Wishlist Wednesday: Winter Florals

Food and fashion are two of my favorite things, and here's a working theory of mine: fall is the brunch of seasons.

Spring is dawn, new beginnings; obviously, breakfast. Summer is light, bright, and carefree: lunch. Winter is meatier, more substantive, so definitely dinner. But fall is that happy time in between -- substantial but not heavy, tasty and satisfying. And my very favorite thing about brunch is that anything goes. It's breakfast, lunch, and everything in between. You want an omelet? Yes, definitely. Lobster? OK! French toast? Sure. How about some prime rib? Yum. Don't forget the champagne…it's cool, it's brunch.

Fall fashion is the same way. You have your tweeds, turtlenecks, plaid shirts and puffy vests -- classic fall pieces. But there's quite a lot of leeway. If you're not ready to put away that floaty dress you love, throw a chunky cardigan over it. Summer sandals work when you wear them with opaque tights. And if you love a pretty print, why not florals? Specifically, winter florals.

Winter florals bring color and energy into your wardrobe. The print adds sweetness; cool tones against a darker background set just the right mood:

clockwise l to r:

Loft Autumn Blossom Flutter Dress ($90) -- quite popular among bloggers this season, the bold print and rich color palette suggest a cool 70's vibe without being overly trendy or costume-y.

Zara Printed Leather Court Shoe ($119) -- an easy pick-me-up for so many different fall looks. A simple sweater and pants become a great outfit with the right shoes.

Thakoon for DesigNation Floral High-Low Hem Blouse ($37.50) -- this top is one of the more interesting pieces in Kohl's recent designer collaboration. The fabric is elegant but the cut is casual -- a very cool look.

Yumi Kim Museum Row Maxi ($258) -- what a dress, right? Who knew you could be so sexy while being so covered up.

Vintage Floral Short Coat ($53) -- I don't know, this oddball, Grandma's couch cushion print kind of appeals to me. It's not for everyone, but it's interesting.

Bettye by Bettye Mueller Pedigree Flats ($65) -- great shoes at a great price. So much more versatile than you'd expect.

Modcloth Elegant Instruction Dress ($170) -- when you want to make your SO's eyes pop out of their head cartoon-style.

LK Bennett Marli Silk Print Top ($145) -- I like the drapey cut and the lovely watercolor effect print.

Fall Shopping List: Classics

One of my favorite fall memories came when I was living in a tiny studio apartment in New York. It was my first adult apartment (the most charming and mouse-infested brownstone ever) and my first time living on my own, all in a city that is pretty intimidating. I didn't really know anyone and I had that "tiny fish adrift in a big pond" feeling. I came home one night and as usual, stopped to check my mail. That's when I noticed them: half a dozen copies of the Vogue September issue, thick as phone books, piled on the floor. They were way too big to fit in the tiny mailboxes of our very old building, and since almost every apartment received one, I guess our mailman figured it was safe to just leave them there. It made me laugh, and it also gave me a hint of community -- I was among kindred spirits. Soon after that, I met some of the other ladies living in my building and we became the best of friends. (Just kidding -- it was New York, so we smiled and occasionally mumbled "good morning" when we passed in the hall).

Still, that September issue ritual became one of my favorite signs of fall, which is imminently approaching. I mean, damn, it's September 1st! (Ed: um, how did that happen?) I don't do Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and there aren't any big piles of leaves to jump in here in Florida, but there is one fall tradition that I can happily participate in: shopping.

I've been scouring my favorite magazines and blogs, doing plenty of (real and online) window shopping, and making my list of must-haves. I'm not planning on making too many purchases right now because it will be warm and toasty here for some weeks to come. But I have my eyes on some great pieces, so I thought I'd share them here while I'm waiting for cooler temps (and maybe even some sales).

And with that, I'm excited to introduce a new series: my Fall Shopping Wish List.

I've made my picks for some of the best buys this season, and I've broken them up into 2 categories. Part I will be classics. These are the things that you typically think of when you think fall fashion: cozy cashmere, crisp trench coats, rich colors. I also have some suggestions that are a little less expected (but still fun and on trend), which you'll see in Part II. Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing my favorite options in each of these categories and thinking about way to style them.

