Connecticut in Style

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Corporate Catwalk

Sarah O'Brien

IVANKA TRUMP STRIPED POPOVER DRESS

Hi guys! Lord & Taylor had a HUGE sale recently and I actually stopped in twice for some retail therapy. I saw this dress on the rack during my first visit and pulled it out for a better look. It had a lot going for it, including the fact that it is fully lined and has a popover top that moves when you walk. As much as I liked the vivid contrast of the pink, white and black, I decided that it was too limiting. It’s the kind of dress that I can’t mix and match with other items in my closet, so it went back on the rack. See ya.

When I went to Lord & Taylor a few days later, it was still there. Beckoning me. “Hey Sarah, you’re back! Yippie! Guess what, I’m only $39.99 today! Let’s go. Wait. Why are you staring at me with that pained look on your face? Still not convinced? Here’s an idea. You can wear me with those cute Banana Republic suede shoes with the cut outs. And in a couple of months when the weather gets cold, you can wear me with those black Ann Taylor knee-high boots and a black jacket. Oh! And, let me remind you that you have some business meetings coming up, I am professional and pretty. Look at my flirty popover bodice and turn me over to check out the exposed zipper in the back. I know, right? Yeah baby, I’m styling. Take me home, you know you want me.”

“Oh, alright” I said to myself, not to the dress. That would be weird.

Corporate Catwalk

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SHOP THE LOOK

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Corporate Catwalk | Striped Popover Dress | Kate Spade Bag (similar) | Banana Republic Shoes (an alternative)

Detail of the zipper

| detail of the exposed zipper |

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Gorgeous Color Combinations for Clothes

Gorgeous Color Combinations for Clothes

“Fashion is what you buy, style is what you do with it.”

Blue and white stripe

Don’t you just love seeing well dressed humans? Whenever I spot a stylish outfit on a man or woman, I can’t take my eyes off them. I know I’m being rude by staring, but I can’t help myself. I take a quick inventory from head to toe and make a mental note to remember what they’re wearing. Nine times out of ten, they have caught my eye because of a fabulous color combination. There’s something so attractive about people who know how to dress and feel confident in what they are wearing because they have taken the time to piece together their look. I’m not sure how many of my readers feel the same way I do, but I’ve never dressed for anyone. Not even my husband. I’ve always dressed for myself because of how it makes me feel. That, and I subscribe to Tom Ford’s quote “Dressing well is a form of good manners.” Not to say that I won’t be caught in a pair of shorts and t-shirt, but for the most part, I put thought into what I want to wear.

Gorgeous Color Combinations for Clothes

My wardrobe is constantly evolving, but one principle that remains the same is understanding how to assemble an outfit with the right color combination. Learning how to do this is either something you are born with or you go to F.I.T for. For the rest of us, we need a cheat sheet! I stumbled upon Alina Babina via Pinterest and was blown away by the amount of work she had done researching chic outfits and de-coding the color combinations for the clothes in these handy little “snap shots.” If you visit her website, you’ll see hundreds of these color palettes.

As you are looking over the images of the outfits, find clothes that you already own (or similar) and then make a list of items that you need to complete the look. There are so many great color combination options and ultimately, you’ll gravitate towards the color palette that flatters your hair color and skin tone. Here is a roundup of my favorite color combinations for clothes, I hope that you find them helpful and inspirational! If you ever want to revisit this blog post, when you come back, type color combinations in the SEARCH bar and it will bring you right here.

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Here is a perfect example of what I mean by choosing a color palette that will complement your skin tone. One of the colors in this combination is light pink, which is picking up on the model’s skin. Someone with a different color skin tone might not look as good in this dress with different shades of blue.

