Reader Request: Winter Wedding Party Attire

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a nice long weekend.  N and I spent our time buying and unloading 70 boxes of tile, ordering cabinets, and watching college football and movies.  This fall is going to be pretty busy at our house!

This week I'm excited to write a post for a high school friend who is planning a December wedding and wants to help her bridesmaids pick non-matching dresses in the color palette she likes best.   She is envisioning hues of navy, gray and brown in a casual ceremony and doesn't want things to feel too matchy-matchy.  However, the wedding party would like a bit of guidance so here's where I come in:

Julia Bridesmaids by cardiganjunkie featuring a shirred dress

Julia Bridesmaids 2 by cardiganjunkie featuring tank wedding dresses

I found lots of options that look nice for bridesmaids of all sizes and ages, and I think the palette Julia chose is really elegant and unexpected when all three colors are combined.  Her bridesmaids can pick dresses from $50 to $350 and still look great, but actually wear them again.

However, if Julia changes her mind and decides to specify a particular style (or if the other ladies are too overwhelmed by shopping choices) I also found some great bridesmaid dresses designed by Carol Hannah Whitefield (of Project Runway fame) and they're totally wearable after the wedding:

She's also requested some ideas for accessories, and right now I love the idea of picking out a great piece of non-dainty, statement jewelry like a great bracelet, cocktail ring, or pair of earrings and gifting it to each bridesmaid to wear during the wedding and after.  And of course, the usual pashmina would be a great choice for a winter wedding as well.

Bridemaid Accessories by cardiganjunkie featuring glass jewelry

And finally, the guys need something to wear too.  I'm loving the idea of keeping the men unified by the same new vest, but letting them wear their own pants and gifting a tie.  Alternately, a classic gray suit and navy pattern tie would also look great in photos.

Groomsmen by cardiganjunkie on Polyvore.com

Hopefully this helps Julia and her friends - I can't wait to see the photos!  If you have a shopping dilemma and would like a post like this, send me an email and let me know.  I'm happy to help! 

Happy Labor Day!

Today I have nothing that I have to do, so I'll be doing a lot of this:

a little of this...

and watching more of this.

Enjoy your day, ladies!

Fall 2011 Favorites - Banana Republic

Today I'm picking up where I left off yesterday with a mini-series featuring my favorite Fall pieces from the stores I frequent.  Today I've gathered my picks from Banana Republic, and you can bet I'll be stalking everything you see below until it goes on sale.  BR is one of the best places to pick up great things for a song thanks to coupons layered on top of in-store discount events and I'm hopeful that my closet will pick up a few classic pieces for work.

I think the top left outfit is my favorite, as it's vaguely Anthropologie but a little bit older.  The begonia dress is also calling my name, as well as the bow blouse and potential new work tote.  I'm also really glad to see blouson sleeves making a comeback this year - they're great for brave jewelry wearers (and short people) like me.

What's your favorite item?  Are you about to embark on a Fall spending spree or try and wear more of what you have, like I'm trying to do (successfully I might add).

Fall 2011 Favorites - LOFT

Even though it's still a million degrees outside in Texas, it's already Fall in my head and I am really excited to start dressing for my favorite time of year.  As a wearer or layers, since I'm always cold, Fall is my season to shine. 

To celebrate, and prepare my shopping list, I'm doing a little series of my favorite items from my favorites stores in case the rest of you are looking to stock up as well.  Today, I'm featuring what I hope to be buying at LOFT (on sale, of course.  I'm not crazy.)  I think all of these items would be incredibly wearable, whether you're going to work or running errands:

Fall Favorites - LOFT by cardiganjunkie featuring a boyfriend cardigan

My top 3 picks are the leopard belt, the burgundy sweater dress, and the cowl neck sweater.  I could wear all of them so many ways and can't wait to stock up!

What stores would you like to see me feature?  Next up: Banana Republic