Tag Archives: gray boots

Booties and a Maxi Dress

Office Appropriate Outfits - Fall · Shopping

I received this dress in my latest Le Tote and I LOVED it. Super comfy, interesting pattern, and I figured it would work well for late summer and early fall.

The only downside? I didn’t have the perfect shoes to wear with it for fall. I tried these gray booties but I wasn’t so sure about the outcome.

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Dress – Le Tote (same) | Necklace – Le Tote (same) | Shoes – H by Hudson c/o Shopbop (similar) | Jacket – Velvet c/o Shopbop (same and on sale!) 

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Even though the dress has gray in it, I wanted to wear it with brown/tan booties. However, I don’t have any! I have my cheetah wedges but I wasn’t feeling the pattern mixing.

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Thankfully, though, Shopbop is having a sale and I’ve got my eye on a few pairs!

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The sale ends at midnight Pacific Time on Wednesday, October 14th. So, you can bet I’ll be walking on over to my computer ASAP today to order a pair (or two!) of booties. I’ve linked to my favorites at the bottom of this post.

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A different pop of green

Casual Friday · Office Appropriate Outfits - Winter

It’s been all about green here on the blog lately so here’s an outfit without any green in it. I mean, it’s surrounded by green, but the outfit itself is mostly gray.

gray moto jacket with gray sweater

Jacket – Macy’s (similar) | Sweater – Express (similar) | Jeans – American Eagle Outfitters (same) | Boots – H by Hudson c/o Shopbop (similar)

Yes, these are the last of my photos from the Garfield Park Conservatory. For now, anyway, I definitely want to go back in the summer and get some outdoor photos, too!

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And, in case you needed it, here’s some proof that I actually wore this outfit to wander around the conservatory. Sans jacket, of course. I think I mentioned it was warm in there!

I also wore this outfit to work. I like this moto jacket because it functions more like a blazer than a jacket. This way I can wear it over something but still take it off and have a complete outfit underneath. In this case I kept the outfit simple with just my watch as my jewelry. In the past, though, I’ve also paired it with pearls, pink, and professional looks.

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To boot or not to boot

Casual Friday · Office Appropriate Outfits - Winter

I’m still working through a backlog of photos so here’s an outfit I wore back in November. I originally wore it with the boots but decided halfway through the day I should have worn it with my silver flats. Something about the boots just felt too heavy too me.

So, here it is both ways. What do you think?

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Blazer – Forever 21 (similar) | Top – Le Tote (same) | Jeans – Henry & Belle (similar) | Boots – H by Hudson (same) | Flats – Sole Society (similar) (similar in more sizes)

Anyway, I don’t have a good segue for this, but lately I’ve been thinking about hustle. On Sunday I was sitting in the window of a local coffee shop with a friend talking about my strength training  and running and personal trainers. Sitting across the street from a place where I know several local bloggers spend a lot of time doing part of their hustle also made me think about how you only have one life.

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I’ve got a few things brewing in my head and one of them is the possibility of getting my personal training certification. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for awhile. I don’t know yet what I’d do with it, but that’s what lead me to the idea of “the hustle”. You know, the one where you make your living doing what you love even if it means giving up the comfort of a desk and a cube.

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I’ll be 36 next week and I think I’m having some kind of midlife crisis. Maybe 2016 is the year I do something crazy. Maybe not. But what will it hurt if I start with getting a personal training certification? What do you think about that?

P.S. If you are looking for the most adorable flats then may I recommend these? Why? Because polar bears, that’s why. Maybe I needed these for this outfit instead.

Then and Now [Vol. 7]

Casual Clothes · Casual Friday · Office Appropriate Outfits - Spring · Then and Now

As mentioned yesterday, I wanted to show you a casual way to wear my new wood watch from JORD. Today’s casual outfit, however, might look really familiar since it’s almost the same as what I wore the last time I was in Arizona. Except this time I swapped the black jeans for dark denim, the plain chambray for polka dots, and wore it open over a white tee. So, uh, I guess it’s not quite the same. Except for the scarf and the shoes. And the watch of course.

