Black on black // airport travel outfit

DVF luggage (3 sizes - mine's the 24" spinner), faux fur vest XS (2 colors)

JBrand jeans (similar starting in sz 24 short!), BlankNYC jacket

Maison Jules sweater XS (runs small) c/o, Adrienne Vittadini boots (old; similar)

Macy's friends & family sale is going on now through 12/10 - use code FRIEND to take 25% almost everything sitewide, plus they have free shipping & return ship for all orders over $25. I had been wanting to get the bigger size of my Brics Bellagio suitcase for a while now, for those trips that can't be packed into just a carry-on bag. Unfortunately after seeing my friend's white one get so scuffed up from being repeatedly checked, I couldn't make the splurge. Brics has great craftsmanship, but lighter colors will get dirtied if you check it (I only use mine as a carry-on). As an alternative, I stumbled across this Diane von Furstenberg version which comes in three sizes. I debated for ages over the two colors (LOVE the clean look of black/white) but went with black/brown so there'd be no heartache over dark scuffs, also so it matches my existing travel bags. It doesn't have the same luxe detailing as the Brics, but is still super cute and lightweight for a mere fraction of that price (esp. with the extra 25% off!).

I checked out all three sizes of this bag - please note the only one within airplane carry-on requirements is 18" and pretty small in size. I got the medium 24" size for checking, which is still fairly compact but plenty for holding a good week of outfits. The largest 28" size did not look overwhelmingly large, so if you like to pack generously then I'd suggest that one.

This faux fur vest is a recent find and is both petite-friendly and very affordable. The burgundy color caught my eye first but I ended up going for basic black (there's a pretty subtle gray chevron pattern on it). I tried on dozens of faux fur vests that went well past my tush, but this hits right by my hips and runs fairly narrow. I'm wearing an XS, but the style is forgiving - I could likely size up to a S for layering. I've styled it here over a shrunken fit moto jacket, which gives the illusion of one of those faux fur jackets with leather sleeves. There are several hook-and-eye closures on the vest along the front, and are a snug close on me over two thicker layers.

A few other suggestions included in the 25% off:

- If you missed the last Ray-Ban promo, all styles are included in this sale! My personal favorites as you guys know are the 58mm aviators and the 51mm clubmasters.
- Michael Kors petite poncho with removable faux fur muffler, already on markdown before the extra discount. This is a chic poncho sweater that was both warm and cozy when on. The faux fur muffler felt plush and of high quality. A petite XS/S fit me well, measuring 1" longer than my Anthro one and softer to the touch. I really liked it but passed in order to get more wear out of the ponchos already in my wardrobe.
- Coach turnlock crossbody bags similar to my yellow one. Comes in several colors of pebbled leather including a metallic one that's pretty for dressier outfits.
- Michael Kors medium sutton satchel which I have in blue. The MK gold medallion is easily removable for a cleaner look. If you don't have a cognac brown tote bag yet, their "luggage" color is a good staple.

I'd love to hear any of your favorites included in this sale! Thank you Macy's for partnering on this post.

Fall staples + how to get hats to stay on your head

J.Brand Maria jeans "vanity" sz 24 hemmed, Bobeau cardigan sz XSP "light grey"

BP Trolly booties, Talbots tee (also worn here), Hinge wool hat in "heather camel"

I sometimes hear pairing brown with black (also navy with black) as a "don't" and can't imagine why! I think the two work together harmoniously, which inspired this outfit comprised of four of my favorite neutrals. This is my second Bobeau cardigan and the "light grey" knit is a heathered one that goes with everything. I've gotten some questions on the differences between Bobeau's regular fleece cardigan (which I've shown often in "mink") and their fuzzy which I have on here. The regular has a smooth outer and is lined in a traditional fleece material as most of us know it, while the fuzzy fleece is a thinner knit material that is smoother on the inside and with a very fine fuzziness on the outside that feels suuper soft and not really fleece-y. I found the fuzzy to run a little tighter in the arms thus sized up one.

This outfit prompted me to also share a little tip I've been using to keep hats secure on your head! After having one too many gusts of wind leave me chasing after a hat, I came up with these super easy hairpin loops made of thin elastic. Simple sew two (one near each ear) pieces of elastic by hand into the interior of a hat band, and use them as loops to secure bobby pins to. If needs be, seal the cut edges of the elastic with clear nail polish to prevent fraying. I am slowly in the process of adding these to all my hats, especially the lightweight ones from summer!

