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. 

Even More Sweaters!

Three more sweaters from Rainbow Shops purchased on Thursday.  I'll admit these aren't necessarily the best quality construction, but they will do for me during this transition fall/winter just fine, and they're really cute!  Some of the stitching is loose or coming apart on a couple of the sweaters, but an hour's sit-down with a large darning needle and some thin thread will set things to rights.

This sweater was one I posted on my wish list, available at J.C. Penney from Alyx.  I didn't record the price.

This is the Rainbow sweater by Caren Sport, $19.99.  I think it's a fair copy.  I actually like the
roomier sleeves on this version because I'll be wearing a warm turtleneck underneath.

This is the "artist's smock" cardigan I fell in love with when I saw it.  It fits like a dream.
It's a tighter weave and heavier acrylic blend material than the Caren Sport patchwork sweater (above) but
it also has a few areas where a darning needle needs to be applied!  The top part is a creamy beige
color and as you can see, it graduates in bands down to a dark brown border around the bottom.
They're a little hard to see but there are two patch pockets on either side, and two large buttons
close the neck.  The a-line styling is very flattering.  A Rainbow purchase, also by Caren Sport, $19.99.

This is another one of my purchases that doesn't look like much on the hanger, but actually worn
it's very figure flattering.  It will be very cute with a turtleneck underneath and is long enough
to be worn as a sweater dress with tights and boots or worn over slacks as a tunic - I'm not a
leggings or jeggings person.  Rainbow purchase, by DG Sweater Co., $16.99. 

Can you believe those prices!  I'll gladly do a little rescue work on the sweaters because I was able to purchase three of them for less than $60.  Each sweater can be worn either for work with dress slacks or, in the case of the red color block, can be worn as a dress by itself, and will go casually with jeans.  The artist's smock would look great with some corduroy jeans, as would the patchwork sweater. The patchwork sweater and the red color block sweater could - if I get really brave - be adorned with a nice belt in the general area of my reappearing waistline.  What kind?  Something soft that wouldn't dig into me!  Well, we'll see.

Sweaters at Ann Taylor

I was browsing a few days ago at Ann Taylor online and I fell in love with these sweaters - enough to email the links to myself.  Now, the question is, will I pay the price that Ann Taylor wants, or will I try and find something similiar for less?

First up:  2011 Ann Taylor's "Wedge V-Neck Top."  $88.  Ouch!

A cotton and merino wool blend, comes in three colors:  grey, black, and "hot cappucino" - a fancy name for a sort of camel/beige color. 

What I like about this sweater:  (1) the material blend; (2) the styling is lucious - it's got just the right amount of detailing (ribbing, dolman or bat-wing style sleeve, nicely defined neckline; (3) good length without being too long to look good with a skirt; and (4) in an appropriate body-skimming size, would be perfect over a turtleneck, mock turtleneck or round neck style long sleeve knit for those way below zero days in Milwaukee in the winter, or for a more adventurous (for me) look - a puffy sheer poet-style blouse with gigantic billowing sleeves and a bundle of froth, or even a big fat bow, at the neckline. 

Next up:  2011 Ann Taylor's "Shawl Collar Cardigan with Faux-Leather Buckle."  $98.  More Ouch! 

Okay - I've no idea how that little "squiggle" got there, but it may have something do to with how I copied the photo.  Just ignore it - it really is not a foreign language clue to anything...

This sweater is 10% Alpaca, 30% wool, and 60% acrylic.  It just looks like a HUG wrapping around one, I LOVE this look.  The question, of course, is - what would it look like hugged around me?  LOL!

It would certainly be warm for those cold Milwaukee winters, and look great over just about any color turtleneck, mock turtleneck, henley, or round-collared long sleeve blouse. 

Did I mention these were 40% off (at the time I found them online, September 16, 2011)?  But even at 40% off, I found the reduced prices too steep for my frugal ways.  Well, I've got to save up some money for the Madrid trip in January!