Christmas List: Accessories

Now that the holidays are in full swing, I’ve been collecting Christmas gifts. Accessories are at the top of the list, with everything from home to beauty. I love the sophisticated feel of these Crate & Barrel champagne flutes. And for perfect personalization, an iPhone case or stamp gift set are lovely options.

~Crate & Barrel: Edge Flute

~Fresh: Sugar Lip Duo

~J Crew: Refined Silk-Cashmere Wrap

~Paper Source: Custom Stamp Gift Set

~Plum Street Prints: Custom iPhone Case

~Sweet Letterpress: Poinsettia Holiday Cards

~Zara: Leather Gloves

Fall Classics

I'll take a classic low boot, trench, or sweater any day. Lately, I've been wearing this Sandro white crew neck sweater. Who doesn't need a bow tie?

~Claudie Pierlot: Blue Wool Coat

~Comptoir des Cotonniers: Low Boot

~J Crew: Shimmer Bow Sweater

~Maje: Angora Dress

~Sandro: Crew Neck Sweater with Bow Brooch

Gold Mine

It's only mid-October, but it's already in the 40s in Germany. I'll take some gold accents to warm up my wardrobe {and some scarves}. A grey sweater with gold leather elbow patches looks like an easy project to spice up a plain piece. Now to order some metallic leather.

~Asos: Metallic Envelope Clutch

~Dannijo: Sophie Necklace

~Miu Miu: Glitter-Finish Leather Pumps

~Robert Rodriguez Fringed Mini Skirt

~Zadig & Voltaire: Cici Cashmere Pull

On Guard

When jewelry mixes the line between accessory and armor, it creates a stunning focal point. I'm all for adding a little bit of edge to a polished outfit. I spent the weekend in Strasbourg, a beautiful Alsatian town just inside the border of France {eating fondue and French sweets, of course}. While a lot of time was spent lèche-vitrines {French for window shopping, but the literal translation is better...window licking}, I picked up a vintage collar necklace along with some leather-accented pieces for fall.

~Asos: Metal Collar Necklace

~Dannijo: Stella Necklace

~Giles & Brother: Gold Nara Bracelet

~TomTom: Studder Rings

Pop Leather

~Chloe: Knit Dress with Leather Yolk

~Zadig & Voltaire: Leather-Paneled Sweater Dress

~Joseph: Leather Cap Sleeve Dress

Whether it's panels, trim, pockets, or collars, leather-accented dresses are in play for fall. Leather adds an interesting detail while keeping a monochromatic look. Add some opaque tights and low boots, and you're set. Simple. I'll be searching for this Sandro number {I love anything with a peter pan collar}.

~Sandro: Black Leather Collar Dress

~Tibi: Boatneck Dress with Leather Pockets

~Etoile Isabel Marant: Leather Trim Dress

Jewel Box

Blouse: Sandro

Pants: Sandro

Ballet Flats: Coach

Sunglasses: Barton Perreira

Handbag: Chloé

The weekend was refreshingly warm, so it was the perfect time to pair a light silk blouse with these jewel-toned pants. Sapphire blue, kelly green, and ruby red are all stand-out colors for fall. Plus, it’s an easy way to add a bit of lux to your day. White ballet with black trim and a leather carryall anchor the rich color.

Bits and Baubles

I've wire-wrapped jewelry before, but this necklace using a jewelry jig was a bit more challenging. It was worth the effort. The effect is an elegant but whimsical long necklace that will stand out over a cashmere dress for fall.

Don't Be Square

This fall, the geometric trends of the design world are spilling into fashion. Marni, Balenciaga, and Cynthia Rowley all have their own take on right angles, latticework, and geometric patterns. I love that a geometric pattern keeps a look polished with a bit of flair.

~Marni: Shift Dress with Geometric Print

~M Missoni: Window-pane Coat

~See by Chloe: Colorblock Print Dress

~Stella McCartney: Geometric Print Blouse

Make Do and Mend

This fall, dresses with cinched waists, square shoulders, dainty floral prints, and knee-skimming silk are a nod to the ladylike style of the 1940s. Simplicity and versatility are key. And the trends of the 40s still apply today, add a pair of platform pumps, mix some prints, borrow some vintage accessories, and you’re set.

~Leifsdottir: Silk Dress

~Asos: 40s Floral Tea Dress
~Rebecca Taylor: Floral Print Silk-Chiffon Dress

Rue Bonaparte

Blouse: Marc by Marc Jacobs Michaela Blouse

Skirt: Anthropologie

Shoes: Repetto BB Ballet Flats

Handbag: Chloé Elsie

Any Parisian street will do as a picturesque backdrop, but we snapped these along the Rue Bonaparte {on the way to Pierre Hermé}, filled with chic shops, bistros, tea salons, and chocolatiers. Plus, Paris was the perfect time for this Marc by Marc Jacobs Michaela blouse. It’s a polished blend of modern and ladylike in a striking kelly green shade with stitched peter pan collar and pleated sleeves. Lots more this week, including a lovely dinner at Frenchie and Part Deux of A Field Guide to French Patisseries.