05_May_2015 - 1 of 10Scarf – J. Crew Factory (similar) | Chambray – Old Navy (similar) | Tee – Target (similar) | Jeans – American Eagle Outfitters (same) | Shoes – Hudson c/o Shopbop (same) | Watch c/o JORD (same)

05_May_2015 - 3 of 10Once again, I wore this outfit when it was still chilly in Chicago. Lately we’ve had warmer weather so thankfully these layers aren’t really necessary. Although, to be honest, I was finally getting the hang of layering!

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What to wear in the mountains

Casual Clothes · Casual Friday

Although Jason and I had to fly to Arizona last week for a not-so-fun reason, I have to admit that I was a bit loathe to return to Chicago. Why? Well, for one, the views are amazing. The other? It was in the 50s! I was able to wear this outfit without a coat!

chambray-shirt-black-jeans-2Scarf – J. Crew Factory (similar) | Shirt – LOFT (same) | Jeans – American Eagle Outfitters (same) | Shoes – H by Hudson c/o Shopbop (same)

chambray-shirt-black-jeans-1I actually wore this outfit on the plane. I always bring a scarf in case it’s cold and these boots are perfect for plane travel because they slip on and off easily. This shirt is really, really soft and the jeans fit me well.

I also felt like I fit right in while in Flagstaff. It’s not a very fancy town so plaid, chambray, jeans and boots are all perfect for the casual, rustic, rural vibe.

Do you have a typical go-to travel outfit?

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Le Tote Leftovers

Casual Friday · Office Appropriate Outfits - Winter

As I slowly recover from whatever stomach ailment I contracted while in Arizona, I’m very glad I had this photo from a few weeks ago before I sent back my last Le Tote shipment.

letote-arrow-blazer-2Blazer – Le Tote (same) | Shirt – Target (same) | Jeans – The Limited (similar) | Boots – H by Hudson c/o Shopbop (same)

letote-arrow-blazer-1I actually wore this blazer twice (first time here) and clearly I like to wear it with v-neck t-shirts. But unlike the last time I wore it, this time I wore it to work. I sort of liked the Western vibe I got from wearing these ankle boots with jeans over them instead of tucked inside. However, I wished I had black booties to wear that didn’t have a high heel. So, I ordered these from Shopbop.

I haven’t had a chance to wear them yet since they came right before I left for Arizona and right now my brain is in survival mode and not “put together a cute outfit” mode. In fact, I left work after a morning full of meetings so I could come home and sit on my couch with this face.

chewie_tongueSo, if I don’t have anything interesting to say right now it’s because my brain is mush due to illness and puppy cuddles. Fingers crossed I’m more interesting next week.

One Le Tote Sweater, Three Mediocre Outfits

Casual Clothes

One of the things I like about Le Tote is that I can add things to my closet that I wouldn’t normally purchase or even try on in store. Take, for example, those waterfall cardigans or whatever you want to call them. You know, the ones that are all flowy in the front and don’t button?

le-tote-cardigan-three-waysCardigan – Le Tote (same) | Jeans – American Eagle Outfitters (same) | Ankle Boots – H by Hudson c/o Shopbop (same) | Tee – Target (similar) | Necklace – Langford Market | Leggings – Old Navy (same) |Riding Boots – DSW (similar)

It looked so cute on the model and then on me I felt like I struggled with it all day. It kept falling off my shoulders, the front drapey part hit at a weird spot on my hips, the tag was on the bottom and kept showing. Etc, etc.

I tried it with the necklace but felt like the chunky ankle boots and the chunky necklace were fighting with each other.

Sans any accessories is how I wore it to work but, like I said, it annoyed me all day.

Then on the weekend I threw caution to the wind and wore it with leggings! Yes, leggings. Who am I and what have I done with Erin? Believe it or not, this was the look I liked the most. And, in fact, someone who had seen me in both the jeans and the leggings looks told me the sweater was cute and I should keep it.

But I’m not planning on it. Why? Because that’s the joy of borrowing something! You get to try it out and then return it. And if I find myself craving another try with a sweater of this type I’ll just request this one (or another one) again.

