Purple Haze

// Gypsy 05 top (via Marshalls!) // Vintage Levi's (via Urban Outfitters) // Cotton On purse // Banana Republic wedges (similar here) // Francesca's initial necklace // Anthopologie sunglasses //

Even though I'm not up to much during the day right now, getting dressed in something other than pajamas always makes me feel a little better. On days when I don't quite feel like wearing a dress, vintage cropped denim and the prettiest purple top feel just as put together but on the more casual side. I've always been a fan of Gypsy 05, but it wasn't until I spotted this top the other week that I knew it needed to come home with me. There are so many details I love from the ruffles on the sleeves, the tied front and the delicate bottom it is the perfect summer top. Also, how amazing is the greyish purple color?!

Uniform

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

I've noticed that when I don't really need to dress a specific way, I have been more and more gravitating to a uniform that consists of black leather, white, and denim. It's funny how a few years ago, these pieces were not what I would reach for on most occasions, and now it is my go-to. I used to think of uniform dressing as boring, and sometimes still do, but it is definitely nice to know that when in doubt, running late, or just want to look put together without much effort, staying in these three colors and fabrications will have you looking classic regardless. I like to think of fashion as a daily puzzle or word problem if that makes sense--you have to keep trying on pieces to see which ones work together and which don't. In keeping in the color palette above, the challenge is more of finding fresh and alternative ways to switch up your look so that your uniform dressing doesn't become limiting.

What is your favorite combination of the pieces above? Lately I've been reaching for my faux leather pleated skirt, white slides, and a dark denim jacket.

Finally Fall

Madewell shirt (similar here) / Target leggings / Nine West boots (old!) / Baublebar Necklace / Zara purse / Michael Kors watch

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, I don't have anyone to take photographs at school, and had been pretty busy finishing up a project last week. This past weekend, my mom came up for my sorority's mother/daughter weekend and took advantage of the photo opportunities!

Anyway, when we took these photos, it was feeling like fall here in Syracuse. Hot coffees instead of in addiction to iced, sweaters, and tall boots. Since, however, the weather is back in the 80's and already has me wishing for looks like this again. I got this necklace at the Baublebar sample sale this summer after being obsessed with it online. I loved the way the tortoiseshell works with the crystals and pairing it with my favorite denim shirt felt like the perfect preppy fall style (shirt buttoned all the way up and everything!)

Who says you can't mix black + brown?

Also, I've been wearing my hair in these braided crowns a lot more recently. What do you think?

Hope everyone has a great start to the week and most importantly, Happy National Coffee Day! How will you all be celebrating? 

What I love : Gap Jeans

Let's play favorites today. I am absolutely in love with GAP jeans. GAP was one of the brands that I was raised around. It was somewhere that every member of my family could find something that they liked and feel good about bringing home with them. One of my favorite options that they sell are their jeans. In my search for the perfect pair of jeans this summer that didn't end until last week (photos soon!), somehow I had forgotten to check in GAP assuming that I had already had most of their main styles covered. I was wrong. For me, GAP always has those jeans that look like they've been in your closet for a while and are always perfectly worn it, amazing washes, and random--but they always have the perfect ready-made cuffs! These perfect jeans? The 1969 Sexy Boyfriend style. They hit all of my requirements in that they are clearly boyfriend jeans, but as if I shrunk them to better fit, they are heavier weighted so they feel durable when I put them on, and like most of GAP's denim, the wash is exactly what I was looking for but was unable to explain during my search. Above are some of my favorites from GAP at the moment. Those Rip & Repairs are pretty great.

Basically, if you're in need of jeans, hit up GAP as your first stop. What are your favorite jeans or denim wash?

