Autumn cool

Down here in the south, it's only just starting to cool down to sweater weather, so a dress with a light scarf and some tights is plenty warm. I'm imaging trolling a used book sale, collecting squash and greens at a farmer's market, or just doing some reading on a blanket at the park. Fall isn't my favorite because it means the daylight is getting shorter, but we all have to admit that the weather is dreamy!

Autumn cool by janetnewhall featuring round glasses

Joules long sleeve dress, $96 / Mustard tight / Oxford shoes / Frye drawstring backpack / Charbonize khaki bag / Hoop earrings, $4.79 / Fat Face scarve, $26 / STELLA McCARTNEY round glasses / Essie nail polish

Farmer's Market

Farmer's Market by janetnewhall featuring white shoes

Boohoo jumpers sweater / MUSTANG pocket shorts, $84 / Converse white shoes / C Wonder beach tote bag

Peach skirt

Peach skirt by janetnewhall featuring a mini skirt

Reiss lace top / Kenzo mini skirt, $470 / Jimmy choo shoes, $880 / Salvatore Ferragamo leather tote / Annette Ferdinandsen feather earrings / Elizabeth Cole vintage jewelry / Gucci sunglasses, $410 / Pop beauty nail polish

Date Night

I'm a mom. I'm totally a smokin' hot mom, but I've gone through nine months of growing another person, then through childbirth and recovery so I have all the sags and stretch marks and a belly pooch and cellulite like every other female human who has pushed her body to it's most miraculous limits.

Enter this awesome dress. Every perfect imperfection round the middle is hidden with just a hint of sexy ass and a great rack making mysterious shadows. That beautiful ever-slender lady shoulder comes out the top, and rock-hard calves from toting said baby up three flights of stairs every day is all the skin I need to share for date night this weekend!!!

So how about this black/white trend going on? The fashion world likes to pretend old ideas are new, but I'm grateful for the kick ass shoes we're going to get out of it. Would you wear this dress? Anyone know what kind of martini that is?

Date Night by janetnewhall featuring a martini glass

Heather Lawton black dress / Nicholas Kirkwood black white pumps / Jimmy Choo leather handbag / Panacea chain necklace / ALDO drop earrings / Stila eyeshadow / OPI nail polish, $20 / Luigi Bormioli martini glass

Plaid pants

Ah, printed pants. The desire and downfall of wide hips and generous thighs worldwide. Many years ago, I was more courageous with printed pants (including a horribly unflattering pair of snakeskin jeans), but now I generally steer clear. But that's just silly. If they fit properly, and are a good cut, they'll work just fine. The flat front and straight leg below with that sweet little peplum top and waist-slimming blazer are completely doable for those of us with generous curves. I think the dark color helps, too.

How brave are you on the bottom half? Is the tan bag with the tan jacket just too much together? Please note that I did not resist the temptation to include an anchor (and ships wheel) today like I did yesterday. But it's cute, right?

Plaid pants by janetnewhall

Diane Von Furstenberg wool blazer / Vivienne Westwood punk pants, $635 / Leather flat / Madewell orange handbag / Versus clasp bracelet / Anchor jewelry / American Eagle Outfitters sunglasses

White blazer

Precedence tells us that spring will come again. Keep the faith!

Green and navy together are refreshing, and is tough to screw up. I started with the navy blue pants based on what's in my closet, and struggle until I found this green shirt. Then it took about 30 seconds to put the rest together. I'm really into the white blazer since it's a wee bit easier to keep clean than white pants or shoes, but still brings that beautiful crispness to an early spring outfit. This look is so very me, and I can't wait to try it out!





So what do you think about impractical fashion like white? And what about open-toe shoes and sleeveless shirts at work?

Please note that I resisted giving this imaginary girl anchor earrings. 'Cause I thought about it...

White blazer by janetnewhall showing what to wear with a white belt

MICHAEL Michael Kors green blouse, $300 / J TOMSON boyfriend jacket / Lauren Ralph Lauren navy pants, $235 / Christian Louboutin nude platform pumps / Brahmin raffia purse / Michael Kors watch, $465 / Dorothy Perkins white belt / Gold cat eye glasses, $8.34

Casual Friday: Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! To anyone who loves someone or who is loved by someone, this day is for you.

In an effort to show the love, but skip the pink/red/lace/roses thing, I went with cool and casual. Gentle accessories, gentle colors, comfortable shapes. A tiny little heart ring, a single heart to warm your coffee. And tell me the color and shape of this chambray shirt isn't perfect. See how the tuck pleating makes the fabric go from straight to on the bias toward the bottom? Lovely. I originally started with some brighter colored accessories, but I decided I didn't want anything to overshadow that shirt.

Do you think it's sacrilege to skip the V-day colors? What have you done with your Chambray? Is it at all feasible to change one's nail color on a daily basis?

Casual Friday: Valentine's Day by janetnewhall showing how to wear water resistant watches

NIC ZOE chambray top / Frame Denim boyfriend jeans / Wallis slip on shoes / Alexander McQueen black skull purse / Movado water resistant watch / Rose ring, $280 / Jamie Joseph tear drop earrings / Samsung tech accessory / Essie mint nail polish / MUG BIG HEART NEON HEARTS