Laced Up

Jacket: Zara | Turtleneck Tee: J.Crew | Overalls: Topshop
Bag: Chloe (available at Nordstrom or Farfetch, where I got mine)
Shoes: Steve Madden | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Bracelet: Vita Fede | Watch: The Horse

Quick outfit post for you today! We've had some extra-gray and cold weather this week in Denver, but today the sun finally came out and the snow started melting. I'm currently packing for a quick getaway to warmer temperatures and am excited to be wearing these cute lace-up flats again soon!

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

x, Tam

Ski Weekend Uniform

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

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

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

Pop of Red

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

Happy Holidays + Resolutions for 2016 + End-of-Year Sales

Coat: J.Crew | Shirt: J.Crew (sold out, but I like this one that's still available) | Skirt: ASOS (exact cut is out of stock, but this slimmer cut in the same fabric looks great) | Scarf: J.Crew Factory | Bag: Valentino | Boots: Stuart Weitzman | Lips: Stila 'Fiery'

Sean and I spent a wonderful Christmas holiday in the Winter Wonderland that is Breckenridge with family and close friends. We loved every minute of skiing, drinking hot chocolates and hot toddies by the fire, soaking in the hot tubs and watching the skiers go by, and stopping by the cute little shops in town.

I'm a little sad that Christmas is over, but even though I'm not much for resolutions (they fall apart so fast!), I think I'm going to try to instill a few. My husband wants us to slow our lives down and eat a little better, which is a great idea. I want to improve my blog and hopefully find more time to share what's in my head with you. We both want to exercise more since that so easily goes by the wayside when you're two busy lawyers with dogs, hobbies, volunteer work, and other obligations taking away your free time. I think the gist is that we want to encourage ourselves to find that "productive downtime" that has been seeming so elusive for us. Wish us luck!

For those of you who are looking to do a little wardrobe refresh in the new year, I thought I'd do a quick run-down of after-Christmas sales for you.

• Nordstrom: the Half-Yearly Sale has arrived, with sale prices up to 60% off + price matching. My top picks are these extra-comfy Sam Edelman ballet flats that are pefect for commuting or running errands without a blister in sight, this amazing Bobeau wrap that works for any and all figures, and these rarely-on-sale glossy original Hunter rain boots.
• J.Crew: 40% off hundreds of styles, including certain colors of the coat I'm wearing in this post. My favorite petite tee is on sale, too.
• Ann Taylor: 50% off all items + free shipping with code EVERYTHING. I love this pink tweed skirt with matching top and this all-season stretch dress that seems like the perfect addition to any closet.

Happy holidays!

x, Tam

Marshmallow World

Shirt: J.Crew (sold out, but I like this one that's still available) | Turtleneck: J.Crew | Denim: J Brand | Hat: J.Crew | Boots: Sorel (read my review) | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Bag: Valentino

Quick Monday post today! I'm sharing a super-casual look from last weekend in the mountains. Sean and I headed up to do some skiing, and we were lucky enough to catch some fresh powder. The day before these photos were taken, it snowed nearly a foot where we were staying. We awoke the next morning to a perfect, bright bluebird day. The snow looked so pretty in the sunshine! I'm very excited to head back up to the mountains for skiing and Christmas celebrations with my family later this week.

Have a wonderful week!

x, Tam

Weekend Cozy + My Favorite Petite-Friendly J Brand Denim

Sweater: LOFT (currently 40% off the sale price with code FIRSTLOOK and lots of sizes left--I sized up one size) | Vest: Sam Edelman | Denim: J Brand | Bag: Reed Krakoff | Shoes: rag + bone (I sized up one whole size) | Sunglasses: Valentino | Watch: Michael Kors | Earrings: Gorjana via Rocksbox

Today I'm sharing an easy and cozy weekend look. Since the weather has been so warm this fall and early winter, this is the first time I got to wear this furry Sam Edelman vest since I purchased it during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale in July. It definitely kept me toasty even in 40-degree temperatures.



I also picked up these rag + bone Margot booties during the same sale, but they have gotten a ton of wear in the last few months. I noticed the same ones (in black) are currently 50% off at Nordstrom with smaller sizes still available. These booties are so comfortable to walk in despite the medium-high heel, and they are well-proportioned and flattering on petite women (read Kelly's detailed review here for more info). Note: most of rag + bone's ankle boots run small; I wear a 36/6 in them when I would usually take a 35/5.



The denim I'm wearing here is a style I've found to really work well for slimmer-hipped bodies. I have more curve to my rear and legs, but my hips are narrow, so I often find pants too baggy in the hips, and when I try to adjust them, the waistband gaps and looks sloppy. I've found that J Brand is generally a good fit for my body shape.

