A Styled Mind
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fall staples

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TONES + TEXTURE!

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Knit. Leather. Boots. All things that come to mind when the crisp air hits my face and I realize that we are finally in the midst of Fall. While this is easily my favorite time of year, it’s bittersweet because it is also extremely short lived. Personally speaking, my key to success is clearing out space for new autumnal pieces towards the end of August so that I can make the most out of my new additions before I’m forced to cover them with layers of outerwear. Warm tones and neutral shades also seem to make a significant impact in my wardrobe around this time. For this season, it all began with a chic knitted halter-neck sweater. As a lover of knitwear, I’m always so intrigued by the new design tactics and styles that come out year after year. I instantly knew this would be a focal piece for any ensemble I created with it, but was slightly torn on whether I wanted to keep the look simple or incorporate a few unexpected items. Dark denim is also a classic staple associated with the colder months, so luckily I had the opportunity to showcase a pair I recently added to my collection. This particular style was cropped, which is something I tend to gravitate towards as it leaves room to highlight statement footwear; which brings me to the accessories! I bought this two-toned pair of knee high boots last year during the black Friday/cyber Monday sales and though I didn’t get much wear out of them then, I knew in 2021 I would have my chance to break them out. So without hesitation, I decided to do just that! At this point, my outfit consisted mostly of cool-toned browns, however the stitching and hardware on my jeans were a much warmer, caramel-colored hue. That said, fashion is all about taking risks so I made the executive decision to finish off the look with a lighter, toffee brown clutch and a pair of cat-eye tortoise frames to tie in the light and dark elements. Overall, I was really feeling the seasonal vibes and look forward to re-wearing these garments in various ways ASAP! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Sweater- Jonathan Simkhai

Jeans- Zara

Boots- Looks Like Summer

Bag- & Other Stories

Sunglasses- & Other Stories

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In the vault

FINALLY FALLING!

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It’s finally here! My favorite autumnal season is upon us, and I couldn’t be more excited! As I’ve stated on several occasions, this time of year is special to me for many of reasons but these days it’s been all about the shopping! I have recently added quite a few new pieces to my wardrobe, and have thoroughly enjoyed creating looks that will be absolute showstoppers as I make my way around these northeastern streets. One of the standout items I knew I had to feature immediately was this poplin midi dress! Now it’s no secret that the wrap-tie detailing has taken the fashion world by storm and has found its place on a variety of garments including frocks, tops, and even blazers. I personally loved how simplistic, yet impactful this piece was and knew it wouldn’t need a lot of styling to create the moment I was after. Generously, I had also been gifted a pair of brown heeled sandals and knew they would be a match made in heaven! From this point, I was already set on the idea that this would be a monochromatic outfit, incorporating various neutral shades. I nearly forgot that I had a croc-textured crossbody bag that was a perfect color match to my shoes, and probably one of the only purses I own with silver hardware. It was important to me that despite working with essentially one color palette, I still made it a point to play with texture and different hues. The light khaki worked so well against the richer toned accessories; not to mention my nails, which served as an added pop of interest. Finally, I threw on a matte pair of sunglasses, a few silver rings, and was completely satisfied with the ensemble overall. Though understated, this look definitely packs a punch and can easily be built upon to accommodate colder temperatures with the addition of boots and outerwear. Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- L’Academie

Shoes- Aldo

Sunglasses- NA-KD

Bag- Zara

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In the vault

BABY BLUES!

