Clare V. came out with an adorable bag called the Chou Chou, which is a French term of endearment, meaning little cream puff.  Isn't the name apropos? You can wear it with the handles looped one inside the other or use a scarf to create a custom handle. The bag is available in petal, tan and red.  It's a great casual evening bag, no?  

I saw a friend of mine wearing these amazing silver Tods Double T Mules, which aren't in my budget, so I may opt for  these olive/gold Madewell Harper Mule.  Both are great transition  summer to fall shoes.

I took a trip to Zara because I was in the neighborhood.  It's rare that I find something that fits. It reminds me of the story of the three bears, It's either too big, too small and rarely just right.  I also find a lot of stuff looks cuter online than in the store. I typically go in for a look, try things on, and if I like something, I order it online so it's hasn't been manhandled and hopefully arrives in better condition. This time, I bought from the store and I inspected my items carefully. I actually switched tops after inspecting the lace.  I just heard that Zara may start shipping items from stores so that people get things quicker. I would rather wait. I walked away with this animal print pleated skirt and this lace blouse. I seem to do well with pleated, elastic waist skirts at Zara, so I look for them.  I always hide the elastic (hate the look, love the comfort) with a belt, a sweater, and a blouse and blazer combo.

The lace blouse is cream colored and has a crinkly texture that perfectly matches a J Crew skirt with the same texture and color (seen on my Instagram @theedgyprep, which is why I bought it. The blouse is quite lovely in person and doesn't scream Zara. I plan to wear it with the skirt and a brown belt and brown boots.  I'll also wear it casually with jeans and brown boots.

 I didn't see the woven bag or these woven moccasins but I think they are adorable from what I can tell online. 

I tried this pompom top and the matching pompom culottes but even in an XS, the top was too big and the medium bottoms fit but came with a serious case of camel toe. I tried the large but it was swimming on me. Yes, the three bears syndrome but nothing with this outfit was just right.

As summer draws to a close, I typically don't buy clothes that have a white background or are pastel, have eyelet or anything too summery.  I start looking for darker colors and dresses I can wear with a cardigan and boots.  Here are a few things I've purchased at J Crew that have passed my test.

1. olive floral dress - It passed my color and cardigan and boot test.

2. Thomas Mason tie waist top -  It has long sleeves and it's so damn chic.  Also, the main detail won't be hidden by a cardigan or blazer. 

3. Beaute tee -  It has long sleeves and I've always been a bit obsessed with this color combo.  Plus, it's really soft and perfectly slouchy.  It runs long, so size down.  I sized down two sizes.

4. Abigail Borg shirtdress - Again, it passed my color and cardigan and boot test

5. Ribbed long cardigan - I didn't have a long navy cardigan, so it fir a hole in my wardrobe.  It also wasn't too oversized or too long, which is rare for me. I liked that it had the ribbing, which was visually interesting and not just a plain cardigan. I think texture can elevate a basic and this is the perfect example.

6. This fits into the I would have bought category.  I didn't buy this Thomas Mason bubble shirt because it looked terrible on me, but I loved it. Also, the whole point of this top is to show the sleeves, and I knew I would have to wear a cardigan or a blazer because I'm always cold.  I have a large chest and if you're too covered up, your chest looks even bigger.  I need to show some skin around my neckline and this one was too covered up for me. I'm a big believer in buying classics with a twist, so if it works for you, get it. Like the ribbed cardigan above, the sleeves sets this apart from a typical white buttondown. 

If you read my blog last week, I told you I would post the picture of the Kate Spade dress I bought with the spend and splurge promo once it went online.  Well, here it is, it's the Swiss dot sleeveless dress.   There some others that I also love like this and this one among others.

I'm loving this Misa Natalia dress that passes my wear it now and in the fall test.  I don't look good in denim skirts, but I think this dark denim pencil skirt is a good transition piece if you a denim skirt lover.  It would look cute with a chunky sweater or a hoodie and sneakers or booties.  The dark color also helps if you want to wear it to the office.

I'm a big fan of animal prints like these Sam Edelman loafers to transform summer outfits.

The color of this mini Carolina Santo Domingo bag easily works for fall.  It has a Celine look without the price.

I'm a fan of florals year round but in my opinion, the background should be dark. This jumpsuit would be cute with a leather jacket, a long or cropped cardigan, and black closed heels or loafers and you're good to go for early fall. 

I'm debating whether pendant necklaces are too summery.  Thoughts? I've had my eye on a few including the following:  starburst locket, Warrior double coin necklace, Single coin warrior necklace, Moon and star locket and  Cloverpost peek necklace that comes in yellow gold and rose gold.