Whatever Suits You

Top: Banana Republic • Pants: The Limited •Vest: Ann Taylor• Necklace: Stella & Dot • Shoes: Halogen

With summer in the rearview mirror, I guess my goal of a summer tan isn't happening. Hello pasty arms! But today isn't about my pale-ness. It's all about this vest. I picked it up last winter and it became a quick closet staple. But I always wore it layered with long sleeves or sweaters. Before it gets too cool I thought I'd put an end of summer/early fall spin out it. While bare arms don't fly in every office, it's a fun take on a summer suit in my office. And I think it suits me just fine.

A Call to Arms

Top: Madewell • Jeans: Madewell •Scarf: Madewell• Bag: Banana Republic • Shoes: Franco Sarto

Dare I say it's getting cool here in Ohio? With the feels of fall all around, I opted to get a little more mileage out of one of my favorite sleeveless tops this weekend. If it feels like I've been living in black lately, well I have. But don't worry, there's more color {and patterns} on the horizon, but I'm thinking this neutral kick will be sticking around {with sleeves} through the next few months.

Comfortable Casual

Top: Kit + Ace • Jeans: Madewell• Bag: H&M • Shoes: Madewell

I'm all for dressing up and getting fancy, but there is something fantastic when you stumble upon a comfortable casual outfit. I'd been eyeing this top from Kit + Ace since the store opening a few months back and what do you know it fits {and feels} like a dream. Since picking up this top last week, I've worn it through Labor Day Weekend and added to my carry own when I traveled to Texas and California last week. Dress it up or dress it down, either way it's a new staple of my closet.

Thread Cincinnati + Gild Collective

If you've ever wondered what happens when a group of bloggers come together on a scenic rooftop for a crafting party {does social media explosion come to mind}?, today's your lucky day! A few weeks back, the gals of Thread Cincinnati and I had a wonderful evening creating Gemstone cluster earrings with ladies of Gild Collective. If you haven't heard of Gild Collective, it's start-up business based here in Cincinnati that is poised for great things. 

Olivia, Me, Karen, Katie, Tamia, & Preeti

Here's the gist, at Gild Collective they help you throw a party by bringing your friends together to create something beautiful. They have an array of projects and provide all the supplies and instructions you need. So if you're looking for a new reason to get your friends together look no further than Gild.



Coming from a girl with 2 left thumbs, I'll be the first to tell you crafting isn't always my thing {I usually end up with paint on my face, glue on my clothes, or find an essential piece unused}. But one of the great aspects of Gild is that it's so much more than crafting -- it's social, it's time with your friends, it's a conversation piece. As someone who enjoys doing new and different activities with my friends, that was the hook for me. The cute earrings, were the icing on the cake. 

If you're interested in getting in on the fun, be sure to check out their site. In addition to a variety of projects {um, the sunburst mirror is calling my name}, you can pick from either a Hostess-led class or an Instructor-led class. Not to mention, Gild is now offering Local Artisan Parties where artisans and creatives from the community will lead more expert-level crafts. If you're local to Cincinnati, you can also look for Gild at the City Flea or Craft in the Park in September. 

If you're tempted to check out Gild, mention me or any of the Thread gals in the "how did you hear about Gild" when signing up and receive 20% off all of the kits when you book.

Photos by the delighful and awesome Tiernae Sally Photography

Back in Black

Dress Banana Republic • Sunglasses: Prada • Shoes: Franco Sarto

Between the 3-day holiday weekend and then jumping right into travel for work {hello from Texas!}, my brain is a bit fried. Actually, it's a lot fried. That may or may not be as a result of the extremely high temperatures, or the fact that I thought it was a great idea to book a 7am flight the Tuesday after a long weekend. What I am trying to say, is I'm light on words today. Which sort of works with this outfit since it's pretty minimal for me. No necklace, no scarf, no problem.

Just a girl and her LBD. 

Local Cincinnati: Pure Romance

Today I'm excited to partner with another local Cincinnati company -- Pure Romance.  I was first introduced to the company when a friend attended and then hosted her own PR party. If you've attended a PR party before, you know they're laugh out loud fun and a great way to get together with your girlfriends. As someone with year-around dry skin, I quickly fell in love with their body line and have been a fan ever since.



While summer is winding down {you won't know that here with the 90+ degree temps this weekend}, with Pure Romance you can enjoy #SummerofSkin year around. And if you have still have room in your beach bag, be sure to check out the #SummerofSkin website. What's even better is that 1 lucky reader can win 4 of their best selling body products by entering below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Contest is open to US residents only. 

Fantasy Football & A Plea for Help

September, it's really a magical time of year. For all of the obvious fashion related reasons, I love the September and the beginning of fall. But what some of you might be surprised to learn is that I also love September for another reason -- the return of the NFL and more importantly the return of Fantasy Football. 

If you're here for the outfits, you can skip the rest of this post. But if by chance you're a fashion forward sports enthusiast by all means please keep reading. September for me means the return of scarves and trash talking on message boards. It's the return of antagonizing over starting line ups, while trying to pick a stylish sports appropriate outfit.


{From Reds baseball season, but I hope you see my point}

Draft Day {one of my favorite holidays of the year} brings together my love for color coding and craft beer selection. It also means hitting pause on my Spotify playlist, in lieu of my favorite Fantasy Football podcast - ESPN's Fantasy Focus Football aka the "06010". If you're a football fan, I highly encourage you to check it out. It's typically laughable {in a good way}, sometimes informative {it's helped me win my league}, but mostly it's the best fantasy football podcast out there.

Last year, I attempted to gain entry into their listener league with no avail. Not be discouraged {I'm no quitter} I tried again this year, resending my email with a follow up summarizing my league accomplishment's last year {3 leagues, 3 championships}. Still, no response. And with 1 spot left in the 16 team All-Woman's League I need to get creative. So here we are, a dedicated blog post.

{Yes, that's Bengal's coach Marvin Lewis. I am a fan.}

So if you've read through all of that and you'd like support my efforts to be named to the LAST SPOT in The 00610's First All-Woman's League -- please send encouraging words, thoughts, or hell peer pressure out to Matthew Berry via twitter or instagram. Be sure to include me {@lizurso} so I can send lots of praise and virtual hugs! :)

// End rant

Scarf Season

Tee & Scarf: Banana Republic • Jeans: Madewell• Bag: H&M • Shoes: Franco Sarto

Is it safe to say we've officially hit scarf season? 

Rest assured, I'm sure we'll get another round of 90 degree weather here in Ohio, but the meantime I fully plan on celebrating the return of scarf season. Yes, celebrate. If it's wrong to throw a party in the fall for the return of your scarves, I don't want to be right.