Cozy Falls Fashions

Hola everyone!

I haven't done a fashion post for a while but an email I received from Sam Moon this morning, an online retailer specializing in accessories, reminded me that bargains are to be had.  I don't get paid by Sam Moon to write about them and I don't monetize my blog.  I like Sam Moon because (1) it offers affordable accessories (2) they are up-to-the-minute on trend (3) they ship promptly (4) I've never had an issue with the quality/condition of the merchandise for the price and (5) I haven't had an issue with delivery. 

I think this ruffly "scape" is cute and would look equally great over a turtleneck, light sweater or blouse:

It is priced at $14 and comes in a medium blue, black, rust, olive, beige and maroon (featured).

The scape, above, is featured under "Scarves" at Sam Moon's website.  This "basic shawl vest" (image below) is also featured under "Scarves:"

It is $15 and comes in taupe (featured), a medium blue, camel, and black.  Below (in camel), worn as a "vest" rather than a shawl - another great look:

 I've been thinking for the longest time (years) about buying one or more of these fashionable neck scarves to wear with my winter jackets and coats.  This one might just convince me to pull the trigger -- I think the colors would go great with my light winter jacket (which I wore today, temps in the low 40's and strong winds, brrrrr):

This scarf is 6 ft. long, "teal and black plaid with frayed edges."  It's priced at $6, and comes in other colors. There are LOTS of scarves to choose from at Sam Moon, all priced less than the local department stores. 

Love this look, so cozy and snuggly looking: 

This is Sam Moon's "multi-function scarf" -- this is the ivory color; it's available in multiple colors.  It can also be worn as a long scarf/narrow shawl, long enough to wrap around one's shoulders to help shed those drafts.  It's priced at $7, 12" x 68" long.  I'm always freezing at the office, something dressy like this would compliment work clothes:

Geez -- I've only just made it to page 2 of "Scarves", LOL! 

I'm a freezy cat and where I work it's always blasted cold! At home, I keep it cooler in my home during the heating season (between 64-65 degrees F) because, especially while sleeping, I'm prone to those dreaded night sweats. The thing is, when at home during the day, I can run around in a thermal turtleneck underneath a sweatshirt with a cardigan sweater or shawl on top of it to keep me warm, and take off layers or put them back on at will.  At night I do the dosey-doe with off blankets/on blankets and sleep in a sleeveless tank top and knit jammie bottoms except when it's 20 below zero, when I switch to fleece. I cannot do that at the office! 

So, I've always got my eye out for modestly priced office-suitable wear that may help keep me warmer when, away from my space heater, I have to traverse the drafty ice-box cold hallways linking offices and common-area spaces or interact with clients in cold conference rooms.  Why do the men I work with never seem to feel cold???

At the end of page 2, I saw this look (featured in black, below) and I'm buying one right after I finish this post, love it!

It's a "cape with buttons."  One size fits all, and it comes in black (featured), ivory, and taupe.  This is perfect for moi because while I'm sitting pounding away at the computer I can button it up and retain body heat.  It is priced at $22.  Below is the same cape in ivory:

Last, but not least, I need to wear a hat that covers my ears when the temperature drops below 50 degrees F.  I get bad ear-aches otherwise.  I prefer berets because there is usually a little bit of stretch to them, I can pull them down over my ears and there is room to tuck my hair up underneath and it looks okay. 

This a cute option from Sam Moon:

It's an acrylic blend beret in charcoal and "beige" (looks like creamy-white to me but what do I know?), and sells for $9 in four color options.  It is 7.5" L -- not sure what that means, but it looks stretchy enough to fit on my head and around my face. 

Sam Moon Misses - and Hits

Poking around Sam Moon for a little bit this evening, I can't help myself!  I love browsing Sam Moon's website.  He (It?) offers a huge stock of accessories, and it's constantly being replenished with new things.  The prices are great, too.  But, sometimes, sigh.  Dear dear Sam.  What are you thinking?

