I’m not ready for it to be October. September went by in a flash. Less than 100 days remain in 2025, and it’s just a bit too much for me to handle at this particular moment. So let’s just dive into The Jumble and forget about it for a moment.
+ Please provide these 39 Rules of Office Fashion to your interns. (No crop tops, ever!)
+ Mango’s F&F Sale is on. Snapped up this olive coat.
+ ‘Sit at the Bar [in] September’ and find love?
+ I need this fuzzy, relaxed coat from AYR to come back into stock, STAT.
+ Brown Butter Pear Cake is a stunning dinner party dessert.
+ This J.Crew bracelet is a showstopper.
+ Your Zodiac sign is 2,000 years out of date.
+ This Shark hair styling tool is better than the Dyson, and cheaper.
+ How to include kids without centering them.
+ This dark iris color from Theory is so chic for fall suiting.
+ @cheapoldhouses is a fun follow (even if it makes you want to move to BFE).
+ Obsessed with this Veronica Beard plaid blazer.
+ Meet Elizabeth Bik, who exposes fraudulent scientific research as a hobby.
+ An Ann Taylor dress worth getting on the waitlist for.
+ Fair warning, if you were alive in the 1980s, this video will make you cry.
Before I go today, I wanted to say that I love this blog community. I’ve been reflecting lately on what makes me happy, because, since Avery died, I rarely feel happy. And seeing a comment section full of smart, thoughtful women talking about fashion and life always makes me happy. So thank you for that.
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This blog has been an anchor for me for past 10 years and I continue to appreciate every word you write, Abra!
2025 is one heck of a year, but I’m thankful for this warm, wonderful corner of the internet.
Pets are family, forever. Sending hugs.
I want you to know that for years, seeing your thoughts, recommendations, and ideas on this blog has given me so much. I’m 53 and don’t need fancy work clothes but I still seek out reading what you post. These “jumbles” are wonderful, and give me so much to think about. Thank YOU.
John Candy = crying.
Bawling.
You are such an inspiration for me! I’ve been reading for over a decade probably and I have gotten so many good recommendations and general life advice from this blog. Thank you for all your work.
Your work & sharing means a lot to us. You keep us looking sharp.
I am wolfing down crackers and fruit for a quick lunch before I go back to court. . . your blog is just like a friend stopping in to lighten the mood. I NEED THAT AT DRESS. Thank you. xoxo
I have enjoyed your blog so much, Abra, since I found it a few years back. Thank you for your wit and personality in these posts – not to mention the fun links! I look forward to reading this blog! I’m so sorry about Avery; pets definitely leave a big hole when they leave. Lobbing virtual hugs your way.
You make US happy, Abra! Been following this blog for more than a decade. I told others the other day this is the one blog I actually physically go to the website every day to go see what’s new. They were blown away.
We’re here for you. As a fellow dog mom, I’m so, so sorry about Avery.
You and your blog have kept me company since my days as a law clerk in August 2008, and now, as a partner at a law firm, mom of a daughter, and fellow woman in my 40s, your content is as relevant, if not more relevant, than ever. And you share insights and recommendations with great writing and a sense of humor. Glad the comments make you happy and let’s keep the journey going!
I am very sorry about Avery. It’s terrible when they have to leave us. I have been there. I hope in time you can smile more than you cry when you remember Avery.
Thank you for what you have given all of us by writing this blog and creating this community! I look forward to each of your posts for so many reasons.
Losing a pet is heartbreaking. You were Avery’s mama and she loved you so. Take comfort in knowing that you gave her a wonderful life. ❤️
Thank YOU, for creating a space for women of all backgrounds, professions, political leanings and geographic locations to talk about fashion and SO MUCH MORE.
I’m glad we could make you happy in this season and help you process transitions of life because you’ve done exactly that for so many of us.
We see you.
We’ve got you.
I’ve been reading this blog since your early days as Belle and I was a DC comms staffer. I so appreciate the way your blog has both evolved with your life- grad school, moves, kids, etc., (much the way mine has) but has retained its universal appeal- there’s still something in your content for everyone. I often wonder how you keep it going between work and family, but I’m so grateful that you do.
The article on including kids and facilitating connection across generations is fantastic and incredibly helpful. Thanks again!
Thank you for continuing to create this blog even when I know it must be a huge undertaking. This is the o Lu blog I read and I visit it almost everyday. My style isn’t always totally aligned with yours but I still love seeing your recommendations. And I’ve appreciated how your content has evolved with your life. I’m curious if with the end of the Facebook group if it would be worth it to enable reply notifications in your comment sections? I think it would lead to more conversations.
I hope you know how appreciated you are from your readers’ side, too! Love your wit, humor, and little truth bombs.
Just wanted to say that I’ve been reading since the beginning. I was a new mom and an overworked, under appreciated lawyer who couldn’t figure out what to wear. Now my kids are mostly grown and I am still a lawyer (maybe less overworked and more appreciated?) who wears whatever I want. Thank you for sticking with us, your content has meant a lot to me (and many others I know) over the years.
This is still a place I come to several times a week (here and Cup of Jo) for thoughtful content and comment sections that feel like a community of like minded friends. Thanks for keeping this going!
I tried the pear cake this week – with 3 pairs (the recipe calls for 2-3). It took over 2 hours to bake (recipe calls for 50-60 minutes) and the center was still runny. 3 pairs could have been my downfall- the parts that did cook were delish. It’s awfully rich and the crumb is VERY crumbly. I’m sure there was some baker error here, but would love to hear from others. Also a blog devotee – THANK YOU for it!
thinking of y’all.