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Blaze

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Blazer: c/o Jones New York  |  Plaid Jacket: c/o Jones New York  |  Blouse: J. Crew (also love this one)  |  Pants: Theyskens' Theory (similar here, here and here)  |  Shoes: Kate Spade (obsessed with these ones, also similar here, herehere and here)  |  Sunglasses: c/o Stella McCartney |  Earrings: House of Harlow |  Polish: Deborah Lippmann

Today I'm teaming up with Jones New York to showcase their fall blazers. I was enamored with their collection of blazers this season because the widely varying designs made me really think differently about the way I wear blazers.  Whether it's a classic version or an updated mixed-media blazer like the one above, these pieces can not only function as perfect seasonal transition layers, but also can easily top off your look a full seven (not just five!) days a week.  The colorblocked blazer that I'm wearing today can as easily be paired with a graphic tee and jeans on the weekends as it can with a polished sheath dress for a client meeting during the workweek.  I can't tell you the number of times a blazer has single-handedly saved me from looking homeless on my way out the door to Sunday brunch.  They truly have the power to transform.

For me, pairing a blazer with a traditional sheath dress or pencil skirt is the obvious workweek go-to, so today I'm challenging those boring instincts by wearing the blazer with this plaid coat, striped silk blouse and black and white oxfords.  The mix of prints and sportswear vibe of the ensemble serve as a good reminder (to myself at least) that a wardrobe staple like this blazer doesn't need to hang in the formal-work-event-only section of my closet for pairing with a small selection of staid black pants, pencil skirts and sheath dresses.  Whether you can get away with mixed prints and blouses that hang loose, or your workplace requires a bit more conservative spin on the ensemble, take a look at the blazers at JNY (for real, they're so good) and keep in mind that you can get a ton of use out of these versatile pieces, in and out of the office.  

This post was sponsored by Jones New York via AOL Media.  The opinions expressed herein are mine and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Jones New York or AOL.  All product selections, styling and opinions are my own.

Casual Friday

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Olive Jeans: Marc Jacobs (on sale! also love these coated ones)  |  Silk Blouse: J. Crew (also love this one)  |  Sleeveless Cardigan: Ralph Lauren (old but many similar below) |  Belt: Banana Republic (similar here)  |  Sunglasses: c/o Stella McCartney  |  Shoes: Charles David (love these ones)  |  Nail Polish: Essie |  Jewelry: c/o Selin Kent / Visible Interest

While I don't happen to be wearing any Brooks Brothers in today's post (although this BB long-sleeve cardigan is very similar to today's sleeveless version), I just wanted to give a quick heads up that their Friends and Family 25% Off Sale starts today and ends Monday 9/22!  I've always been a huge fan (obviously), so definitely take advantage of the sale and score some new fall staples (that you'll have forever) with code "FF25." The sale covers both the regular Brooks Brothers line, the more contemporary Red Fleece line and also the Black Fleece line by Thom Browne, of which I'm an enormous fan (check out this recent post and this recent post).  With Zac Posen now at the healm as creative director, I'm super pumped for even more great things to come from the classic American brand.  Seriously, if you don't already own one of their non-iron dress shirts or classic blazers (like this navy one, hello)... well you should fix that.  I've had this camel hair blazer for over two hears, worn it like it's my job all fall and winter, and it still looks brand new.  Definitely worth a little investment.  Check out more of my sale favorites on my pinterest WISHLIST board here. Happy shopping and Happy Friday!


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@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM...


In Flux

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All clothing c/o Reiss:  Jacket  |  Sweater  |  Pants |  Shoes |  Hat |  Backpack
Polish: Essie |  Rings: c/o Visible Interest, Gorjana



These might be the best high-waisted pants I've ever owned.  They're actually full-length trousers, but today, I'm wearing them cuffed as the weather is in flux and I'm not ready for a full-fledged fall/winter get-up.  This super lightweight knit is also a great transition piece, and it's surprising how much the subtle stitch detailing around the neckline and down the front adds.  Especially as the weather cools down, I'm also a big proponent of commuting with a hat.  Not only does it provide the mother-appeasing heat-retention factor, but it also protects your hair and keeps it in place as you brave the wind, rain and other rage-inducing elements.  And, unless you have an offensively long commute, you won't be wearing it long enough to worry about flattening your hair or awkward forehead creases when you show up to the office.  Happy Monday!

P.S. The Brooks Brothers 25% off Friends and Family Sale ends today!  Check out my sale picks here and use code 'FF25.'
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@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM...


Black Watch Plaid

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Dress: Ralph Lauren (short version here, similar here and here)  |  Shirt: Brooks Brothers (Check out this great Huff Post Style article on more ways to style it!) |  Shoes: Steve Madden (old but very similar here and here)  |  Sunglasses: Karen Walker |  Ring: c/o Henri Bendel  |  Polish: Essie



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@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM...


