GOLD RUSH

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A little glitz and a little glamour for today’s Lust List! I love shopping for holiday party outfits and there is something about this color palette that makes me think of the good old days, the Great Gatsby, and Frank Sinatra. Ralph Lauren used to always do a black and gold holiday collection in either Purple Label or Polo (he may still) and it was one of my favorites every year! This military inspired dress almost made it in - love the twist on a classic. I also love this style for holiday parties and its bra-friendly!

• This slip dress - love the black lace detailing on the neckline and hem. This style would be great with a black velvet blazer!

• Here is your go with everything black patent pump - pair with skinny jeans out to dinner or a cocktail party dress.

• Love these earrings. This brand is so unique and creative. The founder is so chic and inspirational and I always want everything she creates! Queen of the statement piece!

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THE GUIDE - NOVEMBER

THE GUIDE

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MAKE THIS

Recently there has been a lot of hype about this “new” superfood. One of the bloggers I follow suffers from Crohn’s disease and she swears by the healing properties in this veggie. I liked this article and recipe and plan on giving it a shot in November! Stay tuned!

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DESIGN THIS

We have started a few much needed projects around the house…like replacing all of our windows EEK! One of the updates I’m really excited about is our fireplace. I love the traditional mantle but we are changing the red tile to a more neutral grey and white stone (not sure the name of it but will keep you posted). Loved seeing this article for inspiration!

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READ THIS

This is a topic I know almost nothing about. Quite frankly its one I would rather ignore, but as a mother of two children, planning is extremely important. After I read this article I realized that actually the alternative to not planning is scarier than facing it head on. You’ll see what I mean when you read…

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WEAR THIS

I know you’re probably sick of this website by now (it has seriously been so good this season I can’t stop going for more) but this sweater is amazing. Things can start looking a gray outside during the winter and I love how this color pops. It also works well on every skin tone and compliments gray, ivory, and browns well.

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DO THIS

The weather is getting colder on the East Coast and many families struggle during this time of year to stay warm. While you’re cleaning out your closets look out for old coats, hats, gloves, and thermal-wear that you no longer need and donate it to a local shelter or organization. I will be donating mine to Person-to-Person this season.

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STYLE THIS

“There’s a real strength to knowing who you are and having your own distinct look, because real style doesn’t change from season to season. I have found my uniform and I would never wear anything that didn’t feel like me just because it was ‘in fashion’.” I love this quote from an article on Danish stylist, Alexandra Carl. Her style inspires me to continue to be myself in a world that can so easily sway you to look like someone else. Don’t be swayed!

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HOW TO DRESS DOWN A COCKTAIL DRESS + WEEKEND RECAP

When you invest in a piece like this dress, its nice to know that you’ll be able to wear it in multiple ways. Dressing it down with your favorite cardigan and a pair of boots is a simple and chic look that will take you from day into night!

get the look

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WEEKEND RECAP

The Girl Guide in the city

We had a pretty low key and mostly unplanned weekend. It was nice to just hang around the house on Sunday and knock things off my to-do list. Luke and I made banana bread and it was so delicious! I used this recipe and supplemented the flour for a GF option, used coconut sugar, and replaced the sour cream with Laava dairy-free yogurt. I crossed my fingers that it wouldn’t taste horrible and it worked! It made for a yummy dessert after our Sunday night dinner at my parent’s house.

My best friend recently moved to Nashville (you might remember my road trip with her this summer!?) and she was back in NYC for the weekend. Earlier in the week I made plans to take one of the boys in with me for an early Saturday dinner. That morning everyone woke up a little sniffly and with the rain I ended up making a game time decision to go solo. It ended up being an awesome night and I was actually so thankful to have some one-on-one time with my friend sans kids. We realized it had been seven years since we went out alone together in the city.

I squeezed in a little shopping right before dinner. First stop was one of my favorite boutiques in SoHo. Its a must-visit if you’re ever in the city. I fell in love with everything…these pants and this sweater. After that I visited one of my new favorite shops for closet staples in search for a bootie. I ended up buying these which are amazing. They’re made in Italy and the leather is so soft. I highly recommend all of their shoes.

