spring showers

As the saying goes, April showers are supposed to bring May flowers, but it's the first day of the month, and the weather is still wet outside. I'm one of those people who loves Spring and Summer rainstorms. They're sort of romantic, and you know that the sun will come out soon. I also love the opportunity to wear bright, happy, lighter rain gear. It's like bringing your own sunshine to a cloudy day. 

Barneys New York Regimental Stripe Folding Umbrella // Carven Pleated Cotton-Twill Skirt // Zoe Karssen Tee // Burberry Brit Burnt Orange Short Trench // Hunter Original Tall High Gloss Rain Boot // See by Chloé Devoré Floral Blouse // J. Crew Scalloped Short // Vince Camuto Chambray Anorak // Rag & Bone Braided Belt // Hunter Original Tall Metallic Rain Boot // Bloomingdale's Clear Bubble Umbrella

for meghan

While it's starting to feel like Spring here in D.C., other areas aren't so lucky. My sister goes to school up north and, as college students do, is starting to feel sick of her wardrobe. Unfortunately for her, though, the seasons haven't really changed, so she's pretty much stuck with the same outfits for a few more weeks. When she asked me how she could remix her closet, I thought of something she could buy that would work with her cold-weather clothes, but carry over into the Spring and even Summer.

I love the hippie-chic look of suede ankle booties. They're diverse enough to work in any weather. While it's still cold, a perfect look is skinny jeans, a silk cami and an oversized fatigue jacket. To keep the look from being too military, add a polished bag and a floral scarf. When it warms up, these boots just scream to be worn with a festival-inspired look. I can't wait to pair some with jean shorts, a boxy tank and silk kimono jacket. The look is completed with a fringe bag and friendship bracelets.

Steve Madden Pembrook Boots
Sass & Bide Out of Focus Bird Print Silk Kimono
3.1 Philip Lim Boxy Tank
Current/Elliot The Girlfriend Jean Shorts
ASOS Retro Skulls Friendship Bracelets
Carlos Santana Spirit Tour Bag
7 For All Mankind Gwenevere Skinny Jeans
Aritzia Trooper Jacket
Zadig & Voltaire Nude Camel Caraco Cami Top
Michael Kors Saddle Bag School Satchel
Epice Floral Print Scarf
ASOS Monochrome Cross Bracelets

wish i was wearing

I love the new printed pants trend that has been everywhere lately. Unfortunately, I haven't found a pair that fits me just right. The jeans seem like they should be looser and the trousers seem matronly. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect pair, though! I'm also crazy about mixing floral with animal prints. It seems outrageous, but when done right, it looks so fun and glamorous. This J. Crew bag is perfect for the seasonal transition.

I'm also happy to announce that I am officially retiring my down puffer jacket! Despite the fact that it's still pretty chilly at 4 a.m. when I get to work, I think I can swap out my winter coat for a lighter jacket. March is awesome but tricky at the same time because it's definitely not the dead of Winter anymore, but it's not full-fledged Spring. I like to ease into my warm weather wardrobe by replacing Winter staples, like gloves, boots and tights with lighter layers, such as blazers, cropped pants and bare legs, but sticking with some sweaters, tweeds and light scarves. I also mix some lighter colors, like mint (and maybe yellow!) in with the Winter standards like gray, forest green and black. In a few weeks, my closet will be fully transformed into its Spring glory.

march on

We made it! They crawled by, but the gloomiest months, January and February, are finally over! Though it's still technically winter, March is such a happier month. Did you know it's the meteorological start of spring?

I can't wait to exchange my down coat that I've been hibernating in with a lighter jacket. One snowy day last month, my boyfriend and I tried to walk one of my dogs into the city but the poor pup was so cold we had to buy him a jacket and have my sister pick us up! This is the start of walking to brunch and bright nail colors. Here in D.C., it's all about the cherry blossoms that are getting ready to bloom. I'm hoping this is the end of flurries of snow and the start of warm rain showers. If nothing else, March means that full-blown warm weather is just around the corner!

Images via Pinterest

sick and tired of being sick and tired

Lovely readers, I apologize for the lack of posts recently. As I've confessed, I'm not January's biggest fan. I wondered how the January/February blues would effect my blogging . I hoped I would be particularly inspired to write fun, creative content to escape the dreary weather. But alas, I've unfortunately just been bored, tired and down.

