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.

Home Improvement

Pastels are playing a huge role in coats for the upcoming fall and winter seasons. What used to be reserved for darker blacks, grey, and navy, have been replaced by more subdued cotton candy colors. With pastels making a statement in a season other than traditional Spring, I came across this room above, that keeps the pastels and sweet colors slightly toned down with a graphic black and white rug, funky light fixtures, and a bit of nature with a pop of kelly green plants. Keeping the furniture simple both in shape and style is key in a room like this one. With the prints and patterns displayed on the fabrics, the basic furniture helps to balance it out, and the robins-egg blue table picks up on colors in the blankets. 

How would you arrange pastels in your home to keep them from being overly sweet? I'm in love with that rug!

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?

Home Improvement

left photo via

Do you find yourself doubting your projects when you're at work? I know this is something that I am definitely guilty of. When working on a project for a while, similar to staring at a paper you're trying to put together, it is hard to appreciate it for the spark from where the initial idea came from that caused you to act on it. This week's Home Improvement feature is a fun take on a bit of self-encouragement for an office setting (or wherever you see fits). Though at first it came across as a bit overwhelming, I love how when doing a double take, the words can come across as almost like a graphic wallpaper print. If these walls could talk they would definitely keep inspiration flowing and get ideas back on track to where they were. Also, how cute is that little orange polka dot desk organizer? I love how the sea-foam scissors holder and desk organizer pop against the other-wise only black and white desk. 

Would you ever try a wall like this one?

Tuesday Shoesday

Remember how in the past I had told you that I don't usually just go and buy shoes? Well, I promise, I really don't. However, with all of the amazing holiday sales that I have been seeing this summer, sometimes a good deal really is hard to resist. Zara seems to have been my most frequented location for a good sale lately, and these black and white combination heels were no exception. While I almost made it out of the store without them, their interesting slightly angular toes and backs, graphic little heel, and the fact that they made me feel a bit like Carrie Bradshaw after a Manolo trip--minus the crazy costs--finally got to me. As soon as I got home I began dreaming up what to pair them with, and it's safe to say that they are going to be a perfect go with anything pair of heels that manages to complete the rest of a look when you didn't even realize all of the potential. 

What do you think of these black and white Zara heels? Are you as big of a fan of them as I am?

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?

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. 

Graphic Static

{Urban top, Zara skirt, Topshop necklace, Michael Kors watch, and Steve Madden shoes}

There is something that always interests me about graphic abstract things. The way that I don't know exactly what the pictures are and the fact that they look like graphic drawings of television static are part of why it is going to be one of my favorite new pieces to easily switch up for day to night pieces. When paired here with a navy skirt and a necklace that looks like shards of electricity and light, it has just the right amount of funky elements while still looking polished and not going overboard.