the new face of fashion

i don't know if you've seen/heard about the alexa chung collaboration for madewell, but if not i strongly encourage you to go check it out right this instant. alexa chung embodies almost everything i love about fashion, and i'm always inspired by the interesting combinations she comes up with. the "fisherman" cable-knit sweater i was dying for sold out before i could even attempt to buy it, but i'm equally tempted by almost everything she's put out on the website.

chung's most inspirational pieces are undoubtedly the high-waisted "christian" skinny jeans, which come in 5 different washes like this dusty gray pair. i've really been wanting to try something new in the denim arena, and this might be my golden opportunity. i'm already imagining these slimming jeans with one of madewell's flowy silk blouses or loose tees, maybe with a skinny belt, colorful flats, and a thick scarf... and at night these would be great with platform heels, a tucked-in silk tank and sharp blazer.

plus, with free shipping on all madewell jeans, the offer is almost too good to pass up! happy shopping!

II emily

playing favorites

{ on liz: forever21 top, j.crew necklace, h&m bangle, ray-ban glasses, nordstrom bp skirt }

if i haven't mentioned it before, i'm sure you've figured out the blatantly obvious obsession liz & i have with lace. it's one of my favorite recent trends, possibly because we were a little shocked when it started popping up on the runways and in every store imaginable. my style has always been on the romantic side, and i'm happy to see designers are starting to feel the same way! (i've seen enough chains, studs, rips and holes, but that's just me...)

luckily i haven't fallen into the fashion victim trap, as i am acutely aware that one day lace may not be as chic and wonderful as it is right now (sigh). so, i didn't allow myself to splurge on a handmade lace minidress or vintage lace blouse--instead i looked to my favorite bargain stores and sale racks.

this lace shirt from forever 21 has been crowned our favorite piece (although it was hard to pick just one!) - and it only cost $17. you wouldn't know by looking at it, especially since it has those tiny, special details like puffed shoulders, a scalloped hem, and slightly-cropped length. people have asked me more times than i can count if i bought it at anthropologie! but the best part about this shirt isn't just the price, but the fact that liz and i have worn it in so may ways it has basically been rendered free. whether it's mixed with a tight banded skirt and a large chunky necklace or distressed boyfriend jeans and flat sandals, this top makes a stunning impact that leaves me wishing i'd bought two. (you know, just in case we wear holes into this one - it could happen!)

II emily

newfound nostalgia

lately, the temperatures have been so fitful i can never even remember what month it is. one day its a 90-degree august afternoon, the next a chilly gray november morning (like today, unfortunately enough). its made me realize that despite my excitement for military jackets, cashmere sweaters, faux-fur leopard stoles, leather boots, and all of my other fall favorites, there's so much about summertime that i'll really miss. it always surprises me how much i long for a dripping-sweat, totally not-chic summer day when i'm trudging through black slush in the middle of february (the worst month, in my opinion). here's a bunch of photos -- some old, some new -- that i'll be looking at when i need to remember that feel-good sunshine. :)

{the chicago skyline - taken during lollapalooza 2010}

{lake michigan}

{liz getting bronzed}

{our favorite childhood park}

{soaking up the sun nearby our house}

don't say goodbye to summer yet!

II emily

just romping around

as weird as it sounds, i actually prefer rompers as cool-weather apparel. they've been a "summer essential" ever since their conception (i'm pretty sure i first saw a romper on beyonce--in gold lamé, no less) - and it makes sense, considering they're comfy, easy, and consist of almost no fabric at all. but that's a little too easy for me--almost as simple as wearing denim cut-offs on a ninety degree day. there's not too much thought in that.

so what takes lots of creativity and a little bit of confidence? turning rompers on their beachy heads for fall, of course. kind of like throwing tights and boots under your favorite floral mini-dress, rompers look chicest when you throw something(s) over them and carry them through another season.

liz bought this "summery" romper largely for its dark floral print, reasoning she would wear it well into fall with the right accessories (namely her favorite cream-and-navy striped cardigan). she's never been more spot-on, and we've already started experimenting with all the possibilities as the temperatures drop sporadically here in bloomington. as much as the cold weather shocks me every time i step outside, i secretly can't wait for it to get a teensy bit colder and throw on sheer black tights with this fantastic floral piece. a sharp blazer would look chic and edgy, while an oversize cardigan + oxford flats is coolly casual and collegiate. how do you personalize your romper?

+

or

= a perfect fall ensemble.

{on liz: nordstrom bp romper}

{pictured: urban outfitters blazer, ann demeulemeeseter cardigan}

:) II

style on!

emily

{PS: check out this article i wrote for more tips on how to rock a romper}