Today is court + hudson’s last post. I have sat down to write these words about a dozen times and I’m still not sure I have it right. However, I have spent a good deal of time toying with this decision and if it was the right one for me. And for now, it is. I started this blog as a means to explore, to learn, to share, but mostly to inspire and feel inspired. I wanted to share bits of style – fashion, food, décor – and I wanted to inspire others to build a stylish and creative life, whatever that meant to them.

With those intentions in mind, I have realized that my mission and my content have been feeling disconnected for some time. And maybe even larger than that, where do I belong and where do I want to belong? The truth: I don’t want to be a fashion blogger. I look at my outfit posts and ask myself, what am I achieving by posting these? I cannot find a response that makes me find the validation I am looking for. Am I inspiring anyone? Maybe. (Hi mom!) Am I inspiring myself? No.

Now, by no means do I say this to offend anyone. I love fashion blogs. I follow a slew of them religiously and look to them as sources of inspiration for my own life. I also love what fashion bloggers have done for this industry – yes, the good, the bad and even the ugly, the term “fashion” has become something that everyone can translate, not just those of a certain circle. The direction and the impact of the fashion blogging community will only continue to evolve, and that is an extremely exciting thing for a fashion lover. That said,  I also don’t want to be a food blogger or a DIY blogger or a décor blogger, so where does that leave me? That is ultimately what I hope to figure out over the coming months. Yes, I still want to share, explore and experience all of those things, just in a different capacity.

For now, that means taking a step back. To allow myself to feel inspired again, rather than pressured to keep up. To go to the gym after work followed by dinner with friends, or to take the long way home, instead of worrying about putting up a post. To go out and try new things (French classes! Crossfit! Entertaining!) and see where they take me. To start living my life with no other intention than simply being present.

And eventually, I may return to this community. No longer as court + hudson, but definitely with stories to share, a fresh perspective and a clearer focus on building that fabulously creative life.

So to my very first reader, to the first person to leave a comment and to my first blogger friend, thank you. For seeing something in what I was sharing to stick around, say hi and wanting to learn more about me. It is because of you that I have continued to share and have been lucky enough to be afforded opportunities that would have never existed without this space which I have come back to for these past three years.

If you need to reach me, you know where you can find me (here, here, here and here!)

Twenty Thirteen. There is something incredibly optimistic about the prospect of a new year – a chance to do better, be better, and simply – just be. I know there are those who think that ringing in a new year is incredibly overhyped, but why is it such a horrible thing to give yourself the opportunity to pivot and move in a fresh direction?

I for one find the start of this new year to be one with a huge dose of potential, and of perspective. In all honesty, 2012 was full of transition, which left me asking a lot of questions about what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. Did I figure everything out?

Of course not. But I have landed on a few goals, a few good intentions and a few hopeful changes for this new year. While I am not yet ready to dive in to each of them, I do know that this year will be more thoughtful, less rigid, healthier, lovelier and full of possibility.

So let’s open the book, find a page and begin writing.

Okay, maybe not a long winter’s nap, but I’m still in holiday mode until Monday.

I hope everyone has been enjoying their time with friends, family or simply time to themselves! Let’s pick back up next week with some fun last minute NYE soiree ideas, new year resolutions and lots more stylish living. Cheers to the last few days of 2012!

MOM | SIS | FRIEND | PAL | GRANDMA | HUSBAND | DAD | NIECE | YOU

I have a confession, until this past weekend, I had yet to start one ounce of holiday shopping. YIKES! This season I find myself completely blank when it comes to finding that perfect gift. Which I find slightly ironic given the gift guides I have spent hours putting together.

However, today’s last and final gift guide is one I can really get behind this holiday season, as it’s literally one and done. One site, one list, all wrapped up in a pretty little package, so to speak. Last Call by Neiman Marcus to the rescue!

There is something for everyone on this list and I’d like to thank Last Call by Neiman Marcus as the catalyst that has helped me over my holiday gift giving hump! Please tell me I’m not the only one starting to scramble when it comes to picking the perfect present?

Already done with your holiday shopping but thinking it might be necessary to score a few presents for yourself? Well you are in luck. Lucky Magazine has teamed up with Last Call by Neiman Marcus to give one lucky gal (or guy!) a spree for $1,000 to scoop up those pre-holiday necessities. I want in!

