Marit

GAP jacket / Anthropologie "Marit" dress / Target booties (old!) / 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target purse / Michael Kors watch

As hard as it is to believe, it is actually pretty rare that I try on a dress and am absolutely in love with everything about it. Usually it hangs strange on me, or my proportions are off, or it's "just not for me". However, this Anthropologie dress by brand Vanessa Virginia, was an exception. I saw it this past summer and was drawn to the beautiful embroidery, delicate sleeves, and unique slate blue color. Like most pieces at Anthro, it was a pretty penny, so I left without it. Much to my online browsing habit, a few months ago it was incredibly marked down, and I was thrilled when it arrived just as I had remembered it. 

Winters in Texas are bizarre and these were actually taken over Thanksgiving where it was colder than it is now if you can believe it. I love how this dress looks with a leather jacket and some suede ankle boots. Which, if you live here, you know is perfect for this time of year. 

If you're as obsessed with this dress as I am, it's still on sale! 

Happy Hanukkah!

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.

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.

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Winter Scarves

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I never really understood the importance of a good scarf until I went to school in upstate New York. While jackets and heavy sweaters are definitely an important factor to winter dressing, scarves are surely the needed finishing touch. Aside from winter and a heavy chunky grey scarf that I wear almost daily in the winter months at Syracuse, I was never one to have a collection of scarves. I met up with a couple of friends from high school yesterday who were both wearing scarves (one, a lilac-y purple, and the other a darker floral). It got me thinking that when we live in colder climates with so many pieces that are worn daily (heavy boots, down coat, scarves, mittens...) why not have a few different colors of the smaller things like the mittens and scarves to keep the long season a little brighter and not as drab as typical blacks and grays--as much as we love those.  In the image above, I have gathered five varying styles that I would love to tuck underneath my jacket to keep warm while not jeopardizing in the style department, as well. Fun fact, the Zara piece (4) has chain running through it!

Do you use scarves in the winter? What's your go-to style?

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.

Dress Up

Now that the weather has been cooperating for the past few days (70's!), I am definitely hoping that it is here to stay. With the school year almost ending, nothing makes me happier than the idea of baring my arms and legs for whippy dresses in bright hues and footwear other than riding boots. For this week's dress, I was instantly drawn to the punchy coral, classic and lady-like shape--but not boring, and overall fresh feel of this dress and picture in general. When spring weather hits, which it finally has here in Syracuse, it really does add a special extra spring to your step and this image captures that to me for sure. Is anyone also loving the flush in her cheeks that matches the color of her dress? I am.

What are you all up to this weekend? 

It's Mayfest here so I'm being prepared for one too many flower crowns and crop tops. 

Have a great one.

Home Improvement

When I was younger, one of my favorite parts about going on a vacation was staying in the hotel rooms. While I obviously was excited about seeing sights other than my Houston neighborhood, there was always something about pretending that this new, perfectly clean, and well organized room was actually mine. To this day, one of the things that I still am fond of in hotels is their white sheets and upholstery fabrics. Sitting on a white couch or climbing into a bed with crisp white sheets makes you extra cautious to not do anything to change the perfect white appearance. Now that sixty degree weather has been somewhat of a regular here in Syracuse for the past few days, it got me thinking about spaces that always provide a sense of freshness like the season of spring does. For me, that feeling is always associated with white hotel linens and plenty of beautiful and natural light like in the image above.

What kind of interiors do you associate with spring?

Home Improvement

Back home, we have a two-way fireplace that goes through the dining room and into the family room. When I was younger, I remember sitting on the bench in front of the fireplace and roasting marshmallows to make s'mores and watching as my dad would add wooden logs to the fire as I watched the flames grow and the embers burn from the other side. Though it isn't cold enough yet for snuggling in front of the heat, that is one of the memories from home that I love. These cozy and sweater-like cushions and mugs filled with coffee in tea in light cream and tans makes me excited for those cold weathered nights where even just watching the fire in the fireplace will keep you warm.

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Warm Weathered Wear

{Urban Outfitters Sweater, American Apparel Shorts, Boutique 9 Boots, Michael Kors Watch, OPI Polish,  Absolute Socks}

Since I arrived back home in Houston, Texas last Saturday, the weather has been nothing but warm. While for me lately to qualify as "hot" can be anything above sixty degrees now, a combination of a chunky sweater, hi-waisted denim, and some rustic boots seemed like the perfect outfit for a sixty degree Houston day.

So, even though the weather is something that I have definitely had to get used to for the soon week that I have been home, the warmer temperatures definitely have their advantages. I'm going to enjoy it while I can before it's back to 'Cuse and cooler degrees.