Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Cozy Neutrals

Zara Blanket Scarf

Cozy winter look

Rockstud tote + blanket scarf
Blouse: LOFT Outlet (last seen here) | Scarf: Zara (similar here and here) | Jeans: rag & bone | Boots: rag & bone "Harrow" (review here) (on sale for Black Friday in gray here) | Bag: Valentino (available at Nordstrom or Farfetch, where I found mine) | Hat: Anthropologie (last seen here) | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Bracelets: David Yurman | Watch: Michele | Lips: NARS "Dragon Girl" + Fresh Sugar Berry

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for your readership and support!

x, Tam

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Gift Guide: 10 Perfect Gifts for Him

Gift Guide: 10 Perfect Gifts for Him
1. A classic silk tie for the office or special occasion (in 15 colors!)
2. A cozy down vest: easy to size, easy to wear--a guaranteed closet workhorse
3. A cashmere scarf in plaid or solid colors (+ 30% off!) will keep him warm and stylish this winter
4. You'll want him wearing this appealing, confident scent from Creed all the time
5. American Bar: the Artistry of Mixing Drinks to help him master the perfect cocktail
6. Cozy winter jammies--in Christmas-y plaid or solid colors if that's more his style
7. Classic Ray-Ban aviators flatter every face (and remind him of Top Gun)
8. Love this tailored, grown-up dopp kit with a fun message inside
9. A monogrammed copper tray for storing essentials or jazzing up his bar
10. Touch screen-friendly gloves to keep him warm and in touch on the go

The hardest people on my list to find great gifts for? My dad, my husband, and my brothers, always. Today's list is for the men in your life, and it's all about the foolproof, classic pieces you'll see them reach for again and again. Hope this guide makes picking the perfect gift for the guys you love a little easier!

x, Tam

Friday, November 21, 2014

Bundled (+ a rag & bone Harrow Booties Review)

J.Crew Toggle Coat

rag & bone harrow booties review

Zara plaid blanket scarf
Coat: J.Crew (on sale!) | Blanket Scarf: Zara | Jeans: J Brand (the Mid-Rise Crop with its 27" inseam is perfect for no-alterations, ankle-length petite jeans) | Boots: rag & bone "Harrow" | Bag: Coach | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Lips: NARS "Dragon Girl"

I wasn't really intending this to be a review post, but I fell hard for the rag & bone booties I'm wearing here after receiving them last week and decided to share a little more about them. Despite their nearly-four-inch heel, they are some of the most comfortable boots I've ever worn. Something about the way they are constructed and balanced makes it feel like the heel is much lower, and there's no teetering around when walking (great for me since I love to stride with purpose!). I've been on the lookout for the Harrow booties since I picked up rag & bone's Newbury style at the end of summer (last worn here) and loved them, and when I saw the Harrows on sale recently at Nordstrom, I quickly pulled the trigger on a pair in "Stone" (sadly, Nordstrom's price has gone back up, but I'm guessing it may go back down again around Black Friday, or after Christmas at the latest).

I read the reviews thoroughly before I ended up buying, and everyone was saying that these run small. After trying them, I would say they run a half to potentially a full size small. I normally wear a 35 in designer shoes or 35.5 in narrower pumps, and I went up to a 36 in both the Harrow and the Newbury boots I purchased earlier, and the 36 fits me well in both pairs. I'm able to wear socks with them without the boots feeling too tight, although it is hard to find a sock that won't show when wearing the Harrow, since the front dips so low. It does take a little effort to get into the bootie since there's no zip, but it just took some extra wiggling for my foot to slide right into place.

Today was a real test for the Harrows--I was out doing work "in the field" that involved a significant amount of walking, and I wore them comfortably all day long. So which rag & bone pair do I like most? I think the Harrow has pulled ahead at this point simply because shoes are never (for me) this comfortable from day 1. I also love how sleek and flattering they are with their crossed straps and dip in the front. The Newburys have an advantage for the winter to come, though--they rise higher up the ankle and will probably keep me warmer in freezing temperatures.

Happy, happy Friday! Tune in on Sunday for the next post in my Gift Guide series!

x, Tam

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Winter Has Come

Cozy layers + tulle skirt + 5050 boots

tulle skirt + stuart weitzman boots

Winter layers + tulle skirt + boots
Turtleneck: H&M (similar here from Gap) | Skirt: ℅ Peace Love Tulle (similar here| Vest: Zara Kids | Bag: Valentino (available at Nordstrom or Farfetch, where I found mine) | Boots: Stuart Weitzman |Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Bracelets: Banana Republic, Vintage | Watch: kate spade | Lips: NARS "Funny Face"

We went straight from late summer the weekend before last in Denver to full-on winter last week all over Colorado! This summer-loving girl is sad, but excited for the ski season that's coming up. Sean and I have big plans to spend some time in the mountains next week over the holiday, so I'm getting all my ski gear ready to go.

I'm surprised this is the first time I've worn Kristina's awesome skirt on the blog. A pink tulle skirt can really brighten a girl's day! I know Kristina is currently taking a much-needed hiatus from designing and creating cute skirts and tees, but you can follow her on Instagram at @peacelovetulle and check out her travels with her cute kiddos. Maybe she'll post a few things here and there if you luck out!

Happy Hump Day! Hope you're having a great week. Tune in for another post later this week and a fun gift guide over the weekend!

x, Tam


Sunday, November 16, 2014

Gift Guide: the Perfect Gift for the Busy Girl

Gift Guide: the Perfect Gift for the Busy Girl
1. Garance Doré Greeting Card Set so she can jot a quick
thank-you note while she drinks her morning coffee
2. Portable Ultra-Thin Charger to keep her phone charged all day long
3. "Whistle While You Work" Tackle Box to make her workspace a little prettier
4. Dachshund Trinket Dish for all her little treasures
5. Glittery holiday earrings to add a little sparkle to her party dress
6. The Naked Basics 2 Palette, the only eye shadow palette she'll ever need
7. A Jonathan Adler Zebra Dish so she can keep track of her keys
8. The perfect coffee mug for the girl on the go
9. This cute kate spade pouch to keep her purse organized
10. A Smashbox palette for quick, foolproof contouring
11. Every busy girl needs to relax sometimes, too;
this heavenly set of Diptyque candles should help

Today's gift guide is for the women in your life that do it all--and do it with style. Is she rushing to a 7:30 AM meeting, putting in a busy day at the office, going out to dinner with friends then off to a holiday party? These picks have your busy girl covered from morning to midnight.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Fall Plaid

Buffalo plaid + jeans

Valentino Rockstud Double Handle Tote

J.Crew buffalo plaid coat
Coat: J.Crew (last year's--see it styled here; find a similar one in petite, regular, tall and plus sizing at Old Navy) | Shirt: American Eagle | Jeans: rag & bone | Boots: rag & bone | Bag: Valentino (available at Nordstrom or Farfetch, where I found mine) | Bracelets: David Yurman | Lips: Fresh Sugar Cherry

I wore this outfit on one of the few days of actual fall we've had recently before we dove headfirst into winter over the last twenty-four hours or so. These photos were taken right near my old law school as I was stopping through town quickly on my way to dinner with friends and family. All the young college kids looked so carefree--those were the days!

I have a couple pre- and post-snowstorm photos to share with you this week, where I go from bare legs and a light sweater for a sunny day to full-on white winter. Stay tuned for those!

Hope you are having a great week!

x, Tam
UPDATE: as part of their holiday collection, J.Crew has brought back the buffalo plaid pattern in a bomber jacket and their popular Excursion Vest, both 25% off today with code SHOPNOW. I'm guessing the Excursion Vest especially will go quickly, so snag one while you can!

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Fall Back

Fall outfit--Frye boots

Classic fall

J.Crew Houndstooth Blazer

Fall outfit details
Blazer: J.Crew (on sale!) | Scarf: Nordstrom | Jeans: J Brand (the Mid-Rise Crop with its 27" inseam is perfect for no-alterations, ankle-length petite jeans) | Boots: Frye "Melissa Button" | Bag: Coach | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Bracelets: Banana Republic, Tiffany, Vintage | Watch: Michael Kors | Lips: NARS "Funny Face"

I pulled out my beloved Frye Melissa Button Boots (read my review here) for the first time since last spring over the weekend. Sean and I trekked over to one of our favorite breweries to sample their fall selection, and this outfit kept me comfortable and cozy for the long walk.

The J.Crew blazer I'm wearing was my first purchase of their Schoolboy style, and I really liked the proportions of it on my frame. This houndstooth wool is warm and on-trend, but I subsequently snagged a black, lightweight wool version during one of their 25%-off-full-price promotions, and I have been wearing it constantly for work over the last couple months. (For reference, I am wearing a 00P here, and it didn't require any alterations.)

Hope you are having a great week!

x, Tam