Casual Friday

Highline

Black to Black

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Dress: Byron Lars via Anthropologie  |  Jacket: c/o Ann Taylor (also love this one) |  Necklace: c/o Julie Vos (comes in several different stone color variations and with code "theclassy" you can get 20% off sitewide!)  |  Shoes: Charles David (on crazy sale right now during the F&F event!!)  |  Sunglasses: Stella McCartney |  Watch: Marc Jacobs (similar here and here)  |  Bracelet: J. Crew |  Rings: Gorjana and Henri Bendel |  Polish: Essie (this shade looks quite metallic in the bottle, but doesn't really look metallic on)


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I know what you're wondering, and the answer is no.  It is not a coincidence that the first post-Clooney nuptials blog post is all black.  I thought something funereal was appropriate.

A few notes:  
  1. This dress is fully lined with a beige-colored fabric, so you won't have to worry about any scandalous see-through-ness at the office.  However, if your workplace is particularly conservative, you may need to wear a blazer or cardigan over the dress since the sleeves are unlined. If it's still too much for you or your office, but you like the idea, check out this awesome skirt version instead.  
  2. If you're petite, this dress also comes in petite sizes.  Score for you.  
  3. If you're not into the form-fitting sheath/pencil skirt silhouette and/or you just want something that'll be more forgiving post-Chipotle burrito at lunchtime, the same designer makes an extremely similar dress here with an a-line midi skirt instead.  Options, baby, options.
FYI -- This week, both the Bloomingdale's AND the Saks Off Fifth Friends and Family Sales are on!  At Bloomingdale's, there's 20% off basically everything with code 'FRIENDS' and at Saks Off Fifth, there's an extra 40% off basically everything, also with code 'FRIENDS.' (I'm thinking these guys could get a little more creative with their promo codes...)  As always, you can check out my sale picks by perusing my Pinterest Wishlist Board here.  Saddle up.


@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM...

Zip It

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 Shot by Alexander Scott Harris

Sweater: Alexander Wang (also here in cobalt)  |  Pants: Band of Outsiders (similar version here and also love these pinstripe straight-leg versions here and here)  |  Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (20% off right now during the Friends and Family sale!  LOVE the zipper detailing on the sides) |  Sunglasses: c/o BCBG |  Shoes: Jimmy Choo |  Earrings: c/o Baublebar |  Ring: Kathy Kamei |  Polish: Essie 

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As a Wisconsin native, there are few things more delicious to me than chunky knits come fall.  This season, I love the fresh spin on these cozy classics via zippers―many in asymmetrical fashion.  Today's knit is a favorite from Alexander Wang, but there are many similar zip-tastic beauties in the above widget at all price points (obsessed with this one).  You should definitely zip through them... (It was a lay-up.)

And just so you know, that zipper you see isn't all talk.  You can literally spiral unzip this sweater all the way from front hip to back shoulder.  You miiiight dislocate your shoulder in the process, but it's totally worth it.  If I'm going to buy a sweater with crazy asymmetrical spiral zip detailing that basically makes me a human corkscrew, there's no way I'm not taking that zipper for a test drive.

Ten points to Gryffindor for the person who gives me the best "zip" pun in the comments below.

P.S.  Guys.  The crazy Bloomingdale's and Saks Off Fifth sales are still. going. strong.  Check out my sale picks HERE.  This coat and these jeans at 20% off are the reasons I wake up in the morning.



@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM...

Casual Friday: Fall Colors

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Jeans: Mother |  Coat: Michael Kors |  Sweater: Townsen |  Blouse: Michael Kors |  Shoes: Matisse
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban |  Polish: Essie


IT'S CASUAL FRIDAY.  Bust out your favorite denim, people, because it'll be another seven days before these babies will see the mildly-carcinogenic fluorescent light of your work day.  Typically (and by typically, I mean my entire adult life) I've pretty much worn the same three or four brands of jeans that I've arbitrarily and inexplicably deemed the only jeans that could possibly fit me.  Recently, however, that denim coterie has been breached and the new sheriff in town is Mother (the brand, not the person... hi Mom).  

I stumbled upon this pair at Nordstrom the other day and once I tried them on, the rest was history.  Of course, denim is tricky and different brands fit everyone differently so I can't say with certainty that you'll enjoy the fit of these Mother jeans as much as I do. However, I'm going to go ahead and say with certainty that you'll enjoy the fit of these Mother jeans every bit as much as I do.  So there's that.

The pair I'm sporting today is in a beautiful winter white hue that I've carried through the rest of my outfit with pops of optic white and burgundy.  Of late, I'm a big fan of the tone on tone combinations of creams and bright white.  You should try it.  It's not nearly as scary as staging a coup d'état of the ruling denim oligarchy in your closet.  

