do the polka

really digging polka dots for fall - especially in classic, crisp colors like navy and white.  pairing them with brighter pieces makes the polka dots more whimsical than prim, and of course, a little leopard never hurt anyone.

check out the article i wrote about these pieces over at college magazine for some outfit inspo!

II emily

mellow yellow

i'm sorry but how maaaah-jor is this j.crew look? 

i've always thought yellow looked a bit off on my skintone, but this outfit makes me not care one. single. bit.  simple shapes like a tailored wool coat, skinny leather belt and satin pumps done up in varying hues of {sunny yellow} - and mixed with a cozy grey sweater and neutral trousers - make for one of the best fall outfits i've seen yet.

II emily

music to your ears

happy tu(n)esday!

a few years ago, i had this grand idea that i was going to blow up all of my favorite album covers and build a collage covering one of my bedroom walls.  i've always been into music; i literally had almost 100 covers set aside for my project. plus, aren't album covers just the best? i love seeing how artists choose to decorate their albums.

of course i never actually got around to building the collage... college happened. but my love for music hasn't faded! in fact, some really amazing new albums have come out recently, so i thought i'd share them with you - along with some of my longtime favorites. 

{ best new music }

1. Cults - Cults {sample track}

2. Washed Out - Within and Without {sample track}

3. St. Vincent - Strange Mercy {sample track}

4. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues {sample track}

{ forever favorites... }

1. The Strokes - Is This It?

2. Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line

3. Smith Westerns - Dye It Blonde 

4. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz

5. Surfer Blood - Astrocoast

6. The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

7. Deerhunter - Microcastle

8. St. Vincent - Actor

9. Sleigh Bells - Treats

10. She & Him - Volume I

11. Best Coast - Crazy for You 

12. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

13. Atlas Sound - Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel

14. The Beatles - Beatles for Sale {most underrate Beatles album ever.}

II emily

more fashion week

i know i already wrote one post about the worldwide phenomenon that is #FASHIONWEEK, but one really isn't enough for such a grand occasion. 
in fact, i recently wrote an in-depth piece about some of the best designers and collections over at college magazine and of course i felt the need to share all of my favorites here, too:

{ jill stuart }

{ matthew williamson }

{ alexander wang}

{ bill blass }

{ topshop unique }

{ timo weiland }

{ theyskens' theory }

it's all just

 so good.

II emily

pantalones

currently craving: palazzo pants.

the super-wide leg, nipped-in waist and dressy attitude of palazzo pants make them the perfect counter to something ultra casual.  i love them in bold colors with simple tanks and fun patterns - talk about an easy, effortless summer uniform!  palazzo pants are definitely topping my 'Clothes I Should Have Bought This Season' list. #couldawouldashoulda

lucky for me, palazzo pants look equally showstopping in the winter with cropped pullover sweaters, silky blouses and long cardigans. zara has my back (as usual!) with tons of palazzo varieties, and their new online shop is luring me in by the minute...

{ images via man repeller, atlantic-pacific, late afternoon }

{ zara pants from left: navy, crimson, bottle green, poppy }

II emily

change of heart

maybe it's the 9 years i spent wearing a dark green plaid skirt in grade school, but i've never been a huge fan of plaid. it's always just seemed overly preppy and a bit stuffy, especially on traditionally-plaid pieces like cardigans and coats. 

however, the latest surge of plaid has been anything but traditional. when modern pieces like skinny pants, platform boots and oversize button-downs are done up in colorful plaids, the pattern suddenly looks undeniably fresh. these new plaids feel a bit retro collegiate, maybe even a little english-girl punk rebel... do you catch my drift? no? ....
for a hint of the pattern, try a bright plaid scarf, boyish blazer or patterned bag, or for something a little more daring, layer multiple plaid pieces! the scarf & jacket look perfectly un-perfect together.

{ clockwise from top left: forever21 scarf, j.crew jacket, tory burch bag, jeffrey campbell boots, forever 21 bag, etoile isabel marant pants, h&m blouse }

II emily

fall uniform

fashion week may have all of us in a spring tizzy, but j.crew's immaculate fall looks should be enough to bring you back down to earth. bright pants, slouchy sweaters, silky blouses, effortless layering... not to mention highly-enviable hair and makeup. they're nailing it i say!

II emily