Embracing The Chill | Havaianas Rain Boots

Embracing The Chill | Havaianas Rain Boots

Wellingtons: Havaianas Helios Mid Height in Aubergine | Blanket Scarf: Accessorize | Jeans: Levi's | Jumper: Old but Similar | Shirt (Worn Underneath) Levi's | Watch: Caravelle 

Wrapping up for the Autumnal chill is something I feel we all harbour a not so secret love for. I mean, how many of you are waiting on the cinnamon version of everything to hit the coffee shops?! Say it's not just me . . . ?! Equally, that moment when we can open the jumper drawer, grab a scarf, and if - like me - you're going to go leaf-kicking - you'll be pulling on your wellington boots too. Havaianas - most famously known for their flip flops - have branched out into rain boots. And YAY for that. I gave the Helios mid rain boot in aubergine (delicious colour) a whirl on a recent fruit tasting trip to Blackmore Farm. I love that the length is shorter than most boots (although they do come in full length too) as I was looking for a wellington which I could wear on days in the city, as well as in the countryside. 

nature's finest!

Read on for my favourite way to style my wellington boots . . . 

Despite their practical uses I treat wellingtons like any other footwear - an accessory. I want to feel put together and stylish . . . even when it's pouring with rain.  Berry hues are just so tasty for Autumn/Winter and I couldn't resist making these Havaianas booties the focus of my outfit. I paired them with my favourite blanket scarf, skinny jeans, and a shirt + jumper combo.

Top Tip: A streamlined silhouette will balance out heavy footwear. 

Havaianas are giving away 5 pairs of their wellington boots per week until the 17th of November '14. To enter the competition, Instagram a pic of yourself embracing Autumn/Winter with an awesome attitude - and tag #sambaintherain. Good luck guys! Full T&Cs here. 

How are you guys faring with the change of seasons? Are you looking forward to cinnamon everything too?!

Check out Havaianas' full range of wellington boots. If any take your fancy - don't forget to enter the competition!

Have an awesome day all!

Love, 

MB x

This post was created in collaboration with Havaianas. Thank you for supporting The Elgin Avenue's sponsors! You guys are ace!

Blazer n' (Faux) Leather Pins

Blazer n' (Faux) Leather Pins

Jacket: Vintage Similar Here | Shirt: Jack Wills Old Season Similar Here | Bag: Ralph Lauren c/o | Faux Leather Leggings: New Look c/o 

Hey lovelies! Mid-week! Let's just have a little celebration for that! Booty shake! Do you ever get those days when you just feel like getting fancy? I was totally in that mind set last week when I went to the Apple store. Yep. The Apple Store. No rhyme or reason -  I could have happily stepped out of the house in a cocktail dress! Fortunately I opted for my faux leather trousers, and a blazer combo instead, but the fancy feeling was real. 

Shop The Look

This week has been crazy busy, I am actually looking forward to desk time on Friday. OH and getting that computer I was hunting for on Saturday. EEK - buying a desktop feels like pretty big news. Do you guys have any advice?

Hope you're all having an ace week!

Love, 

MB x

Looks for Less Fall Digital Edition - Animal Instinct

Looks for Less Fall Digital Edition - Animal Instinct

Leopard print never really goes out of style, and rightfully so. Leopard print can be such a fun print to play with and always adds an extra punch of style to an outfit. Once again it was seen in many designer shows. It showed up in everything from handbags to dresses and coats and even shoes. My favorite way to wear leopard is on a pair of heels. It a no fuss way to wear the trend while still making an ultra chic statement.





THE LOOK: 1. Balmain RTW 2014  LOOKS FOR LESS: 2. Free People Out of Africa Cardigan in Snow Leopard Combo 3. John Zack Shift Dress in Leopard Print 4. ASOS Daisy Pony Effect Sneakers 5. H&M Pencil Skirt

- Teresa Espinoza - Fashion & Style Editor

October Letter from the Editor - Fall

October Letter from the Editor - Fall

Hey Halfstackers!

