luxe leopard

{ via le fashion }

you already know we're huge fans of leopard/cheetah print - for any accessory or clothing - and lately we've been particularly into plush, faux-fur leopard coats.  especially longer styles that go below the hip and have big collars: the look is high on drama, but when you're going to wear a leopard coat, you kind of have to go all out, right?

the jackets below are all exactly what i'm looking for - and not nearly as expensive as they look! i love how they add a dose of glamour to casual denim, a few pops of color, or a chic all-black ensemble. meow!

{ forever 21, zara, nasty gal }

II emily

spring leopard

everyone remembers the amazing stella mccartney prints from her 2013 resort collection (also great: the holographic clutches & shoes). i loved her fresh, springy take on leopard, but the leopard pants alone cost over $1000. not exactly in my budget!

that's precisely why mango created these killer pants in a nearly identical print, making my stella-obsessed dreams come true. i love the idea of mixing the pants with stripes or bold colors, but also would wear them in a classic way, with a twist: just add a moto-inspired white blazer, gold foil clutch, mixed metals, and neutral pumps:

{ zara blazer, mango pants, bing bang earrings, stella & dot rings, michael kors watch, 3.1 phillip lim bag, steven shoes }

II emily

planning ahead

it may technically be "fall" but we've still got a few warm days left. nevertheless, i'm already accumulating a long list of must-have fall pieces that i can't wait to wear! between gleamy new jewelry and super-soft sweaters and scarves, there's a lot in store for us this season. trust me.

1. this monogram necklace is at the top of my list. the epitome of wear-with-anything chic.

2. i may have a huge collection of bracelets, but none are as bold and slick as this hot pink j.crew bangle.

3. this multi-chain cuff will be a fabulous replacement for my current warn-to-death {and tarnished} chain bracelet.

4. and as i always say.... some leopard never hurts. i have almost every form of clothing & accessories in leopard print (i.e. scarves, skirts, sweaters, shoes, hair clips...) but no leopard bracelets. which means these dannijo beauties are a major necessity.

5. everyone tends to wear more neutrals in the winter, but this season is emphasizing jewel tones. an easy way to add that rich pop of color to your wardrobe is what a cozy scarf, like this orange one from h&m.

6. neutral cable knits have long been a favorite of mine, and this season they look better than ever -- worn few sizes up with some slim jeans and tough boots.

7. fur is having a moment this fall, but i just can't do a full-on coat. this faux-fur stole is just as luxurious, and looks a little more youthful - especially worn with something unexpected, like a black leather jacket. 

8. you know i'm digging plaid this season, and this blazer is still one of my favorite pieces yet. it looks all at once boarding-school polished and a bit rebel-chic. 

9. just like fur and plaid, leather (or pleather, in my personal opinion) is attracting a lot of attention this fall - and it's not just for boots and jackets.  touches of leather elevates any piece, and i especially love this pleather skirt from f21. the twirly, ballerina-esque shape makes it pretty and chic, not overly tough and trashy.

10. i've been after these dr. martens since finding them in london this summer, and i now believe they're the perfect fall shoe. i'm anticipating seeing a lot of these marching around with tights, baggy sweaters and chic layers.

II emily

leopard cardi

{ j.crew cardigan, forever21 dress, j.crew necklace, bracelets from forever21/j.crew, burberry watch, bag from italian flea market, nine west heels}

i got this leopard cardigan last christmas, and while the wool and slightly-shimmery pattern led me to think it was just a "winter piece," i've been getting more wear out of it than ever on these chilly fall days we've been having!

i wore it yesterday to a lecture given by jace lipstein of "grungy gentleman" with a 60s-inspired nude and black shift, a stack of bracelets, a bejeweled necklace, and a black satchel. jace's advise about the fashion industry - covering everything from editorial to design - was just as fabulous as his blog, and i could tell the other students were just as inspired as i was! and if you're like me and love learning more about the mysterious world that is men's fashion, click on over to his site for some very major posts.

II emily

stripes and spots

{ alexander wang top, frame denim jeans (also own & love these), marc jacobs sunglasses, michael kors watch, shashi earrings, c wonder clutch, loeffler randall sandals } 

every time i walk by a c.wonder store i just barely resist picking up this chic leopard and striped clutch. i've been looking for a leopard bag to add to my arsenal, and not only is this the perfect shape, but the stripes are the perfect extra detail. this clutch would look especially chic with my everyday essentials, like light wash jeans (of which i have far too many), sleek jewelry, and a simple top. 

shop the clutch here or head to your local c.wonder to snag it in person. i'll be doing the same this week.

II emily

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

HELLO, lover.

As I'm sure you are all devastatingly aware, I have yet to post anything that is undeniably, explicitly my own. Em's gone a bit crazy over this new blog thing, to say the least... Anyway, I think it's only fitting for my very first post to be about my favorite things this summer. Em's already posted a few different things on the subject, but we certainly have our own unique senses of style--this will become evident in the very near future. But just to give you a taste...

