Fancy Footwear

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Lately I've been getting more and more into shoes. Although, like most of the clothes that I buy, most of the shoes that I'm interested in are anything but practical. But, my shopping motto has usually been to buy for the life that I want and dream that I have, not the one that I actually do. With that said, these four fancy footwear styles are all from Asos and all have a bit of fun to them. From fun sayings (ooh la la!) to fringe and faux fur, any of these styles would add a bit more pep to your step.

Updated Classic

/ Forever 21 Raincoat (old) / Hunter boots / 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target purse / Michaels puff /

As I am sure everyone is aware of, I have an obsession with coats. (faux) fur, leather, wool, pink, blue or camel, I am not that picky. So, when I thought I needed a raincoat for the few rainy days that were the beginning of my time being home here in Houston, I discovered this old favorite in the back of my closet. During drab and rainy days, sometimes pulling out a raincoat that looks the opposite of drab is all that you need to turn the day around. This one from Forever 21 way back when I was in high school is perfect because unlike so many other raincoats, it's little nipped in waist and trench coat details make it much more stylized and fun to wear than a more traditional style without much of a shape. Also, how could anyone resist the checkered trim and buttons?

Cold Weather Wear

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Well wow, everyone! I think that it is officially Winter here in Syracuse. Goodbye PSL's and hello to Gingerbread and Peppermint Mocha's. Aside from all of my favorite warm winter beverages, Winter is one of my favorite seasons to dress for, despite my continued dislike for the cold weather--it's the Texan in me, I guess. Anyway, we just had our first real snowfall this past weekend and I'm officially in bundle mode. Over the years of attending college in one of the snowiest cities in America, I have found that accessories really are key to keeping warm and are also a great and easy way to add extra patterns and textures to your overall look. I put together a few of my necessities for once the weather cools down:

1. A statement faux fur coat: I have learned that having a few statement coats in your closet in addition to your go-to basics really is ideal when it comes to colder weather. Since there is a good chance that you will be wearing a coat everyday for the next four-five months, having a few that feel fun instead of just warm will make getting ready to brave the cold a little more stylish. I think I'm at the point to where I have a rainbow collection of faux fur (...oops), but this Topshop daisy one sure did catch my attention. 

2. A beanie / hat: This is the area that I need to improve on. Hats make such a difference when it comes to not having the heat escape your body. I for one, don't think that beanies look the best on me, but I saw this chunky H&M style this past weekend (after my ears were freezing) and am determined to start trying to pull them off even if it's just a warmth issue.

3. Fun mittens / gloves: If you're anything like me, keeping the same pair of mittens over the course of the winter season (forget the year) is quite the struggle. Like socks, I always end up with one of them and have misplaced the mate. Because of this, I try to have a few different styles always stocked up and in different places from my book bag, my car, and my room for whenever the cold hits. Inexpensive styles like these cute Old Navy ones keep me smiling even when I'm cold. 

4. Over-the-Knee boots: Boots are one of the best winter investments in my opinion. I have quite the collection of ankle boots in my shoe closet, but have yet to add a pair of over-the-knee ones. The Stuart Weitzman 50/50 is one that is on my 'winter wish list' year after year, but these Zara ones come in pretty close, too. How fabulous is the patent cap toe part?!

What are your must-haves for the Winter season? I'm also a huge fan of infinity scarves. They make all the difference in my opinion.

Home Improvement: Furry Decor

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Recently I've found myself obsessing over furry decor - specifically sheepskin. I think that texture is one of the strongest elements in decor and design and these sheepskin elements provide such an amazing texture both visually and tactilely. When it comes to searching for interior design inspiration, I have found that I have been drawn to interiors that include these textural elements. Below are some of my current favorites. Also, how amazing is the pink floor throw?

Coach Spring 2015

Photo via Style.com Instagram

Happy first official day of New York Fashion Week. Every season I sort the looks that I like most from each show into files and analyze them from the looks overall, colors and fabrics used, accessories and so on. Look out over the next month basically for some of my favorites from all of the fashion capitals and their designers. The Coach show this morning was already one of my favorites for its eye candy appeal. With shaggy pastel coats and a 70's vibe with that specific orange leather and platform sandals, and an artist collaboration that was printed throughout, this is one collection that I can't wait to see how stylists will pull the pieces and use them for editorials. I'm looking at you, shearling and shaggy fur coats. 

