First Leaves of Autumn

Peony petals necklace, Peony Ring, Artificial Flowers, abstract print fairy lights, Wool Felt Bouquet from Etsy.com

First Leaves Of Autumn ~ an Irish folk song

As the daylight turns to starlight 
and the  season turns to  change,
I  get the same old answers 
but the  question still remains.
We shared a brief but magic  song,
By the  first leaves of autumn, 
you were  gone.

 Not until the  rain has  touched my  face,

Not until the  first leaves  fell from  space,

Not until that  moment  did I  see,

I  never  realised what you  meant  to me,

From the days you filled with sunlight,

To the laughter in you eyes ,

To the making and the breaking 

of the day you said goodbye,

We shared a brief but magic song,

By the first leaves of autumn, 

you were gone.

Not until the hearts defense is down 

Not until old come-all-ye comes round ,

Not until that moment did I see,

Never realised what you meant to me

Not until the rain has touched my face,

Not until the first leaves fell from space,

Not until that moment did I see,

Never realised what you meant to me.

Shopping Info: Floral Jacquard Pleated Midi Skirt from: ChicWish, Animal Snake Print PU Corset Top - Amy-from: FemmeLuxeFinery, The Dream of the Crop Cardigan from ModCloth, flats from Charlotte Russe

Twilight Garden

 All the loveliness of lavender and lilac mesh perfectly with the colors of autumn.  KarinaDresses Bewitched Collection speaks to my love of all things autumn and this Margaret Dress in Twilight Garden seemed like the perfect blend of bright hues and cheerful prints.

 Not to get all Game of Thrones here, but winter is coming and I don't like giving up my stylish dresses just because the temperature drops.  That's one of the many things I love about KarinaDresses--they have so many great styles with longer sleeves and hemlines.

 So, whether you're a modest girl or just plain prone to chilliness, Karina has a dress for you. This Margaret dress in  Twilight Garden features a fitted waist and tie back to accent your shape perfectly and also a mid calf hemline and 3/4 sleeves to make it suitable to these cooler days. 

With a playful print like this, I knew I needed a really unique shoe to match.  I decided to really bring out these beautiful purples by accenting with purple bow heels instead of a neutral color like black.  

 This hillside surrounded by the changing leaves and the still water seemed like just the perfect place to photograph this dress.  No noise of traffic or crowds of people rushing by.  Just the peacefulness of the season and the time to enjoy it.

Shopping Info: Margaret Dress in Twilight Garden from the Bewitched Collection at KarinaDresses.com

Lots of Options with Co Ords Sets

So, you bought that great co-ords two piece set in the summer time and now it's getting chilly.  What to do?  I suppose you could fold it up and put it away until next year.  That's one option, but I think it's better to wear your favorite clothes year round and two piece co-ords sets let you absolutely get way more styling options.  FemmeLuxe has some wonderful Tops and Party dresses like the one featured in yesterday's post which you can see here.  In addition they also have some great co-ords sets.  I chose this nullLime Crop Top & Belted Mini Skirt Co-Ords Set- Tani for it's versatility and that lovely lime color.  I started styling it the minute I saw it. 

I love lime; I don't think I have enough of it in my wardrobe.  Lime goes with so many colors while providing that pop of color that turns heads.  I know it doesn't exactly fall into the fall colors category, but I think it looks really wonderful set against the backdrop of the oranges and golds of the maple leaves and it works well in so many color combos it's a great addition to your style palette.  I'm so excited to bring you a few outfits with it today and rest assured more are sure to follow.

Before we dive into the outfit variations, let's start with the basic Tani set.  The great things about a co-ords set is that you get a perfectly coordinated look (hence the name “co-ords”), they also give you options for mixing and matching with other pieces and creating lots of styles and all for around the same price as many single pieces run. 

This  Tani set comes with a crop top that has a zipper down the back, a mini skirt with zipper down the front, and an adjustable black belt.  The fabric has some stretch to it and a brilliant lime color.  The zipper both fully zip down and unhook, so you don't have to wiggle into them.  Comfort is key with this cute little set.

