With the abundance of plaid this season, it’s hard to believe that I’ve had a hard time finding a solid, go-to flannel shirt. To be fair, it’s difficult because I was looking to duplicate the cozy feel of my husband’s (then boyfriend’s) blue flannel in college, but with an up to date style. This shirt checked all of the boxes. Super soft and comfy. Classic colors. Great length. Feminine styling.

Rails tunic | Banana Republic pants, necklace and sunglasses | Tory Burch handbag (on sale) and earrings | Ralph Lauren boots (old, similar here and here) | Melly bracelets

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Trevor and I attended a fundraising event at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts this past weekend, and I fretted a fair amount over what to wear. I assumed we should outfit ourselves in clothes a bit fancier than our normal attire, but I also thought it was a good bet that the overall appearance of the crowd would be on the conservative side. I ordered this dress online from Anthropologie, not really knowing what it would be like in person, but I was intrigued by the details – the delicate flowers on the sleeve, in particular. Upon arrival and looking more closely at the dress, the number of design elements was kind of surprising. Surprising that the dress could have that much going on – “see through” parts on the bodice, lace, cut outs, and tulle (!), to name a few – yet not come off as a train wreck. I suppose that’s what good design is about. Although I ended up not wearing it to the event (see Reality Check below), I know I’ll get plenty of use out of this unique dress for social and work functions. It’s conservative in some important aspects (neckline and hemline, namely), but the intricate and interesting detail sets it apart from the normal LBD I reach for on so many occasions.

Anthropologie dress | DKNY tights | Coach heels | Mark & Graham clutch | Silver Cocoon earrings

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Tory Burch had a pretty pullover in her fall collection, one that mixed a pin dot pattern on the bodice with a floral on the sleeves. I really liked it online, and loved it when it arrived in the mail. But I realized when I received it that “pullover” was a fashionable, alternative way to say “sweatshirt,” and $250 just seemed a bit too steep to spend. It was beautiful, unique and comfortable, but for whatever reason I couldn’t get my brain wrapped around the sweatshirt aspect of it. I returned it, and a few weeks later spotted this floral sweatshirt at Ann Taylor Loft (where they call it a sweatshirt, and where the price is about $33, with the current 40% off discount). I decided to try and recreate the look of the Tory Burch pullover by pairing it with a pin-dot button down.

Ann Taylor Loft sweatshirt | Banana Republic button down shirt and pants | Tory Burch handbag and boots (old, loving these more winter friendly versions) | Michael Kors watch | Melly bracelets | earrings (gift from a friend) | Target hat

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