Fall Transitions for the Lovely Little à La Mode Link-Up

I know that I'm just one of many personal style bloggers to profess my love of fall.  Not only do I love fall fashion elements like layering, blanket scarves and booties, but I also love the exciting start to the school year, football season, and acorns crunching under my above mentioned booties.  And of course I have to throw in the mandatory shout-out to the pumpkin spice latte!

It can be so hard (in a first world problems kind of way) when you are ready for fall but Mother Nature is still enjoying summertime.  What's a cool weather loving girl to do?  My favorite way of transitioning into fall attire while it's still warm outside is to throw on a light, gauzy scarf!

I love scarves because they are one of the easiest ways to add interest too an outfit.  Not to mention they are a cool weather staple which makes my fall-loving heart very happy.  However, if the scarf is lightweight, it's perfect for transitional days...plus you can obviously take it off if it gets too hot!

You are also witnessing my first step into the world of joggers.  I received this pair in a Le Tote delivery and really enjoyed wearing them because, well, who doesn't enjoy sweatpants that are acceptable to wear in public.  I did feel a bit nervous, though.  I went shopping with my mom and kept asking her if it looked like I was just wearing your average sweatpants.  She assured me that this pair is truly worthy of a public appearance.  So here you go!

What I'm Wearing:

Shirt: LOFT (similar, similar)

Scarf: Le Tote (exact)

Joggers: Le Tote (exact)

Sandals: DSW (similar, similar)

Before we head into this week's Lovely Little à La Mode Link-Up, I just want to remind you that Carrie, Casey and I are starting Create28: Fall Looks on Thursday!  We hope that you'll join in by creating 28 brand new looks based-on our daily prompts.

And now it's that time of the week!

Blogging Besties: Cardigan

Didn't Alex look perfectly ready for fall last week?

Speaking of perfectly fall, I'm excited to announce that Carrie, Casey and I are hosting our next seasonal Create 28 Style Challenge.  Create 28 Fall Looks starts next Thursday and we hope that you will join us in creating 28 brand new outfits based on our daily prompts!  You can link-up your looks every Monday and share your looks on Instagram with #Create28FallLooks!

Alright, back to the task at hand!  The primary component of Alex's outfit that I decided to pass on is a cardigan but I also incorporated lace and flats into my look!

This striped number is another borrowed Le Tote item!  I can't stress enough how Le Tote is helping me transition into fall.  It's keeping my look fresh while I try to hold off from shopping until I see what I really need for the season.

Here are your choices of pieces to pass on for next week: a cardigan, a lace top, colored pants, pattern paired with texture or something borrowed!  But first let's see what you passed on from Alex's look!  Please link-up below!

What I'm Wearing:

Top: LOFT (similar, similar)

Cardigan: c/o Le Tote (exact)

Pants: c/o Stitch Fix (similar, similar)

Flats: Land's End (exact)

Watch: c/o JORD (exact)

Previous Editions of Blogging Besties

Featured On:

Whitney à la mode

Undergraduate Style

Where I'm linking-up!

An InLinkz Link-up

Essential Tote Bag Choices + a Lovely Little à la Mode Link-Up

one     two     three     four     five     six   

Alright, today is a total style blogging fail because I don't have a single outfit picture for you!  I had planned to dig through all of my bags and take different outfit photos with each of my most favorite fall catchalls.  But alas, new teacher professional development meetings, back-to-school night, lesson planning and grading (a.k.a. being a teacher) intervened and I didn't take a single photo!

Instead of being hard on myself, I'm looking at this as an opportunity to garner some advice! I've been saving-up to purchase myself a "big girl" tote bag.  I've used and loved my current Vera Bradley version to near death and would like to buy a bit sleeker of a bag as a replacement.  In order to justify a big purchase, I've been saving all of the money I've made by selling my clothes at consignment stores and via thredUP to use towards a good-quality bag.  Now that I'm close to having enough money, I just can't decide which bag to buy!

I've actually been coveting a large Le Pliage tote from Longchamp for over a decade!  I first fell in love with them while studying abroad in France in 2006 but have never been able to justify the expensive purchase.  Now, it just might be the perfect big girl bag I've been looking for.  If I do go with this style, there are so many colors to choose from!  I want something a bit fun but still classic.  I'm loving the cedar, fig and navy bags but would love your opinion as well!

While I've had a long-term love affair with Longchamp, I've recently been wooed by the simple leather totes from Madewell as well as similar styles.  The Nordstrom choices above also come in several fun, reversible colors!

So what do you think?  Should I go with my lasting love of Longchamp or my new fondness for a leather tote?  Which color should I choose?  Please help me out by leaving a comment!

And now it's that time of the week for a Lovely Little à la Mode link-up!

Blogging Besties: Lace Tank

Happy Friday, y'all! This week I've been trying to navigate this transitional fall weather--it's been really chilly in the mornings, which I love, but it can still get up into the 80's in the afternoon. So that's been kind of tricky for outfits. 