 

To add that vintage flare, I styled it with black buckle peep toe heels, double layer pearl strands, and cat-eye sunglasses.  My Coat from FemmeLuxe finishes this first look.

For the second outfit, I switched the crop top for a drapey navy blue top.  I kept the pearls and red lips, but added t-strap heels in matching navy blue and switched my camel coat for a brown tweed pea coat.  Wearing the outfit as-is it is perfect for a special event or an evening out.  For an office appropriate look, this outfit all you need to add is a fitted blazer cropped right at the waist or just an inch or two below.

 

Outfit number three pairs color and print.  This bright lime makes a statement and a top that's too basic really takes away from that statement.  That's why I chose a snakeskin print top.  The print is still comprised of neutrals, so it doesn't clash with the skirt.  Instead the skirt remains center stage, but the top gives it outfit an extra dash of panache.  The top is a bodysuit so it's form fitting and creates a sleek shape.

Accessorizing this outfit was super easy.  I already have the color pop from the skirt and the print from the top, so kept everything else neutral colors like the camel of the coat and the black heels and white pearls, but I added some texture with the folds of the wool duster coat.  I also switched the pearls to a single layer strand since the top has a mock turtle neck that wouldn't have looked well with the choker style double strand of pearls from the second outfit. 

Sound simple, right?  That's because it really is.  For roughly the same price as a single dress, this co-ords set gives so many outfit options.  Not only that, but that great co-ords set stays off the shelf and your style keeps turning heads all year round.

The Teal Deal

When it comes to autumn hues, we all pretty much know the list: rust, yellow, red, orange, brown and the occasional bronze metallic. But, there are some really great colors that get overlooked in this annual epoch of earth tones and they really shouldn't because they pair perfectly with these seasonal shades. So, today's outfits are based around my favorite outside the autumn box color—Teal.

A lot of people shy away from colors when it comes to their jeans and trousers. I think this is mainly because choosing a single neutral shade like the blue in jeans or a basic khaki keeps your morning routine simple because neutrals go with everything so no matter what top you choose, it will work. I'm all for simplifying things, but there's no reason that adding color to the bottom half of your outfit has to complicate things. It only takes a few minutes to lay out some tops and bottoms with color and try mixing and matching a few things to see what colors will work together and it can all be done the night before.

On the other hand, maybe you're not pressed for time; maybe you just don't know what colors look well together. Whether you're schedule's too full for wardrobe mix and match or you've got the time but not the confidence, not to worry, I'm here to show you a few things that will work beautifully with teal. In addition to colors like burgundy, pale pink, lime, navy, and aubergine, teal is a great color to pair with all the fall color classics.

FemmeLuxe has a wonderful selection of Corset Tops and Bodysuits but they have also become my one and only shop for trousers. They have that vintage influenced style that I love and I absolutely love they way they make my body look. They're a great confidence booster. As far as selection goes, forget plain old black and khaki trousers, FemmeLuxe offers figure flattering trousers that also come in a great variety of colors, textures, and prints!

These Teal Belted Tapered Trousers - Amber have a pleated front, pockets at the sides, and the come with a belt. I also like the tapered leg. The fabric is medium weight, which makes it comfortable, but not sheer. They have a high waist which is fitted and the length is just perfect falling right at the ankle. Once again, FemmeLuxe brings that great vintage inspired style with a fun modern update.

For today's post I wanted to demo two different styles with these Amber Trousers from FemmeLuxe to demonstrate the versatility the can offer. The first is a girly rustic outfit with that fall-favorite color—rust! Since the trousers are solid and bringing that pop of color, I chose a blouse that had a small floral print and a little ruffle to it for visual interest. These Amber trousers come with a matching wide belt that adds that little extra polish to the look.

To accessorize this first look, I added some light brown heels, also in keeping with the fall palette, but a slightly different shade from the top and of course my Camel Duster coat from FemmeLuxe. Since the heels and coat are neutrals it's perfectly fine to have them in different shades. I also accessorized with a metallic gold envelope clutch just to add a little sparkle to the look.

