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

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

christian siriano spring 2012

you may remember christian siriano as the adorable & brilliant winner of project runway season 4, but as of late he's joined the ranks of {major} designers like prabal gurung, jill stuart, and alexander wang.  
i personally can't get enough of his latest collection - between the soft taupes, dreamy fabrics, pops of neon, sweeping skirts and unexpected details, his show was strong, fashion-forward, and refreshingly not over-the-top.

{ all images via style.com }

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

seeing red

it may not be a brand-new trend, but i'm having a major red jeans moment.  i'm unreasonably excited for the temperatures to drop so i can wear the red skinnies i got at zara this summer; they're surprising versatile and add just the right amount of punch to even the simplest of outfits.  they became my london uniform with slouchy tees, light jackets and colorful shoes. and they looked especially great in front of this particular restaurant...

below are some of the best red jeans on the shelves so you can get the look, too -- plus some super-easy styling tips:

{ pairings from top to bottom: zara skinny trousers, reiss roll sleeve top // ae jeggings, j.crew striped jacket // zara crops, madewell scarf // current/elliott jeans, sam edelman loafers }

II emily

denim on denim on denim

so tempted to order myself these madewell jeans.  i've been looking for some seriously skinny jeans and these seem like they'd fit the bill- plus, they promise to be super soft, perfectly worn-in, and shockingly figure-flattering, too. (and they're on sale!!) 

the fact that their catalogue & website are impeccably styled helps, too:

{the inspiration}

1. rolled cuffs + bold colors + desert boots + suspenders = modern prep //

2. winter's version of the striped breton tee, worn with inky skinnies //

3. wear white after labor day with a mix of rich colors & different textures (like a silk shirt & suede booties) //

4. the most perfect cable sweater - slightly loose, incredibly soft, and effortless with dark blue denim. //

5. the 'denim jumpsuit' actually looks chic here, thanks to a relaxed faded shirt and super-dark skinnies. //

II emily

some things never change...

like my obsession with gold accents. 

gold studs, gold glitter, gold spikes, gold sequins, gold chains, gold leather.... you get the picture.

{ clockwise from top left: gap shoulder bag, gap studded clutch, j.crew loafers, ban.do heart clip, j.crew chain bracelet, forever21 studded bracelet, forever21 spike bracelet }

II emily