up close

{all images via fashion squad}

although carolina engman's outfits are always so, so, SO amazing, they become even more drop-dead-genius when you look a little closer. i love how she frequently includes zoomed-in photos of the little details (like texture, pattern, color, studs, chains, and embellishments) that play so nicely together in her ensemble.

II emily

street style

when it comes to fashion, there's nothing more inspirational than street style. the majority of blogs out there focus on bloggers' everyday outfits as well as street style photographs of women around the world, and that's where the real talent lies! 

i don't need to talk too much about my love for blogs; my blogroll {at right} grows every day, and i have my own blog, after all! they're pretty special to me. i'd much rather peruse the internet for chic women around the globe than, say, get inspired by a celebrity look. celebrities have teams of stylists; bloggers do not. (some of them are actually stylists, though!)

these are some of my favorite street style looks right now...

1 / i love kendi's updated "geek chic" look: thick glasses, a schoolboy blazer, loafer wedges, and a bow-tie blouse. adorable!

2 / this beauty from berlin combines some of my very favorite things: a leopard jacket, leather pants, a pop of hot pink, and moto boots.

3 / tuula's take on color blocking is so soft and simple with shades of mint green - and her sleek black bag and sandals create the perfect contrast.

4 / blair looks pretty in pink, with crisp breton stripes breaking up the cotton-candy hues.

5 / i'm literally obsessed miroslava duma's look here, even though it's extra matchy-matchy (which is now a total "do") - even her mismatched creepers are perfect!

6 / the ultimate in chic neutrals; a camel leather skirt, crisp blouse, and messy braid all communicate that carefree, effortless vibe.

7 / looove this girl's ensemble - a chambray shirt, red cardigan, cap-toe heels and structured satchel all come together to update the classic prep look.

8 / blair never fails to amaze; i have a bit of a girl crush. this look is practically the opposite of #3 - it's a bit rock 'n roll, even. i love how she layered her military jacket and blouse, piled on the chains, and those shoes! sigh.

9 / jules is the ultimate mix master - her ultra-casual cardigan gets an elegant twist with strappy black heels and a giant metallic clutch.

feeling inspired yet?

II emily

textile e&j

despite how you may feel about acid wash/tie-dye denim (totally 90s, yes, but i'm going to go ahead and let you know i give it my biggest stamp of approval), it's hard to resist the ultra-colorful and casual pieces from textile elizabeth & james' spring 2012 line.  even the preppiest of prim-and-preppy dressers can find something they like in this collection, from baby pink jeans to a classic navy-and-yellow dyed crewneck.

textile's emphasis on denim is always refreshing, and their current take on the standard t-shirt + jeans combination is a (huge) breath of fresh air. i'll be trading in my go-to light skinny jeans and cutoffs for pieces that are a bit brighter and more interesting (those studded shorts would look extra cute in lilac, wouldn't they? a girl can dream...) and i suggest you do the same.

II emily 

cf

{wearing a zara dress, j.crew shirt, forever21 scarf, dv dolce vita wedges [similar here], j.crew purse [scored on sale!], and michael kors watch. jewelry: david yurman, j.crew, handmade, marc by marc jacobs. nail polish: butter london "teddy girl"}

as the newest addition to the IU CollegeFashionista team of "style gurus," i thought i'd share some outtakes from my first article -- a personal style biography (see the real thing here).  

CollegeFashionista is a national site that was started here at IU (!!!) by amy levin. the premise of the site is kind of like a street style blog (think jak & jil, the sartorialist, etc) but more structured and editorial.  "gurus" like me take photos of stylish boys and girls around our campus and write about them for the site -- whether it's a particular item they're wearing or their chic look as a whole. sounds amazing, right? 

i'm the "all about beauty" guru, so instead of shooting inspirational fashion, i'll be on the lookout for the coolest makeup, nail, and hair trends on campus. get your hands on some neon nail polish or master the fishtail braid and you may just find yourself featured on the site one day :) i publish on thursdays, so mark your calendars for my weekly musings!

II emily

inside the lines

{images via honestly...wtf}

a recent discovery of martha nehrling's graphic, single-stroke artwork is providing even more reason to dress in the boldest and brightest colors this winter and in the coming spring. bonus - art lovers and novices alike will appreciate nehrling's straightforward approach: the seemingly-simple lines and dashes stem from her observance that life is chaotic and creates a variety of colors; her paintings kind of look like they're whizzing past in a blur. #coolness

II emily

just in time

{clockwise from top left: matthew williamson sweater, rebecca minkoff bag, nancy gonzalez clutches, shourouk bracelet, iris apfel for MAC lipstick, anthropologie bracelet, candy store silicone pouch [perfect for makeup!], stella mccartney sandals}

you can't really call it a "trend," nor can you say it's something new - but bright colors are your one-way ticket to chic this season. and by "this season" i do mean in the dead of winter.

is this breaking some kind of rule? yes. but does it make complete sense? yes.

 a pop of neon or an especially saturated hue can brighten up your dull skin, limp hair, and gloomy winter attitude, whether its a chunky bracelet or a swipe of lipstick.  hot pink is always a fabulous option, but more unexpected colors like lime, sunflower, and orange pack a punch, too. 

to avoid looking like a walking window display, pair your brights with casual, neutral basics - a slouchy white tee or grey knit with your trusty dark denim usually does the trick. 

II emily

le smoking {flat}

{all flats, topshop}

a true fashion victim, i've been on a painstaking mission for chic, flattering, affordable smoking flats for months; they look equally amazing with rolled trousers, full skirts, and your favorite jeans. i'm all about versatility. and while you may think i'm repeating myself after my post about j.crew loafers, i'll have you know smoking flats are very different than your standard loafer. a lower vamp and sleeker silhouette make these markedly more feminine and wearable versus a menswear-inspired penny loafer. (details, people.)

anyways. i think i've finally found suitable (and affordable) smoking flat options! topshop always kills it with their shoe selection, but they're especially on their game with these studded, spotted, and suede beauties. now all i have to do is choose one... (can't i just get them all?!) truthfully, i'm leaning towards the taupe leopard or beige studded varieties. i'm a sucker for good nude shoes!

II emily