• For dinner we went to little prince and it was delicious. The restaurant was small and cozy and exactly what we were looking for! Order the quinoa appetizer:)

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OCTOBER + e-styling

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In less than one week it will be November!!! Which is so crazy and also reminds me that I need to finish Luke’s Halloween costume! I don’t mean to scare anyone, but today I bought my first Christmas present. EEEK! I always say I’m going to start early but this year I’m really committed. I’ve been feeling busier than ever and I know it will significantly help my stress levels in December if I start to prepare now. That brings me to some exciting news!!! Did you know that the majority of my styling business is made up of e-styling clients? What is “e-styling” you might ask? When I launched my business 8 years ago it was completely local. Over the years (and with the help of the internet and social media) it has evolved and now I find that almost half of my business is spread all over the US. Because I can’t be jet setting all over the country to shop with you in person (I wish!!!) I have created an e-styling option for clients. Whether you need help with an upcoming event, a closet refresh, or gift-giving ideas, I’m here for you! You will receive curated shopping guides tailored for you (much like my weekly Lust Lists).

If you’re interested in e-styling send us a note to hello@thegirlguide.com. No request is too small and we will let you know if we have availability before the holidays:)

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BOY STYLE

Let me tell you a little story about shopping for my boys! A few months ago I started looking for special occasion outfits for two weddings we had in September and early October. For Luke, both required that he wear a tuxedo which after a little research I realized it was going to be much more cost effective (and nicer) to buy. For Harrison I was looking for something a little more sweet and I didn’t love the idea of a baby in a suit. I went to 5 stores and NOTHING! There were so many amazing options for girls but no cold weather dressier looks for boys. I ended up finding a sweet navy corduroy coverall from a local store that I paired with navy socks but I remember thinking, this shouldn’t so hard!!

One of my most frequently requested posts is for boy clothes. I linked my four favorite brands below and will usually mix in a few pieces from Zara and Jacadi every season as well. If you’re a boy mom like me you’ll see it can be really fun to coordinate and also much easier to pass down classic styles!

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FOR THE BOYS

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PRACTICAL PIECES

My go-to for basics. Note: Size DOWN! Everything runs very large

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FOREVER PIECES (AND ONE DAY HAND-ME-DOWNS)

I’m biased because I used to work for this brand but I have to say, the quality is like no other. Being a mom of two boys its worth the investment!

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CLASSICS

My aunt started buying pieces for Luke from this brand in Belgium and I’ve become a huge fan! Love the classic styles and their fabrics are great - Luke always asks to wear the sweatshirt I linked:)

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NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

I started shopping this brand in the Spring and love it! The quality is great and the price point is too!

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long sleeve cozy tee in cloud // c/o harbor clothing

cross back overalls in sand // c/o harbor clothing

THE SWEATER DRESS

I splurged on these boots last Fall during one of the big Black Friday sales and I’m still so happy I did. They were the kind of purchase that I wondered it was trendy or not but I loved them so much I didn’t care! Ya know? :) I’ve worn them so many times with skirts, dresses, leggings, everything! They are so versatile and always make me feel good. Also, I thought the color might be tough but they’ve held up so well (city, country, and KIDS!).

GET THE LOOK

I think I ran to this dress in slow-mo when I saw it in the store. I started ordering online from this brand last year and I didn’t realize they had a store in NYC till a few months ago. Last week my Aunt was in town from Belgium for my sister’s wedding and we went together on Monday. She laughed when we walked in and said, “Steph, this store was made for you!”. It’s kind of a neutral lover’s dream. You can order with confidence because the quality really is great for the price. Love their outerwear. Here is a post featuring one of their sweaters from last winter.

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outerwear

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everything else

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FALL IN LOVE WITH THESE DRESSES

I love wearing dresses (I may or may not have already started a post with that statement) and I especially love when you can wear them all year round. I posted this insider tip on my Instagram a few days ago: for colder months layer leggings and a thermal top under our maxi dress for extra warmth. If the top is sleeveless, layer a cardigan over the dress followed by a coat. I discovered this brand about a year and a half ago and i’m obsessed with everything they create. Since then they have become a cult favorite of celebrities, stylists, and influencers. You really can’t go wrong with any of their pieces. I would suggest sizing down (especially in the tops). How would I describe this brand? Bohemian elegant :)

On another note, I’ve started doing some Thanksgiving styling for a few clients and love this dress! Also loving this style. Hope everyone has an awesome weekend! Ours is going to be a combination of work, house projects, birthday and parties!

