September 27, 2012

Fall & a Flower Dress


































Fall is here and it's time to bust out the beautiful boots!  I've commented on how much I love these BP Runways from Nordstrom previously (currently on sale for $129.95 $99.90), and it is still exciting to put them on this year.

Sunnies: Ray-Ban | shop
Dress: F21 (relatively recent) | similar
Belt:  Thrifted | similar
Shoes: BP Runway, Nordstrom | shop

September 26, 2012

Fall TV Premieres

Fall is my favorite time of the year.  Not just because of Halloween, the apple cider doughnuts from the apple orchard, and the fact that it offers the best selection of clothes, but because all of my favorite TV shows are back!  :D

I love The Voice, Top Chef, Modern Family,  and Suits. Over the summer, I also got into The Next Food Network Star was much better this last season than it has been in seasons past.

What have you been watching?  Leave your suggestions below since I'm always looking for something new to watch!

Blazer: Gibson via Nordstrom | similar
Dress: F21 | similar in several colors
Shoes: Ann Taylor | shop
Scarf: Wal-Mart | similar
Cuff: Taiwan | similar
Belt: JCrew | similar
Linked up to Marionberry Style's Trend of the Month Challenge.

September 25, 2012

Wear it Both Ways: Lands' End Canvas Sleeveless Striped Dress

These two looks are anchored by a very versatile dress--the Sleeveless Striped Dress by Lands' End Canvas--currently on sale for $60 $24.99.  I wear this dress all of the time because it's super comfy,  easy, and washes extremely well.  Plus, I love the ultra-flattering fit-and-flare shape.  It's a touch high-waisted, so ladies with a shorter torso are better off with this

100% cotton, machine wash, and Lands' End and Lands' End Canvas items are covered under a generous return policy.  I am a fan.  This dress is made of a mid-weight, soft cotton jersey that is perfect for fall (a bit heavy for summer in my opinion, but hey, I suppose you can get multiple seasons of wear out of it) and layering.

My only complaint: the arm holes--near the underarm--reveal a little bit more skin than I'd prefer.  All in all, it's a small complaint, so I'm very happy with this lovely dress.

Dress: Lands' End Canvas | shop - last seen here
Cardigan: Lands' End Canvas | similar
Pleated Top: LOFT | similar in a pretty green
Belt: JCrew | similar
Boots: Melissa Button, Frye | shop {reviewed here}
Earrings: Kate Spade | similar

Top: JCrew | shop the dress version here
Shoes: Nine West | similar
Earrings: Kate Spade | similar
Headband: JCrew

Linked up at Real Girl Glam.

September 24, 2012

Black on Black




































My wedding season is finally drawing near a close! This year's final bachelorette party was celebrated with this black on black ensemble. LBDs are timeless, and I wanted to keep it simple and accomplished this through a variety of black accessories to finish the look.

Also, I'm finding it harder and harder to find chic pieces at the very trendy stores like F21. However, F21 surprised me with this pretty lace number. I love black dresses and this is the lighter-weight version to the similar Betsey Johnson piece featured last winter.

Dress: F21 (recent) | shop
Jacket: Old Navy | shop
Necklace: Thrifted | similar
Earrings: Jewelmint | similar
Purse: Kate Spade | similar
Shoes: Nine West | similar
Ring: H&M | similar

Linked up at the Monday Mingle & The Pleated Poppy.

September 20, 2012

Blue & Plaid = Ready for Vegas



































This weekend I'm heading to Vegas for work, so I'm trying out some pieces that are good fall, but weather appropriate attire. I also booked reservations at Mesa Grill! Have you been to Vegas? What is your go to place to eat / recommended show?

I'm also pretty stoked about hitting up an In-N-Out Burger. Dreaming of the burger now....

Sunnies:  New Wayfarers, Ray-Ban | shop
Scarf:  AE
Dress: F21 | similar
Belt: Taiwan | similar
Boots: Nordstrom ($129.95 $99.90) | shop

Linked up to the Pleated Poppy.

September 19, 2012

A shirtdress & the Shedd Aquarium

I'm meeting up with friends at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium today!

Happy Wednesday!  I hope your week is going especially well.

Necklace: So Good | similar
Jacket: Gap | shop
Dress: Lands End Canvas ($85 $30.97) | shop - last styled here
Belt: JCrew | similar

September 18, 2012

From Desk to Dinner


When I get dressed for work, I love dresses because they're very versatile.  If they fit well, they don't need much accessorizing and always pair well with simple black pumps (check out our perennial favorite, Ann Taylor's Perfect Pump).  I especially love this dress because of the draped feminine details that remind me a little of Project Runway's Ven.

Plus, well-fitting sheath dresses take you easily from desk to dinner, and you don't feel inappropriately dressed for either occasion.

Dress: Banana Republic (2011) | similar
Shoes: Perfect Pump, Ann Taylor | shop
Bag: Banana Republic | similar

Linked up at Real Girl Glam.

September 17, 2012

White after Labor Day?

I put together this look with a light colored skirt because I think you can easily rock white in the cooler months.  Simply pair your bright whites with deeper, fall-appropriate colors like camel and this jewel-toned green.

