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Image via: Hourglass.com
what it is: Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick
why I love it: On days when you're really trying to make a beauty statement via lip color, you really want something that packs a punch in terms of color saturation. The last thing you want from a lip color is for it to be disappointingly sheer, requiring too much time layering just to have it wipe off immediately. Well, this lip color is the answer to any woes you might possibly have. I have the "Icon" and "Raven" shades. The former is a true red that makes me feel old Hollywood glamorous every time I wear it, and the latter (pictured above) is a coralish/orangish red that is the perfect choice for when I need something just a few blocks from classic. Jessica Alba wore "Riviera," their perfect shade of orange to the 2013 Golden Globe awards and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it ever since. Apart from the colors being absolutely perfect and coming in a range from neutral and feminine to bold and head turning, the colors are truly opaque and one swipe on each lip is pretty much all you need. You apply the color like gloss, but it has the consistency of lipstick and it stays on for hours. I just wore "Raven" yesterday from about noon until 10PM, eating, drinking, talking and generally living in between and only had to reapply the color once. I would say the only thing to potentially improve the color is to add a clear gloss on top if that's the look you're going for. If matte is what you want though, nothing extra is needed. The tubes seem small, but when you need so little so seldom to get the same coverage and staying power as other lip products, you don't need one the size of your normal gloss.
where to get it: hourglass.com, $28
*Note: the colors on the Hourglass website seem a little off on my computer screen. A little extra research into the true appearance of the shade might be required!
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Image via: TheCut.com
what it is: Isabel Marant for H&M
why I love it: It's now pretty obvious that I'm a fan of designer collaborations. I mean, it's designers at a discount, so...obviously, right? Well, Isabel Marant, famous for colorful, patterned knits and jackets and the original popular-izer of the wedge sneaker is coming to your neighborhood H&M this month, and I'm excited. The look above is my favorite of the looks that have been released so far, but in the collection is one of her famous blazers, as well as a lot of other really cool relaxed, patterned, slightly hippie inspired (but not so much that you feel cornered into that style) items. As the weather starts to turn for-real cold, these cozy cool items are being released just in time.
where to get it: H&M starting November 14, prices vary
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A new month means more closet gaps to fill, and I've got plenty to go around. The weather has cooled down considerably, so here's what I'm on the lookout for as fall eases more and more into winter, and the cozy holidays approach. AND, it's my birthday month. That means that all purchases can be justified, right? Again, as told by street style.
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Image via: Glamour UK
wide leg jeans
I just gave away my pair (that I had since high school!) so I'm in the market for new ones. I think these look so striking with heels and wedges, and they give a fun 70s vibe to any outfit, but can also offer a different sort of casual jeans look when skinnies are the go-to these days.
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Image via: Cosmopolitan.co.uk
"grandfather" blazer
Nothing defines a feminine shape quite like a big, boxy, stolen from the opposite sex blazer, preferably in your grandpa's favorite tweed, check or houndstooth. I love this look with layers, with a more traditional outfit, shorts, or if it's long enough, with nothing underneath! 
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Image via: Atlantic-Pacific.blogspot.com
camo skinnies
Add this to my list of camo must haves, too. These act as a neutral, but make any outfit more interesting. Great with heels or boots or booties...or sandals, I want to wear these all fall and winter. And spring.
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Image via: MyStylePill.com
slouchy t-shirt
These are everywhere nowadays, and for good reason. Everyone's body type is different, though, so finding one that hangs just right is important. These are necessary for casual, layered, skirted, shorted, everything-ed looks for all seasons. I'll take one in white, gray and black, please.
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Image via: 9to5chic.com
white wide leg trousers
Moda Operandi is doing their "the one that got away" series right now, and I could write a book with all the stories I have like that. Including beautiful white trousers from Joe Fresh I waited too long to get last year. They're maybe slightly more tailored than the ones seen here, but nothing looks more glamorous than a white or cream pant, especially in the winter.
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Image via: HelloFashionBlog.com
camo coat
I've become a total camo convert, and this kind of coat goes well over anything. It's the perfect layering piece and adds just the right amount of pattern without distracting from the rest of the outfit. Many of these coats strike the perfect balance between masculine and feminine. 
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Image via: WeWoreWhat.com
oxblood jeans
Not unlike their camo counterparts, these can go with so much, and look so rich for the season. When blue and black are boring but you want to keep it dark, this is the perfect alternative. Great with blacks, browns and pretty much all neutrals, these would be a welcome addition to my jeans drawer. As would an eggplant-colored pair. 
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Image via: HarpersBazaar.com
pajama top
Pajama sets for day are acceptable now, but I don't know how I would feel in a silky, patterned, matching top and bottom. That's why I'll stick with the shirt (in either solid or patterned) to wear with trousers, cutoffs, under blazers and jean jackets and get to stay comfy all day.
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Image via: CVS.com
what it is: Essie After School Boy Blazer
why I love it: I've loved navy polish ever since high school, when I was attracted to dark nails, but I didn't quite want to go with black polish for fear of the associations is used to bring. A lot of times, they add some sort of shimmer or too much blue to the formulas, and they just aren't right. I was at CVS the other day to pick up something that wasn't even near the nail polish, but naturally I passed the nail polish and this color from the Fall 2013 collection caught my attention. It's a cream formula and in the bottle it's the type of navy that look almost black, exactly what I look for in a navy. I talked myself out of buying it considering I already own at least 3 navy polishes, but I don't know if I'll be able to continue to talk myself out of this one.
where to get it: CVS (and wherever they sell Essie), $8
 
