Holy...

I'm loving all things perforated...bonus if it's (p)leather. 

tee/ necklace/ dress/ bag/ skirt

While the real deal leather will set you back, today's imitations look and feel legit but cost much, much less. Check out the tee above for under $100. 

Are you a holy roller or is it too texturized for you? 

Wednesday's Look For Less: Shift Dress

Shopbop published its fall workwear closet picks yesterday and I found myself obsessed with this look...

This cleverly layered look is a great way to transition into fall. I love the unexpected silky top posing as a sleeve. 

Apparently Shopbop and I aren't the only ones in love with a prim shift dress. SJP was spotted on the streets of NYC wearing one...from TARGET! Yes, the Kirna Zabete for Target line landed on Carrie Bradshaw herself. This double shift appearance got me thinking, would you spend a lot or a little on this piece?

To be honest, I think I like the Target option better! For less than $45, what's not to like? Of course, the Milly dress is adorable and probably very well made. Which dress would you choose?

Master Bedroom High Low Mix

Santa Fe is filled with treasures for the home. While the famed downtown plaza is full of all kinds of trinkets for cheap, I, of course, fell in love with the high-end home decor boutique, ACC. Sigh...

In order to off-set this chronically expensive taste, I did a little exploring on West Elm today. As luck would have it, my West Elm favorites just happen to go extraordinarily well with my ACC top picks...behold the bedroom I now covet.

Lamps/ Grasscloth Table/ Bedding/ Mini desk/ Rug/ Bench

Ahhhh...couldn't you see yourself snoozing away in this spa-like bedroom? Or do neutrals bore you to tears? I like my bedroom to feel like a sanctuary so a room like this suits my dozing just perfectly...

Speaking of dozing, did you know high altitudes can affect your sleep? In my case, living at 7,000 feet has caused a bit of insomnia. Guess who's ready to go home next week so she can REST! (Should I ship these pillows there so they can be there to greet me?)

Red Carpet Round-Up: 64th Primetime Emmy Awards

Ginnifer Goodwin in Monique Lhullier

Did you catch the Emmys last night? A huge congrats to the cast and crew of Charlotte-based "Homeland" for the six Emmys they won! We love when NC Film racks up! And I have to show love for the whole HBO family. They are the best and they also raked in the awards last night.

But on the best part- the fashion!! I loved all of the color the stars donned last night. It's hard to feel like we're turning toward fall when so many citrus hues paraded down the carpet. Of course, there were still plenty of neutrals and metallics but the real stand-outs for me were those riskier shades of lemon, lime and orange. Ginnifer Goodwin had my favorite overall look. Her dress was so interesting and she kept her hair, make-up and accessories perfectly simple. Well done! But I also loved Leslie Mann's unexpected lace top and full yellow skirt with pops of turquoise. Funny gals can be chic too! Emilia Clarke was super chic in Chanel. I love everything about her dress and the bit of risk she took with the uneven hem. And topping the charts in the metallic category is Lucy Liu's structured, futuristic gown. Perfection. 

Leslie Mann in Naeem Khan

Emilia Clarke in Chanel

Lucy Liu in Versace

There were certainly many other lovely gowns and attendees last night but these looks have stuck with me today. I love Red Carpet season. Until the next show!

all images via InStyle

Ringing in Autumn

How did you ring in the first day of fall? Apple picking? Watching football? Enjoying a pumpkin spice latte? For all those reasons, fall happens to be my favorite time of the year. Could I ever have predicted that I'd be pulling on my swimsuit for a trip to New Mexico's famous hot springs? Definitely not but there's nothing like spending the first day of fall in your bathing suit! 

So maybe we're experiencing a little Indian Summer here in Santa Fe but cooler temps are just around the corner and the hottest color of the season has been engrained on my brain. 

Sweater/ Jeans/ Dress/ Boots/ Coin Purse

If burgundy doesn't exactly thrill you, remember that you can punch it up with brights like in the Tibi dress above or tone it down with rust or navy. These interesting color combinations breathe new life into burgundy and create a fresh color palette for fall. 

Have you jumped on the burgundy train yet this year? As far as I'm concerned, I'm all aboard!!

