Herringbone

Topshop T-shirt//Forever 21 Necklace// Skirt that I made// Steve Madden shoes// and Michael Kors watch

As much as I love colors, I really appreciate garments that have interesting patterns and textures. When I made this skirt last year, I was drawn to the corduroy fabric that instead of the typical ribbing that is associated with corduroy, had an interesting herringbone pattern on it. I have always enjoyed pairing long sleeves with shorter skirts or shorts, and on the abnormally warm December day that we had in Houston on Sunday, this was a perfect outfit for meeting up with some friends for coffee. 

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?

Denim Mini

{ By Corpus coat, Zara sweater, Topshop overall-dress, H&M tights, Forever 21 necklace, Michael Kors watch, and Mossimo Supply Co. ankle boots}

Denim mini skirts were the article of clothing that adorned every pre-teen girl in middle school. From crystal embellished to embroidery, every style was created for these popular minis. Since then, that trend has long faded, and what once used to be reserved for toddlers, elementary children, and My Twin dolls, came into style--The Overalls. While I am not brave enough to attempt the full-on overall style, this denim mini dress reminds me of the denim mini skirts that I used to love in middle school. With it's simple shape and the neutrality of the denim, it can be paired with basically anything just like your favorite pair of jeans. In wearing mine with a black and white striped sweater, black tights, and gold accessories, it is still a fairly basic look, but far different than what would be though of traditionally when associated with overalls. 

Oxblood

{H&M sweater, Vintage bag, KATE heels, Rodarte + Opening Ceremony skirt, Forever 21 necklace, and Michael Kors watch}

A pencil skirt and sweater seems like a classic go-to style for almost any occassion. When I saw this piece from the Tibi fall 2012 collection, something about the ordinary skirt and sweater combination that seemed so simple before, suddenly made me want to go on a hunt for an amazing leather version and to attempt at more monochromatic looks, as well. This Rodarte + Opening ceremony paneled slit skirt is really special. The fact that it's a pencil skirt, but that it has slits that go up a little higher than usual, make it not only a unique piece, but one that is also fun to wear. In an almost monochromatic sweater and skirt pairing--though the skirt is more oxblood and the sweater more burgundy-- I added simple gold jewelry, a patterned bag, and leopard heels to add a bit more interest. 

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?

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.

Home Improvement

There's something about leaving a brick wall exposed that makes a room feel sort of unique and special.  While I typically associate red and brown brick with coziness and warmth, this white bricked small space is comfortable and cozy in a similar relaxing way. Pairing the rustic brick with the more feminine pink and creme pillows and wicker furniture makes for a combination that is both aesthetically pleasing and perfect for a room to lounge in. 

Person of Interest: Olivia Palermo

Olivia Palermo has one of those styles that gives me closet envy time after time. I always admired her sense of style and class and her ability to combine high fashion with more affordable pieces to create the put-together quality of her looks. Aside from her obvious ability to always appear polished, I am interested in the way that she incorporates tailored jackets and coats into her looks--an easy way to add texture and make an outfit look a bit more finished and tie the look together, and, following last week's POI on pattern mixing, Olivia is a master at that, as well.

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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: Menswear Inspired

As much as I have a soft spot for extremely feminine and delicate designs, menswear inspired pieces, or incorporating components of menswear into otherwise lady-like looks, is a style that I have been gaining interest in over time. Starting with my love of a pair of Madewell oxfords, menswear inspired pieces focus mostly around fit and quality. Currently, I am really loving a more modern take on menswear with a well tailored short suit that is both polished and whimsical at the same time. 

Below are some of my favorite menswear-inspired pieces. 

Have you ever styled your outfit around menswear? What's your favorite part of it?

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Dress Up

Although I do not know where the components of this outfit are from, I figured that this was the perfect lesson in how to incorporate pastels and light-weight fabrics into fall and winter wardrobes. While pastels are known for being associated with spring time, by combining a longer length dress with a tailored camel colored coat and brown leather bag, this light pistachio-mint color can work for cooler months during the winter just as it can for the cooler months of the spring.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Home Improvement

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There is a library on our Syracuse University campus that has creaking spiral metal staircases and narrow wooden floored aisles that always makes me feel as if I am in an old English library when I am in there. I have collected all of my favorite fashion and art magazines for as long as I can remember, and held on to favorite books for whenever i get the sudden urge to delve into them and hope to one day have an immense shelf filled from floor to ceiling with books and magazines that are not only interesting and beautiful to read, but to look at, as well. I love how in the room featured above, everything about the room is simply white and black and that aside from the rug, the only other color is coming from the spines and covers of the books.

Do you hope to one day have a library? What are your favorite books and magazines to collect?