After seeing Whitney's outfit from last week, I knew I wanted to pass on my lace tank since A) I love it and B) it's in my capsule! I paired it with a cardigan, jeans, and flats. I super misjudged the temperature and this ended up being way too warm, but that's life, ya know?

Tank: LOFT (similar, similar)

Cardigan: LOFT (similar, similar, similar)

Jeans: Forever XXI (similar, similar, similar)

Flats: Target, thrifted (similar, similar, similar)

Necklace: Target (similar, similar, similar)

Watch: JORD (exact)

The elements of this outfit are: lace tank, cardigan, skinny jeans, flats, leopard print, arm party, and fall tones! What did you pass on from Whitney's look last week? Link up below!

A Classic Piece and the LLALM Link-Up

What is the quintessential classic piece to have in your closet?  A little black dress?  A white button-down? A pair of nude pumps?  I think the concept of a classic piece can mean something different to each of us depending on our personal style and lifestyle.  For me, I would consider leopard print flats and a denim jacket to be classic and staple pieces in my wardrobe.  But the garment that I want to talk about today is a black and white striped dress.  Combine neutral stripes with a flattering fit-and-flare style and you have a classic piece, in my book!

I love black and white stripes because they can be combined with a seemingly limitless number of patterns and colors.  Plus a simple dress can be paired with so many cute pairs of shoes, belts, tights and completer pieces!

With a classic piece, it's sometimes fun to have a bit of unique detailing and I think I've found that in the contrasting stripes of this dress.  Even with this special touch, I've been able to wear this dress so many different ways!  Here are a few of my favorites looks!

What is your most classic wardrobe item?  Make sure to pop over and visit Carrie and Casey to see the pieces that they've chosen!  And now it's time for our Lovely Little à la Mode Link-Up!

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: LOFT (similar, similar)

Cardigan: Banana Republic Outlet (similar, similar)

Belt: Target (similar, similar)

Flats: LOFT (similar, similar)

Blogging Besties: Olive You

Wow, it has been one crazy week and I'm happy that it's Friday!  The weekend takes on a whole new meaning during the school year, amiright teachers?  I am so ready to sleep in and watch a little Michigan State football!

But before we get there, let's take a moment to reflect and remember those who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001.  And speaking of fallen heroes, my town is experiencing a devastating and senseless loss this week.  Whether you pray or simply send positive vibes, please keep the family and friends of a fallen firefighter in your thoughts today.

I'm not sure there is a very good way to transition from these somber thoughts to a "take one, pass it on" style challenge, but here is Alex's neutral-cool outfit from last week.

I've been hearing for years that olive is a great pseudo-neutral to work into your wardrobe, and I finally jumped on the bandwagon by buying not one, but two olive skirts!  I actually own the exact olive skirt that Alex is wearing, but to mix it up a bit, I decided to work with my olive maxi skirt this week!

Since I'm itching for fall but stuck in summer weather, I picked autumn-like hues to create my outfit.  An orange lace tank and a fun scarf added visual interest while allowing me to teach comfortably in my warm classroom.

So, my friends, here are your options that you can pass on for next week: orange, olive, lace, a scarf, flat sandals a (maxi) skirt, or an uneven-hemmed skirt (handkerchief or hi-lo).

What I'm Wearing:

Scarf: LouLou (similar, similar)

Tank: Banana Republic Outlet (similar)

Skirt: c/o Le Tote (exact)

Sandals: DSW (similar, similar)

Where I'm linking-up!

But first I want to see what you passed-on from Alex's look last week!

Second First Day

I've taken a back-to-school picture by my door every single year since I can remember!  Let's revisit one or two.

Let's flash back to Monday evening, shall we?  My back-to-school outfit is chosen and hanging in the front of my closet, my lesson plans have been written and re-written, my lunch is packed and ready to be eaten, and then I get a text that school has been cancelled.  To which I replied, "Wait, what??"

Yes, dear friends, my first day of school was cancelled!  We had some pretty intense thunderstorms on Monday and my building flooded!  While it may seem enticing to have one more day of vacation, I was actually pretty disappointed.  I had so much energy and excitement to start the school year and didn't want to wait one more day to meet my kiddos!

Luckily, I split my day between two schools and was able to teach my two morning classes at the high school before going to assess the damage of my flooded classroom at the junior high (luckily, no major catastrophes)!  However, what do I do about that perfect back-to-school outfit I had planned?  I save it for my first full day, my second first day, if you will!  So I am, in fact, wearing this outfit today!

Did you notice that the print on my Express Portofino shirt is little Eiffel Towers with tiny French flags at the top.  I'd say that makes for a perfect first day ensemble for a French teacher, what do you think?

And thanks, those of you who noticed my new hair color!  I had my stylist use the balayage technique and I'm loving the results.  And those soft waves, I'm working on perfecting them but you will still mostly see me and my curly mop around these parts!

