This little piece of art is a clutch. Actually, it's a minaudière (a small, hard-sided clutch). It is covered in teensy crystals, hand applied by a skilled craftsman.

While it's a little too wow for a dive in jeans and a tank, it's perfect for those more fance nights out. It's the perfect way to add a little glitz to a solid colored dress; I recommend black or red, and accessorize with big earrings or a long necklace.

Obvs, this is a little...outrageous. But it's also pretty fabulous, and fabulous always outweighs outrageous.

Buy it here.

If you have some time to kill, explore this site a bit. It's full of fab purses that are just fun to look at. Because every girl needs a bedazzled hedgehog shaped clutch.

This jacket is just too cute not to share. Warm and cozy, it's perfect for tailgating.

It doesn't scream "Go Beavs!", so it also works when you're not dying to declare your team affiliation. Commuting, running errands or strolling in the snow, this little baby will keep you nice and toasty while still looking cute.

On the chest is a subtle "Oregon State"; the sleeve has a delightfully old-school style "OS" patch.

Plus, it's go thumb-holes. What is better than that?

Buy here. Also available in black.

Though Edna Mode would not approve, I love capes. I’ve always thought of fall and winter as more formal seasons—people “dress” for fall and winter, as opposed to the easy throw-it-on nature of spring and summer. Capes are very much a more elegant look; while not exactly formal, they defiantly require a little more thought and planning than throwing on a hoodie.

When donning a cape, it is important to keep in mind proportions. The cape is rather loose, so the bottom half (and the top under the cape) should be fitted. Skinny jeans and a slim cut sweater are an easy option; you could also try a slim skirt (such as a pencil) and tights. These celebrities do it very well; I would, however, recommend tights if wearing a mini (sorry Kate!).

Capes are a statement piece, so the rest of your ensemble should be classic and heels are a must!

Thanks to InStyle for the image!

This dress is over the top in the best possible way.

It could work in any season too...belt a long cardi over it and add a pair of tights in the winter; in the spring just add a pair of sweet flats.

Buy here.

I know, I know. They're clogs. CLOGS.

Blaire would not approve.

I just can't shake the feeling though that they are unmistakably adorable.

They may cause a walking-hazzard when paired with tights, but at least you'll go down looking fab.

Buy a pair here.

Ooooooo.

This is fabulous; it's like a classic L.L. Bean tote, but infinitely more glam. The navy sequins are an unexpected alternative to the ubiquitous silver ones, and it makes the bag just this side of casual. Paired with jeans, it is the perfect everyday tote, ideal for everything from running holiday errands to schlepping your books to class.

This tote is the ultimate bag for adding a little bit of fance to your everyday activities.

Buy it here.

This headband is perfect for glamming up your knocking-about outfit. Pair it with skinny jeans, a cozy brown sweater and sparkly gold flats, and suddenly running errands is a little more fance.

Buy here.

*Gasp*

That was my initial reaction to this breathtaking duvet cover. Clearly, it is feminine and flouncy; likely, only single ladies can have this beauty on their bed. I love the ballet pink color, though the other available colors are gorgeous as well.

Purchase here or here (striped).

These eensy rings are just too perfect not to share. Delicate and light, they are the types of rings you can just leave on for days on end. I personally would get my first and last initial, though the heart one is adorable as well.

My friend A suggests getting your first initial and the first initial of your sweetie. Adorbs.

Thanks to The Cut for bringing these beauties to my attention (and for the picture).

Buy one (or many!) here.

I love bows. They're unapologetically girly, but in a fabulously charming way.

This ring would be the perfect foil to a outfit with menswear inspired elements: dark skinny jeans, a white top and a navy blazer would be perfect. A long gold chain would play off the ring nicely, highlighting the ring's nautical feel.

Buy here.

This is the quintessential fall/winter sweater. One you can wear year after year.

The fair isle pattern is a classic; as an added bonus, fair isle is on trend this year, so not only will you be trendy this fall, but you'll be classic for years on end.

The shape is perfect...it feels like being wrapped in a blanket. This can be worn with anything...jeans, cords, layered under a light tee or alone.

It works almost anytime as well...wear it with jeans and flats to class, or with cords and boots as you run errands on the weekends. Paired with a dress and tights, you could tie the belt over the open (unwrapped) cardigan; this would be perfect for a late fall date.

Buy here.

This fab party dress would be perfect for any formal party. I would love to wear this to an upcoming rehearsal dinner; it would also be perfect for any party where fanciness is a requirement. I love the shoes paired with it here, I would perhaps add a pair of opaque black tights. Accessorizing would be a cinch: only diamond studs and a cocktail ring are needed.

Buy it here.

Surprising Subtlety

As I wrote about in my last post, autumn is all about reinvention. Trying something new or abandoning your default look, fall is about shedding your old habits.

One of my long-standing habits is a tendency to wear lots of color. I tend to reach for bright colors and love combining colors in interesting ways. This is in stark contrast to my friend A. Her closet is filled to literally overflowing with blacks and whites. She is proud of the occasional red piece in her closet, but has to be coerced into actually wearing any of them.

I used to scoff at A’s affinity for black and white, and really any obsession with neutrals, however this autumn I’m feeling a little differently.

The fall runways were full of tailored pieces, and there is no better way to show off a beautiful silhouette than with a lovely neutral. Navy, gray, black and winter white—those are the colors I’m craving this season. When your color palette is this neutral, you can wear more embellished pieces. Ruffles, bows and sequins go from overly young and in-your-face to classically feminine.

Because of my love of color, however, I will be adding a little bit here and there. Not so much a pop of color as a hint, I’m thinking of deeply saturated colors like plum and turquoise. These can be used on accessories like a turquoise beret paired with blacks and grays; they can also be used to add a sophisticated turn to basics, such as a plum cable-knit sweater.

The difference between these colors and my usual pinks and reds is a desire for subtlety. These are grown-up colors, not concerned with being noticed but with being sophisticated. Sometimes the best way to standout is to remain neutral.

autumn awakening

Despite the random warm temperatures that have plagued Portland as of late, it is in fact autumn. The leaves are beginning to turn and fall, and soon it will be time to break out the wool coats and corduroy pants. Pumpkin Spice Lattes can be sipped at every corner coffee shop, and store window-displays are making ample use of golds, browns, and plums.

No matter how long you've been out of school, the return of fall brings to mind fresh starts. Forget spring-time, autumn is when we have a fresh-slate, a time to reinvent our wardrobes and perhaps even ourselves. Trying out version of a piece you've been admiring or finally letting go of your Uggs (heaven forbid!), fall is about trying out the unexpected.

This autumn, I intend to indulge my life-long love of hats. As a young girl, I adored hats, and would find an excuse to wear one whenever the situation presented itself. Nearly every outfit I owned was accompanied by a hat of some kind, often embellished with a bow. For my grown-up version of this, I intend to further my collection of berets beyond my camel one. I adore the classically French beret's, not the knitted and slouchy ones that have become oh-so-cool the last few cold seasons. A grey beret would look fabulous with my pale-pink wool coat, and a rich purple will complement my dark hair wonderfully.

This fall I'll also be attempting to incorporate a cloche into my head-gear rotation. A 1950's chic housewife aesthetic is huge this season, and while the cloche was popular in the '20's, the looks will complement each other nicely. A ladylike 1950's inspired ensemble of a snug sweater and elegantly tailored wool coat will be perfectly complemented by an equally elegant wool cloche. Leather boots will keep the look from looking too last century.