Summer 2016!

Outfit 1:

• Zara jacket
• Halogen t-shirt from Nordstrom
• Joie skirt
• J. Crew Factory flats
• Ann Taylor necklace
• Kate Spade New York bracelet
• MICHAEL Michael Kors earrings

Outfit#2:

• Forever 21 dress and earrings
• J. Crew cardigan
• J. Crew Factory flats
• Stella McCartney bag
• Tiffany & Co. necklace
• Ann Taylor bracelet

Outfit #3:

• J. Crew Collection skirt
• J. Crew cardigan
• Halogen t-shirt from Nordstrom
• Sam & Libby for Target flats
• Steve Madden bag
• Kate Spade New York bracelet and earrings
• Necklace from a jewelry sale at school

 

I know I haven’t posted in pretty much forever, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been dressing fabulously.  Quite the contrary, actually.  I feel like my style really evolves with each passing year, and the major shift I’ve noticed lately is that it’s becoming a little more about the clothes and shoes than the bags and jewelry (though all are still important).  Those who know me often think of me with a bright statement necklace and a massive collection of bags, and that’s not inaccurate.  However, lately I’ve found myself gravitating to the same, more basic (for me that’s a really relative term) bags and jewels to compliment my ever-more statement making outfits.

As I always say, one of the things that really makes an outfit is what you do in it.  That’s something I love about my summer style–my looks are often accessorized by really fun plans and places to go, not just condemned to a day in the library.  I know I’ve posted lots of looks here, but I’d like to take a moment to tell you about where I wore, and what I love most about, each one.

Outfit #1: Rocked this for a fun day off of work that consisted of shopping, the movies, and lunch out with my mom, followed by a night in with a girlfriend I hadn’t seen in ages.  The cropped, butterfly-appliqued jacket and the jean skirt are both very recent acquisitions and I’m obsessed with them.  I wasn’t really feeling the whole jean skirt trend before I found this Joie one.  All the ones I had seen previously either reminded me of the unflattering minis I wore all of 9th grade or threatened to be dowdy.  This one is amazing.  The a-line shape isn’t clingy at all, so it’s comfy and super flattering.  The big pockets, buttons, and braided waist are such fun details.  I’m overwhelmed with ideas for ways to wear it all year round.

Outfit #2:  Rocked this for yet another fun day out with my mom, which concluded with a play downtown.  I have an addiction to Forever 21 floral dresses.  I have way too many in my closet, but I knew I had to buy this one when I put it on.  I feel so beautiful in it, and I love how it’s kind of pinup-girl-meets-Blair-Waldorf.

Outfit #3:  This was a work look for my magazine internship.  I scored this fantastic skirt at the J. Crew on Madison Avenue when I was in NYC with my mom on the way home from college.  The mint and lilac hues are my two faves, and the metallic shimmer is gorgeous.

Outfit #4: My first-day-of-work look!  The moment I got this Marissa Webb shirtdress (over winter break) I knew I’d wear it to start off my internship.  How cool is it with these embellished loafers?  This dress is one of my favorite things in my closet because it can be styled in so many ways.  It’s great as a dress, but I’ve also worn it like a jacket, partially buttoned, with jeans or shorts and tights.

Outfit #5:   I rocked this Express suit to a political event.  Like the Marissa Webb dress, this suit gets unexpected edge from the studded shoes and is one of my closet MVPs.  It’s almost as cute broken up (the jacket with a black pleather skirt or the pants with a great blouse) as it is together.   I love the bold-but-sophisticated statement it makes worn as a full suit the most, though.  A printed suit shows you’re a real fashion risk-taker.

Outfit #6:  So funny story, this was part cute outfit, part kind-of-costume.  The outfit was inspired by the character of Norma Bates from Bates Motel (played by the incredible Vera Farmiga) and I rocked this to a Walking Dead convention where a couple Bates actors were doing meet-and-greets.  No, I do not watch The Walking Dead.  Yes, I do love Bates Motel that much.  But I also love this skirt so much and love the way I look when I wear it, so this is an outfit I would totally wear in regular life, anyway.  What made it more Norma than me was the addition of the belt–and taking this style cue from a fictional character made me realize I should belt skirts and dresses more!

I hope to do more outfit posts this summer.  Hope your season is off to a fabulous start!

