The Great Graphite

//Skirt: Forever 21//Tank: Topshop//Boots+Purse: Target//Watch: Michael Kors//Ring: H&M//Necklace: Street Vendor in Austin, TX//

Do you guys have certain things that you seemingly always buy on impulse? After a long dedication to pleated skirts, I thought that my love of them had dwindled and been brought to a close until I ventured into the clearance section at Forever 21 last week. Though this is the section usually filled with missing sequin clubbing skirts, drab faux furs, and assorted miscellaneous trinkets, this pleated graphite metallic skirt caught my eye. While the fabric is somewhat reminiscent of a trash-bag, in both the sound it makes and the texture, the $10 price tag and way it sparkled when it caught the light definitely caught my attention, as well. When I wore this skirt this past weekend, I kept the rest of the components of my outfit in the neutral range with my purse, boots, and minimal but still statement-worthy jewelry. Needless to say, my love of pleats is anything but shaken, and the clearance section at Forever 21 will definitely be more frequently visited.

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

As much of a sucker I am for a leopard print on basically anything, since my leopard pieces have easily become my go-to's and pieces that I use the most, it has become a challenge to not become a full-on walking leopard print. These amazing Kurt Geiger stilettos, though they are leopard print, are in a color that is obviously not natural of the animal in a bright poppy red. For the more adventurous risk-takers, and obvious leopard lovers, I could see these being paired with a leopard coat and dark skinny jeans or with a traditional leopard colored blouse. However, if you're not feeling so fierce and up to a challenge, making these shoes the showstoppers of your ensemble by sticking to a solid and simple rest of your look would still do them justice, as well. 

How do you feel about red leopard print? 

Person of Interest: Amanda Brooks

Growing up in Bronxville, NY and Palm Beach, Florida, Amanda Brooks was always surrounded with style and influential people. Beginning with her parents who met through a mutual friend, Lilly Pulitizer, to being a student at Brown University studying photography and having Carolina Herrera's daughter, Patricia as her roommate, to dating DVF's son, Alexander, Amanda was destined to be not only a regular in the social world of fashion, but in being a part of it creatively, as well. Her interest in photography led her to an internship with famed fashion photographer, Patrick Demarchelier. Following photography, she then became the muse and former creative director of Tuleh, and contributed to Vogue. However, in addition to her involvement in various parts of the industry, it is said to have been her blog, "I Love Your Style" that played a key role in her hire for her position as Fashion Director for Barney's. After a year of this position, she has since moved to Oxfordshire, England with her husband and two children inspired by the blog, "The Pioneer Woman" to show that she is able to write about fashion from a different perspective, as well as citing "I've spent my entire career devoted to the vision of others,""This year away is for introspection. For myself."

Amanda Brooks has one of those styles that I admire for their sense of no-fuss perfection. From some of the photos in the image above, she manages to form her put together style with minimal elements that still come across as complete. From a basic button down and pencil skirt with heels, or simple peach dress with a pop of color for a bag, it is this act of simplicity to which I am drawn. Having been cited as not fussy when it comes to fashion, you can tell from the way that she wears the clothes, as well as the actual clothes that she is wearing. Amanda reminds us that there is something important about knowing how to wear simple pieces well, and that prints and patterns (while keeping the shapes and cut of the garments simple), can keep your outfit interesting and full of style.

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Bright + Metallic

    Forever 21 sweater and necklace//Topshop vest//Christian Siriano skirt//Michael Kors watch//and Steve Madden shoes

Pencil skirts are one of those basic styles that every girl should have in her closet. This Christian Siriano pencil skirt, however, is anything but basic. With the metallic gold and silver threads that run through it and perfect length, only minimal jewelry is required because is is decorative in itself. In pairing a few key but simple pieces like my bright fuchsia sweater and a faux leather vest for a little warmth with the look, the skirt is still the main focus, while working with the rest of the outfit, as well. 

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. 

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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Person of Interest: Jane Birkin

Whether you are fashion obsessed or fascinated with celebrities, you are probably aware of the famed Birkin bag. However, many are unaware with the incredible Jane, the woman who inspired and carried this bag herself. The long-legged, blunt banged actress and singer was famous in the sixties was known for her iconic fashion sense, as well. A fan of turtlenecks, mini-skirts, denim, and t-shirts, she wore everything in an effortless way that always had a fresh and basic feel in the best way. While it wasn't until the eighties that the actual Birkin bag was created from her expressing her need for a nice weekend bag on the plane to Jean-Louis Dumas, chief exec of Hermes, her sense of incredible style without the bag was long before that.

What do you think of Jane's style?

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Dress Up

{Pick of the Week}

I have been absolutely in love with pairing grey tops and white bottoms since I saw this picture. Grey and white create an ideal combination in that they appear so basic and natural, but are more interesting and uncommon than the usual black and white or navy and white match. The dress for this week is just all of those things. With a laid back and loose fitting racerback top paired with a sheer tulip style skirt, this is a dress that is easy to wear and can be easily styled up or down depending on the occasion because of it's perfect median between casual and elegance. 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Basics

{Madewell blouse, Topshop vest, Zara skirt, Steve Madden shoes, Michael Kors watch}

While I usually wear this blouse with a more casual pairing, there is no denying that it is a perfect top to pair with nearly anything--dressed up or down. I love the way that it looks with inky colors to mimic the purples, blacks, and blues that are hidden in the print. And, by adding a (faux) leather vest and my favorite chunky shoes, there is just the right mix of femininity with some amped up pieces, as well and are easily great basics to separate and make new outfits.

Uniform

{GAP T-shirt, H&M skirt, Madewell oxfords, Francesca's necklace, and Michael Kors watch}

In high school, where a uniform was instilled, my weekly wardrobe was made up of polos, oxfords, and plenty of plaid and khaki skirts. Though the days of an assigned wardrobe are over, I still enjoy having a few outfits that I consider to be a go-to, easy to put together and wear look. With a classic skirt in an easy shape and color paired with a striped T-shirt, there is just enough interest in this otherwise basic look when paired with a great beaded necklace and watch.

Basic & Brocade

{Topshop T-shirt and shorts, Steve Madden wedges, and Michael Kors}

I am usually not a shorts person. I always feel that they look weird on my legs and un-finished when I wear them. However, when they lean towards the dressier side, they are usually more in my liking. When I saw this brocade pair, the gold and sea foam color create the perfect combination and in getting them a size larger, have that relaxed fit that adds comfort, too. Since they are such as statement style, I paired them with a nubby basic T-shirt, gold accessories to match, and some fun chunky wedges so that it wasn't too dainty and gold.