | Shirt: Abercrombie (last seen here) | Skirt: Express (similar here) | Booties: Charles David (last seen here and here)| Sunglasses: Van Heusen | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Necklace: Ann Taylor | Bracelets: Ann Taylor, Nordstrom

I love that lace, flowers, and everything ladylike is so on-trend right now. Longer skirts, nipped-in waists, and feminine detailing help a petite girl like me look more grown-up and sophisticated--something I strive to do so that I'm perceived as a competent, professional woman (who just happens to be small) instead of a high school student who shouldn't be taken seriously. The ladylike silhouettes we're seeing everywhere are so flattering on pracetically every size and body type--from the very curvy to the very boyish--that there's no reason not to embrace it. To add a little interest when I wear this trend, I like to add something that has a little menswear vibe to it, like the grandpa-style shawl cardigan I'm wearing in these photos.

Sunday Snapshots: Christmas, a Perfume Review, and Instagram

Photo 1: Serge Lutens | Photo 2: Rocky Mountain SuperChair, Breckenridge, CO | Photo 3: Atomic (similar here) | Photo 4: Kendra Scott via Gilt Groupe | Photo 5: Family Christmas Tree

Just wanted to share a few photos from my Christmas weekend! It was a great one. The mountains are the perfect place to spend the holidays--I love constantly feeling like I'm on a Christmas movie set.

I was recently introduced to the perfume house of Serge Lutens, and their nose, Christopher Sheldrake, has quickly become my favorite perfumier. I'm a picky girl when it comes to fragrances, and it took me ages to find anything I could tolerate on a daily basis. My old standby was J'Adore Dior, but it was love at first whiff the moment I was introduced to Fleurs d'Oranger, Serge Lutens' orange blossom and tuberose scent with a hint of spiciness to it (read reviews on the Basenotes fragrance forum). Sa Majeste la Rose (Photo 1), another recent perfume crush of mine, is a big, bold, pure rose, but it also has leafy, organic basenotes that anchor it and make it a little more unique than the typical rose fragrance (read reviews). If you are a perfume lover, I would encourage you to test out some of the Serge Lutens fragrances and see what you think.

I'm also currently infatuated with Instagram, which I just began using over the last week or so. I had previously been recreating Instagram-type shots with photo-editing software for my Sunday Snapshots posts (previous snapshots here and here), but the app is so much easier and more fun! You can follow me on Instagram by clicking here, which will take you to Followgram, a site where you can manage your Instagram profile, follows, and feed online.

Gone in 60 Seconds: Office to Happy Hour

Photos: Katie Derus | Coat: Billabong last seen here] | Cardigan: Ann Taylor | Top: LOFT | Pants: Arden B. | Booties: Charles David | Belt: Vintage: | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Sunglasses: Van Heusen | Necklace: BR | Bracelets: J.Crew, F21, Nordstrom, Ann Taylor | Watch: Vintage Dior | Nails: CND Shellac Hot Pop Pink

Merry Christmas, everyone! These photos feature an outfit I wore recently for a girls' holiday dinner, a fun tradition we've had for several years now. Although we don't all live in the same place anymore, we try and make time for it every December.

Birthday Girl

Photos: Katie Derus | Blouse: Ann Taylor | Vest: Vintage Sweet & Chic Boutique, Breckenridge, CO | Jeans: Current/Elliott | Boots: Nine West (old) | Sunglasses: Prada | Necklace: Ann Taylor | Bracelets: Ann Taylor, F21, Nordstrom, J.Crew | Earrings: Kendra Scott | Watch: Vintage Dior

Foxy Lady

Photos: Katie Derus | Coat: Vintage | Jeans: Current/Elliott | Booties: Charles David | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Sunglasses: Prada | Bracelets: J.Crew, F21, Ann Taylor, Nordstrom

I'm generally a faux fur girl through-and-through, but I love giving a new life to vintage real fur pieces, like the one I'm wearing here. My dad picked up the furs for this coat when he visited Ukraine almost forty years ago, and he had the coat custom made as a gift for my mom. While this definitely won't be an everyday coat for me, it'll be perfect for a fancy night out in the mountains.

You've probably noticed that I've been wearing my Current/Elliott jeans a lot recently. I've been obsessed with them ever since I picked them up at Saks before they shut down their store in Denver. Current/Elliott is one of the premium denim brands that has sizes all the way down to 23, so it's a great choice for petites. The ones I'm wearing are the Ankle Legging (no hem necessary!) in Blue/Black. Oh, and the best part? They will be on Gilt Groupe today (Monday, December 19)!

For those that don't know, Gilt Groupe is a website that hosts online sample sales for a huge variety of designers. Their sales begin daily at noon EST (10:00 AM in Denver), and you can reserve and purchase items on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to shop on Gilt Groupe, you'll need an invitation--if you're not already a member, click here for an invite from me.

Pumpkin on Ice

Photos: Katie Derus | Sweater: J.Crew | Button-down: Abercrombie | Jeans: Wet Seal | Boots: Vintage | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (alligator-embossed and on sale!) | Belt: Vintage | Sunglasses: Prada | Necklace: BR | Bracelets: F21, Nordstrom, Ann Taylor | Earrings: Kendra Scott

I have a major crush on this pumpkin-colored J.Crew sweater. I like the mod vibe it imparts when styled with a buttoned-up shirt and my new round Prada shades. Best of all, this sweater is warm. I've been reaching for it whenever the weather looks mildly chilly--which is rather often in my neck of the woods lately. I was actually quite comfortable outside in all that snow without a coat. Although J.Crew carries petite sizing, I liked the fit of this one in an XS regular, especially once I added a belt to define the waist.

