Wishing for a White Christmas

WHBM soft drape wide-leg pants (3 colors) 00p + sweater xxsp c/o 

Smashbox "Cognac" lip, Prada Saffiano Cuir tote, Kate Spade heels (old)

As much as I hate the slush and salt (and shoveling!) that is the aftermath of snow, the first snowfall each season is always magical to me. I'm secretly hoping for some before Christmas, meanwhile this soft winter white pairing has me in similar spirits for now. I don't wear trousers too frequently, but am in love with the fluid drape and flattering cut of these from White House Black Market (the same style also comes in classic black or navy). Petite sizing of the cream is nearly sold out but still available in lower-maintenance darker colors. I often hear petite ladies should avoid wide-leg pants, however have to disagree. Two easy tips to help pull them off despite having shorter legs are: 1) look for styles with a higher waistline, and 2) get your pants hemmed if needed to hit just above the ground with heels on.

I've also worn these recently with a tartan shirt + navy blazer as shown below - I tucked the shirt in and chose a more cropped length blazer in order to keep the leg line long.

WHBM pants, H&M blazer, J.Crew shirt, Ann Taylor tote, Kate Spade heels

Several of you asked on this photo how to keep white pants clean...I wish there was a secret, but you just have to be more careful and wash quickly when spills/stains happen. I typically get mine hemmed about an inch off the ground (these in petites have a 29.5" inseam so didn't need any shortening!) so they don't drag on the dirty ground, and I usually only wear long trousers when I know I'll be taking a car or Uber rather than commute by foot. I also find it helps to hand-wash the hems of my pants in the sink between full launderings.

This sweater is called the convertible cowl, as you can either fold it down to wear it off both shoulders, asymmetrically just off one shoulder, or, for more conservative occasions you can keep the material up and draped in a cowl neckline:

Sizing-wise, I'm wearing both pieces here in my usual xxs/00p with no alterations. The pants are really nice quality for under $100, with a full lining with functional pockets. The slightly stretchy material feels fluid and comfy against the skin, and is even machine washable. Also, the 2-ring removable fabric belt is helpful for cinching the waist a little tighter if necessary. Here's a few other pieces that caught my eye at WHBM:

- cropped blazer (in petite & regular) - 75% off with great reviews (reviews are all under the "regular" sizing product page)! Shorter length jackets are good for creating a layered look over longer tops, or to pair with higher-waisted bottoms like I did with my navy blazer up above.

- longline blazer (2 colors; in petite & regular) - a feminine, tailored jacket still left in all petite sizes. Longer blazers are beautiful paired over slim ankle pants.

Thank you WHBM for partnering on this post! 

Winter Pink + Gray // Portland, Freeport Maine travel + food diary

Sorel Winter Fancy boots c/o, H&M coat, mug, YSL crossbody bag (review)

Banana Republic jeans, Talbots tee, Macy's sweater, Old Navy mittens & hat

We love heading up to Maine every so often for a change of pace, and more importantly, the food & drink! The food scene in Portland is amazing with a lot of fresh ingredients and creative culinary minds. We like gorging at restaurants there but staying somewhere with a little more rustic charm, like Freeport. It�s a small town about 20 minutes north, home to a big outdoor outlet mall for all your holiday shopping, a 24-hour LL Bean flagship store (because you might need duck boots at 3am), and don't forget the Maine Beer Company tasting room, Nick adds!

Packing essentials: ASOS plaid blanket scarf / wrap, Sole Society Cassidy bag 

Hunter foldable rainboots (the best! also  at Zappos or Bloomingdales), Sorel snow boots

Here we are toasting our feet back in our room at the charming Haraseeket Inn, after stuffing ourselves during their complimentary tea & treats service. I adore a room with a good cozy fireplace & reading nook! Nick's tartan PJ pants are a bargain from Old Navy (he also has the snowmen print I stole here which several of you guys asked about). They're 100% cotton and shrink a bit if machine dried, so size up for your men. My husband gets quite riled up when I borrow his favorite PJs, but they're just so comfy and festive I can't help myself : ) Btw, I also picked up these cable mittens & pom pom hat while at ON - the mittens are soo soft and cozy with fleece lining on the inside!

Men's flannel PJ pants (lots of prints), Target sweater leggings

On to Portland food�our first meal was at Eventide Oyster, co-founded by a chef who worked at Clio in Boston. They make a mean brown butter lobster roll on an Asian-style pillowy bao bun. Out of all the ways to have lobster, I prefer mine in the shell (Cantonese style over noodles! mmm...see my family recipe) but if I have to have a roll, this wasn�t bad at all. Nick on the other hand is all about the lobster rolls (and any Asian bao, pretty much), so naturally this one ranked pretty high on his list. The oysters were also oh-so-fresh and briney�it kills me when I go to places and they pour out or spill the brine before serving!