1) Best Coast - not only am I obsessed with the retro feel of their still-current-sounding music (my favorite's "this is real"), but I fell in love with the band mates themselves when I saw them perform live at the Indiana University CultureShock concert this past April. They're one of those bands that are almost better live; lead singer Bethany Cosentino was the epitome of hipster chic as she glided onstage in a black mini dress, camel-colored grandpa sweater, and heels, with nothing more than a "sorry we're late" before she started rocking out "sun was high." (here's a link to the actual performance!!) almost more than jamming to their music with the windows down this summer, i'm looking forward to copying that minimalist outfit in the fall.

2) Bloomington, IN - Okay, so I'm slightly biased being a student at IU. But for the few of you who are somehow unaware of this irrefutable fact, or perhaps just don't have the same appreciation for the great Midwest as I do: Bloomington is near perfection. I personally believe it's at its ultimate greatness in the fall, but summer in "Blooming-town" is so beautiful even my suddenly-intense allergies can't keep me away. Just walking around campus on a sunny day makes those 75-minute-long lectures completely bearable, and making 15-page study guides for class while lounging in the Wright Quad courtyard is secretly enjoyable. But if it weren't for my townie friends (for those products of the Baby Boom, you mi

ght remember them as "cutters"), there's just no way I'd have this almost spiritual admiration of B-Town. These boys--I'll call them J and S--have taken me to an old fire tower (>>) to look out over the wooded hills; to the "cut-out," where limestone was blown away to create giant cliffs perfect for climbing; to the quarries, where water fills up in the summer--perfect for reckless jumps into the basin, which I have yet to actually experience... These townies made my freshman year. And it doesn't hurt that they party even harder than we do. (Oops! Forget I said that.)

3) Funky-fresh shades: I've come to the conclusion that expensive sunglasses are just not worth it, at least for me. This is coming from someone with years and years of experience, with only a scratched, hanging-by-a-thread pair of Marc by Marc Jacobs to prove for it. And with some of the biggest events of the year--namely, Pitchfork and Lollapalooza--coming up, I've decided cheap, whimsical sunglasses are going to be my best bet for the future. And I mean, you can't go buy a pair of floral-print sunglasses for anything more than $20 and feel good about yourself, can you? Or some lime green aviators that are equal parts Kanye and Tom Cruise? How about a sexy-sweet pair of cat-eyed leopard-print beauties? Negative. I'm not saying a good pair of classic sunglasses isn't a good investment; it's just not as much fun.

4) Last but not least... BLAZERS. I've been a fan of the trend probably since seventh grade--granted, my first ever "suit jacket" was green seersucker with three-quarter-length sleeves, but it was a start nonetheless. Hey, I have to hand it to myself--I was pretty hip, wasn't I? Anyway, I've since graduated to the more classic style for this fashion staple, preferring a slightly roomier cut in the torso with rolled-up sleeves. Both of mine are from Urban Outfitters, per usual; I purchased this one in charcoal last fall and wore it to death during the transition from summer to fall (and am still wearing it). Then I decided the black was an absolute necessity when it went on sale--it's like they do these things just to tempt me... But the purchases have paid off, as I try extra hard to pair absolutely anything with a blazer--lately I've been sporting them with floral mini skirts at night, black or navy shorts during the day. I especially like the idea of wearing a blazer out to a party once school starts, but those frats can get pretty wild... and I, for lack of a better hyperbole, want to PUKE at the thought of someone doing just that all over one of my beloved jackets.

shoesday tuesday: fall edition

just a few shoes i'm loving right now... chic little go-with-everything leopard pumps, the perfect black ankle boots (mine are starting to look pretty bad), high-shine scalloped sandals for next spring, and edgy pumps that look comfortable enough for a day at the office or a night on the town.

II emily

wishful thinking

~ Holiday Wish List 2010 ~

{ click above to enlarge images }

{clockwise from top left: j.crew jeweled elastic flower belt, urban outfitters mixed media nomad necklace, j.crew marled knit snood, sparkle & fade sequin bomber jacket, j.crew toscana shearling earmuffs, o.p.i. burlesque collection nail polish in sparkle-icious, forever 21 silk blend velvet top, anthropologie promises to keep cardigan, alice + olivia for keds leopard sneaker}

i know everyone gets excited about the holidays, but i think i personally take the cake. i can't even guess how much hot chocolate and peppermint bark i consume "just because it feels festive," christmas lights and ornaments bring me a ridiculous amount of yuletide joy, and i power through my workouts with cheesy holiday music blaring in my ears.

most importantly, several long hours are annually spent making a huge wish list for my wary parents and sister. (i make gift lists for all my friends and family too, ok?!) but what can i say? this holiday was made for shoppers! this year, however, i'm trying to keep my wish list relatively short and only put things on there that i really love and that will mean something to me; i've found that this is the best strategy to a great wardrobe. instead of amassing tons of pieces i like and can wear with a few other pieces, i want a closet stuffed with things i can't live without -- getting dressed and looking put together would be undeniably easier.

at the top of my list? an ultra-embellished belt, glittery nail polish, luxe fur earmuffs, a slouchy sequin bed jacket, spotted kicks, a cozy wrap sweater and super-textured pieces like a velvet top, marled loop scarf and a rope-and-bead necklace.

happy wishing!

