SEPTEMBER without shopping

September was a great month, I love how it is the transition month from summer to fall.  September involved soaking up the last of the warm weather outdoor activities I love, and getting so excited for my favorite time of year.  Cheers to October!

enjoyed the last of sandal weather {sandals from TJ Maxx; nail polish: Essie's "Navigate Her"}

went home to see my family in Cleveland

rearranged some of my favorite antiques

went on a girls trip to Lake Lure, NC

had Mary Kay makeovers done by the amazing Lex McAllister, an Independent Sales Director for Mark Kay 
{check out her info here}

Happy Autumn!

xoxo

Cassidy

Colonel Mustard

One night out in Portland, I wore one of my favorite dresses that I bought last year.  It is a great mustard color, and I love that it can be worn during any season of the year.  I paired it with a brown leather clutch, and unexpected burgundy heels that I've owned for over 10 years {I wore them to my first high school homecoming!} So glad I can use these pieces to get me through my favorite season for fashion without shopping!

Anthropologie dress

Anthropologie dress

Anthropologie dress

BCBG Max Azria heels + sunflowers from a cute boy

Anthropologie dress, BCBG Max Azria heels, vintage clutch

Anthropologie dress, BCBG Max Azria heels, vintage clutch

Happy Hump Day!

xoxo

Cassidy

Rose City

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I went on a long weekend vacation to Portland in August.  It was my first time there and it is a FABULOUS city! It is so unique, has an amazing food scene, and the incredible sights in nature and wine country are just a quick drive away.  The shopping scene was also great, but I stayed true to my no shopping vow and only spent money on a wedding gift for a friend and some Pinot Noir.  Here is a recap of Portland along with some outfits that will be recycled in the near future:

great shops in the Pearl District

Halston Heritage dress, Jessica Jensen portfolio clutch, Jimmy Choo shoes

amazing dinner at Castagna 

Elk Cove Vineyards, Willamette Valley, OR

stunning view of the Columbia Gorge

H&M tee, Helmut Lang shorts, Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C., Robindira Unsworth necklace, Ray Ban aviators, bracelets: Gorjana, David Yurman, Cyma watch; ring: Robindira Unsworth; nail polish: Essie's "Turquoise & Caicos"; coffee from Public Domain

"Keep Portland Weird"

made the trip to a Portland landmark: VooDoo Doughnuts

Truffle soaps at an outdoor market along the Willamette River

indulged in oysters & Bloody Marys {often}

gorgeous architecture on old buildings

Portland and the surrounding area was incredible, and I cannot wait to go back! Thanks to all of my friends that gave me great advice on what to do/see, and a thanks to fabulous fashion blogger and Oregon native Christa Jayne {check out her blog here} for the tips! Cheers to the Rose City!

xoxo

Cassidy

Matte Sparkle

I adore all things glitter and sequins in my wardrobe, but sometimes I feel the need to go for something a little more muted and less like an outfit for a 21st birthday.  I bought this top years ago from TJ Maxx and still love it; if the navy sequins were bright and shiny I think I would have donated it to Goodwill by now {too much sparkle can look cheap}, but the matte look of the sequins keeps it modern and transitional.  I wore this outfit towards the end of summer, but I can see myself wearing it again this fall but with tights and a blazer. 

The Limited top {from TJ Maxx} 

The Limited top {from TJ Maxx}, J Crew skirt, Furla handbag, Charles David shoes, RayBan aviators

The Limited top {from TJ Maxx}, J Crew skirt, Furla handbag, Charles David shoes, RayBan aviators

Charles David shoes

patio dining at The Happy Greek enjoying my favorite appetizer; jewelry: Ellen Himic bracelet, Ippolita ring, Gorjana ring; nail polish: Estee Lauder's "Rosa Rosa"

Happy Hump Day!

xoxo

Cassidy

Style Inspiration: Mom

There are plenty of bloggers and women in the fashion world that I look to for style inspiration, but I could never overlook the woman that has taught me so much about style since I was a little girl: my Mom!  It was her birthday yesterday so I wanted to dedicate a post to her and her wonderful style.  My Mom has fabulous taste and loves all things classic, chic, and feminine; she has taught me so much about fashion and I often look to her for advice when shopping..{which won't be for another 8 month..}

my Mom's beautiful Escada cocktail dress

my Mom's gorgeous sapphire + diamond wedding ring

my Mom's classic Jimmy Choo pumps {if only I wore her size!}

my Mom's luxurious leather Burberry bag

a vintage Oleg Cassini dress my Mom passed down to me - she wore it for New Year's Eve in 1980 and I wore it for New Year's Eve in 2011 in Chicago! 

my Mom and I at Elk Cove Winery in Willamette Valley, Oregon. 

