The Four Jackets You Need for Fall

Does anyone else have a coat problem? ::raises hand::

When you look in my coat closet, I think there are about two empty hangers, four of Jeff's coats, and two hundred of mine. Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration, but it is basically exploding. The thing is, when you live in Chicago and have to go through our crazy weather patterns, it makes you feel like you need every coat under the sun.

Really though, there are only five coats you need this fall:

1. Raincoat 

I went all through college and a few years living in Chicago without a raincoat, and really, I don't know how I survived. Rain in Chicago always seems to be blowing sideways, so unless you have an intense golf umbrella you're still getting wet. Enter the raincoat. Look for something lightweight so you can wear it in warm weather, and then layer up for chilly fall days. 

2. Field Jacket
A field jacket is one of those coats that you can throw on over anything and look put together - your gym clothes, leggings and a tee shirt, or you know, your pajamas if need be :) I'm on the hunt for a new one because the jacket pictured above has some faux leather that sticks to my neck. I'm looking for a coat that is lightweight and cinches at the waist for a more flattering fit.

3. Denim Jacket
I have my fingers crossed right now that denim jackets stay in style forever, because they're another super versatile piece. I'm loving them right now over dresses for chilly fall mornings, or with joggers and sneakers for a little athleisure look.

4. Moto Jacket
Denim jackets and utility jackets are great because of their versatility, but when it comes to picking a coat for going out at night or for wearing to work, a moto jacket is your best bet. They toughen up anything you throw them over, and make you look instantly more pulled-together. For larger-chested gals like myself, look for an asymmetric cut - it's amazingly flattering!

So tell me - are you a fellow coat-addict? What's your favorite style?

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This Weekend...

...Went to my friend's Oktoberfest beer tasting party, and as per my experience last year, hated just about everything haha ;) We fill out an evaluation as we go along, I do have to say, I think my comment game has improved over last year. A year's worth of built-up hatred for Oktoberfest beer I guess. I'm already ready for all of the Christmas beer - I think Great Lakes Christmas Ale is my favorite beer out of all of the beers. Can't wait for that to come into stores!
...Had a glass or two of wine and decided to finally order J.Crew's field jacket since it was on sale. And then got sucked into the LOFT website and ordered this sweater... and this sweater... and this sweatshirt... and like, eight more things. Insert embarrassed face emoji.
...Drove out to my college roommate's house in the suburbs for a little reunion and a baby meet and greet haha. I swear, three of my friends just announced they are pregnant, I feel like there are babies everywhere! Semi-related, but one of my friends who was there said she is off of Instagram and asked me to hop on Snapchat more - so get ready, because I'm coming back to the snaps!
...Went over to a friend's house to watch the Cubs play. They lost, but my friend Lauren made freaking amazing enchiladas and then spontaneously decided to bake for us, so let's just say I may be spending a whole lot more time over at her house ;)
...Had another Sunday full of work, work, work - I swear I work more hours on Sundays now then I do during the week! I only managed to sneak away from my computer for a bit to shoot some content that's coming later this week, which conveniently was in a grocery store so we could also pick up some food for this week. Don't worry though, I also listened to the Hamilton soundtrack from beginning to end while I worked so I'll be ready because we're going to see it this week!! I'm pretty sure I bought the tickets at least six months ago, so I am ready to finally go!

I hope you had a good one!

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Friday Finds

Happy Friday!! Just wanted to share that my favorite booties that I've worn daily for the last two falls/winters are available in other colors, like the cute tan suede I shared below. They're so comfortable, and this is coming from a girl who does not wear anything with a heel on a daily basis.

What are you up to this weekend? We're off to an Oktoberfest beer tasting party tonight, wish me luck because Oktoberfest is my least favorite type of beer. I went to the same party last year and I'm pretty sure I marked on my sheet that I had a varying level of hate for all of them ;)

one / two / three / four / five

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#CityProblems

Tee and Shoes (blush color is back in stock!) - BP / Sweater (similar here and here) - LOFT / Jeans - J. Crew / Bag (or a similar budget-friendly version) - Tory Burch / Earrings - c/o Charming Charlie / Watch - Wristology

So I have to tell you something. When we were walking away from taking these photos, I was busy clicking through the camera to make sure that we got the shots I wanted. And then I walked through a swarm of flies. Yuck. And then I looked down and realized there was a swarm of flies because I had just missed stepping on a DEAD RAT.

Omg omg omg.

I hope you aren't squeemish. Sorry about that.

