Doster

Dear Fall, we're ready for you! Take your time, but we would

all love some cooler temperatures as soon as you're ready! 

prints available here

Fall Shoes

When looking at the emerging trends, one thing is certain: leopard

is making a huge splash this fall. Add a fun leopard shoe to any look

and you're instantly transformed into a street style star!

prints available here

Conceptualizing

When it's time to start coming up with designs for a new collection 

or season, I like to call the creative process conceptualizing. For the

past month or so, I have been knee-deep in "conceptual mode" brainstorming

and sketching new ideas and products. When planning for the future, it's always fun 

to look back to older designs that were widely popular, this one being one that

fits into the best seller category. I've been analyzing it for a few days trying

to figure out what makes this particular illustration so special. Is it the

monochromatic color scheme, the recognizable storefront, or something

you can't quite put your finger on? I'd love to hear your feedback about

this design and what you would love to see more of in the future! 

RZ Leopard

Throwing it back to 2011 with this illustration. It showcases a dress from 

one of Rachel Zoe's first collections. A little leopard never hurt anybody,

did it? It's a classic pattern that, when done the right way, can be incredibly

chic. I'm sure you've heard that the Nordstrom Anniversary sale opens to

the public today. Keeping that in mind, there is a pair of leopard flats in

the sale that would be great year-round, but also the perfect pop of patter

for fall. Shop them before they sell out! I think they would be RZ approved.

Q & A Five

Q: What are the latest trends from fashion week?

A: I'm honored that people even ask me this question. While I wasn't

in attendance at NYFW this season, I was tuning in closely to see

what trends would emerge (my go to for runway shots is vogue.com).

I was checking daily, reading the reviews, pouring over the coverage,

trolling instagram, etc. The climate of the fashion industry is definitely

changing in the current digital age. Some designers opted out of shows

all together, while some that previously did shows scaled down to 

intimate presentations. Long story short, change is in the air. I'm curious

to see where it leads us.

In terms of trends, there's good news. In the midst of all the change,

these things remain: white boots, pops of red and pink, chunky/

oversized sweaters, slip dresses, and an overall nod to the 80s and

90s. These things have been on the scene since last fall, so there won't

be a huge turnover for spring and fall of this year. The good news in

that is that if you've invested in said pieces already, you can still wear

them throughout the year. A sigh of relief. 

L to R: Cushnie et Ochs  |  Tibi  |  Prabal Gurung  |  Tory Burch

prints available here

While pink and red weren't taking over the runways, there were hints

of one or the other in almost every new collection. That chunky red 

sweater you had to have last fall? Keep it. Wear it with a relaxed

silky skirt this year. Throw on a pair of white boots and you've

got the fall look nailed. 

Those white boots that every blogger is still wearing? You might

consider snagging a pair. They were shown in the form of a mule

for spring and a full fledged bootie for fall. While I'm hesitant to 

jump on board with this one, maybe a lower price point option

will do the trick. Trendy but they didn't break the bank. I'm considering

the following options:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR

In terms of patterns, there were nods to polka dots (both small

and oversized), gingham and the androgynous plaids seen in menswear

and suiting. The return of gingham is something we're already seeing

for spring, so pick up pieces you can wear now that will take you through

the next season. The menswear inspired plaids are also already showing up

on bloggers as we speak and will remain throughout the year. Think

oversized, relaxed blazers in a black and white check, long coats with

menswear detailing, the 90s power suit... you get the idea. Basically,

everything we shied away from in the early 2000s is making a comeback.

The androgynous patterns are great for now, like these pieces:


ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE


Gone are the days of skinny jeans and pencil pants. It's all about wide-leg 

trousers, relaxed boyfriend jeans, and high-waisted pants. 

Overall, I'd say we have something to look forward to. The feel of fashion

week was a return to elegance, but in a relaxed way. A refined form

of casual. 

Noticeably absent? Logos.

Pom Pom

Leave it to Tibi to create the most perfect, jaw-dropping

sweater. I mean.... can I have all the pom poms this season?

I'm also ordering these slides because, well, why not? 

Pairing this sweater with an updated pair of jeans and a

mustard bag + shoes makes it the most swoon-worthy outfit

for fall. 

sweater: Tibi  |  bag: Shopbop  |  heels: Nordstrom (also a huge fan of these)

The Mustard Color, pt. 2

More on mustard...

It makes the perfect accent against this all white outfit. I love

a graphic tee under a more tailored jacket like this one by 

Victoria Beckham. Mix it up even more by adding sneakers 

instead of a heel. The yellow bag completed this look.

Happy Friday! 

jacket: Victoria Beckham  |  jeans: Intermix  |  bag: Tory Burch  |  sneakers: Golden Goose

The Mustard Color, pt. 1

This golden hue has been making as much of a splash as red this 

season. I've been seeing it in rich textures like velvet and suede 

making it reminiscent of a 70s couch. Can't you see it up against

that horrible green carpet? Oh my.