Sizing-wise, this hat is more generously sized, but I kept it out of several I tried because it actually encases most of my head and keeps it warm. I've been using it more as a functional rather than fashion accessory (rumples hair up much less than knit hats), but it doesn't hurt that it's in a cute panama shape. If you have a hard-to-fit head, I've mentioned before on IG that H&M has sized hats in S/M/L and the S fits pretty small (I'm a M there).

Black skinny jeans are high up on my fall/winter staples list, as they're so flattering especially with booties. Nordstrom has a big selection at all price points starting in sizes 23 / 000, and I like to filter by size plus "ankle" length for ones that may require no alterations on shorties. The J.Brand "Maria" cut is an old favorite of mine despite a regular length that did need to be hemmed. It's a high-waisted style that fully covers my lower belly, which some may be averse to but in my older age I love how it holds everything in and flattens that area. The material of these in "vanity" is a substantial-weight denim (please note that I've found materials to be quite varied based on the color code, even within the same style from the same brand). Color is a regular black, not as jet black as these photos depict.

If you're looking for more of a jegging, I love the feel of CoH's popular legging jeans in "axel." I remember a while back I was sick in bed and less than enthused about getting dressed for an event. I was staying with a friend, who loaned me her "axel" jeans and I couldn't believe something so stretchy, soft and comfortable could look reasonably formal! I like my ankle area to be super skinny however and these have a slim but slightly wider opening than my J.Brands. A sz 24 in the CoH's fit well everywhere except length, so I didn't find them to run small like the item listing notes.

Thank you to Nordstrom denim for sponsoring this post!

PS - restock alert - my wool blend plaid scarf from this post is now all sold out on Sole Society, but I noticed Nordstrom just got stocked the "hunter green" one I have!

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!

Casual classics: Distressed jeans + Topshop petite drape blouse

Topshop Drape blouse in sz 2P (avail in petite/reg/maternity/tall; also sold at Nordstrom)

Treasure & Bond jeans (40% off!) in sz 24, Steve Madden sandals, Goyard tote

Today's post is a simple outfit of all casual basics - distressed skinny jeans, a draped white blouse (comes in several other colors & sleeve lengths), and minimalistic sandals. To add a little interest, I layered on delicate necklaces and a printed tote. I wear my long-sleeved white drape blouse to pieces and knew I'd get plenty of wear out of a short version. Topshop runs small compared to American sizing - 0P fit fine but I sized up to 2P for a looser fit. I think this is one of those pieces where regular sizing would work well also, because I wouldn't mind a longer length (you can casually tuck it in the front). I noticed they now have free shipping and returns for US customers which is awesome, esp. compared to before. While at the NYC store, I saw these distressed denim shorts in petite (suggest sizing up for a casual fit) and wanted to point them out as a very similar option to my sold-out Express ones.

When shopping for distressed jeans, an issue I often have is the knee hole placement (usually hits several inches below my actual knees). I was so pleasantly surprised at the overall fit of these Treasure & Bond jeans, plus they're currently 40% off! They are listed as crop jeans, which works nicely as regular jeans for someone my height (5 feet tall). The size 24 fits true to size on me with no waist gap, and the medium weight denim is stretchy and comfortable. If you have longer legs, I also tried on these distressed boyfriend jeans on sale at a bargain...

STS blue boyfriend jeans in size 00, BP V-neck tee (sized up to a S)

They are adorable casual jeans and the 00 was a slouchy but slim fit (unlike many boyfriend jeans which are too baggy on a petite frame), however the knee holes were 2" too low for me so I'll be returning. The length is longer but due to the cuffs, you can roll them up to your liking.

I finally got these Steve Madden sandals in a second color...my first pair in blush patent have truly proven to be the ultimate versatile sandal for me. They make shorter legs look long and the design is simple but elevated. Please note from my initial review on the blush ones that they run narrow! I'm usually between 5 and 5.5 and got the latter in these to accommodate my foot width both in the insole as well as the front toe strap.

Ray-ban clubmasters, Baublebar bar & pyramid necklaces c/o

If you're shopping for delicate necklaces, Baublebar has a "pick your pendants" option on their site that lets you pick three layering necklaces at a savings for $68 total. I'm wearing the slim bar short one, infinity medium one, and the longer pyramid spike Y (great for wearing with V-necklines) which are all part of the bundle pricing choices. The slim bar and pyramid Y chain are my favorites because of the sleek 14k gold-plated design, and add just a little something to the most basic outfits. From my Baublebar sale order last month, my favorite piece has to be the bowline cuff bracelet, also worn here. It appears to now be sold out on their site but I found it still available here - would recommend esp. for narrow wrists, since you can bend the metal slightly to adjust the fit.