Last weekend, I also took a little shopping trip to my mom's closet while I was visiting her, and I found these wonderful boots (remember the ones I showed you in my last Sunday Snapshots post?). I love when something she wore and loved can be repurposed and recycled into my wardrobe. My mom has always had great taste, so I can often find some real treasures to borrow from her--wait until you see the brown boots I'll be featuring here soon.

Sunday Snapshots

[Photo 1] Jacket: Aeropostale | Shirt: J.Crew | Jeans: Wet Seal | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Necklace: BR | Bracelet: F21 | [Photo 2] Booties: Charles David | [Photo 3] Coat: Vintage | Sunglasses: Prada | [Photo 4] Boots: Vintage | [Photo 5] Jacket: Billabong | Vest: F21 | Shirt: Limited | Jeans: Current/Elliott | Boots: Vintage | Clutch: Hobo International (similar here) | Sunglasses: Prada | Necklace: Ann Taylor | Bracelet: Nordstrom | Earrings: Kendra Scott

A few shots from my weekend and some sneak previews of my newest favorite things: Charles David booties, a pair of vintage flat boots from my mom's closet, and an amazing early birthday surprise--Prada Baroque sunglasses. You'll be seeing a lot of them soon!

Strawberry Fields

Photos: Katie Derus | Sweater: Cooperative Pattern at Urban Outfitters | Jeans: Current/Elliott | Boots: Zara (on sale right now!) | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Scarf: Target | Sunglasses: F21 | Earrings: Kendra Scott | Watch: Vintage Dior

Right now, I'm loving the variety of fun and interesting prints available in stores. This strawberry-print sweater is one of my favorite late-summer purchases that has transitioned well into fall and winter. I love the whimsical feel it has, and the print is subtle enough to mix with other prints--like leopard-print or polka dots, for example.

If you've been following along regularly, you've probably noticed that I have a bit of a penchant for Rebecca Minkoff bags--I carry them almost exclusively. The one I'm carrying in this post is one of my favorites: an ostrich-embossed Morning After Mini bag (often referred to as an MAM or MAB Mini). One of the reasons I love Rebecca's designs so much is her ability to adeptly mix classic styling with trendy details and colors so that one always looks simultaneously timeless and au courant. I'm definitely hoping another one of her lovely bags appears under my Christmas tree this year.

Here's to Tiers

Sweater: F21 (similar here) | Shirt: J.Crew | Skirt: Arden B. | Boots: MICHAEL | Sunglasses: F21 Necklace: Ann Taylor | Bracelets: Arden B., Nordstrom | Earrings: Kendra Scott

This ensemble harkens back to the Indian Summer we were so lucky to experience all the way into late November. [Sigh.] Even though this outfit was perfect just last week, it seems like it was ages ago. If I had been wearing this today, I would've had to winterize with a cozy fur vest, a snuggly winter coat, a circle scarf, and the leg warmers I've fallen heed-over-heels in love with over the last few days.

The sweater I'm wearing here is one of my favorites. The oatmeal color goes with everything, and it's light enough to layer at leisure--and even tuck in!--without adding too much bulk. I love a great weekend sweater that can just as easily pair with a tiered floral skirt as with torn-up boyfriend jeans or leather leggings.

Sunday Snapshots

[Outfit 1] Top: Ann Taylor | Skirt: Urban Outfitters | Cardigan: Express | Tights: Nordstrom | Shoes: Nine West | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Belt: Ann Taylor | Bracelets: Nordstrom, F21 | Watch: Dior | [Outfit 2] Jeans: Current/Elliott | Shoes: Aldo (similar here) | [Outfit 3] Sweater: J.Crew | Tank: J.Crew | Jeans: Current/Elliott | Shoes: J.Crew (similar here) | Necklace: BR | Bracelet: Saks | Watch: Dior

These photos contain a few of my current obsessions: bright, bright colors, glitter, shoes, parties, and--of course--Christmas! I got to attend the annual holiday party at Nordstrom this week with one of my most stylish friends. We browsed around while sipping white wine and eating cream puffs (a unique pairing), taking in all the holiday decor. While my friend tried on some boots, I fantasized about buying the bright pink Manolos in the second photo. Although I didn't end up purchasing them, I did find some other fun things I'll share with you later.

A Saturday shopping trip went from ho-hum to awesome when I happened upon the sparkly gold loafers pictured in the third photo at Aldo. In addition to satisfying my inner magpie (ooh, shiny!), they were very comfortable and on sale. I can't wait for all the snow we've gotten recently to go away so I can wear them everywhere! Note for fellow petites: these run a little small. I have relatively large feet for my size--I wear between a US 5 and 6, depending on the brand--and I needed a 36/US 6 in these. Aldo carries the majority of their shoes in 35/US 5, so some of you smaller-footed ladies may be able to take advantage of this sale to grab yourself some sparkly kicks, too.

I continued my hunt for cozy, warm sweaters at J.Crew. My try-on session was mostly disastrous. While the XXS sweaters seemed to fit in the shoulders and arms, they were almost uniformly too big and bulky around my waist, making me look thick and shapeless. I tried their traditional cable-knit, crew-neck sweater in both adult XXS regular and girls' 12. I also pulled another girls' sweater off the sale rack, and it had the same bulkiness issues. I finally ended up buying the colorblock sweater pictured in the fourth photo above, which was both warm and flattering, and--bonus!--satisfied my craving for bright colors.

Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend!