Grechen’s Closet super-fabulous expert polyvore-stylist Madeline Rhodes tackles sequins this time in her polyvore set – just when you think you couldn’t “do” sequins…

Sequins for Grechens Closet by LOVEMADDS featuring Forever21

Here’s what Madeline has to say about styling trends:

Let’s face it… anything that comes off the runway and into our wardrobe is a bit scary… but it really shouldn’t be! This set demonstrates how an average gal, like one of us, can bring sequins into her wardrobe without getting intimidated. By taking two of the season’s hottest trends, the blazer and sequins, and combining them into one piece, the sequined blazer, we are off to a good start. Believe it or not, sequins are totally easy to dress down, which I did here by adding a jersey knit, heather gray top, some muted booties, and a straightforward necklace. Now that you’ve got the basics down, don’t be afraid to accessorize, within reason. I threw a cute printed clutch into the equation and topped it off with a dusky pink, handwoven, silk scarf that has minor shimmer detail. Viola, you’ve got yourself a sequin ensemble! Enjoy!

I love it!! I might even be able to pull that off…you know how I love to dress down
Thanks Madeline!!!

What I’m wearing:

James Perse tube dress
American Apparel leggings
Inhabit NY Cashmere turtleneck – I have no idea what this color is, but I forgot how much I loved this t-neck! Luckily, through today, it’s on sale for $80 at Inhabit NY’s sample sale…must go and get me an other one…
UGG “Abroad” Moccasin

Yes, that’s correct. These are UGG moccs, and I love them. Now, I’ve never been one to apologize for wearing UGG boots, I can’t, I live in them all Winter and they have totally transformed my life during cold weather, I cannot imagine life without them. BUT, you’ll never see an outfit of the day with me in my UGG boots – they never make it beyond the house or a .5 to a 1 mile radius around my building where I walk the dog. They’re never “part” of my outfit; they’re always UNDER my pants or jeans, never to be seen. Not that I think they’re ugly necessarily, I just don’t consider them a fashion statement – they’re warm, comfortable shoes. Oh, are they comfortable.

So, when the lovely people at UGG offered to send me a pair of shoes to review, I REALLY wanted to try a pair of their new non-UGG-looking boots, like these, but my calves never would have fit in them, so I decided to try a pair of flats. I’d been thinking about buying a pair of moccasins, and the idea of UGG comfort in a mocc, AND a shoe I could wear outside the house excited me, so I chose the “Abroad” style.

From the second I put these on, I knew they would be my new favorite shoes (besides my new Repetto flats, and my UGG boots of course). They’re insanely comfortable, the suede is soft, and the sheepskin lining is TDF. I do wish the lining wasn’t only on the footbed – they could have lined the top of the toe area too, that would have been heavenly, but possibly a sizing problem. I also wish the toe was a little more rounded, but overall, I love the shoe. My fiance does too, which is surprising, but not surprising at the same time…he has a very “classic” taste. I took my regular shoe size in these instead of sizing down like I do in the boots and they fit perfectly.

I’m so happy with these shoes – maybe they’re not as fashionable as the Elizabeth & James moccs I was obsessed over earlier this year, or as cheap as the Minnetonka moccs, or as awesome as these A.P.C. moccs, but they’re comfortable, they’re practical, and all in all, a wonderful shoe.

This is so random…but I was just thinking how some of my favorite style bloggers never show their bags in outfit pictures. Well, not NEVER, but hardly ever. I mean, Jane from Sea of Shoes is CLEARLY a shoe girl, and so is her mom; I can’t even remember the last time I noticed a handbag on either of their blogs. Jennine from the coveted will occasionally sport a lovely handbag, but she mostly lets her outfits stand on their own. And that got me thinking…are my bags a crutch? Should I be focusing more on my “outfits?”

As personal style bloggers go, if you can call me that, my outfits are pretty boring. Ultimately, maybe that means that I’m boring, but mostly I think it just reflects the fact that I work at home and work A LOT. When I do go out, I’m all about casual comfort, but I do try to always be put together and “stylish” in my own way. But my only accessory is my bag. I am first to admit that I’m not good at accessorizing with jewelry – my preference is to have a few pieces I just wear all the time, and not even have to think about jewelry when I leave the house. I’ve pretty much achieved that, but I feel like it does leave my outfits lacking.

