Dress Up

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For today's Dress Up post, it's not necessarily a particular dress being featured, but a style and idea--sequins and glitter! When the holidays start to roll around, nearly every store has some sort of garment covered in glitz. Now that the holidays are in full-swing, it's almost as if the sparkling lights adorning the neighborhoods have found their way indoors and onto the clothes. When it comes to sequins, I'm not picky. Gold, matte gunmetal, pale pink or anywhere in between and I'm ready to throw it on and twirl. That can't be just me, right? With sparkly dresses specifically, I've found that I'm more a fan of simple silhouettes. The sequins say plenty enough and having a simple shape keeps the focus on the shine and allows you to appreciate the quality of the sparkle in itself without being distracted from the style of the dress. Although, I've got to admit, when anything is covered in sparkles I automatically pay attention. Have you all found any sparkly holiday dresses for Christmas or New Years yet? Surprisingly, I only own one. The dark navy sequins and open back keeps it exactly as I like it--simple but statement-making and reserved for special occasions.

Happy Friday and happy hunting!

What are you all up to this weekend? I'm heading to Austin, TX for a road trip with the family for some much needed outdoor trails and killer vintage. This girl needs a new pair of cowboy boots!

Collegiate Crop

/ Vintage cheer top / Forever 21 jacket, skirt, and heels / Zara purse / Brandy Melville ring / Necklace from Austin, TX / Michael Kors watch 

I've always had an odd obsession with collegiate apparel. Although I am certainly not one to don my Syracuse sweatshirts to class, I do like to find ways to incorporate them into more stylized looks.  I had many collegiate cheer uniforms when I was younger, but this Rice University one with it's classic blue and white combination and bold printed 'R' was my favorite. With my recent love of a flair of sportiness to an outfit, I took the fact that it was much too small now as an advantage and played it up to the popularity of the crop top this summer. With my favorite varsity jacket already adding to the collegiate quality, I added a lace pencil skirt and leopard wedges to ensure there was still a bit of femininity to it, as well. 

Do you love collegiate apparel, too? I seem to always buy long sleeved pieces.

Popularity Contest

1. Topshop Crop Top / 2. Marc By Marc Jacobs Skirt / 3. Alexander Wang Romper / 4. Topshop Varsity Jacket / 5. Zara Faux Leather Shorts

When it comes to getting dressed in extreme weather temps, we all have those pieces that we automatically reach for--maybe even a few times in the same week. Today I decided to compile a collage of the pieces (or similar styles) in my closet that I tend to do this with.

1. Black Tank - Okay, this is by far the number one piece in wardrobe rotation at the moment. While not this exact style, my black Topshop tank has me having a tank top as one of my favorite pieces of clothing, when I never thought that would happen. It's perfectly tissue-thin, has a great higher neckline that's perfect for pairing with chunky necklaces, and basically feels like pajamas- if pajamas were black tank tops from Topshop.

2. Striped Skirt - Prints-wise lately, it's all about stripes in my closet. From t-shirts to dresses, these (usually horizontal) lines are everywhere. This Marc By Marc Jacobs skirt has a similar shape as my go-to striped Topshop skirt that is easily flattering, comfortable, and incredibly easy to dress up or down depending on the pieces added to it. Whether paired with matching stripes, florals, or whatever you had in mind, striped skirts have become my little black dress of skirts.

3. Black Romper - Talk about easy summer routine, rompers are a fast way to put an outfit together. Effortlessly chic (when styled and fit properly), incredibly comfortable, and great palettes for accessorizing, a classic black romper (this amazing one is Alexander Wang, while mine is from Bloomingdales Aqua line) is a summer go-to for obvious reasons.

4. Navy and Black Varsity Jacket - I know what you're thinking, jackets, in summer? I promise, though, I thought the same thing. However, for those of us that are in and out of office environments during the day, understand that it can easily cool-down once inside. My varsity jacket from Forever 21 (the one above is from Topshop) has always been the perfect "updated office cardigan" whether it was cold in the studio or the day turned drizzly, and instantly adds a sporty-chic quality to the rest of your look.

