Outfit Post: {Faux} Leather & Fur

 

 

top: pitaya

faux leather pants: zara

suede shoes: old aldo (similar here)

clutch: vintage (similar here)

faux fur stole: old h&m (similar here)

On Sunday night, I attended the closing event for the Detroit Design Festival at the Detroit City Airport Hangar. For the event - a mixture of fashion, music, and art - I wanted to be comfortable, warm, and stylish. I love the mixture of textures between the fur stole and leather pants, which are also a great alternative to my usual skinny jeans. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Fall Wishlist

Fall is my favorite time of the year for shopping. I think it dates back to elementary school and the excitement of back-to-school shopping. Back then, it wasn't even about the clothes. It was about finding the perfect lunch box, back pack, notebook and pencils to start the year off right. Now, it's definitely about the clothes. I think it makes it easier to say goodbye to summer when you can say hello to cozy sweaters and fall boots.

This fall, I'm looking to add classic wardrobe staples that will mix well with my current closet.

The number one item on my wish list is a leather jacket. I've been on a hunt for years for the perfect one. It's a great investment piece that goes with everything, but if you want the real thing, it comes with a price. This leather jacket from Theory (1) comes pretty close to perfect. Buttery tan leather, oversized collar, and a slightly slouchy fit.

A menswear inspired watch is also a must. This leather band Michael Kors version (2) is a great alternative to the popular all gold style.

I'm also looking for the perfect little dress to take me through cooler weddings and upcoming holiday parties. I love that the 3/4 sleeve on this Alice & Olivia dress (3) keeps it classic and appropriate for cooler temps, while the peplum style adds a fun, trendy element to the style.

I'm all about the pointy toe flats (4). And as a fan of all things leopard, these Madewell's are the perfect punch of fun.   

 

Living in Detroit, I can't rely on cute and dainty shoes for the rest of the year. These Sorel Boots (5) are practical and stylish and will ensure both my feet and skinny jeans stay dry during the wettest and coldest months.

As someone who lives in soft and cozy sweaters, I love this cashmere t-shirt version (6) from J. Crew. It comes in a range of colors and pairs just as well with pencil skirts as it does jeans.

I've had my eye on this Marc Jacobs hobo bag (7) forever. Every season the Jacobs comes out with a new set of colors, but you can't go wrong with classic black leather and gold hardware.

It's taken me a while to jump on the colored skinny jean trend, but I am finally embracing it with this red pair from 7 For All Mankind (8). Paired with a tan cashmere sweater, they'll add brightness even on the grayest of days.

Goodbye summer. Hello, Fall.

What's on your wishlist this season?

I Have a Confesstion: White {Lie} Wedding

Four years ago, the Hubby and I stood up in front of 90 of our closest friends and family, read each other the vows we co-wrote, toasted with champagne, and danced the night away at our destination Detroit Wedding.

Only we didn't actually get married.

Our ceremony was led by a great friend of ours, but he was never actually ordained. Rather than have him “ruin his future political career” by getting ordained at The Internet Church of Google, he led an incredibly heartfelt and personal ceremony as our friend.

It wasn't until two days later, on the first day of fall, standing on a marina dock in a very private and intimate ceremony, that we re-read our vows and, this time legally (we’re pretty sure!), said "I do."

Although the first ceremony may not have been legal, it was certainly a celebration.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the day:

All image by Brian McElhone

Happy (fake) anniversary, love! And cheers to Turning over a New Leaf!

New York Fashion Week Begins

Today marks the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year -- New York Fashion Week. While everyone is currently lusting over fall boots, chunky sweaters, and cozy coats, NYFW is exposing the world to the trends we'll be lusting over come spring.

The week kicks off tonight with the nationwide fash fest, Fashion Night Out, full of runway shows, designer showcases, and special store events. Since I'll be in Atlanta, I'll be checking out the scene there,  but be sure to check out what's going on in your area. Many stores enhance your shopping experience with cocktails and music, stay open late, and offer tons of prizes, discounts, and giveaways!

Below, one of my favorite sassy bloggers, The Man Repeller, helps us prepare for the drama that is Fashion Week in this hilarious video!

Are You Ready?

Coming out of the {Very Stylish} Closet

I have a confession: I. Love. Fashion.

Seriously, I'm obsessed. So much so that I'm starting a blog about it.

I know, I know. Just what the world needs - another Fashion and Lifestyle blog. Honestly, I've put off creating this blog for years because what else could I add that wasn't already being captured? Could I really separate myself from the millions of other blogs out there? What new perspective could I possibly offer?

Despite such concerns, I did get close to starting this blog once before. I picked out a blog name, worked on the design, and then...Pinterest happened. Why did I need a blog now that I could be inspired, shop, and catalog my love of all things stylish in one online platform? For a while, this phenomenon fed my craving, but eventually, even the ever-addicting Pinterest wasn't enough to satisfy my obsession.

So I attempted to start the blog once again. I was determined to have a more creative outlet.

But then I got the big C: Cancer. So I started that blog instead. And as anyone who has ever gotten cancer can attest, it makes you reevaluate your life. You stop wasting your time on things you "should do" and start focusing on the things you want to do.

For me, that is fashion. 

To many, fashion is superficial and frivolous. Those are the people who think a blog about style is a waste of time, especially after going through something as life-changing as the big C. To me, fashion is an art; a creative form of expression; and most importantly, an outlet that makes me happy. 

And after cancer, you learn that happiness is never a waste of time.

So here I am, a closeted fashion addict, coming out of the closet.
 
My name is Dana. These are my Confessions