For brunch the next day, we were back in Portland at a spot called Central Provisions. The cornbread with bacon & filled with an egg was TDF! This dark photo doesn't do it justice...I'm still dreaming of all its crispy bits and runny goodness. Nick has been working on perfecting his recreation of this back home. 

I did manage to get my lobster pasta fix at Street & Co, which has been at the top of my to-try list. Apparently they take reservations 2 to 3 months ahead of time (nuts!) but thankfully also have some space for walk-ins. Their famed lobster diavolo was served piping hot & fresh, with all the seafood cooked to tender perfection for about $30 less than The Daily Catch's version in Boston. It's listed as "for two" but we made about two more meals out of the leftovers alone.

Aside from the yummy food, another common theme during our Portland trip were the strong drinks. I can usually do a few cocktails before needing to call it a night, but was a 1-drink wonder everywhere we went there (cheap date for Nick!).

You guys may remember this mock-neck sweater from this post tucked into a skirt and this post styled under a vest. The cropped length lends itself to so many different layered looks, including being worn over a longer button-up plaid shirt or patterned tee like I did here. They sell a lot of tops with that faux 2-in-1 look, which is very easy to create just with two shirts of differing lengths. 

Would love to hear some of your favorite towns & places to visit in Maine for our next trip!

Knits on Knits

LOFT sweater xsp (my review), Ann Taylor sweater skirt sz xxsp c/o

DIY leopard clutch (my tutorial), Kate Spade licorice heels (old color)

I've mentioned this Ann Taylor sweater skirt a few times now and just wanted to show how it looks when on! It's long enough for the office (mine measured about 19 inches which hits right above my knees), and you can fold the wide waistband over to shorten it for casual wear, like I did here. When folded over, it also created a nifty place to tuck my sweater hem in.



Mustard yellow + gray has to be one of my favorite combinations for Fall! FYI this sweater isn't as bright goldenrod as it appears in these photos...more of a muted mustard which is less loud. I added a printed clutch to break up all the solid shades in this outfit.
This photo below from my Instagram shows the color a bit more accurately. I've also worn this with my Banana Republic textured sloan pants - the slim cut offers a nice balance to the swingy A-line shape of the sweater. And oh, thank you to a kind reader Tiffany for letting me know that these Halogen "Marlie" d'orsay leopard pumps I have from over a year ago have been fully restocked starting in size 4! They're one of my favorites with a manageable mid-height heel, and I didn't think they would be brought back after so long. They do run a smidge big - I'm usually between 5 and 5.5 and a 5 fits me comfortably.

Cole Haan Friends & Family sale

Cole Haan Marina boots (my detailed review; outfit from this post)

'Tis is the season of friend & family sales - Saks' is going on now through 10/18 with code THANKYOU for 25% off (but with a dizzying list of brand exclusions), and Cole Haan's just started with 30% off using code FRIENDS30. They have free ground shipping on orders over $150 and free 2-day shipping for orders over $250. Nordstrom is price matching but sizes appear to be going more going quickly on their site.  Today is also the last day for Shopbop's friends and family sale! I updated my sale post here with some of my favorite denim that I missed or thought were excluded.

I've been a longtime Cole Haan customer for their quality and comfort technology (they also make wide foot widths and extended calf fits!), but have to say I often thought their styles were on the mature side. This season though I think they knocked it out of the park with a few styles including the classic Marina over-the-knee boots I'm wearing above, and some of my picks below. The Marina are not inexpensive but I find them to be absolutely worth the sale price. I'm usually between a size 5 and 5.5 and did get a 5 in these, however after a few wears I wish I got 5.5 so I could wear thicker socks. Nordstrom did not have the "stormcloud suede" color when I got mine...I went to check it out in-person and it's a gorgeous and versatile slate grey.

Continue reading for a shopping tip & my petite-friendly picks!

Cole Haan's website does something that I absolutely love. Under the "size & fit" area, they list out the shaft height and circumference measurements for every single size in their tall boots! I've never seen this before and it is so helpful, since both of these measurements can change considerably based on shoe size. Using this info, below are some potentially petite-friendly suggestions in adorable, classic styles. I only wish they would list out the ankle opening measurement for all of their ankle booties as well (only saw some).