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I have a multi-hyphenate sort-of cousin who, as one of the hyphens in her does-it-all life, is a co-owner of Elezar, a purse company that offers well-made and unique handbags of all sizes. She's based in Chicago, and last time I was there she very unnecessarily gifted me the above bag, and it turns out it's the large bag I never knew I needed.

I started using the bag immediately, exchanging the carry on I had originally traveled with for the new one on my way home. Soon after I returned from that trip, I started to do various work in coffee shops around NYC instead of my apartment, so this bag came in handy for easily toting around my 15-inch computer and the rest of my workday necessities. I've used it when I have job interviews, it easily holds heels, lunch and anything else I need while looking professional and still fashionable, and the neutral-but-not-overdone color is perfection for all seasons. 

Before I owned this bag, my go-to carryall was my Longchamp Le Pliage large tote, which is another ideal bag that I can't say enough good things about. But after a while, it starts to look worn and dirty and it doesn't particularly exude a specific type of style personality as a look-completer. It's very functional. This new bag, with its neutral color, interesting shape, ample pockets and roomy interior is something I don't think I could have even picked out myself, and got me thinking about how maybe next time I go "work bag" shopping, I'll have to get a little more creative. Though, now that I have this one, it's going to be quite a while until there's a next time.

This isn't the first time I've felt this way about an Elezar bag, so check out the site to find bags that won't be just what you see hanging from everyone else's shoulder.
 
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"Day Clouds" Sweatshirt
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Women's Tiger Sweatshirt
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Embroidered K Ribbons Sweat
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"Lotus Eye" Neoprene Sweat
what it is: Kenzo Paris "graphic" sweatshirts
why I love it: It's finally sweater weather, and as much as we all love a chunky knit or the feeling of soft, warm cashmere, sometimes it's fun to go a little edgier. Just like the equally sporty baseball hats, sweatshirts are really having a fashion moment. Brands and designers are veering away from the plain, oversized, fleecy variety for more made-for-women types with interesting designs that work just as well with jeans and cool boots as they do with a mini or maxi skirt and heels. These Kenzo varieties, which are favored by street style stars, are a little more aspirational in price, but the French brand does an excellent job of utilizing fun colors and designs that work well with both very styled as well as cool casual looks. One of these is definitely on my wish list. In the meantime, it's not hard to use these as inspiration when shopping for one in a more practical price range.
where to get it: Kenzo.com, prices vary
-E
 
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Image via: Nordstrom.com
what it is: Sole Society, "Helena" bootie
why I love it: This bootie, (which comes in four colors) reminds me a lot of a Christian Louboutin bootie I fell in love with a year or so ago, in terms of the shape. Booties are obviously great for fall and winter, and the shape of this one is so unique and feminine, I think it would add a gorgeous line to the end of any leg in any outfit. I love the idea of a red bootie because it's a little more unexpected. Black is obvious, and there's a reason for that, but red can look good finishing off a monochrome neutral outfit, complementing red somewhere else in an outfit or artfully popping with other colors. I somehow don't own any red shoes, so I'm thinking I'm going to have to grab these to remedy that rather large problem.
where to get it: Nordstrom.com, $79.95
-E
 
