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In the vault

HIKE ON!

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I’ve really been getting a kick out of these casual looks lately. There’s something about the simplicity of an outfit that really has its benefits. Aside from being timeless, build-able, and extremely easily to style, what’s not to love?! Personally, when I’m styling a seemingly basic ensemble, it’s usually because I’m either unsure of what to wear on that particular day, or I just really want the quality and details of the garments to speak for themselves. It should be obvious that these hiking boots were definitely the star of the show! Over the last few years I’ve basically been averaging a new pair every Fall/Winter season, and as soon as I laid eyes on these beauties, I knew they were necessary for my collection. Aside from being insanely versatile due to the neutral color palette, I loved the chunky construction and pop of orange for added interest. From there, the rest of the outfit came together pretty effortlessly. Within the same week, I had also purchased this tan, mock-neck sweater which came in the most beautiful cool-toned shade I had ever seen. Initially, I was torn because I was considering pairing this with a skirt or dress of some sort, but in the end, I kept it basic with a pair of lightly distressed black jeans. There’s something that really brings back thoughts of my youth whenever I wear a pair of denim with slits along the knees; most likely because I used to attempt to recreate this trend during my DIY days (sorry Mom, lol). With my look nearly complete, I wanted to make sure to include a few more elements that would elevate the outfit overall while still capturing the essence of the season. I happened to stumble upon a quaint flower shop and purchased an interesting stalk of textured flowers that perfectly aligned with the hues in my outfit. For a final chic touch, I grabbed my cat-eye tortoise frames, some delicate gold jewelry, and was ready for a brisk stroll on a sunny Autumn day. As the temperatures continue to drop, I truly begin to appreciate and pay more attention to the textures and fabrics that I bring into my closet. Afterall, tis’ the season to be cozy!

Outfit Details & Links:

Sweater- & Other Stories

Jeans- William Rast

Boots- & Other Stories

Sunglasses- Asos

Jewelry- Burd Life

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In the vault

MIX N’ MATCH

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When styling, I love nothing more than mixing and matching different pieces. Whether it be through textures, prints, or fashion genres, this trick in my opinion always helps bring more dimension and interest to an ensemble. I received this floral crop top and honestly didn’t have a clear direction regarding what I wanted to pair it with. Jeans seemed like the easy way out, but I wanted to push myself a little harder. Instead, I settled on a cream-colored denim mini skirt that kept the same casual element I seemed to be leaning towards, while also perfectly matching the tones in my top. Believe it or not, I was completely stumped at this point. I was pleased with how the two garments I had looked together, but for me, the look was far from complete and just fell a bit flat. Being a girl who NEVER plans her outfits in advance, it’s no surprise that more times than not, I’m usually finalizing my style creations the morning of my shoot and adding finishing touches that I wasn’t able to think of in the days prior. I decided to give my AF1’s a break and revisit my trusty Vans for footwear. Still, the ensemble was giving me unrefined middle-school vibes. In the final moments I had before I needed to get ready, as usual, the vision came to me. I pulled a striped blazer from a suit set that I haven’t worn in quite some time and saw the look instantly elevate before my eyes. Since I decided to forego a bag, I relied on my accessories to save the day. Lately, I have become more of a jewelry wearer, with a slight obsession for rings. That said, I made sure to incorporate some gold pieces with a coordinating cuff bracelet and my small hoops. After adding a round pair of frames, I was finally satisfied and ready to SLAY! When developing your personal style, I think it’s so important to try new things and step out of your comfort zone; you never know, you might just stumble upon an odd combination you like! Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links: 

Blazer- Topshop

Top- Eggie

Skirt- & Other Stories

Sneakers- Vans

Sunglasses- & Other Stories

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In Collabs

OUT OF THE BOX (ft. EGGIE)