Person of Interest: Whitney Port

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Mixing patterns is an easy way to create a greater range of variety in your wardrobe and can create a look that appears intensely thought out and difficult to pull off. While pattern mixing has become one of my favorite inspirations while getting dressed in the morning, oddly enough, it was Whitney Port and her style that had me attempt it in the first place a few years ago. Just as navy can be considered a neutral to some, I have gotten to where stripes and florals can be considered neutrals, as well. For me, in pulling off this style successfully, I have found that pairing a bolder or larger pattern (such as the bold striped skirt in the second photo) with a smaller more subdued one (the leopard print flats) usually works. I admire Whitney Port's style for the fact that she always appears put together and polished, while still maintaining an ease to her outfits by providing an undone element, as well.

Are you a fan of pattern mixing and what are some of your favorites to combine?

Shoesday Tuesday

There is something about a white shoe that feels so crisp and refreshing. While white shoes during the winter months are typically shied away from, I have been seeing them being incorporated into looks more and more lately, as they add a clean finish and can make the outfit appear lighter than when paired with a dark shoe that weighs the rest of the look down. This week's shoe is a white ankle strap sandal with an on-trend lucite heel that will make this white shoe appear even lighter that before, as it appears like an illusion. This style of heel is one that I feel always makes a perfect pairing with a pair of looser-fitted jeans or trousers--it is not too dressy that it seems out of place, and not too casual that your outfit comes across as just another "weekend-wear" look.

How would you wear this week's shoe?

A to Z: Lace

To me, lace is one of those fabrics that regardless of what color it is in, or what it is applied to, always exudes a sort of femininity. In a way, with all of the varieties, each lace has a personality that is different and makes each garment feel special. While lace used to be more associated with bridal gowns and creams and whites, more recently, it can be found in every color from neutral to neon (see above).

Do you have a favorite color or style of lace? I absolutely love the cream colored dress in the image. While it is definitely a more subtle version in comparison to the chartreuse all-over lace on the right, I love the way that it appears so soft and ethereal and then is paired with a bright poppy colored bag.

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Dress Up

Jacquard, like brocade, is a fabric that always makes a garment feel special and unique to me. This short sleeved Jacquard floral print dress with an inverted pleat in the front that although is a fairly simple design, is one that is the perfect base for layering in the cooler weathered climates. I can picture paring this piece with an army green utility jacket that would work well with the cold, silver, and bronze metallics that are found in this dress's fabric, as well as dressing it down a bit. 

How would you style this dress? Are you a fan of Jacquard?

Home Improvement

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One of the most important things that I have learned from dorm living in the past year and a half is that proper space utilization can make a huge difference in not only the feeling of the size of your room (or home), but in the feeling of cleanliness and organization, as well. Both being design students, my roommate and I definitely have our share of stuff. However, it is the little areas in which we discover to house them all, that can make our room feel more like a home, and less like a storage room for our things. In the kitchen above, the room utilizes the sort of awkward curved corner to turn into a dining nook. What once may have been an odd empty space is now transformed into something cozy and unique to the room that also manages to add charm and an interesting appeal. 

What are some of your space utilization techniques? 

Person of Interest: Elin Kling

Elin Kling is a Swedish fashion blogger, model, and fashion director of her magazine STYLEBY, as well as had her own collection collaborated with H&M. While she can be seen in printed and colored pieces occasionally, her style appears to be more of basic colors in tailored pieces. Mostly made up of key pieces from slim-fitted pants and trousers to blazers and knits, I am inspired by how she manages to appear effortlessly put together and stylish without hiding behind bold prints and bright colors. Aside from her outfits, she does not hide behind statement jewelry pieces, either. This too intrigues me in that while many feel that even a simple necklace can finish their look, hers often go without--and succeed without, as well.

Does Elin's style inspire you, too?

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Tuesday Shoesday

As feminine and classic as I usually am, quite often I find myself interested in and wishing to try out pieces and styles that are a little unlike me. Anything in a brocade fabric is always beautiful to me--the way that the metallic threads shine and the way that it adds a bit of luxury to whatever it is sewn to. These Kenzo zip-front boots are a pair that while typically not my go-to style, are definitely a pair that I would love to try out. This pair is from Kenzo's pre-fall 2012 collection that was filled with an abundance of rich and deep colors (burgundy, mustard, navy blues) scattered with bits and pieces of pattern mixing and a few prints. While at first, this pair of boots may seem unpractical for their abilities to easily pair with a daily wardrobe, I am already dreaming up ways in which they can be the showstopper of the outfit throughout the fall and winter seasons. 

Would you attempt brocade boots?

A to Z: Knits

{A few great knits from Cacharel, Paco Robanne, and Rodarte}

Throughout my middle and high school years, knitting as an activity drifted in and out of entertaining. This week in my textiles class we discussed the practice of knitting and crocheting, and I realized how much of an art a great knit really is. While we all appreciate our oversized knits for their warmth and comfort-chic appeal, it is all of the different styles and applications of knits that can be found that is so amazing. From the polished sort of stone-blue look from Cacharel to the incredible open-knit Rodarte dress, knits are a great way to be able to alter an outfit and an interesting play on varieties of textures.

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