Staying warm & staying cool..

Well…last week was a doozy.  No exclamation point needed.  All Californians had, and are possibly still having, a rough time.  I’m so very lucky to not be directly in the path of the wildfires but just enduring the Santa Ana winds has been an experience that is not for the faint of heart.  

Its now…NOVEMBER!  Halloween was overshadowed by the dust cloud that we lived under during the worst of the wind storms, so I concentrated on leaving Halloween to the little ones and re-purposed a flapper outfit from a few years past (cause of course, everyone should have a flapper costume in their closet…just in case).  

Flapper for a day!

Now that the threat of a quick and dusty trip to Oz is hopefully over…I actually flipped my closet today.  I’m still hanging onto some summer items because our weather is pulling the ole “winter in the morning and summer in the evening” game ….this is a game I’m quite familiar with as it is also played in Georgia…sometimes until after Christmas!

11.3.19.3

So this look is a win either way!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this cardigan from H&M….it’s extremely versatile and the color can go either brown or grey.  It is super warm and comfy too.  I’m wearing a size Large although I usually wear a small.  I wanted a super slouchy look and sized up!

The trick to this look is the body-con dress that hides underneath (check it out HERE).  It’s from Target and I bought it a few months ago and thought – ugh…so Kim K…but it works perfectly with several of my statement jackets.  I have a hard time buying neutrals and shell pieces; I have to remind myself some things need to blend in to tie everything together!

The star of the outfit…my Tory Burch Fleming Convertible Shoulder Bag!   Its my baby right now and is a nice blend of functional AND extremely fashionable.  

I also had the pleasure of pulling out a pair of beautiful JCrew heels I snagged a couple of years ago!  JCrew does footwear very well.  (Similar HERE!)  They’re Italian made and, for the price point and fit, well worth the price tag.  I like shoes that not only look good (of course) but ones that I can actually WEAR….to WORK…ALL DAY.  There are lots of cute, expensive and unwearable shoes out there….and I have no use for them!  

Well, here’s hoping for clear skies and smoke-free days ahead!  I just got in a shipment from Zara and I’ve done some other shopping here and there so…check out my Instagram page Cortneybreblog to keep up with my day to day looks!!  xoxo

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Fall Colors & DSW Chinese Laundry -Animal Print Riser Boots!

Fall Colors and Animal Prints - Casual Sunday
Cardigan: A New Day-Target;  Jeans: Lucky; Bag: Tory Burch; Boots: Chinese Laundry-DSW

For those who saw my last post, you’ll not be surprised to learn that I bought more than just one pair of shoes at my DSW splurge on Saturday!

By downloading the DSW app or just signing up for an account online, you get access to sales and rewards.  I purchased three pairs of shoes, got 20% off my total and redeemed $25 dollars in rewards!  I then gained $10 additional dollars in rewards for future purchases and received a free tote bag set!  Win, win, win!  

In this post, I’m showcasing the Chinese Laundry boots I purchased!  Buy them HERE at DSW!!   Also, I have to rave about this A New Day  rust cardigan from Target…the color is fantastic and it goes with everything!

Cardigan: A New Day-Target;  Jeans: Lucky; Bag: Tory Burch; Boots: Chinese Laundry-DSW

They’re comfortable and I like that I can wear them with jeans or a skirt & tights.  I walked a lot today and they lasted the entire day.  Here’s the specs:  

FEATURES
  • Chinese Laundry RISER BOOT
  • Brown/Black Tiger Print
  • Printed faux suede upper
  • Pull-on & Pointed toe
  • Synthetic lining & Cushioned footbed
  • Approx. 14″ shaft height & Approx. 15″ calf circumference
  • 3¼” covered heel & Synthetic sole
Cardigan: A New Day-Target;  Jeans: Lucky; Bag & Bracelet: Tory Burch
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Cardigan: A New Day-Target;  Jeans: Lucky; Bag: Tory Burch; Boots: Chinese Laundry-DSW

Hope you had a fantastic weekend and a great Monday!!

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For a Spring Walk down Park Ave…

For a Spring Walk down Park Ave...

Pull Bear crop top
$30 – pullandbear.com

Christian louboutin shoes
christianlouboutin.com

I’m pretending it’s not Fashion Week in NYC right now…

I’m pretending it’s not Fashion Week in NYC right now.

Gorgeous models aren’t sash-shaying down the runway while I sit at my computer and the rain and winds swirl outside.

Of course, New York Fashion Week is EVERYWHERE and so, it’s hard to pretend and since I’m no good at avoidance anyway, let’s look at some of my favorite designers and their lines.

Tory Burch – Spring 2014

Think:  Floral gardens, warm breezes and silver sequined fish swimming in a garden pond.  Chic, Elegant, Fun!

Kate Spade – Spring/Summer 2014

Think: It’s a garden party and you really, really want to go!  A “bright, sunny, color-saturated-with-the-scent-of-lemonade-hanging-in-the-air” party.   Tiffany blue and shimmery red are paired with fun floral prints as well as bright pinks popping against black and white stripes.  Joyful, Bright and Irresistible!

© Cortneybre and http://Cortneybre.com, 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Cortneybre and http://cortneybre.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.