Two Thousand Thirteen

Well, 2013, it's been another year full of many firsts, fun, laughs, friends, and lots of hard work. As I attempt to pack for my trip of a lifetime in London with some of my closest friends, looking back on this past year I've chosen some of my favorite posts from this little blog of mine. Definitely one new years resolution that I plan on working particularly hard on is keeping posts regularly updated. Finding time for this space that I love is difficult, but means a lot to me, and in the end those are the best resolutions worth working towards. So, with that, hats off to you 2013 (get it--the hat in the image above--ha)! Lookin' forward to what you have in store 2014.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy new years.

Got your sequins ready? I picked up a sparkly turquoise skirt today for my festivities!

For Dad

To the man who I can always count on for daily Starbucks photos, information for when Secretariat is on TV, and for always supporting me in all of my dreams and aspirations. You're an incredible person, father, and friend. Happy father's day, daddy. I love you.

Memorial Day

Wishing everyone a relaxing and fun-filled day off and take a moment to thank those who fight so we can enjoy it.

xo

For Mom

//A very happy mother's day to the best mother, friend, photographer, shopping companion, and partner in crime. I appreciate your endless love and compassion, desire to help others unconditionally, and for always supporting me in anything and everything. I love you.//

Dress Up

While I was never particularly stellar at geometry, or mathematics at all, in school, styles in art, fashion, and interiors with geometric influences are some of my main sources of inspiration. I love the literal sharpness of the shapes and the style that they give off, as well. Kelly Wearstler is one of my favorites when it comes to interior design, and her garments definitely follow. Her fall 2013 RTW collection  pulled on my geometric love, as it was a main source of inspiration for her for this collection. I fell in love with this particular dress for it's obvious use of geometric shapes, and it's use of black and white in an untraditional manner. The linear quality of the bodice draws your eye up and down, but also has plenty of detail to focus on, too. 

photo via

Charleston

//Top Left: A southern staple, iced tea// Top Right: My dad and I on Kiawah Island// Bottom Left: Sunset at the Battery//  Bottom Right: King Street, Charleston's main strip for great shopping, snacks, and it's minutes away from The College//

If you know me at all, you know that I have a slight southern obsession. Don't get me wrong, the East Coast has a special place in my heart, as well, but there is something about the south that will always be home. I spent my spring break with my family in the epitome of the south, Charleston, South Carolina. The last time I visited Charleston was when I was looking at schools and checked out CofC (College of Charleston), and it was interesting to see what has changed and what has remained the same. We payed a repeat visit to Angel Oak, the 1,500 year old Oak Tree, and a new visit to the vast beauty that is Middleton Plantation. While we received an unexpected snow storm today, it was certainly a treat to have spent my trip where breezy dresses and sandals replaced tights and riding boots and where southern hospitality is served up family style.

-I hope you all had a great break-

Dress Up

I have found through examining collection after collection that when any garment--or lipstick-- is executed in this punchy fuchsia, I instantly love it. Aside from the obvious color infatuation, with it's slightly larger short sleeves, drop waist, full skirt, and knotted bow, there's no doubt what the reason's were for being drawn to this dress. This Giulietta party dress from the Pre-Fall 2013 collection was based around 1960's silhouettes and Breakfast at Tiffany's (when asked to keep Tiffany's & Co. in mind). While the dress is fairly simple, but still feminine, I appreciate the way in which Sofia Sizzi styled this particular look. With an un-fussy hairstyle and with basic black accessories in the shoes and frames of the model, this amazing dress is worn just how you would feel it was supposed to be. 

Paillettes

Zara t-shirt//Forever 21 skirt//Steve Madden shoes// Michael Kors watch

Recently I have been increasingly drawn to standout pieces of clothing. While they can be frustrating to keep up with, there is something about their uniqueness and overall fun quality to wear that makes it all worth wile. When I saw this skirt with it's iridescent paillettes, I was in love with not only the colors that the circles created when the light caught them, but also the way that it sounded and swayed when I moved. With such a statement piece, as this skirt is, I found it best paired with solid tops such as a plain black t-shirt and super high chunky wedges. 

Twenty Twelve

Two thousand and twelve was a great year. From being initiated into an amazing sorority, spending the summer in New York City with two internships, and being back at Syracuse University for my sophomore year.  I am so thankful for everyone that reads 85 Dresses and promise to keep it up in the new year. Here are twelve of my favorite posts from 2012.

Happy 2013, everyone! As amazing as 2012 was, here's to the new year and hope it's just as great!

Love, Leah

Dress Up--New Years Edition

Wearing sparkles to a New Years event is almost as inevitable as wearing stars and stripes on the fourth of July. Typically, I reserve sequins and sparkles for the most festive of occassions, as there is something about the way that they shine that looks and feels like wearable confetti. Although bringing sparkles into day wear has become more common lately, wearing them to bring in the new year feels special and unique. So, whether you drift towards a blazer, skirt, or full-on dress, there sure is a reason that sparkles are so popular for this time of the year.

What are you planning on wearing?

Dress Up

With Christmas around the corner, there is no doubt that I have festive reds on my mind. Though I do not celebrate Christmas, there is something about putting on a dress in a holiday colored hue that makes the holidays have that special feeling that they always do. This Carven dress from the Spring '13 collection has all of the components of a great holiday dress-- tasteful and fun cutouts, interesting neckline, classic length, and bright color--but, being from the spring collection, will also obviously work for warmer months.

Tuesday Shoesday

Even though it is below freezing up in Syracuse right now, and we're in the middle of December, I find myself browsing sandal options for once it gets warmer and I won't be the only one who will be able to see my pedicure. With the black and white popularity during the Spring '13 shows (see: Marc Jacobs and Jil Sander), I realized how these bold graphic straps would provide a simple interesting element to a breezy dress or billowy shorts. However, since it is going to be chilly for quite a while, for now, we will just take notice in the black and white to use as winter wear inspiration and keep these on our minds come spring. 

A to Z : B for Beauty

{photos via Style.com}

As this is the second post in our Monday lineup, in the middle of fashion week, there is no doubt that the "B" in our A to Z would focus in on the latest beauty trends being seen for Spring '13. Previously having been involved with J. Crew as the Head of Womenswear and Accessories Design until last year, this Spring 2013 presentation was Marissa Webb's first at launching her much anticipated collection. With the J. Crew aesthetic still seen throughout, in the mix of feminine touches with more tomboyish ones, the beauty details held the same qualities, as well. The hair and makeup was executed in that way that is so effortlessly elegant, but difficult to actually achieve perfectly with ease. Slightly tousled ponytails, clean faces, and bright lips, were the perfect combination to balance out the collection while certainly being complimentary instead of distracting.