Dress Up

When I saw this dress in Joe Fresh (in the fuchsia and orange version), I couldn't help myself. Almost immediately it reminded me of this dress (look 19) from the Prada S/S '11 show that I loved, and allowed me to take a bit of that collection home with me--but obviously at a much more reasonable price. When I think of summers, outdoor fiestas with fun dancing, fabulous music, and great friends come to mind. This dress would be the perfect statement to wear to one of these events with a killer pair of strappy heels, bright matte lipstick, and glossy nude nails.

What do you think of this festive dress?

Have a great weekend!

Home Improvement

In this extremely hot weather that we've been having lately, how can you help but want to transport yourself to this home in South Africa. Aside from being located near the beach, everything about this home adds to its airy and fresh atmosphere. From the light colored floors, fabrics and materials of the  furniture, to the larges sliding glass doors, it seems that maybe just being in this space could help with the heat. The high ceilings add to the overall open feel of the space as well, and I am in love with the hanging lights that not only have that same airy feel to them as the room does, but create another interesting texture and element, too.

So, who's with me on taking a trip to South Africa?

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. 

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

Dress Up

I used to completely shy away from tank tops-- I thought they were too basic, nearly all the same, and uninteresting. However, recently I can't get enough of them. In the last week, I've picked up two of them (one in white and one in olive green), and I love the way that they are so effortless and easy to wear, but can sometimes finish an outfit off much better than a blouse could. In figuring out other ways to incorporate 'tank styles' into my wardrobe, this week's Dress Up dress is basically this same idea. This dress from LuLu*s is basic in it's style and serves as a perfect base point to dress up with jewelry, shoes, or jackets. If you really want to go for basic, wearing the dress alone works as well, and the color is a statement in itself.

Where do you stand on tanks? Tank tops or Tank dresses, what's your preference?

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 

Updated Classic

//Jacket: My Design// Romper: AQUA// Heels: Ellen Tracy// Ring: H&M// Necklace: Forever 21//

When I found out that we were going to be assigned a jacket as our final project of senior year in my pattern-making class, I knew almost automatically that I wanted to do an updated version of a classic varsity jacket. I lettered in Varsity Cheer in high school, and though I rarely wore my high school jacket, it was a much less stylized and much more oversized, I loved the combination of plush leather sleeves and the felt body. When it came to designing my own, I wanted the colors to be light neutrals, but to be anything from boring. With the quilted sleeves, floral body, and bold zipper, it came out exactly how I imagined it: crisp, stylish, and able to make whatever it was thrown on top of instantly pulled together. 

I would love to hear your comments/thoughts about how you think that it turned out. They would mean a lot to me.

Tuesday Shoesday

When I first took notice in iridescent footwear, they came in the form of this post. More recently, though, iridescent shoes have been popular in the form of heels, and I must say have absolutely stolen my heart. When it comes to shoes, though I love to appreciate intricately detailed pairs and those consumed with colors, I gravitate more towards practical pieces-- in colors, not styles-- iridescent options however, seem to create a happy medium- they are both whimsical enough that they feel a bit like playing dress-up, but practical enough that I could wear them on many different occasions from casual to cocktail. And, at about fifty dollars, they are a more understandable purchase than an expensive of-the-moment trendy version.

Heels from Zara

Naturally Neon

//Dress: Old Navy (old)// Jacket: Ecoté from Urban Outfitters// Heels: Jessica Simpson// Watch: Michael Kors// Ring: H&M// Necklace: Francesca's Collection//

After almost a week of all black outfits, I felt like a little bit of color was due on 85 Dresses again. I purchased this safety yellow dress from old navy forever ago, and it is one of my favorite go-to dresses during warmer months. From the color, linen-like fabric and easy to wear classic shirt-dress style, it is perfect to throw on with cute flats during the day or to dress it up a bit more with heels and statement jewelry for a casual event. Since it felt a bit cooler during this particular day, when searching for a jacket, this army green utility jacket has a similar slouchy effect as the dress, but in a similar color palette, and with details like the expandable pockets and drawstrings, it definitely adds more interest than a simple cardigan.

Dress Up

I love when a certain season starts to get into gear: all of the people get into the spirit of the season, all of the clothes start to mimic the weather, and we get the first glimpse of what is to offer. To me, it seems like all of the summer clothes are starting to appear, causing extra excitement about the season to all who see them. This week's Mara Hoffman dress screams summer to me. From it's blues and blush colored oranges that look like a summer sunset, to it's easy, yet flattering and interesting shape with simple cutout, and even it's fun pattern. This dress is perfect to throw on with a pair of high heeled nude sandals and golden jewelry to complement your summer bronzed tan, where sadly, I won't be able to take part in.