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FALL FLORALS

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A FOUR SEASON BAG

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HOLIDAY CARD SHOOT INSPIRATION

FOR YOU

texture, color, & print

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One of my first styling opportunities EVER was with a family looking for help with their Christmas card shoot. I was 26 and working for Ralph Lauren and was very excited to style everyone from the kids to the dogs! They were looking for a classic holiday vibe and wanted to incorporate plaid into every look. At the time I shopped mostly at RL of course and but really wish I had known about this amazing blanket company . For my shoot with the boys I knew I wanted to bring our blanket to the beach. I was nervous about how it would hold up with the kids, stains, beach, etc. Machine washable items are an essential part of #momlife and this blanket did not disappoint:)

I absolutely LOVE these overalls. When I first discovered this account on Instagram I was gushing over all the little girl’s clothing (and also secretly wanting a girl to dress in all the perfectly muted florals and soft cotton). I was also so excited to find that they had equally adorable options for boys. Let me tell you its not easy finding interesting clothing for boys. I usually shop a combination of Zara, H&M, and Petit Bateau but I’m always looking for something original. You have to check out these bloomies! Such a great gift!

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TIPS FOR GREAT PICS

don’t wear black

don’t wear sunglasses (ignore the ones where i’m wearing them here!)

don’t stress about getting the perfect shot - shooting with children is NOT easy. Children pick up on your stressed out vibes and will act out.

do pick a place where your family will be happy

do bring snacks - feed the models! I bribed my kids with popcorn for this shoot:)

don’t sweat the small stuff - easier said than done I know but its true. I had this amazing plan to bring the boy’s two ukuleles with us to the beach. I knew they would love having them there and it would be so cute in the pictures. I packed them in our bag but in the chaos that ensued at my house pre-photoshoot, Harrison took them out and I never noticed till we got to the beach. I was SO bummed but had to move on. Even though I still wish we had had them, the kids didn’t know and the pictures still came out great!

BLANKET // C/O CHAPPY WRAP

long sleeve cozy tee in cloud // c/o harbor clothing

cross back overalls in sand // c/o harbor clothing

DIY: how to reuse your glass candle jar

I recently posted a picture of my bathroom cabinet and received so many messages about this repurposed candle glass for my makeup and q-tips. I’m not a huge DIY kind of girl but every once in a while I surprise myself! This one is super easy and would also look great on a nightstand, desk, or in your closet. I love repurposing glass and I always feel bad throwing it away. We’ve been using this jelly for years and I have about 20 glasses now that we use for drinking and also for the kids crayons, pens, etc. Stay turned for pics of how we use those in our playroom:)

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step one

burn your amazing diptyque candle (you can use anything for this but these are my favorite aesthetically and love all the scents!)

step two

once you have burned down the candle as much as possible, scrape the remaining wax out with a bread knife. Most of it should just pop out!

step three

for the remaining wax, place the jar in the microwave for 10 seconds and wipe out with a paper towel or old towel. Repeat as needed

step four

rinse the glass with warm water and soap, et voila!

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THE CANDLE

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CAMEL AND GREY

I bought this coat two years ago when I was working for Theory and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve worn it. It was over $500 and an investment piece for sure, but also probably one of my favorite Fall staples in my closet. I’ve worn it over a t-shirt with blue jeans in the early Fall and also bundled up in the colder months with a sweater, scarf, and leather leggings. It is nice to have a piece that I can go to year after year and not feel like I need to purchase a newer “version” of it. Speaking of oldie but goodies…these sneakers are five years old! I bought these at Club Monaco when I was working for Ralph Lauren. I had never seen them anywhere else until we were in Belgium this summer and every store was carrying them! You can shop them online here (in shearling!!!) and here. SO comfortable and durable even in the suede. OK now I’m off to pack for my sister’s wedding! Can’t wait to share this weekend with you:)

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A TIMELESS COAT

watch // c/o Michele Watches

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SWEATER WEATHER

get the look

Happy Monday friends:) This is a busy week in the Trotta house…my sister’s wedding is this Saturday! Throughout the week I’ll be in and out of the city seeing my family that is arriving from Belgium and getting some last minute details finalized. The boys and I are in the wedding (Luke is supper excited to be a ring bearer for the 2nd time) and we still have a few stragglers i.e. I need a new pair of shoes and the dress I ordered still hasn’t arrived. We’re heading up to the Berkshires on Friday for the rehearsal dinner and I’m counting the minutes till we’re back there with family and friends. Also fingers crossed but the weather looks good.

Now on to sweater weather. It was 80 degrees in Connecticut yesterday. I took Harry to a farm and we both ended up roasting in our jeans. I just switched over my closet on Friday and contemplated taking a few dresses back out but I know whats going to happen. Next week its going to drop to 50 degrees and we’ll be back in layers. I’ve been getting the funniest texts from clients with pictures of their new sweaters wondering when they’ll be able to wear them.

