Category: fashion

preppy fall neutrals

by Rachel McCarthy
preppy-fall-outfit-ideas

1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9. | 10.


**lipstick color: So Marilyn**


It’s been a preppy week here at A Blonde’s Moment! There is no doubt that I tend to gravitate to more classic and preppy looks and this is one of my favorites yet! How can you not love a tweed skirt, riding boots and a quilted jacket?! Not only are these great staple pieces for your closet, but this neutral color scheme is perfect for the autumn months. 


Although I am usually partial to black over brown, there is something about these neutrals of beige, tan and brown that I am loving right now! And what is great about this tweed skirt is that it can easily be paired with black as well. Whoever said you can’t wear brown and black together had it all wrong! From the looks of it, this tweed skirt has been pretty popular, so grab it quick if it’s still in stock in your size! I can definitely see myself wearing this look with boot socks now and throwing on a pair of tights for a cooler day. 


P.S. Have you checked out J.Crew’s newest arrivals? They just arrived yesterday and there are so many stunning pieces. I am especially in love with this belted trench! 


Thanks for stopping by and have a great Wednesday! We are halfway through the week!!


….



stripes & plaid for a preppy fall

by Rachel McCarthy
fall-outfit-ideas
‘how-to-wear-a-blanket-scarf

stripe-sweater-blanket-scarf

how-to-wear-blanket-scarf

karen-walker-sunglasses

a-blonde's-moment-fashion-blog

steve-madden-ankle-boots

the-perfect-fall-outfit
striped sweater | blanket scarf, last season {similar style} | distressed jeans | ankle boots via Off Broadway Shoe c/o | sunglasses | earrings | double x ring | lipgloss {rouge laque} 

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! Our weekend was pretty productive — lots of chores were completed, isn’t that such a wonderful feeling?! We even got to see my cousin and new fiancé yesterday! We are so happy and excited for them! Congratulations, Ethan and Erin!!

I wore this look the other weekend when we headed to the Eastern Shore. It was a super comfy travel outfit! I picked up this striped sweater a couple weeks ago and have already worn it a few times. Although it is wool, it is of the light and non-itchy variety! I am pretty particular when it comes to itchy sweaters. If I sense the slightest itch, I’m done! In the few times I have worn this sweater, I am happy to report I haven’t had any issues! 

This is also my new favorite lipgloss. Lately, my usual red lipstick has been bleeding pretty bad — even with lip liner! I had bought this color to wear to the wedding the other weekend because I didn’t want red lipstick all over my face during the ceremony and reception! I have to say I am completely in love with this new gloss! It’s on the more expensive side, but it lasts FOREVER. In the bottle and on your lips 😉 

Did you pick up anything at the Shopbop Friends & Family Sale last week? I ended up ordering these sunglasses and they were delivered on Friday! I have been dying over these sunglasses for so long, I finally broke down and bought them during the sale. I was concerned they were too big for my face, but I figured: (a) they are statement glasses and (b) I like them, so I’m going to keep them! 

Hope you all have a wonderful start to your week and thanks for dropping by!


….

dressing for fall with chambray & faux fur

by Rachel McCarthy
chambray-fur-vest

chambray-and-faux-fur

faux-fur-vest

steve-madden-ankle-boots

chambray-top-faux-fur-vest-fall-look
 chambray top {on sale w/ code LAYERUP} | CAbi fur vest, old {similar style, love this for under $70!} | jeans | ankle boots via Off Broadway Shoe c/o | bag {similar style} | black onyx ring | cuff bracelet, one-station bracelet | watch | earrings | sunglasses {on sale w/ code INTHEFAM25} | lipgloss {violin surreal}

Is it really already Thursday?! This week went so fast. Although, I can’t complain too much because I am definitely counting down the days to Friday evening. This is the first weekend since before Labor Day that we haven’t had something to do, so I am very much looking forward to running, grocery store shopping and other household chores. Sounds crazy, right?! 

You may remember from last week’s casual fall post that I mentioned how much I loved my chambray shirt. And this is exactly why! Last week, I dressed it down with leggings, a utility jacket and Hunter boots and today I am dressing it up just a little with a faux fur vest, skinny jeans and my new favorite ankle boots. I have had this faux fur vest for a few years now and it’s definitely a fall/winter piece I look forward to breaking out of my closet. Like the chambray blouse, the fur vest is super versatile and the perfect layering piece. Although it is a few years old, there are SO many cute faux fur vests out there. I linked to two of my favorites above, this one is a real deal! 

