It’s that time of year again — Fashion Week is just around the corner. I’m gonna need to look awesome [obvs], so I’ve been surfing like a mad woman for inspiration.

When it comes to traveling, I always try to think about comfort and versatility. As much as I would love to be rockin’ heels all over NYC, it just isn’t a reality for me. I do not feel sexy when I’m not wearing heels — especially during Fashion Week — so I’ve got to think about ways that I can feel stylish and attractive, yet still be comfortable. (Something else I’ll tell you is that when my feet hurt, it is all over. I am no fun, I am uninspired, and I’m a royal pain in the ass. Just ask Arlene — she’s known me for years and has seen me through many a my-feet-are-killing-me-I-have-to-sit-down-get-me-the-hell-out-of-here moments. Not fun.)

So, I’m turning to the maxi. Be it dress or skirt, it’s the perfect solution.

A great cashmere maxi dress…

…is like a blank canvas. Layer it, wear some awesome flats, and look awesome!

And a great maxi skirt (my recently acquired vintage skirt looks a lot like this, but with a center panel of chiffon)…

…can be perfect this time of year. With a chunky sweater, a blazer or motorcycle jacket, it’s the epitome of effortless chic.

Now I just have to pray for good weather. Snow (or rain) and maxi anything definitely don’t mix.

{image sources: the shop, Phillip Lim pre-fall12 via Style.com, The Sartorialist, Mr. Newton, (clockwise from top left) found via ModernHepburn, LFW by Krisatomic, Milton Greene found via Anne Sage on Pinterest, Streetpeeper}

yep & winterized!  i love thowing on the clog during the other three seasons of the year…why not winter?  and no better time than the 50degree-no-snow-no-ice-in-jan present time  I’d really like to try the shearling lined tall shafted ones…definitely a new style for me to explore.

images: 1..so sorry, don’t know wear I pulled this / 2 / 3

don’t you just love the start of a new year?  though it’s blustery & cold (here in chicago), there’s still plenty of merry from the holidays mixed with high hopes for another year of experiences.   well, what better color to greet 2012 than with a pow of high voltage-head-turning-statement-making red!

more red here

images: 1 / 2 / 3 found via b for bonnie tumblr / 4 found via design love fest

not to be confused with the shirt dress.  this version is the loose-carefree-i’m-wearing-my-shirt-as-a-dress version.  we first spotted this look on a couple of our reps last fall (twice in one day no less!) and then around town.  love this look casual & deep into summer, but around town i’d pair with a blazer.  what do you think?  how do you feel about big shirt/dress??

more my speed

here the dress cut to resemble a big shirt!

images 2 / 3 found via pennyweight

Today I am off to Atlanta for Thanksgiving. 3 days and nights that will entail cooking, hosting, being a guest, a possible trip to the country club, and shopping, of course (Hello, Black Friday!) I am a notorious over-packer trying to turn over a new leaf, so for versatility and longevity I turned to our favorite, Rachel Comey.

My whole weekend wardrobe is based around these 2 dresses (the Candela and the Wimberley):

WIth a couple of packing-friendly basics — tees, leggings, skinny jeans — an appropriate piece of outerwear (I’ll be taking my leather biker jacket), and a thoughtful assortment of shoes, I am good to go.

Man, that was surprisingly easy!

Happy turkey day everyone!

Over the weekend I attended the Randolph Street Holiday Market. While there, I met the cutest woman who was wearing these awesome cat-eye frames.

I assumed them to be vintage (as most things at the Randolph Market are), but when I asked her about them, she told me they were a Parisian line called Face À Face. Well, as a glasses wearer who can’t quite get the hang of contacts, I am always interested in finding a cool new pair. So I ran right home and googled them.

Many fab styles to choose from. Cat eyes, updated classics, and shapes I’ve never even thought of. Love.

Glasses — they’re the perfect accessory!

{image sources: 1st image by me; last image via Blink Optical; all other images via Face À Face}

I’m guessing it’s all in the genes!

daughter & mother - Rebecca Fourteau & Ellen Von Unwerth

'you could honestly put Jane & I in the same room and tell us to pick two pairs of shoes, and I'd guarantee we'd come out with the same ones. It's genetic, our taste is genetically controlled.'

/ sisters /

/ Rebecca Fourteau & Ellen Von Unwerth /

/ mother & daughter /

/ Judy & Jane Aldridge /

Wanna take your outfit to the next level and achieve a true sense of originality? Just add a great hat.

{image sources: 1. twentythirtyforty.net; 2. Streetpeeper; 3. Easy Fashion; 4. Vanessa Jackman; 5. Vanessa Jackman; 6. The Sartorialist; 7. ModernHepburn (original source unknown); 8. Vanessa Jackman; 9. The Locals}

Brandon & I spent a couple of hot days in NYC this week & even after all that sticky warm weather, I’m still not ready to head into the cooler season!  Oh my, do I need to move to a summer-year-round area already?  OK!  But in the mean time & back to reality, I’m loving a gentle reminder of fall with just pinches of black here & there….

images 1, 3 & 5 via Vanessa Jackman

More cooler temps in the forecast and more summer into fall.   A couple of easy transitions: grabbing tights, socks & cozy oversize knits & mixing it up with your favorite summer pieces that you’re just not ready to give up just yet