• Love the style I’m wearing in today’s post. Fringe and pom poms? SOLD! It was out of stock but restocked now and I also found it here. The color looks different but its listed as the same color.

• This is one of my favorite sites to pick up new sweater styles. Warning that if you’re sensitive to wool theirs is a little itchy, but I love the styles they have and its a great price point for the design and quality.

• This style and color is everything right now. Pair with cream cords and boots for a casual thanksgiving dinner or wear running around with the kids with skinny jeans and a flat bootie.

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WHAT TO PACK: COUNTRY

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Are you a country mouse or a city mouse? I guess I would say I’m a country girl. After I graduated from college in Washington, DC I was dying to have a home of my own and when I pictured what it would look like I just didn’t think “city”. I think thats why Frank and I ultimately settled in the town of Bronxville, NY after college. I still can’t believe we bought a place in the suburbs at the age of 22 (EEEK!). It ended up being the best of both worlds because after a less than 25 minute train ride we would find ourselves in the middle of NYC. Similar to the length of time it takes to get from Brooklyn to Grand Central. For me it was perfect.

I grew up less than 10 miles from the property that the Stone Barns Center and Blue Hill Restaurant now sit on. Back then it was just a whole lot of preserved land donated by the Rockefeller family. Not much more to see than a few cows, a lake, and lots of trails. We went so often I memorized the paths, the trees, I could even recall where the rocks were. Frank and I have been going to Blue Hill long before we had kids. I’ve posted about it before so I won’t go on and on but its such a happy place for me. Last Friday I was shooting some pictures for an upcoming collaboration and decided to bring Harrison. I think these are my favorite yet…

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THE GUIDE

THE GUIDE

MAKE THIS

the perfect “side” that all your guests will love (even the tiny ones). As soon as it starts getting cold outside I make this with a rotisserie chicken with a side of applesauce or rice. Its super easy and for a busy week night you will be a hero at home!

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DESIGN THIS

I loved this post on setting a high/low table. It reminded me of the inspiration for my sister’s wedding in a few weeks. Also I’ve been on a little bit of a dahlia kick lately. Anyone else feel like they’re trendy right now?

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READ THIS

I loved reading this article on mindful parenting. No matter what age your children are I think we can all use help hitting the reset button after summer. I know for me its been a great time to reprioritize and also establish a better routine for our family.

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WEAR THIS

With apple and pumpkin picking weekends in full effect, your sweater game needs to be on point! I’m probable;y the biggest neutral fan you’ll ever meet so no surprise that I would suggest this sweater but it really is perfect. I’m also always a big chocolate brown fan in the Fall so when I found this I ordered it:) Naturally.

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DO THIS

Time to switch out your closet and more importantly clean it out! If you’re like me there is at least one piece in their that you swore you’d wear last Fall and never did. Sell it or donate!

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BREATHE THIS

I starting using a diffuser a couple months ago and it has been a great source of relaxation for me. I always knew I would like it once I started because I LOVE smells but I didn’t get what all the hype was about. For me it has also been a great tool for keeping stress at bay.

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WHAT TO WEAR: WORK

For the first two years after college I worked in a very corporate environment. I remember thinking all the time…this is SO boring! I’m sorry but especially the men! Even worse than that, all the women dressed like men. I looked out at a sea of black and navy pant suits and thought, “how do move the needle on this!”. Then I went to work for Ralph Lauren:)

If you’re nodding your head in agreement do not despair! You can look and feel chic while still dressing in a conservative and appropriate way. If your office allows for it, I always like to start with color. Tones of blushes and camels worn in a monochromatic way will create a luxury look that will have your work friends swooning. If you’re not able to move beyond black and navy, try popping in a little texture. I love these pants because they’re super comfortable (I’ve been wearing them with sneakers too) and high-waisted so you can wear a shorter sweater out or tuck in a blouse.

• I love shopping this brand for work-friendly pieces. In my experience their pieces are very well made and on the more affordable side. Love these pants!

• Office temps getting you down? Throw this sweater on! I guarantee you reach for it on weekends with a pair of your favorite denim.

• Work coat vibes….

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STOCK UP AND SAVE

SHOES

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boots

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slides and mules

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HANDBAGS

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LACE BLOUSE

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Happy hump day! Despite the torrential rain yesterday I had a lovely birthday which started with breakfast in bed and ended with sushi (my fave)! Also there was in between there was a lunch with my friend Eva and a massage. Can’t complain! I had a moment on Monday when I thought I was turning 35 and started freaking out. Not that 35 is much older but I feel like its a milestone I’m not quite ready for! Good thing I have another year to get ready:)

So excited for this SALE! For four days you can save using code STOCKUP18. Today is super humid in Connecticut but I know that the caller temps are right around the corner. Here are some upcoming events I’m shopping for right now:

• Love this sweater for Thanksgiving (and no its not to early to shop for this!)

