A Little Lilac

Wrap - LOFT / Tee - J. Crew Factory / Jeans - J. Crew / Shoes - Nordstrom / Necklace - Tiffany's / Bag (similar here and here, I also love this one!)  - Ann Taylor

I'm all about the wraps in winter, but scarves (or kimonos or ruanas or wraps or whatever you want to call them) have never been on my radar for warm weather. I really didn't get it - I mean, it's already hot, why would you add another layer? 

Oh duhhhh, because there's such a thing as a light layer! 

I mean really, this particular wrap is so lightweight and breezy it's like you're wearing nothing, but it adds so much dimension to an outfit. This particular wrap is actually completely open on the sides so you can wear it as a scarf if you so choose. I'm definitely planning on bringing it on all of our upcoming trips since it's so versatile! 

Oh and speaking of all of those upcoming trips, I realized that this weekend is basically our last weekend without plans for almost two months (!!) so I'm planning on relaxing it up! I'm basically the queen of couch time, and I'm looking forward to sneaking a lot of that in. We've also got a little dinner date in the works - and probably some cocktails too ;) 

Wrap - LOFT / Tee - J. Crew Factory / Jeans - J. Crew / Shoes - Nordstrom / Necklace - Tiffany's / Bag (similar here and here, I also love this one!)  - Ann Taylor

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Plaid Cape

Cape (similar) - Treasure & Bond / Sweater - J. Crew Factory / Leggings - Spanx / Flats - Sam Edelman / Sunglasses (similar) - Ralph Lauren / Bag - Tory Burch / Earrings - BaubleBar / Necklace - Stella & Dot

I freaking love a good cape. It's basically an excuse to wear a blanket all day. I'm always cold at work, whether it's summer or winter, and wearing a cape means I don't have to look like a crazy at my desk with my coat wrapped around me like a blanket.

Sidebar: I had a coworker at my first job who literally wore a leopard snuggie and slippers at her desk. Don't be that girl.

When you're wearing a cape, keep the rest of your look streamlined so you don't end up looking like a giant blob. Skinny jeans or (faux) leather leggings are definitely the way to go. I used to always layer tees underneath, but it turns out a cute sweater works too - just roll up the sleeves if they're oversized, once again, to avoid the blobbiness.

I actually wore this to Thanksgiving at my grandma's house last week, and it got hot at the crowded dining room table. I literally just threw the front half of the cape over the back of the chair while I was still sitting and was good to go, as opposed to trying to wrestle myself out of a sweater. What can I say, capes are the perfect winter layer!

Cape (similar) - Treasure & Bond / Sweater - J. Crew Factory / Leggings - Spanx / Flats - Sam Edelman / Sunglasses (similar) - Ralph Lauren / Bag - Tory Burch / Earrings - BaubleBar / Necklace - Stella & Dot

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Snow Day!

Wrap (similar here and here) and Bag (almost identical) - Sole Society / Tee - Halogen / Jeans - J. Crew / Boots - L.L.Bean / Socks - J. Crew Factory / Watch - Wristology / Necklace - Stella & Dot / Lip - Maybelline (in Pioneer)

Yeah, I don't know if you noticed, but it, um, SNOWED in Chicago on Friday. I was flying back from San Francisco and had heard it was supposed to flurry, but was totally shocked to find an inch or two of powdery white on the ground when we landed. The freakiest part was most of the trees still had green leaves on them before the snow came, and then dropped all of their leaves with the snow - there was a crazy mix of colors mixed in with all of the white!

Now, I have to put this out there - I was not, nor am I currently ready for snow. I mean, really, I would prefer the snow hold off until just before Christmas, give us a blanket of white, and then go away for the rest of winter. But, living in Chicago, I know that's never going to happen so I have to make the best of it.

And how do I do that? With my new bean boots of course!

I've wanted a pair of bean boots forever, and was so glad I finally decided to snag a pair this year. I went with 8" shearling lined boots from L.L.Bean, and you guys, I made the right choice. The fur lining makes the boots so comfortable and warm, and I personally think the 8" height is great because they're tall enough to work when there's lots of snow on the ground (or big puddles) but aren't so tall that they're cumbersome, like my Joan of Arctic boots (only for the snowiest, coldest days).

I found them true to size, and they were comfortable enough to wear without any breaking in (with camp socks, of course). They come in whole sizes only, so if you're between sizes, size down to the next whole size.

If you're looking for a pair of bean boots, my pair is 25% off only through tonight with code 25OFF! Snag them now, before they inevitably sell out during the first real snowstorm of the year.