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Gorgeous Color Combinations for Clothes

 

How to pack a carry on suitcase like a pro

Tips to pack like a proOne of my first jobs after college was in sales. The company I worked for relocated me to Dallas, TX and assigned me a 15-state territory (that’s not a typo) that stretched from Louisiana to North Dakota. I was on an airplane about once a week for 4 years to conduct sales and product training. Luckily, being based in Dallas, which is also the hub for American Airlines, I was close to a major airport that served all the cities I needed to travel to. My travel routine got so streamlined, that I was able to literally take my seat on the plane within 30 minutes of leaving home. I prefer to travel in comfy clothes and because sometimes my first meeting was the same day that I arrived, I became a pro at packing my business outfits in one bag without wrinkles or creases so I could quickly change at the hotel and head out.

I want to share my Top 10 packing tips on how to keep your carry on suitcase organized so you arrive looking and feeling your best.

Business Outfit

Tip #1 – When conducting business, you want to present your best image with crisp, clean clothes that look like you just put them on. Packing them properly will assure that they are wrinkle free.

Tip #2 – Wear comfortable, light-weight, casual clothes to travel to and from your destination – not business clothes. Regardless of the duration of the flight, most business attire will get wrinkled and it simply doesn’t look professional. To save on packing space, I typically wear the same clothes there and back, with the exception of packing a different top to wear back.Travel bags

Tip #3 – Compartmentalize your items. I bought these adorable travel bags at H&M, they were on sale for less than $2.00 and I couldn’t pass them up. It keeps everything separate and organized – and protects your clothes.
Clothes on hangars

Tip #4 – Decide what you want your complete outfit to be before you pack, avoid throwing in a bunch of random clothes. It is always a good idea to check the weather of your destination point and pack accordingly. I also pick clothes made out of fabric that I know is wrinkle resistant.

Clothes and glitter beltClothes all on one hangar

Tip #5 – Once I have decided what to wear, I use one hanger for each complete outfit. The pants go on first, then the top/shirt and finally the sweater/jacket. This way, everything is together and it eliminates the guesswork out of deciding what to wear. Clothes in plastic bagTip #6 – Use a plastic dry cleaning bag and cover the entire outfit. This keeps the clothes practically wrinkle-free and protects them from accidental spills from any beauty products that might not have the cap tightened all the way.

Silver Jewelry

Jewelry Bag

Tip #7 – I put my jewelry in a small bag, as well as my lingerie.Shoes in shoe bag

Always put shoes in a shoe bag, if you don’t have one, a plastic bag from the grocery store works just as well.Toiletries

Tip #8 – I separate my toiletries and cosmetics into two different bags, it makes it a lot easier to get ready and I can stash my cosmetics in my handbag if I know it is going to be a long day and I will want to refresh my makeup. If you follow my blog, you know how much I love getting my Birchbox beauty supplies and they are the perfect size for travel! A small can of dry shampoo is a life-saver, I never travel without one.First layer

Tip #9 – When packing your carry on suitcase, put the heavier clothes on the bottom and work your way up to the lightest items.

Top layer

As far as the packing sequence: I start with the shoes on the bottom, beauty/cosmetics, casual clothes, pjs and finally business clothes on the top. Most suitcases have outer compartments, and I store my laptop in one of those. It makes it super easy to access my laptop as I am going through security and to access during the flight.

Tip #10- It may seem obvious, but when you are storing your carry on suitcase in the airplane overhead, make sure that it is right side up so there is no weight on your business clothes.

Lastly, once you are in your hotel room, unpack right away and hang your clothes in the closet. You’d be amazed at how gravity works wonders and will smooth out any wrinkles. Safe travels!