Happy Birthday to the best Mom in the world, love you!

Have a good week!

xoxo

Cassidy

Pulling a Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton: the name alone makes me think of the adjectives classic, feminine, stylish.  The Duchess of Cambridge is the epitome of the classic modern woman, and she makes any designer gown look like it was made just for her.  What I love most about Kate is that even though she could have any designer piece at the snap of a finger, she often recycles her gorgeous ensembles! I love this concept, and especially now since I will be reusing clothes until May.  

Kate Middleton wore a Emilia Wickstead coat dress TWICE in 11 days this past May

{source: People.com}

I pulled a Kate Middleton recently by wearing a particular dress to one event, and wearing it less than a week later out to dinner.  Normally I would make sure the same people would not see me wearing the same outfit so soon, but Kate has singlehandedly made this idea fashionable.  

Walter by Walter Baker dress I wore to an outdoor engagement party for great friends {bracelets: David Yurman + John Hardy; ring: Ippolita; nail polish: OPI's "What's with the Cattitude?"}

same Walter by Walter Baker dress with same bracelets + ring {RayBan aviators, Furla handbag, Gap sandals, & Olia Designs earrings - buy here}

same Walter by Walter Baker dress with same bracelets + ring {RayBan aviators, Furla handbag, Gap sandals, & Olia Designs earrings - buy here}

Enjoy the rest of your week!

xoxo

Cassidy

Ladylike Neutrals

I may have mentioned this in earlier posts, but I LOVE neutrals - for any time of year, for any occasion; I think a neutral ensemble almost always looks chic.  I recently wore some neutral pieces with feminine details, and finished it off with a my first attempt at a sock bun {not as difficult as I imagined it would be}.  As summer fades, I will most definitely be reusing all of my neutral pieces with my {OLD} fall wardrobe! 

close up of LC Lauren Conrad top

Gap sandals + Sephora by OPI's "It's All About Me"

Outside The Lamp Shade in the Short North {check out here}: LC Lauren Conrad top, J Crew skirt, Jessica Jensen Portfolio clutch, Gap sandals, Ray Ban aviators, Gorjana rose gold earrings

Jessica Jensen Portfolio clutch; jewelry on right: David Yurman bracelet, John Hardy bracelet, Gorjana wrap bracelet, Ellen Himic ring, jewelry on left: Ellen Himic bracelet, Gorjana ring, Ippolita ring; nail polish: Estee Lauder's "Rosa Rosa" 

Have a great week!

xoxo

Cassidy

Viva Italia

Around this time 5 years ago, I left for Italy to study abroad for a semester.  I lived in the city of Perugia, and it was probably the best experience of my life! I loved everything about Italy {especially the FOOD} and still miss it to this day.  Other than the pizza, I adored the fashion and Italians' appreciation of beautifully made clothes, handbags, and shoes.  I bought quite a few pieces while I was there, and often seek out Italian-made goods here in the U.S.  Here are some of my favorite Italian pieces that will help me get through my year of no shopping: 

gold Italian bracelet my Mom passed down to me + gourmet Italian salt I picked up from Eataly & TJ Maxx

Italian leather shoes I purchased in Florence, Italian-made Latitude Femme heels I purchased at TJ Maxx, + whole wheat spaghetti with homemade marinara sauce {recipe here; bowl from TJ Maxx}

Italian-made sweater by Sisley

Furla bag I purchased in Perugia

Perugia, Italia - my home away from home

Enjoy your week and weekend, I will be in North Carolina all weekend so next post won't be until Monday!

xoxo

Cassidy

AUGUST without shopping

August was both a fun and BUSY month! I finished another round of classes in grad school, took advantage of the patio lifestyle around Columbus, and went on a vacation to Portland, OR.  Autumn is by far my favorite time of year, but there is always a little part of me that feels sad when summer ends.  Here is what I did in August that did NOT include shopping: 

walked around the fabulous Short North 

baked mini peach pies {recipe here}

picked up some local goods at a farmer's market at the North Market

attended a fabulous engagement party hosted by great friends

went olive oil/balsamic vinegar tasting at Benessere Oils and Vinegars in Portland {rings: Ippolita & Robindira Unsworth; nail polish: Essie's "Turquoise & Caicos"}

Hope you're having a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

xoxo

Cassidy