I also LOVE handbags. I am clearly a bag girl; I love to collect them, I love to shop for them, I love to carry them…I really feel like a fabulous handbag is THE ONE thing every woman needs. I’m not going to go on and on about it, but I can’t tell you how many lovely outfits I’ve seen completely ruined by a bad handbag. I definitely rely on my bag to be the attention grabber of my outfit (unless I’m wearing my pink patent tory burch reva flats) and I love to carry a unique & sometimes controversial bag…

But I also love shoes. If my lifestyle permitted, I’d have some killer shoes, and wear them all the time, but as it is, I mostly wear flats, and am obsessed with comfort, so that dictates the shoes I buy & wear. I still think if I had to choose, I’d put myself clearly in the bag girl camp though…

what about you? are you a bag girl? or a shoe girl?
do you style your outfits around your shoes, your bag, or your jewelry?
do tell!!

If there’s one thing I can’t have enough of (besides handbags), it’s cashmere. Up until now, it’s been mostly Inhabit for me, but there’s a new game in town, Qi Cashmere. No, they’re not really “new,” but they did just recently launch their e-commerce site, and I’m excited to share with you that they’re offering Grechen’s Closet readers 20% off with code QIGrech11 through November 19th. Below are some of my favorites…

Since purchasing a sweater dress at Anthropologie recently, I’ve become obsessed…I love wearing it with tights, leggings & even straight-legged jeans. On the lookout for a couple more to add to my closet, I’d definitely choose these:

And, I will admit that I’ve often thought I needed a pair of sweater-y/cashmere pants…although I’m not sure if I do really “need” a pair, I’d just LOVE to have them

I could also live in this tunic top…

And how about this long cardigan?? wouldn’t it go with everything?

Last but not least, how adorable are these cashmere slippers? if not for you, what about for your mom? your sister? At under $100, they would make a fabulous gift. I’d definitely take a pair

This Mara Hoffman cardigan kind of reminds me of a mullet..business in the front, party in the back:

I love it though…it’s perfect.

What I’m wearing:

Gap jeans
Mociun Organic Cotton tee
Repetto Flats
Jacket from Anthropologie (a gift from my wonderful father – the same one who bought me my macbook pro )
Alexander Wang Coco Duffel

Woot!! The Inhabit NY Fall sample sale is ON…now until 11/6, “classic” cashmere and cotton items are marked down 70% at Inhabit NY. Here are my favorites:

Short sleeve cashmere cardigan: $80

Cotton v-neck: $50

Classic cashmere cardigan: $80

All sales are final on this page, so be sure you know what you’re getting. I find that Inhabit cashmere and cotton both run true to size (I always take a L), but if you have any questions at all, please leave a comment!

**edited: I bought the “classic” cashmere cardigan in chain and the cotton v-neck in red clay…what did you buy??

Until 9:00 AM EST tomorrow (11/5), items on this page at Zoe are marked down 30%. There are 2 pairs of Repetto flats available, a pair of BB’s in navy patent, and black leather bolchoi flats. The navy patent Repetto BB’s are a GREAT deal for $165:

There are also a few pairs of Repetto flat boots, and one pair of pumps. Also check out the clothing (dresses, tops & sweaters) by Rachel Comey on sale…I love this sweater, and it’s marked down to $266:

All sales are final on this page. Don’t for get that you can use code “grechen” for 10% off all non-sale items at Zoe!!

What I’m Wearing: I’ve been obsessed with sleeveless cardigan sweaters recently, so to satisfy my need, I picked this one up from Target. I like! and it was only $25. It’s a little itchy around my neck where it touches my skin, but it’s not noticeable all the time….

James Perse long sleeve tee
Joe’s Jeans ex-lover jeans
Repetto bb Flats
Alexander Wang Coco Duffel
Merona Sweater from Target

Thanks to the reminder from Nanashi, I headed over to Oak just now to check out their new private label shoes…and found a pair headed straight to my wish-list:

Yes, they do look strikingly similar to these Rachel Comey oxfords I also have my eye on…

Now, I can’t decide which pair I like more…on price alone, the Oak shoes would win, hands down (they’re $100 less), but I do love the “clog” feel of the Rachel Comeys…which ones would you choose?