Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a lovely and chic Thanksgiving.  I’m grateful to be spending the holiday with my family in Connecticut this year.  There’s snow on the ground and a fire roaring in the fireplace.  I’m so thrilled the holiday season has begun.  Thank you all for your support and I hope you have a delicious day!

Trendwatch: Winter Coats

WInter is coming, my friends.  Make sure you’re shielded appropriately with some stylish winter armour.  Here are my top four winter coat trends to help you brave the tundra.

 FAUX FUR & SHEARLING:

Topshop // River Island // Topshop

It’s luxe, warm, AND fuzzy.  Cozy up in some faux fur or shearling for the ultimate in winter comfort. Try a jazzed up printed longline for some edge, or keep it sporty yet glamorous with a fur padded jacket. If fur isn’t quite your thing, you can try a shearling car coat.  Shearling is sheared sheep or lamb wool that has a suede surface on one side and a clipped fur surface on the other.  It’s just as cozy, and oftentimes even a bit warmer.  Any of these options are sure to keep you cozy…fur real.

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 DUVET COATS:

   

Modcloth // Modcloth // River Island

I pretty much never want to leave my bed during winter.  Like…I want to hibernate…until March.  So I’m super excited that duvet coats are warming up the racks this season.  Much like quilted styles of past seasons, the duvet coat is for the winter explorer who wants to look fashionable while wrapped in down and quilted goodness. Try a longer silhouette for extra frigid climates, or keep it whimsical with winter florals and bright colors.  No matter which style you choose, you’re bound to feel comforter-ble.

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RETRO LADYLIKE:

  

All coats from Modcloth

So, there are two trends that are drifting in with the impending snow: 60’s style and ladylike shapes.  So I combined the two and found these winter coat trends that will have you perfectly outfitted for caroling and hot cocoa.  The key to this look is texture.  Fuzzy accents like fur collars or cuffs, oversized buttons, and woven fabrics are reminiscent of retro glamour made famous by the likes of Twiggy, Natalie Wood, and Bridgette Bardot. ​

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MIXED MEDIA:

River Island // Topshop // River Island

Why choose just one accent when you can have two or three?!  With mixed media coats, you can have ALL the fun.  Slip on a quilted coat that combines leather sleeves with a fur collar, or one with sporty quilted sleeves and a long straight cut.  This style of coat is in it for the long haul of winter.

So, Chic Seekers…how will you plan on keeping warm this winter?!

The Chic Geek Goes VEEP!

Hey Chic Seekers!  As you may have noticed, I’ve been slackin a little bit on my post game…but I promise it’s for good reason.  I recently left New York on short notice to shoot an episode of VEEP for HBO!  As always, I love being able to do what I love and work creatively as an actor…but one of my favorite parts of the process is WARDROBE!  This time around I was cast as a political lawyer, and I was really looking forward to seeing how they dressed me.  And they did NOT disappoint!

The hair stylist swept my hair up into a chignon, leaving the top of my hair curly and textured (as opposed to slicking it back).  Wardrobe suited me up in navy pinstripes and a navy floral-printed silk button-down.  You KNOW I was lurving that stripes and floral combo!  I loved my suit.  I felt elegant, but still professional enough to be working amongst White House professionals.

The episode doesn’t air until the upcoming season this spring, but be sure to keep in touch so you can see this outfit in all it’s small-screen glory!  Thanks, Veep!

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Suit: Calvin Klein (c/o VEEP Production)

Blouse: Anne Taylor (c/o VEEP Production)

The Creative’s Corner: Olithea Goes Guerrilla With The Chic Geek

Welcome back to the Creative’s Corner, Chic Seekers!  I’ve got a special video for you all today.

When my friend Olithea Anglin contacted me and asked me to style her, I was thrilled!  She is the lead singer of local NYC band SOMETHING MAJOR, and she was in need of a fierce outfit for their first television appearance.  Olithea requested to be outfited in a look that reflected her personal style but was still comfortable enough for her to perform in.  So we took to the streets and documented our adventures…GUERRILLA STYLE!  Come see how we styled Olithea in urban bohemian-glam fashion…

 

Trendwatch: Burnt Sienna

This season, the neglected crayon in your Crayola box set finally gets some shine.  This week we’re celebrating BURNT SIENNA.

Images: InStyle

Don’t go confusing this color with Cinnamon or Pumpkin…this shade is a balanced blendage (yup, made it up) of brown and red.  Sienna popped up in various designers collections for Fall and is much easier to incorporate into your wardrobe than one might think.  A little dab’l do ya, so there’s no need to go monochromatic all at once.  Take a look at how you can easily weave some sienna into your fall wardrobe.

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 A DAY AT THE OFFICE:

   

Blouse: Topshop // Pants: H&M // Blazer: H&M // Heels: Zara

Navy blue and beige are the perfect comliments to the fresh-baked shade of sienna.  Warm up the office with a fall floral and some classic pumps in fall’s freshest shade.  Break up the palette with navy trousers and a beige longline blazer.  Mmmmm…toasty.

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APPLE PICKING:

  

Hat: Urban Outfitters // Blouse: Modcloth // Jeans: Nasty Gal // Boots: Aldo // Bag: Aldo

What could be a better occasion to wear one of fall’s hottest shades than while partaking in one of fall’s greatest pastimes?!  Whether you’re searching for the perfect Braeburn or hopping on a hay ride, a pair of weathered jeans, a sienna colored tunic and matching fedora are the perfect uniform.  Tie on a pair of fur-lined moto booties and grab a teal tote for an extra pop of color, and you’ll be the apple of everyone’s eye.