Vermillion Fall Fashion Show

If you haven't been to Vermillion in Raleigh yet, NOW is the time! A fresh flock of fall fashions arrived recently and the Vermillion team put on yet another jaw dropping, heart thumping, uber-stylish fashion show last week. While I had to miss out on one of my favorite events of the year, Vermillion owner Ashley Harris granted me the favor of sharing this fashion feast with you. Remember, these are just a few of the gorgeous looks Ashley and the Vermillion team put together. There's more where these came from... Carven! Rag & Bone! Lela Rose! OH MY!

Yves Salomon coat, 10 Crosby leather pants, Proenza Schouler handbag

Carven coat and dress, Loeffler Randall boots, Celine handbag

Veronica Beard blazer, Rag & Bone jeans, Balenciaga handbag

Rag & Bone sweater, Nili Lotan top, MiH jeans

Proenza Schouler leather jacket, Balenciaga dress and heels

T by Alexander Wang sweater and skirt, 3.1 Phillip Lim handbag

Celine coat and handbag, T by Alexander Wang pants

Veronica Beard trench coat, Lela Rose top and belt, Yigal Azrouel skirt

Celine blouse and fur collar, The Row pants, Balenciaga clutch

Yves Salomon fur jacket, Lela Rose top and pants, Anya Hindmarch clutch

Balenciaga dress and heel, Lizzie Fortunato necklace

Jason Wu gown

Jason Wu gown

The clothes just speak for themselves, don't they?  

What I love about the Vermillion fashion show, and anything from Vermillion for that matter, is that the clothing is always chic and stylish and certainly timeless. High quality pieces you buy from Vermillion are special ones that you'll save and pass on to your granddaughters one day. And oh how I wish I had a ball to go to soon! Don't you?? Or maybe you do! 

What's your favorite look? 

Designer Discovery: Vineet Bahl

While poking around Net-A-Porter the other day, I discovered an amazing new designer that I'd never heard of before...even though he launched in 2007. Vineet Bahl's interesting textiles yet classic cuts had me at download. His artisanal pieces offer so much visual interest but are also easy to wear. Clearly Vineet modernized his Indian roots for today's uptown girl.

Case in point...my new favorite top (that I don't own) and its day and night outfit options. 

Cardigan/ Jeans/ Boots/ Top/ Skirt/ Clutch/ Heels

The possibilities are endless with a sweet shirt like this one. The plaid nods toward rustic while the sequins and silk keep it girly. Play up the rough 'n tumble side with cords, ankle boots and an oversized cardigan for a chic but casual daytime look. Go glam at night with a girlie skirt (Also by Vineet), gilded clutch and subtly sparkly shoes. And with so much visual interest, there's no need for jewelry...the top is blingy enough!

If this top doesn't strike your fancy, maybe some of his other pieces will. 

Bonus news: Net-A-Porter isn't the only online stockist for Vineet Bahl. Anthropologie also carries several of his jackets and dresses as part of their Made In Kind line. 

It might be time to see one of these pieces in person...hmmmm...let me know if you get your hands on one.

Color Combo Love: Mint & Aqua

Is anyone else battling frigid morning temps and then sweating like a pig by lunchtime? While feeling a nip in the air is a thrill, getting dressed for it can be a bit challenging. Of course, none of us are ready to shift into full-on winter mode. That's why great color combos created from your favorite summertime palettes are key. A bright, lightweight knit becomes our best friend on days like these and an outdoorsy jacket lends that necessary extra layer to beat the morning and evening chill. 

Sweater/ Necklace/ Jacket/ Belt/ Flats/ Jeans

Admittedly, some of these featured pieces did come home with me this weekend. J. Crew's barn jackets are on point this year and I happen to believe that this type of outerwear is just begging to be belted. The belt and flats in a shade of saddle is just rustic enough to pair well with the jacket while offering a bit of polish. 

As for the rest of this outfit, here's a tip: the sweater (above) is on sale online while full price in the store I popped into. No such luck on the jeans so I may shop around for a more affordable option. Mint jeans may seem like an odd purchase for fall but they should keep your winter neutrals feeling fresh while pairing fabulously with aqua making this combo just one of many color combo loves involving mint and aqua this fall...

What a Day in Santa Fe!

I should have known this weekend in Santa Fe was going to be a good one because it started with two precious donkeys!

Who knew donkeys were total sweethearts?? This momma and baby came right to us and would have let us pet them for hours. Such cuties!

Then I headed to Bonanza Creek Ranch, the site of almost every single Western movie you've ever heard of or seen. 