Black Basics

//Tank: Topshop//Shorts: Zara//Ankle Boots: Target//Bag: Vintage//Necklace: Forever 21//Ring: H&M//Watch: Michael Kors//

When it comes to jeans and a t-shirt, I was never really that kind of girl. As much as I appreciate a crisp white shirt and perfectly worn-in denim, I have never really felt comfortable when I wear them together. When it comes to the denim and a t-shirt idea, throwing on these faux leather Zara shorts and my favorite worn-in tank is the closest I got to. Basics to me are about simplicity and with an all black palette, gold accessories, and full-on comfort, this felt just as basic as an easy jeans and a t-shirt look, but with a little more interest and style instead.

What is one of your favorite basics in your wardrobe?

Gallery Girls

//Dress: Forever 21//Heels: Sam Edelman//Purse: Christian Siriano//Watch: Michael Kors//Ring: H&M//Necklace: From Austin, TX//

When I was in high school I was really interested in pursuing a career in art working in galleries and interacting with artists on a regular basis. While people that are actually a part of the Art world may completely disagree with me, when I put this look together, this specific type of art gallery girl is what I had in mind. When I used to study what these girls would wear that I was so infatuated with, they always had dresses composed of perfect simplicity and easy details that really made them what they were. I am not really fond of hi-low garments, but when it comes to asymmetry, like seen in this dress, I'm all in. The slanted sections of this dress, as well as the dropped sleeve addition on the right really make the piece. Not only did these girls have the best black dresses, but their accessories seemed to be what stole the show. Though their clothes were muted in color, the accessories often made up for it. This Christian Siriano neon chartreuse faux croc bag (similar bag here) is one of my favorites not only for it's shocking color and statement-worthy appearance, but for it's ability to constantly seem to complete outfits by simply adding it to the mix. So while I ended up pursuing a career in the fashion industry instead of in art, I still regularly cite gallery girls and people involved in the art world as a source of inspiration not only in art, but style, as well. 

Art Mod

//Dress: Forever 21// Necklace: From Austin, TX// Ring: H&M//Watch: Michael Kors//Shoes: Target//

When dressing in a hurry, I usually gravitate towards a flared skirt with a blouse or a classic fit-and-flare dress. However, this weekend in a hurry for mother's day brunch, I went straight for a simple mod-like black and white shift. While there isn't much shape to this particular style, it is comfortable enough for a day of festivities, but still put-together and timeless at the same time. We ended up venturing to a new part of Discovery Green in downtown Houston, and found the amazing sculpture, Monument Au Fantome by Jean Dubuffet. With the black, white, red, and cobalt blue of the sculpture, the black and white simple palette of my dress ended up being perfectly complementary.

Palm Beach

     Dress: Forever 21//Necklace: gift from Austin, TX, Ring: H&M//Watch: Michael Kors //Heels: Sam Edelman//Phone Case: Vera Bradley

For a photoshop final project, I focused a lot on the style of Palm Beach, Florida throughout the decades. Although I have never been there, this outfit with a combination of cremes, whites, golds, and a pop of color in the lipstick and the landscape--although here, in the form of a decorative wall mural, reminds me a lot of what Palm Beach would be like. When it comes to wearing head to toe monochromatic, it is key to play up textures. From the snakeskin on the shoes to the lace on the dress, there is an interesting detail throughout the outfit. And, in a simple shift style with loose long-sleeves, this is the perfect dress to wear in the Texas summer for a wide array of occassions.

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

Home Improvement

When I came home from my finishing my Sophomore year of college last week, I came home to a literal home improvement. While I was away, my parents had changed our stairs from being covered in an old, grey-ish carpet, to clean hardwood ones. It's amazing what something as simple as going from carpet to wood can do to a part of a space and it got me thinking about alternative stairs, an aspect to some homes that is often neglected--as was ours. In perusing favorite interior sites, I had seen everything from turning parts of the stairs into hide-away storage units, to mirrored stairs for a definite sparkle lover. However, one of the ones that stuck with me was a set of beautifully painted floral stairs (seen above). While to some it may seem unnecessarily decorative, I thought of how unique it might be to instead of having paintings, these stairs were in a perfectly white staircase and the only color came from the steps. There surely is something quite whimsical, but not too quirky about these stairs, and it will definitely make me pay more attention to spaces that are otherwise left unnoticed. 