• I particularly like the 620 Super Skinny style, which I'm wearing here in a destructed ivory wash. I also have these in black, but I'd advise sizing up in this wash as my usual size is wearable but not as comfy as I'd like (see them on me)
• I also like the 811 Skinny, which I've heard is a favorite of Kate Middleton's (see them on me).
• The Photo Ready Cropped Mid Rise Skinny is another favorite. This fabric holds its shape well and is super comfy for travel (see them on me). Bonus: cropped = no hemming necessary for petite legs.

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I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend. Sean and I spent ours skiing and doing a bit of Christmas shopping (confession: it was mostly online while in our pajamas). Hope all who celebrated had a happy Hanukkah!

x, Tam

Holiday Cozy Outfit + J.Crew Chateau Parka Review + My Picks from the Best of Cyber Monday 2015

Coat: J.Crew | Sweater: J.Crew (40% off today with code MONDAY) | Denim: 7FAM (40% off today) | Boots: MICHAEL Michael Kors | Bag: Coach | Sunglasses: Karen Walker (part of Shopbop's Cyber Monday tiered promo with code GOBIG15) | Necklace: Slate + Earrings: Gorjana via Rocksbox | Watch: Michael Kors

Yesterday was a gray and chilly day in Denver, so Sean and I headed over to Union Station to get brunch and check out the pretty Christmas decorations. We braved the cold for a few photos but mostly stayed cozy inside. It was the perfect opportunity to test run my new Chateau Parka.



I've had this coat on my wishlist since last winter, and I waited and waited for it to go on sale as the $365 full price was a bit steep. Unfortunately, it never seems to be part of the percent-off promotions J.Crew often runs. I waited until they had a tiered promotion and went for it then. When it arrived, I was happy to see that the quality was similar to my other higher-end wool coats. There is some pretty topstitching on the zipper placket and all seams appear to be well-constructed.

I did find that there was a less expensive version of this coat at J.Crew Factory: the Vail Parka. I had the opportunity to try it on in person in regular sizing, and while the finishing wasn't quite as nicely done as it is on the retail version, and the wool isn't quite as heavy, it is still a very cute coat, and the price point is much more affordable. It is down to only $115 for select colors ($139 for the rest) today as part of their Cyber Monday deal.



I took my regular J.Crew coat/dress size, 00P, and it fit me as expected. I saw some reviews that advised to size down, but I disagree. The 00P was the right size for me, especially given that in cold temperatures, I want to be able to layer or wear bulkier sweaters under it. At 4'11", the petite sizing was the right choice for me, but if you're a couple inches taller, I'd consider trying this coat on in regular sizing to make sure the overall and sleeve length work for you.

Another common complaint I noted in reviews was that the body of the coat was "too big." The body is an A-line, swing coat shape and bells out at the bottom. For me, I liked the silhouette and found it looked flattering and different from my other wool coats. The swing shape and fur-trimmed hood were what ultimately convinced me that this piece would be something unique in my coat closet.



Yesterday's temperatures only reached a high of 27°F/-3°C, and I was comfortable taking an evening walk in this coat with a chunky sweater underneath. I was lamenting my failure to bring mittens or gloves, but the front pockets kept my hands relatively warm despite a chilly wind. I was warm and dry even when a light snow began to fall, but heavier snow or wetter conditions would mean bringing out my water-resistant down coat or parka.



I'm so excited for decorating my house this week now that we've returned from our Thanksgiving weekend in the mountains. I am trying to get my shopping done as soon as I can to make the Christmas season as stress-free as possible. If your inbox looks anything like mine, making a plan for shopping today is a struggle. Here's my culled and curated list of Cyber Monday deals and my favorite pieces from each:

• Nordstrom: sale prices up to 60% off + price matching. My top picks are here.
• Bloomingdale's: 25% off almost everything, including fine jewelry + a rare 10% off most beauty items with code BEAUTY10
• J.Crew: 40% off 507 styles, including the sweater I'm wearing in this post
• J.Crew Factory: 50% off + an extra 15% off + free shipping. My picks: this plaid skirt and this incredibly soft buffalo check scarf.
• Hanky Panky: Signature Sale with 30-40% off classic styles with petite sizes available.
• Loren Hope: 20% off with code THANKFULLY (including the Blythe Necklace I'm wearing here).
• 7 For All Mankind: 40% off full-price items (including the white jeans I'm wearing in this post) + 20% off sale + $99 styles for men and women.
• Madewell: get 25% off your entire purchase, including already marked down items. I have my eye on this gorgeous Zip Transport Tote as a potential new work tote and this cute checked cape scarf as an easy one-size-fits-all gift.
• Shopbop: spend-more-save-more promo with code GOBIG15. If you spend $250, you will get 15% off; $500+ gets 20% off; and $1,000+ gets 25% off. This offer includes all full-price and sale merchandise. A few of my go-to pieces: Karen Walker sunglasses, Clare V leopard clutch, and these distressed J Brand skinnies.
• Ann Taylor: 50% off all items + free shipping with code EVERYTHING. This burgundy lace dress and festive red skirt caught my eye.
  