For outfit two I wanted something a little less rustic and a little more edgy, so I switched the floral ruffles for a snakeskin bodysuit. A bodysuit is a great top for these trousers because they keep those silhouette lines smooth. The snake print is comprised of these lovely tan, brown and gold shades so it stays within my fall palette.

To accessorize I kept the bright red lips and Waterfall coat, but switched the light brown heels for dark brown that matched the snakeskin print. I also added a long single strand of pearls and pearl earrings.

These two outfits are just the jumping off point. In the upcoming weeks I'll have more outfits featuring these teal Amber Trousers from FemmeLuxe along with tips on how to style colored trousers. And coming up this week I'll have posts on styling coords and autumn bodycon dresses.

Shopping Info: Trousers from FemmeLuxe, Top from Shein and Forever 21

Orange Crush

Ok, yes, I admit it, I get excited about colors and I love, love, love all the orange I see everywhere at this time of year.  To paraphrase Emily Dickinson's poem, November, if the trees are putting on their brightest and cheeriest hues, I can do no less.  Honestly, I wish more people would take a cue from nature and get into the spirit of the season by decorating every  corner and wall in their homes and places of work with leaf and berry sprays in red, yellow, and orange and it couldn't hurt to add some of those colors to their wardrobe while they're at it.  

As much as I love all the orange that I see decorating the world this time of year, I don't necessarily think you have to wait until autumn to wear orange, but I do believe that orange is a must wear in the fall.  If wearing orange isn't yet an autumn tradition of yours, there's no better time to start and there's no better place to start looking for that perfect fall hued item than FemmeLuxe.  

FemmeLuxe is one of my favorite shops for Corset Tops, Bodysuits and Co-Ords and they've just added some great hues to their fall line like the camel coat, teal trousers, and lime co-ords set I featured earlier this week.  You can see those posts here, here, and here.  I also love to feature their midi dresses as often as possible and this Rust Slinky Double Strap Midi Dress - Otis instantly set my heart a flutter.  This shade of orange is so vibrant and lovely, I couldn't wait to wear it with all the changing leaves and it did not disappoint.

FemmeLuxe's bodycon dresses are sexy and if you feel a little nervous about wearing something form fitting, consider some shape-wear with a top that sits right under the bra line and a hem line that sits just above the knee and doesn't have a thick or bulky hemline.  You don't want that line to show through on a form fitting dress, so it should match the hemline length of what you'll be wearing it under.

I want to talk about some of the eye catching things about this dress that really make it a statement piece.  Not only does the Otis dress have this bold orange hue, it is made of a stretch fabric so it fits your shape and shows off those curves like every good midi dress should.  The Otis Dress also has some wonderful details in defined bust line with that wrap around line that creates a nice visual distinction between the bust and waist without the need for a belt.  There is some subtle ruching in the bust and my favorite of all was the the added draping pieces at the shoulder.  Such a great detail to make this dress unique!

So, let's talk about how I styled this dress.  If you're shy of wearing orange, start with a versatile shade like this one.  It's a very warm tone and looks great with not only the burgundy , goldenrod yellow and purple of the scarf, but also with the dark brown of the Qupid heels which have a mildly pointed toe to help make my legs look longer and narrow heels for a more classic look, not to mention that lovely lace cut-out top for that added bit of oomph!  This is the perfect shade to wear with metallics.  I added a metallic envelope clutch, but a gold bangle or two would also have looked great. 

As wonderful as I think this dress looks with metallics, I decided to accessorize quite simply for this outfit just to showcase that this dress doesn't need any help.  It looks amazing all on its own.  For make-up I stuck with bright red lips, and cider colored blush and simple eye make-up.  The jewelry is basic champagne pearl studs and a single champagne pearl strand with a coffee colored gem stone, and a carnelian cameo ring.  And this perfect autumn orange makes it all come together to be the perfect outfit on this perfectly lovely autumn day.

