a lonely closet.

Today I have a little story about a closet. My closet which, to be honest, is becoming less inspiring by the minute. And for the record, I never thought I'd say that about the space I probably hold closest to my heart.


Pre-operation get out of debt, my closet was living the high life. Screw what the kitchen looks like Mr. Landlord, tell me about the closet space. New clothes were getting tossed in there on a weekly (sometimes daily) basis. Need a new outfit for a special occasion? Can't find a necklace that will work with that neckline? Just hop into my magical closet and watch all your wardrobe woes disappear. New shoes, new sweaters, a new shirt that would probably never get worn. It was all in there. Decadent. Over the top. Completely irresponsible.

Truth be told however, I very rarely had an issue with what to wear. And, when I did, I would just hop in my little car and head on over to the mall for a quick fix. Yes, clothes were my crack. And I was constantly on a soft cloud made of cotton tees and silk blouses.

Enter gigantic credit card bill. What?!?! You have to pay that all back? How much did I spend this month? A little debt spillage to next month here, a little spillage there and boom I was in way over my perfectly accessorized head.

These days, I very rarely hit the streets for new garb. In fact, the last time I bought something was a $5 hoodie, a $5 work cardigan and a $2 striped henley at Gabriel Brothers. Before that was Christmas and before that was my dress for my company's holiday party. It's been tough times for la closet de Kate and it continues to feel the burn on a daily basis.

What should I wear today, closet?

Hello?

Anything in there?

So while I'm busy getting out of this self-inflicted debt (almost done!), here are some outfits I wish I could put in my closet as the new and responsible me kindly declines the urge to actually purchase. Sorry for your misfortune closet but mark my words, I WILL find something in you to mimic these looks. Sometimes it's the pity parties you throw for your closet that gets your crafting butt back in gear :)

via wendy's lookbook (love her!)

via topshop

via the high heeled hostess

 

via blue eyed freckle

via atlantic pacific

via pinterest

via the glitter guide

via milloo at etsy

via plum pretty sugar

via madewell

Find all of my fashion day dreams on my pinterest boards. And don't forget to be my friend on FaceBook and Twitter. Happy Friday!

twelve days of christmas: day seven

Coming to you a little late but I think it's worth it. And, don't fret, I'll be posting day eight later on today.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Seven fashion must-haves.

These can be taken as either present ideas for someone else, or present ideas for yourself. Either way these are what I consider the essentials for every winter wardrobe. And no, there aren't any little black dresses, leggings, cardigans, white oxfords or tagless tees included. You should know better then to not have these in your closet at all times.

1. sweater vest
I am a little out of control about vests. I actually try to wear one with every single outfit I put together. They're great for adding layer without added bulk, add some serious prep to an ensemble and are generally flattering on all shapes and sizes. A sweater vest keeps things cozy for the winter and looks great when paired with a blazer for extra warmth.

[jcrew]

2. colored jeans
Colored jeans are quickly becoming the new dark denim. Red, purple, bright blue or green, just pair these bad boys with neutral colored (try pattern) top, maybe a blazer and some rocking shoes.

[urban outfitters]

3. pencil skirt
This is just one of those skirts that looks good on virtually anyone. The great part about them is they're meant to compliment a woman's natural curves, so the bigger the hips, the better the silhouette. Working in corporate america, this is truly a staple in my closet and I've found the Limited to be the place with the best variety. They also have this pleated skirt that I'm crushing BIG TIME on.

[the limited]

4. sparkly top
I'm not saying you have to look like a disco ball and have tons of sequins. Just that every girl needs a little sparkle in her life. And, with winter clothes often thick, snuggly and sometimes even rustic, a little shine helps break up the softness.

[ruche]

5. plaid shirt
Plaid has taken on a life of its own these days and it's not exactly a bad thing. Classic, timeless and full of variety, plaid shirts should be treated exactly like you would a white oxford shirt - wear with anything and everything. Pair with jeans, a faux fur vest and some moccasins for casual wear, a pencil skirt and textured tights for work or even a sequins mini for a night out on the town. I've even gone so far as to pair with a patterned sweater and colored cords!

[jcrew]

6. ski sweater
Really, any sweater with an interesting, more nordic styled pattern. You can wear them with leggings, pair with some colored cords and look cozy and fashionable at the same time.

[old navy]

7. floral dress
I love the juxtaposition between seeing bare trees and wearing bright florals. As long as the base of the dress is dark and muted, a floral dress is the perfect winter wardrobe option.

[topshop]

BONUS!!!

For being a little late on the post, here are seven shoe essentials to perfect every outfit.

1. nude heels
Nude heels are the entire female gender's best friend. They do nothing but good things for us. They elongate our legs, they match anything and everything, they're just the best. For those that don't have a pair just yet (I have two) stop what you're doing and buy a pair immediately.

2. colored flats
Mustard, red, bright blue or patterned, these will dress up even the casualest of outfits - making you look pulled together, fun and even a little quirky.

[dsw]

3. chuck taylors
I love these things but really, any classic tennis show will do. These should be used for running errands, watching Thursday night football or grabbing some grub with your lady friends.

