winter warm-ups

This winter has definitely been more bearable than most in NYC weather-wise ... but the temp is finally dropping and I find myself looking for accessories that will do double-duty: both dress + warm me up this season.

Scarves are my go-to accessory year-round, but I especially love to switch them up--kind of like a pick me up over my (same old) go-to winter coat. Etsy is absolutely amazing for hand-made and one-of-a-kind scarves and wraps - the kind you will want to leave on long after you've shed your gloves and hat.

This EcoShag "super chunky" infinity is my most recent favorite find . . .

. . . while these wool + leather combo snoods from RunSystem63 are perfect for adding a touch of style to an otherwise drab look. Plus they're made out of 100% soft wool and can be unsnapped, wrapped once or twice (as they are shown in all the photos here).  

I love the ingeneous designs and amazing textures, and (with winter knits, it's actually true) the bigger, the better.

Speaking of which, I cannot get over these giant handknit scarves by Tallulah G. She had me at "100% super soft chunky merino wool," but what really made me fall in love is the leather buckle detail.  

This one is ten feet long and hand made to order, with a real leather clasp that makes the whole look totally customizable. The neutral yarn and leather color combinations mean there is definitely one ready to complete your winter ensemble.

If you love the look but not the price tag, or are just looking for a cool + practical DYI this winter, you need to get your hands on a knit kit from Wool and the Gang - the coolest thing to happen to knitting like, maybe, ever. They have everything you need - and need to know - in order to knit yourself everything from sweaters to scarves to headbands and every thing in between. Check it out:

[via]

 [via]

It sounds like such a good idea, and judging by the success of WATG, it definitely is.  Just don't get too carried away ... and, of course, have fun! Grandma would be proud.

[via]

adorable (+ work appropriate) add-ons

At my office, the “business casual” dress code is definitely open to interpretation, and more times than not I am guilty of going way too heavy on the “casual” while being much too modest with the “business.”

As much as I love toeing the line with booties and oversize knits, for the most part at the office I stick to showing off with easily removable + adorable accents.  During my 9-to-5, accessories are definitely the perfect platform for showing off my personal style without crossing over from professional to party girl. As you may have gathered from my first post, I love to choose pieces that have big impact without all the bulk--which also makes them perfect for pushing the envelope at work. 

My tried-and-true favorite is these Alex and Ani expandable bangles, which add flair to everything from answering the phone to typing an e-mail. They come in different variations of silver and gold, with dangling charms, beautiful beads, metal pieces and other adorable add-ons that I literally love to pile on.

Here are some of their newer bangle sets I cannot wait to get my hands on...

Alex and Ani is a fixture on Gilt Groupe as well, which is where I find especially unique sets (like my latest score, here on the right) that are usually left off of the website and out of most stores. On those days, you will find me locked and loaded at 11:59 AM, mouse in hand and ready to grab the best ones when the clock strikes noon.

Basically, I can’t get enough of layering and stacking them on my wrist, usually in some mixed-up mess of gold and silver with spikes and colored beads or other funky baubles that I've collected over the years.

Usually, I just run out the door with a thick wrist-full of whichever ones I am feeling in the morning.  Then, if my day changes and suddenly there is a client to meet or a conference to attend, I can simply slip off the bolder bracelets and leave on a few simple, sleek bangles.

It starts off looking like this . . .

Then, when I run to happy hour I just add on a few more of these . . .

 . . . + I end up with a seriously eye-catching look:

If your day-to-day allows, I say go for it with a stack of mismatched bangles.  If not, try to sneak in your chic a few bracelets at a time. Why not mix some pleasure into all that business?