Work Outfit: Neutrals & Dots

Jacket: Arden B. | Dress: Anthropologie | Belt: Ann Taylor | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Shoes: L.K. Bennett | Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim | Necklace: Amrita Singh | Bracelets: H&M c/o | Rings: Vintage

This week has brought some cooler weather to Denver, with the last couple days having highs only in the 70s and lots of stormy weather. As you can see in these photos, I was trying to beat a storm rolling in when I took these photos after work yesterday!

I'm wearing a couple of my favorite work pieces in this outfit. The Anthropologie dress is still available in some sizes, and I highly recommend it. The fabric looks like it's a wool or wool blend, but in reality, it's more like cotton jersey: soft and stretchy and very comfortable. It looks much more dressed-up and professional than it feels, which is great. It's also easily styled for off-duty wear, too, which I love, since many of my work clothes don't really translate to weekends.

Everyone always says that a black blazer is an essential piece of a work wardrobe, and I agree, but I think a fitted, light colored blazer is just as versatile. The one I'm wearing here has been going strong since my first year of law school, and I think the cost-per-wear is down to fractions of pennies at this point.

Finally, I've been really enjoying these L.K. Bennett pumps and can see why they're a perennial favorite for the Duchess of Cambridge. They're well-balanced and comfortable for the height, and they look bold enough to make a statement, but demure enough to still be classic.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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Frill

Sweater: J.Crew (on sale!) | Skirt: ASOS (also in regular sizing) | Sunglasses: Chloe | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bag: Reed Krakoff | Necklace: Ann Taylor | Bracelets: J.Crew, Ann Taylor (similar here), David Yurman | Rings: Vintage

I was initially intending to save this flouncy skirt for a special occasion, but I couldn't wait to wear it and decided to style it a little more casually for brunch. Although it seemed hard to wear at first, I made up my mind that it looks pretty cute with a sweater or longer shirt, and I'm thinking a peplum top could work with it, too.

A word of caution: I'm wearing a Petite 1 here (my usual ASOS size), but I think if I were ordering it again, I'd size up or consider the regular version as this one sits pretty high on my waist, and a strong breeze can make it look, ahem, not-so-ladylike. The texture and thickness of the fabric are nice touches, though, and the skirt definitely feels more expensive than it is.

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50 States of Fashion: Online Shopping Launch with H&M

H&M Launches Online Shopping in the U.S. + A Great Contest to Celebrate!

I am very excited to announce that I've partnered with H&M to celebrate their launch of online shopping today in the U.S.! As a longtime fan of H&M, I was very happy to hear that they were introducing e-commerce to U.S. shoppers, and I was even more thrilled when I was asked to be Colorado's Blogger Ambassador for the 50 States of Fashion Contest they're running as part of the celebration--see the details below for how you can enter to win one of 5 $250 gift cards or a $1,000 online shopping spree plus a trip to New York Fashion Week!

H&M's fall collection is now online, and in the photos here, I've styled a couple of my favorite pieces that are currently available on the brand-new site. I like that these pieces would work for a less formal day at the office (with a more subdued jacket) but could transition seamlessly to an evening out.

Location: the Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Blouse: H&M c/o | Skirt: H&M c/o | Cardigan: Crewcuts (similar here) | Sunglasses: Valentino | Shoes: L.K. Bennett | Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim | Necklaces: Brian Gavin, Theresa Mink | Rings: Vintage
Bracelets: H&M c/o, David Yurman, Tiffany, J.Crew

More on the 50 States of Fashion Contest--entering to win is really easy! All you have to do is post an Instagram photo relating to the theme of personal style with the hashtag that corresponds to the state in which you are located. For my fellow Coloradans, our hashtag is #HMShopOnlineCO. If you are in New York, you'd hashtag #HMShopOnlineNY; for California, #HMShopOnlineCA; for Arizona, #HMShopOnlineAZ, and so on. The photo can be of you in your outfit of the day, of a favorite #throwback outfit, of your handbag collection, of your favorite accessories--whatever highlights your personal style!

Your photo will be featured on the 50 States of Fashion site in a gallery where people can like or vote on your look, and you can vote on your favorite looks from each state as well. The top 5 looks from each state will be the finalists for the prizes, so make sure you encourage friends and family to like/vote for your look, too! You can post as many photos as you'd like to increase your chances of winning. (See the official rules for the fine print.)

P.S. If you click on the "Ambassadors" tab, you can see yours truly as well as all of the other State Blogger-Ambassadors and check out their takes on H&M's online collection.

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