Shopping Info:  Rust Slinky Double Strap Midi Dress - Otis and Camel Waterfall Duster Belted Long Coat from FemmeLuxeFinery, heels are old from ModCloth, necklace and scarf are old.

Cozy Up to a New Coat

Last week it snowed.  So soon!  I'm not nearly done enjoying autumn and no where close to being ready for winter, and yet here it is—the cold weather.  My sweaters are still on the shelf, most of my scarves are still rolled up in a trunk, and the black wool pea coat I've been wearing for the last ten years or so is finally getting thread bare and needs to be replaced.  

Since coats tend to last such a long time, I think it's important to really shop around and find something that suits all sorts of weather and changing styles.  I've been wearing the same coat style for so long that I thought it was time I changed things up a little.  After doing some shopping around, I landed on this Camel Waterfall Duster Belted Long Coat from FemmeLuxe.  FemmeLuxe is my go-to shop for Bodysuits and Corset Tops which I'm so pleased to have posted on in the past as part of our collaborations, but this is my first piece of outer wear from FemmeLuxe and I had the opportunity to test it out this weekend as the temperatures dropped 20 degrees from a pleasant morning to a blustery below freezing afternoon.  And that was before the rain set in.   

I'm very happy to report that the Camel Waterfall Duster Belted Long Coat kept me warm and cozy through it all.  I love it so much you'll be seeing it in lots of upcoming posts in this chilly season.  But, for today, let's talk about a few great features to look for when shopping for coats and jackets and keep in mind that this coat has it all.

Color:  I know it's tempting to go for an bright or outrageous color when coat shopping, but take a moment to consider a couple of things:  1.  how well this color will fit in with the rest of your wardrobe? And 2: Is this color part of a trend that will be out of style next year?  Personally I have two colorful coats one in aubergine which goes well with nearly everything and one in a bright yellow which goes well with a lot of things in my wardrobe but even so, sometimes I've had to reach for something else because it was just too much of a clash.  If you're unsure that a certain color will stand the test of time or fit in with your current style, think about a classic neutral shade instead.  One reason my wool pea coat lasted so long is because it was black which is neutral and goes with everything. However, black can be a little dreary which is why I decided to go with tan this time around.  This camel coat will work beautifully with any color or color combination and I'll prove it by wearing it with all my FemmeLuxe outfits this week and with other throughout the next few months.  Beige never goes out of style and never clashes. You can't go wrong.

Style:  Wool pea coats are a classic look, but after a decade, I'm ready for something different. The classic wrap style and full collar of the Camel Waterfall Duster Belted Long Coat have such a wonderful feminine vibe that I knew this was the style for me.  I love the way that the wrap makes the coat fitted to my shape and the full collar is so very luxe.  Hello vintage diva!

Warmth:  Fabric and lining are two important factors when choosing a new coat.  With an open weave and no lining, what you have is more like a jacket and probably won't do well in colder temps or for being outdoors for prolonged periods of time.  I prefer something that does well in all kinds of weather and I think my Camel Waterfall Coat is going to do the job. It's unlined, but it has a thick fabric and a tight weave it held up beautifully against the wind and the light rain that was falling.

Length and Pockets: If there's one thing I've learned after living in so many places with miserable winters it's that most coats are waaaaaay too short.  Do coat makers think that only my top half gets cold?  The length of this Waterfall Coat is just perfect for keeping all of me warm.

Check out my posts this week and in the coming weeks to see more ways to style this coat!

Shopping Info: Camel Waterfall Duster Belted Long Coat and Angelica dress from FemmeLuxeFinery

As Evening Fades the Day

Evening~by Emily Dickinson

The cricket sang,

And set the sun,

And workmen finished, one by one,

Their seam the day upon.

The low grass loaded with the dew,

The twilight stood as strangers do

With hat in hand, polite and new,

To stay as if, or go.

A vastness, as a neighbor, came, —

A wisdom without face or name,

A peace, as hemispheres at home, —

And so the night became.

Shopping Info:  AmorDress, Shein headband