the perfect fall outfit

In partnership with Zappos, I styled my new Paige jeans and Freebird boots for the perfect fall weather look.

The deeper we get into fall, and the closer we get to winter, the more I've been trying to enjoy the last few days of the no-jacket, no snow boots, no gloves weather. I really do love fall clothes the most - layering, scarves, jeans, and boots - these are a few of my favorite things, which is why I was thrilled to be given the chance to try out a pair of Freebird by Steven boots and a pair of Paige jeans from Zappos. Beautiful leather boots and perfectly fitting jeans? Sign me up.

I've been a loyal Zappos customer for years and years - I love that you get free 2 day shipping and returns (and you guys know I'm all about returning things if I don't 100% love them), and they have such a large variety of items to buy, not just shoes (for example, I couldn't find a watch box anywhere I liked, and then I checked on Zappos and found the perfect one). They also have a huge selection of clothes (one of my favorite fancy dresses is from there), including all of the types of jeans you'd ever want. I have heard nothing but amazing things about the Paige line of denim - that the fabric is thick and soft, the cuts are flattering, and the color of the denim is always on point. That's probably all due to the fact that the founder of Paige is actually a woman (the only female founder of a denim company, which I think is pretty awesome) so she knows what women want in their jeans. I decided to go with these black jeans because I think black jeans are even more versatile than blue jeans. The more I figure out my own style, the more I realize that I really lean towards a neutral outfit with a few colors in my accessories. Black jeans allow me to wear as much chambray as my heart desires without the canadian tuxedo feel, and it means I can wear them from the most casual moments (like going on a walk) to more dressed up events.

In addition to my black jeans, I decided to try out these Bolo boots from Freebird by Steven. Freebird boots are made by Steve Madden, and are made by stacking leather and hammering them together to make a virtually indestructable sole. My first pair of riding boots were a pair of Steve by Steve Madden boots, so I think it's only fitting to my first pair of booties are by Freedbird by Steven. I love the slightly edgier look of these Bolo boots - they're cool while still being sleek and wearable. Best part is that even with a heel, they're super easy to walk in.

Sweater:  Soft Joie c/o Zappos

Jeans: Paige Denim c/o Zappos

Booties: Freebird by Steven c/o Zappos

A big thank you to Zappos for providing me with these beautiful additions to my closet. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

monogram it all

 

A few months ago, I was looking through Instagram and commented on Steph's picture complimenting her scarf. When she contacted me a few weeks later asking me what my favorite color was, I didn't really make any sort of connection...until she sent me this beautiful scarf in the mail. It was such a great surprise during a stressful time, and such a sweet thing of her to do. I wear this scarf almost every single day now. It's probably best I haven't been taking as many pictures lately as you guys would be like SHOW US A NEW SCARF, WE'RE BORED. But I really do love it that much, and am so grateful that I have such a great group of blogging friends :)

Scarf: gift from Steph

Chambray: Old Navy [current version]

Sweater: Gap 

Pants: Gap [exact]

Shoes: Old Navy [similar]

Necklace: c/o oNecklace [exact]

On a side note, I received this monogram necklace from oNecklace and am so excited about it. The necklace was made and delivered quickly, and is made of a delicate sterling silver. If you are interested, you can receive 10% off your next order with the code GIFT. It would make for an awesome Christmas present for that monogram-obsessed sister/mother/friend!

a uniform of sorts

 

Oh hey! In case you forgot what I look like, this is it. I know I've been a little MIA lately, but I really appreciate all of those who reached out recently, and especially for all of your kindness in my last post. I'm really doing really well, just trying to figure out this new school life (I am rarely in lecture now a days, just a lot of reading and studying on my own) and enjoying being around my classmates. I just wanted to say thank you for all of your support, sweet messages, and tweets. You guys are all awesome :)

But enough of the sap. This is what I wore today, and this whole type of outfit is quickly becoming a uniform of sorts - pencil/ankle pants, a few simple layers, and flats. I like being able to wear heels if I want to, but most days I just don't want to. My Revas have been my go-to for about a year and a half - I wear them almost daily. I'm thinking of getting the gold-plated version as I have that weird thing about metals mixing, plus it would be nice to give these a rest once in a while. We'll see, depending on how the rest of the budget goes. After my post talking about winter coats, I ordered both this coat and this coat, and both arrived yesterday. I'm torn which one I like more! Of course, it never happened unless documented on here, so I'll be sure to do a little comparison in the next few days as they both have their pros and cons.