I spent the majority of the month fighting off exhaustion and sickness. Now, it seems to have caught up with me and all I want to do is lie in bed. My lameness isn't confined to Doux Rousse. My uniform lately has been skinny pants, flats and button-ups. I can count on one hand the times I wore one of my signature dress and blazer get-ups. I've also rocked sweats and slippers out in public way more than I'd like to admit. At least I'm making good on one of my new year's resolutions and reading more. Here's hoping that February surprises me and is more awesome than usual! And no matter what, I promise to step up my game next month!

ski bunny

Skiing is one of the few things that keeps me from hating the winter all together. Unfortunately, it's been a while since I've hit the slopes. My boyfriend and I have been talking about going skiing for a few years. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as it sounds to find a pair of size 16 ski boots. Yeah, size 16. It's an unusual affliction, having freakishly large feet. I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum with teeny, tiny 5 1/2's, but worse comes to worse, I can rock kid's footwear all day.

Luckily, the ski gods pulled through and after months of online searching and calling, we found a place that has boots up to size 17 (!!) to rent, and I am so excited to get on the mountain. Of course, I have to have the perfect outfits for my snowy excursion!

Sure, the trip is all about the skiing, but I may be as excited about the lounging and drinking and eating. I'll be wrapped up all weekend in cashmere, fur-lined boots, down and quilting. I'd do anything for this Michael Kors cashmere sweater which brings some color to winter dressing, and top it with a warm animal print scarf.

Before I get to the actual skiing outfit, let me just say, I can't believe I ever gave my parents a hard time about making me wear a helmet when I went skiing with them. At the time, I think I actually shed some tears over the injustice of such horrible headgear and hid in shame when the beautiful skiers, with their ear warmers and flurry-covered braids waltzed past me in the lodge. Now, I'm trying to dig through our garage to find my old helmet! I can't believe I gave my parents a hard time for protecting my little noggin while I was zipping down a tree-lined mountain! Anyways.... I pretty much would ski naked if I could have this Chanel skis. They're absolutely fabulous. A Stella McCartney for Adidas jacket and sporty Prada sunglasses and I'm pretty sure my chic-ness would cancel out any unfortunate headwear.

Michael Kors Ribbed Cashmere Sweater
Rag and Bone Belfast Coat
Michael Kors Belted Shearling Vest
Rag and Bone Skinny Leg Jeans
Boutique 9 Destin Wedge
ASOS Quilted Molly Bag
Mulberry Braid-Trimmed Leather Gloves
Alice by Temperley Sand Animal Print Scarf

Vince Ski Pants
J. Crew Cambridge Cableknit Turtleneck Sweater
Parajumpers The Bear Black Down Vest
Adidad by Stella McCartney Quilted Ski Jacket
Prada Linea Rossa Sunglasses
Kate Spade Bow Ski Hat
Isotoner Gloves
Lange Exclusive 80 FR Ski Boots
Chanel Sport Signature Skis

darling dots

For a while there, it seemed like every celebrity was wearing the Spotted Snowfall sweater from Madewell. The soft angora pullover has the perfect fit and adds a fun pattern to cold-weather dressing.

It was only a matter of time before similar sweaters came out at different price points. What I'm surprised about is how lovely the more expensive and cheaper sweaters are.

The Chinti and Parker sweater has white polka dots instead of blue and has a slightly higher neckline. It's 100% cashmere and is much pricier, at $560 than the $85 Madewell sweater.

Old Navy has a knockoff of the Madewell sweater that I think is on the money. It has the same wider crewneck and three-quarter length sleeves. It has white dots instead of the blue, but it has pretty much the exact same look as the Madewell version. Unlike the original, it's 100% cotton. The only qualm I would have with this sweater is that the look might change if it's much flimsier than the Madewell one.

knee jerk reaction

I already alluded to my attraction to over-the-knee socks with knee high boots when I thought about wearing them with a plaid mini.

The latest trend I've been noticing, and loving, is high boots with higher socks over jeans, pants, leggings or tights. It's a cool way to layer without adding bulk or being uncomfortable. I think the outdoorsy/preppy look is darling and it's practical for the cold weather.

The easiest way to emulate this look seems to be gray socks with brown riding boots. I also love the more risky versions, like black boots and pants with white or gray socks, mixing in colorful Hunter boots and playing with neutrals.

he drinks a whiskey drink, he drinks a vodka drink

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, but for many, tonight is the big night. These cocktails may be a little heavy for a November night of drinking, but how delicious do they look?