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September is such a special month for me! As we move into the new season, we are met with updated transitional pieces to incorporate into our closets, NYFW, and most importantly, MY BIRTHDAY! I’ve decided to kick off this exciting time by styling some of the goodies I’ve recently acquired. Being a resident of the northeast, I always tend to gravitate towards my most standout items as the temperatures begin to drop. Especially once we are in the midst of Winter and coats and boots are the only things people see, I find joy in showcasing the garments that are going to provide interest to every outfit. There are quite a few trends I’ve incorporated into this look, so let’s start from the top, shall we?! Tie-dye has made a strong comeback over the last few years, and though I was never opposed to it, I hadn’t come across any options that seamlessly fit with my style aesthetic. About a week ago however, my luck changed when I stumbled upon this short sleeved turtleneck. I immediately fell in love with the print and it’s striking yet understated feel. Because I was basically only working with 2 colors throughout the ensemble (blue & white), I knew I’d be able to pair multiple statement pieces without clashing. While this may be an unpopular opinion, I seem to be one of the few individuals that truly enjoys wearing jeans. After years of buying so many classic styles, I’m finally at a place where I feel comfortable expanding my denim range. This particular pair was something I knew I had to have and would get tons of wear out of for years to come, despite the abstract design. The line detailing, which gave a water-like effect, also provided a perfect synergy between the items. When it came to accessories, I knew I wouldn’t need to do much as my foundational pieces were already so bold. That being said, I was generously gifted a bag that was just too good not to include! It added an extra layer of interest and worked perfectly with my monochromatic theme. To complete the look, I threw on my favorite clear frames, a simple pair of strappy heels, and silver jewelry as a dainty touch. I loved the slightly maximalist approach this outfit took and as the year continues, I may challenge myself to style more items in this way. Comment below your favorite featured garment and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Norma Kamali

Jeans- Alexander Wang

Heels- Aldo

Bag- Brandon Blackwood

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In the vault

BUSINESS CASUAL!

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If I had to choose, blazers would definitely be in my top 5 Fall essentials. They are the perfect light layer to instantly elevate and add structure to the most basic ensemble with minimal effort. I also love the variations of style, texture, and fit which each bring a different vibe. In my personal wardrobe I like to maintain a balance of tailored and oversized options, but I’ve also begun to gravitate towards dresses as well. The blazer dress is the perfect hybrid of formal and casual. Regardless of the setting, you can easily style these pieces with a plethora of accessories that will take your look from day to night. For this particular shoot, I was eager to wear this pale yellow frock in a wrap style. From the moment I saw it, I knew it would be a great closet addition due to it’s functionality and adaptability. Whether going to a business meeting, brunch, or running errands around the city, I am truly prepared for anything in this outfit! That being said, I chose to pair it down with a classic pair of white sneakers to really heighten the contrast and give more of a “street-style” edge. To further play into this juxtaposition, I still wanted to keep my jewelry dainty and therefore added a few gold pieces as well as a necklace featuring some pearl accents. Finally, to complete the look, I threw on an oversized pair of tortoise sunnies and was on my way! Despite not wearing heels, I still felt like a total BOSS in this ensemble and will continue to challenge the stereotype of what it means to look “professional” through clothing. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- Zara

Sneakers- Nike

Sunglasses- Revolve

Necklace- & Other Stories

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In the vault

COOL CONTRAST!

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I think I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that contrast makes every outfit better! Whether it be light vs dark colors, dainty vs rigid fabrics or masculine vs feminine elements; incorporating some kind of juxtaposition always creates dimension and interest. I’ve styled a few slip dresses already this year, and though I didn’t intend to buy any more, this one was extremely hard to resist! Though some may have easily brushed it off as not being “weather appropriate,” I saw a beautiful opportunity for layering. For this styling session, I wanted to pair it with pieces that were on the complete opposite side of the spectrum, leaving the frock to be the focal point for movement and softer undertones. I actually purchased this cropped sweater the same day I got the dress with no intention of pairing them together. However, after doing a few laps around the store and seeing how well they complimented each other in my hands, I knew I had to give it a try! Another recent buy were my chelsea boots, which have easily become my favorite shoe of the season. Though I am typically a heel girl, I wanted to give this chunky footwear trend a chance and to my surprise ended up with one of the flattest versions I’ve seen on the market! I absolutely love their sleek design which allows them to mesh well with any ensemble, as well as the squared off toe which gives a very timeless yet luxe designer feel. Since adding these beauties to my wardrobe, I wear them every chance I get! Finally, to tie everything together, I added a black crossbody bag which managed to adhere to the casual theme while still adding some decorative elements with the shiny silver hardware. I loved how this look turned out and beyond that, am thrilled with how each piece can worn in a variety of ways. Comment below your favorite item featured and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Sweater- Zara

Slip Dress- Zara

Boots- & Other Stories

Bag- Rebecca Minkoff

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In the vault

CROC EFFECT!