When each season starts and the prospect of new outfit possibilities are fresh, I mentally evaluate my wardrobe to get the thought process started. I usually come upon several gaps to fill that would serve an important part of outfit making, and make it a goal to search for the perfect piece to fill those gap as the season approaches and starts. Now that fall is here and it's the first day of a month perfect for cool-but-not-cold weather clothes and layering, here are some items I'll be on the hunt for in October for fall and winter, as told by street style.
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Image via: Seventeenthandirving.blogspot.com
leather/faux leather jacket
Every girl needs one of these in her wardrobe. I just got rid of the one I'd had for years and hardly ever wore because it didn't quite suit my style, nor was it very comfortable. I hung onto it because I knew it was an important item to have, but now I'm looking for one I'll actually want to wear.
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Source: unknown via Pinterest.com
leather/faux leather pants
Obviously I won't be wearing these with my new jacket, but ever since last year, I've been looking for a well-fitting pair of these. I think they're such a great alternative to jeans with a slouchy t-shirt or big sweater, and they go equally well with high tops as they do with pumps. They're a new must-have.
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Source: unknown via Pinterest.com
full length jumpsuit
Yes, really. I think I've been fighting this for a while because I so want to reject the idea of them, but I've seen so many look great on other people, I'm giving in and looking for one that flatters me just as well.
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Image via: Atlantic-Pacific.blogspot.com
crazy textured skirt
The thing with style today is that rules have pretty much gone out the window. At one point, a skirt like this probably could be considered either super fancy or just plain weird and unwearable. That's not the case anymore, and I want one.
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Image via: Loveitsomuch.com
trench coat
This is another wardrobe staple that I should definitely have, but don't. I have issues with coats and their weight, and this is perfect for those spring and fall transitional times, especially when the weather can be on the rainy side. I just need to invest in one that's classic and fits.
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Image via: HarpersBazaar.com
pea coat
Yet another outwear staple, and I have yet to break down and get one. As the weather inches closer to cool than to winter coat cold, this type of coat is essential. A short navy one in a nice thickness would fit the bill, and I'm keeping my eyes peeled.
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Image via: Richesforrags.tumblr.com
block heel brown booties
Last year I bought a pair of lower heeled black booties so that if I wanted a little height during the day without killing my feet and feeling like a giant, I could have that. I ended up wearing them for day and night, and now I'd like a brown counterpart, along the lines of the rag & bone celeb favorite, but in a more human price range (hint, hint, those exact ones).
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Image via: Songofstyle.com
leopard flats/pumps
Another holdover from last year, I see these in street style and on the street in real life and still want them. They're a great way to finish off a plain outfit, and the tones that usually come in a leopard print pattern are so neutral that they're great for pattern mixing, too. I need to settle on pairs that I like, because I'm pretty picky about shoe shape and there are a lot of questionable options out there, especially in an animal print.
-E
 
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Image via: Nitrolicious.com
what it is: Essie "Matte About You" matte-maker top coat
why I love it: If you couldn't tell, I really like to have a lot of nail painting options. Matte nails are really a come and go trend, but it's a good way to mix up nail looks. I'm not a big fan of investing in actual matte nail polish, but this top coat gives the look to any normal nail polish for an instant nail update. The matte effect looks especially cool on darker polishes, where you can really notice it and can tell anti-shine is the desired result, and now that it's fall, this is the perfect time for those colors and any variations you might want to add to them.
where to get it: Ulta.com, $10
-E
 
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Image via: J.Crew.com
what it is: J.Crew Matte Crepe Drawstring Pant
why I love it: It's no secret that I love some good irony in my fashion choices, and it's easy to write these off as "too casual" or "not worth the money," but once I saw them in person, I knew that was not the case. The J.Crew-ification of these athletic-inspired pants amps up the quality of the look of these, making them fancy sweats, the best of fashion irony. I saw them in the "vintage mahogany" color, which is the perfect feminine neutral-ish that offsets the sporty influence of the pants. I love these with pumps, as seen in J.Crew's photo, with a blazer and a statement necklace. Like this, they're convincing enough as trousers to take you to work. With some cool sneakers and a feminine top and long necklace, they would be great for evening. Throw them on with smoking slippers and a fancy sweatshirt or cool baseball jacket with a scarf and you've got an easy fall brunch outfit. I mean, winter is coming, so who wouldn't want to live in these in as many situations as possible? They're passable sweats, which makes them officially a must-have.
where to get it: J.Crew, $138
-E