comfy cozy

 

images via song of style, atlantic-pacific and french voguettes

i've never been one to wear hats of any kind, nor have i ever loved the look on anyone else. fedoras, baseball caps, straw hats... it's always just felt a little off. maybe because i think your hairstyle is so essential to the overall look, and hats just cover that up (not to mention the whole "hat hair" thing). 

but during the winter, it's hard to be so anti-hat. i start feeling painful frostbite on my ears within ten minutes of being outside, a head cold after 20, and since i'm currently in NYC for the next few weeks, both of these things are becoming more of a problem.

solution? the beanie. 

and, i'll admit it: i've been wrong. beanies are really cute -- as long as they're a little slouchy and your preferred mode of transportation does not include a skateboard. beanies add an urban edge to any chic ensemble, but i especially love the idea of wearing a bright beanie (a la images 2, 4 and 8) with neutral colors and relaxed shapes, like destructed jeans and baggy sweaters. since when was cold weather so fashionable?!

to get the look, shop some of my favorites below:

narciso rodriguez pre-fall 2013

 images via style.com

minimalist perfection is... 

body-skimming sheaths, graphic black & white prints, leather t-shirts, sharp jackets

and a dose of rich, burnt orange and red. you go, narciso!

happy feet

i'm taking a break from studying for finals to share an amazing holiday promotion with you! one of my favorite  online shopping destinations, sole society, has teamed up with haute look (another fashion goldmine) for one of the best deals i've seen all season. it's simple: just join sole society (if you haven't already) and use HAUTELIDAY20 at check-out to get $20 off your first purchase! (ends december 16)

$20 may not sound like that much, but consider this: every shoe on the site is only $50 or $60, and shipping is always free. it's almost too good to be true.

the only problem is, i can't decide which ones to order. which would you choose -- the kimberlee, kaylie, gina, or suzanne?

 

glitter girl

image via inspired design

with all this gloomy weather we've been having, i'm tempted to pile on as much glitter/sequins/rhinestones/sparkles as i can each morning! it makes those chunky sweaters and weatherproof boots feel so much more glamorous, and this season it's all about that high-low mix. i love the idea of glitzing up cold weather textures (like wool, cashmere and plaid) with light-catching jewelry, shoes, and even denim.

 i'll chalk it up to the holiday season (only 16 days til christmas!) but fashion in general has really embraced sparkle recently. you can find a sparkly piece nearly anywhere, and at any price point -- from the splurge-worthy offerings at net-a-porter to everyone's favorite fast fashion destination, forever 21. there's no reason not to try out this trend!
try any of my picks below for an extra-festive look:

{from top left: tom binns necklace (similar here, here and here), kate spade bangle, 7 for all mankind jeans, vintage chanel bag, kate spade clutch, j.crew heels, deborah lippman glitter nail polish, lulu frost x j.crew earrings}

II emily

holiday gift guide #2

i recently stumbled upon the addictive kikkerland website and spent roughly an hour clicking through the quirky, inexpensive items (when i should have been writing my 3 final papers...!) everything is insanely practical but uniquely designed, and i instantly came up with a million holiday gift ideas.

if (like me) you  struggle with gifting because your besties already have plenty of jewelry (my shameless go-to) and your guy friends are simply impossible to shop for (aren't they always?), then look no further. i mean, what are the odds your friends already have funky USB hubs or cupcake-shaped stickies? check out my favorite kikkerland picks below, and browse the entire site here. (and check out our holiday gift guide #1 here!)

from top left: wisdom teeth magnets ($5), piet mondrian-inspired magnetic dry erase board ($12), giant rhino eraser ($11), memo pad cupcake ($4.50), iphone 4 bling case ($10), lightning bolt usb hub ($15), bear rug coasters ($15)

II emily

etsy spotlight: friedasophie

i've only bought a few things on etsy before, but i'm slowly becoming one of those addicts... the kind that tells herself she totally needs edible sharks for her next (nonexistent) baking venture. or soap that looks like sushi - yeah, totally necessary.

that being said, it's also possible to feel lost on the site, endlessly searching for that one special boutique. and once you stumble upon it... you have to share. friedasophie is any jewelry girl's dream come true: its pieces are all at once feminine, versatile, edgy and fashion-forward. i mean, who wouldn't want to wear a geode around their neck?  i love the juxtaposition of raw stones against simple gold chains and settings.

these pieces would give a delicate summer dress a little bit of edge, or they could add some earthiness to your  winter knits! if you need a cold weather pick-me-up (or a super special gift for your bestie, if you didn't already snag one here!) the friedasophie shop is the place for you.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

cara mia

 

images via style.com/print

i received my style.com/print issue 03 in the mail a few weeks ago, but i still love flipping through to re-read the articles and pore over the countless gorgeous, gigantic photos. especially fantastic was the cover story on cara delevigne, by far one of the most interesting models on the runway these days. how much are you loving the above portraits? so much beauty/fashion inspiration -- fuschia lips, tousled highlighted strands, slick liner and baseball caps. i'm anxious to see what this londoner has in store for the coming seasons.