1. Barnard boot in black or grey. This is the lower shaft and slightly lower heel version of my Marina boots. Size 5 has measurements of 15 and 5/16th shaft height, and 12 and 5/16th shaft circumference. Based on your shin and leg lengths, this could hit very differently either below, at, your knees or right above them so definitely compare measurements to your legs.

2. Rockland boot in chestnut brown or black. It has a ruched material back similar to some Aquatalia styles which helps with fit, and the one review said it fit her small calves and narrow feet well. Size 5 is listed to have a shaft height measurement of 14 and 12/16th inches, and a circumference of 13 inches.

3. Hayes bootie in black or olive suede. I just love the look of these! Nordstrom has more colors but is only price matching on the ones that Cole Haan also has. The ankle opening appears to be narrower than most booties, and looks very flattering in the one customer photo that's been uploaded.

4. Tali Luxe boot in black or grey. For those who prefer comfortable low wedges instead of heels. Based on the description, these appear to be an updated, modern version of their Tali Grand signature boot, and the differences are evident in the comparably slimmer measurements. The size 5 in these are listed to have a 14 and 10/12th height, 12 and 15/16th inch calf circumference, and 13.5" shaft opening.

Don't forget your men, and their online outlet is also included in the F&F sale. I didn't see too much there, but these Hinckley booties look adorable (ankle measurements are listed under size & fit) and are a good price for Cole Haan after the additional discount.

Boots with the fur

Kate Spade shirtdress, faux fur collar coat, cedar street harmony bag c/o

Cole Haan Marina boots (30% off w/ FRIENDS30), Nars lipcolor in "shanghai express"

As much as I like my bright colors, sometimes an all-neutral palette can feel the most classic. For the second half of my collaboration with Kate Spade New York, I styled this taupe and black pairing for the oncoming chilly season. I find the easiest way to elevate neutrals is with elements of texture, such as a luxe faux-fur collar, satiny bow tie, or tall suede boots.

I've been wearing this convertible handbag (6 colors; previously reviewed in this post) often and a few ladies on social media asked if the pink one would be limited to spring/summer wear. I actually think light pink can be very cross-seasonal and love it in cooler seasons paired with neutrals like taupe, camel and grey!


I also mentioned in my last post that Kate Spade's sizing can be rather petite-friendly. My bow-back dress from there in size 00 was a snug fit with no alterations needed, and I've also tried on several more that fit similarly. Just look for styles that are more fit and flare and where the waistline looks like it hits a little higher up on the model.

For more straight-cut pieces like the ones I chose for this post, I found the shoulders to fit in a size 00 with the sleeves requiring shortening, typical of regular sizing. For this woodland plaid bow shirtdress I used my favorite trick of tying a skinny belt around the waist and folding a few inches of material over the belt. This essentially creates a blouson waistline and also adjusts the length of the overall piece to your liking based on how much material you fold over. You can wear a dress like this to work with pumps and then "shorten" it for a night out.

The weight of this wool-blend coat is very heavy and the details and finishing remind me of the quality of my Burberry ones. The only alteration here was to shorten the sleeves by 2 inches. I also love some of their iconic bow-collared coats that I saw in-store but not yet online.

Thank you to Kate Spade New York for partnering on this post!

Sunflower summer

Ann Taylor shirt dress, Coach bag, Talbots belt, Gap hat

Happy Labor Day! Just popping in with a few sale updates, some of which are ending tonight. This weekend we visited the beautiful sunflower fields of Colby Farm (~ hour north of Boston) which were in peak bloom - most of them towered well over me!

Ann Taylor - (ends Monday night), take 60% off select Fall current styles, as well as all sale items. I reviewed this 100% cotton eyelet shirt dress worn above back in June, and wanted to mention it's now on final sale for under $32 down from $139! From the current Fall merchandise, the three items I reviewed recently in this post are part of the 60% off!

Nordstrom - end-of-season sale with up to 40% off...lots of clothes, shoes, and accessories to browse through. Wanted to point out the Topshop Drape blouse in blue, avail. in regular 2 and up (35% off). I had posted about this in white and petite sizing here, but mentioned due to the casua I think petites can likely wear regular sizing.

Kate Spade - extra 25% off sale items with lots of handbags and pretty dresses included. You can filter on the side for your size - petite ladies can keep an eye out for dresses that look higher-waisted on the model. This Charleen dress looks to be a classic fit & flare LBD is 75% off retail after discounts, but please note final sale.

Talbots - last day for 25% off everything. I received a few petite items to try on, and my favorites for quality and fit are this wool/cashmere blend cream cable sweater (tunic length on me) and this classic striped sweater with detachable white collar. Both fit nicely as casual sweaters on me in petite P and do not require dry cleaning.