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If you’re looking to add dimension to your Fall or Winter outfits, playing with a variety of textures is always one of my go-to tips! Whether the ensemble is monochrome or a mixture of hues, different fabrics and layers can always create a more interesting, eye-catching look. Upon browsing for pieces to refresh my seasonal wardrobe, I came across this gorgeous croc-effect blazer. Literally everything about it had me sold from the structured shoulders, tie-waist details, and soft vegan leather. This garment was an absolute game changer and I was thrilled once I finally received it! It was quite evident that this gorgeous piece of outerwear would be the focal point of any outfit, so I made sure to pair it with items that would compliment it effortlessly. During this time of year, I also find myself gravitating towards darker denim. As I was going through my closet, I stumbled across a pair of slightly distressed skinny’s that I knew would be a perfect fit! I loved how the wash of the jean had somewhat of a greenish undertone which really accentuated the dark, mossy neutrals within the jacket. To complete the look and avoid clashing, I threw on a strappy black knit top and heeled sandals featuring similar details. I felt super confident and chic, but still felt as though something was missing. As a final touch, I added a pair of geometric sunnies and coordinating silver jewelry. What I love most about my style and the pieces I have collected over the years, is the striking subtleness of the details. It’s easy to make a statement while wearing the most “in your face” garments, but can you do it with something a little more demure? Comment below your favorite item featured and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer- Source Unknown

Top- Zara

Jeans- William Rast

Heels- Mango

Sunglasses- Quay Australia

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In the vault

SWEATER WEATHER!

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As expected, Fall has managed to fly by and Winter has abruptly taken its place without warning. While I am not a huge fan of freezing temperatures, the holiday season is my favorite time of year so I don’t mind pulling out my cozy sweaters and getting into the spirit! At this point, at least in my opinion, there seems to be a fine line between shopping and hoarding these days. While there is still an urge to buy and prepare for the upcoming seasons, with limited access to restaurants and events, I’ve been forcing myself to only purchase items I am absolutely loving and that can last until whenever we resume some ounce of normalcy. That said, I’ve still been doing my due diligence as a consumer and have been quite pleased with the items I have recently added to my wardrobe. For instance, when I first saw this thick cropped knit sweater, I knew it had to be mine! The overall structure and braided detailing truly gave it more of a “high-end” feel, and made it the perfect standout piece on those colder days. Lately, I’ve noticed tailored trousers really making a statement in fashion. Whether worn casually with sneakers or a heeled shoe, they seem to have become the new “all-purpose pant” and I am definitely here for it! Though neutral shades have seemed to be the most popular (black, cream, tan/beige), I couldn’t resist this olive pair and I’m so happy I didn’t! Aside from the gorgeous color, the fit alone had me sold. These pants skimmed my heels effortlessly and were just loose enough to provide that chic laidback feel. Because they’re also high-waisted, they made for a great compliment to my shorter top which provided a solid foundation for the look. Once I had my focal pieces in place, it was time to accessorize! I decided to go with a few of my classic favorites including my snapshot crossbody and black sunglasses. I loved the pop of neon that the bag added and decided to coordinate my jewelry with the gold hardware. For footwear, I kept it simple with a pair of translucent black heels for a subtle yet eye-catching detail. I was absolutely thrilled with how this outfit turned out mainly because of options for versatility. This ensemble can easily be layered with a heavier coat or paired with chunky boots for an edgy vibe. Comment below your favorite piece and if you’ve found yourself shopping more or less than usual this year. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Sweater- Zara

