Home Improvement

 / Image Via /

Wow, you guys! We haven't had our regular Thursday 'Home Improvement sessions in quite a while. Inspiring and comfortable home decors are something that I have grown quite interested in over the years, and finding them for these weekly posts is something that I very much enjoy. So, we'll be getting back to those for all of you reading. Aside from my clear recent obsession with all things black and white, yellow is a color that is finding its way into my obsession category, as well.

While yellow is a color that so many people, including me,  shy away from (similar to orange), I began to shift my thoughts towards it with a recent trip for a pedicure. It sounds silly, but yellow is a color that is known to make people happier, and with bright yellow toes, it certainly has done a little bit of joy every time I go to change my footwear for the day. I began thinking that if yellow toes can instantly add that bit of happiness, what would happen if there was yellow accents in our home decor? While too much of it may be a bit bright, depending on your feelings towards the color, a little accent here and there definitely adds that punchy brightness that easily finishes a room and fills it in with the way that a lot of colors just aren't able to. In the room above, I love how the room is mostly black and white with pastel accents and sort of faded pieces and then the small yellow pillow and blanket on the couch make it warmer than if they had not been there at all.

What do you guys think? Adding any yellow into your lives in the future?

If not in your decor or your wardrobe, I suggest at least starting with your toes :)

Kendra Scott

/ 1. / 2. / 3. /.4. /

Going to college in the East Coast, I sometimes forget how trends differ depending on location. This summer while I was at home in Texas, I repeatedly came across friends wearing bright and simple jewelry pieces that were worn with everything from cuttoffs to cocktail dresses. Time after time, I was told they were 'Kendra'. I soon learned that the 'Kendra' was in reference to none other than jewelry designer and Texas native, Kendra Scott. As much as statement necklaces are fun to wear, Kendra's pieces make every bit of that statement, while also being classic pieces that you will wear on a daily basis. Below I gathered four of my favorites. I love how they are all delicate pieces, but still manage to have a bit of a raw and organic shape to them, as well. 

Are you a fan of Kendra Scott's jewelry? What is your favorite piece of hers? I'd love to know.

Tuesday Shoesday

When I ventured out of my traditional comfort zone when it comes to nails a few months ago and went with bright white, I was pleasantly surprised. It was a color that went with much more than I thought it would, instantly brightened up any outfit, and -dare I say- even made me look tanner! That alone was a miracle. When it comes to white shoes, however, I was slightly more skeptical. Difficult to keep clean, easily crossing over to tacky, and short lived (no white shoes after Labor Day, remember--ha), they seem quite difficult to pull off. However, I spotted these adorable twisted patent leather sandals from Prada and remembered how much I loved that white manicure. These would make a great alternative to a tan or black neutral that can be paired with nearly everything and, with its subtle detailed braiding, makes it simple-not boring. 

Would you try out a pair of white shoes? What about nails? 

Home Improvement

As much as I love falling asleep during a thunderstorm, I love waking up to a bright sunny morning just as much. There is something about that perfect surge of morning light rushing through your windows that adds a bit more pep and energy to start off the day right. When I came across this bedroom, I started imagining waking up to the flooding of light through those incredible windows. The slanted walls create so many amazing opportunities for decoration and style and make the windows even more interesting. With the unique shape of the room, I also really appreciate how the owner took the chance to play the shape up and create a sort of focus wall filled with an abstract floral wallpaper. In a pattern that may otherwise overwhelm if spread throughout the whole room, when narrowed in on a small and angular part, the pattern is not only easier to take in, but more complimentary to the space, as well. 

What do you think? Wouldn't you love waking up in this sunny bedroom?

A to Z: Sun Yellow

1. Tibi Pea Coat//2. Similar Sunnies //3. No.21 Floral Silk Shorts//4. SKULLS Lemonade 5-Panel Hat

Yellow is one of those colors that people either love or they hate. While members of the yellow family (think: marigolds and pastel yellows) are more popularly worn, bright sun yellow is usually not. With all of the sun that Syracuse has been having towards the end of the school year finally, sun yellow is the perfect "S" for this week's A to Z.

1. Usually during rainy days adding a pop of color with my umbrella is my best bet among a sea of black Hunters and rain jackets. This Tibi Rubberized Pea Coat adds the sun yellow on a day where maybe there is none, and with its classic shape and fit, can be worn on perfect weather days, as well.

2. While I am not one to sport sunglasses, I am actually quite a fan of them. There are so many shapes and styles out right now from super geometric and mod to extremely decorated almost works of art, that I can't help but be intrigued. I love the way that these are slightly geometric with their angular uppers and in a bright yellow to reflect the bright day that is causing you to wear them.

