moscow mule

this last summer i went to new orleans and discovered my favorite cocktail: a moscow mule. all summer i wanted to recreate it, but just got around to it this last wednesday. and it was the perfect ending to a long, not-so-great day at work. 

the traditional recipe doesn't call for cucumber, but i love me a cucumber cocktail so i muddled some into the drink to start and followed the recipe from there.

hope a couple of cocktails are in your future this weekend! and if you haven't already, be sure to enter yesterday's giveaway.

{outfit post - checks} + giveaway!

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{c/o banana republic vest (similar here), c/o gianetta blouse, urban outfitters maxi skirt, elizabeth and james booties, urban outfitters hat, h&m, vintage and forever21 bracelets, michael kors watch, revlon orange flip lipstick, opi roll down the windows nail polish}

i tend to gravitate towards solid tops and skirts, so this checkered gianetta blouse was a nice way to switch up my often printless outfits. i tucked it into a skirt here, but have since worn it untucked and loose over a black pair of skinny jeans with bright shoes.

i'm excited to share that the ladies at gianetta are offering one lucky reader a gianetta blouse of their choice. all you have to do is leave a comment below and follow a lovely escape. i'll draw a winner monday, 10.3. good luck!

UPDATE: Winner is liz from sequins and stripes! 

a touch of leather

one of my favorite trends from the february fall runways was the unexpected touches of leather. i love that its a less expensive way to add leather to my wardrobe and it gives pieces like evening gowns and pencil skirts an unexpected edge. after buying this skirt, i'm on the hunt for the next leather trimmed piece to add to my closet... and i'm leaning towards this blazer.


a little leather: 
kage leather pocket tee - $130
leather trimmed twill jackets - $208

reiss leather trimmed hat - $95

michael kors twill and leather trim pencil skirt - $120

elizabeth and james leather trimmed blouse - $325

bb dakota leather trim blazer - $115

the row cat-eye acetate and leather sunglasses - $445

h&m leather leggings - $31

topshop patched panel sweatshirt - $56

club monaco leather pocket pencil skirt - $130
modlcoth nouveau leather trim maxi - $58

{outfit post - sparkle}

{haute hippie sequin mini skirt (similar here), express white pocket tee, anthropologie military jacket (similar here), frye campus boots, revlon orange flip lipstick, h&m, vintage and forever 21 bracelets, michael kors watch, elizabeth and james fairfax sunglasses}

kicked the weekend off in one of my favorite skirts - a navy sequined mini (first seen here). i paired it with casual/rougher pieces since we were having a more low key night out with friends. burgers, beers and a sequin skirt... what better way to start the weekend?

so long sweet summer

can you believe summer has come and gone?! goodbye long days, warm nights and summer glows. and while i didn't quite accomplish all the things i hoped to do this summer, it was still one of the best summers yet. 

and now, bring on the cool breezes, cozy sweaters and warm drinks that come with fall. have a great first weekend of fall!

ps - fittingly i'm sharing the five things i'm most looking forward to this fall on sarah's blog today. pop on over :) 

  {four great trips this summer: portland maine with this lady, ny/the hamptons with the girls, bachelorette weekend in new orleans and a west coast trip with the boy}

{one of many al fresco dinners out and cucumber cocktails}

{some new summer hair dos}

 {weekend trips to the farmers market were a summer staple}

 {never quite finished redecorating the living room and bedroom like i hoped, but did add this beautiful vintage rug to the apartment}

pumpkin pie granola

when we left chicago for our trip it was summer and when we returned 10 days later it was clearly fall. our air conditioning has been replaced by cool breezes blowing through open windows and after months of not using the oven it finally seems appropriate to turn it back on and fill our home with some fall favorites. 

i've been needing to send a little thank you present to our portland and san fran hosts and a home baked fall treat seemed like the perfect thing. so i picked out this pumpkin granola recipe, added in some almonds, extra cinnamon and doubled the recipe so that we could keep a bit for ourselves. 

ps - this is a pretty healthy granola recipe. if you like yours a bit sweeter i'd replace the applesauce for honey or add in a bit more brown sugar. enjoy!

{outfit post - back to booties}

{forever 21 lace dress (similar here), urban outfitters white blazer, elizabeth and james fairfax sunnies, forever21 necklace, michael kors watch, mac pink noveau lipstick, pink suede booties (similar here and here)}

one of the best things about the change in seasons is pulling out wardrobe favorites from under the bed and rediscovering forgotten sweaters, jackets and boots. i unpacked a couple of my favorites last weekend, including these suede booties. i love the rich brown color and how they help transition this lace dress (first seen here) from summer to fall.


what are you excited to unpack for the fall?

favorite nyfw spring runway trends

{love the little details: clutches from philip lim, knotted leather entwined hair from michael kors, and sleek pony tails at derek lam}

 {bright, bold prints: peter som, dvf, oscar de la renta, j. mendel}

 {chartreuse: christian siriano, luca luca, christian siriano}

 {20s style fringe: oscar de la renta, marchesa, christian siriano}

 {soft sherbert colors: jill stuart, 3.1 philip lim, dvf, jill stuart}

{chic short suits: jill stuart, proenza shouler, rebecca minkoff}

{my two fav looks: theyskens theory, luca luca}

just starting to experiment with all of fall's trends, but there is quite a bit to look forward to come next spring. i particularly want to try out the knotted and leather wrapped hair seen at michael kor's spring show and one of those chic little short suits.

pic sources: style.com, refinery29, buro 24/7

{outfit post - matchey matchey}

 

{h&m sweatshirt (similar here), jcrew vibrant flame pencil skirt, elizabeth & james booties, forever21 necklace and ring, elizabeth and james fairfax sunglasses, michael kors watch, revlon orange flip lipstick}

this jcrew pencil skirt is a new staple in my closet. it fits perfectly, pairs with just about anything (even a short sleeved sweatshirt) and the color is one of my favorites. matched my lips and ring with the bright hue for a busy saturday out and about.


hope you all had a nice weekend! 

nyfw - get the look

 {striped tee - $67, olivia harris tassel bag - $455, pleasure doing business skirt - $187, loeffler randall vivan lace up - $272}

 {jbrand bette jeans - $225, quiksilver chambray shirt - $31, rebecca minkoff fur trench - $650}

 {jack bb dakota sharling jacket - $55, jcrew striped sweater - $78, levis jeans - $185}

{topshop white tee - $30, theyskens theory wide leg pants - $465 (similar here for $137), jcrew leather invitation clutch - $138}

doing a little fall shopping this weekend and using a lot of the pieces from the lovely outfits in yesterday's post as a shopping list of sorts.

what are you up to this weekend?

nyfw streetstyle overload

fall has settled in here in chicago and i'm gathering up loads of inspiration from fashion week. the best thing about all these looks is that they aren't over styled. just a couple beautiful pieces paired perfectly together. in my opinion, the stars of new york fashion week are walking the streets, not the runways. 


pic sources: refiner29, root, harpers bazaar