Vintage Celebration

Vintage Dress via Shareen Vintage / GAP denim jacket / Vintage purse (my grandmother's!) / Christian Siriano heels c/o / Michael Kors watch / Sunglasses from Anthropologie

Do you build your outfits around a pair of shoes? With shoes as amazing as these Christian Siriano ones, you can't help but start with them first. I've never seen anything like them and it feels like you are wearing bracelets on your ankles in the best way possible. Aside from my obvious obsession with them, I knew that one of the first things I wanted to try them with was this vintage dress from Shareen Vintage that's actually my mom's. I loved the way that the skirt of the dress sort of mimicked the skirts of the heels and created such a feminine feel that was perfect for the first of my early birthday celebrations.

Denim Swap

/ GAP denim jacket / Aqua (Bloomingdales) romper / Primark shoes / Zara purse / Michael Kors watch / David Yurman Ring /

After a few days lacking in any plans, I was tired of changing into my new found routine of pajamas to denim boyfriend shorts and grey t-shirt combination. Instead, I reached for the comfort of the denim, but with jungle-like peacock embroideries and a classic black romper and strappy sandals, left me feeling a little bit better than I had the past few days. It's amazing how sometimes all that you need to get out of a style funk is swapping the fit and a few pieces.

What pieces do you reach for to fix your style rut?

New Uniform

Topshop T-Shirt / Cos T-Shirt / J. Crew T-Shirt / GAP Jeans / Target (Wrangler Mens) Jeans / H&M Tennis Shoes / Nike Tennis Shoes

If there's one thing that I have learned with living with seven roommates while being abroad, it's that I easily pick up on styles that I like and want to try. While I had long admired those who could master the graphic tee + boyfriend jeans + stylish tennis shoes look for quite a while, it wasn't until I came to London and bought my first pair of fashion tennis shoes--the snakeskin ones above (as opposed to ones reserved for the gym) that I realized it's surprisingly a look that I now wear (embarrassingly) too often. Whether it's a comfortable look for a Monday morning lecture, or a cool mix of casual luxe with the snakeskin and a tailored coat, this easy three-part equation is hard to go wrong with.

Is this a look that you would wear? Even if not, take a try at it--I bet you'll like it.

Three Ways: Lace Overalls Part II

/ Denim button-down, shoes and purse: Zara / Overalls: Necessary Clothing / Necklace: Francesca's but BaubleBar has the same one here! / 

I hope that you enjoyed the first part of this mini series yesterday. Continuing on, I am realizing that overalls are a lesson in layering. Whether you choose to wear something underneath them or not and how many layers you add can so easily switch up your look-which adds to the wearability overall. Taking off the paris sweatshirt from yesterday's post, now you are able to see the complete set of overalls. I really do love how everywhere except for the small set-in shorts is sheer, which also allows for more of the pieces that you are wearing underneath to show through. In this case, denim. For some reason, I love the lighter wash of the top with the black and white of the heels. And, while it is quite buttoned up, the look is far from stuffy. While there are still many different elements in today's look (stripes, denim, lace, jewels!), it is a bit toned down compared to yesterday's with the addition of a graphic sweatshirt. 

What do you think of overalls styled this way? Which is your favorite so far?

See the first part of the series here and look out for the final part tomorrow!

Three Ways: Lace Overalls Part I

/ Top: Zara (old) / Sweatshirt: Forever 21 / Overalls: Necessary Clothing / Purse: Zara / Heels: Zara / Necklace: Francesca's Collections /

I hope that everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving with family, friends, and loved ones. Being home in Texas was a much needed break. I know If you follow me on Instagram (leshkoln), I had promised this post would be up on Thursday. However, I decided to take time and be with family instead so this series is here this week instead.

I am not a fan of denim overalls at all. Unless you have stats of a supermodel, I find them to be unflattering on mostly all that attempt at them. However, when I saw these black lace ones this past summer at Necessary Clothing in New York City, I decided overalls are acceptable in lace (and obviously leather versions). To show how wearable and versatile they can be, this week I have shot them in three ways. Today, I chose to feature them in the form of pants layered under a denim button-down and new favorite sweatshirt. For some reason when I was getting dressed, denim just seemed like an obvious pairing for the black lace. I love how they are a straight style, but have a wider opening at the leg that I think looks fabulous with heels. With built-in solid shorts at the top, the sheerness is wearable for day-time but still able to be easily dressed up and styled for a night out. 

