I have a slight obsession with the color emerald right now, so when I spotted this dress at Nordstrom Rack last week it was speaking to me from across the room. I didn't even try it on, I just went for it. I did have one hesitation though - it seemed more like a summer/spring dress, and I usually try to not buy things too out of season unless I can make use of them now. (It can be a great money saving strategy, but I've been burned in the past.) That's when I remembered that my new boots were in the mail (you will be seeing these a lot!) and would look super-cute. Problem solved, and this type of dressing is perfect for the weather we are having right now.  What's your rule of thumb when buying items out of season?

Dress: Fishbowl c/o Nordstrom Rack, $23 (recent)
Belt: Gap, $40
Leather jacket: Banana Republic, $150
Necklace: Westminster Abbey gift shop, $35
Boots: "Grifter" c/o Chinese Laundry, $149
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift


1. Zappos ruffle emerald dress, $58
2. Dillard's ruffle emerald dress, $39
3. Dillard's pleated emerald dress, $82.80 (on sale)