I can't complain. Winter wasn't too bad this year. We only had a few snowstorms and the temperatures were tolerable. But still, I am sick of boots and winter coats! Bring on the sunshine and sandals please!

If you follow me on social media, you'll know that I was supposed to take a trip to Charleston, SC last week with another couple. But life being life, it didn't end up well. We drove and got as far as Richmond, VA when our friend started with a 103.7 fever (yikes!). Because we were all highly exposed, we decided to turn around and come home the next day. The good news is that we took out trip insurance (highly recommend!), but the bad news is that we didn't get the vacation that we had planned and looked forward to for months. Plus, this would have been my first big trip in four years. I was planning on celebrating the end of chemo in a BIG way. 

In preparation for the trip, of course I did some spring clothes shopping. Although I won't be wearing these pieces in Charleston, I now have some fabulous outfits for the warmer weather that will also work well for future trips.

I tried to choose pieces that were lightweight, would mix and match, go from day to night, and didn't wrinkle. I'm typically an over-packer, so my goal was to ONLY take what I needed. Needless to say, it was an epic fail because at the last minute I started throwing more clothes and shoes in my suitcase. Next time I'll do better....maybe. 😉

And these two amazing Clara Sunwoo pieces. The jumpsuit above is SOOOO comfy as is the cocoon dress below. As with all Clara Sunwoo pieces, do not size up as they're roomy!

Code fashionista for 10% off site-wide at Clara Sunwoo.

I hope that we can reschedule our Charleston trip soon. After all, I have the outfits all set!

Are you traveling anytime soon?

Hope you'll follow me on Instagram and Facebook and sign up to receive my newsletter and blog (don't worry, I won't bombard you!).

Thanks for stopping by.

xx Susan

Links may generate a small commission.  However, I only promote what I love.

Remember that ad "Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't"?  Hint...it was for a candy bar.

Well, sometimes you feel like a winter coat, and sometimes you don't! This long hooded cardigan is super warm and just perfect for days when I don't feel like wearing a heavy coat.  

Franne Golde is a gorgeous clothing line that I recently discovered.  They gifted me a few pieces, including this fabulous St. Moritz Hooded Cardi. It's warm, cozy, comes in lots of colors, and is super stylish! 

One of my favorite color combos is black and oatmeal. It's so rich and chic! I paired the cardi with black faux leather leggings, a black cashmere sweater,(a turtleneck would be fabulous too) and animal print booties. It would also look great with chunky knee-high boots too!  

Similar cross-body bag similar here

Large sunnies

Gloves (on sale for $24,99)

I REALLY love this cardi and will be wearing all the time. And did I tell you that it has a hood?

PLUS, code FASHIONISTA will get you 15% off your entire order. Limit one use per customer.

So check out Franne Golde! This gorgeous line was founded by women and is run by women. They make getting dressed the simplest part of your day! 

See you soon.

xx Susan 

 Links in this post may generate a commission, but please know that I only post what I love!

OK, I'm just going to say it.  This jacket is worth EVERY penny!  I'm so in love with the Cotes of London Devon 2-1 Down Jacket.  And by the way,  code Susan30 will get you $30 off all orders over $100! 

Here's why this jacket is SO fabulous! 

Option #2 for warmth!

I'm a huge Cotes of London fan and also adore this Elton Long Down Shirt too...so much so, that I have it in black and latte!  This "shirt" is also a jacket and when layered with a sweater, it's super warm! It's also extremely lightweight and is prefect for travel (you can even stuff it in a tote bag!). 

 Links in this post generate a small commission, but please know that I only post what I love.

First of all, thank you for all the well wishes.  I've been running fevers for the past three weeks on and off and feel pretty horrible.  I'm waiting to see an infectious disease doctor at Dana Farber, but it's taking longer to get in than I had hoped.  More to come.

In between fevers, I squeezed in some photos and videos.  It's amazing how getting a little dressed up always makes me feel better!