Oh, and before I end this post, I would like to formally apologize for not taking better pictures of my boots, when I knew I was planning to write a post about them. This is the first time I've shot with my tripod in a loooooooong time because my photographer (ahem: husband) was out of town, and then my camera ran out of batteries. But just know that they are super cute and I love them and many other superlatives :)

Wrap (similar here and here) and Bag (almost identical) - Sole Society / Tee - Halogen / Jeans - J. Crew / Boots - L.L.Bean / Socks - J. Crew Factory / Watch - Wristology / Necklace - Stella & Dot / Lip - Maybelline (in Pioneer)

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Best Plaid Blanket Scarf for Fall

Dress (similar here, I also love this sleeved dress that's on sale for less than $20)  - Gap / Blanket Scarf (currently on sale!) - J. Crew Factory / Bag (this season's version) - Sole Society / Booties (or on sale here) - TOMS / Earrings (similar) - c/o Charming Charlie

You guys, I'm on DAY FOUR hair in these photos! That may or may not be revolutionary to you, but I've literally been trying since middle school to stretch my hair past two days so this definitely earns major high fives. I just don't have thick hair, so it usually ends up super stringy. The way I manage to get it to stretch this far is because I curled it the first couple of days, so it's completely full of dry shampoo and hair spray and volume spray. Yum. I've been doubling down on Dove Dry Shampoo (the volume version) and then adding in Living Proof's Dry Volume Blast.

This scarf from J. Crew Factory just came in the mail, and you guys, it's seriously the perfect fall scarf. I love the red and green plaid - it will definitely feel festive come the holiday season, but it isn't so Christmas-y that I don't feel weird wearing it now. It's also really big but not overly bulky like some blanket scarves are, so it works well worn as a regular scarf too. I love pairing it with a dress when it's warm out, but you'd better believe I'm going full blanket with this thing in January when my office is freezing. 

I wrote part of this post on Sunday, and am picking it up again on Monday night to say that I am completely heartbroken over what happened in Vegas on Sunday night. I don't always know what to say when something tragic and senseless happens and I feel like my words won't make a difference, so I end up saying nothing. It's getting more and more difficult to hold my thoughts in. I just wanted to let you know that my heart is heavy for everyone affected. Sending all of my love and positive vibes into the world. 

Dress (similar here, I also love this sleeved dress that's on sale for less than $20)  - Gap / Blanket Scarf (currently on sale!) - J. Crew Factory / Bag (this season's version) - Sole Society / Booties (or on sale here) - TOMS / Earrings (similar) - c/o Charming Charlie

Linking up with Style Me Wednesday, Style Sessions, Trend Spin Linkup.

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Plaid About It

Wrap - Sole Society / Shirt and Shoes - J. Crew Factory / Jeans - Madewell / Bracelet - Michael Kors / Necklace (similar) - Girly

Oh dear, did I just make a pun? I may be in super need of this long weekend ;)

Sole Society has been having a crazy sale specifically on this wrap for the past couple of weeks, and after the first couple of emails about it I of course needed it. I'm so glad I decided to push buy, because it is so soft and cozy, and the plaid feels festive but will also be great after the holiday season. Plus, I'm wearing it as a wrap here but it can also be worn as a scarf. Win win win.

I have a feeling this wrap is going to be making an appearance during this holiday weekend. I love it with jeans, but I'm thinking of pairing it with some tights and a black mini for a slightly more dressed up look. I'm not seeing my sister this Thanksgiving so there won't be anyone to get mad at me ;)

Speaking of Thanksgiving, what are you up to? I'm used to having a pretty intense Thanksgiving weekend thanks to my family historically trying to cram in as many activities into four days as possible. Growing up, we would hit one or possibly two grandparents' houses for the big day. Then on Friday, we would head into Chicago with the extended family for our annual "Christmas Walk," which when we were little meant lunch and shopping and looking at the pretty decorations, and as we got older mostly meant hanging out in a bar all afternoon. Then on Saturday we would drive three hours each direction with a bunch of family friends to cut down a Christmas tree from my cousin's farm, and then rush home to get ready for a fancy Christmas party at my Grandma's house that night. Whew, I get exhausted just thinking about it!

These days we've cut out some of the activities, although the "Christmas Walk" bar hang is still in effect. Lately Jeff and I have been trying to squeeze two Turkey dinners into the big day though. His dad's family has their dinner around noon every year, and then his mom serves dinner later that night, giving us enough time to sneak in a turkey-filled nap between servings of mashed potatoes. It's crazy and exhausting and delicious, and I can't wait!

Oh, and sidebar, can we talk about these flats? Did I need a pair of flats with bows that are covered in glitter? Um, of course! They aren't super comfy, like I wouldn't walk miles in them, but for a little sparkle toe I'm willing to work with them. They're going to be the perfect party shoe this holiday season!

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Previously on KDTI - blanket scarf:

 

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