Happy Friday!

P.S.  If you're a Rockette or in some other awesome profession that requires a lot of high kicking, let's just say that these jeans are kid tested and Mother approved.  Get it?!  Mother?!  Like the brand?!  Stop.


@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM... 

This post is sponsored by Nordstrom.  All product selections, styling and opinions are my own.

Memo

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Image Map
{to check out each product, you can click on any of the individual images above or...}


I don't typically do beauty-focused posts, however, I've received tons of requests from many of you over the months and thought I'd finally offer up a quick peek at some of the products that work for me.  I'm not a huge cosmetics person, so I definitely don't use all of these every day.  But, when an occasion does call for a bolder lip, for example, the lipsticks above are my favorites.  Similarly, I don't wear eye shadow or eye liner every singly day, but I recently discovered the above eye shadow primer and use it religiously whenever I do throw on shadow.  I'm probably late to the eye shadow primer party, but holy shmokes does this stuff make a difference!  I had no idea a little bit of this special sauce would make shadow creases obsolete. Magic.  

Of course, shopping online is my preferred method, so getting everything I need at one retailer is always a big win.  Very recently, one of my favorite brands, Urban Decay, made its way to Nordstrom which was the final piece of the puzzle in making the site my one-stop shop for cosmetics.  Between their selection and their stellar shipping and return policies, there's no better place in my book.  Be sure to check out Nordstrom's new collection of Urban Decay products because they're the real. deal.  Happy Monday!



@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM...

This post is sponsored by Nordstrom.  All product selections, styling and opinions are my own.

Lumberjack Lady

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Skirt: Pink Tartan (also several similar styles below) |  Shirt: Pink Tartan |  Cape: Vince Camuto  |  Heels: SJP Collection (I can't say enough good things about the look and fit!)  |  White Sneakers: Michael Kors |  Fight Like A Girl Cuff: Accessory Concierge (20% of proceeds go to breastcancerfund.org  |  Ring: c/o Henri Bendel |  Earrings: Kate Spade  |  Sunglasses: Stella McCartney |  Polish: Essie (A-List)

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@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM...


Dogstooth + Dots

Casual Friday

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Jeans: Genetic Denim  |  Sweater: ALC |  Coat: Free People |  Belt: Vintage (very similar here)  |  Shoes: Ralph Lauren (similar here and here)  |  Earrings: Baublebar (also love these ones)  |  Sunglasses: Ray-Ban |  Polish: Essie



Much like last week's Casual Friday post in these MOTHER brand jeans, I'm continuing the effort to shake up my weak-sauce denim game.  Heretofore, I've always gravitated towards roughly the same four brands of jeans.  While breaking this habit was daunting, I decided to do like Adele Dazeem, and just let it go.  The result?  The discovery of another new favorite brand―Genetic.  This particular pair today has all the ingredients―high-waisted, snug in just the right places, excellent pocket placement... you get the picture.  If you're shuffling your denim deck this fall too, check out Genetic and/or take a gander through Nordstrom's impressive selection―a veritable cornucopia of denim choices, if you will.  And, I think you will because it is decorative gourd season after all.

Happy Friday!  

@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM... 

This post is sponsored by Nordstrom.  All product selections, styling and opinions are my own.

Mod Mix

Memo: Ready, Go!

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The Shopbop Friends and Family Sale kicks off today! The sale offers a whopping 25% off site-wide with code FAMILY25.  It's rare to get such a discount (or any discount, for that matter) on pieces like these pinstriped cuffed trousers that I styled in this post or a great everyday black ponte sheath dress like this little lady that's perfect for work.  Whether you're looking for stand-out pieces or a refresh of your basics, take a spin through my sale picks above and even more on their site here.  You've only got three days so get in while the getting's good...
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@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM...



Plaid + Pink

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Blazer: Brooks Brothers (love this cool fringe cape in the same plaid too)  |  Pants: Brooks Brothers (also LOVE the matching skirt)  |  Cape: Vince Camuto |  Shirt: Brooks Brothers |  Necktie: Vintage (similar here, but you can easily DIY!)  |  Shoes: SJP Collection |  Sunglasses: Stella McCartney |  Bracelet: Accessory Concierge (20% donated to breastcancerfund.org)  |  Rings: Gorjana, Henri Bendel |  Polish: Essie




People, it's the last day of the Shopbop Friends and Family Sale.  If you haven't scored anything yet, I'm not saying you need to panic... but you should probably panic.  Take a peek at all of my sale picks here and get 25% off site-wide with code FAMILY25.  Go get 'em, tiger.

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@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM...