Outfit #4:

• Marissa Webb dress
• Circus by Sam Edelman loafers
• MICHAEL Michael Kors bracelet
• Forever 21 earrings
• Valentino necklace charms on a chain from M2 Boutique

Outfit #5:

• Express suit
• J. Crew Factory top
• Circus by Sam Edelman loafers
• Kate Spade New York earrings
• Necklace from M2 Boutique
• Bracelet from Clique boutique
• Bare Minerals Moxie lipstick in Live It Up

Outfit #6:

• J. Crew Collection cardigan
• J. Crew Factory top
• Skirt from Paris in Montana boutique
• Cole Haan belt (stolen from Mom)
• Sam & Libby for Target sandals
• Kate Spade New York Earrings
• Bracelet from Clique boutique

Hearbreakers Gonna Break Break Break Break Break…

La Dolce (& Gabbana) Vita

So I haven’t posted in a while, I know!  When I’m away for the summer my outfits are more suited for taking care of horses and donkeys than for writing a fashion blog.  Also, school is CA-RAY-ZEE and my fabulous photog and I have barely had time to take pics!!!

Excuses, excuses!  Anywho, this dress is my new obsession, my new very special find, my latest prized, real piece of high fashion.

I mean, It’s a bright green Dolce & Gabbana midi with owls, bunnies, squirrels, frogs, birds, snails, and other woodland friends on it.  I mean…

THERE ARE SNAILS ON IT.

As you can tell I’m in luuurrvvvvveeee.  There’s a new Dolce & Gabbana store in Chicago and my mom and I wandered in one day, after seeing more of their owl-motif stuff in the window (their new collection is an absolute dream, with all kinds of amazing animal motifs, simultaneously cute and beautiful).  And then I saw this.  And it was an oh-so-wearable-and-vegan-friendly (no silk!!!) a-line cotton frock with cap sleeves and BUNNIES…love at first sight.  Like actually someone should write a freaking romance novel.

As always, I like to pair a bright patterened dress like this with some neutrals and a piece or two that draws out the colors in the print.  So I picked a blue bag to match the blue birds and some gorgeously blingy Kate Spade faux-emerald earrings (their jewelry right now is off the chain.–or rather, on it…).  And of course, nude kitten heels (confession–wore nude flats instead part of the day) and a delicate gold ring so all eyes were on this dress.

In the future I plan on rocking this number with some different-color accents, like pink, and a cropped jean jacket.  Classic-but-modern femme.

What I wore on Friday:

• Dolce & Gabbana dress
• Kate Spade earrings
• Kensie Girl heels (and for part of the day Boutique 9 flats)
• Aldo bag
• ring from M2 Boutique

Title is, of course, from Shake it Off by Taylor Swift.  I’m as obsessed with her as much as (if not more than) ever.  Have you seen her streetstyle lately?!?! Off the charts.  I CANNOT WAIT for her new album on Oct. 27th!!! I can’t imagine how many amazing lyrics there will be for me to obsess over and make as post titles…

Happy Fall all!

Back to Black

I’ve got a day AND a night look for you today, both mostly black but with pops of pattern and color.

Day Look (movies and lunch)

I love this little black fit-and-flare with studs at the shoulders.  It has a cool cutout at the back, too.  I feel really pretty in it even though it’s much more simple than the pieces to which I’m usually drawn.  Of course, it becomes much more me when paired with my awesome leopard wedge sneakers and my favorite blue bag.  As I’ve said before, this bag feels really luxe even though it was super affordable, and the unique color with the structured shape make my outfits feel more polished and stylish.  I usually keep the crossbody strap on it and use it (I need crossbodies in my life), but today I thought it would be chicer to just carry it by the short handles.

I kept the jewelry plain gold but with sass to complement the sneaks.  My fave little gold pendant and blingy hoops, plus this awesome ring I got while on my trip, at Accessorize.  I’ve wanted a two-finger ring for a while, as long as they’ve been trendy, but I’ve never fallen so in love with one that I bought it until I found this one.  It looks like a dachshund!!! So me.

Although I barely needed it, I brought this cool and supercomfy mixed-material jacket with faux leather sleeves and gold hardware in case it got chilly in the movie theater.