• LOFT: 50% off everything with code CYBER50 + free shipping. I have this sweater in gray (runs large) and this sweater in ruby (runs small) and both have gotten lots of wear already this fall.

Hope you find some great deals and stay warm this Cyber Monday! x, Tam

Hello, Framboise + Rocksbox (+ a Free Month of Sparkle)

Cardigan: GAP | Tee: J.Crew Factory | Vest: ZARA Kids | Denim: J Brand (26" inseam = great no-alterations petite jeans!) | Boots: rag & bone | Bag: Valentino | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Watch: Michael Kors | Earrings: J.Crew | Tricolor Gold Bracelet: Vintage | "V" Necklace: Gorjana via Rocksbox | "X" Ring: Wanderlust + Co. via Rocksbox | Labradorite Bangle: Margaret Elizabeth via Rocksbox

Guys, I am really excited about today's post! I've teamed up with Rocksbox to share some details on their fun jewelry subscription service with you and to give you all a month of free jewels if you sign up within the next 30 days! In order to get the month free, just enter the code helloframboisexoxo in the promo box when you sign up, and pretty designer baubles will be on their way to your door shortly.

Here's how it works: you sign up and create an account, part of which includes taking a style survey to help the Rocksbox stylists learn more about your taste in jewels. Just FYI: as part of the sign-up, you enter payment info, but you are not obligated to buy anything at all unless you love it and want to keep what you receive! You also get a 20% discount off MSRP should you decide to keep any pieces.

Once your stylist has your info, you'll get a notice that your first Rocksbox has shipped with three pieces for you to borrow. I'm wearing all three of my pieces from my first box in the pic above: a Gorjana "V" necklace, Margaret Elizabeth bangle, and Wanderlust + Co. "X" ring (links are to sites where they are available to purchase, but you can borrow the same pieces from Rocksbox then buy at a discount!).

You can borrow the pieces for as long as you like, but whenever you're ready for new pieces, you just pack up the ones you have (unless you've decided to keep any of them) and return them using the label and padded envelope that comes included in your original package. As soon as they receive your return package, your stylist gets to work picking out a new set for you. I just did my first exchange, and I think it was about two hours between when I saw they got my return and when I got my new shipping notification and tracking info. Shipping time is quick (about 2 days) and by USPS, with no signatures required, so it's really easy to send and receive.

While you can definitely let your stylist do all the choosing, you can also request pieces through the wishlist on the Rocksbox site or through their Instagram (@rocksbox). You can then check back and see which wishes have been fulfilled and add to your list when new pieces are posted. So far, I've really enjoyed having shiny new jewels to mix in with my old standards--hope you guys have as much fun as I have trying it out!

Happy Valentine's Day!

x, Tam

Disclosure: I was gifted a three-month subscription to Rocksbox in exchange for posting about my experience. All opinions here are my own.

Winter Wonderland

Sweater: ASOS | Collared Shirt: H&M | Scarf: Zara (similar here and here) | Denim: J Brand '620' | Boots: Stuart Weitzman | Bag: Mansur Gavriel (sold out in most places, but Bergdorf's has a few available for pre-order) | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Watch: Michael Kors | Necklace: Theresa Mink | Bracelet: J.Crew | Rings: Vintage, SIX | Lips: NARS 'Dragon Girl' | Nails: OPI 'You're Such a Budapest'

Last week's bikini weather quickly devolved into a big snowstorm on Saturday, so on Sunday morning, we woke up to this winter wonderland right outside our door. The day wasn't quite as chilly as it looked, so I was comfortable in this layered ensemble, using my Zara blanket scarf as more blanket than scarf. I layered a collared shirt under this warm, furry sweater, and I was set for a quick walk with Stanley in the snow.

Hope you have a lovely week!

x, Tam

Winter White

Coat: J.Crew (this season's version) | Blouse: Banana Republic | Jeans: 7FAM | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bag: Givenchy (also here) | Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Perfect Day' | Necklace: Ann Taylor | Bracelets: David Yurman, Banana Republic, Vintage | Watch: Michael Kors

A recent mild winter day made me want to break out this springy navy-and-white look (and honestly, I try to wear these white jeans as much as I can since they're so comfy!). I added a darker-toned coat and shoes to make the outfit a little more winter-appropriate. Being able to have bare ankles in January is such a treat!

Hope you're all getting some sunshine today!

x, Tam

Orange Crush

Jacket: Zara | Sweater: J.Crew Factory | Jeans: ASOS | Boots: rag & bone | Bag: Valentino (on sale!) | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Necklace: Banana Republic | Bracelet: Vintage | Watch: Michael Kors

Today I'm sharing an easy, casual look from one of our warmer winter days last weekend.

Hope you're having a great week!

x, Tam