Shirt: J.Crew [exact]

Chambray: Old Navy [current version]

Pants: The Limited [exact]

Shoes: Tory Burch [exact]

Nails: Essie After School Boy Blazer [exact - seen here]

review: gap ponte legging jeans

 

With it finally being fall here (didn't you know? IT'S FALL Y'ALL!), it means that it's time for the two best things about fall - boots and scarves (PSL not included). Last year I wore my boots with jeans all the time, but that's not dress code appropriate at school, so I'm happy to say that I have a new, even more comfortable, alternative.

These ponte knit "legging pants" received rave reviews both from some of you guys, and the online reviews. During a recent 40% off promotion (that happen every other week), I finally ordered them. I decided to go down a size based on some of the reviews, and it's a good thing I did as they definitely run a bit larger. I ordered these in a 10 Regular (usually I buy pants in talls/longs) as I mainly want to wear them with boots, so I wouldn't have cared if they were a bit too short. It seems that they are also a bit longer as I have to fold them over to wear with flats (as seen below). 

The rayon /nylon /spandex fabric is so comfortable and stretchy, which also means that for them not to be baggy you want to size down at least one size. I have been wearing them for about a day straight, with lots of walking around, sitting, and napping (gotta try out all of the positions!) and I have not experienced any sagging around the butt or knees (the two places it's most likely to happen on me). The fabric is much thicker than a regular leggings, but still on the not structured end spectrum of pants. Because they have seams, pockets, and a zipper, they definitely look like pants, but feel like leggings, so they may not be appropriate for every work place. I know that with boots that these will be great for school, but they are very form fitting all the way down the leg, so I don't think I'll wear them with just flats to school. On the other hand, I think these will be a huge staple on weekends just because they are so comfortable, yet are more polished than wearing sweats to Panera for our 10+ hour sessions there.

Now that I have the pants, I can't wait to find the boots! 

Edit: I forgot to mention that these are an online exclusive, which means that they will also have to be returned by mail (but Gap has free returns so that's not that big of a deal)

and for the weekends:

Pants: Gap [exact]

Chambray: Old Navy [similar]

Necklace: gift from Kimmie :)

Boots: Frye [exact]

Flats: Banana Republic [exact]

Belt: H&M Mens

~5 things

 

With my anatomy lab practical behind me, but my theory exam coming up, I'm going to keep this short and sweet! A couple of things:

1. Miranda made me her favorite blogger of the month! Check out the interview here to read about how I started blogging, my thoughts on the business of blogging (again!), and how I try to spice up my dress code clothing.

2. Thank you to everyone who voted for me in the OnlineShoes.com contest - I won! I really appreciate all of your support, you guys are awesome. If you're interested, they are currently running a pin-to-win contest to win a $500 gift certificate - you can learn all about it here!

3. Kerry from Tryst Jewellery sent me a few of her beautiful pieces to try out, including the necklace I'm wearing here, these earrings that I've been wearing non-stop (I have really sensitive ears so I'm thrilled to have found a pair of gold earrings that aren't irritating!), and a few other goodies. Be on the lookout for a giveaway coming soon!

4. Are these the most perfect leopard pointed toe flats? Possibly.

5. Have a great weekend! Think of me while you're out enjoying the beautiful fall weather and I'm inside learning about the layers of the scrotum. I know, you're jealous. 

Skirt: Thrifted

Chambray: Old Navy [current version - mine's a tall!]

Necklace: c/o Tryst Jewellery [exact]

Shoes: Banana Republic c/o Chippmunk [exact]

Belt: H&M Mens

Watch: Target

rainy day

 

Since it was still snowing in April, it only makes sense that it's still raining in May, right? So much for flowers. 

I am happy I get to wear my rain boots again! I'm so happy I found a pair that actually fit my calves instead of trying to squeeze into "normal" size. I'd be lying if I didn't get just a little bit excited to wear them. I'd also be lying if I said I haven't worn a variation of this outfit for the past three days. I just really wanted to wear my new tee [review here], and it's been chilly all weekend so the chambray and jeans just kind of made sense.

whatever, like you've never worn an outfit several days in a row.

Chambray: Old Navy [same style | fun inexpensive variation]

Tee: Everlane

Jeans: Urban Outfitters [exact]

Boots: Hunter [exact]

Watch: Fossil [similar]

Umbrella: J.Crew

via instagram.

linking up with wiww.

on trends

Looking at fashion from previous decades, it's easy to nail down certain time periods.

+ Full skirts, pulled in waists, perfectly coiffed hair? 50's.

+ Flowing skirts, hippie jewelry, long straight hair? 70's.