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DATE NIGHT:

 Skirt: Dorothy Perkins // Shirt: Old Navy// Necklace: Francesca’s // Heels: Nasty Gal

You’ll dazzle on your date with a sequin sienna skirt!  No need to go overboard with such a statement item.  A cozy long-sleeved tee with lace embellishments and a modest statement necklace will do the trick.  He’ll be falling for you in no time.

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BABY SHOWER:

 

 Dress: Modcloth // Cardigan: Miss Selfridge // Booties: Forever 21 // Scarf: Loft

Whether you’re attending a baby shower or just a casual lunch with friends, comfort AND style are key.  A flouncy dress layered under a teal mohair cardigan will keep you cozy and cute.  Toss a printed scarf around your neck for some extra warmth and finish off the look with a pair of suede ankle booties.  An ensemble like this is an autumnatic hit!

Anyone can add BURNT SIENNA to their wardrobe.  Try pairing it with colors like CHARCOAL, NAVY, or DEEP TEAL.  Let me know what you think of this color and how you’re wearing it!

Things I Lurve

Happy Friday, Chic Seekers!  I hope you had a pleasant and productive week.  Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?  It’s going to drop down to the 40’s this weekend, so I’m hoping to do something cozy like go see a movie or go out for a bowl of hot Vietnamese Pho.  Whatever you end up doing this morning, don’t forget to treat yo’ self!

I’m doing #thedailybon gratitude challenge hosted by my friend Laura Simms of Create As Folk.

My absolute favorite thing about Halloween each year.

Face your “going out” fears!  This style guide has some super chic ideas.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel yet?

Sophia Loren finally tells the story behind her famous side-eye photo.

Okay, okay…I know it’s too early for Holiday decorating, BUT these are SO CUTE!

These earrings are badass.

Nom, nom, nom!!!!!  I’ve always been afraid to use my slow cooker, but this looks amazing!

This A-Z of slang made me LOL.

Suspended

I’ve been really into these suspenders lately…

They came with a pair of courduroy shorts that I bought a few years ago and I randomly decided to take them off and try wearing them with high-waisted jeans.  Paired with my Warby Parker frames, they give a simple blouse or button-down a sexy geek chic vibe.  What little accessories are you all loving?

The Creative’s Corner: Headshot Archetypes (Part IV)

 

Welcome back to the final segment of our Headshot Archetype series here at the Creative’s Corner!  Today, we are featuring the lovely ANNA CHAZELLE who is in search for the perfect EDGY look for her type.

I knew we couldn’t just throw Anna in a ribbed tank top and leather jacket and call her “edgy.”  Oh no, darlings.  She is MUCH more specific than that.  We decided this acclaimed cirque performer, fire thrower, and native French speaker is more of an Enigmatic Indie Outsider.  Take a look at how it all came together…

Trendwatch: Fall Florals

Just because the weather is getting chillier and the days are shorter, it doesn’t mean you have to let the idea of floral prints wither and die.  By keeping your materials seasonal and with some smart layering, this trend can be wearable straight through winter.

Images: Fashionisers

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 DATE NIGHT:

   

Skirt: Chicwish // Top: H&M // Booties: Modcloth // Necklace: BaubleBar

If love is in bloom, then you ought to dress the part!  Try a full floral-print skirt with gentle pleats paired with a cropped turtleneck sweater and suede booties.  When wearing a skirt this full with a print this bold, it’s best to top off your ensemble with a more delicate piece of jewelry like this collar necklace. Now that’s la vie en rose.

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AT THE OFFICE:

  

Jacket: Miss Selfridge // Skirt: River Island // Blouse: Modcloth // Heels: Modcloth

Bring some life and warmth to a dull and cold office atmosphere with a floral slim-line jacket in toasy fall hues like pumpkin and paprika.  A sleek leather pencil skirt adds a professional “I’m on my lady business” vibe while the tie front blouse and bow-detailed heels still keeps the look approachable.  Now you’re ready to get to work and shake a few leaves off the branches.

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 BRUNCH WITH FRIENDS:

Trousers: Dorothy Perkins // Sweater: Forever 21 // Jacket: River Island // Hat: Nasty Gal

Nothing says Sunday brunch with the ladies like a breezy pair of pleated trousers.  Meet the girls out in this leafy pair and throw in a cheeky, printed cropped sweater for a playful weekend groove.  A felt fedora adds a bit of cool and casual, while a faux-fur leather bomber jacket keeps you warm when it gets breezy sipping those bottomless mimosas. But I don’t need to explain further…Iris my case.

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RUNNING ERRANDS:

 

Jacket: Zara // Jeans: Joe Fresh // Shirt: Gap // Sweater: Joe Fresh // Sneakers: Aldo

A floral printed bomber jacket is the perfect fall cover-up to run errands, go shopping, or have a casual “me” day.  Tie your hair up in a messy bun and toss on your favorite weathered jeans to stay comfy.  If the weather is a bit chilly, just pair a lightweight printed button down with a chunky cable knit sweater under your jacket for a few extra layers. These suede and leather sneaks are the final element to keep you feeling relaxed and comfy enough to bustle around all day long.  There’s no time to be a wallflower when you’re a girl on the run!

So what do you think, Chic Seekers?  Let me know what floral items you’re looking forward to trying this fall.

The Creative’s Corner: Headshot Archetypes (Part III)

Welcome back to the Creative’s Corner, darlings!  I hope you enjoyed last week’s first video installment of the Headshot Archetype series.

This week Broadway actress Kimberly Marable stopped by to be styled for a BUSINESS headshot. As an African American woman, Kimberly takes a great deal of pride in her beautiful natural afro (as she should!) but wasn’t quite sure how to put together a “Business” look that suited her personality and maintained her natural hairstyle.

Take a look at how we styled Miss Kimberly as two different BUSINESS SHADES: a  Intelligent, Savvy Professional AND a Creatve, Trailblazing Executive.