Don’t forget today is the last day to check out the Shopbop Friends & Family Sale! In case you missed yesterday’s post where I shared a few of my favorites, you can read that here. Use the code INTHEFAM25 for 25% — my favorite sunglasses are even included!

Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week and weekend! Thanks for dropping by!

….


the perfect fall outfit

by Rachel McCarthy
how-to-dress-for-fall
1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9.


**lip color: plum lush**


Happy Wednesday! Can you believe we are just about halfway through October?! I definitely noticed a chill in the air this morning and I couldn’t be more excited about it! Today, I am sharing some fall outfit inspiration, and for me, I would consider this to be my perfect fall outfit. You can’t beat a cozy sweater, jeans and boots! I have this sweater from last season in the cranberry color and I absolutely love it. It comes in several colors, but I have had by eye on this neutral heather latte color for fall!


Have you checked out the Shopbop Friends & Family Sale yet? I’ve included some of my favorite pieces below — this is one of the best sales of the year so be sure to check it out! Take 25% off with code INTHEFAM25. Sale ends tomorrow {10/15} at midnight! 


….

fall casual

by Rachel McCarthy
Happy almost Friday! This week sure did fly, didn’t it?! This should be my last post with my Hunter boots for awhile. I apologize that you have been seeing them so much — with all this rain, I was literally living in them for the past two weekend! The one thing I can take away from all this boot wearing is that Hunter boots are definitely a wardrobe necessity. I had always wanted the red boots, but in the back of my head, I always wondered if I would find enough things to wear with them. After wearing them for the past two weekends, I can say that it a definite YES!

I wore this look last weekend and it was the perfect casual Saturday look for fall. I bought this jacket during the spring and was so happy with the purchase. Although, our spring was pretty short and the warmer temperatures moved in quickly, I wasn’t able to wear it all that much. Needless to say, I was counting down the days to the cooler fall temperatures to break it out of the closet. I am so happy that those temperatures are finally here! 

This easy, comfortable look also incorporates one of my favorite pieces in my closet: the chambray shirt. There are SO many different ways to style chambray and I love that it can easily be dressed up or dressed down. I find myself gravitating to pieces such as this because I am always needing something that is 9-5 work appropriate, but also easy to throw on for a weekend. The chambray shirt fits the bill perfectly. 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! We are off to my cousin’s wedding this weekend, so it’s time for me to get packing! Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Snapchat {rach.mccarthy7}! 


….

how to style silver & jewels for an everyday look

by Rachel McCarthy
j.crew-fall-outfit-inspiration

1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9.

Happy Wednesday, friends! Today I wanted to share some outfit inspiration for this week’s Wednesday Wishes. I have been drawn to jeweled accents and silver colors as of late and, as you can tell from this set, I’m obsessed with them in a big way! Usually thought of as perfect for a night out on the town, jeweled accessories and shades of silver can easily be added to your outfit to subtly glam up your look. 


When I first saw this skirt in the new arrivals section, I was in love. Not only do I get super excited for anything tweed in the fall, but the skirt has the most perfect double zip that is totally on point for this season. And how about these flats?! You may remember I shared with you a few weeks ago my favorite fall shoe trends and one of the categories was menswear. I love that these silver flats are menswear-esque, yet with the pointed toe, there is a definite sense of femininity. And they can be styled with anything from jeans, to dress to skirts. Super versatile! 


I’ve linked to some other jeweled pieces I’m currently loving below. Each of these items can be incorporated into your everyday look {even for work!} for some added sparkle!


Have a wonderful Wednesday and thanks for dropping by!


….

the cape

by Rachel McCarthy
plaid-cape

plaid-poncho

hunter-boots-outfit

fall-plaid-cape

fall-cape-outfit

nordstrom-floppy-hat
plaid cape {under $40!} | black turtleneck | black leggings | red Hunter boots | floppy hat | Chanel bag {love this similar style for under $20 } | silpada necklaces {love this necklace too} | black onyx ring | watch {on sale!} | bracelet: here, here | lipliner {cherry}, lipstick {le orange}


Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We had a super productive two days and even attended the Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival Saturday night. This was our third year attending, and even with the wind and rain, it was still fun to try some new Virginia wineries and visit a few favorites!