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Being a person who always loves to create the best content possible, it can sometimes be nerve-racking when items arrive that don’t exactly fit the vision in the way you expected them to. One thing that’s so intriguing about the fashion industry is that it’s not “one size fits all;” and because of that, there are times when it may take a bit of extra effort to style a piece specific to your body type. While working with the Eggie brand, they allow me to select pieces from their catalog that coincide best with my personal style. Though this dark floral printed dress caught my eye, especially as we’re moving closer to the end of Summer, I didn’t quite expect it to fit the way it did. To be honest, upon initially trying it on, I didn’t think it was flattering for my shape at all. Specifically, because I have broad shoulders and a fuller bust, the cut of the neckline simply made me look boxy and quite wide. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time to pull this ensemble together and it wasn’t until the moment I was about to shoot that I suddenly had an idea. The frock came with a tie detail at the front and due to the lack of support I was feeling, I wondered if by tying the fabric around my neck in a halter-style, I could achieve the look I was going for. This small detail completely turned this photo-shoot around for me, and I instantly went from a feeling of uncertainty, to elevated confidence and security. With that issue resolved I was ready to finish pulling together the rest of my outfit with my very worn-in pair of white leather converse and my geometric frames for a modern take on this Victorian-inspired garment. At this point, though my look was nearly complete, I still wanted to add a few more accessories for an extra layer of interest. I felt that my wood basket cross-body bag was the perfect item, as it was neutral and still captured the essence of the season. Lately I’ve also been into mixing metals, so my mini gold hoops were an unexpected touch that just seemed to fit effortlessly. I was genuinely proud of how this ensemble turned out because it forced me to think outside of the box and create a look that was specific to accentuating my frame in the best way. Were you ever forced to wear something unconventionally to make it more complimentary to your body type? Comment below and until next time!

Outfit  Details & Links:

Dress- Eggie

Sneakers- Converse

Bag- Free People

Earrings- & Other Stories

Sunglasses- Quay

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In the vault

SUNNYSIDE

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I learned a very valuable lesson in regards to trusting my gut, when I purchased this dress. I had an event that I had been looking forward to for several months and was on the hunt for an outfit that would truly make me stand out among the crowd (SPOILER ALERT: I did see another girl wearing this frock the same day, but the show must go on!). When I first began my search, I was unsure of which direction I wanted to go in and contemplated every possible option I could think of: jumpsuit, two-piece, short dress, long dress, perhaps even a romper? I quickly began feeling like my thoughts were out of a Dr. Seuss book and knew that time was running out, so I had to make a decision. I ended up narrowing down my list to 5 solid selections that I knew I couldn’t go wrong with; and though I already knew which look I was leaning towards most, I still took another week to ask the opinions of every person I could find. From best friends to coworkers, I even allowed my Mom to chime in and give her two cents. At the end of the day, I had a tough decision to make because to my surprise no one chose the outfit that was my personal favorite. So, I had to wonder, did they see something I didn’t? Was this piece truly as great as I thought it was? Finally, I just took the plunge and purchased this vibrant yellow number with no regrets! Because this was such a statement-making garment, I chose minimal accessories that would simply compliment the overall look. The event was held at a park, so I knew I wanted shoes that were comfortable, yet stylish. Unfortunately, these lace-up heels became a bit of a hassle as the day wore on; but for the purposes of my ensemble, they were exactly what I was looking for! The simple strings and clear chunky heel really helped to elongate my legs and emphasize the high-low hem of the dress. On the actual day of the occasion however, I did think more practically and threw a pair of flats in my bag just to be safe. Lastly, I completed the outfit with my black cat-eye frames and was ready to partake in all the festivities! When it comes to personal style, it truly is all about wearing what makes you feel most confident. Had I chosen another clothing option, I’m sure I would have looked nice, but I may have also lost sight of the moment by questioning if I had made the right decision. Luckily everything worked out, and I definitely feel like this Summer so far has been off to a great start! Comment below a time you wore something that not everyone agreed with but truly made you feel your best. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Dress- For Love & Lemons

Sandals- Mango

Bag- Free People

Sunglasses- Mango

 

 

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In Collabs

MINTY FRESH (ft. EGGIE)

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For my third look in collaboration with the Eggie brand, I decided to step outside of my comfort zone. While I am no stranger to co-ords, the vibrant color of this suit alone was a bit of a risk for me. That being said, I was really drawn to the over-sized fit and construction of the jacket, so I was willing to give it a try. Upon receiving these items, I was honestly still slightly intimidated as this may be the brightest look I’ve ever styled. The beauty of separates of any kind is that you instantly have 90% of your ensemble completed, and since this suit was the obvious focus, I didn’t think much more needed to be added to pull it all together. I decided to play off of the white buttons by adding my round frames instead of a white shoe. Though the latter may have been the go-to for some, I didn’t want to be too “matchy” or have something that stark at the bottom of the look that would compete for attention. For a more subtle approach, I decided to throw on a pair of silver, minimal strappy heeled sandals, and my geometric earrings for metallic cohesiveness. My favorite part of this outfit would have to be the extra flap detail that wrapped around and buttoned at the front of the suit jacket. I have never seen a garment with this type of design off the runway, and it truly made me appreciate the creativity and attention to tailoring that went into making this piece. I think it’s important to push boundaries when it comes to anything in life (creatively or not) because while it may feel uncomfortable, it will only help to uncover your full potential. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links: 