Some of these items are soooooo tacky, they're actually kinda cool, in a funky sort of way :)

These scarves are fine - lovely colors and prints.  The "peacock" colored scarf in the main image is gorgeous -- the colors are well blended and toned to go with each other and could complement many different outfits.  But those clip-on feather things!  Oy!  Clip-on earrings -- you know, the kind you clip on to your ears?  Yeah, those things on either side of your head that you hear out of, yeah, those things, the things that sometimes got infected when you were a kid and you had to had tubes put in when you were six, about three years ago -- okay, now I know you understand!  Yes, I realize that clip-on earrings are a fashion that is practically extinct, similar to the equally dinosaur-age "screw on" earrings (I've actually still got a pair in my jewelry box), but bear with me, I'm an old broad, darlings - no no no!  NO NO NO to clip on earrings!  And clip-on feathers?  Clip-on ANYTHING - let's see, how do I spell that sound of utter disgust that just issued forth from my mouth, arrgzxsshxldclsldhfhvswscchhhh and finish with a Welsh swear word, that ought to do it. 

That being said, I do have to say that at least the stylist who put the big scarp image together (above) selected PEACOCK colored feathers to go with the PEACOCK colored scarf!  So it's really really tacky, but kind of cool anyway.  Now that I've just insulted about 75% of the 20-somethings in the country, and another 25% of 30/40/50-somethings who should know better, I'll move on to my next image:

Now really, leopard print JEWELRY?  Really? 

I do understand a leopard-print scarf, a bag, a tote.  Even a footstool or a fun faux-fur throw in a lovely cushy fabric to snuggle up with before the fire when the nights are cold!  Heck, I have a leopard print mock turtle neck that I've worn practically to death (and it's only a few years old too - who knew this "trend" would last this long?  I sure didn't!) because it goes with my black, tan/beige and brown coordinates!  But LEOPARD PRINT JEWELRY?  Absolutely not!  I draw the line!

But - oh Goddess, here I go -- I could potentially see someone wearing that big clunky necklace in the upper right-hand corner with an all black, or all winter-white outfit!  The hand-bag is fine, the other jewelry, nope.  I mean, really, who would wear what looks to be an actually "furry" leopard print cuff?  The bangles are worthless.  I've tried wearing "the look" and frankly, in an office, they only get in the way.  Even a single bracelet that isn't snugly fitted to your wrist and is slim-lined gets in the way of the keyboard, gets caught on files, and in your hair, too!   I have the bling I bought in 'Vegas over Thanksgiving and I love my two "bead" bracelets, but I can't wear them to work -- I end up taking them off because they just get in the way and actually end up hurting my wrist when I try to type in the proper position (with wrists lightly resting on a support) because they press in and then dig into the tender skin around the pulse area! 

The other "tribal" look pieces (ring, giant hoop earrings, cabouchon style necklace) are just gauche.

 Now this look, on the other hand, this tote bag is the perfect balance of panache and tradition:

Victorian Quilted Tote

• 14"(H)x18"(W)x6.5"(D)
• Two Pouch Pockets with a Zipper Pocket Inside
• Zipper Top Closure
• Solid Fuchsia Trim

$12.99
Item #: 375364
The scale of the black and white print is spot-on and so on-trend.  The pink trim is neither too light, nor too dark, and it's not overdone.  The little bow is the perfect feminine touch without being frou-frou.  Actually, in decorating (yeah, I know I know), black, white and pink are a classic combination of feminine grandeur and expression of traditional style class.  I love this bag!  Best of all is the price!

Now doesn't this necklace look like a million bucks?  That's what caught my eye.  The price -- $19.99!  It's cubic zirconia and .925 sterling silver.  A heart is always a perfect piece of jewelry.  I have a favorite diamond encrusted heart that I treated myself to years ago, and I wear it on a long chain every now and then, not just around Valentine's Day :)  But what the hell - Valentine's Day is coming up, and what better way to treat yourself and not spend a fortune doing it???

Sterling Silver Heart Necklace

• 18"L with 2" extension
• Lobster clasp closure
• Top grade Cubic Zirconia stone on sterling 925 silver setting
• Heart pendant measures 0.75"W x 0.75H

$19.99
Item #: 375596