I'm often asked about closet staples; questions like: 'if I were building my closet, what should I include?'.  I usually have a laundry list of 'must-haves' and 'must-invest-ins', but the one that gets the most head scratches is one item on that list: a pair of wellies.  Most people think that wellies are only useful in the rain, and that's partly true, but I end up also using my wellies anytime I find myself in some sort of field situation (which is surprisingly more often than you would think).  They are great for any sort of occasion where you might end up doing damage to an otherwise favorite pair of shoes. And in my opinion, if you are going to wear a pair of wellies, well, they better be cute.





When we went to the pumpkin patch this weekend, these Joules wellies totally fit the bill.  (How cute are the bows on the back?!) And they were perfect to tromp around a water-logged field while peanut rode in a wagon and ran around looking at animals.  With our pumpkins picked out and ready for jack-o-lanterning, we snuggled back into the warmth of our car and head out for more fall-time adventures!



Joules is a brand which I personally use and love.  Though product was provided, it did not influence my opinion of use.  Opinion therein are my own.

In case you missed it, I had the fabulous opportunity co-host a style sessions event at my favorite JCrew in the RTP area, with the most amazing person stylist, Bekah.  It was a really fun event full of lots of laughs, fun, and fantastic clothes.






I wish that I had taken some time to snap some more pics to share with you, but most of the time was spent chatting and talking Fall fashion!  Thank you to everyone who came out - it was so wonderful to see you all!!  And if you are in the RTP area, you should totally go check out JCrew's Fall collection and hook up with Bekah.  She's really fantastic!

I am a sucker for a good pair of chinos, but the tuxedo stripe in these takes them up a notch for more quirky fancy pants wear.

Last week I had the opportunity to go to Belk and listen to their VP of Fashion Direction & Trend Merchandising dish about what's in-store for Fall 2013.  Arlene Goldstien was all that she was promised to be: chic, warm, great sense of humor, and above all impeccably fashionable.  It was a great event and I'm excited to share what they have planned for Fall 2013.

So all of these things are great, right? But what does it mean for you the shopper? What pieces should you invest in this fall that would up your game? I'd look for pieces which can translate into several looks.  A leather moto jacket for example is a great piece that can go from casual to a night out on the town and can be styled in may different aesthetics.  Leather details are big this year again so if a moto jacket isn't in your budget, look for pieces that have leather detailing.  You'll also see lines getting closer to the body: check out slim cropped trousers as an insta-update.  They can be paired with everything from sweaters, to blazers, to tops and look great with heels and short boots (another trend that's back this year).  Other items that are back in a big way: fashion sweatshirts, statement jackets and jewels, satchels, and patterns, patterns, patterns.

Do any of these looks ring your bell or are you excited for an entirely different look this Fall?

[top:  jcrew // pants: gap // belt: jcrew factory // kicks: jcrew // purse: brahmin (Spring '12) // baubles: michael kors, jcrew]

If you are anything like me, when you first received that notice from your favorite store via email announcing their new Fall 2013 arrivals, you rolled your eyes.  ESPECIALLY if you live in the South (like me) and it's about 900 degrees + 100% humidity on any given day.  But retailors, they weren't born yesterday.  The items they are shipping to stores now are great transitional pieces, light-weight enough that you could actually wear them today, but could still be rocked when the leaves change color and the temperatures drop. 

Take this new top of JCrew (I couldn't even find it on the website yet, although it showed up in my local store on Friday).  Chambray is a great fabric because it's light, it's versatile, and it covers all seasons.  The snazzy rhinestones aren't so much that they make the top seem heavy.  All around it's a great piece.  Right now, you could wear it with white jeans, black pants, skirts, shorts - practically anything. And later this fall, you could still wear it without anything overtop or throw a blazer or cardi over it to keep yourself warm.

Over the next few months I'll be dropping in some Fall-Must-Haves this season to get you and your closets ready for the upcoming season.  What's the saying? 'If you are early, you are on time and if you are on time then you are late'? - well consider this being early for the season...or something like that.