+ Neon, shoulder pads, big hair? 80s/early 90s.

They say because our decade (the 20teens? the 2010s? what do we call it?) lives and breathes fast fashion that our "style" will be harder to nail down. I always thought that since what we do nowadays is a lot more natural (more neutrals, no crazy clothing pieces or hair styles) that we will be considered pretty timeless but I probably only think that because that's what we're living right now and maybe everyone in 1994 thought the same thing (although please, I disagree - this is not cute).

I was thinking about current trends - chambray, print mixing, neon (which I'm still refusing to participate in), skinny jeans - and I wonder if we'll look back at our blogs/yearbooks/facebooks/family photo albums and wonder what in the world we were ever thinking. Are we going to have to explain to our children that mixing stripes and florals (or ya know, plaids because Wisconsin is still firmly in winter) was the cool thing to do in 2013 and it was totally on trend? That wearing a denim shirt with denim pants was completely socially acceptable and not just in Canada (I kid!)? That neon made a resurgence and we (you...) welcomed it back with open arms?

What do you think - are there any trends you think we'll regret or is what we are wearing now timeless and not year-definable?

Shirt: Gap  [exact on sale]
Chambray: Old Navy  [exact]
Jeans: American Eagle  [exact]
Scarf: DIY
Boots: Steve Madden
Watch: Fossil  [similar]
Rings: Galisfly

On a side note, with daylights savings time I now have to take pictures after work again, which means there is more traffic. I take pictures on a little side road, but three cars specifically drove over to me to see if I need help - apparently a girl standing behind her car while it's snowing is a girl in need. That's what you get for living in the Midwest. Here's my reaction after I heard the third car pulling up to me. I just politely declined their help as they awkwardly stared at me and my tripod trunk. That things I do for you...

dschungel

In case you are wondering what that title is, it's the German word for jungle. If you have ever wondered why my name is spelled so weird, it's because it's the German way of spelling Franchesca...because I'm an (permanent) alien in this country and originally from Germany. And jungle in German is dschungel. 

maybe I'll start giving you a random German word a day that someone describes my outfit. Today it's dschungel because I felt like I was going on a safari. A cold, Midwest safari, but a safari nonetheless.

Chambray: Old Navy  {exact}
Vest: Old Navy  {similar}
Jeans: Urban Outfitters  {exact}
Boots: Steve Madden  {save / splurge}
Scarf: borrowed from Emily, originally Target*
Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington  {exact}
Bracelets: Forever 21


*a few weeks ago when I was debating between this scarf and the blue one, I choose the blue one. I then told Emily about all the amazing scarves on clearance, so she went and bought the one I didn't get...and then let me borrow it. What a good friend huh?

...and this is what I look like when I'm trying to figure out why my camera is taking such shoddy pictures.















linking up to mix & match fashion.

Mechanical

Somedays, especially on days when it's raining, I have a tendency to grab something comfortable and something that doesn't require much effort. It's easy to grab a soft chambray shirt, throw on some colored skinny jeans, and slip on some loafers. It's almost mechanical.

linking up with real girl glam and wiww.






Jeans: Express {exact, save, splurge}
Shirt: Old Navy {exact, save, splurge}
Necklace: Forever 21  {exact}
Shoes: Rocket Dog   {exact, save, splurge}






P.S. 4 Days left to enter the Nailed It Decals Sample Pack Giveaway!

Thinking Outside of the (Shoe) Box

If you read my answers on Whitney's Women Who Work feature, you will have noticed that I'm pretty limited to what I can wear to work. I have to wear pants and closed toed, flat shoes. Since I can't wear cute sandals/heels/wedges, I've been on the lookout for new styles of flats.

I used to wear Sperrys with just about everything while in school (even in the winter, not on a boat). Once I started working I wore my black ballet flats so much that they have holes in the sole.

Not cute. 

I've been trying to branch out to get out of my shoe rut. These penny loafers were purchased a few months ago - they are so soft! Since then I've also purchased leopard smoking loafers and am hoping to purchase these blue oxfords in the near future.

Are you lucky enough that you can wear any shoe you want every day, or are you limited like I am?

Chambray: Old Navy
Jeans: Gap Outlet (similar)
Belt: Forever 21 (similar)
Shoes: Crown Vintage via DSW (similar)
Bracelet: vacation find (similar)

German Professor

Chambray: Old Navy  (in tall) 
Blazer: H&M
Necklace: H&M

Walking out of work today, I realized my outfit today is something my favorite German professor used to wear. So either that’s awesome, or incredibly lame.