Whether you're heading back to school or are long past those days, fall represents a new year, a fresh start, a clean slate. With the right attitude (and maybe a few great additions to your wardrobe), anything is possible.

Wishlist Wednesday: The Perfect Silhouette

The wrap dress gets a lot of love. It's simple, it's versatile, it has a nice feminine shape, and everyone loves the woman most associated with the wrap dress, Diane von Furstenberg (can I get a "YASSS Queen"?). But here's what I think: the wrap dress is overrated.

Go on, clutch those pearls.

If you're looking for a flattering, feminine dress silhouette, I'd like to make a case for the shirt dress. A classic shirt dress is super flattering. It can be demure or sexy, subtle or incredibly bold. The belted version, my personal favorite, instantly creates that sleek, feminine silhouette, but without the fit issues that a wrap dress is prone to. How many of us spend time trying to figure out how to prevent the gaping and shifting that inevitably happens with our favorite wrap dresses? Maybe you wear a camisole, maybe you add a hook or snap, maybe you just safety pin that bad boy and call it a day. If you're standing still, a wrap dress looks great. But if you need to move and bend and generally behave like a normal human being, a wrap dress can be a real bitch.

The shirt dress is a fall staple, and one of the few fall fashions that can be enjoyed in just about any climate (like, for example, sweltering Florida!). Here are some of the versions that I'm loving this season:

1. Mango Cotton Shirt Dress ($43) -- a very streamlined version available in several traditional colors, and also this pretty pale pink. This isn't the color that comes to mind when you think fall, but how great and fresh would it look with all of those autumnal shades like plum, oxblood, forest green, and navy?

2. Boden Silk Shirt Dress ($198) -- I am in LOVE with the mod feel of this print. I want to layer it up with tights, a blazer, and chunky heels for cool days, but it works just as well with bare legs and sandals if you just need to wear it right away (no judgement!).

3. Alexa Chung for AG Jeans Denim Mini Shirt Dress ($325) -- this is how the downtown girl does a shirt dress: very slim, pretty short, all denim. One of my favorites, for sure. 

4. Samantha Sung Audrey Forest Stretch Cotton Dress ($585) -- I love this print, because it is almost identical to the wallpaper I had in my childhood bedroom. If that's not enough to sell you, think about how flattering a bright, pretty print is around your face. 

5. A.P.C Shirt Dress ($325) -- the very chic, very French way to do a shirtdress. Fit is so important in this style, and you know the tailoring on this one will be impeccable. 

6. River Island Gray Check Shirt Dress ($70) -- I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of Buffalo check, but this gray and white version is kind of intriguing. Add a long, chunky cable knit cardigan and ankle boots for a super cozy fall look. (*linking to Polyvore because River Island's site seems to be down)

7. River Island Beige Color Block Shirt Dress ($100) -- the color blocking is cool, and the black ribbon belt gives you a very teeny waist.

8. Dorothy Perkins Black D-Ring Shirt Dress ($59) -- my favorite of the bunch. A perfectly fitted black dress is heaven, and you can't beat the price.


A few fit tips...

*I think the belted version is most flattering (particularly if you are curvy), but the boxier/drapier cuts look great if you want help creating a shape
*Watch the length -- people should not wonder if you just, in fact, belted some old button-down shirt
*A fabric with a little weight is best -- a light fabric can get too floaty and reveal the lumps and bumps, but a fabric with some heft will make sure the dress lays perfectly

Wednesday Wishlist: Going, Going, Gone

Right now your favorite stores are desperately trying to move old merch out to make room for all of the fall goodies. This is a great time to snap up super deals on some cute summer-y pieces. Maybe you still have a vacation coming up (me), maybe you still have a few weeks/months of warm weather (me), maybe you just want to have a few new things to pull out next year (sure, why not?) -- sizes are limited but most items ring in at $50 or less, so get them before they're gone.

clockwise from l to r:
J. Crew Factory Racerback Stripe Maxi ($18) -- a classic that would be perfect for layering well into the fall.

H&M Round Earrings ($5) -- simple, versatile, sparkly.

J. Crew Factory Striped Photo Collector Tee ($10) -- I love the slim cut and cool graphic -- perfect with white jeans for a casual chic summer look.