Regardless of how we got here or why this color is reemerging, 

it can be classic and understated when done properly. It pairs well

with camel, black, white, denim, maybe a punch of red (like a red

lip), and cobalt. I fell in love with this velvet tank from J.Crew. I

can see it worn so many different ways. This look carries into

those cooler nights by throwing a black leather moto jacket over

your shoulders. And, obviously, the white boots are a must! This

pair won't break the bank, so they're a good buy for a trendy piece. 

If velvet isn't your thing, see below for some other solid sweater 

choices for a touch of mustard this season:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR

earrings: J.Crew  |  tank: J.Crew  |  bag: Henri Bendel  |  shoes: Nordstrom

The Color Red, pt. 3

Today, let's talk about the red bag. It's absolutely the easiest way

to add a pop of red to your wardrobe. It pairs well with pretty much

any outfit. It's a classic believe it or not. You can spend a little bit 

and keep it for years on end. And, it's a sure way to brighten your

day (and your outfit)! I picked up a small red bag from Henri Bendel

a few years ago and still love it to death. I don't carry it every day, 

but it always makes me smile when I do. 

This season, I've been tying to make more calculated choices when it

comes to my wardrobe. I have been weighing the options, checking my

closet to make sure I don't have something similar, and investing in more

timeless choices. I love a good Target or Zara find as much as anyone,

but those are always the first pieces to go in a seasonal closet clean-out.

This bag is something I studied, looked at, and weighed the color choices

for months. It's by a designer I hadn't heard of and doesn't have a logo 

(a major win in my book). So the question was red or camel?

I ended up with the camel because of the previously mentioned

red bag that was already in my closet, but the red is still a top

choice. I love the bag itself and love the comments from the

peanut gallery when I carry it ("do you have a pair of binoculars

in there" // "your bag looks like a binocular case" etc etc). I get it. 

It looks like a binocular case, but I think it's fantastic. It has become

an unexpected conversation piece. 

Shop my other red bag pics that don't necessarily carry the same

conversation piece status but are still great choices:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR

bag: Nico Giani via Net-a-Porter

SaveSave

The Color Red, pt. 2

Yesterday we started our coverage on the color red. It is in fact 

the color of the season. If it's not "your color", you can still add

pops of it by way of accessories, mostly shoes. The 60s boot

is everywhere right now in all shapes and patterns (white, floral

embroidery, bright reds, deep maroons, etc.). I love the look of 

a bright red bootie with a cropped jean.... consider it a must! 

Also, consider a pointed toe version of the bootie for a dressier

look. Shop my favorite red booties below:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE

There's also always the option of the Gucci fur-lined slides in an updated red 

instead of black. See more styling tips on all the Fall trends on our 

September Issue Pinterest board. 

So, the question is are you the one on the right or the left?

I always lean more towards a distressed jean with a heeled 

bootie, though I'm making attempts to include diversity this

fall. 

left block heel: Gucci (similar version here)  |  right red booties: Nordstrom

The Color Red

With this warm hue showing up on every major blogger during NYFW, designers 

and stores are taking note. Red is everywhere for fall. It is the color of the season. 

We will cover additional ways to wear red throughout the week, but let's start with a 

yummy oversized sweater. Wear it with a pair of updated jeans and a white ankle boot 

(more on this later... yes, they are a thing). I'm currently searching the web for more red 

pieces to add to my closet. For now, this sweater is a great place to start. 

sweater: H&M (also loving this sweater)  |  bag: Alice & Olivia  |  boots: Nordstrom

Eiffel

When I was working on the fall collection, I kept being drawn to 

an image of a trendy girl in front of the Eiffel Tower because, let's

be serious, Paris is the ultimate source of inspiration. I was also 

pulling inspiration from the current fall trends and what the influencers

are wearing (Gucci t-shirts, booties with cropped jeans, small structured

bags, etc). This is the result and I have to say, I'm obsessed. I want to

be her. 

You can find her on notecards right now with more products to be revealed

soon! 

Harvey

With the recent world events, attacks, natural disasters and the like, 
it's left me completely stuck. It feels completely insensitive to continue 
pushing and selling product even though I know we have to keep moving 
forward. I don't even know where to begin. I don't even know how to make an 
impact. I want to help. But how?



As outsiders, we're all watching the news coverage and having the same 
feelings of helplessness. We're eager to jump in and looking for opportunities to 
help the people of Texas but aren't sure where to begin. The damage has been 
done, but the cleanup has just begun. This will be an ongoing effort to rebuild 
that will last months if not years. While we can't all be on the ground aiding in the 
recovery efforts, we can help by donating tangible items, time and financial 
resources. 


