Too Hip

* creme ruffle shirt--Paniz * black cropped harems--F21 * oxfords--CG * spectacle necklace--H&M * scarf--H&M *

Sadly, only one picture came out non-fuzzy from this shoot, so it will have to do. I really liked the mix of girly ruffles with the slouchy harem cropped trousers, which are perhaps the most comfortable thing in the world. Rather than wear them down low as I've done before, I hiked them up and cinched my waist... which looked nice at the top but gave me a very bottom-heavy look (pretty much the opposite of my body, in fact.) I topped things off with a bow-tied scarf, oxford flats and my spectacle necklace for some nerdy charm.

(definitely not a detail shot from this outfit, but the only one I could find of the necklace.)

Jersey

And picture-taking at work resumes. At least I get a beautiful backdrop, if not a break to take photos outdoors. As NYC bloggers know all too well, a non-busy city street is pretty hard to come by, but awkward stares from passers-by are all too frequent. In the solitude of late afternoon at the museum, I can take a few minutes and take a few shots of my daily look. Courtesy of Target, yet again.

* blue jersey flower dress--Target * creme cardigan--Lux * blue tights--Hue (stolen from sister. Will return, Nora!) *metallic oxfords--Boutique 9 *creme fuzzy hat--H&M *

Ah, the jersey dress. A staple my closet has been missing for years, and since its purchase 2 weeks ago, one that has seen much use. This one is just so soft that I had a hard time not wearing it again today... but there is always tomorrow. I love finding items that are so essential that I can barely remember life (and dressing) before.

A recent stop into H&M yielded the following find: another fuzzy hat! By which I mean two new fuzzy hats.. bringing my total to 6. Since I wore these pretty much every fall/winter day over the past 2 years of covering my hair, I think the new additions will fit into the rotation quite well.

Have you added can't-live-without-'em items to your closet recently?

Fuzzy hats abound, fall is in the air! I really love the season: crisp air, pumpkin spice coffee, and layering options galore.

* peach flower tee--Target * creme cardi--Lux * brown pencil skirt-- Banana Republic * brown tights--Hue * brown buckle flats * red flower earrings--F21 * leopard fuzzy hat-- H&M *

Work has been a bit nuts lately, but thankfully my new Target finds are making getting dressed for the craziness easy. I love the idea of the embellished tee for work, and this is dressed up just enough to be appropriate. Mixed with shades of brown and creme, and of course topped with my leopard chapeau, I felt positively delighted at the dropping temperatures.

Are you falling for fall?

Dark Knight

This week will be a 6-day workweek, with a few late nights thrown in for good measure. Weeks like this call for ice cream, red wine and yes, a sparkly dress during the daytime. Thankfully, all 3 happened.

* blue jersey sparkle dress--Sweet Romeo * white button-down--Ralph Lauren * brown belt--H&M * black tights--Hue * black flats--Kendi Girl * large faux pearl earrings *

When I bought this dress, I thought it would be a going-out staple. But I don't go out all that often, and when I do I tend to just wear whatever I've been wearing all day. It is too casual for engagment parties or weddings, but can it work for work? I paired it with my trusty white button down to test, and I think it worked pretty darn well.

The sequin strips are made of a chain-mail like material. Bet you didn't know I moonlight as a knight.

Blogaversary

One year ago today, I summoned up my reserves of courage and hit "publish" for the first time.I had been a follower of daily style blogs for nearly a year, but wondered where I- a Modern Orthodox Jew with a specific mode of dress, limited funds and a full time job- would fit into the blogosphere. Would people be turned off by my daily skirt-wearing? Would my lack of fancy duds make alltumbledown too prosaic? Would blogging be a burden, and could I keep it up?

As months passed, I found myself more and more entrenched in the wonderful community that coalesced around my blog and thankful of how others have welcomed me into their communities. I've shared some deep thoughts and some rather superficial musings, but it is this idea of community and friendship that keeps me motivated. So I dedicate this post to you, my readers: thank you for sticking with me, for your thoughtful and at times challenging comments, and for helping to turn my little dream into a reality.

I'll share my favorite outfit from each month of the past year with you (please excuse the early photos. How much I have learned...) Here is to one year and hopefully, many more.

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

As I start year two I'd love to know what you want to see on the blog. Tutorials? Videos? More of the daily style posts?  I could even share the items I ogle at (and try and convince myself not to purchase, occasionally successfully.) Speak up!

Blending In

..with the background, that is. Today I made good on my resolution to try and take outdoor pictures when possible, and vary up the backgrounds. Since I work a 9:30-5:30 (but often later) in Manhattan, finding a quiet corner during daylight hours is trying, but I really prefer the quality of the outdoor shots as opposed to my halogen-lit kitchen.

* striped grey tee--Gap * grey grandpa cardigan--H&M * navy pinstripe skirt--J. Crew outlet * grey chevron tights * brown buckle flats * brown belt--H&M * cameo necklace--F21 * leaf earrings--gift from Nana, from Aspen * scarf--vintage *

I'm so glad you all liked yesterday's outfit as much as I did! I have an idea to stick a ruffled button down underneath to amp up the frilliness, so check back to see if that works out.

I love the unintentonal monotone of these photos, which mirrored my outfit pretty darn well. Except for the bright headscarf, nearly everything was a shade of brown, navy or grey. I mixed things up a bit with a stripey tee, pinstripe skirt and patterned tights, but this is pattern mixing at its most subtle.

Ruffles

As I mentioned last week, I stopped by Target and picked up four (4!) dresses. This is probably my favorite of the bunch- a vividly royal blue sweaterdress. With a flattering wrap and ruffles aplenty, what could be wrong? I really look forward to mixing this look up throughout the season, but as usual, went simple for the first wear. 

* blue ruffle sweaterdress--Target * maroon tights * brown riding boots--Studio Polini * yellow flower earrings--gift from sister *

I think this may be my winter uniform: sweaterdress, tights, boots. Add a scarf ( I wore a pink scarf for part of the day, just not for the picture) and that is pretty much it. I love how a pair of bright earrings can really brighten up an outfit--not that this needed much brightening up, but these flower earrings bring a smile to my face every time I wear them.

Tonight we went to my little sister's for dinner (ok, she's 21. Maybe I should stop calling her my little sister), and I'm dedicating this post to her. A devout reader, she always reminds me when it has been too long since she's seen my outfit. She saw this in person, but Jess, this one is for you.

Do you have a winter uniform?

Decorating the House

...our bedroom, specifically. A few months ago, I purchased this awesome letterpress poster from rollandtumblepress to hang above our bed, hoping to stumble on something I loved just as much with which to pair it.

But I'm a bit stumped. 

Here are some of my current likes, but are they loves?

4-ever

Large Love

Lovely House

Le Voyage

Devil's Tools

What do y'all think?