Trousers- Zara

Heels- Aldo

Bag- Marc Jacobs

Sunglasses- Mango

Earrings- Mango

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In Collabs

FREE ASSEMBLY (ft. Walmart)

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From the time I truly began investing in my wardrobe, my consistent goal was to eventually have a collection of pieces that were quality, timeless, and interchangeable. That being said, when I was contacted to try a few pieces from the new brand “Free Assembly,” available at Walmart, I jumped at the opportunity! After doing some research and reading up on the message behind the collection, I was thrilled to see that a lot of our values aligned. Not only were the garments on trend and affordable, they were size inclusive and full of classic silhouettes that can be worn for years to come. I was also very much sold on the color palettes that ranged from warm neutrals to understated florals and plaid motifs. When deciding on the look I would style, I wanted something that was of course chic, but also Fall appropriate. As soon as I saw the corduroy skirt sets my mind was made up, and though I almost took the plunge, I decided to continue looking and see what else I could find. Just as the line insists, these pieces were created to “mix, layer, and assemble freely.” This statement absolutely held true as I stumbled across a black, white, and slate grey plaid blazer. Though this may have been an odd pairing for some, I was confident that with a monochrome base I could absolutely pull off this ensemble. With the blazer and skirt in tow, I completed the outfit with the softest navy blue turtleneck and a pair of knee-high boots which beautifully tied everything together. As a final touch, I added a pair of statement earrings and was all set feeling confident in my “Clueless-inspired”, autumnal getup. Comment below your favorite piece and don’t forget to head to Walmart.com to shop these pieces and more from “Free Assembly!” Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Blazer– Free Assembly x Walmart

Sweater– Free Assembly x Walmart

Skirt– Free Assembly x Walmart

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In Collabs

COZY CHRONICLES (ft. Adidas)

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This post is sponsored by Adidas. All opinions are my own.

In my opinion, the phrase “home for the holidays” will have a slightly different meaning this year considering most of us have been confined to our residences for the majority of 2020. That said, I am personally still doing everything I can to maintain a positive outlook and enjoy this cozy season as it truly is one of my favorites. While it is common knowledge that Adidas is an activewear brand, it may be surprising to some that they also sell loungewear garments perfect for those days that are full of R & R. I’m sure I’m not alone in this sentiment but one of the first things that makes me think of home is comfort. Pre-quarantine, the thought of getting back to my apartment to unwind after a long day of running around the city was one of the things I looked forward to most. The second thing I highly anticipated, was changing out of my clothes for the day and into something much more relaxed. As a part of this year’s holiday collaboration, I was gifted a few items that were designed with those comfy feels in mind. This is probably the simplest outfit I’ve ever blogged, but it is a true representation of the items I wear around the house. While in my sanctuary, I am a huge fan of anything that grants me the ability to opt out of wearing pants, LOL! For that reason, I was thrilled when I came across this elongated sweatshirt that completely fit the bill. Aside from being super warm, it also has a massive front pocket ideal for storing snacks while lounging around. In efforts to still have some kind of outfit coordination, I decided to pair it with burgundy knee-high socks that subtly accentuated the logo on my top. After putting on this ensemble, I was instantly ready to snuggle up on the couch with a blanket and watch as many holiday films as I could find! Head over to the Adidas website to check out all of the pieces from their loungewear collection, and comment below your favorite item to wear when resting at home. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Sweatshirt- Adidas

Socks- Adidas

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In ASM Shop

DENIM SHIRTS!

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Denim shirts are absolutely a Fall/Winter staple that have been in my closet since childhood. The versatility in terms of layering and styling on their own, as well as with other cozy accessories is unmatched in many ways. Aside from the fact that they come in tons of colors, washes, and styles, I can say with certainty they will not be going out of fashion any time soon! If you’ve somehow managed to avoid these peices thus far, I highly encourage you to add at least one to your wardrobe this season; you won’t regret it! Don’t forget to click the images below to shop my picks and unitl next time!

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