II emily

loeffler randall resort 2013

{ from top left: mint rider bag, water snake rider bag, skye gladiator sandal, starrett platform sandal, mini rider in nude, white and neon orange, electric mint lock clutch, and cobalt mix rider bag }

the general consensus is that structured bags are the only kind worth having this season. my slouchy 5-year-old marc by marc jacobs hobo may suggest otherwise, but believe me, if i could drop $500 on one of these loeffler randall beauties, i'd be a proud new member of the bags-that-look-like-briefcases brigade. these are clean, modern and sleek, but nowhere near as boring as some of the other iterations out there. shiny closures, smooth piping and mixed textures add plenty of necessary interest. 

these bags are also really... resort-y, as the name suggests. in pastels, pale beige and even pure white, they were literally made for jet setters who plan exotic december getaways. but i can see a lot of these bags looking just fine with standard winter wardrobes -- it's all about finding balance. wear the minty number with greys and camels, or let the emerald clutch pop against an all-black ensemble. and that tan, black, and python number would function absolutely perfectly all year round -- it's the perfect mix of neutrals.

but the shoes... the shoes should probably be reserved for poolside parties and barbecues. i'm not one to encourage frostbite. but they're definitely worth scooping up now if you have that luxurious vacay in mind (or, you know, if you're already planning your spring break outfits).

II emily

the joy of giving

thanksgiving is just around the corner which means.... turkey, potatoes, pecan pie and plenty of cider. but more importantly, thanksgiving means it's officially time to start  your holiday shopping!!!!! 

i hear time and time again that holiday shopping causes stress for a lot of people, but it doesn't have to be this way. i find there are a few tricks to pleasing everyone on your list and doing so in the chicest way possible:

tip #1: buy early. this is a no brainer. you'll have your pick of all of the season's best products, and while you might miss a few sales, you'll rest assured you bought that sparkly iPad case or snuggly cashmere socks before they completely sold out. and you'll avoid all of that insane holiday shopping traffic.

tip #2: think luxuriously. no one wants a predictable or boring gift. your friends and family can tell when you've put some thought and consideration into your gifts, and that's how you show your love! i always say it's best to buy people things that they wouldn't normally buy for themselves: a splurge-worthy st. james tee, plush faux fur blanket, or pricey bottle of alcohol. just because they need a new blender doesn't mean you should buy them one. 

tip #3: consider beauty products. i personally think cosmetics are some of the best gifts you can give, and they're probably the least expected item on anyone's list. i'm not saying you should buy your grandmother one of those blue nars x andy warhol eyeshadows when you know she's strictly into taupe -- but consider her everyday beauty routine and go from there. for example, my mom loves a select few things: super hydrating creams; dewy  foundations; the yves saint laurent touche eclat corrector; ultra-natural pink lips; and a certain dior palette with the prettiest neutral shadows around. so, what to buy a woman with a tried-and-true (and decidedly glamorous) beauty routine? for starters, i know she would love the dior hydra life foundation because it's lightweight, super moisturizing, and still provides plenty of coverage -- plus, it comes in a shade pale enough for her skin tone. i also know she would love any of those new clinique 'black honey' variations since she's been wearing the original color since the 90s. and i could even throw in one of the new tom ford lipsticks, which apparently smell amazing and come in the most perfect colors, from deep burgundy to neon pink (though i'd probably go with casablanca for mom). giving her a few new items that she would actually love and use would be thoughtful, heartfelt, unexpected, and yes, luxurious.

below, i provided even more ideas for the lovely women in your life -- best friends, cousins, moms, aunts, etc! happy shopping!

