Expect Maternity on Monoco Japan

I am so proud to announce that Expect Maternity is now available online via monoco.jp! This Japanese retailer is similar to fab.com in that it offers discounts to its members on their exclusive sales. They feature anything that is designed and I am so honored to be counted amongst all their other curated artists!

Check out http://monoco.jp/sale/expect-maternity/2889 for all the details!

Closet Need: Red Handbags

A red handbag is the perfect closet staple. A true red color is as quintessentially autumn as the falling leaves, but works equally in the summer when you need to complete a white and blue outfit.

#35 -- A red handbag

1. Kate Spade, $498. How cute is KS's new beau bag? Designed to fit everything in your life while still looking stylish, this is my new drool-worthy purse!

2. Kate Spade Saturday, $170. Saturday is the best thing to happen to me probably ever. I love this slick and sleek cut out handle and streamlined design. And the price can't be beat!

3. MARC by Marc Jacobs, $598. The leather on this satchel looks so soft and buttery. The magnetic closure will prevent me from leaving my bag open all the time (bad habit!), and the two options of handles makes the bag super versatile. 

4. Vince Camuto, $258. This boxy shape is uber classic. Guaranteed to never go out of style, the bright cherry color and gold hardware will surely stand the test of time.

5. Tory Burch, $385. This wallpaper-esque print adds a little extra detail to an otherwise simple design. The triangle shape gives it that doctor's bag effect, while the red straps brighten up the design.

6. Coach, $298. The texture of this leather is so yummy! The zipper on the outside of the bag ensure easy access to my phone at all times!

Closet Need: Boots

Can we talk about shoes for just one second?

#31 -- Ankle boots

1. Modcloth, $59.99. Okay, I get it. These aren't ankle boots. But how cuuuuuute are they!? So good for fall! Think of the dresses these would go with! All of them!

2. Marc by Marc Jacobs, $448. These babies are pricy, but also? So dreamy... The stars print are très
très amazing! Imagine how many seasons these would last. Forever!

3. DV by Dolce Vita, $39.99 (on sale!). Mint mint mint. It's all the rage this season and I don't think I'll ever tire of this shade. The desert booties look extra comfy too.

4. Kenneth Cole Reaction, $119. This oxblood color is a great new neutral. I love the semi-wedge heel -- a little lift with a lot of comfort.

5. Sam Edelman, $150. I'm dyyyying for a pair of leopard ankle boots! How perfect are these? The black heel really grounds the look and keeps it chic-not-cheap.

6. Dolce Vita, $71.97 (on sale). If you know me at all, you know I'm a sucker for a lucite heel. The contrast between the ultra light chunky heel, and the solid black suede add a surreal effect.

7. Marais USA, $248. What's better than pony hair? Textured pony hair, of course. These 70s vibe little booties are the ultimate in retro fabulious!

8. DV by Dolce Vita, $129. This one is like a mini cowboy boot. And you know I'm country at heart!

Outfit: Two Neutrals

When: Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

Where: Wedding Venue Walkthrough, Lunch with my guy.

Today came the first rain of the season, and along with it, the first inklings of fall. With a chill in the air, and puddles on the ground, it was time to break out the tights for the first time in months!

This bunny printed dress utilizes the perfect mix of neutrals, so I based the rest of my outfit around it. Black boots, tights and socks grounded the look, while my oversized bag and cape added a touch of whimsy. I added touches of gold in my necklace, belt, and the hardware on my handbag. This outfit felt the most "put together" I've been in a long time!

| Dress: H&M |

| Cape: Via Spiga via Marshall's |

| Tights and Socks: Walgreens |

| Boots: White Mountain via TJ Maxx |

| Bag: MARC by Marc Jacobs via eBay |

| Belt: ASOS |

| Necklace: Alexis Bittar |

Closet Need: Sunglasses

I have one pair of sunglasses and I love them. They are a pair of raybans that I got for a killer deal on Rue La La when I was a senior in college. There are so many new styles out right now, I'm utterly drooling.

#46 -- A couple great pairs of sunglasses

1. Kate Spade Saturday, $50. It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of KS, but when they launched their diffusion collection of more affordable pieces (right in the middle of my year without shopping!), I totally flipped. I LOVE these square sunglasses and for fifty bucks, you can't lose!

2. Raybans, $155. The wayfarer sunglasses I already own are a very similar shape to these club masters. But these are fabulously updated with a marble effect half-frame and eggplant toned arms. Cute!

3. Coach, $148. Um, hi? How amazing are the crystal clear sunnies? You know these will match anything because they're clear for Pete's sake!!