Simple stripes + white jeans (and Topshop Moto Leigh jeans review)

Articles of Society jeans (I sized down), Banana Republic shirt + trench (old). F21 belt (old)

Steve Madden sandals, 12mm pearls stud earrings (similar, 40% off!), Goyard tote

I'm sure many of you would agree that white jeans are one of the more frustrating pieces to shop for! I began my search for the perfect pair months ago and was hoping to report back on a decisive favorite. I wanted: thicker, sturdier white denim with good stretch, no sheerness (you know when you can see an obvious nude undertone), functional front pockets, and a form-fitting skinny cut. I was willing to pay more for the perfect pair, and also did not mind if the length needed a hem � I figured the chances of finding all of the above, and in petite sizing was probably asking too much!

Above with heels for going out, and with BP flats below for running errands:

So far I haven't found any that meet all of my requirements, but the frontrunner (as you can probably tell from their frequent appearances) are these Articles of Society �Sarah� jeans from Nordstrom. Minus the real front pockets, they do have everything else I wanted. I've actually never heard of this brand until my friend let me borrow hers, and I eventually concluded they were a pretty great option and got my own pair. Please note I�m usually a solid 24 in skinny jeans, but sized down to a 23 in these and they still fit a touch looser compared to my Rag & Bone "the Skinny" size 24s. However, these shrunk down a bit in the washer/dryer (these photos were snapped pre-shrinking) and now fit just how I like 'em.

Material is medium in weight, or possibly thick compared to some others that I've tried (like the Topshop ones below). No nude undertones which I really appreciate, but definitely still wear skin-toned underwear with all of your white bottoms. I am bummed about the faux front pockets, but I figured they must�ve done this to eliminate any see-through pocket lining issues that white jeans are usually fraught with.

Length is 3� long on me which I�ve been wearing cuffed up. I actually brought these to the tailor to get a hem, but after some debate, decided I rather liked the casual ankle cuff look. I can always get them hemmed later when I'm tired of this style.

I repeat this outfit quite a bit...each piece is a wardrobe staple and it never gets old! By the way, I'm wearing my latest lipcolor obsession below...Clinique's "Chubby Sticks" which are tinted lip balms. They glide on smoothly and are soo easy to apply, like chapstick, but the color has decent pigmentation and keeps my lips moisturized for several hours. I'm a big fan of no-fuss makeup so these have earned their place in my daily makeup pouch. I'm wearing mega melon below which is like a "my lips but better" shade, and I can't wait to try some more colors.

Before getting these AofS jeans, I tried on numerous other pairs including LOFT, J.Brand, Joe's, CoH, Paige...was unfortunately in a rush most of those times and didn't get to snap photos, but each one had their own fit or white fabric issue and none of them were notably better than the Articles of Society option. I did take some snapshots of the popular Topshop Moto "Leigh" white jeans, shown below in size 25 short. I had been so intrigued by this style because fellow bloggers said it runs small, plus it comes in short inseams!

They did indeed run small, very small - I sized up and it was still like a second skin on me. The size 25s in these fit tighter than the Articles of Society in 23. The material was thin and felt more like a legging pant than a denim.

Topshop jeans in sz 25, H&M top (old), Halogen Marlie pumps (old, similar)

Also, the thinner material had a definite nude undertone typical of so many white jeans. I felt scandalous even trying these on in my living room because of the hints of skin color you can see at the butt. They are rather sexy on the booty though, so I was tempted to keep them for a second� Although these weren't winners for me, I do see other ladies looking great in these so perhaps give them a try if you're looking for a thin, super skinny jegging. The �short� inseam was good on my 5' height, and the knee holes were spot on for me.

Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!

Aqua days: white skinny jeans + Pleione petites tunic

Pleione petites tunic, Articles of Society jeans borrowed from friend (starts in sz 23)

Hat borrowed from friend, Nina sandals (old), Goyard tote, AC necklace c/o (review)

These photos were taken at the Royalton Punta Cana resort where we spent the majority of our vaca. Compared to the last place, all the lodging, beaches, pool and restaurants here were much closer together (5 minute walk max) and the facilities were ~2 years old so still looked fairly new. During our stay, temps dipped into the 60's on occasion so I was glad to have packed light pants and sleeved tops. I tried on this Pleione top from Nordstrom numerous times in the past and liked the soft, comfy fabric (smoother on the front half and stretchy on the backside) and the tunic length for covering up the butt. I thought the aqua color would help brighten up my existing wardrobe and look nice against a budding tan.

