
My Jack Rogers giveaway is still going on, but not for long. Click here to win a pair of their iconic sandals (in the same style Jackie O wore).


















There's something nice about a backpack, something liberating. Awhile back, a blogger friend told me that a clutch purse says "I don't need my hands" and I agree (you also can't fit a decent camera in a clutch bag to save your life), conversely a backpack might say the opposite. So many dresses and skirts don't come with pockets and even when they do they're small slits of things; good for providing your hands with an occupation to keep you from looking awkward, but unsatisfactory when it comes to carrying around your necessities...as in they are often too small to even hold a wallet. This is why purses are so essential. A backpack, usually meant for students, is one of the most functional purses/bags you can find. A backpack says you do need your hands and you like to have them free when you're exploring the world. It further explains that a small purse won't do because while you're no longer a student you still enjoy having a book or two or three handy; it promises to keep your moleskine and pens handy in outer pockets because you never know when you might require them. A backpack says "bring it on world, I've got everything I need balanced evenly across my shoulders." But it also says nothing at all, because it is an inanimate object...



While usually I believe the epitome of ease and simplicity is an outfit built from a dress (just add shoes, no?), there was something wonderfully lazy about throwing on a pair of pants and a cozy sweater on this day instead. A few colorful or patterned accessories and it is hopefully not too dull. I just really like the color of this sweater and the feel of my velvet pants too much to fuss about putting together something more complicated or fascinating. Minimalism is why I've always preferred summer fashions.


It's hard to believe 2012 is nearly here, especially with the mild weather. I had a marvelous Christmas although only a few days later I'm able to wear a trench coat and last year I was wading through piles of snow higher than my waist. It's funny what changes and what remains the same; I'm still in Virginia this year (as opposed to two Decembers ago when I was in Washington, or the year before that in Pennsylvania), but the scenery's quite different. Anyway now there's New Years to think about...









I saw this collection firsthand when I was in New York for fashion week, but I'm still loving these lookbook shots. Pamela Love really knows how to make edgy, cool jewelry...I'm just waiting for a diffusion line more in my budget.
It's been too long since I've worn a floral headband or wreath. They're definitely one of my favorite accessories but they do tip a simply sweet outfit into something else, although I'm pleasantly surprised with how nice they look with the pixie cut. I down-played the romanticism this one with simple fall layers in some of my favorite colors (berry, navy, and dark green). I didn't photograph the dress well since it is rather chilly to be wearing just short sleeves outside, but I absolutely love the structure of it; a really wonderful little dress and in the oh-so-versatile navy shade I quite adore. So yes, one of my favorite outfits in quite awhile; I could wear this for days if that was socially acceptable.