Pink on Pink / Kate Spade Cedar Street Harmony bag

Kate Spade New York Cedar Street Harmony bag (6 colors) & dress (3 colors) c/o

Steve Madden heels, Clinique lip balm in "pudgy peony"

I wore this pink on pink look recently in NYC, and inadvertently coordinated with our hotel's vibrant lobby. My outfit is from Kate Spade New York's fall collection, which is full of color as well as the classic black & whites (which this bow-back dress is also available in) in feminine silhouettes. My bag from the Cedar Street collection is made of crosshatched leather, similar what most of us know as saffiano leather. I'm a big fan of this type of material as it's super low maintenance and wipes clean simply with a damp paper towel or cloth. This particular "Harmony" style converts from a crossbody for hands-free wear, to a cute mini tote that you can either carry by hand or loop over your wrists. It comes in numerous colors but the rose jade with (14k) gold accents combo is my favorite.

For reference, I am 5 feet tall and here's where the cross-body hits on me. The strap itself with chain is removable but not adjustable in length. I like my cross-body bags to hit higher at the hips, so my trusty handyman Nick subsequently helped remove and re-attach a few chain links on each side (a cobbler should be able to do this professionally on most bags). An alternative, easy shortcut is to "knot" the chain link on each side of the strap, which some of you might've seen in my snapchats.

The inside of this bag is lined in dotted fabric with two organizational pockets (one with a zipper). It's rather spacious compared to my usual cross-body bags and can fit sunglasses with case, phone, wallet and makeup bag with room to spare. The bottom has small metal feet for protection.

I also wanted to mention I'm wearing this dress in size 00 regular, which is fitted on me with no alterations. Kate Spade doesn't have a petites line, but if you keep an eye out for proportions (like the shorter, higher cut torso of this dress), some of their pieces can be rather petite-friendly. The material here is medium to heavier weight with good shape and is fully lined with side pockets. The back detail adds a splash of surprise with elasticized (also helps with fit) bows that happen to keep bra straps concealed.

Thank you Kate Spade New York for partnering on this post! Here's a few pieces I'm loving from their Fall collection, including other convertible bags that also come in this "rose jade" color. PS - their site has everyday free shipping & returns for US shoppers. 

Spring petites work wear: blush + stripes from day to night

Ann Taylor linen sweater c/o (review), BP flats, "pearl jam" necklace c/o

J.Crew Factory skirt (altered, extra 20% off with code EXTRA20), Kate Spade watch

I knew this linen sweater was a winner the moment I tried it on, and hope those of you who got it like it just as much! I reached for it every other day on my last trip and will be sharing more styling photos soon. As mentioned previously the sweater is sheer, so I wore a nude bra (do a camisole to be extra safe at work) underneath for an office-friendly pairing. A pair of pointy patent flats finished off this comfortable look - I absolutely love the sleek design of these flats (comes in 6 colors and starts in sz 4!), but remember they have minimal insole cushioning, so order half size up if you want to use inserts.

Steve Madden heels (9 colors!), H&M denim jacket (old, similar in petites) 

To shift this look for drinks or dinner after work, I'd simply add some strappy heels and an extra layer in case it gets chilly. Most people don't reach for pencil skirts outside of work, but I think it can look rather sultry and chic paired with more casual denim + going out shoes!

Here is the J.Crew Factory pencil skirt pre-alterations...
I thought the fit was very typical of petites skirts from their non-factory line. It felt similar to LOFT/AT petites sizing, and a little bigger than standard Banana Republic petites, for reference. The skirt sat low on my hips, and I personally prefer my pencil skirts to sit at my natural waistline.

Halogen chambray shirt in "light denim," J.Crew Factory skirt in 00P,  BP flats

I thought the cotton, fully-lined quality was very nice thus got professional alterations on this one. I had my tailor take in the waist and slim down the skirt through the hips, and then taper in the bottom leg opening a little more. Here's a few other adorable skirts from J.Crew factory currently on sale, starting in either 00 petite or 00 regular - remember to use EXTRA20 for another 20% off:

And oh, how charming is this mint home? We came across it during our walk in the Bahamas, and I couldn't resist snapping some quick pics in the driveway ; )

Maxi dress re-styled + Kate Spade metro watch for petite wrists

Eliza J. petites dress (altered, review), Blank NYC moto jacket (runs small, review)

Kate Spade Metro watch, Ray-Ban aviators in brown, Steve madden heels in blush patent

I got this maxi dress back from the tailor and have been determined to find more ways to wear it! Yes it is a statement dress, but layering and/or accessories can help tone it down a bit for more regular wear. When worn by itself it's very soft and romantic, so I loved the sharpness that a moto jacket and jet black accessories adds.
For a casual Sunday getting donuts with friends, I also wore this with an easy denim jacket and comfy wedge sandals. Because the skirt of this dress is so flowy and voluminous, a cropped, shrunken-fit layer up top works best for balance. And to break up the continuous floral pattern, a waist-cinching belt (worn a little higher up for long torso'd ladies) does visual wonders.