I wore this look Saturday evening, and it was fitting for a chilly and rainy fall evening. This cape was so warm and cozy and with it priced under $40, it was a no-brainer! And the hat was definitely a necessity — even with the hat on and under a tent for the majority of the evening, my hair began to frizz and curl. Also, I will apologize ahead of time for the excessive wearing of these boots. I have literally been wearing them for the past four to five days with all this rain. But, look at it this way: they are super versatile and the red color can go with SO much! 

Hope you all have a fabulous week and see you tomorrow for a fun Halloween recipe!


….

70s vibe

by Rachel McCarthy
70s-inspired-look
free-people-flare-jeans
flared-jeans

nordstrom-tunic
free-people-jeans
fall-denim-outfit

free-people-flared-jeans

70s-inspired-look-flare-jeans

tory-burch-tote
Blouse: Lush via Nordstrom | Flares: Free People {on sale!} | Boots: Franco Sarto, old {super similar here} | Bag: Tory Burch, also here | Hat: Nordstrom | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban | Bracelets: here, here | Earrings: Nordstrom | Watch: Kate Spade | Ring: David Yurman | Lipstick: YSL {#26}

Happy Thursday, friends! Wow, can you believe another week is almost in the books?! Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? We had some outdoor plans for Saturday, but that is looking more and more unlikely with the potential arrival of Hurricane Joaquin. Let’s hope we can have a little sunshine this weekend!

As I have mentioned in previous posts, flares are back! Flared jeans have always held a special place in my heart. In my middle school days, I was always wearing them. Although, the bell bottom leg is a little more present in this year’s trend than it was in the early 2000s. A quick, funny story for you: I saved a pair of flare jeans from the last time they were in style and wore them to work last Friday. I hadn’t worn this Free People updated version yet and was desperate for a trendy casual Friday look. Let’s just say I should have waited to wear the Free People flares. The last time flares were in style, apparently low-rise jeans were as well. Needless to say, I was pulling up my jeans all day and was super uncomfortable. All I could think of was “why were low-rise jeans ever a thing?!” 

Thankfully these Free People flares have a MUCH higher waist and are super comfortable. From my experience, Free People jeans tend to run small, but these flares have a little stretch to them. I ordered my regular denim size and they fit perfectly! 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and if you live on the east coast, try to stay dry!

….

it’s all about the cape // splurge vs. save

by Rachel McCarthy
save-splurge-fall-look

Splurge: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8.


Save: 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8.


**splurge lipstick is #36 // save lipstick is chili**


Save and splurge is back! This is one of my favorite series here on A Blonde’s Moment. Not only do I love finding a good deal, but these collages are so fun to put together because it’s always my goal to find as close of a match as I can!


I’ve been talking about a lot of fall trends lately {exhibit A, exhibit B} but one piece I have had my eye on for a few months now is the cape. To me, the cape seems so Parisian and chic — and super practical for fall and early winter in Virginia. What I love most about this particular look is that black and white is always chic, but with the added pop of the leopard boots, it takes this outfit to a new trendy level. And you can never go wrong with red lips! 


This is definitely an outfit I could see myself wearing this fall and early winter. I know this save cape is running low on stock {it was just on sale yesterday 🙁 } so here are a few more affordable capes I’m also loving: Mango Wool Blend Cape and Pinar Checked Wool Cape.


Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

….

red plaid

by Rachel McCarthy
shein-plaid-scarf

red-plaid-scarf

how-to-wear-scarf-as-jacket

reversible-shein-scarf

red-plaid-poncho

plaid-scarf-fall-outfit

red-hunter-boots

how-to-wear-scarf-in-fall
Scarf: SheIn c/o | Turtleneck: Nordstrom | Leggings: Zella | Boots: Hunter, also here | Bag: Modalu, similar under $200 here | Ring: David Yurman | Earrings: Nordstrom, under $40 here | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban | Lipstick: YSL {#13}

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! It was a little cooler here in DC this past weekend and it was the perfect opportunity to incorporate this fall scarf into my weekend wardrobe! I have always had an obsession with plaid and it only seems right to wear it during the fall months. 


One of my favorite ways to style a larger scarf is by converting it into a sweater/jacket. It is such a cute and comfortable way to add a pattern to your look. And speaking of patterns, I love that this scarf is reversible! You can see the black and white plaid print in the one picture above as the wind was blowing, but stay tuned, I will be featuring that side on the blog soon 🙂


Lastly, this scarf is under $20, so snatch it up before it’s gone. It’s definitely too good of a deal to pass up! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Monday!


….