Rock, Flower, Paper Lobster Jute Tote ($20) -- the quintessential summer tote

Anthropologie Pilcro Linen Trousers ($50) -- super flattering, and quite a range of pretty watercolor shades to choose from (I'd pick up white for sure).

Boden Espadrille ($62) -- happy shoes for your warm weather adventures.

J. Crew Factory Drapey Shorts ($9) -- easy pull on shorts with a sporty vibe.

Zara Printed Camisole ($20) -- love the cheery print and drapey fit.

Wednesday Wishlist: Swim on Sale

As the final weeks of summer slip away, this is a great time to stock up on some summer clothing essentials at super reduced prices (gotta make room for the wool!). Since I still have a warm weather vacation coming up (and I live in a year-round summer climate), I'm going to grab a few of these cute suits for a steal.

clockwise from l to r:

Old Navy Halter Swimsuit ($12) -- pretty damn sexy for Old Navy, and you can't beat the price.

J. Crew Metallic Gold French Bikini ($75) -- does your dude have a Star Wars thing? Surprise him with this (which also happens to be a perfect for a day by the pool)

Boden Knot Front Taniki ($43) -- you may find some odd separates left over in the sale section. A striped top like this would work well with just about all of solid and print bottoms you already have.

ModCloth Anchor Values Swimsuit ($27) -- a perfect mix-and-match option for the striped tankini top, and lots of other fun tops in your closet.

Kate Spade Georgica Beach Striped Bandeau ($121) -- simple and stylish.

Beth Richards Taylor One Piece ($182) -- I prefer one-piece suits, and I love how sleek and sporty this one is. Perfect for when I want to run around the beach reenacting Mariah Carey's "Honey" video.

J. Crew Ikat Print Bikini ($75)-- a great classic print that you won't soon tire of.

J. Crew Hibiscus Ruched Bandeau One Piece ($100) -- punchy print, flattering style.

Kate Spade Georgica Beach Jewels Bandeau Maillot ($121) -- a little skin, a little sparkle.

Wishlist/Shopping Bag

I've always had a taste for the finer things. Sadly, I've yet to have a bank account to match. Many times I just have to admire my luxe lusts from afar, but sometimes I luck out and fall in love with some spendy little piece that has a bargain-priced fraternal twin.

Here are some of the items on my champagne wishlist and the beer counterparts that are much more likely to end up in my shopping bag:

I adore these sweet but incredibly practical Stuart Weitzman peep-toe wedges. I feel like you could walk forever in them without sacrificing some fun and flirty style. At $400, they're probably a reasonable investment (SW shoes are well-made and should last for years), but not really in my budget right now. So I was pretty psyched to see this look-alike option at H&M for just $30. Same lipstick red color, same cork wedge, same peep-toe. This version seems slightly less comfortable -- the heel a little higher, the platform a little lower -- but a reasonable tradeoff for less than 1/10th of the price.

I discovered this cute little waist bag when I was looking for a good hands-free option for hitting the theme parks, and I loved the compact shape and mod perforated detail. Target made a verrrry similar style in a crossbody version that would also be a sleek and practical little bag.

I really love this graphic tote -- just a fabulous summer bag that you'd wear with a million things. It's interesting and practical and perfect in every way except for...wait, how much does it cost? Boo. Enter Forever 21 with very serviceable replica. The spirit is very much the same -- roomy tote, bold photorealistic palm tree print. I'm not sure that I love the pink and purple hues, but the price is definitely right.

Who doesn't dig a big bold crazy-old-lady tropical frond print? In my head I can pull off this funky jumpsuit...not sure I'm brave enough to actually go out in public, though. Again, Forever 21 has a much cheaper (and perhaps more practical) take on the trend. These separates would be fun to mix and match with other things in your wardrobe, and when worn together would give you that great wow factor.

I have the Facebook community to thank for this high-low pair. On the left, a sweet and feminine heel from the SJP line (and there's more than a little Carrie Bradshaw in these puppies). Nordstrom posted a picture on Facebook last month, and I noticed immediately that a number of ladies (and a few men) were lamenting in the comments about the lack of availability in larger sizes (preach!). One helpful commenter suggested checking out the pair on the right...from Payless!? Sure, the Christian Siriano pumps are not quite as elegant, but they could still be very fabulous if styled just right.