While I'm not very well versed on the Western classics, I can certainly appreciate a good boutique...

...and bar. (Gotta love those tin ceilings!)

The ranch also hosts this house, which will star in the upcoming January Jones/Ed Harris film "Sweetwater." Regardless of how the film turns out, you have to love a wraparound porch and turquoise trim. 

My inner artist tried to emerge with my Georgia O'Keeffe homage...

From Bonanza Creek Ranch, we headed to Cerrillos for a trail ride. My horse, Abby, was super sweet and so fun to ride. Can you become a horse person if you ride once every 14 years?? 

Now that I'm officially a cowgal, I had to end the day with an ice cold brew. The funky town of Madrid got my pesos. 

So what is there to say but Yippee Ki Yi Yay! It's time to kick off the boots and take a little rest in the shade...until the next time we're ready to saddle up!

Have you spent time in Santa Fe before? If so, please send me your tips!

In-Vest-Ments

Today is the last day of runway shows in New York and it's safe to say it's been a week full of eye candy and excitement. One reoccurring runway piece that I've come to love is the good old vest. Oft overlooked, the modest layering piece is now not just practical but fashionable. Newcomer Marissa Webb presented vests in her debut solo collection while fashion staple Diane Von Furstenberg paraded multiple options in her color-filled collection. For now, I only own a Patagonia down filled or fleece option but I'm ready to work in a few from the big guns.  

 Alexander Wang

 Diane Von Furstenberg

 Marissa Webb

Proenza Schouler

What's your verdict? Will you don a vest this spring or maybe even dress a bit fashion forward this fall? 

all images via Style.com

Wednesday's Look for Less: Striped Peplum

If you haven't gotten in on the peplum trend yet, don't worry. This fall and even next spring are chock full of the swingy shape. But you don't have to spend a lot to look spot-on. Can you tell the difference between these two tops?

The sassy shirt on the left is by The Row and rings in at nearly $400. (It is darn cute though.) Thank our lucky stars that Anthropologie caught on and offered us a less expensive option at $58. 

Are you in the market for some more affordable peplums? Try these on for size...

OKL Purchase

So I bought this today...

from One Kings Lane. And I'm excited. 

I've been on the hunt for an end table for a looong time. Currently in my living room, one actual end table exists while a plant stand sits next to the opposite end of the sofa. In fact, the only actual end table in the living room is a rattan hand-me-down from my parents that I promptly painted glossy black. Mistake? 

Regardless, it's time to work on stylin' up these babies. Since this bamboo butlers table won't play host to a lamp- a floor lamp will partner up with it- there's more room to play! 

Now what to dress it up with?

Rattan tray/ Vase/ Cabinet of Natural Curiosities/ Chiang Mai pillow/ Trina Turk pillow/ End table

Are you a member of One Kings Lane? If you aren't and want to be, leave me a message!

***Special note: I do not own this vase nor do I plan to spend $1500 on one. The pottery is Santa Fe is too beautiful not to share but splurging on it is not in my future.

Fashion in Full Swing

Fashion Week has taken New York City by storm and wannabe fashion editors and It girls can't wait to get their hands on shots from the runway! (Wannabes = those of us who wish were there while the real deals enjoy their front row seats.)

While many more designers still have to show, some of my favorites had one must-have piece in common: the full, a-line skirt. And thank GAWD for that! Flared skirts, in my opinion, are one of the absolute most flattering pieces a gal can ever choose to wear. Waist-defining, thigh-slimming, length-varying, there's not much more feminine than a perfectly carved hourglass silhouette with the help of an a-line skirt.

Lela Rose

Rag & Bone 

 Tibi

Tibi

all images via Style.com

Can't wait til spring? You're in luck. Full skirts are major for fall. And because of its universal appeal, this piece comes in a wide range of price points. So splurge or save, you're closet and your figure will thank you for this piece.

 Topshop

Alexander Wang

213 Industry from Piperlime

Full skirts aren't exactly groundbreaking fashion news but their popularity has definitely increased due to the resurgence on the runway. Remember that lightweight materials work better on boyish figures while the structure of a thicker fabric does more disguising. If you like pleating, remember that the more pleats the skirt has, the more movement it will have- something to consider on a windy day. Finally, if you want to disguise volume in your hips, make sure you steer away from pleats all together.

Long live the feminine full skirt! Have you seen any spring pieces that jumpstart your heart?