Hope fall is treating you all right! This month we are focusing on all things fall must haves - fashion, style, beauty, food and we will be bringing you some great video editorials in the coming weeks. As usual the Halfstack team has been out and about at some great events and will be sharing their adventures with you. You can be sure to find some great local restaurant reviews and culture spotlights from Thom, Dana and Cora. You will also get an insiders view of some great fashion events from Perry and Olivia (our new digital fashion blogger) and some great out and about pieces from Rob and Dana. Also, make sure to check us out for Healthy Fridays every friday from our Health and Fitness blogger - Brittany. She's got some great pieces, interviews and posts on nutrition and health in store for you all this month!



If you didn't know, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. So, ladies and gentleman (guys this isn't a disease that only women get) love your tatas this month and get a check up! I will be spotlighting some brands doing some good this month and share with you all places and products that give back to this national charity.

Be on the lookout for some new Youtube videos from us (if you haven't please subscribe here!) and some upcoming creative stories from our other photo blogger - Aimee of Visual Stimulus. She'll be spotlighting some great neighborhood photography to inspire you to get out and explore Chicago and your own hood.

-
Jen Lezan
Editor in chief
Halfstackmag.com

Anthropologie Southport Fall Runway Show

Anthropologie Southport Fall Runway Show

I am a lover of fashion any season, all year long, but there is just something about the transition of autumn that sparks a whole new kind of inspiration and excitement in my wardrobe. Buckle adorned ankle boots, over-sized flannel, tweed-patterned leggings; I love it all. I want it all!



Thank goodness for gorgeously stocked stores like Anthropologie. The whimsical, meets modern selections are always fun to peruse, even if it's one of those "window shopping only" kind of weeks. You gals all know what I mean.



In celebration of the season's amazing fashions, Anthropologie at 3532 N Southport Ave, hosted a fall fashion show on Thursday, October 2nd. Featuring a selection of pieces and accessories exclusively found at Anthropologie, the show was modeled by local bloggers, employees, and customers.







Anthropologie Southport Apparel Department Manager, Maureen Sullivan assisted with planning, as well as operating the event. "This year’s fashion show focused on some of our key buys and inspirational layering silhouettes," said Sullivan. "There was a focus on dress up/ dress down and versatile looks."

With so many wonderful looks to choose from, Sullivan said it would be difficult for her to choose a favorite of the evening, but admitted she loved the sense of community the fashion show encapsulated. My favorite part of the show? The fluffy pomeranian that strutted the runway rocking a bow tie! (scroll down and prepare for the cuteness).











True to the Anthropologie aesthetic, the evening highlighted a beautiful display of unique and on trend fashions. Sullivan shared with me that her favorite trend this season is feminine floral prints mixed with masculine plaids and knit textures. "We love to see that juxtaposition of different prints, colors, and fabrications to create a well curated narrative."





As a fun finale, guests partook in a raffle with the possibility of winning some amazing prizes! "All the raffle prizes were curated around specific gift themes, that we feel will be important this coming holiday," said Sullivan. "We have such strong home vendors that create really unique bar ware, kitchenware, and candles that we wanted to be able to inform [guests] of all our great product, but also give [guests] a chance to experience it [themselves], and of course it was such an exciting way to thank [them] for being a part of our event."

For more information about upcoming events at any Anthroplogie location, sign up for the email list on their website!

All Gray Everything

All Gray Everything

Silver slip ons: Russell & Bromley c/o Similar Here | Skirt: Next c/o | Jumper Twist & Tango Past Season Similar Here and Here | Bag: Ralph Lauren c/o 

Hey pretties! Here's to the WEEKEND! Tonight Ols and I are hosting some of our friends for dinner, and I am so excited to rustle up some yummy seasonal food. I'm looking here for starter inspo, and here for dessert. YUM.

This week I've had a handful of early - like moon still in the sky - starts, and so I am REALLY looking forward to some bed time, friends, and apple picking on Sunday! 