photo via

POI: Elizabeth Olsen

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In researching Elizabeth Olsen as a source of killer hair inspiration, I became quite drawn to her sense of style, as well. The Elizabeth in her sisters' (Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, that is) line, Elizabeth and James, Liz Olsen sticks to mostly neutrals when it comes to dressing. While she keeps her colors to a minimum, I noticed that one of the garment styles that she frequently exhibits is none other than a form of jacket or coat. I am a strong believer in having a jacket pull a look together, and Elizabeth Olsen definitely demonstrates that. From a head to toe velvet rust-colored suit to a creme shaw colored jacket. Her style has a certain nod to the easy glamour of the seventies but with an updated twist when it comes to lengths and styling. Although her hairstyle is what initially brought me to her, it is her style in addition that made me stay.

What do you think about Elizabeth Olsen's style? Do you have a favorite Olsen sister when it comes to fashion and style?

Tuesday Shoesday

J.Crew cites the 'Etta' pump perfectly as "heels for the girls who wear only flats." With it's chunky heel and all around enclosure, these pumps are just as comfortable as they are stylish. I love a fabulous snakeskin, and this shoe, in an untypical periwinkle-blue, combines that classic snakeskin texture in an updated version of itself. I have always had my eyes on a pair of the 'Etta' pump, and this particular pair would look amazing with a pair of army green boyfriend-style pants, to a patterned pencil skirt with a classic denim jacket in a medium wash. With the natural lady-like qualities of these pumps, I would find it best to pair them with pieces that have more tomboy characteristics to even it out, as well.

What do you think of the J.Crew 'Etta' pump?

A to Z: T-Shirts

More and more lately, I am embracing t-shirts. Pairing them with everything from slouchy denim shorts to colorful feminine skirts, t-shirts can be the perfect element to make the rest of your outfit a bit more casual, but still every bit stylish. I have been seeing these designer t-shirts around quite a lot lately, and though I haven't indulged in one yet, they are on my radar. From the classic Céline Paris one, to the humorous 'Homies' for Hermès and my personal favorite, 'Ain't Laurent Without Yves' for Saint Laurent, these t-shirts have not only the comfort and casual factor of traditional tees, but a little added humor and style, as well. Check out some fabulous ladies sporting these styles below.

What do you think of these tees? Which is your favorite?

//Céline Me Alone//

//Homiés//

//Ain't Laurent Without Yves//

Dress Up

Everyone that knows anything about me knows that I have a mild obsession with Club Monaco. Everything about the brand from the actual garments, to their window displays and lookbooks always inspires me. So, when it came to a simple black and white striped dress, this one from Club Monaco is anything but simple and every bit perfect. This 'Alice' double-knit is an excellent way to work in the mod and graphic trend from spring in a comfortable and easy-to-wear dress for summer, as well. With the flattering paneling and length, this is also the perfect dress to transition from work to play and easily dressed up or down with some fancy footwear and accessories.

What do you think about this not-so-simple dress?

Home Improvement

Have you ever seen things differently after you start taking interest in a new trend or activity? When Madewell came out with their 'map view' print, I began taking an interest in maps of all kinds. While we don't really look at traditional paper versions as often as we used to on travel excursions and road trips and turn to the digital iPhone, Mapquest, or GPS version, I think that there is something so intricate and interesting about them. It takes a great amount of skill to layout and organize an entire area of a place. For this week's Home Improvement, the kitchen above with the large wall map in a black, white, and grey palette creates an interesting sort of wallpaper and art piece at the same time. In keeping the furniture to a simple style and neutral, natural colors, the focus is clearly on the wall and doesn't make the rest of the room boring.

photo via

POI: Twiggy

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Ever since we learned about the sixties in fashion history this semester, I have been completely infatuated with the style and those involved in making it what it was. One of these influential people was none other than sixties fashion icon, Twiggy. Twiggy,whose given name was Leslie Hornby, was a British teenage model who was known for her thin lanky build, short hair, and large eyes. While many assumed her nickname, Twiggy, came from her her skinny limbs, it was also assumed to be from how she would do her bottom lashes with mascara separated like little twigs. While she was often known for her androgynous style, she was often wearing little A-line and baby doll dresses. In looking at photographs of her from the sixties during her modeling career, I love her fresh-faced look and not going to lie, I might even brave a pixie-bob if it made made me look anything like Twiggy.