[converse]

4. suede booties
I'm not going to lie, there are TONS of different ways you can take this option. Lace ups (shown below), buckles, zip ups... you name it, and there's a bootie out there like it. The reason for getting a bootie is because they are a little dressier than a high boot without looking like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. They're a little more modern, a little more flattering and a lot better of a statement. For those with long legs, I hate you and you can wear whatever ones your little heart desires. For those of us that are vertically challenged, look for pairs where the tops is cut at an angle. The lower, angled top will help elongate your leg and prevent the shoe from becoming your worst enemy.

[aldo shoes]

5. leather flat heeled boots
Stylish and practical, these should be your comfortable option that goes with almost everything you own. Don't know what to wear and it's cold out? Throws these puppies on.

[aldo shoes]

6. metallic mid heel
A more modest approach to the shiny option we all can't resist. The smaller heel can take these from night to day and the color is neutral enough to wear with just about anything.

[nine west]

 7. wildcard
In every shoe collection, you have to throw in a wild card. These should be your go-to shoes if you want to spice up your outfit because they are guaranteed to make you feel H-O-T. I've been really feeling some leopard print these days but this shoe should really be whatever excites your little eyeballs and makes you stand just a little taller than you normally would. You should need to work those shoes and nothing should stand in your way when you have them on. Get 'em gurl...

[topshop]

The Rest of the Bunch
twelve days of christmas: day DOLLHOUSE
twelve days of christmas: day five
twelve days of christmas: day four
twelve days of christmas: day three
twelve days of christmas: day two
twelve days of christmas: day one

coats.

That's it. Just coats. I like wearing them in the winter and appreciate the added layer they bring to a look. But to be honest, I'd rather not have to wear one. Ever.

I have a total of 4 coats - two I wear all the time, one I wear on special occasions and one I've never, ever, ever worn. Behold.

I wore this every. single. day. last winter. It's crazy warm and acts as a super shield, blocking one uncomfortable weather condition at a time. Since I'm allergic to real down, my mom found this down alternative option at Target. It gets the job done, it's my #1 go-to, I love him. Yes, my coat is a him because he's big and strong and protects me. Roar.

I couldn't get a very good picture of this coat but this is my second option. It has a fitted, higher waist line and flairs out below. I love the peter pan style collar and the fit is very flattering. This was a random Target purchase when I was probably in there to buy things like laundry detergent or paper towels. Oops.

This one was a T.J. Maxx purchase because I loved the idea of a cream winter coat. Unfortunately, pup's hair loved it too. Gross. So now I'm forced to only bring this coat out for things like holiday parties, cold weather weddings and an occasional night at the ballet or musical with my ladies.

It'd be nice if I could add it to the regular rotation but what am I supposed to do? Sit Miss Ruby down, look into her sad eyes and say to her, "stop hanging out with me for the sake of my coat". Pssht. Yeah right. Look at that face.

Moving on.

Here is the coat I've never worn before. I bought it at Forever21 for next to nothing, can't figure out what to wear it with and can't bring myself to donate it just yet. Urgh. The sleeves are 3/4 length, I LOVE the gray/blue and brown plaid and the hood is completely lined with faux fur - a tad dressier than I'm used to and not very functional with the capped sleeves and everything.

So as you can see, my coat collection is a little... meh.

So I hopped on the Old Navy site in search for some less expensive options to add to the mix.

Side note: Is it just me or have they really stepped it up a notch this season? It looks like they named Todd Oldham as the Creative Director late 2007 so maybe he's just starting to get his groove on now.

Regardless, Old Navy seems to be stepping up their game and their coat selection definitely proves that. Here are my faves (I *starred* the ones that even made it to the Christmas list).

shiny frost free jacket in sandstone

frost free midi jacket

twill sherpa-trim anorak*

frost free shawl-neck jacket*

wool-blend toggle coat*

Happy Friday and go buy coats!

bootie licious.

I can never resist a good play on words. It finally feels like fall and with fall comes boots. Actually, booties. Here's my collection and keep in mind, I've condensed over the years.

For me, a good bootie is all in the detail. A little buckle here, a knot there, some oxford detailing, a little folding or even just a simple pipe with suede heel. I look at booties as a feature on my foot. Here are the close ups and no, I'm not above buying shoes on the cheap.

target

forever21

mia

jessica simpson

nine west

For first time bootie buyers, I suggest taking a look at your shoe collection and see what detailing pops out the most. Do you have a lot of shoes with bows? Embellishments? Metallic accents? Use these as your queue when shopping and find a pair with similar features.

Another thing to keep in mind when searching is how the bootie is cut. For people with long legs, disregard because any bootie will look fine on you. I however, happen to have short legs that can very easily look like tree stumps when not featured properly. For those that share the same problem, opt for pairs (examples shown above) that are either cut at an angle, have a slouch factor or are tight at the ankle. If they're neither of those, they're not going to look good no matter what you pair them with.

Once you've got your pair 'o booties, experiment with outfit types to see how they can best flatter your figure. The typical pairings include cropped pants, minis (a-line or straight), skinny jeans/cords, leggings or a-line knee length dresses or skirts. Take note of how your legs look (stumps are never a good thing) and stick with that silhouette whenever wearing.

