today's look "fluted"

Today I was so excited to slip on my new fluted ivory skirt from jcrew with my sparkle woven blazer from last fall (jcrew).

Here is the look!

Loving this as fall transitional outfit, I like pairing with a tank since it is still pretty warm out. 

xoxo

e

coziness

It has happened! The itch that we all get when a new season is just around the corner; the itch to buy new fall clothes!

Living in Wisconsin has definitely created an awareness of  how cool it can really get in the late summer and early fall months (don't even get me started on the winters, its like the frozen tundra around here). This could be the reason why I am over reacting and have already started my fall shopping in August. I do have admit that it was difficult finding warm fall items given that it is still early in the season. Fortunately for me I receive every email from just about every retailer imaginable and have been shuffling through emails and new arrivals for cozy fall sweaters to add to my wardrobe. 

here are a couple of my recent buys for fall from lululemon: 

super cozy breaks wrap

I do have to say that I am looking forward to the first cool crisp Saturday to wrap up in one of these softies and head to the farmers market!

my trip to chicago

As some of you know my profession is fashion merchandising. As part of my job and a fun requirement is to shop the market for current trends. On Wednesday morning myself and my team took an over night trip to Chicago, it's about a 2.5-3 hour drive from Madison. We left early Wednesday morning getting us there just in time for the shops to open. We hit up all the major retailers from Barney's to Zara on State Street, Michigan Avenue as well as all the fun boutiques on Oak Street.

biggest take aways from my trip 

print of the season: it's all about camo for men, women, and kid's. I will even go as far as saying it is the new leopard for women! Or at least it will be for my new fall wardrobe.

denim: continues to have a big focus with all retailers. Tons of washes, fits and different styling options. Light washes are starting to have a bigger presence while still offering a variety of washes in distressed, non-distressed, colored, printed, flocking, color blocking, zippers & mixing fabrications example: stretch denim and leather or faux leather.

Good news the skinny pant is NOT going away anytime soon for all you skinny pant lovers like myself. Its continuing to grow in the men's market as well as retailers are expanding their offering in for kids. I did see more skinny stretch options across both genders; they are advertising this benefit much better to the customer than in previous seasons. 

color: gray was the most prominent color out there, especially from a neutral standpoint. We have seen this color become extremely popular in home decorating. Gray has officially moved full force to the apparel world. 

footwear: wedges is a continuing trend from summer that is moving its way into fall. Tall, medium, and booties are all still very popular in all fabrications. I am definitely seeing pops of color either in trims or on the inside of boots to give them that extra fun reason to buy. 

a couple of fall must haves 

camo cover crew

scarf for a pop of color jcrew

rose gold studded bracelet

gray paige denim

color block camo top revolve

After dinner I headed up town to stay at my b&b for the night. I am lucky and have Adam's family that live downtown. Adam and his son Lincoln were also in town visiting, it ended up being a perfect end to a great day, I got to see the people I love the most.  

LBall and I hanging out Thursday morning before I went out to shop more stores. 

He loves his new camo waffle I got him from nordstrom tucker and tate. 

As always thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed reading about my trip and current fashion trends.

xoxo 

-e 

bedroom makeover

Recently I moved into a new apartment; which I love! Before my move I had been sleeping on a box spring and mattress on my floor (I did this for just over a year). One could ask why I didn't just go out and buy a bed or at least get a frame for my bed? My reasons were partially not wanting to make the big investment, and secondly a bed is something that you will have for a long time. I wanted to be sure I was choosing the perfect bed that would  fit me and my space no matter where life may take me.

After a year of browsing the internet and home stores. I decided that I wanted a simple wooden bed frame and a headboard. Little did I know that my journey to finding my "perfect bed" would actually be somewhat challenging.

When I moved in to my new place in June I really started looking for my "vision"; a gray nail studded suede headboard that attached to a white or espresso wooden frame. So the search began, I was making this "vision" a reality! I started scouring the internet searching all of my favorite sites houzz, pinterest, west elm, pottery barn, horchow, crate and barrel, anthro along with many others. I had found many different headboards that would fit my "vision" and I was ready to make my purchase! That was until I came across a slight problem, I discovered that most all headboards only attach to a metal frame. I was set on having a wooden frame that would attached to an upholstered suede headboard and I didn't have any plans to change the "vision".

I went back to the drawing board re-visiting all the sites that I had previously searched for the "perfect bed". After going through the sites I found that west elm's headboards and frames marry one another! I decided on the the simple low bed frame in white (also comes in chocolate) found here  and the tall nailhead upholstered suede headboard in dove gray found here. The frame came within 3-4 weeks and the headboard in 8 weeks. Shipping was reasonable, the headboard was delivered by two men that were willing to attach the headboard to the frame. The frame was not assembled, it came in three very heavy long boxes delivered by UPS. I did have help assembling my frame; a big thank you goes out to my b Adam for helping me get it put together!

 my "vision"

throw pillows: pottery barn - sparkle pillow, world market - stripe velvet pillow 

duvet cover: gilt

Thanks for reading!

My next post will be about my work trip to Chicago we are shopping the market for a couple of days. I can't wait to report back on newest trends for fall and new purchases! One of the many perks of working in the fashion industry.

- e 

friday traditions

One of our Friday traditions consist of meeting friends / family for dinner and drinks at one of our favorite Madison restaurants (we have a lot lot of them). This friday we went to ottos our absolute favorite restaurant, where we met our friends Jacque and Matt. The past couple of Fridays we have added a new tradition to our agenda. After dinner we headed over to a's sister (j) and brother in law's (shad) for Friday night poker with friends. I think it is important for me to note that none of us besides a are really into poker nor know how to play very well or at all. The result, our new found tradition being a little less poker and a little more wine drinking. Never the less we still had a great time, as we always do! 

what I wore: jcrew denim jacket, jcrew ss tissue v-neck, camo pants (anthro), dani heel (coach).

vintage leapord fascinator- compliments of j (everyone wears fun hats & fascinators it's poker night after all)! 

I hope your Friday was as lovely as mine! 

xoxo 

-eb 

closet staple three ways

For those of you that have been listening to me for months now talk about this supposed "blog" that I have been rambling about. Here it is!

My first official post. It would not be true eb fashion if I did not create my first post around fashion and style (given that in my professional life I am in fashion merchandising, I figured this is both appropriate and necessary). 

I am sharing one of my favorite "staple items" in my closet. This is an item I purchased for the spring / summer season, at the time not knowing how easy and versatile this item would be. From the cool spring mornings, that slowly transitioned into warm summer nights, this became my go to item that I relied on from work to Friday nights. Easy to pair with layering items like a denim jacket, cardigan or just wearing it in its own. 

eb's closet staple: Jcrew Silk Cami 

My style #1 - Fun and Flirty Summer 

silk cami (jcrew.com), denim shorts (abercrombie & fitch), orange suede pumps (jcrew.com).

My style #2 - Casual Sunday

denim jacket (jcrew.com)  silk cami (jcrew.com), gray denim skinny jeans from jcrew's spring sale and color block satchel (jcrew.com).

My style #3 - Work Day 

blush flow cardigan (Macy's), silk cami (jcrew.com), distressed denim (ae.com), and suede neon pumps (jcrew.com) 

Thanks for reading and helping me begin my journey into the world of fashion blogs. 

Let the closet staples, daily outfits,home decor and heath / beauty posting madness begin!  

xoxo 

- eb