Although it’s been three years since I actually went “back to school” in September, it’s still my favorite time of year. Each year, I treat myself to a new pair of shoes, and I purchase a stack of non-fiction books that I promise I will someday get around to reading. Most importantly, I find the perfect tote to carry all of my September issues, a cardigan for chilly weather and some honey crisp apples. This year, my choice tote is the Christopher Deane I Heart ___ bag. The decision to purchase one was easy (they’re only$25). However, I’m still struggling with the perfect word to fill in the blank. Any suggestions?

“We’re obsessed with brass. Brass is the new gold. It’s recessionary material.”
-Philip Crangi (deisgner of Giles&Bro)

I randomly ran across this quote from an old Fashionologie post in February 2009. I still think it’s relevant. Cheers to brass jewelry and the fact that it’s almost 5 o’clock on Friday!

Have you ever seen a devastatingly fashionable girl, eyed up her bag and asked yourself, “I wonder what she’s got in there?” Yeah, us too. Our voyeuristic sides delight in sneaking a peek at someone else’s world.

Name: Maureen
Location: Madison, WI
Occupation: Writer
Bag: Martine Sitbon
In her bag: Quattro notebook (every writer’s gotta have a notebook), cigs and backup cigs, glosses, keys, lighters, pen, wallet and cash. Special guest appearance by Kushi Bar satsuma fries (RIP delicious friends).
Favorite place in the world: My bed at the end of the day. It has pillows and blankets, there are lots of books and magazines next to it, and the person I share it with is pretty great.
Guilty pleasure: Down with guilt! Enjoy what you love and be kind to your fellow travelers.
Style icons: Kate Moss, Carine Roitfeld, Melanie Ward. All the Hitchcock blondes, but especially Kim Novak. My grandparents.

Recently when a friend tried to entice me into a denim dress, I was underwhelmed to say the least. Actually I think I recoiled in horror and said something like, “I don’t think I’m wholesome enough for that dress…won’t it burn off of me like holy water?”

If denim frocks conjure up images of good girls, down home prairie time, or worse, junior high, you’re not alone. Luckily, I’ve spotted a few for fall that just might change my mind. Far from innocent, these denim beauties are a welcome alternative to pulling on the same old pair of skinnies, and can prove just as versatile. And with cooler temps coming soon, they’ll transition easily with a classic blazer or cardigan.

Even if you’re not the sweetest girl on the block, try one on. Nothing beats the unexpected and if nothing else, at least you’ll be able to fool people for one night.

Pictured:
The Current/Elliott Heart Dress
Charlotte Ronson Cut-out Dress

By now, it’s safe to say that skinny jeans are not a fad. The trend shows no signs of slowing, and that’s fine with me. However, I’ve been rocking the same old skinny styles since Fall/Winter 2005, and I’m in need of an update. It’s become an expectation that Current/Elliott constantly come out with denim styles to fill voids I didn’t even realize my wardrobe had. However, even I was left speechless when I discovered the Crop Skinny style from the girls at C/E. Leaving off a few inches of leg has proven to be revolutionary. The breathing room at the ankles makes the jeans bearable to wear in the summer months, not to mention you can show off your sexy shoes. The style also transitions into Fall/Winter seamlessly with an easy tuck into boots. All of this is practical and nice, but the true reason I heart the crop skinny is that the length actually fits my 5’5” self like a regular skinny jean fits Erin Wasson, Daria Werbowy or my best friend, Bridget.

Current/Elliott Crop Skinny in Night Wash $198

Today, I am wearing:

Madison natives, Saskia Taylor and Sam Lundsten, have collaborated to create one off journals intended to inspire creativity. Between the vintage album covers, each journal is filled with different types of paper for writing, sketching and even music composing. The reason you’ll love them is that Taylor and Lundsten have randomly inserted unexpected inspiration pages from Bette Crocker recipes to partially completed Spanish homework to old burlesque photos. The journals are available exclusively at Atticus in store only and quantities are limited.