Here are some examples of good bootie wearing. Happy Friday!

inspired design

the glitter guide

cococozy

small shop studio

Stripedy stripe stripes.

Stripes are probably one of my most favorite topics to talk about. I LOVE them. In fact, when reviewing my wardrobe this past week, it looked a little like this:

1. Monday: white button down, [sweater or vest?], gray slacks, gold ballerina slippers
2. Tuesday: striped long sleeve shirt, rust colored blazer, navy cords, gray heels
3. Wednesday: navy striped t-shirt, blue oxford shirt, maroon cords and moccasins
4. Thursday: jean shirt, short sleeved cardi with ski lodge stripe, gray slacks, khaki shoes
5. Today: striped turtleneck, jeans and moccasins

Some people opt for all things black, I opt for stripes. They are my staple. I think they're outrageously versatile, an easy way to add pattern to an outfit and perfect for layering. This is why I got so excited when my BFF Jen landed the most adorable striped dress while shopping in Columbus a couple weekends ago. Here she is...

Isn't she just precious?!?! It's from Forever21, it's beige lace and navy, it has a mock turtle.

For the record, yes, I always give my dad and my friend - who's name I'll keep anonymous - a hard time about wearing them but in this particular case, the mock turtle works. All other scenarios, I stand firm on staying away from them as much as possible. Especially when pairing with things like fleece vests (dad) and windbreaker pants (anonymous friend). It's a little too Larry David for me.

Moving on, Jen recently asked what she should pair with the dress. Needing a topic for my weekly fashion post and wanting to share these types of questions with the rest of you, I quickly made this dress a personal mission for showing just how versatile stripes can be. I know, it's weird because I never make things into a bigger deal than they really are. It's just sooo unlike me, right mom? ;)

After some quick ideas and points shared, this is what Jen came up with.

Navy tights, light brown knee high flat boots. I hope she's planning to pair a tan leather purse with the outfit which will help complete the look. Very complimentary, very simple, very adaptable. The challenges were the stripes being navy (tough neutral), the dress being short and the lace being dressy. The navy tights solved for the first two and the light brown boots helped keep the look casual enough for daily wear.

With more time to obsess think on it, I hopped on polyvore and got busy coordinating accessories. I wanted to stay away from the typical stand-alone dress, messy side chignon and nude heel since that's the no-brainer way to wear the dress. Instead, I got a tad more creative with how to include.

Here's what I came up with.

NOTE: I could have pulled from my closet but chose polyvore because I thought it might make me sad to make outfits for a dress I don't actually own. I know, I'm a baby.

via polyvore

A casual look, treating the dress as a shirt. Since stripes are preppie and the lace needed to be dressed down, I paired with masculine pieces that were tailored and complimentary to a lady's shape. This makes the dress feel more casual without seeming like you're interested in cross dressing. The sleek oversized men's vest compliments the length of the dress without overpowering or competing with the lace or the stripes. The dark denim and skinny shape adds height and the suede wedged oxford booties add texture and that extra sense of prep. I couldn't decide on whether a messenger bag or mustard clutch would be best - I think it depends on the situation.

via polyvore

This is a little riskier but I wanted to add depth and play with the juxtaposition between lacy dress and motorcycle mayhem. Not wanting the look to get too rocker chick, I kept the colors subtle and warm. The patterned navy tights balances the navy throughout the look while adding subtle texture, similar to the lace on the dress. The gray leg warmers keep the look cozy and layered while the gray wool motorcycle jacket adds structure and edge. I'm 50/50 on the boots and clutch - but like the idea of taller laceups and a multi-colored clutch to warm up the look in a more neutral way.

via polyvore

This next one is fun, a little fancy and a little flirty which, in my opinion, is the entire essence of the dress. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this look. I can just picture it at a party, with a glass of wine, laughing at jokes and being the center of attention without even knowing it - making all the other outfits green with envy. I, again, played off the preppiness stripes offer to an outfit, but kept it really leggy for the sake of the lace. Adding a gold buttoned, emblemed blazer (rolled sleeves) keeps the look polished and allows room for more femininity with some gold heels, a gold hair brooch and probably bright red lips. I pure blend of smart and sexy. Overtop, a long emerald peacoat and patterned scarf add some color and almost create an entirely different outfit!

via polyvore

This one's a very everyday-wear type of look. A way to make the dress come across like it was just thrown on for a typical Thursday work day. Again, treating the dress as a shirt, pairing it with some colored corduroys keeps it uber casual. I'm not 100% sold on the red or mauve but wanted to keep the bottom a warm color that seems to be unexpectedly paired with the top. Then, depending on the day, you can pair with some trusty moccasins or roll up the bottoms and add some nude or beige heels. Pair either option with some larger, more ornate earrings to complete the look.

So... what do you think? Would you wear any of these looks? Do you prefer one style to another? Aren't stripes the coolest?!

P.S. I own the Minnetonka moccasins and Mia wedge booties shown above. I'd highly recommend them as winter shoe staples and they look fantastic with any and all types of stripe.