Do you have those people in your life that you are somewhat terrified to buy a gift for because they return EVERYTHING? You sort of cringe as you push the box in their direction as you know you’ll be met with some sort of insincere “Wow, thaaaanks” as they unwrap the package.

Well, say hello to what may very well be your new best friend when it comes to gift giving, WANTFUL. You enter your pricepoint, a few basic inputs about who and what you are gifting for and away you go. You then get to go shopping and select your top twelve picks for your lucky recipient. The best part, WANTFUL does the tough work for you. They compile everything into a gorgeous printed book, ship it off to the giftee and then let them pick the item they love the most. It takes the pressure off of you to pick THE perfect item and allows the recipient to have some fun figuring out which is the lucky one. I LOVE it!

The best part? Well, there are a few. First of all, whomever does the buying over at WANTFUL has impeccable taste – the items are all impossibly cool and very unique. Second, starting today through Monday, they are offering free overnight shipping on all WANTFUL giftbook orders of $100+. Get your order in by Monday to have the giftbook come in time for Christmas! (I may have ordered one of my own for a lucky mister!)

But the very best part? We’re going to create our own little Wantful experience right here on c+h. That’s right, the team over at Wantful is graciously giving away one of the above items I personally selected as a gift to one c+h reader*. You pick the piece you love the most!

How do you enter?
1. Head over to Wantful’s Facebook page and give them some love (aka LIKE them!)
2. Leave a comment below with what piece of the above you would choose if you won.

That’s it! A winner will be chosen on Thursday December 20th.

*This giveaway is open to US residents only.

My love for the statement necklace runs deep. Ask anyone who comes in contact with me on a daily basis, I tend to have some sort of large, glittering concoction around my neck. I’ll take a statement necklace over rings, earrings or bangles any day. Something about such a piece that truly lends itself to making your personal style one of a kind.

When I came across jewelry designer Elva Fields, I was immediately swooning. Taking many of her one of a kinds finds and adding them to fun and funky statement necklaces, this is a piece that is perfect for the gal who has everything.

Which do you love? Now I don’t want to play favorites, but Wait My Turn is pretty major. But so is Inherit Your Calling. Oh, who says you need to pick?

Woah it’s been quite a few weeks. Between moving, home improvement and life in general, blogging has been taking the backburner. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been having all kinds of fun – sanding, unpacking boxes, and trying to fit in a few moments with friends to celebrate the season.

Speaking of which, while we might not be entertaining any guests in the near future, I have been busy thinking up some fun dishes and cocktails for last minute soirees.

Enter my new best friend, the sodastream source – designed by Yves Béhar. When I tell you I was a little excited when sodastream asked if I’d be interested in testing one out, I would be lying. This has literally become the most beloved appliance in our kitchen. It takes five seconds to go from boring tap water to fizzy fun water. And with extracts such as lemon-lime, raspberry and orange I can have lightly flavored water whenever I want. What can I say, life is more fun with bubbles in your water!

We’ve experimented with sparkling water, soda, and flavored water but I thought I might kick it up a notch and try a sparkling cocktail.

So I whipped this holiday-inspired cocktail up with the inch of available counter space that currently exists in my under-construction kitchen.

Pomegranate Tangerine Twist
1/2 cup pomegranate juice (squeeze your own or use POM)
1/3 cup tangerine juice
5 ounces white tequila
1/2 cup sparkling soda water (I infused my sodastream water with some orange essence as well)
Rimming sugar (infuse with a little tangerine zest)
Ice

Pour rimming sugar onto a plate or shallow dish. With a tangerine wedge rub along the rim of a glas and dip glasses upside down to coat the rim. Fill glasses with ice. In a cocktail shaker with ice, place the tequila, pomegranate juice, tangerine juice and sparkling soda water. Shake. Pour into the sugar-rimmed glasses and garnish with a tangerine wedge or a few pomegranate seeds, if desired.

Cheers!

Everyone has one, that friend who is filled with one-liners and tends to be the center of attention at any get together. So what do you get someone that doesn’t take life too seriously? A gift that has just as much personality, a little bit of sass and a whole lot of fun! So let’s fill the streets with laughter with today’s gift guide.

