Grey Skies

Top: Gap sz s / Sweater: from a local boutique / Jacket: Zara sz xs / Pants: Gap 1969 Always Skinny Jeans sz 00 / Scarf: Forever 21 / Shoes: Target

   

This Zara "leather" jacket was one of my best finds in the past few years. I'd been looking for a dark brown, versitile jacket for quite a while, but had never found anything that looked nice enough but was still within my price range. Shopping with some friends about a year back, I stumbled across this little thing, I believe for about $60-$70. Ya, a bit pricey for me, but I considered it long and hard and thought, in the end, that it was worth it. I'm so glad I made the splurge because I wear this thing all. the. time. Yay for Fall so I can start breaking it out again!

Outerwear is definitely one of the places where it can be hard to skimp on cost. In order to have jackets that keep you warm and/or dry, you might have to shell out a bit of cash. Since I live in LA, I'm able to get away with jackets like this (made out of Polyurethane/Viscose/Polyester, though fully lined and surprisingly warm), which cost way less than nice wool ones you might need on the East coast. Believe it or not, I have still managed to find a cheap warm wool coat (on sale for $25!) that got me through 90% of my winter semester abroad in England, also from Zara. So, I'd highly recommend that store if you're looking for decent outerwear on a budget!

LOFT Sweater Dresses

There are some very cute petite (and tall, and regular!) sweater dresses for sale at LOFT right now. Each of them are $35, down from $89.50 and $79.50.

I think this particular sale is a short one, so get 'em now if they strike your fancy!

 Petite Striped Short Sleeve Sweater Dress $89.50 $35.00

Available in sizes xxs through xl

Petite Short Sleeve Sweater Dress  $89.50 $35.00

 Available in sizes xs and xl

Petite Cowl Neck Sweater Dress  $79.50 $35.00

Available in sizes xxs, s, m, l, and xl

I kind of really want that striped dress...but I'm not sure if it's the best use of my budget. Should I go for it? :)

Loosing the Light

 
 Top: Forever 21 sz s ($17.99) / Cropped Blazer: H&M ($34.99) / Jeans: Pac Sun / Boots: Urban Outfitters (old) / Necklace: bought at a farmer's market

Sorry for the wonky light/color quality of these pictures.... I ran outside to shoot them just as the light was beginning to really fade. You know...at 5:00. How in the world to bloggers have full-time jobs and still manage to take well-lit outfit photos in the winter? I'm at a complete loss...

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

From the Boyfriend

 Top: Urban Outfitters ($12.00) / Sweater: Gap / Jeans: Gap 1969 sz 0 / Shoes:

Target Leopard Print Flats sz 7.5 ($12.99) / Bag: BCBG / Earrings: Gift

 
 

I felt all of today like I'd stolen my boyfriend's outfit. A good deal of his daily "uniform" is a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a cozy sweater, and comfy jeans. Ok, he probably wouldn't wear the leopard print flats though. Or carry a purse. So at least there's that...

This comfy button-up is one of my favorites. I got it in the sale section at Urban Outfitters (my #1 stop when walking into that store, where everything is stupidly overpriced unless it's on sale). Petite sizes seem to often be hanging on sale racks, so I get lucky more often than not. I would recommend that petites don't dismiss non-petite-specialty stores out of hand; most of the items in my closet come from the regular ol' stores (as in, not the Petites section of LOFT, Banana Republic, etc.), and, of course, they also mostly come from the sale sections! Granted, at 5'4", I am a taller "petite" than most, but if you're feeling like there isn't enough variety in those specialty sections, don't give up on everything else!

These Boots

  

Top: Urban Outfitters / Jeans: Gap 1969 Always Skinny sz 00 / Boots: borrowed from my sister, thrifted / Bag: BCBG

   

Friends, I really want me some cowboy boots. I stole borrowed these from my sister the other day, and fell in love. Super comfy, with a slight heel to help us shorter ladies out, but still casual and not "high-heel-y," well made by some gourmet boot maker in Texas, and thrifted in Seattle for about $30. Yes, please.

Now where can I find a pair like that in LA?

Thanks, Nana

Top: Gap sz s /  Sweater: inherited from my grandmother / Jeans: Gap 1969 skinny sz 0 / Boots: DSW sz 7/ Purse: vintage Coach (via ebay)

   

 I just inherited a few beautiful old cashmere sweaters from my grandmother (by way of my mom cleaning out her closet). They are all incredibly well made and of good quality, and definitely give off that vintage grandma-y vibe, on account of they were bought by my Nana 60ish years ago. I love them. And I love wearing them in small central coast towns, just after the rain, where I can take pictures on the street and not worry about embarrassing myself in front of neighbors.  

Can you really dye my shirt to match my wall?

("Uh-huh!" "Jolly old town!")

Sweater: H&M sz xs ($15.00) / Skirt: LOFT A-Line Eyelet Skirt sz 00 ($69.50,  $32.99 + waist alterations) / Belt: Madewell ($48.00, $12.00, buy here) / Tights: Target / Shoes: H&M  sz 7 ($24.95) / Necklace: homemade

 And it FINALLY feels like fall in LA. Grey skies, a light rain, a crisp breeze....mmmm. I couldn't be happier. What better way to celebrate the fall weather than with a new warm & cozy sweater, tights, and black booties on a business-casual day? I'll tell you what's better....exactly matching your outfit to your tool shed, that's what.