Brownie Points

I’ll admit that the cold weather has stifled my fashion will this week.  I find myself rotating between the same two uber-thick nubby sweaters, jeans, and Tory Burch fur mukluks…pretty much every day.  And swaddled in a blanket while at home.  The other day, I realized that I was wearing five layers on top.  Five.  FIVE.  And I still felt cold.  Wah, 16 degrees on the thermom is no fun.  So today’s post is more of a “wishful thinking” type post.  I want to will myself into some sleek and sophisticated browns, tans, blacks, and navies — a nice transition from grubby winter gear.  How about this suede-pocket skirt ($45) with a white blouse ($110) and a cool girl hat (really want one of these to wear this season — $139):

Finish with the chicest platforms ever (B. Brian Atwood, $340 — even though platforms are definitely on their way out — just read last month’s VOGUE, which essentially served as an obituary to the trend.  They were really pushing the single-sole.  SHEESH, Vogue.  I get it.)  These Atwoods will hold their own however, and your daughters will find them back in fashion by the time they’re old enough to wear them.  Finish with a cool colorblocked cross-body (Rachel Roy, $59):

Now, ever since I saw Emma Morrison (fashion assistant at Vogue, featured on the EPIC series “5 Days, 5 Looks, 1 Girl” — if you don’t read this series…you must.  It will make you feel like you need to care more about your appearance, but in a good, inspirational way.  These ladies have got.it.going.on.  They have a story or sartorial logic behind each piece they wear.  Cannot say the same for my own closet, but we’re getting there.) wearing a paisley print dress to work, I knew I needed one.  It felt so unexpected, so fresh, and yet so timeless.  As soon as I saw this A.L.C. dress (on sale for $337), I knew I had to have it.  It’s conveniently/inconveniently (depending on how you look at it) gone on sale, and now I have quite the dilemma on my hands: to buy or not to buy.  I’d style with black tights, simple black booties ($69), and these amazing earrings (Lizzie Fortunato, $198)

And, round it all out with a structured bag.  The Givenchy Nightingale ($2,020) is ridiculous, and I’ve been seeing it on the arms of many-a-chic-pea lately.

Or, how about this nubby jacket (on ridiculous sale for $165) — quite the statement piece!  Perfect with a printed blouse (Equipment, $246), skinnies, and these amazing snakeskin-heeled boots ($299):

Ideal with this insanely gorgeous patterned Balenciaga ($2,895):

The tie-dye/watercolor pattern is so sick.  I’ve long wanted a Balenciaga bag (Kourtney K. owns a fleet of them, and they always add a cool edge), and this one is KING.  Finally, this IRO dress ($475 — P.S., while you’re on the Intermix site, check out their sale, which is now an additional 50% off.  This lace/embroidered shirt, on sale for $60, has been chillaxing in my online shopping cart the last 24 hours…would look awesome with my cobalt blue J. Brands, black booties, and a BIG sparkly necklace, with hair up in a top knot.) has such a great pattern and shape to it.  Love a nipped waist – so flattering.  I’d wear this with this unusual/sleek collar necklace (Henri Bendel, $198), tights, and an embellished bootie (Valentino, $1,495):

Top it off with a structured black purse ($238):

I’d love an excuse to push myself out of these winter doldrums.  Maybe I’ll just get dolled up for the heck of it tomorrow?  How do you banish these winter blahs?!