1. Rowboat Salad Bowl
2. When Pigs Fly Ornament 
3. People I Want to Punch In The Face Notebook
4. Hootch-Owl Corkscrew
5. Twiggy Piggy Bank
6. Mini Color TV Sticky Note
7. Colour Me Good Ryan Gosling Coloring Book 
8. Dapper ‘Staches Drink Markers
9. BYOB “Bring Your Own Bears” Gummy Bear Can
10. Facebook ‘Like’ and ‘Dislike’ Stamps
11. Acapulco Needlepoint Pillow

Hostess gifts have a special spot in my heart. I love thinking up pretty packages to bring to a sweet friend throwing a holiday soiree – or really any festive fete! While time sometimes gets the better of us and we opt for a bottle of wine, let’s step it up this holiday season and pick out some extra special finds for your party-throwing pal.

1. Rosle Pizza Wheel
2. Horn Bottle Opener
3. AERIN Artichoker Wine Stopper
4. Furbish Red Zebra Tray
5. Tory Burch Desk Calendar
6. Goodly Whale Bottle Opener
7. Gold Scale Tumblers
8. Gopala Floor Pillow
9. Sooty Tail Multi Red Pillows 
10. Gold Pebbled Bowl
11. SodaStream Source
12. Bubbled Beverage Dispenser
13. Nudo Trio of Chocolate Crema

When it comes to the lady in your life (wife, sister, mother, aunt, etc) it can be hard not to stray and pick out things you want for yourself. No harm in that, now is there? But today’s guide is dedicated to those gift-less husbands out there on the hunt for the perfect pick. Ladies, feel free to take notes – and drop subtle hints for hubs while you’re at it!

1. Lulu Frost x J.Crew bracelet
2. Kate Spade Polka Dot iPhone case
3. Grace: A Memoir
4. Frends “Layla” Rose Gold Headphones
5. Sunday Riley Juno Transformative Serum
6. Tory Burch Charlie Box Chain Necklace
7. Jayson Home Tyrol Horn Vase
8. Alejandro Ingelmo Origami Platform Booties
9. Plymouth Blanket
10. Spread the Love “Best Year Ever” Calendar
11. J.Crew Glitter Mini Overnighter
12. Marc by Marc Jacobs Belmont Mini Melly Satchel

I hope everyone had their fair share of celebration and reflection this past weekend. I know I spent some much needed time with family, doing nothing at all, which felt very special. But as we move out of one holiday and in to another, let’s take a week off and enjoy the lighter side of things to come – gift giving!

I wasn’t going to do guides this year as they are a dime a dozen these days, but they are probably my very favorite thing to put together each year so I just had to get in on the fun.

Today, we kick off with the guys. A few toys, a few more practical pieces and a whole lot of manliness.

1. Logitech Universal Home Remote
2. Crescent Odd Job Multi Tool
3. Braun Digital Stainless Steel Watch
4. Pizza Boss Circular Saw
5. HyperJuice External Battery
6. Crosley Tech Turntable
7. The Zombie Survival Guide
8. Atari Console
9. Misfit Shine Activity Tracker
10. Wallace & Barnes Donegal Wool Sweater 
11. Forage Necktie
12. Vinted “Roger” Computer Case
13. Danner Mountain Trail Left Bank
14. Keds Royal Plus High Wash Twill Sneaks

When it comes to Thanksgiving, I’m an extreme traditionalist. I like my meal to be generally the same from year to year, at least when it comes to what I consider the “staples.” For me, a turkey is great, however as I was a vegetarian for most of my life and still now do not eat that much meat I tend to gravitate towards the sides to carry most of my meal.

So today’s Impressing the Guests focuses on just that, Thanksgiving sides. Some of the traditional variety and some that have taken on a slightly more modern take from their longstanding counterparts to win your guests over.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts: You really can’t go wrong with a roasted sprout. Never did I used to be a fan of this oddly shaped vegetable, but as I learned how I liked to eat it I have become a big fan. And if you still have finicky guests, throw a little bacon on top and they’ll be raving for more.

Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce: Never a huge fan of straight cranberry sauce (especially the canned variety) I’m loving the idea of adding in handfuls of pomegranates and perhaps the juice of a few clementines. Yum!

Ricotta Mashed Potatoes: If mashed potatoes were an acceptable meal, I would eat them everyday. I love all varieties of potato, but mashed hold a special place in my heart. Add a little butter, maybe a handful of chives and a scoop of cream or cheese and I’m in heart attack heaven. But for one day, allow yourself to indulge and treat your guests to a smooth and creamy spoonful of these ricotta mashed variety.