Here's the length of an xxs petite when untucked - please note the lighter colors of this top are a little sheer. Also, my top did wrinkle on me in the suitcase and needed steaming in a hot shower. To avoid sheerness, I'd recommend this top in the basic wear-with-anything black or the gorgeous "blue mazzarine," both of which I also tried and can confirm were opaque.
You might recall this coverup dress from earlier (reviewed here) - it transitioned surprisingly well for dreary weather paired with my trusty BP ankle boots and Blank NYC moto jacket, topped off with a long black wool coat. To keep poly material from clinging to tights, simply wear a half slip skirt. Please excuse my T-rex claw as I adjust to gripping a bigger phone for selfies : )


Good white skinny jeans have been on my search list for over a year now - I've been dying to try some cold weather pairings with camel brown, printed scarves, colorful coats or just a simple black + white color scheme. I borrowed these Articles of Society jeans from a friend which were a little loose on me throughout in size 24 (I also have a few inches of length folded under). I just noticed this brand makes a size down in 23 which would probably be a perfect waist/hip/rise fit on someone my size. Material is on the thin side but not sheer, was comfy to wear, and the backside is surprisingly flattering. I'm holding out though for a pair with thicker denim, so will be trying on a few alternatives to compare. If you have any favorite white denim styles that are currently in stock, please share!

PS -  Much of the Nordstrom winter clearance is now limited in sizing, but this Vince Camuto 100% silk blouse in two of my favorite vibrant colors is still in stock starting in xxs petite. The blue is more classic while the lime is undeniably fun for spring/summer (have a version myself and love). Also these Halogen cashmere sweaters are now up to 55% off in multiple colors including this same aqua - no more petites but I don't mind regular sizing for sweaters to get a casual, slouchier look.

Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post.

Petite-friendly Swell paisley dress / beach cover up

Swell paisley dress sz S (also liked this print)
Goyard St. Louis PM tote, Bric's Bellagio 21" carry-on luggage, BR sunglasses c/o

Talbots sandals (old, similar here for an extra 20% off, or here in wedge form)

Hello again finally! We decided to spend the last leg of our time off with friends in NYC this weekend. I'm a little nervous to return to Boston as I had been getting daily disgruntled texts from friends about snow snow and more snow ever since we left town. We've accepted our car's icy buried fate, but have fingers crossed for no frozen pipes or collapsed roof!

Last summer I got lots of requests for coverup and swim suggestions but rarely made it to the water (and when I did, resorted to college spring break garb that is well past its prime). So although beach/pool wear is probably the last thing on your minds now, I figured posting ideas earlier is better than never! And I actually think this particular dress can be re-styled with tights, booties and either a vest or sweater for winter.

I randomly came across Swell which was a beachwear jackpot for my last-minute packing scramble. They have cute items from a range of brands, and also their own line which is pretty affordable and mostly made in the USA. What sealed the deal for my first order was free 2-day express shipping + returns for orders over $99 (and free standard shipping for orders over $39). I had two keepers (also got this off-shoulder dress which I'll upload pics of tomorrow) that worked nicely for transitioning from pool/beachside to resort restaurants.


I had wondered how winter vacationers go from negative 2 to 80 degree weather, and noticed fellow passengers simply changing on the plane. I followed suit and chose this long sleeve chiffon-y paisley dress that is very lightweight and comfy. It's not petite sizing so the sleeves were about an inch longer than I typically wear em. I actually think the fit of a Small was perfectly fine off the rack for a casual dress, similar to an H&M sz 4. Since I am a little nit-picky, as a temporary fix, I used a safety pin on each side of the interior shoulder seams to take in about 1", as shown below:

*you can also wear this reversed for a V-neck in the front! It's not too low even as a regular dress

This effectively raised the sleeve length and the hemline a tad too. It created little gathered pleats visible from the outside which weren't too conspicuous due to the dark print. The dress is fully lined in the torso and slightly sheer in the flowy sleeves. Material is poly which felt lightweight, traveled really well and didn't wrinkle on me. Care tags say hand wash cold and line dry, with dry cleaning as a suggested alternative (no thanks for me...not for beach wear!).

Whenever we were snapping blog photos, kind passersby would insist on helping us take a photo together. We figured by the end of the trip we'd have a plethora of good shots, but no such luck! PS - I just realized the blurry print on Nick's swim trunks looks like...erm, male genitalia, but they're actually cute little lobsters, I swear! I picked them up (Sperry sold at Nordstrom) to replace his tattered pair and they were a hit.