But seriously though. I literally screamed, and I don't scream about a lot of things these days. I guess rats are one of those things about living in the city, but I don't usually see them so I forget they exist. The last time I saw a dead one, it was four stories down from my first apartment in Chicago, and my roommate and I sat in her window and laughed at people screaming as they walked by. Guess the joke's on me now.

So anyway, back to the clothes. I snagged this tee on a whim and it is so good - I'm definitely pairing it with all of my sweaters this fall and winter. I previously always wore fitted tees with sweaters, but I'm always wishing for oversized tees lately so it definitely filled a hole in my wardrobe. The short sleeve version, which I have, is sold out, but lucky for you there's an identical long-sleeved tee that's still available, and it comes in a pretty navy stripe too. Wait, do I need the navy version too? ::adds to cart::

I hope you're having a good week. Jeff and I are in the middle of a busy one work-wise, it's both of our busiest time of the year in the office, plus my freelance work has been picking up, so it's been a whole lot of quick dinners and then individual laptop time. I did sneak out last night for a haircut and a keratin treatment last night though, and the little bit of relaxation was so nice. Let's just say, I cannot wait for the weekend!!

Tee and Shoes (blush color is back in stock!) - BP / Sweater (similar here and here) - LOFT / Jeans - J. Crew / Bag (or a similar budget-friendly version) - Tory Burch / Earrings - c/o Charming Charlie / Watch - Wristology

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InstaLately

I have been posting more on Instagram lately, and wanted to share more of my posts here in case you're interested in the pieces but hate LIKEtoKNOW.it (ahem).

Heading out to watch some sports - I of course care more about the food than watching a game ;) 

Plaid Shirt / Similar Jeans / Sunglasses / Mules

Sitting on the dock over Labor Day weekend. This sweatshirt also travelled with us to Colorado. I freaking love it, but definitely size down! 

Sweatshirt / Similar Jeans / Hat

A little work look. I AHEM maybe wore this exact outfit again earlier this week ;) 

Dress / Similar Sweater / Watch / Flats

Wore this to go to a Cubs game, because I can dress for the team but don't really want to wear a team tee shirt ;) Also, how freaking cute is this tote bag?! I found it at P.O.S.H. and I want to carry it everywhere. 

Hat / Gingham Shirt / Vest / Jeans

I've been calling this my "Saturday Dress" because I'm pretty sure I've worn this the past four Saturdays in the row - including when I went to my cousin's wedding! What can I say, it seems to be able to handle whatever crazy weather Chicago throws at us and manages to always look appropriate. It's currently 50% off with code SURPRISE - size down!!

Dress / Bag / Earrings / Booties

Just some fun accessories - they may be brights but they definitely still work for fall! 

Bag / Watch / Sandals

I told Jeff this hat is a part of my required weekend uniform now ;) 

Hat / Jacket

A little casual Friday outfit for work and then drinks. And then more drinks ;)

Tee / Similar Sweater / Jeans / Mules / Bag

In full fall force out in Colorado! This pretty bush was in front of our cabin and I think I made Jeff take 400 photos of me in front of it. Also, this vest is one I've complained about previously. It was a gift from work (and has my company logo on the back) and I remember saying it was ugly and ill-fitting and I was never going to wear it. Umm until I packed it for Labor Day and then Colorado and wore it every day. Guess I'm eating my words. It's not so cute over a tee, but with a thicker shirt or a sweatshirt it's perfect. Maybe size down though ;)

Plaid Shirt / Vest

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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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This Weekend...

...Went out to happy hour with a huge group of my coworkers on the roof at Joy District, which really is one of the best rooftops downtown - a huge space with tons of seating, a huge bar, and a cute photo op (which really is the biggest draw for me haha).
...Started listening to The Rewatchables podcast, which is about all of the movies you love to watch over and over. I mean, they just had an episode on Titanic, which is still one of my favorite movies of all time.
...Had one of those days where we met up with a bunch of people because a friend was in town, and ended up having food and drinks out on the patio at Kaiser Tiger because it was beautiful on Saturday, and then moved to Links Taproom for snacks and more drinks, and then to a friend's house for football and, you guessed it, more food and more drinks. Oh, and a Nerf gun fight. The best kind of Saturday.
...Got these sneakers in the mail, which was such a good purchasing decision ;) I've been having some problems with my knee and really need to embrace the sneaker trend, and these are black leather and oh so cute.

I hope you had a good one!

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