The past few days has also marked the opening of my jumper drawer for the first time this season, and OH MY, had I forgotten how much I love great knitwear. I was invited to visit Next's head office this week, and pulled on this gray on gray ensemble for one of the aforementioned crack of dawn starts. A mid-length skirt is such an easy look, it's polished but comfortable, and when you have a commute ahead of you, it's IDEAL. I wouldn't have thought to pair a long skirt with a thick roll-neck jumper, but I saw similar proportions on one of my favourite bloggers, Jessie, and was converted.

The Next HQ was so inspiring, especially the design studio which was flooded with light. There is a converted warehouse near our apartment which rents out offices, perhaps one day I'll make the move from bedroom/home office, to a floor-to-ceiling window lit space too . . . !! Hmm. Thinking cap on. 

 Obsessed with this Next HQ design space! The shelving! The Light!

 

Light Light Light

Outfit Photos by Sarah

Get the look

What are you guys up to this weekend? Have you delved into jumper-land yet? And if so, how are you wearing yours? 

Hope you have an awesome few days off! Let's DO this!

Love, 

MB x 

Cocktail Hour LBD | L.K.Bennett

Cocktail Hour LBD | L.K.Bennett

Shoes: L.K. Bennett Alma Print Sandals

 

Dress: L.K.Bennett Star Embellished Cocktail Dress

A couple of weeks ago I was treated to a MAGICAL evening by one of my favourite occasion wear brands L.K.Bennett. Myself and five other lucky girls, got the chance to dress up in L.K. Bennett's new Little Bennett Dress - LBD - collection, thoroughly indulging our every cocktail hour fantasy with pampering and dinner at The Savoy's seafood restaurant, Kaspar's.

L-R: Anna | Lucy | Julia | Alex | Me | Fred

The cult status of the LBD is well earned. Beautifully timeless, elegant and chic, it's no wander it's every girl's fall back. I chose the L.K.Bennett star embellished cocktail dress for our fancy occasion, and couldn't wait to unwrap my be-ribboned box when it arrived in the mail. I was BESOTTED with the delicate embellishment, and easy shape on first glance. Extra oo'ing ensued when I caught a glimpse of my Alma print sandals! Major. Shoe. Lust. Blow Ltd. were on hand to match our hair and beauty looks to our dresses for the evening. After consultation, I went with a majority vote, and opted for an undone chignon and dramatic evening makeup look. I was SO in love with the hair-up/jewelled neckline/feline eyes - I ended up sleeping in my up-do with the hope I could wear it into the following day. 

NB: it didn't work - but it was well worth a cricked neck go.

Read on for my styling notes, and a tonne more pictures of my turn in the Little Bennett Dress . . .

In makeup . . . 

. . . the finished result!

Notes on the LBD: My advice on buying a little black dress is to go for quality fabric, in a cut which you feel a million bucks in. This is the kind of piece which you will pull out for weddings, parties, dates, balls, Birthdays, graduations . . . yep it's a keeper.  Importantly you'll want to wear your LBD in your own unique way and I loved seeing how all of the other girls styled their L.K.Bennett dresses for the evening. For me, I like a pop of colour, which I got via my heels, and some face-framing jewels. I didn't need a necklace on account of the embellished neckline, but I always think that chandelier earrings are a fabulous after hours accessory. My dress naturally hung straight, and so I added a complimentary belt to nip the waist in. 

Once dressed, a couple of glasses of champagne down, and with our photos snapped by the fabulous Kris Atomic and team, we headed for a decadent dinner at Kaspar's. And so the Little Bennett Dress got it's turn out on the town . . . !

L.K.Bennett has produced the most beautiful collection of little black dresses and I think it's testament to their versatility that each of us six girls were able to wear, love and party in our own spin on the Little Bennett Dress. Check out the full collection here. 

My sisters in crime for the evening were Alex, Fred, Julia, Anna and Lucy - be sure to pop on over to their sites too to see just how gorgeous they all looked in their LBDs.

Are you guys excited for the party season to start? Are you a little black dress devotee too?! Or will this year be your first purchase?!

Tell me all . . . 

Love, 

MB x 

Thank you so much to L.K.Bennett and Pitch & Post for a wonderful evening, and for partnering with The Elgin Avenue on this article. My gorgeous readers, your enthusiasm for our sponsors is always noted and appreciated - thank you!