Shades of grey + fall foliage at Boston Public Garden

J.Crew lady day coat sz 00P (old color) + vintage style tee
LOFT sweater in xsp, BP leggings sz S (length folded under), Vince Camuto boots

Last weekend we strolled to Boston Public Garden to scope out the foliage, however it seemed that all the trees were either still mostly green or completely barren already! We must've just missed a few trees turning because there was this giant pile of the prettiest, vibrant pink and orange leaves on the ground.

 
I love leggings as a lazy, comfy alternative to jeans, especially on long flights when too skinny jeans can cut off your circulation. To escape the associated stigma, just make sure your top is plenty long enough to cover your crotch. I thought I was in the clear here, but looking at these photos it wouldn't hurt to have an extra inch or two of length...oops : ) I read tons of reviews looking for leggings that aren't see through and won't stretch out much, and was vacillating again between the ones I'm wearing here and these ravely-reviewed Hue ones. I went with the BP for this color and so far they don't disappoint (do size up - a S was fitted on me). I only wish they'd make petite! The lazy in me just has the extra length folded under for now.

I've been wearing these Vince Camuto "Hillsy" booties so much, they're definitely rivaling my BP Trolley ones for versatility and comfort. They are similar in height with the VC measuring at 3.25" and the BP at 3" eve. I have to say the VC leather feels a little better and softer which is probably reflective of the higher price. They are still available in most sizes, starting in a hard to find sz 4!

Also, I've been liking this LOFT sweater so it's interesting to read all the polarizing reviews online! The style is very slouchy and poncho-esque so I guess it might be in the expectations. My only complaint with it is the smaller neckhole as mentioned in my review, but getting my hair rumpled up has been a fairly minor issue so far.

Navy + Cognac // Brunch at Gaslight Boston

Maison Jules sweater, blazer and faux-leather skirt c/o

Burberry trench coat, Goyard St. Louis tote bag, similar navy pumps

For my second look with Macy's Maison Jules (see first one here), I'm sharing this easy ensemble and taking you guys inside Gaslight, one of our favorite French brasseries in Boston. They have the yummiest poached egg dishes for brunch - Nick and I usually fight over the eggs Vigneronne with a red wine, ham and mushroom sauce. I also love the rustic decor at the bar area where we usually sit.

There's something about navy with cognac brown always feels classic to me, even in trendier materials like faux leather...

I mentioned in my last post that Maison Jules ran surprisingly small and several pieces fit me off-the-rack. This cotton blazer is very shrunken-fit and cropped in length (looking at these photos, perhaps too much so for me after being dried in a machine dryer). The skirt is medium-weight faux-leather and fully lined with pockets, and an elasticized waistband that can accommodate a small range of sizes. Measurements of the skirt: 12" across waist when un-stretched that stretches up to about 13.5" across, and 18" length.

Happy Sunday brunching! And thank you to Macy's for sponsoring this post!

Paris in Boston: Caf� Madeleine

Maison Jules sweater + circle skirt in XS c/o

Cole Haan Marina boots, Chanel bag, Essie Hot Coco polish

Recently, Maison Jules reached out to me about a fun campaign called "Pieces of Paris." I was asked to share two of my favorite spots around my hometown of Boston that reminded me of charming Paris. Caf� Madeleine is a small French patisserie in my neighborhood which instantly popped into mind as one. Their wonderfully flaky croissants (esp. the ham and cheese) rival the ones we had in France, and their other baked goods like this caramel cake are some of the best I've had. We can't indulge too often but it's a welcome treat every once in a while, especially when we have visitors!

On to my outfit - Maison Jules is a new to me brand (sold only at Macy's), so I popped into a store to try on numerous pieces for sizing and fit. I was pleasantly surprised that the pieces ran small and most of the tops and skirts fit me right off the rack. I'm always looking to show different petite-friendly brands on here to help expand everyone's options! This outfit can easily be made office-friendly by swapping out the tall boots for a pair of classic black or fun fall-hued pumps. If your office is slightly more casual, black ankle booties would also work well.

If you like circle skirts, I adore this windowpane one which is full but not poofy at all due to the drape. It's made with a stretchy, thicker-weight material and has two comfortable side pockets. There's a back zipper but the waist is also elasticized which helps achieve the right fit. When un-stretched, an XS measured 12" across the waist (elastic stretches up to 13.75" across) and 20" in length. And you can't tell in these photos, but this mock-neck sweater is a shorter length which can be worn over button-ups to get that layered effect. When lying flat and un-stretched, an XS measured 12.5" across the shoulders, 15" across the chest, 22.5" long sleeves and 18" long overall.

I usually recommend leaving a bit of a gap between the top of your boots and the hemline your skirt or dress. I'm sure I'm breaking some fashion rule here by not doing so, but I wanted to try something different and liked the results. In addition to the lengthening effect, a prime benefit of over-the-knee boots that you don't hear much about is the warmth! My knees are usually the first to get cold, but are insulated and warm when wrapped in a taller boot.

This is the first of two outfits I shot for Maison Jules - stay tuned for my second one and other favorite Parisian-inspired spot. The other pieces I will be featuring from there are this knit blazer and faux-leather cognac skirt (xs in both fit me without alterations). Thank you to Macy's for sponsoring this post!