4. Madewell, $44. The sheer opalescent tone of the roundish cat eyes is to dye for! I can just picture myself sporting these on the ski slopes or lounging poolside.

Closet Need: Blazers

So, true: I already own a blazer. It's an ill-fitting grey thing I got used a years ago. I'm probably just about due for a new one. These are my faves.

#14 -- A Neutral Blazer

 

1. ASOS,  $101. A sequin blazer is a must for me. It's the perfect way to dress up a pair of boyfriend jeans, or cover up a formal dress.

2. Nordstrom, $79.50. I love the subtle print and new neutral of this oxblood colored blazer! I could wear this a hundred different ways.

3. JCrew, $178. A soft and cozy velvet blazer like this one is perfect for fall and winter. In LA, not coat is required, but I wouldn't mind wearing this around town on those 60 degree nights!

4. Anthropologie,  $128. Ugh, I love this one. A sweater knit blazer? That's a need!

Closet Need: Sweaters

In this next installation of things I do not have in my closet, behold:

#12 -- Cardigans or crew neck sweaters in every color.

While I already posses most of the brights, I'm severely lacking in the white and red departments when it comes to cardigans. These are my two favorites:

1. Target, $22.99. As you may well know, I'm mad for dots! I love this white cardi because it is far from basic, but will go with so many outfits!

2. Modcloth, $34.99. It may seem like I've been knocking the basics lately, but this super simple cherry red button down sweater is picture perfect to me.

Let's talk cozy knits for just one second:

3. JCrew, $168. This falls somewhere between the crew neck in every color (#12) and the chunky sweater (#11) categories. I don't care how you want to classify this sweater -- it's glorious! I'd kill a puppy do anything to have this hanging in my wardrobe.

Oh man, when fall meets flowers, I'm one happy girl:

4. H&M, $9.95. This baby definitely fills my need for a chunky sweater and the price can't be beat!

5. Forever21, $14.80. Okay, so this floral sweatshirt is for kids. So, sue me. It's absolutely adorable. Go order yourself a XL and thank me later.

6. Topshop, $58. If you absolutely insist on buying adult sizes, this moody athletic-meets-girly pull over comes in at a very close second.

Closet Need: White Button Down

Remember that super long post I wrote about things you need in your closet? Well, as it turns out, I, myself, am missing quite a number of those must-have items. This post is a first in a series of my Closet Needs...

#8 -- The Perfect White Button Down

1. Modcloth, $37.99. I like this take on the classic button down. The sheer neckline and short sleeves make it more playful while still maintaining that easy dressing style.

2. JCrew, $148. I'm obsessed with this button down! It stays so true to the original oxford style, but the jeweled neckline really switches up the style. I'd live in this shirt if I owned it!

3. Gap, $49.95. The tiny dots add a little bit of interest to this otherwise basic top, without overwhelming the design.

4. ASOS,  $67.50. This blouse is a little bit out of the box with this cape sleeve, but the clean palette and neat collar keep it from appearing too trendy.

Outfit: Good Jeans

When: Tuesday, October 1st, 2013

Where: Studio

I'll let you in on a little secret: these jeans are new. Whoops. I skirted my year long no shopping challenge by having Alex buy them for me. He's so sweet. (I did have to do a few extra chores for them though.) I really need a pair of jeans in my closet with a bit more of a relaxed fit for fall, and when we wound up in the Gap Factory Store earlier this week, I jumped at the opportunity.

It never seems to be the season I want it to be here in LA. When fashion week rolls past, pumpkin flavored everything hits the shelves, and every other fashion blogger on the earth is cuddling into fur vests, cozy leggings, and knee high boots, I really want to jump on the fall trends too! Unfortunately for me, the temperature is still hovering in the high 80s and it still feels like summer. To get in the spirit of things, I opted for light fabrics in autumnal colors. This striped tee is the ultimate in fall wears. Burnt orange, navy, scrunched sleeves, and a classic cut just ache to be taken to the pumpkin patch! 

I don't often wear this necklace out. I got it when I worked at Alexis Bittar with some employee points I had accumulated, and I love it! It's the end all be all in statement necklaces with its clear lucite, gold chains, crystals and gems! I decided to wear it with a casual outfit to avoid looking like I was heading to a ball. I hope I get to wear it again with an even more fall appropriate outfit!

| Tee and Jeans: Gap | 

| Shoes: Elizabeth and James | 

| Necklace: Alexis Bittar | 

| Watch: MARC by Marc Jacobs |