Much like wearing red can elevate an outfit to Christmas attire if you so choose, I like tan (or camel, or nude – whatever you want to call it) for Thanksgiving. It mixes so well with different tones and looks very autumnal. I mixed some tan pieces with other colors and neutrals below in a variety of “comfort” levels. Hopefully you have a few similar pieces to mix and match something similar from your closet.

Tan. Wear it with black.

Wear it with green.

Wear it with gray.

Wear it with red.

Starting September 7th, I won’t even have to advocate for Zara to open in Seattle… after all, shopping from home in your pj’s can be so much better sometimes.

Here are pieces I’m eying from the website now (won’t be shoppable until next month).

Oooh I can’t wait to shop for fall clothes! Anything at Zara catch your eye? Or do you already have a store in your town and aren’t excited about the online shopping?

I’m thinking the scarf would be cute in your hair..

Tie up the top a bit and define your waist with his belt.

Or keep it simple and comfortable with only a stand-out ring for embellishment.

Imagine this look with the front of the top tucked in. Love the mix of brights. Add a sleek nude clutch and you’re ready for a date or drinks with the girls.

Brights by maggierose featuring long sleeve blouses

A soft look to take to the office or your boyfriend’s sister’s wedding. With an outfit made up of neutrals and pastels, you can get away with a bold rosy coral lip. Bonus: diagonal stripes are super slimming.

Neutrals by maggierose featuring leather ballet flats

And for running about town, picking up groceries and sneaking in an ice cream cone, lightweight and easy is the way to go!

Easy breezy by maggierose featuring zipper shoes

Which one is your favorite?

girlishly by maggierose featuring wet seal shoes

Sparkle tee by maggierose featuring metal cuff bracelets

nude sparkle by maggierose featuring an elizabeth and james blazer

So when Shabby Apple contacted me about doing a giveaway of one of their charming dresses, I knew it would be the perfect way to say thanks to my readers for stickin it out through 600 posts! And here’s to another 600! Let’s toast, shall we?

Wouldn’t you be cute clinking glasses of champagne while wearing this little number?

Of course, not only could you wear it out with the girls for drinks, but it would make a lovely dinner date outfit (add sexy red stilettos) or even pass at the office (with a pretty cardigan and mary jane heels). The dress is $94, but one of you will get it for F R E E courtesy of the charming folks at Shabby Apple!

How to enter:

1. Live in the U.S. (sorry everyone else! Can only ship to U.S. addresses)

2. “Like” Shabby Apple on facebook (they’ll be offering exclusive discounts and offers and you don’t want to miss out!)

3. Leave a comment on this post WITH an email address (either in the body of the comment, or make sure you include it when you put in your “posting-as” name). Entries without an email address are not eligible to win!

4. Leave a second (or third!) comment if you also tweet or post about the giveaway on your blog. Please include a link to your twitter or blog so we can be friends! Again, leave your email address.

I’ll announce the winner on Monday! Contest closes Sunday at midnight Pacific time.

Psst! Don’t want to wait to find out if you won? Maggie Rose readers get a 10% discount on any Shabby Apple purchase using this code: maggierose10off. They also have a really cute maternity line, plus accessories and clothing for kids!

Entries are now closed! Thank you.

If you’re going out to a glam Christmas Eve dinner, you’ll want to wear this (with black tights if you’re somewhere cold!):

Cranberry Dress by maggierose featuring art deco jewelry

If sitting around the tree drinking hot cocoa is as lively as your holiday gets, a cozy sweater and pale neutrals may be the way to go:

Fair Isle by maggierose featuring faded jeans

For something festive but not fussy, I love this spin on classics – a little modern Audrey won’t lead you astray!

New classic by maggierose featuring roll neck sweaters

Even though we’re on a tight budget, I’m still day-dreaming about adding new pieces to my fall wardrobe. I thought I’d share some of my browsing favorites here  – maybe one of you can spring for these easier than I can! Warning: not all small-budget friendly.

1. Army green tunic, Urban Outfitters. I’d pair it with skinny blank pants and to-the-knee boots.

2. Polka-dot dress, Madewell. So cute with oxford heels and tights. I’d throw on the sweater from #10 and cinch it with a wide brown belt.

3. Brass necklace, Dores. The perfect delicate touch to any fall outfit.

4. Jeans, Ann Taylor LOFT. I like my jeans with a straight-leg and really dark.

5. Cozy cardigan, Madewell. Perfect for going apple picking and going Halloween costume shopping.

6. Gray Toms, Nordstrom. I’ve been wanting a pair for a while and I hear they are SO comfortable.

7. Leather and brass bracelet, Madewell. Edgy enough to be almost menswear but fitted for a woman.

8. Dress, Modcloth. Can’t you see this with red lipstick and cute red flats?

9. Blazer, Emersonmade. Emerson can do no wrong, in my book. Leather buttons – I die.

10. Drapey cardigan, Gap. The perfect transitional piece for the office.

11. Desert shoes, Piperlime. I know, they’re weird looking. But kind of sexy in a forlorn poet way. And so unexpected with dresses.

12. Green Hunter rain boots, Nordstrom. This may be the only thing I actually splurge on for this fall, but hey, I live in Seattle.

Happy shopping! What is on your list this fall?

But a wardrobe they do not make.

I have a mishmash of gift cards to use on some spring/summer clothes but I want to be really careful about how I’m spending my limited funds.  So where else to start but with some lovely inspiration photos?

(The gal on the right)

Common threads:

1. Dresses, usually  lightweight and not too formfitting.

2. Linen (much like my obsession in interiors)

3. Leather belts

4. Shoes are all over, from pumps to statement heels to gladiator sandals. Much like my closet.

5. Big bags. I’ll always be a fan.

Photos from: Sartorialist (first three), 100*inspirations via People, Go Fug Yourself.

While we don’t exactly have a huge budget for spring or summer wardrobe this year (mostly just gift cards I’ve been saving carefully from Christmas), I can’t wait to pick up a few items and mix and match them with my warm-weather clothes that have been tucked away all winter. I think that’s my favorite part of putting away seasonal clothes — all of a sudden I have “new” things to wear! For spring while it’s still a little chilly, I’m envisioning a look like this one. Simple basics with metallic flats and some color on my nails and in my bag. A cute haircut and pretty earrings go a long way too!

If you’re longing for some spring duds but are low on cash (or you just don’t know where to start), I’d definitely snag a copy of my pal Jill’s new ebook, the Spring 2010 looks:book. For only $4 she lists wearable spring trends (with examples and sources!) and even mixes and matches them into fresh new outfits to get the most bang for your buck. Even if you only have the cash for a few new pieces, you’ll get great ideas for how to mix them into your existing wardrobe. I bought mine, and you’ll be seeing me sporting some of my new looks soon!

What trend (or old fave) are you looking forward to now that the weather is warming up?