10 Essential Flats

Feature Image{Mini Miller Flat by Tory Burch in Bright Navy. I’m in love.}

Sometimes I think that flats are just as commanding as heels. They obviously don’t show off your legs as well as a heel does, but there is an arresting feeling I get when I see a woman impeccably dressed in a wool jacket, turtle neck, skinny pants, lots of tinkly bracelets and signature flats. When I see a woman dressed like that, she oozes power and sophistication. The exact same outfit with heels would look forced, like you were trying too hard. Flats also send a message of speed: “Get out of my way sista, I’ve got places to go.” Here is a roundup of the essential flats that every woman should own. No, not all Imelda. Pick your favorite.Ballerine U-Cut Cap-Toe Flat, Black/Golden{Ballerine U-Cut Cap-Toe Flat by Roger Vivier $775.00 via Bergdorf Goodman}

This shoe may be timeless. You’ll only cry once.
Emmie Flats by Lucky Brand{Emmie Flats by Lucky Brand $59.00 via Zappos and ships free}

There are many colors to choose from in this flat! I would literally fold these up and stick them in my bag when I go into the city, I always like to have an extra pair of shoes in case my feet need some relief from walking. When I look at these shoes I feel like I could fly through the day.

http://www.bluefly.com/roger-vivier-pink-patent-leather-buckle-ballerina-flats

{Patent Leather Buckle Ballerina Flat by Roger Vivier via Bluefly}

Vince Camuto Ellen Flat{Ellen Flats in Moonrock Leather by Vince Camuto $78.95 via Nordstom and ships free}

I’m loving a little gun-metal metallic, I’d pair these with a pair of skinny black jeans or leggings.

Rae Flats by Sam Edelman

{Rae Flats in Leopard by Sam Edelman $120.00 via Lord & Taylor}

If you follow my blog, you know how much I love leopard print. These would look amazing with red or royal blue corduroy jeans!

Raleigh Ballet Flat by Tory Burch

{Raleigh Ballet Flat in Cerise & Gold by Tory Burch $265.00 via Tory Burch}

Tory Burch is the Queen Bee of Flats so I have favorited several of hers. In my opinion, everyone needs a little red shoe in their wardrobe. Wear these with all black, red lips and lots of gold jewelry. No one will be able to take their eyes off you.

Caroline Ballet Flat by Tory Burch

{Caroline Ballet Flat in Camellia Pink by Tory Burch $225.00 via Tory Burch}

Sweet right?

Blue Flats by Betsey Johnson{Blue Flats by Betsey Johnson $79.95 via Zappos and ships free}

Date night. Concert. Anytime you’re craving a little sparkle.

Valentino Rockstud Patent Ballerina

{Rockstud Patent Ballerina Flat by Valentino $745 via Bergdorf Goodman}

I love her taller sister too.

Gucci slip on

{Princetown Slip-On Loafer by Gucci $1,800.00 via Nordstrom}

Gucci runway

Do you take this to a pet salon for cleaning?

http://www.zappos.com/stuart-weitzman-avatass-black-suede

{Avatass Black Suede Loafer by Stuart Weitzman $395.00 via Zappos}

I’m torn between suede and patent leather when it comes to a loafer. I see loafers as more of a cooler weather shoe, so I guess I have my answer. Suede.

Sweater Tips

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Even though it is March 9th, I’m staring at several feet of snow which means that it is still sweater season. In New England, our sweater season started in October and that makes March the official start of our sixth month wearing wool. I’m finding it challenging to come up with different ways I can style the same collection of sweaters for this many months in a row and it is feeling monotonous. This is further compounded by the fact that I wear mostly muted colors in the winter and every morning when I open my closet doors I see nothing but a blur of taupe. I’m definitely craving some pops of color to add interest to my sweaters and while I love bright colored sweaters, I can’t get away with them when I don’t have an ounce of color on my skin. I came across this ingenious tip that shows you how to pair colorful button down shirts with sweaters and it is exactly what I was looking for to help me through this last bit of cold weather (before its time to pack my sweaters away). If you are feeling the same way about your winter wardrobe I thought you might get some inspiration from it too. I’ve also included step-by-step instructions for that perfect rolled up sleeve for when you are layering shirts and sweaters.

xo,
Sarah

Sweater Combos 1

 

How to roll sleeves

 

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