Winter Fever

When I left the house this morning with the incorrect weather information for the day ahead, I was confused when greeted with that brisk air that is the sure sign that fall (and quickly winter) are approaching. As I spend the rest of the day in my summer brights, dreaming of the new arrivals of coats in both the stores and closets, here is some coat inspiration to get you through Syracuse's chilly day. Having picked up about five coats last winter season, I have to reign it back this year- although I doubt anything will top that vintage lime green faux I found in Piccadilly during my time abroad this past semester. So, grab a coffee (a hot one not iced!) and soak up some cold-weathered inspiration.

Images found via Pinterest 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 

Tuesday Shoesday : Currently Coveting

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I know that we are supposed to be living in the present, but with all of the fall fashions starting to creep into stores, it's hard not to think about dressing for fall--especially in the footwear department. The last time that I sported slip-ons was middle school with spotted Vans (black and white, of course). However, these slip-ons featuring luxe fabrics and materials such as leathers and faux fur, and with detailed stitch work, prove to be the much more stylish relative. Now, which to choose?

White Hot II

/ H&M sweater + skirt / Sunnies from NYC street vendor / Michael Kors watch / David Yurman ring / Topshop purse / Fur Pouf from London trimming store / Primark platforms /

As much as I love an all white look, I love using white as a starting point for colors, too. Here, I mixed a favorite bright white sweater (love the sleeves!) with a cream colored old lace skirt from H&M. Working within a similar color palette is something that I like to play around with often, but not so much when it comes to neutrals. I love how this look started out simple and focused on the light colors and more on the shapes of the skirt and the sweaters' sleeves, and soon turned into a sort of Lula-esque floral and pink moment. That's probably one of the main ideas that I love about getting dressed-- you can have an idea in mind of who you want to be that day or of how you want to dress, and quickly, the pieces sort of combine themselves into your end point where you may have never even thought you'd end up. Does that ever happen to any of you?

Dress Up

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I've been drawn to everything pink lately (seen in this post). Currently in the process of making a pink top and pant set for my final in my draping class, it's safe to say that pink is constantly on my mind. In perusing inspiration for this week's Dress Up post, clearly this simple pink frock on Natalie Joos tugs at my heartstrings a bit. I love the simple shape and cut, but the slightly exaggerated sleeves (something I am doing to my garment, as well) and ways that she has chosen to style it (pale purple fur, sort of digital printed clutch, pink sunnies, and what seem like fuchsia suede heels) make it even more swoon-worthy. While I have seen plenty of perfect pink pieces (hey, alliteration!) lately, none of them have made their way into my wardrobe--yet. Natalie shows how with simple pieces you can either shift towards the minimal route and let the garment speak for itself or, in this case, add pieces to it that truly enhance the simplicity and special details in it anyway.

Home Improvement

 / Photo from The Life Styled /

As much as I love color, I have a special place for neutrals, as well. However, even with neutrals I can shift between both ones with texture and prints and ones that are super monochromatic and solid. This week's Home Improvement post features a living room setting that has a glamorous feel using neutrals of gold, blacks, creams, and whites, but playing up the lack of color with glitter, polka dots, chevron, and fur throws. The light colored couch, walls, and table keep the room light and airy and allow the accent pillows to provide the perfect amount of pop and interest to the space. Can't you totally picture sitting here reading stacks of magazines and chatting with girlfriends?

What do you think of printed and textured neutrals in this week's room?

PS-How amazing is that gold pillow?

Home Improvement

When it comes to pink, things can get tricky really fast. Naturally, the color is full of girly qualities to begin with, so it can easily err on the side of super-feminine or sometimes even juvenile. While I love nearly all shades of pink, playing with the femininity of the color with some earthy textures and colors     [seen in the fur throw on the wooden chair, table decorations, and wall paintings], help to make the pink more of a relaxing neutral than an over-the-top girly setting. 

How would you style a pink room? All-out feminine or mixin' it up?

photo via 

Jungle Green

{ H&M jacket and tights, Forever 21 coat and dress, Michael Kors watch, Topshop shoes, Vintage bag, and Urban's hologram polish}

I have always felt that leopard and greens evoke a sense of instant luxury and polish. In combining a green suede moto jacket and faux leopard coat over an all black base of a pleated dress with tights and boots, the prints and colors of the jackets and carpet bag are able to have the attention that they strive for. Although first worried that the bag's pattern and the leopard's spots would not mesh pleasingly, I was pleasantly surprised how they managed to come off as that perfectly undone quality that I strive for. 

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?