What I wore for day today:

• Delia’s dress
• Betsey Johnson sneakers
• Aldo bag
• Marc by Marc Jacobs necklace
• BCBGMAXAZRIA earrings
• Accessorize ring
• THML jacket from Art Effect

Night Look (out for sushi):

 

I’ve been wanting to wear this look ever since I got this tulle midi skirt!  I plan on creating lots of fashion-forward looks with it.  It also has an elastic waist and a jersey lining so it’s really comfy.  I paired it with this great faux-leather tee (it’s supersoft jersey in the back), a fave statement necklace and earrings (they’re silver leopard faces), t-strap heels (falling more and more in love with these–I love the way they look on my feet), a snake-print clutch and of course, a red lip.

I normally do a red lip as the sole burst of a different or non-neutral color, but I read in a magazine that red and mint work together so I thought I’d try pops of both. Also, I feel like this top and skirt really call for a red lip.

What I wore tonight:

• Forever 21 skirt and earrings
• Bailey 44 tee
• Report heels from Francesca’s Collections
• Express necklace
• MICHAEL Michael Kors bracelet
• Big Buddha clutch from mfredrick.com (M. Frederick is a California clothing store owned by Adam Levine’s (my celeb crush!!) family)

Hope you all had a great and stylish day.

Title, obviously, is the name of an Amy Winehouse song.

World Peace Gonna Break Out, From Here on In We’re Eatin’ Takeout

 

My outfit  from yesterday–I felt amazing (which should really be the goal of getting dressed–wear something that will brighten your day).

New blazer from Zara in Barcelona (the other part of my haul, in addition to those snake print pants).  It’s going to be a new staple–I’m overwhelmed by the number of outfit ideas I have with it (BF jeans, navy tops, over a floral dress…).  It fits like a dream and the color is so unique and fun!

Picked up some faded jean shorts recently, I had been looking for a good pair because I feel like I’ve started to wear my darker ones constantly.  I was so opposed to jean shorts for the longest time, instead opting for chino-style shorts from J. Crew (really recommend them, come in a variety of lengths and great colors and prints every season), because I could never find comfy pairs.  My aversion towards denim shorts started shifting when I found some really unique colors and prints in comfy styles, and now I also like the classic denim-looking ones.  If you’re in the market, I also love the pairs in my collection from Gap, Marc by Marc Jacobs, 7 for all Mankind, Forever 21, and AG Adriano Goldschmied.

With a look like this, based on a bold piece paired with relaxed ones, a couple complementary (but not too attention-grabbing) pieces of jewelry make it.  I got this butterfly pendant at a craft fair in Spain and I love it.  I picked up these earrings on my trip too, at Accessorize, which is like European Claire’s but cooler.  I love bold, colorful gems, and the teardrop shape of these make them so versatile.  And they work with this look because they’re neon yellow and mint!  I also added my pair of little gold Akira rings I’ve been throwing on with a lot this summer.

The only print in this look is my fave faux-snake bag from Stella McCartney, and my go-to nude flats keep it sleek and streamlined.  With the boldness on top, I don’t want my feet stealing the spotlight!

What I wore yesterday:

• Zara blazer
• H&M Conscious Collection tank
• Old Navy shorts
• Boutique 9 flats
• Stella McCartney bag
• necklace from a craft fair in Spain
• Accessorize earrings
• Akira rings

Of course, the life and vibe of an outfit is enhanced by what you do in it.  I had an amazing time yesterday seeing How to Train Your Dragon 2 (love those movies–too sweet) and chilling out at home with one of my BFFs.  To give you an idea, it involved Facebook stalking pictures from prom at our alma mater, eating Chinese food, watching movie trailers and old episodes of Spongebob.  Oh, and singing Shontelle really loud.

❤

Title is a genius lyric from Frankie Fell in Love, by the one and only Bruce Springsteen.

 

 

Cause When My Head Tells Me No, My Heart Tells Me Go

 

What I wore yesterday in a little town in Southern Italy.

LOVE LOVE LOVE my new overalls!!!!

