Loving This Week: Smythe Faux Fur + a Versatile Kimono

I can think of few toppers that instantly up the luxe factor of any outfit like black faux Mongolian lamb fur. I’m so excited to have found a high quality specimen from Smythe on sale.

Also on the sale find list this week: oh-so-trendy high-rise flares and a modern minimalist sheath dress from Vince. Check out all of my top online shopping finds for the week…

1. Smythe Mongolian Faux Fur Coat, $349.98 (was $595.00)
All things fabulously furry are big for fall, so this sale find is particularly timely. This luxe faux fur coat will look amazing with everything from cocktail dresses to slouchy denim.

New Label Love: Coclico Shoes are Minimalist-Chic & Sustainable

Looking for a shoe that will satisfy your minimalist-leaning fashion sensibilities, but is also ethically and sustainably crafted? You’ve got to check out new-to-me label Coclico.

These luxurious leather shoes are designed in NYC and used materially sourced locally in Europe, near their family-run factory in Mallorca, Spain. Their sustainable practices include using vegetable-based dyes, renewable materials, and recycled shoe boxes, in addition to only local suppliers.

Founded by NYC-based French expatriate Sandra Canselier, the Coclico label has been up and running since 2000. I’ve been vaguely aware of the line for years, but just recently did a deep dive into their styles. I instantly fell in love with the modern minimalist look and commitment to “slow fashion.” Check out a few of my current favorites…

5 Biggest Steals from the Sephora Sale

The Sephora seasonal sale has launched, which means it’s time to score rare deals on higher-end makeup and skincare brands. As of right now there are still a couple hundred items available in the sale section, but the best items are selling out fast. Let’s make this easier, here are my picks for the five biggest steals based on both price and usefulness.

If you’d like to score a large amount of very high quality makeup all in one swoop, don’t miss this Laura Mercier palette collection. You’ll get sixteen eyeshadows plus highlighter, three eyeliners, and three cheek colors.




→ Buy the Laura Mercier Into the Wild Book Collection, $99.00 ($276.00 value), at sephora.com.

Loving This Week: Shorty Jeans + a Cashmere Steal

The new fall arrivals are steadily rolling into the stores, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few smart sale finds still lurking about. This week I found a high-quality Duffy cashmere sweater marked more than half off!

I’m also shopping for summer-to-fall transition pieces, like a new Vanessa Bruno dress that will legitimately look just as good with strappy sandals as with opaque tights and pumps. Check out all of my favorite shopping finds of the week…

1. Vanessa Bruno Delta Contrast-Stitch Crepe Dress, $547.00
This new summer-to-fall dress is striking in its simplicity, like the best of higher-end fashions. I particularly love the vertical stripes with their fall coloring and flattering placement. It will look great now with sandals, and later with black tights and round-toe pumps.

The Best Pendant Necklaces and How to Wear Them

--By Kim Moshtaghi

Pendant necklaces are all the rage for the right reasons. They are easily worn with other necklaces and definitely help complete the look for any occasion. With an array of pendants it’s hard to choose what to buy, but I am here to help you pick one that helps create such an effortless look.

I love layering my simple chains with the longer stylish pendant necklaces to help off set the simplicity. This is also true for the shorter length necklaces I frequently showcase but seem too dainty for me. Mixing longer and shorter chains with pendant necklaces really helps me make my casual Fridays a tad more playful.

Speaking of playful, my first feature is a double happiness of a tassel. This long necklace makes a statement without taking over your entire neck. This gorgeous green stone is a great centerpiece. The green color goes well with the gold chain and will also accommodate the burgundy color that is making a comeback this fall.




→ Buy the Francesca's Gretchen Double Tassel Stone Pendant Necklace, $24.00, at francescas.com.

5 REISS New Arrivals That Will Make You Wish for Fall Now

Just in case you don’t already have a mean case of wish-it-was-fall, these new arrivals from UK-based REISS will get you there.

The Duchess Kate-approved label knows how to do fall right, especially when it comes to outerwear. I recently took a spin through their new arrivals to get a feel for the fall collection and ended up with a mile-long wish list. Here’s a peek at a few of my favorite new REISS finds…

This lightweight wool jacket has a relaxed fit that will pair well with everything from jeans and a tee to a cocktail dress. The deep berry purple shade is just as chic as black, but more unexpected.




→ Buy the REISS Gia Relaxed Longline Jacket, $465.00, at reiss.com.

Trend Worth Trying: High Heel Mules

--By Kim Moshtaghi

To mule or not to mule? Why strap it in when you can easily slide your shoe on and off?

You can attain the Cinderella fit with a mule that keeps things simple without complex straps - no fuss. It looks lovely paired with everything from shorts and capris to almost all office attire. This shoes differentiates the gals that don’t need to be strapped in in order to walk in heels without stumbling.