P.S. Another shill for the $650 Express giveaway and the Blogger Favorites Basket giveaway!

The Gray Ankle Boot Holy Grail

Casual Clothes · Casual Friday · Office Appropriate Outfits - Fall

As I mentioned back when I wore floral and argyle together, I’ve been on the hunt for a great pair of gray booties. I fell in love with the Rag & Bone Harrow style but, alas, they were out of my price range. However! Thanks to my partnership with Shopbop I was able to save my gift certificates for this H by Hudson pair!

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Vest – Comfort Me Boutique (similar) | Shirt – Le Tote (same) | Necklace – Jeans and a Cute Top Shop (similar) | Jeans – The Limited (similar) | Booties – c/o Shopbop (same)

So these are now officially the second most expensive pair of shoes I own. And they are worth every penny. But, no worries if you can’t afford them yourself but want a pair of gray booties for yourself! I’ve put together a list of 9 pairs that range in price from under $30 to just under $300 with most being under $150.

Shopping for Gray Ankle Boots and Booties

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 Ankle booties are very “in” right now. Second only to riding boots, I would say. Of course, they don’t keep your ankles as warm as riding boots so don’t forget to wear socks with them! And if you’re not sure how to wear your skinny jeans with ankle boots, try rolling them at the ankle like I did in today’s outfit.

gray-hudson-ankle-bootsSpeaking of today’s outfit, I’m not in love with the top half. Every time I wear this vest I feel like Spongebob Square Pants. Except square and black and furry instead of square and yellow and porous.

plaid-shirt-faux-fur-vest-2No, I do not have kids. Yes, I still know words to the theme song.

Anyway! I do love faux fur vests but maybe I should look for a more fitted one? Or just accept the fact that this one, while soft and fuzzy and pocket-having, just doesn’t work for me and own it regardless.

Linking up with Work Clothes, I Suppose for Third Thursday Threads

Pink and Polka Dots

Casual Friday · Office Appropriate Outfits - Winter · Style Imitating Art

Pink blazer, gray polka dot sweater, jeans, boots, Chicago style blogger, Chicago winter style, Casual Friday outfit

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Blazer – H&M (similar) | Sweater – Old Navy (similar) | Jeans – Express (similar) | Boots – Macy’s (similar) | Necklace – Langford Market (similar) | Earrings – birthday gift

On this Friday I’m participating in another Style Imitating Art style challenge. In addition to not wearing any black again today, I’m using this photo, chosen by Jess of Animated Cardigan to come up with my outfit.

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Source

So, of course there’s the pink in the blazer. And I added the polka dot sweater and the pearls as an homage to the dots on the painting. This outfit is actually perfect for today’s weather because the sweater is short-sleeved which means I won’t get too hot with our heat wave of 32 degrees!

Also, pairing pink with neutrals such as gray or black make it a lot more appropriate for wearing in the winter. The last time I wore this blazer it was still chilly outside and I paired it with black to keep it from looking too much like spring.

So, if you’re looking to add some color to your winter wardrobe, don’t forget about pink. It’s not just for spring and summer anymore!

Linking up with AJ Wears Clothes

What to Wear When Your Weekend Starts Early

Casual Clothes

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striped_top_floral_scarf_3gray_boots

Shirt – The Limited (similar) | Scarf – JF&A Show (similar) | Jeans – Express | Belt – Target | Boots – Macy’s (similar)

As I mentioned yesterday, I’m off work for a few days. So today you get a weekend casual outfit from me instead of a regular casual Friday outfit! Yes, yes, I know I’m wearing boots with a heel, but flat boots like the similar ones I linked above or even boat shoes in warmer weather would also work with this outfit.  The key here is that I kept the visual interest with the striped shirt and the patterned scarf.

Next week I’m participating in Whitney’s and Franziska’s 5 Days, 5 Ways Link-Up so get ready to see how I’ve remixed pieces in my wardrobe into many different outfits.

Until then, I’m off to enjoy my weekend.  I hope you enjoy yours!  See you Monday!

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