Suit Blazer- Eggie

Suit Trousers- Eggie

Heels- Zara

Sunglasses- Urban Outfitters

Earrings- & Other Stories

 

 

 

 

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In the vault

BLUE TINT

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It may be a shock that blue is not a favorite color of mine as it seems to be a common factor in a lot of my recent looks. That being said, whether this hue is currently on trend or I’m just organically gravitating towards it, I am enjoying the presence it’s been having in my wardrobe. Usually when shopping for pieces to shoot, I tend to seek out at least one item that is either statement-making or something that I am able to transform and style in an unexpected way. Of course, while there may be an excitement that comes with that, every now and then I like to scale things back and style a more “obvious” look. Most retailers are currently promoting their new Spring/Summer collections and with that comes an abundance of vibrant colors, bold prints, and vacation-wear galore. So, in efforts to create an ensemble that I felt completely embodied the season, I chose to keep things simple with a floral blouse and straight-legged denim (ground-breaking, I know). I’m not quite sure what it was, but these garments together truly gave me the effortless feel I was hoping to portray. While the blue shade was probably the subtlest in the overall pattern of the shirt, when paired with the extremely light wash jeans, it seemed to become the most eye-catching. To keep the outfit delicate and minimal, I decided to complete it with a pair of strappy white mules which were absolutely perfect for my simplistic theme. Lastly, to take the cool tones one step further, I gave a nod to the 90’s with a pair of tinted frames featuring the most nostalgic aqua-colored lenses. I feel like I’ve been a huge fan of the “less is more” motto when it comes to my styling lately and truly believe that not every outfit has to necessarily have “shock value” to be great or attention-grabbing. Comment below your favorite piece from this look and what Spring trends (new or old) you’re most anticipating this season. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links: 

Top- & Other Stories

Jeans- & Other Stories

Heels- Zara

Sunglasses- & Other Stories

 

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In the vault

SHADES OF BLUE

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The time has come and we are FINALLY beginning to see some signs of Spring approaching. I don’t know about you guys, but I have had my fair share of Winter blues and am ready to pull out some light jackets, flowy fabrics, and most of all COLOR. To my surprise, I was contacted again by the lovely representatives at Who What Wear and was graciously given the opportunity to select a few pieces from their new collection. I am personally a fan of this brand as a whole because it always seems to find ways to incorporate the latest trends in a wearable way that suits everyone from the style vets, to the fashionistas in training; not to mention the prices are also a bargain! The first piece I decided to style out of the two I was gifted, was a double breasted striped trench vest. Since I was working with such a neutral color scheme and versatile print, there were quite a few options floating around in my head at first glance. Initially, I was planning to fasten all the buttons and wear the garment like a dress, with hopes of finding a dainty blouse that could be layered underneath. After browsing the stores however, the top I had in mind was nowhere to be found and I wasn’t too keen on how the outerwear piece looked as a frock, even with the belt tied tightly around my waist. So it was back to the drawing board, and plan B was put into motion! Since the trench was so long, I thought it would be interesting to add a wide-legged trouser that could essentially streamline the look and give the illusion of an elongated frame. It didn’t take long before I stumbled upon the brightest sky-colored trouser that instantly reminded me of a sunny Spring day without a cloud in sight. The pants also came with an O-ring belt detail which gave a nod to the utilitarian trend that has recently become popular. I decided to keep things simple with a black sleeveless turtleneck sweater and white heels to tie in the stark stripes. Lastly, in efforts to add an unexpected touch, I finished off the look with yellow cat-eye frames for some subtle primary-color-blocking. I honestly felt like this was a great transitional look to launch into the new season, and I can’t wait to show you guys the other piece I styled from the Who What Wear collection. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Vest- Who What Wear Collection

Turtleneck- Zara

Trousers- & Other Stories

Heels- Topshop

Sunglasses- & Other Stories

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In the vault

NYFW: THE LOOKS

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Fashion week is one of the most exciting and hectic times of year, and being that I’m still balancing a 9-5, I must be strategic with how I spend my time. Getting to as many events and shows as possible is always my focus so that leaves little time for showroom appointments and fittings. That being said, it’s no secret that being a style blogger, I shop a lot more frequently than the average person and because of that I usually have no problem finding garments from my closet to wear during this time. My strategy, outside of pulling pieces I haven’t worn in a while or outside of a shoot for my blog, is to create looks that are just slightly more intricate than what I would put together on a “regular” day. I don’t like to go too far outside of my personal style, but rather enhance the things I love and make it a bit more dramatic. Depending on your methods of transportation, dressing for the weather may not be a huge priority, but I definitely try to be mindful of it especially for the Fall/Winter season. For my first ensemble, I decided to pull a dress that I honestly haven’t worn in at least a year. I forgot how much I loved colors in the floral pattern, along with the lace overlay, and cutout shoulders. For added dimension, I layered a sleeveless knit turtleneck under the frock and used a belt to cinch the waist creating the shape I desired. To complete this look, I threw on my chunky thigh-high boots, and grabbed by suede and shearling coat for an extra layer of warmth. The green and gold earrings I selected beautifully complimented the tones in the overall look, and with my ring handle bag I was out the door and on my way!