Still mastering the whole getting the straps to the right length thing so don’t have a weird pouch.  But the short overall trend is huge this summer (saw two other girls wearing them yesterday) and this chambray color and the polka dot print are so my style!  It’s really important when trying a trend to find a version of it that is “you”–if you can’t, it’s not the trend for you.  You should always wear what you like–not only because that’s how you feel best, but you also won’t look like you’re trying too hard to be trendy.  Find the “it” item in a print or color you love and/or a style that really flatters your body (it takes some searching but it’s worth it!), and find trendy pieces that go with your favorites in your wardrobe.  And, of course, don’t wear a trend unless you actually like it!

Knew I wanted to pair these overalls with a great white tee and some cool layered necklaces.  I love the effortless feel of the lariat style of the shorter one, which I got as a gift years ago, and the white faux-pearls in the longer one echo the white dots of the shortalls (I also chose round faux pearl earrings).  Echoing the shapes in the prints you’re wearing with your jewelry is a great, and often overlooked, way to look more pulled together.  When wearing polka dots I like to choose round earrings or jewelry with round beads or charms, and with more geometric prints I choose jewelry with more stark, straight, clean lines.

Have had these sandals forever (since like sophomore year of high school) and they’re great.  They’ve got a tiny little mini wedge, are such a light purple that they go with everything while still being a nod to my favorite color, and are comfortable and generally adorable.

Also obsessed with this bascially perfect brown crossbody I got recently.  It’s a larger version of a bag I have in yellow, and it is so easy for all summer outfits.  I love the rich yet versatile color, the crossbody strap, the zipper detail, and the turnlock closure.  Was super affordable but looks luxe.

What I wore yesterday:

• Rue 21 overalls
• Halogen tee from Nordstrom
• Express sandals
• Betsey Johnson fedora
• Tiffany and Co. short necklace, a gift from a friend
• Linda Levinson Designs long necklace, a gift from my cousin
• bracelet and earrings I took from my mom
• Street Level bag from Francesca’s Collections
• Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses

Hope you all are enjoying summer so far! ❤

 

Post title once again from On My Way by Lea Michele, current song obsession

 

 

And I’m On My Way to You (Another look from Spain!)

 

What I wore on a day trip from Barcelona to Tossa del Mar, Spain.  This yellow dress is a staple in my wardrobe.  It fits like a glove and is the perfect fit and flare style with just the right seams to flatter my body type.  And with the color, this simple dress is a statement on its own.

I love pairing blue with this dress, and my blue rubber cat flats worked like a summer dream, as did my new go-to blue and green trimmed summer fedora and this cool metallic blue cuff that I picked up on my trip.  It’s reminiscent of the colorful metallics from the recent Lanvin runway, but I found it at an craft fair in Barcelona!  Love.

Had fun stacking cuffs, also wearing one that I love with a blue and green and gold pattern from Art Effect.  One cuff is solid and the other more intricate, and they’re different sizes, so the combo works like stacking other bracelets.  Those and some blue and green stone stud earrings were the only jewelry I needed.

Neither of these are pictured, but when I was chilly I threw on my favorite Forever 21 jean jacket and I carried my stuff in my fave snake print Stella McCartney crossbody (a nice neutral pattern to be stylish but not steal attention from these cool colors).

What I wore in Tossa del Mar:

• J. Crew Factory Store dress
• Charlotte Olympia shoes
• Betsey Johnson hat
• blue cuff from Barcelona craft fair
• patterned cuff from Art Effect
• Francesca’s Collections earrings

Title from new Lea Michele single that has already become my song of the summer, On My Way.  Totally obsessed–puts me in a great mood and I can’t get it out of my head.

Barcelona!

 

My outfit today in Barcelona!  Feeling very chic.  I picked up these pants at the Zara here yesterday (you think Zara is everywhere in America?  It’s really everywhere here–it’s a Spanish brand and a can’t-miss Barcelona shopportunity) and they fit PERFECTLY.  Better than any piece I’ve ever found at Zara in the States other than shoes or outerwear.  I have been having some fun with the loose printed pants trend.  Great for travel and in-between weather.  At first none of the ones I tried on fit my body or my style, but this is the second ultra-flattering pair I’ve found recently.  The first are a dark purple and lilac floral pair from Rebecca Taylor, with which I’m also obsessed.  I’ve worn a couple cute outfits with them but haven’t gotten around to posting ’em.