5. Faux Leather Shorts - These paper-bag waist Zara faux leather shorts may be runner up to the Topshop tank on this list. I mentioned to a friend earlier last week that these are the fashionistas version of Nike Shorts. Laugh all you want, but I swear it's true. While you may think to shy away from leathery fabrics during the summer months, just like our number four,  you may want to think again. The bagginess of these shorts are not only more flattering than your cutoffs, but keep the heavier material away from your body, as well. And, I have yet to find a top in my wardrobe that they don't work with.

What are the most popular pieces in your summer wardrobe right now? I'd love to hear.

Fluted Florals

/ H&M Jacket and Ring / Forever 21 Top and Necklace / Zara Skirt / Sam Edelman heels / Brandy Melville Arrow Ring / J.Crew Bracelet /

I always find it interesting how trends come in and out of style. Since the rise and fall of hi-low dresses and everything accented with a peplum, it is safe to say that one of the main current trends is none other than the fluted hem. I had my eye on this fluted floral skirt from Zara for a while, and when they had their sale last week, I caved. I haven't added something floral to my wardrobe in a while (mostly stripes and neutrals lately) and the colors in this skirt are so dreamy- while floral, they are not as overtly feminine as usual. When paired with my favorite frayed-edge button down, kelly green suede moto jacket, and lots of fun jewelry, this is an outfit that was perfect for my sunday best--even when I had nothing planned.

What do you think? Are you a fluted fan?

Building Blocks

/ Topshop tank / Zara shorts / Steve Madden shoes / Michael Kors watch / H&M Ring / Forever 21 Necklace / Anthropologie sunglasses /

Lately I've been kind of obsessed with swingy shorts. Being a skirt lover, they have the breeziness of a summer skirt but with the easy feeling of a pair of shorts. Having been in a bit of a pattern funk for a bit, when I saw these shorts about a month ago, the bright orange and navy square pattern managed to pull me right out of that rut. With the all-over pattern already being a focal point for the look, I made sure to pair it with basic pieces like my favorite black tank and chunky wedges. And, with a geometric-style necklace to complement the graphic characteristic of the shorts, these swingy shorts, definitely don't fall short when it comes to style. 

Sea-glass

/ Striped Skirt Set: Topshop / Necklace: Francesca's / Watch: Michael Kors / Ring: H&M / Heels: Christian Siriano /

While I have always preferred the city to the ocean,  the varying colors of blues from the water have served as a constant source of inspiration and favorite of mine in terms of dress. When it comes to stripes, it is easy to accidentally drift into the traditional nautical style (as I had worn this skirt set with gold accessories and red lips once before). However, with colors of the ocean, a necklace resembling sea-glass, and my current favorite heels, the contrast of dark and light blues creates a sort of "neo-nautical" that seems much more fresh and updated.

School Boy

//Necklace, Blouse, and Jacket: Forever 21// Shorts: Zara//Heels: Vintage (gift from mom)//Ring: H&M//

I used to not really give much thought to white button-downs. I found them to be stuffy, difficult to keep clean, and boring. However, when I went to re-create a stylized version of a school uniform with my favorite varsity jacket, leather shorts, and short heels, this button down from Forever 21 proves to be that crisp white button-down that I'll be reaching for more often. With it's unfinished seams and slightly deconstructed and frayed edges, it has every bit of that uniform and polished look that I was looking for, but with the stylized qualities to keep it updated and current, as well.

//How amazing are these vintage heart heels? I'm absolutely head over heels in love--ha//

Tuesday Shoesday

You know how some people lean towards a certain color when it comes to accessories? For me, I have a real obsession with blue shoes. There is something about the color that always feels unique and special to me when I wear them, and are fun to try and work into my outfit as if they were a neutral. When it comes to blue shoes, however, blue suede ones are my favorites. I used to have a pair of blue suede ankle boots that had little bows up the front. They were one of my first pair of 'adult' shoes, and they were the piece that always tied my outfit together. Since I have long outgrown those special shoes, this pair from Madewell comes pretty close. With their similar navy suede coloring, classic shape, and easy-to-wear heel, this is a shoe that not only has memories attached to it, but my eyes glued to them, as well. 