3. One of my favorite outfits right now is the short suit. I think that it is such a fresh take on a suit and when worn and styled correctly can be very glam. These No. 21 Floral Silk Shorts can just as easily be fabulous worn with a white T-shirt and gold necklace as they can with a matching blazer and pair of stilettos for a night out. Their silky fabric makes them more evening appropriate, and can also add that same sense of dress up, but with the ease and comfort of a pair of silky pajama shorts.

4. We all know how popular the fabric and leather baseball caps are in the blogger and fashion world lately. Though I haven't been brave enough to sport one out in public (yet), I am obsessed. With my love for mixing tomboyish style with feminine pieces, I have mentally paired countless outfits together topping them off with a cap as the finishing touch. This SKULLS one covered in lemons would be adorable with a crisp white summer dress and nude sandals.

Home Improvement

When I was younger, one of my favorite parts about going on a vacation was staying in the hotel rooms. While I obviously was excited about seeing sights other than my Houston neighborhood, there was always something about pretending that this new, perfectly clean, and well organized room was actually mine. To this day, one of the things that I still am fond of in hotels is their white sheets and upholstery fabrics. Sitting on a white couch or climbing into a bed with crisp white sheets makes you extra cautious to not do anything to change the perfect white appearance. Now that sixty degree weather has been somewhat of a regular here in Syracuse for the past few days, it got me thinking about spaces that always provide a sense of freshness like the season of spring does. For me, that feeling is always associated with white hotel linens and plenty of beautiful and natural light like in the image above.

What kind of interiors do you associate with spring?

Style Smörgåsbord

{Forever 21 shirt, necklace, H &M fur sweater, HUE leggings, Target booties, and Urban Outfitters holographic nail polish}

I had been looking for a faux fur sweater or vest for a while, but didn't really want to settle with a simple brown or black style. This piece from H & M I fell in love with for it's, though bright teal in color, versatility. While definitely a recognizable and unique piece, there is much more that can be paired with a color faux fur like this than you would ordinarily expect. The oversized denim button-down and neon necklace work well with the bright of the sweater, while the black sleeves, leggings, and booties help to juxtapose the brightness with a sense of balance.

How would you style a bright colored faux fur?

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.

Fluorescent Elements

{Forever 21 sweater,  H&M pants, Target heels,  Necklace from Dillard's}

Lately, I feel that the way that an outfit can work best is with simple and basic pieces but with amazing accessories. By using a bright fuchsia sweater and basic black pants as the base, and adding a neon green statement necklace and leopard print wedges, this otherwise simple outfit is now a lesson in mixing brights with patterns. While the traditional suit style has seemed to be fairly distant from the need to be in our wardrobes for a while now, this is an outfit--or style-- that I feel could work well for a creative office setting or even an interview, as well.

I arrived back in Syracuse last night to finish off the rest of the first semester, so look forward to starting off tomorrow with our regular school line-up starting with tomorrow's "Tuesday Shoesday" post. 

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving break!

Necklace DIY

{Original Necklace: Forever 21, T-shirt: Target}

Like most accessory fanatics, I have definitely purchased my fair share of neon and bright colored cocktail jewelry. Remembering this post from last year, I turned my slow day into one of a craft that to much surprise, turned out just as how I had hoped. I wanted to use a combination of pastels and brights to fit in with some of my favorite styles right now. Overall, it was easy, fun to do, and was a great way to add an accessory to my wardrobe.

{Colors used: ette's "Coral", Sinful Colors's "Forget Now", N.Y.C's "#110A", Essie's "Vermillionaire", and Revlon's "Minted"}

{I did two coats for each color so that I wouldn't see the original crystal underneath}

{Finished Product}

Do you ever attempt DIY projects? What are some of your favorites?

Knot What They Seem

{Banana Republic jacket, Top from Anthropologie, Madewell shorts, Steve Madden shoes, Michael Kors watch, and Bracelet purchased from a SoHo vender}

Don't get me wrong, I love skirts just as much as the next girl. However, there are some days that you want to run around without worrying about having a Marilyn moment in the street. That's where these shorts come in handy. Yep, you read that right. Shorts. They look just as dainty and feminine as your favorite skirt, but have that added "I'm actually a pair of shorts" factor, as well. And, in this great "electric citron" color, as Madewell calls it, are perfect for summer when toned down with a great grey knotted tank.

{You can even do high kicks in New York City streets if you want. Which obviously, you do.}

Bright Whites

{J. Crew blouse, H&M Skirt, Necessary Clothing belt, Guess? heels, and Michael Kors Watch}

There's something about an all white outfit that just feels so perfect and fit for summer. Aside from the lightness of the color for the strong heat, the crispness and clean look of all white shades feel effortlessly put-together and classic. However, to keep the outfit from looking too stark for someone as pale as myself, a skinny belt in a bright neon chartreuse color adds that perfect pop of color for an otherwise all white ensemble.