Leopard // Snakeskin

/ 1.State top via Lord and Taylor / Forever 21 shorts (old) / H&M clutch / Banana Republic wedges (old) / and Michael Kors watch / 

Pattern mixing used to be one of my favorite things to do--stripes and floral, leopard and camouflage, you name it and I would mix and match them. More recently I've been into toning it down a bit (or at least trying to refine the mashup) and this is what I came up with for a more post-grad look to the younger way I would dress before. Choosing two patterns (a sort of heart shaped leopard and colored snakeskin), I kept the prints a similar size and used a neutral top with interesting textures and wedges in a similar color as my silky shorts to pull everything together. 

PS: Sorry the coloring is a bit off--the lighting was a bit difficult to brighten :)

Dressy / Casual

/ Vintage Levi's (via Urban Outfitters) / Target booties (old) / Kate Spade top (via Nordstrom's Rack) / H&M coat (old, $15!) / 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target purse / Michael Kors watch / 

In not posting for a while, I found a few photos that I had taken over the past few months that I didn't find the time to actually put up. But hey, how amazing is this coat? I had to share. 

Being the sort of coat hoarder that I am, I will find any reason to add a new coat to my collection. However, when I found this one a few years ago at H&M marked down to $15 I couldn't resist. The metallic sheen and cropped sleeves seemed like a fresh addition to my wardrobe, and the weight of it makes it perfect for transition weather. With the coat being the main statement, keeping the rest to classic neutrals like vintage cuffed denim, black ankle boots, and a grey shell with just the right amount of detail on the sleeves seemed like the perfect additions to pull the rest of the look together.

New Bohemia

/ Forever 21 dress / J.Crew sandals / Cotton On purse / Michael Kors watch / David Yurman + Syracuse University class ring  / 

In thinking of describing my sense of style, bohemian is not a word that I typically use, though one I wish I could pull it off better.  I had been eyeing this Free People dress for a while, but with the higher price tag, and a bit unsure of how to style it, I resisted. Luckily though, on a quick trip to Forever 21 with some girlfriends a few days ago, I spotted this look alike and instantly snatched it up. It is surprisingly wearable, in a fresh length to my wardrobe and I feel like it makes me even walk with the sort of sway that I associate with bohemian pieces and gauzy fabrics. 

Style by City : Austin

1 / 2 / 3 (similar) / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

While most of your weekends are just ending, in a way, mine is just starting. A couple of my friends from college are taking a cross country road trip and I am heading up to Austin to meet them in our capital city for their first time in Texas. It's always interesting to me how each Texas city has it's own personal style. When it comes to Austin, I always think of it as the funky boho younger sister of the Texas bunch. Cowboy boots, turquoise and suede are what comes to mind for this city which is sort of a shift away from my usual style which makes quick trips to Austin so fun. 

Hope everyone had a good weekend. I'm looking forward to good conversation, gorgeous hills, and great live music.

Tuesday Shoesday: Slip-ons

1  / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Did anyone else have a pair of Vans in middle school? Mine were polka dotted (I didn't think I could pull of the checkered ones) and I loved how they could be thrown on with basically anything. So, when slip-ons came back in style the past year or so, I was reminded of those I had from middle school but hesitant to get back into them again. After holding off for a while, I finally found the pair I had been searching for (#1) a pair of suede Vince ones at Nordstrom Rack for under $60 on clearance and instantly was hooked again. They are incredibly comfortable, have a sort of ease about them (no laces!), and just like the sneakers from yesterday's post, make nearly any outfit so much cooler. 

Do you have a pair of slip-ons? I think next I'll try a pair in the ankle style.

Sequins + Sneakers

 

/ J.Crew Sweatshirt (on sale!) / Zara skirt (old) / Nike sneakers / Wallet from Target / Michael Kors watch / David Yurman ring /

I love when a classic wardrobe staple, like a grey sweatshirt, gets an update. I had spotted this J.Crew version online and after keeping a gift card from there for far too long, realized that this was a perfect opportunity and piece to use it on. The sequin trim is just the right amount of sparkle for the simple shape and helps contrast with the sneakers. While I was never really a sneaker fan until about a year ago, I love how you can pair them with so many styles and they can instantly make your outfit casual and cooler at the same time. Sequins, chiffon, and sneakers--what more could you want in a casual look?

Winter Boot Blues

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It comes to a certain time in Syracuse when pulling out the snow boots day after day is unavoidable to be able to get around campus and stay warm while doing so. While they may not be the most stylish shoe, my snow boots (#4) are incredibly warm and since they are black, they basically go with every kind of combination of black pant situation that I live in from around November to March or April (!) However, as much as I am appreciative of them, wearing the same boots nearly every day can get tiring and I need ways to spruce them up. An easy and typically inexpensive way to do so are with socks. The mermaid ones above are only $1.50. Whether you go for simpler color blocking styles or more playful options like polka dots or the mermaids, you know that when you pull off the boots at the end of the day that there is a fun surprise waiting.