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

spot treatment

is it me, or is dalmatian print slowly replacing my beloved leopard? these tiny black-and-white spots are popping up everywhere, from cozy sweaters to old-school dr. martens. and i kind of love it. they're like polka dots with an added edge! what do you think -- super chic? or too cruella deville?

{ zara pumps, blair of atlantic-pacific, dr. martens boots, f21 blouse }

II emily

winter re-vamp

{pictured: just a few of my must-haves... equipment cardigan, rag & bone jeans, c.wonder earrings, rgb nail polish, 3.1 phillip lim clutch, rms living luminizer, elizabeth arden 8 hour cream, report flats}

while i'm definitely excited for all of the fall trends, the truth is, i've been looking at these clothes since february — at some point, it starts to feel a little tired. which is why i am on a mission to find perfect, high-quality classics that will keep me going all season long.

for starters, i'm a huge sucker for cashmere sweaters – i have more than i can physically count – but i recently realized they're all pullovers or v-necks. no variety there. i'm hoping to switch up my game this season with a perfectly slouchy cardigan, and this equipment one is looking pretty dreamy.

i'm also in the market for a new pair of jeans (aren't we always? ) and rag & bone is my source for the very best denim. i'm hoping i have time to stop by their nolita store one of these weekends to get a pair. i'm a skinny-jeans-only girl, and these have the perfect rise, super-slim legs and a flattering dark wash.

another wardrobe staple for me? ballet flats. while i amassed quite the collection of j.crew statement sandals this summer (like these and these) i tend to wear ballet flats almost every day. (you can imagine how cold my feet get in the winter). i've been obsessed with these vince flats for quite a while – the pointy toe and d'orsay style are a nice departure from my standard ballets. since i haven't wanted to splurge, i was happy to discover this identical pair by report. they look strikingly similar and are beyond comfortable (yes, i've tried them on a few times). they also come in this super cute leopard style.

as for the earrings, they're from c. wonder and i am in love. (thanks, liz!) the $38 price tag makes them almost too good to be true. they look cute with everything, from a leather jacket and skirt to my favorite sweatshirt and jeans. i suggest you get yourself a pair.

next: do i need a furry clutch? i certainly do not. but that didn't stop me from falling hard for this phillip lim bag, $500 price tag and all. it's everything i want in a clutch – large, simple, functional –  and it's fuzzy. what could be better? now, how can i make this happen…

when it comes to beauty, i'm all about maintaining a solid routine. even though my skin gets drier in the winter, i'll still be using my favorite products – including boots botanics rose hip facial oil, origins brightening eye cream, boscia tinted moisturizer, origins mascara (i'll never go back to chemical mascaras), kerastase cristalliste shampoo, lancome flash bronzer lotion, neutrogena pressed powder (i love the finish), and nars laguna bronzing powder. i've used all of these for years, but i'm constantly trying new products, whether i'm stopping by sephora on the weekend or snagging free samples from work. in terms of new discoveries, i recently added elizabeth arden 8-hour cream to my arsenal (yeah, i'm about 10 years late) and i think i've found the perfect crimson polish in rgb's "classic red." my other new favorite thing is my rms living luminizer, which adds a glow in one swipe and includes just four all-natural ingredients. 

how are you updating your winter look?

II emily

trend hopping

while trying to shop restrictively (nyc shopping is literally better than anywhere else ever) i've subconsciously indulged several of my favorite summer trends: 

1) neon + neutrals // c wonder clutch (such a steal!)

2) drop-waist tunics // uniqlo (so cute with slim pants + a chunky heel)

3) leopard (when isn't this a trend?) // zara mini bag

4) industrial earrings // rachel rachel roy (also seen in this post)

5) americana stripes // uniqlo t-shirt dress 

what are you wearing this summer?