First, let me say that not all joggers are created equal.  I am super picky about the length, cut, and fabric.  So when I tell you that these joggers are PERFECT, I really mean it!  They work with just about every shoe from sneakers to boots and heels. The fabric is yummy---so soft and the perfect weight! And I love the space dyed material that's a bit different from solid black. The slim fit is super flattering too! Plus they come in several colors if you don't want black (one of each please!). Worth every penny!

Shop the joggers HERE.

This jacket is also fabulous. With faux leather sleeves and an open front, it can go from day to night in a flash and the longer length gives great tush coverage with leggings.  It also comes in black and is on major sale!

  Shop the jacket HERE.

Next up, I paired the joggers with this faux suede shacket. I love it so much that I have it in white too!

Shop the shacket here.

But I'm not done yet! Watch this video to see at all of the ways I styled these amazing joggers!

Links in this post may generate a small commission.  But please know that I only post what I love!  

This is an important PSA. DO NOT PUT AWAY YOUR SUMMER CLOTHES YET!

Seriously, sleeveless dresses, tanks, and even capris can all be transitioned so easily to fall! Just add some layers.

I love this dress and code CEFASHIONISTA for 40% off the site! I own it in black but the white is gorgeous for fall too! 

Here's another similar dress

Boots  here  here and   here

Jacket  and here

Handbag gold   --love this one too,

Handbag tan  and here 

Let me know if you try this--it's so simple and can maximize your wardrobe!

xx Susan

 Some of the links in this blog may generate a small commission, but know that I only post what I love!

Even though the weather is still warm here in Boston, the temps will soon be dropping. I love the fall, but I don't love what comes next.  Winter is tough for me, especially since I'll most likely be in treatment starting in November. Stay positive Susan...

But I DO love fall clothes almost as much as apple picking, pumpkins, and hay rides. And regardless of what the trends are, you simply cannot go wrong with a fabulous tweed jacket to pair with just about everything from jeans to a dress.  I got this one last year from Chico's and wore it quite a few times... even with joggers!

Shop here. 

Links in this post generate a small commission, but please know that I only post what I love. 

The older I get, the more I want my clothes to be comfortable.  I love soft fabrics that move with me and pieces that are versatile. That's why I'm a huge fan of Cozy Earth.  And right now code CEFASHIONISTA will get you 40% off!

I discovered Cozy Earth a while back and I'm addicted to everything they make. From bedding, to clothing and loungewear, to towels, the entire line is nothing short of amazing!  The viscose fabric is made from bamboo, which wicks away moisture and regulates temperature. And everything is durable and machine washable. I have Cozy Earth jogger suits that have been through the wash zillions of times and NOT one pill! They actually still look brand new even thought they're a few years old! And last but not least, all products are ethically made.

Check out how I styled this Cozy Earth tee and joggers, taking it from casual to polished with just a jacket and belt!  Tee here and joggers here.  I also own the matching pullover that I pair with the joggers--here. 

Here's what I own and love besides the jogger suit above.

Ribbed Knits

This skirt and tank are incredibly and can be worn right into the colder weather with boots and a jacket or sweater. Shop the skirt here and tank here. 

Bedding

The Cozy Earth comforter and sheets are nothing short of INCREDIBLE.  The sheets are so soft and cool to the touch. The comforter is the perfect weight for hot sleepers like me, but my cold sleeper husband Richard loves it too.  Plus it looks so pretty on our bed. 

I had lots of fun tossing our old towels and replacing them with huge fluffy Cozy Earth towels.  Their oversized bathmat is equally as fabulous! 

Although Cozy Earth isn't inexpensive, the quality is superb and with code CEFASHIONISTA you can take 40% off your order! You get what you pay for. Can you tell I love this line? 

Denim jacket

Sneakers

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

xx Susan

Some links in this blog may generate a very small commission, but I only post what I love.

Ever have one of those months when everything possible could go wrong? Why does the hard stuff always have to come in bundles? Sometimes it feels like the walls are tumbling down around me.

This was August.  

My Instagram account was taken down unfairly. Since you can't reach anyone directly at IG and messages go into a big dark black hole, my only hope was to hire a consultant to help me get it back. He's working on it, but after two weeks, I'm still without an account.  Seven years of hard work and a following of 34,000+  grown honestly, organically, and authentically has disappeared into thin air. Poof. 