What I'm Wearing:

Top: Express (all Portofino styles)

Skirt: Banana Republic Outlet (similar, similar)

Belt: Charming Charlie (similar, similar)

Wedges: DSW (exact) <-- I love these so much that I want them in all of the colors!

Where I'm linking-up!  Is this TARDIS blue enough for you, Maricel?

My Favorite Summer Dress + LLALM Link-Up

Happy Labor Day, mes amis!  This year, my holiday weekend is the calm before the storm.  Not only is the first day of school on Tuesday, but it is my first day in a new school with new (younger) kiddos!  I'm two parts excited, one part nervous and one part sad to see the summer go!

So what better way to say au revoir to the summer than with my favorite summer dress?  You've seen this dress a few times since I've purchased it.  I wore it for my birthday dinner and then for a date night look.  For this relaxing weekend, however, I chose to dress it down with my favorite summer dress sidekicks: my denim vest and my Converse!

I wore this little number for a Sunday fun day date with my handsome guy!  We ate lunch on the river (12-inch stack of onion rings, umm YES) and finished off our meal with some ice cream.  What a perfect way to celebrate the end of summer vacation!

Happy Labor Day!

Make sure that you pop over and say "hi" to Carrie and Casey today!  They are both wearing their favorite summer dresses as well.  I can't wait to see which ones they've chosen!

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Kohl's (similar, similar)

Vest: Old Navy (exact)

Sneakers: DSW (exact)

And now it's time for that Lovely Little à la Mode link-up!

Blogging Besties: J.Crew Mini

Happy Friday, all! Hopefully there is a fun and restful Labor Day weekend in store for all of you!

Last week, Whitney created her own ombre look:

She wore the J. Crew pleated mini that we all know and love, and since I included my olive mini in my September capsule wardrobe, I chose to pass on that element! On a SUPER hot and humid day, I wore it with a comfy striped tee for a light and airy ensemble that still looked put-together. 

Tee: Target (similar, similar, similar)

Skirt: J. Crew (exact, similar, similar)

Necklace: DIY (similar, similar, similar)

Flats: Target, thrifted (similar, similar, similar)

The elements of this outfit are: J. Crew pleated mini, striped tee, flats, leopard print, olive, and a pendant necklace!

Previous editions of Blogging Besties

Did you pass on an element from Whitney's outfit last week? Link it up below!

September Wedding

It seems relatively easy to think of a pretty outfit to wear as a guest during "wedding season."  You know, June through August when it seems like you have a wedding to attend almost every weekend.  Just throw on your prettiest sundress and your strappiest sandals and you are ready to go!

Now fall weddings, that's another story entirely...especially in September!  First of all, there is the weather to contend with.  The temperatures could soar into the 80s or dip into the 60s (here in Michigan at least).  And weather aside, I know that I'm ready to look a bit more ready for fall.  So what's a girl to do?!

It's a good thing my friend Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood invited me to collaborate with her and two other lovely bloggers to feature our favorite fall-transition wedding guest looks!

So what's my answer to the September wedding-wear conundrum?  Two things: light, pretty layers and fall colors!  I know I've discussed my trouble with kimonos before, but I do love this one!  Not to mention its floral print gives it a feminine and romantic vibe-- exactly what I'm going for at a wedding.  On the practical side, it provides a bit of extra warmth on a chill almost fall evening but can be easily removed for a night on the dance floor!

Using the quintessential little black dress as a foundation, I've added elements in colors that make me think of fall!  Vibrant orange heels and floral print plus a deep green clutch take this basic dress into the cooler months.

And did you notice that my clutch speaks French?  Le Tote sure knew the way to my heart with this one!

And now let's take a look at how Ada, Carrie and Jennie dressed-up for a September Wedding!  Make sure to stop by their blogs to read about their beautiful choices!

Looks like I missed the pink memo!

What I'm Wearing:

Dress: Banana Republic Outlet (similar, similar)

Kimono: Ruche (similar, similar)

Heels: DSW (similar, similar)

Clutch: Le Tote (exact)

Where I'm linking-up!

Currently: September

reading: Murder in Belleville by Cara Black.  It's the second in a series of murder mysteries that take place in Paris.  My favorite genre + anything French = Whitney heaven!

making: bunting banners for my classroom.  Instead of having a hodge podge of posters smattered about the room, I'm setting it up like a petit Paris!  There is going to be areas designated as school, the movie theater, a museum and Mademoiselle's house and then the posters are going to be hung by theme.  The banners are going to announce each location!  Here are the bunting instructions I used.

pinning: fall style.  Oh fall fashion, how I love your layers, riding boots and rich hues!  Isn't this plaid look enticing?

anticipating: when students walk through the door to my classroom on September 8th.  I am at a new school this year so I'm extra nervous and excited.  I'm also  feeling extra motivated to try some new things-- like a syllabus in the form of an infographic!

loving: quiet nights with a fall-like breeze coming through my window, spent with my cat and a good book! (photo pin).

Linking-up with Anne and Jenna!