A to Z: Navy

1/2/3/4

Just as we all have colors that are favorites of ours to wear, we also lean towards certain favorites when it comes to how they look on us. For me, navy blue is one of those colors. With dark blue eyes and quite pale skin, when I wear navy, the paleness of my skin with the dark of the navy brings out my eyes in a more complementary and less severe way than black does. Navy has a sort of understated sophistication, in that though a dark color, it can sometimes come across as more classic and luxe...not heavy and somber.

Is navy your color, too? If not, what is that color that always works on you?

Dress Up

While many people save their sparkles and sequins for the holiday seasons, I for one, am a fan of them all year round. A little sparkle is a great way to add a little bit of glitz and glamour into your life, and quite frankly, they're just fun to wear. This week's dress is full of sparkles, but is in a length and shape that can easily be able to be worn for either day or night. For a more day-time appropriate look, this dress would provide just the right amount of sparkle when paired down with a chambray button down and a utility coat, or dressed up with a tuxedo blazer and some simple jewelry to balance the shine. Either way, this dress is one that while easy to wear, can also easily make your outfit feel special, as well.

Would you rock sequins throughout the year?

Dress Up

As much as a sucker I am for a really feminine fit-and-flare, waist-accented silhouette for a dress, there is a strong place in my heart for a great boxy dress. This week's dress is one that fills many classifications of things that go into making a favorite style boxy dress to me. I love how while the sleeves are short, they are longer than usual, and how as a whole, the dress can appear almost as if it is a top and skirt as separates. Although my university's colors are orange and blue, surprisingly, that is not the reason that the colors work well for me. The combination of a dark navy and almost rusty/metallic orange, are great colors for fall and winter and can work as a great base for coats or tights and the metallic quality would look great with one of my favorite additions--gold jewelry.

Have a great weekend, everyone! I'm headed home for Thanksgiving Break. 

Hues in Blue

{H&M Shorts, J.Crew sweater, Francesca's Collections necklace, Michael Kors watch, and Juicy Couture heels}

I absolutely love the monochromatic look seen in styles like this, this, and this. However, as fabulous as these girls all look, I don't think that I am brave enough to try something like that just yet. By working in the blue family with a pair of royal blue shorts and a navy striped sweater, I was able to test out an outfit that includes plenty of blues, but with a little more variety in their hues. 

{Have you ever tried out glasses like these? They look ridiculously geeky, but I kind of love them}

Lovely Lattice

{Isaac Mizrahi for Target top, Forever 21 skirt, Michael Kors watch, and Madewell oxfords}

When it comes to basic pieces, changes in the little details, like adding lattice-style cutouts to the sleeves on this Isaac Mizrahi top, are what make them special. By pairing this festive skirt with a navy blouse instead of a more neutral tone, it brings the outfit to more of an everyday summer style instead of 4th of July.

Graphic Static

{Urban top, Zara skirt, Topshop necklace, Michael Kors watch, and Steve Madden shoes}

There is something that always interests me about graphic abstract things. The way that I don't know exactly what the pictures are and the fact that they look like graphic drawings of television static are part of why it is going to be one of my favorite new pieces to easily switch up for day to night pieces. When paired here with a navy skirt and a necklace that looks like shards of electricity and light, it has just the right amount of funky elements while still looking polished and not going overboard.

Stud

{Forever 21 dress, belt, and cardigan, Michael Kors Watch, and Madewell oxfords}

Although I love to dress differently everyday and try out new styles, studs were something that I was more hesitant for. While they used to be reserved for more "rocker" wear, they have been found lately as a perfect juxtaposition to more feminine pieces such as this Forever 21 dress, or delicate eyelet jackets like this one that I have been eyeing from Zara. When I found this dress last week, it was a combination of many favorites: it was navy, had a ladylike quality to it, and even incorporated this studding. Perfect match.

Rhythm 'n Blue

{Criss Cross blouse from Francesca's/ By Corpus skirt from Urban/ Faryl by Farylrobin shoes/ Michael Kors Watch}

There is something that seems eternally elegant about a good navy blue. Whether on a more casual garment or something more aimed at evening wear, it always has that ever classic vibe. Though I purchased this shirt over spring break, I hadn't added it to an outfit since. I love all of the small details that cover it with everything from the small buttons up the front, to the ruffles along the sleeves.