If you follow me on "the Gram", you'll know that in addition to style and beauty inspiration, I use my account to generate donations and visibility for Uncommon Threads, the nonprofit I founded that supports low-income women.  I also raise awareness about Kicking Cancer in Heels, a social media community of hope for women impacted by cancer.  Losing my IG account feels quite wrong and downright outrageous.  Saga to continue. 

I visited my 97 year old uncle and 90 year old aunt who I haven't seen in a year. My uncle has been like a second father to me and it was heartbreaking to see him failing.  

I got the news that treatment for my leukemia will start in November. After being in watch and wait for four years, it's time.  As much as I've tried to prepare myself, I'm still anxious and quite nervous. I'm someone who doesn't even take a Tylenol for a headache!

Let's kick cancer together in this sparkly tee from @2dye4nyc with 10% of proceeds benefitting The American Cancer Society. Order by emailing Alyse at alyse120@gmail.com

Having said this, I really do try to stay positive.  I work remotely for Uncommon Threads doing things behind the scenes that make me feel connected.  I've seen family and friends for outdoor visits (thank goodness for warm weather!), and Richard and I have escaped to Vermont several times.  My daughter Alyssa and I even took Penny to Storyland (safely of course). 

Similar dress here. Penny's was handmade :)

Richard and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary at the Barnard Inn in Vermont. It was amazing! Cheers to the good times!

Vermont is my happy place! Shop the jumpsuit here. It feels like pjs!  Reasonably priced too.

I wore this jumpsuit to dinner  in Woodstock, VT. I love how I can dress it up or down.  It's on sale--highly recommend!  Sandals here.

Some of the links in this post generate a small commission, but please know that I only post what I love. I couldn't do it any other way! 

The temps are HOT here in Boston and I'm loving it!  Everything improves in the nice weather including my health, social life, and mental health...not to mention my Vitamin D level has increased!

Because my lifestyle has become so casual, I wear a lot of pieces on repeat.  Here's are my recommendations for simple chic pieces to beat the heat without compromising style. 

A white dress

A lightweight jumpsuit

This jumpsuit is SO comfortable that it feels like pjs. Seriously! The fabric is lightweight and cool.  Throw a jacket over it for a bit more coverage, or a tee or sweatshirt to make it look like pants!  

Shop here.  Under $60 and lots of other patterns and colors too.  Additional jumpsuits here and here (on sale)

Hat  Mine is old but I love this one! 

Sunnies  On sale for under $20!

Sandals (same brand very similar and on sale!)

A little black dress 

This is the dress that you can dress up or down and will wear on repeat.

Here are some of my favorites:

Here

Here

Here

Straw bag

Leather bags just don't say "summer"! The bag shown above is sold out but here are some fabulous options. 

Here

Here

Here

Comfy and stylish sandals

Comfort is a MUST as I get older. I just can't tolerate unhappy feet.  Here are some ideas for you.

HERE (wearing them above)

HERE

HERE  I own them and they are so soft and comfy. They do run big though so go down a half size! 

White jeans

One of my favorite styles this season is a kick flare! You can wear any type of shoe with them I love the summery cropped length. 

Here

Here 

Here

The TEE!

Stock up--you need a drawer full!

I love these.

Fun sleeves here

Plain tee here

Graphic tee here

AND check out these AMAZING sparkly tees from 2Dye4NYC  that give back! 10% is donated to the charities below. 

These are custom made and come in several colors as well as v-neck and crew-neck styles.

Email the fabulous Alyse to order alyse120@gmail.com

The sparkle truly can't be captured on camera!

💕To support cancer research,  check out this Kicking Cancer in Heels tee! I started Kicking Cancer in Heels (on FB and IG) with Michele Nadeem Baker to inspire, support, and provide resources to women impacted by cancer.  This tee makes a great gift for someone who has been diagnosed or maybe for you to show your support! 10% of all sales will go to The American Cancer Society.