leather love

It's officially October which to me means it's OFFICIALLY the start to fall. We have a gorgeous weekend coming up and I'm so excited to finally pull out some of my vests, sweaters, leggings and more. Today I'm talking a classic yet trendy staple to use in your fall wardrobe :: leather. Leather gives off a very high-end, classic feel whether you wear it in boots, pants, skirts or tops. Today I'm highlighting a piece that you've probably seen in magazines and around town. The leather skirt is a versatile and feminine way to wear leather. If you're uneasy about sporting leather, start with a skirt.

I love this camel / cognac color because it goes with EVERYTHING. I'm not kidding- it really goes with every color, from blacks to browns to everything in between. Of course I chose to add a pop of leopard up top with my new favorite blazer.

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Many people switch out their closets from season to season. Don't feel like you have to stow away your summer tops. You'd be surprised at the short-sleeved and sleeveless tops that transition perfectly from summer to fall by adding a cardigan or blazer. This LOFT bow neck shell was a summer purchase that will stay with me until it gets too cold!IMG_6559

How fabulous is this leopard blazer that I recently scored at Nordstrom Rack? The more fabulous part is that it was $29.00 That's 2-9 DOLLARS, y'all!IMG_6603

Don't be afraid of mixing colors. Complimentary colors like this Loren Hope lilac bauble and chartreuse top stand out against one another while also pairing well together.IMG_6561My Trina Turk 'Sydney' skirt is currently sold out {click here to add yourself to the waiting list}, but here's some more leather skirt inspiration for you ::

Anthropologie Lasercut Vegan Leather Skirt

House of Fraser Almost Famous Leather Skirt

ASOS Leather Pencil Skirt in Cream

So start hunting for the perfect leather {or pleather -- as long as it's done right} skirt for this season. You'll find yourself wearing it all throughout the winter; with tights and booties, riding boots, heels and more.

the must-have leopard clutch

Happy Monday! I'm taking a break from house renovations to tell you about a must-have in your closet. I have been eyeing this Clare V. clutch for some time now, and it's no secret that I have a slight {okay, large} love affair with leopard. I think that every woman needs to have a pair of leopard shoes, a leopard belt and a leopard clutch in her closet. It's the new neutral, y'all! Two of my favorite worlds collided :: Athens + leopard. Athens has such a special place in my heart and Heery's is one of their most fabulous stores. They've been an Athens staple and are celebrating their 30th anniversary soon! Now Heery's is carrying Clare Vivier {among other fabulous brands}, so I had the perfect excuse to pop over to Athens for a Last Resort dinner {duh} and a new clutch.

This clutch goes with EVERYTHING. It's perfect for dressing up, down and in between and the material is SO soft.

1) Casual with pattern mixing :: leopard is perfect for dressing up a casual tee + jeans and mixing with patterns like stripes and polka dots. {striped tee from Nordstrom Rack, Forever 21 neon rhinestone bib necklace , Paige denim + MK watch} -136-160

2) Dressing up with your LBD :: the perfect pop of pattern for your simple go-to LBD. {Little black Forever 21 shift dress + Stella & Dot Phoenix pendant}-228-250

3) Everything in between :: Whether it's a night out on the town or lunch with friends, the leopard clutch can go with you wherever your heart desires; from hot pinks to neutrals, work to play. {Kendra Scott neon yellow Rayne necklace} -112

Have I convinced you that you need this Clare V. leopard foldover clutch yet? For all you thrifty shoppers - I promise it's worth the investment. You'll find yourself reaching for this slice of perfection every time you leave the house.

So if you're in Athens, pop over to Heery's downtown and snag one! They'll be available on Heery's website soon, and for now you can purchase HERE if you can't stand the wait.

 

the year-round tote

Happy Thursday! Today I'm sharing my favorite year-round tote, and the best part? It's currently on sale in stores! This soft leather bag is the perfect shape, size and color for all your year-round needs. A tote is a must-have in every woman's closet. It is classic, timeless and will never go out of style.DSC_3434

This JCrew Downing tote is I love the pebbling and detailing around the bottom. DSC_3429The color is perfect for pairing with sandals in the summertime, boots in the fall and everything {ballet flats, booties, etc} in between. DSC_3651Wear it casually or take it to the office for all your working girl needs.

And for all you that like to personalize, you can even add a monogram! Since these babies are on sale in store and not online, I took it to a local leather shop. However, monogramming is available online.photo 1 photo 2Get your downing tote {available in multiple colors} in JCrew stores 25% off now, or online HERE. But hurry, this offer won't be around for long. Happy shopping!

 

working girl wednesday :: the perfectly professional white pant

Happy Hump Day! Today we're bringing back a little Working Girl Wednesday inspiration with the perfect white pant. The white jean is a summer staple, but what about when it comes to the office? No one wants to don their black and dark gray pants year-round, especially when the temps outside don't exactly align with your frigid office {Am I right, ladies?!} A summer necessity in your working girl wardrobe is the white pant. From day to night, business casual to dressy or formal, the white pant won't let you down this summer.

I LOVE this floral jacquard pant from the LOFT. The subtle floral pattern gives a more dressy effect, and the fit is perfect.  These pants lend themselves perfectly to virtually any office environment ::

 

 

 

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And here's where you can buy them yourself ::

Floral Jacquard Skinny Ankle Pant

 How about a skirt for those REEEEALLY hot days?

Floral Jacquard Skirt

So make sure you pick up a summer white pant for your working girl wardrobe; not only will you feel cool, you'll look it as well!

working girl wednesday :: breathable summer tops

It's Working Girl Wednesday! You'll have to pardon my little hiatus from this topic the past few weeks. But nevertheless, we're back and ready to give you some breathable summer top tips as the temperatures rise! Many of you work in office environments where they crank up the AC to arctic levels in the summer. You want to dress for that, but then you are drenched by the time you get to your {also hot} car. Wearing a breathable fabric can make all the difference. Try a sleeveless or short-sleeved top like the ones below, then throw on a cardigan or a blazer once you get inside the office.

This Anthropologie Archivist tee is the perfect short-sleeved option; made from super light, silky breathable fabric. The pattern is perfect to pair with a white slack or a colorful skirt/pant

here's a closeup of the material...

I love this Lush Roll Tab Sleeve from Nordstrom; a classic & timeless stripe with a drapey and flowy fit, perfect for a breathable, comfortable and stylish work look

A sleeveless option, this wrap front blouse from Nordstrom is both drapey and light. Pair with a white blazer or patterned cardigan when you get chilly inside the office. The drapey style also helps after a big lunch!

Another sleeveless option, this elephant print blouse from Anthro is perfect for those of you in a more laid-back, casual work environment.

this lightweight GAP fitted boyfriend shirt is the perfect long-sleeved option. Add a touch of femininity with a statement necklace

Another trick? A peep toe, although only exposing a slight bit of your feet, is WAY more breathable than a closed-toe pump.

Always look for a silky fabric that doesn't wrinkle when picking out work tops. A heavy cotton or anything that hugs and clings to you is only going to eliminate breathability and make you.  hotter. Linen looks great, but be careful when you wear it! The car ride to work could leave you wrinkled and unpolished for the rest of the day.

Hope these workwear tips help you during this hot summer ahead!

Stylishly Yours,

Courtney