Candied Yams: On a normal day I prefer my yams with a little brown sugar and dash of salt and pepper. But on Thanksgiving, let’s take it to the next level and make this normally healthy dish into a dessert-like treat. Just don’t look at the calorie count!

Green Bean Quinoa Casserole: Now, don’t tell my husband but I’m not a huge fan of the traditional green bean casserole. Canned beans, creamy soup and fried onions. Let’s indulge in the mash and yams and lighten things up for a bean dish that is simple and rich in protein.

Warm Dinner Rolls: A meal at our house wouldn’t be complete without a basketful of warm yeasty dinner rolls. Jon’s mom has perfected a recipe that we’ve slowly been trying to replicate, with little luck. This version takes a little over an hour for a pan full of fluffy perfection.

So are you hungry yet? What are some staples you always want at your own Thanksgiving meal?

coat: H&M | sweater: ASOS | scarf: c/o Banana Republic | pants: Gap | boots: MIA 

Thanks for all of your sweet comments last week. Sometimes the ebb and flow of the day to day tends to catch up with me – as I’m sure we can all relate.

This weekend was filled with an abundance of elbow grease, manual labor and mess as we used this weekend as our one major weekend to pack up before we move so we could take full advantage of the next as a holiday to spend as much time as possible with friends and family.

We snuck out early one morning to grab some sustenance before our long day and found this spot that felt very appropriate. Light in the front, black in the back – much like the sweater I had on. Which I must say has become a new favorite, it’s so sleek and looks much more luxe than it’s pocket-friendly price point.

Paired with a faux fur scarf (you know I love a good snood-like winter weather accessory) and a pop of cobalt, I was cozy and comfy without having to resort to going outside in my pj’s.

What are some of those pieces in your closet that you always find yourself reaching for?

Oh, and because we can’t ever take this sport too seriously, here’s an outtake for ya. My signature “CHEEEEESE” pose.

photo credit: James Nord | Highlighted Life

To put it mildly, this year has been a crazy one. When I begin to think things are calming down, something else begins bubbling up. It has certainly kept me on my toes, but as Jon heads off to his new job and we pack up one apartment and ready another, we are eager to get settled in and stay a while.

I say that now, but who knows when we’ll veer off our well worn path again.

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This weekend will be spent packing up, helping out and pulling out all of my winter woolens. This week was unexpectedly cold and I found myself fully unprepared for a white blanket of fluffy snow and a brisk chill – as I’m sure most of the NYC area was after all that Sandy brought us.

So while I’m pulling out my warm and fuzzies, let’s not forget about those who are still without power, heat and their homes.I was walking home from work last night totally in awe of PILES of debris, building after building with dry wall ripped off the walls and businesses boarded up. While we are so lucky to have weathered the storm (both of them) we can’t give up our efforts to help those that are still struggling.

If you’re still looking for ways to help, Heal Hoboken and Save Our Shores (also here) are two separate efforts started by people simply looking to help. I am so proud of my tiny community for coming together to rebuild and for my dear coworker + friend for spending her nights after work (very late nights!) and long weekends selflessly helping those hurting in her beloved Staten Island. Please consider supporting – every little bit is a little bit more people will now have!

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I’m still not feeling fully up to my normal blogging routine. My commute continues to be long due to storm-related issues and we have suffered through a second storm – one with a considerable pile of snow, so conditions for those who are still without power or homes have gotten worse. So please, don’t forget to keep giving – your time, your donations, these people need our help!

However that being said, I know that I can’t shut down indefinitely so I’m hoping that by trying to getting back in to my normal blogging schedule that it might help my spirits.

I figured we jump in to this week’s “Impressing the Guests” with some discussion on the gallery wall. An extremely popular trend that allows you to pile together your favorite artwork and cover a large portion of an otherwise blank wall.

While the idea of putting up a dozen or so frames, canvases and wall decor into a stylized mish-mash my cause heart palpitations from some, I promise with a little planning, it’s nearly impossible to mess up.

1. As a general rule of thumb, keep either a consistent color palette running through your pieces or keep the frames a similar shape.

2. Don’t be afraid to mix media. Prints with wall objects with frames with canvases – it adds character.

2. Layout all of your pieces on the ground, moving art around until you find a general pattern that you like. It will help you to visualize the final result.