Simple palette with these pantalones keeps the look luxe.  Nude Valentino Rockstud flip flops, white tank, gold jewelry for the most part and my fave mixed-metal studded bangle set.  Summery and very European vacay appropriate, if I do say so myself.

These pics were take at the Picasso Museum here, which has this beautiful balcony as well as the obviously amazing art.

The other, more-function-than-fashion-but-still-fashionable elements of this outfit that are not pictured are my RACHEL Rachel Roy black bag with bronze studs and my Heritage 1981 jean jacket from Forever 21.

What I’m wearing today:

• Zara pants
• H&M Conscious Collection tank
• Valentino flip flops
• Forever 21 necklace and bangles
• Francesca’s Collections earrings
• Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses

Happy weekend! 😀

London!

My favorite look from my trip to London!  Wore this baby out to dinner with my family.  London is SUCH a chic city–the girls there rock some really bold, incredibly chic looks.  Saw some everyday girls taking awesome fashion risks and a whole lot of beautiful designer bags.

I picked up these awesome t-strap heels recently while out shopping with my besties.  It was shoe love at first sight and I also instantly knew I needed to wear them with my favorite boyfriend jeans!  I love the contrast of soft and feminine with killer shredded jeans!  The peep toe of these babies showed off my cute pastel pedi.  Although these rubbed a bit in the toe (nothing some well-place band-aids can’t fix), the thick stacked heels were super easy to walk in.

This cropped collared shirt is a new fave.  It zips up instead of buttons, which is not only generally awesome but allows me to make the neckline however I like.  I’ve loved styling it zipped up all the way with one of my bold statement necklaces peeking out, like I did here.  A statement necklace peeking from a collar is an easy way to make a look extra cool.

I chose rose gold earrings and a rose gold cuff to match the t-straps of these shoes, and of course my favorite Stella McCartney (an it Brit!!)  snake-print crossbody.  When it got cold I threw on my go-to Express brown faux-leather jacket (not pictured)

What I wore in London:

• Theory top
• Rag & Bone jeans
• Report heels from Francesca’s Collections
• Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses and earrings
• cuff from Cusp
• necklace from Art Effect
• Francesca’s Collections belt

More Europe trip looks coming soon!

❤

Summer Day

 

Loving my outfit today.  This dress was such an amazing find on my trip to New York this Spring–I love the fit and flare, the stripes, and the classic, girly shirtdress style.  I paired it with very minimal jewelry, including two little rings I picked up with one of my best friends yesterday.  I’ve been looking for some simple gold rings to wear together, and I love this delicate little circle and this a tribal-like cutout one.  Those, Aunt Florence’s watch, and little gold hoops are all I need.  Got my nails done today, in an awesome color–Play Date by Essie!

Made more of a statement with my bag and shoes.  Recently got my new fave rubber Charlotte Olympia cat flats in blue too (you can see me wearing the pink ones here and here).  I also love this bag, especially for summer, that I got a while back.  Not only are the canvas stripes with the contrasting brown amazing, but the details really make it.  The brown faux-leather is textured like some sort of faux snakeskin, and there are awesome studs in a pale, ever-so-slightly-rose-tinted gold.  Love, and the contrasting stripes between the bag and the dress totally work.

What I’m wearing today:

• Milly dress
• Charlotte Olympia flats
• Aldo bag
• Akira rings
• Macy’s earrings
• Aunt Florence’s watch

Hope you all are enjoying the start of summer!

Summer’s Here!

 

Great look for lunch with the girls!  I wanted to feel relaxed, summery, and like a cool city girl out and about for the day with friends (which I was!).  Here’s all you need for an easy breezy summer look:

•  maxi dress  (I’ve had this one forever, it came strapless but I had straps added to make it more wearable)
•  jean jacket
• summer hat (In love with this new one with green and blue details–will look great with all my summer brights)
• statement necklace
• simple sandals
• big tote (too big when have other things, like a backpack, to carry, but great on a summer city day out.  This was what I scooped up from Phillip Lim’s Target collab last fall)

and go!

What I wore Sunday:

• Delia’s dress
• Heritage 1981 jacket from Forever 21
• Betsey Johnson hat
• 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target bag
• necklace from a jewelry sale at my school
• belt I took from my mom
• Aeropostle sandals
• Armani Exchange ring
• Aunt Florence’s watch, of course

Happy summer everybody!