My first showcase is a fun silver and black contrast. This is a standard mule with a thicker and thinner strap, which holds your foot in while really letting your feet breathe. This is the classic mule minus the chunky heel, which seems to be a trend I avoided all season. I have this shoe in black and white and it goes well with everything from my wrap dresses and maxis, to my shorts, and even to my cuffed denim. I especially love this mule with shorts because it will not overpower the look or give it an overly provocative look like some heels can when paired with shorts.




→ Buy the Stuart Weitzman Two-Band My Slide Sandals, $212.50 (was $425.00), at bloomingdales.com; this item ships for free.

Loving This Week: McQueen’s New Scarf + Fab Sale Finds

I spent a lot of time scanning the online sale racks this week. The end of summer is such a smart time to sale shop. Not only do you find summer items marked down, you can find the last of the spring items – which are perfect for fall – at clearance prices. Aside from the sale shopping, I fell hard for a luxe find that’s not even close to on sale: a silk McQueen scarf that was recently reissued exclusively for the Met store.

Check out all of the fun finds taking up space in my online shopping cart this week…

1. Azalea Salerio Drapey Jacket, $99.00
This casual cotton jacket is the perfect weight for transitioning from summer to fall. Here in the San Francisco area, it will work well into the winter too. That’s a lot of wear for under $100.

7 Best Lace-Up Pointed Flats For Every Budget

Lace-up point-toe flats have taken over my Instagram feed. And my Pinterest homepage. And my Bloglovin feed. Can you relate?

It seems like every stylish woman online has given in to this shoe trend, and for good reason. This is one of those trends that not only looks good, but is practical, comfy, and suitable for all budgets. What’s not to love?

It’s hard to pinpoint where this look originated, but a cursory investigation led me to the Michael Kors Spring 2015 runway show. Demure black lace-up flats made their way down the runway with several looks, including this chic black and white midi number.

View image | gettyimages.com

Now, all bets are off. Every label from Aquazzura to Zara has a version of the lace-up pointed flat. But, that’s not a bad thing. It just means more choices, at more price points, for all of us. I spent some quality time sizing up the market, and I’m happy to share seven stunning pair of lace-up point-toe flats that stand out as the best options.

Grown Up Denim Skirts for Summer Into Fall

I’ve always loved a good denim skirt, but I’ve found that, as I’ve aged, my requirements for a jean skirt have changed. A skimpy mini is of limited use in my life, and flippy a-lines no longer fit with my personal style. Know what I mean?

That doesn’t mean I’ve given up on denim skirts altogether. But, I have become much more selective. I need something with enough length to be appropriate for a casual office, but not so much as to be dowdy. Plus, with fall rapidly approaching, I’m most interested in a skirt that will look just as fabulous with a chunky sweater and boots as with a slim tank and slides. If you’re on the same denim skirt wavelength, read on… I’ve found five skirts that are perfect fits!

This split-front skirt feels like a more refined version of a skirt I practically lived in all through grad school. I’d feel perfectly comfortable wearing this to a casual workplace, but wouldn’t shy away from dressing it down for the weekend. It has the kind of high-end style and versatility I’ve come to expect from the 3x1 label.




→ Buy the 3x1 Cherie Pencil Skirt, $245.00, at 3x1.us; domestic shipping and returns are free.

Trend Worth Trying: The Crop Top

--By Kim Moshtaghi

The crop top is all over social media right now and I know we all secretly want to wear one, regardless of whether we think we physically look good in one. I have to admit that wearing a crop top is one of my biggest fashion fears. I have bought three total over the years and they all still have their tags attached. I hope this article will force me to face my crop top fears and convince others to baby step into wearing one.

I love the way crop tops look on others, and I have bought them because I really believe crop tops exude a casual sexiness that many clothing pieces can’t manage to master. You don't need abs of steel to take advantage of this belly-baring, alluring, fashionable look. It enables you to wear your high-waist pants with some spunk, and it also adds flavor to an otherwise boring work skirt by showing some skin.

As a beginner, I recommend starting with a crop top that is looser so you don’t feel self-conscious. Wear it with a long skirt or ripped denim to stay consistent with the carefree vibe. So, let’s start with a black halter neck crop top? It’s simple, extremely casual, and will be an easy way to start wearing this trend. Get some breeze and bare a little belly while summer strolling.




→ Buy the Zara Halter Neck Crop Top, $19.99 (was $29.99), at zara.com.

Loving This Week: Cheap Chic Sweats + Fall’s It Color

With fall’s new arrivals pouring into stores, it’s hard to avoid the temptation start shopping for cooler weather. So, this week’s finds are as much about looking ahead to fall as living in the last weeks of summer. Plus, for lazy days, I found amazing sweats at a great price. Check out all of my top online shopping picks for the week…

1. Hackwith Design House Eaton Dress, $260.00
This simple, relaxed dress feels just right for the end of summer. It has enough structure to go to work, but with a level of ease that won’t feel constricting on warmer days. Come fall, it will be a smart layering piece.