3. Measure the wall and the measure your art placement that is currently lying on the ground.

4. Make a sketch of the rough measurements on scrap paper to ensure for accurate wall placement.

5. Start with the most central piece and work out.

6. Remember, if you mess up. Just patch up the hole and try again!

It’s officially been a week since Hurricane Sandy happened upon the northeast bringing unsurmountable grief, despair and tragedy to an area that has not experienced something of this magnitude in 11 years.

We spent the better part of last week in our apartment in Hoboken, so immensely grateful to be with partial generator power and inconvenienced by flooding that left our building somewhat trapped in terms of being able to actually venture outside. Yes, it was inconvenient, but with friends sans power or heat, neighbors losing their childhood homes and perfect strangers having nothing but the clothing on their backs, I found myself feeling nothing but impossibly guilty for our good fortune.

We were blessed to be able to spend the weekend celebrating the wedding of dear friends in an area of New Jersey that was mostly without power, with long and eery lines of cars waiting for gas and stories of Sandy being shared over candlelight. Even when the sun came out to shine so brightly in a fiercely blue sky as wedding guests gleefully said their cheers, I felt nothing but guilt.

It was only after a long conversation with a friend that I was able to gain some perspective.  This is a time not to feel guilty for what we have, but to offer some solace for those who are suffering, to find ways to give back and to be a support system for those that need it.

I will be back to posting status quo in the days to come, but for now, I urge you – go out and do something for someone else. It doesn’t have to be for victims of Sandy, because there are many others out there continually suffering, but go give back. Even if it’s to wait those extra 3 seconds to hold the door for someone,  to donate a load of clothing to a local women’s shelter or to take those funds you were going to aimlessly shop online with and give to relief efforts, take a few minutes this week to bring a bit of peace to others today.

Well, we are going on day number 4 of Hurricane Sandy and it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to make it out of our apartment just yet. But, we have generator power, we Macgyvered some internet access, and we have absolutely nothing to complain about other than a slight detour to our otherwise blessed life. Thank you for all of your tweets, emails and messages – we’ve weathered the storm just fine and are praying for those who have lost their homes and loved ones in Sandy’s crazy path. So so much to be grateful for!

So while it might seem strange to switch gears and talk about food, I figured you might like a little peek at what we’ve been busying ourselves with while stuck inside. We’ve been eating – and in my defense there have been a few workouts as well.

But while Sandy was swirling around outside, I was busy mixing up this cinnamon swirl cake inside. And can I just tell you, it might have been the best worst thing I have ever done. Best because it might be my new favorite cake. Worst, because well I’ve been stuck inside since Sunday and I may have resorted to a slice for breakfast!

Now, I generally try to whip up healthier versions of sweet treats, however as I came down with a cold on Sunday I wanted nothing more than just to indulge a little. So save this cake for a day when you can have a piece, and then take the rest in to your co-workers to gobble up before you can grab another slice!

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
4 whole Eggs
1 cup Sour Cream
¾ cups Vegetable Oil
1 cup Light Brown Sugar
2 teaspoons Cinnamon
2 cups Powdered Sugar
6 Tablespoons Milk
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

STEPS

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

By hand, mix together the flour, salt and baking soda. In a separate bowl mix together the sugar, eggs, sour cream, and oil until well-incorporated. Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and thoroughly combine. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon until well-blended; set aside.

Pour half of the cake batter into a greased 13×9 pan, spreading the batter out into a thin layer. Add half of the swirl mixture to the top, covering the entire layer of batter. Add the remainder of the batter and then follow with the remainder of the cinnamon/sugar mixture.

Now grab a knife or fork and swirl that top layer of sugar mixture into the batter, making whatever sort of pattern you think is pretty!

Place the cake into the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until you can poke with toothpick and it comes out clean.

While the cake is baking, make the glaze. In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until glaze is of desired consistency. When the cake comes out of the oven, immediately pour glaze onto the hot cake. Spread gently with a spatula. You might have to pick up the cake and tilt it to spread the glaze evenly. Let the cake sit for a few minutes then serve warm. It’s also insanely good at room temperature, for breakfast (oops!)

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I thought it might be fun to start a new little series deemed “Impressing the Guests,” focusing on those little decor touches that we build in to our homes that make them extra personal. So today, we start with the coffee table. Do you have a stack of books on your coffee table that you never read? I know I have them littered all over the house.