On to the accessories front, Nordstrom asked me to share my favorite timepieces for spring. After trying on dozens of styles & brands (I was particularly intrigued by Shinola's brand, but didn't find a design yet that strongly resonated with me), this Kate Spade "Metro" watch (multiple colors) was the best fit for my daily style. The 34mm face was also good for my wrist size, and the strap did not require any extra holes punched in order to fit comfortably.

I love the feminine pairing of soft peach leather, gold hardware, and sleek mother-of-pearl dial which are all elements that'd be right up my alley individually. Kate Spade also makes a "tiny Metro" which piqued my interest, but boy it is truly tiny (10 mm in diameter) like a small coin, and I personally prefer a bolder face. The strap measures about 6 to 8 inches in length from the buckle to the closest and furthest prong holes, respectively, but keep in mind the actual fit around the wrist is narrower due to the thickness of the leather strap.

For anyone considering one of these watches, I noticed the beige/gold, black/gold, and also some fun "dot dial" 34mm Metro options on temporary sale for 25% off, ending tonight (Monday)! Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring the watches portion of this post - as always, opinions are my own. 


Jumping back to this Blank NYC moto jacket, I'm happy to see that all sizes have been re-stocked since the last time I blogged about it. If interested, please check out my old review because sizing runs small, and the shoulders are padded. I love and wear this little jacket year-round, even though strong shoulders are outside of my typical comfort zone. This season they also made this in a pale pink - see my friend Ping try on both colors. For reference, she's approx. the same size as me but about 2 inches taller.
And for fit and sizing info on this dress, please also refer to my past review. Since that post, my tailor hemmed the dress approximately 2 inches for a length that hovers just above the ground. And instead of taking in the torso from both sides, he added a thin band of elastic gathering on the interior right along the waistline circle. The dress fabric is non-stretch so I thought this alteration was genius - the gathered elastic allows the waistline to look like a closer fit, but also stretch comfortably with my tummy after meals.

Here is the dress worn yet again (love getting a real bang for my buck!) simply with a contrasting colored belt for a dinner party:

Macys + Talbots Friends & Family sales

Dress by my friend Khatu, Ray-ban glasses in blue/gold (on sale!), Talbots sandals

Low-heeled neutral sandals are a must for the upcoming seasons...I know several of you were interested in my Talbots sandals from last year (long sold out), so I wanted to mention the cute options available this season. Talbots is currently having a 30% off Friends & Family sale with code FRIENDS30, ends 5/4. Sizes are starting to sell out, especially for online exclusive-styles. My favorite is the Peggy sandal with a low, comfortable block heel, constructed very similarly to my favorite pair from last year. I love all three classic color options, and the touch of gold on the inside of the heel (see stock photo) is so unexpectedly chic. I wore them around all day with no breaking-in needed. Size 5's are gone in all colors for the Peggy, but I found them to run a little small and a 5.5 fit me snugly. Here's another look at them:

Halogen shirt (Pls excuse the wrinkles! Got caught in the rain then stuffed inside my purse)

J.Crew factory skirt (waist altered), Talbots sandals, Kate Spade watch (25% off)

Here's a few other leather flat to low-heeled options on sale. Each of these are also available in a light neutral "Macadamia" color or the cognac brown "Pecan" pictured above. I've generally found Talbots footwear to be of good quality and comfy, and my friends are always surprised to learn where they're from! As an FYI, sizes 5 and 5.5 are online only.

Macy's is also having a F&F with 25% off most items - lots of pieces that I love are included! Use code FRIEND, ends 5/4. Nordstrom is price matching and I noticed that some of the matched prices are actually lower there than at Macy's:

1. The SM sandals that I've been over-wearing in "blush patent" (see my review and comments on comfort) retail for less at Nordstrom, and have the 25% off applied on top of that.
2. Ray-ban classic aviators (I wore the "brown" here and the "blue/gold" up above) are so easily adjustable for flat nose bridges, and also appear to be priced less at Nordstorm.
3. Michael Kors Sutton satchel - priced the same at Macy's and at Nordstrom, with more color options in stock at Macy's. See the pale blue medium sutton on me.