Pretty Pleats

Pair it with a body-hugging tee and high bun, and a pleated skirt takes on a ladylike ballerina look. Pair it with a loose cropped sweater and platform sandals, and the same pleated skirt takes on a bohemian vibe. This American Apparel skirt reminds me of the Spring 2011 Chloé long pleated skirt {without the designer price tag}. I'm thinking of ways to incorporate it into a fall wardrobe...Victorian-esque boots?

~Kain: Trixie Modal and Silk Blend T-Shirt

~American Apparel: Long Accordion Pleat Skirt

~Repetto: BB Textured Ballerina Flats

~Carin Wester: Cropped Sweater

~Rag & Bone: Maxi Desert Skirt

~YSL: Tribute Chain-Detailed Suede Sandals

Fall in Line

Military-inspired pieces have a tailored crispness, and many designers are bringing the style back again this fall. I especially love Alexander McQueen and Rachel Zoe's collections. While I'm lusting after those Alaia boots, I'll definitely be wearing these Chloe boots again. Here are some other pieces to keep you in line this season.

~Alaia: Lace-Up Calf Hair Platform Boots
~Alexander McQueen: Military Silk-Georgette Blouse
~Alexander McQueen: Embellished Wool-Crepe Skirt
~Day Birger et Mikkelsen: The Day Lavier Hazelnut Blazer
~Rachel Zoe: Belted Military Jacket

Chain Mail

From blush-toned chiffon skirts to menswear-inspired jackets, it's easy to draw from fall style inspiration. Even with a ladylike look, a standout necklace can add a bit of edge. I'd like to pair this Dannijo Stella Necklace with this Joseph Vanessa Dress and Proenza Schouler Suede Ankle Boots.

Or maybe this TomTom Legacy Necklace with Zara Pleated Capri Trousers, a Helmut Lang Ember Crepe Blazer, Zara Silk Blouse, and J Crew Greer Platform Heels.

Modern Turquoise

These aren't your typical turquoise accessories. With faceted stones, geometrical elements, and striking color combinations, these modern accessories are bold and fresh.

~Ariella: Turquoise Square Crystal Ring

~Asos: Turquoise and Red Skeleton Print Scarf

~Gorjana: Turquoise Capri Long Necklace

~Kenneth Jay Lane: Turquoise Hoop Earrings

~Milly: Turquoise Lucite Link Bracelet

Feeling Green

Kelly green may be my favorite color. It works well as both an allover hue and a pop of color to a neutral-toned outfit. This DVF Maja Dress just arrived in the mail, and I can’t wait to wear it. The best part is the button detail down the back. Here are some other lovely pieces I spotted recently.

~Asos: Portfolio Envelope Clutch

~Diane Von Furstenberg: Maja Dress

~Marc by Marc Jacobs: Michaela Blouse

~Marceau: Cutout Dress

~Tibi: Swirls Blouse

A Perfect Summer Evening

I just picked this Zara silk print dress up last weekend during a heat wave. It made me dream of perfect summer evening to pair it with some cobalt blue sandals and layers of chunky bracelets.

~Zara: Printed Tunic

~K. Jacques: Ganges Nubuk Sandals

~J Crew: Crystal Venus Flytrap Bracelet

French Favorites

As noted here and here, I love Sandro's pieces that make it easy to get that coveted French style. It seems my wish list grows longer every season. I'm heading to Berlin in a couple weeks, so luckily the brand is available there at KaDeWe and Galeries Lafayette.

~Mérédith Trench

~Retour Dress

~Ebel Top

~Jeudi Skirt

April Showers

...bring pretty umbrellas.

~Jonathan Adler: Graphic Umbrella

~Pasotti: Leopard Umbrella

~Pasotti: Gradient Umbrella

~Umbrella Heaven: Loretta Umbrella

~Umbrellas.net: Classic Red Umbrella

One Tough Lady

After reading this book,

I bought these rings {despite more tale than truth in Cleopatra's suicide by an Egyptian asp}.

Snake and Tiger Rings: I Am, Prague

Speaking of Bags

Last week, I highlighted my favorite handbags here. I also can’t leave the house without these Baggu bags. They are perfect for the grocery store, especially here in Europe where you bag your own groceries and are charged for plastic bags. Plus, they are definitely prettier.

Then, on farmers’ market excursions, I use my Medina French market basket. Its frame keeps fruits and vegetables from being smashed yet is also sturdy enough to stock it to the brim.