Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Casual Neutrals

Long cardi + destroyed denim + Chloe Drew bag

Chloe Medium Drew Bag

Long cardigan + J Brand jeans + Chloe medium Drew
Long Cardigan: Leith (no longer available, but this one is a good substitute in regular + petite sizing)
Denim: J Brand | Tee: Topshop | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Bag: Chloe (available at Nordstrom or Farfetch, where I got mine)
Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Necklaces: Roberto Coin, Gorjana c/o | Watch: The Horse

We had such gorgeous weather in Denver this past weekend. It was perfect for a coatless afternoon stroll and some patio drinks (of course, it got pretty chilly as soon as the sun started to go down). I jumped at the opportunity to wear this long cardigan again (see how I styled it last here). Its length makes it look awkward with a winter coat over it, so it hasn't gotten much wear outside the house while the weather has been colder.

I added this pretty Chloe bag to my closet last week, and I love how it instantly elevates any outfit I wear with it. Ihe neutral gray color is seasonless and easy to pair with pretty much anything. I went back and forth a bit before settling on the medium size, which is just right for my long wallet plus my other essentials. I'm thinking of doing a full review like I did for my Pashli--let me know if you're interested in seeing one!


Thanks for reading! Hope you're having a great week!

x, Tam

Monday, January 25, 2016

Work Outfit: Wraps + Wide Legs

Wrap blouse + wide leg pants

Wrap blouse + wide pants

Givenchy Small Antigona

Marble watch
Blouse: Ann Taylor (similar solid color or collared version)
Pants: Arden B. (old, similar from Ann Taylor in petite and regular)
Bag: Givenchy (the exact version I have is on a great sale now at Bluefly or you can find the new season's blue for pre-order at Nordstrom) | Shoes: L.K. Bennett 'Sledge'
Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Necklaces: Brian Gavin, Roberto Coin | Watch: The Horse

Today I'm sharing a very simple, but still chic, work outfit. The interest in this looks relies upon the draping of the wrap blouse and the wide leg pants. I paired simple black pumps (my favorite work shoes, the L.K. Bennett 'Sledge' pumps) with my black trousers to keep the focus on the drape of the pants, although I think many other colors of shoes could have worked well with this outfit.

If could definitely wear this look to my office, but for court, I'd need to add a black blazer (like the J.Crew 'Rhodes' I wore in this post) and probably a larger bag that can fit files in it (like my workhorse Longchamp Le Pliage Neo). Confession: I usually have walking shoes along with my in my workbag to make my commute a little easier. Right now I've been loving my Steve Madden lace-up Eleanorr flats--they're on-trend, but still very comfortable to walk in, even for several miles.

Thanks for reading! Happy Monday!

x, Tam

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Ski Weekend Uniform

Stripe turtleneck + Excursion vest + Sorel Slimpack boots

Madewell Transport Tote English Saddle

Stripe turtleneck + Excursion vest + Madewell Transport Tote
Vest: J.Crew | Turtleneck: J.Crew | Hat: J.Crew | Denim: J Brand | Boots: Sorel | Tote: Madewell | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Earrings: Gorjana via Rocksbox | Watch: Michael Kors

This look is from last weekend in the mountains--this hat, these cozy boots, and my J.Crew tissue turtleneck tees in every color have become my uniform for casual outfits on ski weekends (see a similar look in this post). If you've been following my Snapchat (username: helloframboise), you've probably seen that Colorado has gotten tons of snow in the mountains recently, and I've been out skiing as much as I can, and then relaxing outside enjoying the winter weather while it lasts.

Although I'm a summer girl at heart, skiing's been such a part of my life since I was a little girl (age 2 or 3) that I can't really hate on winter. It's a fun thing to do with my husband and my whole family, including my rockstar little brother Mark Nowakiwsky (so proud of him). If you are ready to see some crazy skiing, watch one of his more recent videos here (see him between 1:15-3:21 or so and get ready to be amazed at the crazy flips and skills--this is what I have to try to keep up with!). You can follow Mark on Instagram: @marknowakiwsky for more awesome ski videos from his travels around the world.

Thanks for reading! Hope you're having a great week!

x, Tam


Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Work Outfit: Red + Navy + the Madewell Transport Tote

Navy Rhodes blazer + No 2 pencil skirt

Madewell Transport Tote for Work

J Crew No 2 Pencil Skirt + LK Bennett Heels
Blazer: J.Crew 'Rhodes' | Blouse: Banana Republic | Skirt: J.Crew (on sale!) | Tote: Madewell | Shoes: L.K. Bennett (currently available on sale in other colors) | Earrings: Gorjana via Rocksbox | Watch: Michael Kors

I realized I haven't posted a work outfit in ages! Winter is a tough season for work outfit photo shoots since I'm usually out of the house not long after sunrise on weekdays, and I return well after dark. I was inspired by Tara's recent #WorkDoesntMeanBoring Challenge to share this cheery and colorful look today.

J.Crew's workwear line has been a longtime favorite of mine with its extensive petites collection. I have been loving the addition of the Petite 000 size to many of J.Crew's work-friendly pieces; it meant that I didn't have to have this pencil skirt or blazer altered at all. In many items, the 000P is too small for me, but in these two pieces that are known to run large, it's a nice option to have.

I recently jumped on the bandwagon and added the Madewell Transport Tote to my closet, and I've been testing it out as a work bag. Several other women in my office swear by theirs, but I think I'm still partial to my Longchamp Le Pliage Neo. Although the Longchamp doesn't have the same buttery-soft, pretty leather as the Madewell tote, it is such a workhorse. I carry a ton of stuff to court and meetings every day, so my work bag is always heavy and full (I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I often schlep around a rolling briefcase in addition to a tote bag). My Longchamp has survived some serious abuse with next to no signs of wear, and I don't have any concerns about setting it on the floor or exposing it to rain, snow, or the occasional leaky pen--I just wish it were a teeny bit bigger. I'm planning to treat the Madewell tote to make it a little tougher, but I'm not sure I'll make it my full-time work bag.

Do you have a favorite stylish carryall that holds all your work necessities? Let me know if you have any suggestions for me to try out!

Happy Tuesday!

x, Tam

Friday, January 15, 2016

Bundled in Gray + Rose Quartz [+ J.Crew Sale Picks]

Gray minimal outfit + blush accessories

Karen Walker Super Duper + JCrew Scarf & Earrings

Gray + blush minimal look

Gray + blush
Coat: H&M | Denim: J Brand | Scarf: J.Crew (on sale!) | Boots: rag + bone | Bag: Reed Krakoff | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Earrings: J.Crew | Watch: The Horse

After being disappointed with the last few colors of the year (Marsala was not for me), I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this year's picks. I already had quite a bit of blush/"rose quartz" in my closet, and I've been pairing it with simple neutrals for a minimal winter look.

The scarf I'm wearing here has been one of my favorite new additions to my closet this winter, and it's on a major sale right now at J.Crew--an extra 40% off the already-reduced sale price. There are a lot of other great pieces in their sale, including this luxe cashmere infinity scarf for a steal, this work-appropriate rose quartz skirt, my Chateau Parka I reviewed here, and my Stewart plaid shirt I wore in this post (only a few sizes left). You can shop my sale picks by clicking the photos below!


Happy Friday! Hope your weekend is wonderful!

x, Tam

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Pop of Red

Buffalo check + Hunter boots

Hunter Packable Tour Rain Boots

Weekend Cozy by Hello Framboise
Sweater: LOFT | Denim: 7FAM (with DIY distressing) | Boots: Hunter 'Packable Tour' | Scarf: J.Crew Factory | Bag: Mansur Gavriel | Hat: Anthropologie | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Watch: Michael Kors

I've owned and loved my black Hunter 'Regent' rain boots for several years now, and recently I thought I'd expand my Hunter collection with a pair of the classic boots in a bright color. I tried on the original glossy style, but I found them to be very heavy on my feet, and they looked too wide in the calf area on me. After seeing them on Jean, I decided to see if the 'Tour' style was a better fit for me.

The 'Tour' is a lighter, slimmer rubber boot that's intended to be easily folded and packed for travel. I've traveled with my Regent boots without folding them in my suitcase (I stuff socks and rolled t-shirts in them to put the space to good use), but it's convenient to be able to make these more compact. Good rain boots are a must-bring for me on fall or spring trips where I'm planning to do a lot of sightseeing and there's a possibility of showers. Walking around beautiful places and sightseeing with cold, wet feet is no fun, and my trusty Hunters have saved the day on a number of wet, chilly vacation days.

The Tours are a good fit for me in the smaller of the sizes I usually take. I usually wear between a 5 and 5.5, with the occasional 6 if the shoes run small, but I've found I always take a 5 in Hunters. The toe area was roomy, and my arches felt decently supported in them. I tried them for a day of running errands in overcast, damp weather, and they were comfortable throughout the day albeit a little too warm in some stores. I've also worn these for trips up to the mountains this winter. They are great for keeping my feet dry while taking little Stanley out for a walk in the cold, wet snow, but staying outside much longer than a quick walk would probably require thicker, insulating socks. The Tours will be perfect for springtime, especially if this spring is anything like the rainy one we got last year.

Hope this mini-review was helpful to you. As always, please feel free to ask questions in the comments or via email by hitting "contact me" on the top right of my page.

Hope you're enjoying your week!

x, Tam

Monday, January 11, 2016

Denim on Denim

Denim on Denim Hello Framboise

Denim on demin + Coach shoulder bag

Light & Dark Denim Hello Framboise
Jacket: J.Crew | Turtleneck: J.Crew | Denim: J Brand 'Maria' | Belt: Madewell | Booties: rag + bone | Bag: Coach | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Necklace: c/o Gorjana | Watch: Michael Kors

Quick outfit post today--hope your 2016 is off to a great start!

Happy Monday!

x, Tam