We have two more days of warm weather and then the cold hits. I have been pulling pots in from the garden as the plants seem to be sensing the change of scenery too. No matter I am ready for winter, I am actually kinda tired of my warm weather clothes so a change in the closet is just as welcome. This jacket is synthetic but it's so warm I love having it for the cold. If I add my selvedge chambray shirt and it's a great casual about town outfit. Add a little color with a red belt and a autumn scarf. 
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CASUAL
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Dressy
 
 
 Menswear dressing for fall is really hot stuff. I personally love it, as I am way more tailored then "girly." So here are some tips for wearing this look. My jacket is a bit over sized but not by much, it's double breasted too so that makes it seem a bit bigger. In order to control the look and make it not look sloppy I wear a white shirt (you can add a lace cami, or a ruffled blouse) that fits me closer to my body. My jeans are straight legged Levi's 506 and for sure I would wear a belt probably a colorful one or one with some detail like studs. The pearls are rather tongue in cheek, adding a little swagger. I would definitely roll the sleeves up along with the shirt sleeves as added attitude. So roll to the jean hem again a little more feminine. 
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I love either of these bag and shoe options although I can think of a lot more I could do. These however, add color and a little touch of "she's a girl."
 
 
  It's warm and humid today we are back into summer, the nights seem to cool off though. This is one of my most favorite outfits, as you guessed I am an animal rights person, so I love faux animal prints. This linen shirt I will wear year round, the linen jacket is meant to be a wrinkled mess, I love the large pearls. As you know pearls are a girls best friend. I have paired the outfit with Levi's 505, I do the messier sorta put together roll at the ankle and added the red skinny belt. Such a great outfit. Paired with my Red Hobo purse and vintage red shoes. 
 Big jewelry is still very much in, which is fine by me. 
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J. Crew jacket, shirt and necklace.
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I love the idea of red accents with this outfit, it really takes it up a notch.
 
 
  Colder weather hit Minnesota during the night last night. It was cold walking Henry this morning. This is a great easy to throw on look for me. The sweater is a khaki green it hits just below the behind. I add the trim which I copied from a magazine picture or something (I do this a lot). I always get a lot of great comments about the sweater. The scarf is a very soft cotton knit from a French line of clothing, which J. Crew carries some of the pieces. The roll of the jeans should be small and soft, to stay in keeping the softness of the outfit. 
   I can wear either the black purse by Marc Jacobs with my Italian boots, or my brown purse with brown hiking boots. I could put ballet flats with this outfit as well, to make it more girly. 

  
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Banana Republic cotton sweater that I add trim too. (I copied the idea ok?) Levi's with a gold thin belt which will not be seen. A Saint James knit scarf again from J. Crew.
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Brown Banana Republic purse, many years old but cared for. Italian boots, I love these guys, they go with everything.
 
 
   This is a great outfit for all year really. Here in the land of ice and snow I would probably wear a cotton camisole underneath, for added warmth. The top is from J. Crew a few seasons ago, but it's still very relevant very French. I have a skinny red belt with the jeans but it won't show as the top is longer. I have added one of my favorite necklaces it's a J. Crew Bubble Necklace in red. The jeans are 505 from Kohl's they are in a dark wash, which I love (I think it makes me look skinnier). The roll at the bottom of these jeans would either be the fold over twice roll with the heels and then depending on where the hem hits for the ballet flats I would do the softer, less structured roll.  I would then add my red HOBO bag and either the red high heels or the black ballet flats. Tres Chic and appropriate for almost anywhere, shopping, work (if you can wear nice jeans), dining, theatre, out and about. 
 
 
  Men I have not forgotten about you, but being a woman it's usually all about me, oh and other woman. So with that in mind I am posting some cool glasses or reading glasses for you stylist older men. 

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Waylaid. These rock the look for sure.
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Chairman Bifocal. A little more classic in style.
 
 
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What is dressing "out of the box"? To me it's taking classic clothing and putting a spin on it. Not one piece of the outfit is outrageous, it's the way the people put it together that makes "it"Happen, makes it "out of the box."
I love the website Sartorialist it's all about street fashion, what people do with their clothes in real life. Here is the link.  http://www.thesartorialist.com/. If you love clothes and not just fashion it's definitely the place to go for great ideas. Looking dapper, being classic but a bit out of the box is what it's all about. Below is a young women in Europe, now I am not promoting smoking, (absolutely not) just what a great look, putting together total classic pieces but the use of color is what makes it "out of the box."

 
 
  I keep telling my clients that as you grow older make not only life but your look clean and simple. Wear classics, changing the color with fashion but staying within the palette as to what looks good on you and goes with the rest of your closet. Keep " bling" or "out there looks to accessories, that way you have a closet that has exactly what looks good on you and you alone, but you can up the fashion factor with your accessories.
  I love the book "Parisian Chic" by Ines de  la Fressange. She is so classic in her  look she just changes things  up with color and accessories. Here is what I am talking about, see what little effort she uses to make herself look current and yet you know who she is. 
 
 
  Products are expensive, cleaning products, makeup products, skin care products. They all cost money and some of them a lot of money. So I have over the last few years made things really simple when buying products and in using them. Over the next few days I am going to share what I do to save money for cleaning and for my skin and makeup.
 Let's start with cleaning products. The other day we were behind a young women at Target who had a cart full of cleaning products. Not only were some  what I would call toxic but they were expensive. I wanted to tell her that all she really needs is white vinegar and baking soda, and some Mrs. Meyers or Method all purpose cleaners. My whole house is cleaned with these products, 
including scrubbing out the shower with a combination of baking soda and vinegar (think for old science class experiments). Yes there is like a mini volcano when you combine them but you end up with a really clean shower, tub or sink. So ditch all those strong toxic chemicals you use to clean and purchase the cheapest stuff you can buy. Baking Soda and Vinegar. More ideas tomorrow. 
 
 
 Did you know that mixing two parts of Tea Tree Oil to one part water, put in spray bottle and use on clothing to keep ticks at bay.