II emily

velvet crush

{top row: j.crew x stubbs & wootton}

{bottom row: stubbs & wootton, j.crew, stubbs & wootton, stubbs & wootton, stubbs & wootton}

last fall, smoking slippers were the new shoe. every magazine, boutique, blog and storefront featured slightly different variations; animal prints, stripes, solids, tassels, suede, studs, glitter, you name it. i was on board, and even wrote this post about how much i loved topshop's selection (though i must admit i never got around to ordering any). 

i've since started a small, somewhat predictable collection: a leopard print pair from BP and a hot pink suede pair by cole haan. i think smoking slippers are still very chic and i've worn mine with countless ensembles, but nothing really feels new about them. (if you want to make a statement, you should probably stick with givenchy's unspoken boot of the season.)

however, the latest offerings from j.crew are a complete game changer. the retailer collaborated with stubbs & wootton to create slippers that feel all at once classic, on-trend and a little cheeky. velvet jewel tones and preppy hand-embroidered designs can take even your most basic outfit to the next level: with a grey cable knit and black skinnies, it's chic, a bit retro, and perfect for fall -- so of course i love it.

{crumpet sweater, j.brand jeans, monica vinader earrings, catbird rings, michael kors watch, proenza schouler bag, stubbs & wootton loafers}

II emily

detail-oriented

it's great when a piece looks amazing {on its own} - but it's even more satisfying when you find clever, unexpected ways to mix it into you wardrobe. adding a few thoughtful touches - a flash of neon here, a stack of bangles there - can totally elevate your look. below are my favorite little touches that make a big difference:

{photos from top: own photo, j.crew shirt, david yurman dual-tone chain bracelet, j.crew rose gold chain bracelet, j.crew gem bracelet, burberry watch // aldo leopard flats, ae jeggings // photo via atlantic-pacific // own photo, forever21 bangle, j.crew gem bracelet, j.crew zebra bangle, ae rhinestone bracelet, forever21 spike bracelet, j.crew friendship bracelet // photo via atlantic-pacific // photo via sincerely jules // photo via sincerely jules}

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

between the lines

after yesterday's post, i went a little stripe crazy and quickly found a winning combination at madewell. the crimson, navy and ivory stripes look even better when you add another bold pattern into the mix (although i'm pretty sure everyone has agreed that leopard is now a neutral) and i love the final result. sleek, no-fuss accessories are the finishing touch for a modern, endlessly chic ensemble.

{ madewell top, madewell skirt, thierry lasry sunglasses, j.crew clutch (on sale), ginette_ny diamond earrings, michael kors signet ring, j.crew pumps }

bold & bright

{from top left: tibi dress, urban outfitters sunglasses, kate spade bangles, j brand jeans, j.crew bracelet, kate spade earrings, rebecca minkoff bag, jeffrey campbell wedges. sequined heart: ban.do}

current wish list. the warm weather today has me dreaming of ultra-bright and bold spring clothes! that leopard dress is just begging to be mixed with about a million colorful accessories... and some great cat-eye shades never hurt anyone. these go the extra mile in candy-apple red. need i say more?

what's on your spring wish list?

my inspiration...

{inspo images via: tuula, late afternoon, sincerely jules, atlantic-pacific, and fashion squad} 

II emily

recent purchases

still keeping a constant mental wish list of things i need to buy for my upcoming time in nyc. still yet-to-be-purchased: a sleek white blazer, a handful of basic tees and tanks, white skinnies, and snakeskin flats. life is hard.

i stopped by h&m and zara last week to get some choice pieces that will carry me through the entire summer. i consider gold flats as essential to my wardrobe as great denim, and i've been on a quest for a simple leopard-print dress for months. it was icing on the cake that i snapped one up at h&m for just $12. as for the sequin clutch, i didn't think i could leave the store without it, especially since it was 30% off (at the unlikely ann taylor) and because silver is having such a major comeback. 

i of course had to include my favorite somewhat-new wrist accessory... my gold kate spade 'seaport grand' watch. are those neon pink accents not totally genius? plus some new gems from stella & dot, one of my favorite jewelry lines. i'm not usually one for long necklaces or pendants at all, but i'm completely obsessed with that giant white coral.

{ from top: zara gold flats, ann taylor clutch, zara sandals, kate spade watch, h&m dress, stella & dot 'luna' wrap bracelet, stella & dot stackable band rings, stella & dot 'cameron' pendant}

II 

emily

chloé pre-fall 2014

images via style.com

the chloé pre-fall look above is exactly what i want to wear once the temperatures warm up. this long-sleeved, flouncy leopard-print day dress could be my perfect throw-on-and-go uniform, not to mention the covetable bag. i've been a huge fan of chloe handbags for years, but have yet to splurge on one, and the saddle shape, pop of python and pale blue leather on this one make it extra tempting. (ps - i found this budget friendly alternative to the dress as well as this floral-print variation, and will likely be adding both to my closet within a day or so.)

i think if i could buy the entire chloé pre-collection i would be content for life. i love how clare waight keller mixed super-feminine ruffles and chiffon with oversized coats, sharp blazers and clunky ankle-tie heels -- it's precisely how i want to look. and those blanket-y wraps have already become a street style staple, as evidenced by plenty of couture-goers this week.