Coral Coat

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Coat: c/o Goodnight Macaroon |  Shirt: c/o Ann Taylor |  Pants: Theory |  Shoes: c/o Goodnight Macaroon |  Sunglasses: Stella McCartney |  Nails: Essie

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Tapping into that elusive pastel trend for fall, this pale coral coat is certainly one of my new favorites. I'm not a big pink pink girl, but I'm a sucker for anything in the coral/salmon department. And, the black accent zippers add just the right urban edge to the otherwise simple tweed parka, making it easily dressed up or down.  While I'm often reticent to commit to bold outerwear for fear of the possible one-hit-wonder wearability limitations, I've worn this coat at least four times and have had it for hardly a week.

The color goes surprisingly well with quite a lot, and I've also enjoyed how it allows you to keep everything else underneath quite simple. As some of you may have seen on my instagram, I wore it last night to a casual dinner with girlfriends over a very easy all black ensemble―over-the-knee boots, leggings and a turtleneck.  The bright coat transformed my haphazardly frump-tastic black monochrome look into something deceivingly deliberate and (dare I say) chic... one of my favorite tricks.

I must also make a special note that the fit and drape of the coat is shockingly beautiful.  At this price point, I'm always a bit nervous about outerwear looking cheap with rippling seams etc.  In person, the coat holds its wonderful shape while still being incredibly lightweight for layering this fall.  Mark another one in the win column, Goodnight Macaroon. Well done.

Peruse this coat and more of my favorites from Goodnight Macaroon below, and use code CLASSYCUBICLE for 20% off!



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This post is sponsored by Goodnight Macaroon.  All product selections, styling and opinions are my own.

Loose

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Skirt: MICHAEL Michael Kors (similar here)  |  Sweater: MICHAEL Michael Kors (similar herehere and here)  |  Shoes: Kate Spade (similar here and also love this loafer version)  |  Sunglasses: Stella McCartney (similar here)  |  Polish: Essie (A-List)

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Cinched waists, fitted dress pants and tailored jackets are featured prominently in my workwear repertoire.  In general, I'm a big fan.  However, we all have those workdays (cough... Mondays... cough) where jamming yourself into these more constricting silhouettes is a bit too painful to bear.  Enter Michael Kors's (old school singular possessive for the win) fall pieces like the beauties pictured above.  While the heavily menswear-inspired (cha-ching) collection certainly includes great pencil skirts (love this one) and fitted sheath dresses, it also takes classic prints like herringbone and pinstripes and applies them to more contemporary silhouettes like this high-low split oversized crewneck sweater and this long and loose circle skirt.  The result is a modern work-worthy ensemble that just feels a tiny bit more Monday-morning friendly.  I'm also really digging the 90s feel of these relaxed pieces worn together with oxfords... because we're all Elaine Benes, after all.

@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM...

This post is sponsored by Nordstrom.  All product selections, styling and opinions are my own.

Watch It

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Watch: Tory Burch |  Pants: Tory Burch |  Shirt: Tory Burch |  Coat: Tory Burch |  Shoes: Jimmy Choo (similar here, here& here)  |  Necklace: vintage, similar here, here& here  |  Sunglasses: Stella McCartney (similar here)



Tory Burch unveiled her watch collection at Nordstrom at the beginning of this month and surprise, surprise, it's awesome.  Perhaps the reflections of a tomboyish childhood in her aesthetic are what always ring true to me, but whatever it is, her designs never disappoint.  The watch I’m sporting today is perhaps my favorite piece from the new collection, though it’s a close call.  The depth and breadth of styles promise something for everyone, or in my case, everything for someone.  With strong menswear influences, this particular watch has just the right combination of masculine charm and feminine polish.  It easily stands out on its own, and of course melds well with your favorite arm party line-up as I styled here on instagram.  Whether you're updating your own watch collection, looking for a birthday gift, or getting a jump on the holidays, check out the new collection.  You won’t be disappointed.




@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM...

This post is sponsored by Nordstrom.  All product selections, styling and opinions are my own.

Caramel + Rose

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Coat: George Simonton (On sale!  Also, it runs true to size but I bought it a few sizes larger because I wanted it really voluminous)  |  Dress: Kate Spade |  Shoes: SJP Collection |  Turtleneck: Ann Taylor |  Watch: Tory Burch |  Necklace: Julie Vos |  Rings: Gorjana |  Earrings: c/o Baublebar (similar here)  |  Sunglasses: Stella McCartney (similar here)



If you're new to this blog and wondering what it's all about or a longtime follower looking for a refresher, check out this wonderful article published yesterday by America Within.  Though far too generous in its praise, the piece really captures what The Classy Cubicle is all about and why workplace attire really matters.  I hope you enjoy it.  Happy Friday!!

@MARYORTON ON INSTAGRAM...
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