What do you think of overalls styled this way? Stay tuned for part II of this series on Wednesday.

Boyfriend

/ Lyn Devon blouse / GAP jeans / Zara heels and purse / Michael Kors watch / Brandy Melville ring / Francesca's necklace (old) /

Like many people, I despise jeans. I very rarely find a pair that looks decent once I leave the store's dressing room, and never feel great in them. GAP jeans, however, always are the exception. Every time I pull on jeans at GAP everything from the fit, the washes, the styles, and even the prices are great. After searching for about a year for the perfect pair of boyfriend jeans, I finally ventured into GAP. No joke, the moment I slipped into their destroyed sexy boyfriend jeans I knew they were coming home with me. These jeans are distressed in all the right places (and right amount), have a perfect combination of relaxed fit without being sloppy, and the cuffed ankles are ideal for showcasing fabulous heels-seen below-. Continuing on the note of the importance of a blouse from last week, I pulled out this Lyn Devon top with a pattern of spades, hearts, and clovers, that provides the perfect graphic to complement the striped Zara heels to add a bit of femininity to the tomboy quality of the denim. 

Where have you found your favorite boyfriend jeans from?

Dress Up

When digging through my mess of a wallet earlier this week, beneath (too many) iced coffee receipts, I found the equivalent of spare cash in your jean pockets-- a forgotten about, unused, Anthropologie gift card. While I usually venture in with my mom, me for home decor inspiration and her for the clothes, I decided to browse the online dress selection after discovering my much welcomed mid-week surprise. The piece that I ended up gravitating most towards was this Dolce Vita 'Sunlace Midi Dress.' The coral color, intricate but understatedly elegant bodice, fresh length, and narrow back, are all elements that are perfect for a great summer dress. Whether you add a cropped denim jacket, neutral leather sandals and dainty gold jewelry, or metallic heels, statement ring, and a glowing tan, this is a piece that you can work into your wardrobe all summer long. Now, about that tan...

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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. 

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?

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?

photos: 2

Denim on Denim

{Forever 21 shirt, GAP jeans, Banana Republic shoes, Michael Kors watch, Bracelets from random venders, and Revlon's "Orange Flip" lipstick}

If there's anything that I have realized about versatility lately, it's that a denim shirt can be just as versatile as a classic plain t-shirt. I have always thought that by pairing a denim or chambray button down with jeans is a casual look that manages to look effortlessly put together in the most fabulous of ways. While usually suggested that one article of clothing is kept in a lighter wash to form more contrast, I decided to take the lighter route all the way but created contrast with the boxiness of the top, patches on the jeans, and a pop of bright lipstick.

{Current favorite nail style: Revlon's "Minted" tipped with gold}

Texas Ballerina

{Zara top, Forever 21 belt, GAP skirt, Steve Madden oxfords, and Michael Kors watch}

This past week I spent a solid few days cleaning out my mess of a closet. Tucked behind old uniform skirts and pieces that haven't fit since middle school, I found this skirt. When I bought this years ago, it was about mid-calf length. However, now that I have grown, I love how it is sort of like the length and style of a tutu, but with a more prairie feel. And, when paired with a denim button down and pink oxfords, has the perfect mix of feminine frills and a little bit of Texas.

Denim Dots Dazzle

{Forever 21 shirt, Topshop pants and heels, and Michael Kors watch}

One of the infinite reasons that I love fashion is that there are literally endless opportunities to meld together new looks from different pieces. While I usually reserve this baggy denim button down for an easy throw on top, when worn with fuzzy dotted powder blue pants (!) and glittery Mary-Jane's, this is one combination that has the perfect mix of trendy and classic.