Breaking Fashion Rules & A Giveaway!

Cardigan & Khakis: JCPenney | Chambray & Purse: Target | Shoes: Sperry | Belt: Unknown

Modern Pearls Necklace: Boutique la Passerelle | CLO Necklace: My Monogram Necklace

While putting this outfit together, I originally had white pants set out to go with it and then I remembered it was after Labor Day and there is some dumb "rule" that you're not supposed to wear white after Labor Day. Blah. Blah. Blah. I don't care. I opted for these pants instead though because, while I hate khakis, I knew I'd be wearing this outfit outside and I didn't want to get my white pants dirty, but don't actually care about these guys.

Enough about that, on to the giveaway! This beautiful necklace was gifted to me by My Monogram Necklace and you have a chance to win an item from their collection, of your choice, for yourself! I'm in love with this necklace. Although I added an extender to mine, I'm sure that most of you wouldn't because it comes at a great length, I'm just weird and don't really like anything close to my neck. I had a hard time choosing which piece from the collection that I wanted because I could see so many of their pieces fitting in well with my wardrobe and other jewelry, but decided to go with this piece because it seemed the most classic. I've always been a fan of monograms and love that it's been on trend for awhile recently, so this comes to you guys at just the right time. Good luck!

*Since writing this post, I have been asked a lot about why my initials are in the "wrong order" typically with monograms, the last name letter is the largest and in the middle. Personally, I think that order is weird if the monogram is for one person, though I think that order makes sense if it's for a married couple. So since this is a 'just me' necklace, I asked this to be the order...also, when I sign my name, I always put a big fancy L for my middle name, Lee, so this is very much my style. You are welcome to order your initials in whatever order you choose if you win the giveaway.*

This is a sponsored post I received this necklace as a gift, but all opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fashion Forward Fridays: Boutique la Passerelle

Hey there fashion-lovers. I remember posting a while back that I wanted to feature some of the boutiques in Pittsburgh for Fashion Forward Fridays and haven't done so yet. Today seems like the perfect day to start, since it's still a bit colder in the 'burgh, making it harder to find some fabulous street style since everyone is still bundled up. So, to start off our journey through boutiques, let's start downtown. Naturally, since I live here and am obsessed with this part of the city. We are off to look in to Boutique la Passerelle.

Boutique la Passerelle grand opening: picture by Abby Neely for The Globe

Pittsburgh Gift Guide: For Her

Well you last minute shoppers, I have your solution. If you are right here in Pittsburgh, there are plenty of shops and stores you can easily pop in to and grab some last minute items, or that you can order from them online. So in the spirit of encouraging you to buy local, today I am featuring gift guides that you are welcome to use for your girlfriend, sister or mom and tomorrow I will feature gift guides for your boyfriend, brother or dad. And all of these items are found at shops located right here in Pittsburgh. I tried to stay away from the big name stores that are in town too so you can get a perfect and unique gift for the last people you need to check off your lists. And those of you who think you'll be able to figure out what you're getting from me by looking at these lists, think again! This year I did an ALL handmade Christmas, so nothing here is something you will unwrap. Good try though! And for these Pittsburgh gift guides, as it should be always...ladies first...

For your girlfriend...

#1 Chandelier Earrings from Jupe Boutique | #2 Tickets for two for an upcoming show at the Benedum  

#3 Leather Jacket from Figleaf | #4 Lips Mug from Andy Warhol Museum 

#5 Emerald Green, One Shoulder Dress from ModCloth   

 #6 LOVE Typewriter Necklace from Boutique 208 by juNxtaposition

For your sister...

 #1 Marilyn Monroe from Andy Warhol Museum | #2 Pittsburgh Painting Poster by Johno's Art Studio

#3 Peacock iPhone Cover from ModCloth | #4 Pittsburgh Neighborhood T-Shirt from Neighborhood Teaze

#5 Ugg Slippers from Littles Shoes

For your mama...

 #1 Laser Cutout Handbag from Serendipity | #2 Woodcut Painting from Tugboat Printshop

#3 Unique Necklace from Boutique la Passerelle | #4 Candle from Pittsburgh Candle Company

#5 Spa Giftcard from any Pittsburgh-based Spa

Happy Shopping! Hopefully this little guide - and tomorrow's guide for the men on your list - will help you pick the perfect gifts from some of the great shops we have right here in Pittsburgh!

Politically Fashionable

If you are reading this in America, after doing so, if you have not already, you should go vote for our next President, and for your own local and state officials. If you are reading this in another country, you're welcome to just focus on the fashion.

Today was a big day. I say this before the election results are announced because I'm talking about me personally. Today was the first time I (and my brother) were able to vote....in person. In the last election, we were away at different colleges, Seton Hill and Mount Union, without a way to get back home to vote where we were registered so the absentee was all we could do. But now, both of us are in Pittsburgh earning our masters degrees and our small home town of Ellwood City is just a little skip (or about an hour drive) north of the city. We also knew we would be bought lunch at a favorite local diner by our dad if we went to vote with him. (Thanks, Father!) And it's always nice to take a break from the city, even if it's just a couple hours.

Here's the real reason for posting. My outfit. For awhile now I have to pining over the thought of being strictly a fashion blogger and with the encouragement from some friends, I think I'm going to add more of my fashion in to Chels & the City, but I could never take out "the City" part of my blog. But here goes on my first outfit post. It was very election-inspired. I had first planned to wear my red jeans, but them just seemed too loud to be wearing around the baby city of Ellwood that I was walking around in.

Outside "my polling place."  Plaid Blazer: Target | Dark wash skinny jeans: New York & Company | Boots: Voltage 

 

 

 

Mix of bracelets. Top two bracelets: Burlington Coat Factory | Hope bracelet: Maurices

I voted sticker! Necklace: Boutique la Passerelle |  Puppy Shirt: Old Navy | Belt: Unknown

And again, I hope you did vote because it's not your American right, it's your duty. People fought long and hard for us to be allowed to speak our minds and have our votes count. Being an American is a privilege. Remember that when you think you're making a statement or personal protest by not voting.