Prepping for Fall

{Written over episode one of Ozark...um, yes, we're hooked} Hello beautiful friends! While summer has been absolutely wonderful--we celebrated my son's first birthday on Saturday and there will be a few posts on that later--it is time to start thinking about fall.  This outfit holds at least 2 of my probable fall faves--these shoes and this blazer.  I adore navy blazers-- I am at heart a classic girl and there is nothing more classic than the double breasted navy blazer, complete with gold buttons!  It is as versatile as can be and I will wear it to the office (which is always chilly) with a dress like this one, or a pencil skirt and a crisp white shirt and on the weekends with jeans and statement sneakers.  It's something my closet always holds ( I probably have ten of them!) 

And then there are these shoes.  Even though I closely follow fashion trends, I am not a slave to them.  I sort of recoil from buying and wearing what everyone else is wearing but I do like to incorporate trends into my daily work-or-mom-wear.  And if I am buying a designer piece, I want to make sure the investment is worth it.   I love these shoes.  I saw them and mentioned them to my hubby and a few days later, they showed up in a pretty box! Yay for dropping hints that work! I will wear these with pant suits and jeans and that striped band really adds an interesting detail to an otherwise simple pair of cream heels.  Now, the weather just needs to cooperate and we will be off and running! What are your favorite fall pieces? I would love to hear from you and as always, thank you so much for stopping by!  Sweetly, Michelle   

Shoes || Blazer || Dress || Purse || Sunnies

Diaper Bags (Part 1)

{Written while hearing my mother's voice in my head say "No shoes on the bed!"} I feel like preparing for a new baby is a monumental task with so many moving parts, but in reality, newborns really don't need much. Especially for the first few months, but that knowledge hasn't stopped me from scurrying around to get it all done! I have all of the nursery bedding, drapery and furniture and some wall decor but I am trying to get the wall coverings done (more on that in a later post). I am 32 weeks and I want to get my bags packed (and his bags packed) so that we are ready for the big day! That got me thinking about diaper bags.... for my daughter, I used this Gucci bag and it worked out well. I could use the same bag for this baby because it held up nicely, but I am looking for a new one.  I am thinking that I might want a backpack this go around so that I am hands free (although I like the cross body option just as much). I also love to use little internal bags for feeding, diapering, clothing and maybe one for toys. It keeps everything in place and it makes it so much easier to find everything in the diaper bag when things aren't just all jumbled up together. That's why these and these seem like a great option. I also can't help but want to be somewhat stylish and fashionable. It depends on where we are going as to whether I will take my purse as well (or just stick my wallet and some lip gloss in the diaper bag) and this is a great option (plus,  it can be monogrammed!! ) These are just a few of the options I am looking at. I am going to do another post with whatever bag I actually end up buying and my packing list for the hospital! Hope your Saturday has been terrific dearest reader!! Sweetly, Michelle

Perfectly Suitable

{Written while sipping my third Starbucks cafe mocha of the day out of a pretty normal looking red cup 😐}   Hello dearest ones! How was your week? Did it fly right by? For me it sure did! Lets talk about suits for a minute. I have a love hate relationship with them. I find very few that are both professional and stylish (and when I do, I buy them fast).  It seems like either the fit is boxy and sort of shapeless or its so fitted and short that I simply cant wear it to a professional event.   So what are we to do?  First, you need to find the right suit.  Lately, J Crew, Ann Taylor (I used to shop here a lot when I was in law school and I have no idea why I stopped-- they have the cutest work separates), Nordstrom and Banana Republic are my go-to suit stops. I think you should try to build your professional wardrobe so that it includes a black (shocker!), navy and grey suit (I also like sheath dresses with a matching blazer if you can find them.)  After you have your suit, I like to pick a statement piece-- shoes? bag? Maybe a chunky bracelet?  I personally like to keep the lines of a suit simple--I don't like big bold necklaces around my neck with suits (totally personal preference- I am more of an arm full of bracelets girl.)  This suit here has sort of a soft peplum shape, which I paired with stacked heels. Sometimes, a little stiletto doesn't look right and a suit calls out for something more substantial, you know?    I grabbed my bag, my coffee ( literally, the greatest addition to any outfit hands down) and out the door I went!  Do I tell you enough how much I appreciate you stopping by for a read? Because I sure do!  Thank you thank you! Happy almost weekend, loves.  Sweetly- Michelle

Jacket || Skirt ||Shoes (similar)|| Bag ||

The Classics

{Written while watching Hocus Pocus} Happy All Hallows' Eve! Today, I planned to go to my daughter's school for her costume parade and potluck, hustle off to the office and get some work done and then play hallway golf. However, last night my daughter developed a high fever (poor kiddo) and we were up and down, up and down all night.  Isn't that how life goes? Expect the unexpected! So, we roll with it!  My darling husband went to work early and I stayed with her, and then he came home so that I could head to the office for the late afternoon and early evening.  Oh, the life of a working parent! My poor girl was so so disappointed to miss the costume parade at her school but she will hopefully be better for Halloween.

I fell in love with this dress as soon as I set eyes on it. I love the color, I love anything with a preppy Oxford feel, and I love its interesting hemline. It's multiple layers and hangs longer in the back. I just love it with my sneaks but it would also be so cute with a menswear inspired pair of oxfords and a cardigan!  I'm a classic girl at heart- -simple, refined, demure and polished is what I am drawn to and I really felt that way in this little get up! Can I tell you how excited I am to see all of your Halloween pictures tomorrow? I'll try to do a little post. Hope your day is full of nothing but treats!! Sweetly- Michelle

Dress (similar, my dress isn't on line)|| Shoes || Bag || Jacket||