How are you rocking white during the cooler months?

Shades: Ray-Ban | shop
Cardigan: Lands' End Canvas | similar
Top: H&M | {1, 2}
Belt: JCrew | similar
Dress-worn-as-skirt: Delaney Dress, JCrew | similar
Shoes: Hidi, Naturalizer | shop
Nail Polish: Shorts Story, OPI on nails & Trophy Wife, Essie | shop
Lips: Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop | similar

September 13, 2012

2012 Chicago Half-Marathon





This past weekend I completed my very first half marathon! It was hard awesome running along Lake Michigan. Good thing I had my favorite four-toothed fan to cheer me on! I specifically wore my highlighter brights so he wouldn't miss me at the finish line.

I upped my game from last year's 15 k and am thinking I may try a triathlon next year. What are you doing to stay fit & fly?



Top: Nike | shop
Bottom: Printed Woven Skort, Nike | shop
Shoes: Asics | shop

September 12, 2012

Wear it Both Ways: The City Mini Meets Cardi

I've mentioned several times that I think it's important for your wardrobe to be versatile, remixable, and appropriate for all of the occasions in your life.

Our Wear It Both Ways series--where we style 1 piece 2 ways will definitely--become a regular Jane Squared feature.

Wear it Both Ways {LWD & a statement necklace}


Cardigan: Gap | similar
T-shirt: Uniqlo | similar
Striped Tank: F21 | similar
Necklace: Vintage | similar
Sandals: Target | similar
Peep-toes: Hidi, Naturalizer | shop
Skirt: City Mini, JCrew | shop
Sunnies: Maui Jim | shop
Lips: Revlon | shop

September 11, 2012

Back to School






































Ahh... freshly sharpened pencils, brand new books, & a new locker combo. I love the fall -- new school friends and gorgeous weather!  I always feel the year is reset when a new school year rolls around--even more than the traditional new year on January 1.

We have a tradition in our family that everyone's first day of school must be commemorated by a first day of school picture. When the Everybody Everywear Back to School challenge came around,  I pulled one of my favorite thrifted pieces I found a few months ago. It was altered by my local tailor (unfortunately my own sewing skills are abysmal.  Mad props to all you DIY-ers.) with a shortened hem and majorly slimmed sleeves. I've been unsure of where to sport this unique piece but thought this sweet dress would be perfect for meeting new friends on a mild, fall day.


Dress: Thrifted & Altered | similar
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs | shop
Boots: Nordstrom ($129.95 $99.90) | shop
Finger accessory (courtesy of a paper cut): Band-Aid


EBEW - Back To School
Linked up to Real Girl Glam and Coffee and Cardigans.

September 10, 2012

Urban Outfitters' Staring at Stars Color Pop Embroidered Sundress

Remember this dress from Anthropologie I had my eye on?  Unfortunately, that one didn't work out; plus, it was an expensive $119 for a low quality piece.

I'm apparently attracted to this kind of colorful embroidery, so when I was browsing Urban Outiiftters online, this dress caught my eye... at a much more reasonable $29.99 (F21 & Target pricing FTW!) down from $69, I couldn't resist picking it up.  Also, UrbanOutfitters.com also offers free return shipping for US customers, so I definitely didn't have anything to lose.

Check out how I styled this little dress for a night out here.  Happy Monday!

Sunnies: Cliff House, Maui Jim | shop
Bag: Target | similar
Dress: Urban Outfitters | shop - also styled here
Top: JCrew | shop
Bangles: Taiwan & LOFT | similar
Belt: Taiwan | similar
Lips: Lip&Line in Vintage Rose, Pixi | shop
Flats: F21 (old)


Linked up at the Monday Mingle.

September 6, 2012

Skater Dress


This flirty, feminine frock is perfect for a dinner date or casual night out.  I forgot to get photos of the back of this dress; it features a really pretty v-neck back.  I thought that was a nice design detail, especially from a F21 dress.

If you like this dress silloheutte, then I highly recommend checking out the selection of "skater dresses"on ASOS.

Check out a few other looks that are great for a night on the town: {1, 2, 3}.

Sunnies: Maui Jim | shop
Necklace: So Good | similar
Dress: F21 (recent) | shop similar
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs - check out our review | shop
Shoes: Banana Republic | similar
Lips: Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop | shop


Linked up to the Tiny Heart, Two Thirty-Five Designs, & All Things Chic.

September 3, 2012

Navy & White Stripes

Happy Labor Day if you're off from work or school today!  Labor day marks the end of summer, but the weather in the Midwest apparently doesn't agree.

It's still hot and humid here, so I'm definitely dressing for the weather, not the calendar. :)

Sunnies: Maui Jim | shop
Necklace: So Good | similar
Cardigan: Gap | similar
Dress: Sleeveless Striped Dress, Lands' End Canvas ($60 $24.99) | shop - last styled here.
Shoes: Hidi, Naturalizer | shop
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | shop
Lips: Color Burst Lip Butter in Lollipop, Revlon | shop

Linked up to Real Girl Glam & What I Wore Wednesday.