Pear Picking at Honey Pot Hill

On me: BP scarf, J.Crew tee, Uniqlo vest (review), J.Brand jeans (old), boots c/o Sorel

On Nick: Nordstrom sweater, J.Crew shirt, Levis jeans, Clarks boots

While leaving Honey Pot Hill with our bellies full of donuts, our eyes perked up at signs for pear picking. Picking and eating apples off the trees are an annual favorite activity of ours, but pears would be a first. We went back to do just that and it was so worth it - these were the sweetest pears I've ever crunched into! If you live in the vicinity I'd highly suggest going (FYI their site says this is the last weekend for pears, and you can mix and match with apples in your bag).

For fellow ladies who shop for their men, I wanted to share this half zip sweater from Nordstrom that's a layering staple. It's good quality at 95% cotton / 5% cashmere, and my favorite little detail is the brown zipper pull. Another one of Nick's favorite sweaters is a Ted Baker cardigan from last year that I noticed has been brought back this season at Nordstrom only. Guys have it so easy with their foolproof uniform of button-ups under sweaters - they just need a handful of each and can wear them on rotation all year.

And yes I finally gave into Sorel boots, a favorite of all my friends here (& apparently the rest of New England) for keeping feet toasty and dry. My personal favorite style is these Winter Fancy Lace IIs (comes in 3 colors - I'm wearing the grizzly bear / elk combo) which are waterproof and insulated like most of their boots, but more wearable in my opinion for everyday outfits than their intense Joan of Arc signature eskimo-y snowboots. Perhaps I'll change my mind though when we're 5 feet under another snowmageddon later this year!Don't let these pics fool you...I have the worst balancing abilities and Nick wasn't helping. While I was on his shoulders trying to diligently pick fruit, he kept terrorizing me by swooping and stooping for big pears that caught his eye, not to mention munching on all the good ones I picked! 

Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!

Pumpkins & Ponchos

J.Crew turtleneck, Talbots wrap c/o (color sold out; last shown here)

Vince Camuto booties (love! I'm usually between 5-5.5 and took the latter), J.Brand jeans

I wanted to share some quick photos of this striped turtleneck tee from my Columbus weekend sale post (*update: unfortunately, the striped version is now shown as excluded from sale). I rely on these lightweight tees to help prolong wears between washes for pieces like sweaters, blazer, and coats (where makeup transfer or perspiration can discolor the inside of collars). They come in a myriad of solid colors and four striped options - the ivory and navy stripes are always classic, but the redwood will pair with more things than you'd imagine. I'm wearing xxs regular which is very slim-fitting, and considered sizing up. The sleeves are long on short arms but don't bother me for a layering tee.

Apple cider donuts are one of my favorite things ever about fall in New England - maybe the aroma even more than the taste. We went with friends to grab a dozen with hot cider and polished them off before making it back to the car.

I also dusted off my favorite fall polishes, amongst them Essie's "Hot Coco" (a taupe brown) worn below - an oldie but goodie. I'm always looking for new shades to try so would love to hear some of your seasonal favorites!
This colorway of my wrap sweater is now sold out, but I've linked to a few other affordable options below in versatile prints. I know many petite ladies are afraid of large, billowing garments, but I think it can look fine if you simply balance out the rest of the outfit with slim, fitted pieces.

Our Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony at the Lenox Boston Hotel

We got wedding photos back and are so excited to share parts of our day with you guys! Today's post is from our Chinese marriage tea ceremony, which took place the morning of our wedding. Traditionally, the tea ceremony is a symbolic way of presenting the bride to the groom's family, and for the couple to express gratitude to their elders. The couple typically wears embroidered silk outfits in the color red for luck and prosperity. We wanted to pay homage to our heritage in a way that made sense for us - we may not have adhered to all the pillars of tradition, but focused on honoring our parents and family from afar whom we don't get to see nearly enough!

All jittery during our first look...you may recognize this dress from our engagement photos, minus the convertible snap-on bolero.
I came across several websites that made Chinese wedding dresses, but was unsure about their legitimacy and quality and couldn't find any reviews. My talented friend Khatu offered to hand make this one which made it all the more special to me. The design is inspired by the traditional qipao / cheongsam dresses with mandarin collars, but we used a softer color scheme and lace applique instead of embroidery.

During the ceremony, the couple kneels down and offers cups of tea first to the groom's parents then the bride's, followed by other family members in order of seniority. The elders sip the tea, and share words of blessing and red envelops filled with "lucky" money or jewelry.

Nick's mother wore a darling dress by Eliza J - it comes in petites and runs ~ a size small FYI.

My grandma was MIA during her turn...we finally found her hiding in a corner looking like this^

I had been pretty composed up until then, but the grandparents get me every time! They are elderly but traveled in from both across the country and globe. It meant the world to me to have them there.I love how my other grandmother's outfit matched her jade (they never take these off, ever!).

I also wanted to mention my petite aunt rented this sequined Nicole Miller gown (starts in sz 0P) from Rent the Runway. I thought it was an eye-catching yet elegant option for anyone looking for a black tie dress in petite sizing.

My mother (below) went for a silvery-blue beaded Sue Wong dress...I wish we were the same size so I could steal it from her closet!


I've gotten numerous emails and messages about where to find a similar teapot set as well as a mandarin-style dress - I'm so bummed I can't be of much help since we used an heirloom tea set and my dress was made by a friend. For any readers who have tips and suggestions from your own experience, I would love to hear them in the comments! I am sure that fellow ladies planning a similar ceremony would greatly appreciate any advice as well as reviews of mandarin dress companies.
Photos by Katch Studios; Dress by Khatu; Florals by Pollen; Makeup by Lisa Chy; Hair in partnership w/ TRESemm�; Nick's suit from Theory & accessories from The Tie Bar