What is the point? Why, impressing guests by my vast array of interests for which I spread out among my living room for their infrequent perusal, of course! If I’m being honest, that is probably closest to the truth. However, I do get a certain thrill from cracking the binding of an oversized hardcover, stroking the glossy pages, and slowly taking in the beautiful visuals one by one. They serve as a constant reminder of how easy it can be to get lost in a good book!

Rather than overload you with a few of my fashion favorites (that have been seen everywhere!) I’ve compiled a selection that has a little something for everyone.

Tell me, why do you hoard coffee table books?

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When it comes to fall style, there isn’t anything better than loading on the layers. Mixing prints, matching textures, popping in hints of color. It’s certainly an acquired look and one that can take a bit of experimenting before it feels right, but for layering newbies it’s all about keeping it to the basics.

I’ve gone for a more advanced look here in today’s Target x Merona style, but if you stripped away the prints, it’s really just your basic blouse, sweater and a great shawl collar coat.

When it comes to the layered look, what are your favorite ways to pile on the pieces?

See how the Target Fall Collection is designed to take you through a season of stylish looks at Target.com/Merona.

Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.

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Who needs Rosetta Stone when you have french slogan sweaters?

You may have noticed a couple of instagrams from this weekend featuring a rather quirky and fun skirt on myself and a few fellow bloggers, thanks to our dear friend Carrie Hammer.

Carrie is an extremely talented entrepreneur who has spent the past year growing her bespoke dress line for the modern working woman. Fast forward to today and Carrie is venturing into the world of ready-to-wear, including this fantastic newspaper skirt you see above.

The best part about Carrie’s line is that we can all be part of its success, because Carrie and her team have recently launched a KIckstarter campaign to bring the collection to life. Even better still? Before the collection is available to the masses, you can pre-order your own newspaper skirt (as well as a selection from the collection) for a steep discount just by pledging to support Carrie’s campaign!

My favorite part? This skirt has pockets. And it’s length works for tall gals. Nuff said. Plus, in case you haven’t seen a little show called Sex and the City, I very much love to find any excuse to channel my inner Carrie.

And while we may not be in the apartment until the end of November, I can look forward to many a winter’s night curled up in front of it, catching up on an increasingly large stack of overdue-to-be-read reads.

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Many months ago I sat across from my dear sweet friend Jessie as she started to tell me about this idea that had been stewing in her head for the past few years that she was on the tipping point of bringing to life. A day of style, sharing and creativity of sorts. An experience for those looking to share their expertise in one area and polish up another. A chance to indulge with your closest girlfriend or to meet a new one.

That’s why I am SO excited to see Jessie bring this project to fruition, with the launch of what I will coin her style seminar, Pepperologie. “A five course study of style” it’s been deemed, but knowing Donna, Grace, Jessie and Roxy, it’s going to be the ultimate experience in awesome.

What should you expect? What, all of the above isn’t enough? There will be beauty, there will be DIY (hopefully some glitter?), there will be fashion, and fitness and healthy eating and entertaining. And goodies. And surprises.

So you want in? Grab a gal pal and sign up together. They’ve let me in on some of the fun secrets planned for all attendees and since I’ll be lugging up boxes to my fourth floor walkup that afternoon, I beg of you, go for me, take lots of pictures, and make friends!

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I spent a good portion of the weekend overhauling my closet as I continue to refine and establish a core style that transcends trends and remains stylish. That got me thinking about my husband’s wardrobe and men’s style in general. His closet is 1/4 the size of mine, yet he always looks fabulous. That’s because he has build a wardrobe based around a few key must-haves that simply don’t go out of style.

So for my latest installment with Target and Merona I thought it might be fun to switch gears for an afternoon and focus on men’s style. What are those must haves any man should have in his closet? While I believe it may vary slightly from man to man based on location, job and lifestyle, in general, the core pieces of a man’s wardrobe serve multiple purposes.

Take for example the pinstripe blazer. Worn as a separate with a pair of dress pants or combined with a gray hoodie over jeans, that same blazer goes from dressy to casual. Same goes for a pullover sweater or plaid button down. Paired with dressier pieces such as suiting separates or twill chinos and a brushed corduroy blazer, you’ve got a rather refined gentleman in front of you. Add a sleek sneaker and a brushed cotton pant and he’s ready to go for a weekend of apple picking.

It can be said I may have learned a thing or two from my husband’s wardrobe this weekend. And that is truly something I never thought I’d hear myself say!

See how the Target Fall Collection is designed to take you through a season of stylish looks at target.com/Merona.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.