LOOK 1: OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS:

Jacket– Zara; Dress– Zara; Turtleneck– Zara; Boots– Zara; Bag– Nordstrom; Belt– Mango; Earrings– Kendra Scott

 

I was pleasantly surprised on the second day, as a warm front rolled in and I was able to leave the house without an overbearing piece of outerwear. I still continued to play things safe, however, as I didn’t want to risk getting sick. I decided to layer a thin grey turtleneck under a chunkier cream version with a bold Aztec-like print across the chest. I then continued to play off of those warm, rich, colors with a pair of wide-legged corduroys in a similar hue. To bring a more classic and tailored element to the ensemble, a pinstriped blazer seemed like the most obvious choice.  For accessories, I chose a black and white heeled sandal, a leather slogan clutch, and my favorite (and only) vinyl baker boy cap. For me this look was all about the combining of different textures and I loved how it turned out.

LOOK 2: OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS:

Hat– Topshop; Blazer– Who What Wear; Turtleneck– Forever 21; Sweater– & Other Stories; Pants– Topshop; Shoes– Topshop; Clutch– Zara

By day three I was really on a role and had been absolutely loving all of the outfits I had created thus far. I recently received this tailored boiler suit in the mail, so it was only a matter of time before I reached for it. This look was all about the neutrals, however I still wanted to make sure every piece had its own moment to shine. Again, I grabbed another turtleneck to layer with and continued to brighten the look with my cream-colored calf boots which I am absolutely obsessed with. Remember when I mentioned dramatics?? Well, this was the day I chose to go over the top and bring out my giant teddy coat. This truly was the perfect day for it as the temperatures had dropped again and running from show to show was becoming slightly unbearable. All in all, with a similarly toned bag to complete the look accompanied by a bold dark lip, I felt pretty freakin’ chic and was ready to take on whatever came my way!

LOOK 3: OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS:

Coat– H&M; Jumpsuit– & Other Stories; Turtleneck– Mango; Boots– Zara; Bag– Free People

Three words: burgundy boss babe! For day four, I totally channeled my inner Miranda Priestly and felt like the fiercest woman on the planet! It’s no secret that blazers, suits, and co-ords have slowly begun taking over my wardrobe; however, this was my first and will forever be a favorite. To keep all of the attention on these beautiful wine-colored pieces, I kept it simple with a black cut-out turtleneck (yes, another one) underneath, and for a pop of interest, my new snake print boots which incorporate the same colors. I wouldn’t say any of my looks were necessarily hard to style, but this one definitely came together the fastest and brought out an essence of sophistication I don’t think any of my other outfits conveyed.

LOOK 4: OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS:

Suit– Topshop; Turtleneck– ASTR; Boots– Jeffrey Campbell; Bag– Zara; Sunglasses– Mango

As the week was beginning to wind down, comfort became my top priority so I thought it was time to finally bring out some denim! I definitely wanted to style a more casual look, but with a few hints of glam for a bit of contrast. One can never go wrong with a t-shirt and jeans, but I chose to add a lace top underneath for an unexpected feminine touch. To highlight the red in the graphics on my shirt, I decided to throw on my velvet booties and finish off the look with my grey puffer jacket. Because this is such a bulky piece of outerwear, wearing it open helped to balance the overall look without overpowering it. For an extra bit of glitz, I decided on my chandelier earrings (which I wore on NYE), and my everyday black cross-body bag with silver ring accents to tie everything together.

LOOK 5: OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS:

Jacket– Mango; T-shirt– Zara; Turtleneck– H&M; Jeans– Levis; Boots– Zara; Bag– Rebecca Minkoff; Earrings– Mango

Last but certainly not least, my sixth and final look of the week featured some bright color blocking and my usual texture mash-ups! I could not close out NYFW without showcasing my latest outerwear obsession, so it was important that I style this look around my new cropped shearling jacket. Following the layering theme of this week, I wore two turtleneck sweaters, both in bright shades which gave a vibrant Spring-like feel. I thought that the juxtaposition of these pieces against leather would also be quite intriguing so I threw on my paper-bag waist trousers to give a more edgy and structured feel to the outfit. I completed this look simply with a black pair of booties and small vintage looking frames. In efforts to seamlessly blend both upper and lower halves of this look, I grabbed my straw and leather cross-body to pull everything together. I was thrilled with how each of my looks turned out and quite proud of myself for not choosing to borrow items or spend additional money for new pieces. Aside from showcasing my personal style, I think it’s also important to show how older or current pieces can be remixed and incorporated into your day to day wardrobe, regardless of whether it’s a special occasion or not. I really hope you guys liked seeing what I styled this fashion week season, and please let me know your favorite look in the comments below. Until next time!