• My favorite brand/style of mom jeans. Size down because you want them too be tight or they’re too 80’s (and not in a good way:)

• LOVE LOVE this dress. If I didn’t already have one for my sister’s wedding this would be it! If you’re going to go for it you have to be OK with something that’s not body con and your hubs may call it a pregnancy dress BUT your girlfriends will swoon. You know what I mean lol…#marrepeller.

• I’ve always had a thing for coin necklaces - this one is under 100 and would be so pretty with a lace silk cami and a cardigan.

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PERFECT PLAID

GET THE LOOK

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more plaid

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SOMETHING NAVY LAUNCH

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FALL UNIFORM

It doesn’t have to be all leggings all the time! One of my favorite comments from a recent client was, “I don’t have to think when I get dressed anymore, and I feel and look great!”. Every season I start with a statement coat. If its in your budget to purchase one long and one short, that would be my suggestion. I love all the styles in today’s post because they’re classics but stylish. You never want to buy anything that you won’t want to reach for next year.

I’ve been getting requests to link some of my favorite Zara sweater styles. This is the grey style I wore in a recent blog post. I love this camel one paired with black denim or a skirt. This one isn’t available yet but it would be great with a pair of blue jeans or cords! I’m also LOVING this sweater from Sezane. If you haven’t shopped the brand yet everything is designed in Paris and the price point is very reasonable. Insider tip: there wool can be a little itchy! Hope everyone has a great day! TGIF:)

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FALL COLOR EDIT: RUST

Surprisingly I didn’t shop a ton while we were in Belgium. Our daily schedules revolved around the boy’s naps and it was hard to find an extended period of time to break away. Also, every day was so new and exciting that I didn’t want to miss out and leave the group. BUT when my mom and aunt offered to take me one day I jumped at the chance! My favorite spot to shop in Belgium has always been at the Belgium Coast in Knokke. They have everything from Hermes to Zara and everything in between. My favorite stops were the Belgian and other European designers that I don’t get to see in the US: Essential (Antwerp), Patrizia Pepe (Florence), River Woods (Belgium), and a few more. The best shop though is called Princess.

Side bar: It was in the 60s the entire time we were in Belgium so Fall was definitely on my mind. I walked in and was immediately inspired for the new season and couldn’t wait to bring something home (see pic below of one of the racks). I zeroed in on this rust colored open cardigan (referred to as a “Bernadette” sweater in Europe) and decided I had to try it on. It was surprising because it also came in a light gray, but I decided to try something new. The color worked! In the shop I paired it with a navy silk camisole because I knew I had this one at home. This color also looks amazing with other browns, ivory, tonal florals, and I came home to find that its everywhere and as I’m styling it more I’ve realized it looks good on everyone!

Girl Guide Update: When I left my job at Theory in June to focus on my styling business and the blog I decided I would let the summer play out and see where it could/would take me! Well I have to say I am still pinching myself every day that I get to do what I love. That being said I have decided to start putting a little more structure around things, starting with my blog posts. For the last three months I was averaging about 4 blog posts a week but there was no set schedule or consistency. Full disclosure - I hated that! I want my readers to know what to expect and when and to be able to count on me:) Starting this week I will post three times per week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I’m really excited and I hope you are too!

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get the look: rust

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THE TEDDY COAT

Happy Monday friends! I hope you all had a great weekend! I had a little case of the scaries last night around 10pm when thought about how nice it was that we were all together this weekend. Luke had his first soccer practice on Saturday and it was adorable. I don’t know what I expected (possibly a little more organization and coordination hehe) but I had so much fun watching him on the field with all his friends. He’s getting so big! Also I should add that 16 month old Harry was running up and down the field like a champ too. Second child!

If you’ve been following me for a little while you know, I’m a neutral lover. When it comes to finding the perfect Fall coat the first thing I look for is a color that will go with everything. From the moment I saw this Bernardo teddy coat I knew it was perfect. Not only is it the perfect shade of beige and will go with all of my tonal winter white looks, it can also be worn back to Fall florals and black. I’ve been looking for something to wear to The Berkshires for my sister’s wedding next month and wanted a coat that would work for the rehearsal dinner and for the day of. Love that this style is both functional and lux.

Hope everyone has a great week!

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teddy jacket // Bernardo

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