I’ve finally gotten around to getting out my winter clothes only to find that I don’t have as much as I thought I did. Compound that with the fact that I’m not spending any money on clothes so I can save for holiday gift-buying and my winter fashion is looking pretty bleak.

I was pretty desperate for some inspiration this morning so I turned the the November J.Crew. I’ve mentioned a few times before on this blog that I find J.Crew a little conservative for my taste, but it’s loosened up a bit (thanks I suppose to Jenna) and conservative isn’t a bad thing when it comes to dressing for work.

So I took a couple of looks from the catalog and tried to work with what I had.

I think all I’m really missing is layers of jewelry (which seemed a bit too much for work). Now if only I could get myself a couple of those J.Crew cashmere sweaters, leather purses and satin skinny belts and I’ll be set for the winter.

Mom’s beret, American Apparel button-up, Gap shirt, Cheap Monday jeans and Nine West boots (all purchased last year or before).

Anyone else trying to hold off buying clothes this season?

P.S.: Why are all the radio stations playing Death Cab’s “Cath” all the sudden? I love it! I’ve always wanted a name song.

So while Lar and I were in NOLA I did what all the locals do and went shopping at Urban Outfitters. I know, I know, it’s shameful to go to a chain store when you’re traveling, but in this case I’m so glad I did because I found the best blazer on the sales rack. It’s a thin, silk, double breasted, black blazer with slim-cut arms. I love how it makes every outfit look pulled together. Since it has been a little chilly in Atlanta, I’ve been wearing it with everything.

Exhibit 1:

U.O. blazer, U.O. tshirt, Blank cords from Rockit and Payless boots.

The necklace I’m wearing is one I bought for Lauren on our birthday from a local salon. It’s a mix of silver, gray and black chains hooked together.

Exhibit B:

U.O. blazer, Anthropologie blouse, Bitten by SJP jeans and secondhand boots.

It’s no Brooks Brother suit, but I think this blazer is pretty alright. I’m sure I’ll wear it out before the season is over.

So I finally got around to adding a few photos under the Cath Style page. The images are from a weekend trip I took to Savannah with my bf in the summer, which is fitting because I think, given the weather this week, the long Atlanta summer is officially over. Today was rainy and chilly. I got completely soaked wearing opened-toed heels and a skirt. I need to follow Lar’s example and start unpacking my winter clothes.

I’ll try to remember to update the Cath Style page more often and get Lar to do the same.

PS: Lar and I just went to see Bright Star tonight. For those of you who love the regency era, period films, Keats, poetry, beautiful scenery, attention to detail and/or brilliant acting, go see this film!

First off, thank you to everyone that wrote such kind words in response to the previous post. The comments made being almost mentioned in WWD even that much better!

Now, on to more pressing matters. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not one to follow cliched fashion rules so I didn’t think twice about building an outfit around my white blazer. Of course once I looked into the mirror after dressing, the white shirt and white blazer seemed a bit too bright for October.

Enter the gradient scarf! The white-to-cream-to-gray-to-cream-to-white of the scarf broke up the whiteness of the outfit enough to make it work-appropriate and post Labor Day appropriate – for those who care about that sort of thing.

Shirt and skirt from Asos, H&M blazer and scarf, BCBG pumps.

I wear these black patent pumps to work all the time. They’re nearly impossible to walk in, but I love the height of the heel and the overall versatility of the shoe. They’re by BCBG, but I got them at TJ Maxx at while ago for $35. FTW!

On our drive down to New Orleans today, we took our lunch break in Montgomery, AL and stopped by the F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald house museum. I had no idea the couple lived in Montgomery, but apparently they did – in a lovely, large, upper-middle class house. More on the museum in a later post. This post is about something more frivolous: boots!

A few weeks ago I found these Alice and Olivia for Payless boots online. I tried to refrain and even held off from buying them for two whole days, but finally gave in. Afterall, I do need some new boots for the fall/winter.

Close-up of my new boots, standing on F. Scott and Zelda’s floor.

I didn’t really intend to bring them with me on our NOLA trip, but right before we left Lar said it’s suppose to be rainy all week. And there’s nothing better than a pair of boots to help you stay dry. So I paired my brand new boots with an outfit that I originally intended to wear with sandals. It looks a little Marc Jacobs for Perry Ellis/Doc Martens-esque, but I was willing to try a non-me look for a day that was spent mostly in a car.

Miss Selfridge dress, UO bag, Alice + Olivia for Payless boots, leather cuff borrowed from my bf.

I don’t have a good photo of it, but the soles of these boots are bright pink. Pretty sweet, no?

Stay tuned for more posts of our travels around NOLA!

When Lar and I took our quick trip to Maryland a few weeks ago we made sure to spend a day in D.C. (“downtown” is what we grew up calling it). The one thing that I’ve really missed since I’ve moved away is the free museums. Growing up I completely took the Smithsonian for granted and always thought every kid was less than an hour away from a free National Gallery.

So now every time we go back home to visit, we almost always make a point of going to the Mall to stop by our favorite museums/galleries. My top two absolute favorite are the Hirshhorn Museum and the Freer Gallery. We didn’t get a chance to stop by the Hirshhorn (so I didn’t get my modern art fix), but we did have a few minutes to go to the Freer and check out the Peacock Room for the 100th time.

I wish I could take photos in the Peacock Room to post on this blog because it really has a magical feel to it. A few photos from outside the gallery will have to do.

Here I am hiding behind a large plant in the back of the Freer:

An outfit pic in the Freer courtyard:

H&M tank, AA skirt, Dolce Vita sandals and UO purse.

I should have figured that my neutral-colored outfit would fit right in D.C. Blacks and beiges are never out of style in our nation’s capital. My mom refers to it as the attack of the “bland Washingtonian beige.” I don’t really mind the blandness – at least not when there’s free entry into world renown museums to be had!

CL

So when I used this Band of Outsiders photo of Jason Schwartzman in an earlier post, there seemed to be something very familiar about his haircut. And then it hit me: his hair is just as overgrown and shaggy as mine. See?

The only thing(s) stopping me from calling up for an appointment is the lack of funds and laziness. Laziness also seems to be setting in with my summer wardrobe. I’ve fallen into a tank and skirt rut. I can’t wait until the fall when I can pull out my fall/winter clothes and start mixing things up a bit.

CL