LOOK 6: OUTFIT DETAILS & LINKS:

Jacket– & Other Stories; Turtleneck– & Other Stories; Sweater– H&M; Pants– Mango; Boots– Topshop; Bag– Free People; Sunglasses– Quay

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In the vault

SILK PRINTS

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With only a week left until Thanksgiving, I’m finding myself slowly but surely getting into the holiday groove and it’s even begun to show in my current wardrobe. Every year I like to make a mental note of items that I’d like to freshen up or revamp, and leather trousers were definitely on that list. In the past I’ve gravitated toward leggings but this year I was leaning towards something a bit more elevated, and these paper bag waist trousers were the perfect option. In my opinion, the straight leg and tie detail allowed for a more chic and sophisticated take on the edgy garment. Aside from that, I’ve already begun to feel slightly overwhelmed by the abundance of turtlenecks and mock neck sweaters on the market. Granted, we’re approaching the Winter months so of course it’s expected, but I personally wanted to challenge myself to style a different type of top. To my surprise, this ended up being a lot easier than I initially thought and just as I was losing hope, a chain printed button up caught my eye. “Scarf printed” shirts are quite on trend at the moment and though I felt like this was slightly out of my comfort zone, I decided to go for it anyway. To keep the top as the focal point of the look, I knew I wanted to keep any additional pieces black; however, I figured this would also be a good time to incorporate different textures. Despite wanting to stay away from turtlenecks, I made a slight exception and chose to layer a lace version under the shirt for some added interest. The rest of my accessories, were solely added to play off the colors in the bold print. I wanted to highlight the gold chains by adding a pair of black pumps with a metal cap toe detail and my ring-handle bag. For some final touches, I chose to complete the look with my red tinted frames and a bright red lip for a pop of color. Overall, I’m pleased with how this look turned out and I’m excited to style some more outfits suitable for this festive season! Let me know in the comments what types of holiday looks/content you’d like to see in the upcoming weeks. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links: 

Shirt- & Other Stories

Lace Top- H&M

Leather Trousers- Mango

Heels- Jessica Buurman

Bag- Nordstrom

Sunglasses-  Urban Outfitters

 

 

 

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In the vault

NEON LIGHTS

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I feel like this season more than ever, I’ve been really open to trying out different trends. It just seems like a lot of the popular statement making pieces thus far have been right up my alley, and it’s been very easy to incorporate them into my current wardrobe. Honestly, every item in this look can be classified as “on-trend,” so let’s just start from the top and work our way down, shall we? Vibrant colors were HUGE this fashion month, so much so that even neon made a come back! Designer brands like Prada incorporated a variety of these shades into their recent designs, with green seeming to lead the pack. For me personally, I like to find pieces that fit the mold without being so trend specific that they can’t be worn once they’re no longer “in style.” Because I’m not the biggest fan of neon, I opted for a chartreuse turtleneck that was just as bold and eye-catching. To compliment this minimal top, I chose a textured snake print mini skirt that served as the perfect neutral. While that statement may be hard to believe, there’s not much that animal prints can’t be paired with as they all usually tend to incorporate shades of black, brown, & occasionally grey. To finish up the look I chose to add stark white accessories instead of my usual darker pieces. (FUN FACT: I bought this clutch in college and it’s made an appearance on my website every year since I’ve started blogging.) With the colder months slowly approaching, I love the idea of including lighter colored items into my Fall/Winter ensembles, aside from the typical black boots and bags. These sling-backs were so interesting to me and the round wooden heel really helped to pull the warm tones out of the skirt and balance the look. To play off of the silver hardware, I threw on my favorite pair of geometric earrings and a pair of clear frames for an extra cool factor. This was definitely one of my more fun looks that really just made me…happy! The vibrancy truly uplifted my mood and made me feel like risk-taking rockstar that could conquer the fashion world– slightly extreme, but you get the point, lol. Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried, or are interested in trying any of the trends discussed and list your favorite. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top – & Other Stories

Skirt- Zara

Shoes- Topshop

Clutch- Zara

Earrings: & Other Stories

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