{ from the top: asos gloves, c wonder earrings, j.crew bracelet, j.crew passport cover, power mate plus x j.crew portable iPhone charger, nyx soft matte lip cream set, j.crew polka dot infinity scarf, nars eyeshadow trio in delphes, st. germain liquer (my absolute favorite! cocktail recipes coming soon), kate spade usb ring, chanel nail colour in vamp (a classic), kate spade cosmetics case }

II emily

getting an ear full

images via la modella mafia, jak & jil, mr. kate, and le fashion

unless you live under a rock, you've probably noticed that while arm parties are still going strong, the latest trend in jewelry -- the ear party -- is going, well... really, really strong. aka, your standard studs simply aren't going to cut it anymore.

even if you're like me and have been sporting two upper cartilage rings for the past few years and thought you looked cool, we're  playing it way too small. ear cuffs, tunnel earrings, zany new shapes and even safety pins have entered the world of chic, forward-thinking jewelry, and all i can say is... sign me up.

after a while, high-shine ear parties really don't even seem all that crazy . they're trendy, yes, but daring? of course. statement-making? definitely. worth the risk of drawing awkward attention to your lobes? you bet. oversized, sometimes-violent ear candy toes the line between en vogue and, well... punky. my own mother likened the trend to the over-pierced gothic youth of the 90s, but all i have to say is this: since none of these gilded pieces actually require poking new holes in your body (unless, of course, you don't already have single lobe piercings), it's just an innocent game of c'est-la-vie-and-pile-it-on-before-it's-out-again. which would you choose?

{ clockwise from top left: repossi 'berbere' ear cuff, dana rebecca bar earrings, mr. kate 'bark' ear cuffs [i own a silver one and love it], rebecca minkoff faceted studs, rachel roy safety pin earrings [last seen here], mr. kate 'circe' ear cuffs, giles & brother tiny safety pin earrings, topshop tunnel earrings [which look a lot like those givenchy tusks, no?], mr. kate 'bow' ear cuff }

II emily

olsen inspo

the endlessly inspiring olsen twins are naturally a favorite here on twin studies...and elizabeth is the newest addition to our obsession! 

just a few of our favorite olsen snaps to get you inspired this fall:

{ elizabeth's tousled bun + cabernet lips are the ultimate fall beauty routine}

 {love mk's all-white look with that pop of neon pink}

{proof that it's always good to change up your style}

{making smudged makeup, patterned tights and a tee look oh-so chic}

 {great contrast with oversized shapes and regal embellishments}

 

 {the ultimate mix of color and texture -- especially loving the orange + studs}

{sleek bob, all-black, and high slit = red carpet perfection}

 {the basics: white tee, leather mini, red shades and a bold bag}

{comfy-cool in loafter wedges and soft layered knits}

II emily

think pink

lately i've been wearing this shocking pink cashmere sweater nonstop. worn with the ultimate fall basics -- skinny jeans, boots & some jewelry -- it somehow still feels like a legitimate outfit. and while cold weather is usually associated with grey and black, i think it's time to mix things up. (i dont know about you, but by january i'm O.V.E.R. all of my "chic neturals.") 

instead, throwing in a few brights like hot pink is the key to feeling current this season (check out the original inspiration on my other blog, in the mix). hot pink was already a huge trend this summer, so incorporating it into your winter wardrobe is almost too easy. just choose wintry textures (like cashmere or wool),  avoid adding any other bright colors, and keep it grounded with rugged boots and bold jewelry. below, i put together the outfit i'm planning on wearing at least once a week from here on out (once it gets really cold, i'll just add charcoal tights):

{from top left: j.crew sweater, erickson beamon necklace, j.crew clutch, michael kors watch, karl donoghue stole, acne boots, topshop skirt}

II emily

hello fall

on liz: urban outfitters sweater (old) / zara pants / asos sunglasses / nine west shoes / jewelry: j.crew, stella & dot, david yurman, john hardy, alex & ani

embracing this gorgeous weather in the backyard with a cozy sweater, our favorite new camo pants and a sparkly arm party. have you ever seen a more picturesque fall landscape?

II emily

blogger crush: gala gonzalez

if, like me, you need a new crop of blogs to look through every so often, then look no further. i've found my new favorite! my only concern is... how did i not discover gala gonzalez until now?!

the spanish beauty runs the ultra-inspiration blog amlul. what i love most about her style is that she always looks really unique, but never over-the-top. no gimmicky trends here. instead, she embraces tribal patterns and interesting colors (like mustard and kelly green). she has the best shoes (from sky-high heels to two-tone wingtips), and she usually just finishes off her ensembles with barely-there makeup and a simple hair style. sounds like the formula for the perfect fall wardrobe:

images via amlul

II emily