stock market

images via pinterest

i've had a pair of taupe birkenstocks for at least 7 years now - i actually can't remember when or why i bought them. potentially for a high school trip to greece? but  since i never ended up wearing them (sorry mom), they are essentially still in mint condition. i pulled them out last summer just as the ugly-shoe trend began in earnest (and after i saw mary-kate olsen wearing some with jeans), but after spotting these photos above, it's clear my suede slides won't be making the cut this season. i love the stark black and white leather versions with a super simple outfit, like a cotton dress or blazer - and a nice tan wouldn't hurt either. now i just need to decide which ones to buy. they even come in patent leather! and the comfort factor cannot be beat.

style tips from joanna hillman

if you've ever taken a quick glance at pinterest, chances are you've stumbled upon a few eye-popping images of joanna hillman. hillman holds the coveted position of senior market editor at harper's bazaar, so not only does she have amazing style, but she really knows her stuff.

it's hard to pinpoint what i love most about joanna. she always looks refined, constantly taking simple pieces -- like a bandage skirt or blazer -- and giving them an unexpected twist. and she never looks like a walking catalogue or storefront; she embraces trends, but always lets her unique personal style take center stage. that's the trick to really looking cool. who knew a giant circular horn necklace would punctuate an outfit so perfectly? ditto those slightly-flared cropped skinny pants; no one is really wearing either of those pieces right now, and that's what makes joanna stand out (not to mention her enviably long blonde hair, cherry red lips and angular sunglasses, which have become trademarks).

peep my favorite outfits below and see how you can get the look:

{ throw a slouchy cardigan over a textured mini skirt, a cool black bag & strappy sandals }

{ sometimes simplicity is key: wear a long-sleeved mini with super-high heels, a colorful necklace & retro sunnies }

{ lend a girly lace dress some edge with a moto jacket & chunky wedges }

{ mixing prints is always in season: try a striped blazer with fun printed platforms }

{ play with proportions by pairing a boxy top with a printed mini skirt & ankle booties }

{ choose simple silhouettes with interesting details: a white button-down with black trim, rust-colored denim, a leopard tote & navy blue mary janes }

{ a statement coat needs little else: slim black pants, minimalist pumps & cool gloves }

{ an army green blouse & open-toe booties make a stripey skirt anything but predictable }

{ wear a bright bag with a striped tee, black jeans & a luxe (faux) fur jacket }

II emily

outfit ideas: 2013

i keep a note in my iPhone titled "outfit ideas," which consists of random sartorial aha! moments that usually happen in the middle of the night. examples include: "wear distressed jeans with new white blouse + red flats + messy bun" or "cut off hems of old skinnies for ragged edges." but for those times i need more visual stimulation, i always turn to pinterest. some of my favorite outfits have been inspired by images i find on the site, including the ones below, which i plan on trying this year with some of the accompanying items...

{ graphic blouse + side pony + sparkly earrings + big rings }

{ top knot + gold statement necklace + gray tank + maxi skirt + friendship bracelets }

{ sweatshirt + silk pants + bright bag }

{ simple dress + comic book clutch + red lip }

 II emily

september pins

not that this is news, but pinterest is such a gold mine for inspiration. i'm on one of my frequent pinning sprees, obsessing over my different boards and perusing blogs for hours just to find one shiny new pin. i'll probably forget about it in a week, then have an epiphany one rainy afternoon and start the pinning marathon once again.

 even silly things like tiffany blue popsicles or some ultra-glamorous makeup give me about one zillion new ideas. of course, i tend to focus most on the fashion-related pinboards, especially those of blair eadie and bri emery... luckily fashion makes up about 75% of the entire pinterest network so i'm good. the other 25% is cupcakes, baby animals and nail art.

peep some of my favorite fashion images below:

images via my pinboards

II emily

tech savvy

four social media platforms. four! that's how many we use. that may sound like a lot, but it's actually a pretty modest number. you probably use all of these - or maybe even more. it seems like there's a new social media tool every day, and now there are experts on the subject. social media can be your career. do you think that's what mark zuckerberg had in mind when he made facebook?

blogs are so, so dependent on social media. in fact, blogs are social media tools in and of themselves. but the blogosphere would be nothing without twitter, facebook, and tumblr, and the most recent craze, pinterest, has given bloggers even more room for creative promotion. 

if you weren't aware of twin studies' twitter and facebook pages, i suggest you check them out now! i've been using twitter a lot more than usual lately, tweeting great online shopping deals and the latest fashion news, as well as links to the most recent twin studies posts, of course. follow us here to get in on the action.

i'm also a HUGE pinterest fan. it may be a "recent fad" but i started my pinterest boards this the last year, back when you had to "request an invitation" to join. needless to say the site has skyrocketed, and i love seeing what other bloggers, my friends, and pinners from all over the world are getting inspired by. you can follow my pinterest here as well as liz's pinterest!

the twin studies tumblr is the most recent addition, and i'm still adjusting to the site! but i love how easy it is to follow your favorite magazines, bloggers, and friends in your own little tumblr community, and just like interest, it's extremely visual. it's the place for blogs that rely on photographs and design, and that's more than necessary in this hyper-technological age.

i'm not up on a lot of the "latest" social media tools, but you'll recall i blogged about CurentlyObsessed.me a few weeks back, and i still think it's a brilliant new site. i'm hoping to join the site one day, but for now i'm addicted to clicking through my favorite bloggers' obsessions!

so go on. follow us!  social media spreads the love, and that's what twin studies is all about! sharing fashion, beauty, and everyday inspiration. 

II emily