The Jack Daniels slushie, featured on Sweet Peach Blog, is from Victory Sandwich Bar in Atlanta, Georgia. The vodka rootbeer float, on Creative Culinary, comes from Laau's Taco Shop in Boulder, Colorado. Liquor-inspired road trip, anyone? I can see it now: The Booze Crusade.

I'm salivating over these cold concoctions. Out of all the frozen Thanksgiving drinks out there, this pumpkin pie milkshake may be my favorite and I think I may have to spike it. What liquor do you think would go best with it? Whipped cream vodka? A splash of bourbon? Mmmm.

semi-formal thanksgiving

For me, Thanksgiving isn't a time for messing around. All that delicious food? And those drinks? I don't need something silly like clothes getting in the way of my feasting. At my house, it's not formal, but dressing up is encouraged. Especially since my parents host everyone, I have to adhere to stricter guidelines (read: I'm more prone to disapproving glances).

There are tons of jeans-based outfits that would be appropriate, but tight waistbands and fitted shapes are not what I'm looking for. A-line dresses, slouchy sweaters and boyfriend trousers are right up my alley. And, since I'll be in the kitchen "helping" (or sampling... whatever), and will inevitably gain five lbs. at the table, dark colors work better. It's easy to punch up with vibrant accessories.

it's the freakin' weekend

How delicious does this apple cider margarita look? I'm never one to turn down tequila. I'm loving How Sweet Eats for making my favorite drink appropriate for fall. Hope you're enjoying (and imbibing) this weekend!

girl crush: taylor thomasi hill

Taylor Thomas Hill has been a girl crush of mine for a while. I thought it was appropriate to feature her now because she just announced her move from her position as accessories director at Marie Claire to a job as art director at online retailer Moda Operandi. The website was founded by a former Vogue editor and former Gilt Groupe executive. Apparently her new job will involve creating magazine-like displays, a.k.a. eye candy, to entice and inspire shoppers.

Taylor is no stranger to inspiring style images. This rousse is undoubtedly one of the biggest street style superstars. Pictures of Thomasi Hill during fashion week are often just as trendsetting as the runway looks.

There are a plethora of pictures of this fashion goddess, so I decided to focus on her cold weather styles. Black and gray are her go-to colors when the temps get chilly, but she never looks drab or boring. She incorporates pops of color and fabulous prints such as snake, leopard, native American-inspired and even Fair Isle. She spices up her looks with interesting textures and lots of leather and fur. In fact, there's a surprising amount of sweatshirts in her fashion arsenal. It's a flawless example of incorporating casual edginess with high fashion. It's also nice to see another fashion icon who's not afraid to re-wear pieces. Her fringe skirt always looks new with different tops and, of course, accessories.

pippa's new coat

I'm not sure where I stand on the whole Pippa Middleton thing. Yes, she looked amazing at the royal wedding, and I became obsessed like everyone else. However, as I've followed her style, sometimes I'm blown away, and other times I kind of find her look boring and uninspired. For example, I hate her taste in heels. She's got a mean collection of flats, but I've never seen her in a pair of pumps or wedges that I've liked. And I mean, sometimes, I feel like she should use Kate's royal seamstress (which you know she has, because Kate's so tiny and her clothes always fit impeccably) to hike up a hem or take in a waist.

The one thing I can't deny is Pippa's collection of coats and jackets. Maybe it's because London is cold the majority of the year, but she really nails outerwear. This coat just may be my favorite coat that I've seen Pippa wear. It will undoubtedly pop up all over the web within the next few hours and then be in high demand wherever it's retailing. There's a good chance it's Pippa's beloved Zara, although I couldn't find it on their website.

To top off the chic army green toggle coat, she has an adorable bag, which I've also never seen before. Kudos to Pippa for switching it up! I'm stumped at the leggings though. Maybe if the jacket was a few inches longer. And I still don't like the mid-length stacked heel booties.

singing in the rain

These wellies from Evedon have me wishing for a rainy day. I'm always thinking of ways to perk up my rainy day wardrobe, whether it be with fun raincoats, printed umbrellas or a pair of duck boots. These are so girly with a hint of prep and would make stomping through puddles much less depressing.

I love the different color combinations. The red is classic, the purple is fun and different and the navy pair combines two trends I've had my eye on recently: marigold and bows.

These boots could actually make a great DIY. My current rainboots are leopard print. Imagine how cute they would be with a big, black bow. Or even a neon one! I have a feeling I could make a great pair with some Target rainboots, a leather hole punch and a thick yard of ribbon. Come to think of it, that could be a great, personalized gift. Stay tuned...