In an effort to do as much as I can from Nashville, I've decided to donate 100% 
of the proceeds from online sales on September 5th to various organizations 
benefitting Harvey relief efforts. I need your help! Let's see how much money we 
can raise for those who lost everything.



I encourage you to shop your generous little hearts out! Knock out your 
Christmas shopping early. Grab happies for your besties. Think ahead to 
upcoming birthdays where you might need a small gift to give (don't forget about 
the hostess gifts you'll need for upcoming holiday gatherings and teacher's 
Christmas gifts). Spread the word. Tell everyone you know. And rest assured, 
with every purchase you're making a difference! 

Shop now --> 

I'm thrilled to introduce you to the newest greeting card that highlights one of this 
year's biggest trends in interiors (the hanging chair). Meet, Rattan. Pick one up for a 
friend that's going through a tough time or simply as a way to say I miss you! To the 
people of Texas, we're thinking about you! 

What to Wear... this fall

The weather completely tricked me into thinking fall was coming soon. 

We had a few days of more brisk temperatures followed by today which

has been hot and humid, the story of summer in the south. 

However, fall is near. It really is. Even if the temperatures stay warm, 

we can start transitioning our wardrobes by introducing booties paired

with lighter tops, sleeveless sweaters with shorts, sandals with a light

sweater. September is basically the month where anything goes. It's still

entirely too warm to bundle up in sweaters and boots, so go for more

lightweight options while scanning the September issues to see what trends 

are heading our way. 

One trend that is going to be making huge waves this fall is velvet. Whether

you wear a velvet tee, purchase a small handbag of the same material, or try

to find the perfect velvet heel (like this one or this one), it's going to be big. 

Pick your piece, but remember to stick to one velvet item per outfit. Make 

your look even more on-trend by making your velvet a deep, fall-inspired

floral. Shop my favorites below:

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR

shoes: Nordstrom

What to Wear... This Fall

While I feel like we just got into the heat of summer, fall is

just around the corner (yay!). I find it much easier to get dressed

in the fall when you can throw on a sweater, jeans, and your favorite

boots and call it a day. While we're still a few months out, the Nordstrom

Anniversary Sale is the perfect opportunity to start your fall shopping now!

So what are we looking for in terms of fall trends? Bell sleeves are

still going to be here. Long duster cardigans are becoming a major

go-to for me (layered over a basic white tee, done and done). Cool

details like lace-up sleeves and tasteful cut-outs are the perfect way to

add some interest to an otherwise basic sweater. Off the shoulder is still

going to be around, though I have to admit, I'm growing weary of the trend. 

Oh, but the sweater/sweatshirt she's wearing below is $25. You might need

this one. It's a great weekend wear option (linked below). 

I've narrowed it down to a handful of sweaters you have to see (for non-

Nordstrom card holders, start loading up your cart now so you can hit "checkout" 

when the sale opens to the public Saturday). Grab these items quick before they 

sell out!

ONE  |  TWO  |  THREE  |  FOUR  |  FIVE  |  SIX

cozy off the shoulder sweatshirt

[ prints available here ]

Bee Olive

It's finally feeling like fall... finally time to layer up for the

brisk temperatures! 

5 More for Fall: Lush Materials

This one should really be called everything else. It's based on the textiles that 

have reemerged for fall: lush velvets, ladylike touches of lace, silks, satins, 

and bold metallics (which we discussed earlier in this post). Are you seeing

what I'm seeing? It's like our 90s nightmares have returned. Those camis with

the small border of lace that I rolled my eyes at 7 years ago are now a must-

have. Silk slip dresses are now for everyday. Crush velvet, what? 

Take a deep breath. These things take time. You'll get the hang of the 90s vibe

again soon. Let's hope the butterfly clips remain a thing of the past.

Follow my September Issue '16 board for ways to bring the 90s back

without looking like you're starring in 10 Things I Hate About You. 

slipdress: Nordstrom  |  boots: Steve Madden 

Shop my picks for taking baby steps back into the 90s in

the chicest way possible:

SaveSave

5 More for Fall: the 60s Boot

Whether you call it the 60s boot, the Chelsea boot, an ankle boot, or anything else, it's also

known as the shoe for fall. Bonus points if you go with a velvet option. 

Like a fine wine, here are some pairing options: 

with an A-line mini and sleeveless turtleneck (major 60s vibes), 

with a casual slip dress for a day around town (90s vibes), 

with cropped flares for a bold look, 

or with your favorite distressed denim and a silky cami

with a bomber draped over your shoulders. 

However you wear them, wear them proudly. The great news is they're sure to add an 

ounce of comfort since the heel is a lower block heel (definitely something I can get on 

board with). Follow my September Issue '16 board for more ways to wear them! 

choker: Forever 21  |  bodysuit: ASOS  |  jeans: Rag & Bone  |  boots: ASOS

Get the 60s look with these bold boots: