white wash

image via pinterest

surprise, surprise - spring has sprung (woo!) and all i want to wear is white. this happens to me every year for a few reasons: first of all, white is flattering! it makes you look tanner, thinner, and fresher. it wakes up your face! and it's effortlessly chic; much like i live in black during the fall and winter, i live in white during the summer (especially once august hits and i want to burn all the glaring bright colors in my closet). third, i consider a white blouse one of my all-time staples (this outfit is basically my dream uniform) - when i don't know what to wear, i reach for a white blouse.  done. i have about a dozen in my wardrobe, but i recently picked up this silky tank from joe fresh with the cutest ruffled sleeves and am considering stocking up on a few more. (also, completely random find: this sheer-sleeved blouse from american eagle is adorable!) 

i'm also pining for more white jewelry in my life - i have a pair of chunky white-and-crystal chandelier earrings that i probably wear too frequently, and a few white-stone (or pearl) bracelets would look great with a tan. and, finally: white sunnies are back. my tip? choose a glam, oversized shape - wayfarers or mirrored lenses just look cheesy. i'm really into these, which i already own in tortoise, and the quality is amazing.

{gemma redux chain bracelet, j.crew stretch bracelet, j.crew pearl cuff, joe fresh tank, madewell sunnies}

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.

pre-spring acquisitions

 

with fashion month winding down, all anyone can talk about is what they're going to buy for the coming season. my favorite luxury websites are starting to stock my favorite SS14 pieces, like these chloe sandals, this phillip lim sweatshirt, and this givenchy tote, among countless other temptations. talk about a wish list! while i generally stick to more affordable options,  i'm treating myself to some splurges that will not only revive my spring wardrobe, but will look chic throughout the entire year (and many, many years to come).

first on the list was this black-and-gold fall '14 mansur gavriel tote, above, which i pre-ordered on moda operandi (sadly the trunkshow is now over). i love mansur gavriel's simple, sleek bags, but it seems like everyone is buying one -- and i mean literally everyone. i wanted something different from the variations i see every day, and the metallic gold interior on this one is a super cool update.

next... ringing in at $65, these le specs sunnies weren't exactly a splurge, but i felt they needed to be included! mirrored sunnies have been a huge for some time now, but i think they look will especially chic with this season's clean, minimal shapes -- especially in neutral tones (or even better, all white).

i've admired erica weiner's jewelry for a while now, and was especially drawn to the tiny, precious gypsy spark yellow gold and diamond earrings. they are handmade in new york and were inspired by an antique in the V&A museum in london. not only are they beyond lovely, but they're also versatile enough for every day. i finally pulled the trigger and can't wait to see them in a few weeks.

and last, but certainly not least... the m2malletier "fleur du mal" bag. i've been crushing hard on this brand for over a year -- i first spotted one of their bags in a street style photo and immediately tracked them down. a couple of weeks ago i was lucky enough to meet the two designers, marcela and melissa, and naturally they are just as cool as their timeless designs. my black bag is being handmade in barcelona and is due to ship later this month; suffice it to say the anticipation is killing me!

what are you splurging on this season?

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.

bead it

i have zero need for another clutch in my wardrobe (i've recently lost count), but i am constantly falling for all the chic options out there. this one from asos reminds me of a certain must-have stella mccartney clutch -- i love the colorful embellishments, and the price tag is much easier on my wallet. i would wear it with matching red lips and my favorite easy basics:

{ proenza schouler top, $280 // acne jeans, $250 // mac lipstick in lady danger, $16 // dannijo necklace, $524 // asos clutch, $65 // audrey brooke booties, $39 (i bought and love!) }

II emily

girl with a pearl earring

it's been a while since the "mise en dior" pearl earrings made a splash. i saw them in countless magazine editorials, on the ears of jennifer lawrence and natalia vodianova, and, of course, in the stunning advertisements, above. i became instantly obsessed with the black-and-cream variety, especially after spotting them in one of harper's bazaar editor nicole fritton's "must have" shopping lists. these earrings are at once graphic, classic, and sweetly feminine. they ring in at $350 (which is actually pretty amazing) but you can imagine my excitement when i discovered these lookalikes at ASOS for just $9.

not only did these earrings go right into my cart, but i seriously considered buying them in bulk -- they would make a lovely gift for any fashion-minded friend, and i would never have to worry about misplacing mine. for that price tag, i may just have to stock up.

II emily

censored

{ cynthia rowley tee }

it's only a matter of time before i pull the trigger on this cynthia rowley tee (also available here). i've been eyeing it for months. how good would it be for a lazy sunday in boyfriend jeans, flats and a sweater? or dressed up with leather pants and a blazer? the options are endless. 

and i mean, it's kind of perfect for me -- i'm a bit of potty mouth, but i'm constantly trying to hide it. i'm making progress!

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

style 101 c/o tommy ton

when you work in fashion, you see a lot of things. a lot of beautiful, amazing, way-out-of-your-league things. you start to rationalize spending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on "that perfect sweater/bag/shoe/etc" because hello, it's perfect, while at the same time you start to feel like you have no style whatsoever. (not to be dramatic or anything...) try it out: surround yourself with a few dozen fashion editors, lithe models, and chic new yorkers in general, and you will feel like you can't compete!

this rings especially true when you click through tommy ton's street style photos (also mentioned in my last post). if you get snapped by the elusive tommy, you deserve a cupcake or seven because you are one stylish gal. me? i'm still waiting to make the cut. but i can certainly learn a thing or two about adopting a unique sense of style by checking out his latest crop of images, taken at the spring '14 shows in new york, london, milan and paris. 

let's begin.

LESSON #1: wear a slip dress, and wear it with an oversized sweater.

in case you are seriously living under a rock, you should know the 90s are back and, in some ways, they're better than ever. take my advice and forgo the acid wash mom jeans, neon high-tops and crop tops; instead, try the most elegant and understated piece from that wonderfully terrible decade: the slip dress. it's demure, it's sexy, it's minimal. but don't underestimate the sweater. without a chunky sweater (or a loose blazer, or a sweatshirt, or whatever else you're feeling – as long as it's substantial) the look veers into neglige/baby spice territory. don't channel baby spice. hanneli mustaparta, above, looks stunning in her printed louis vuitton slip, but I have my eye on this (crazy-affordable) black zara one (this one is good too).with a little black dress, giant sweater/sweatshirt/jacket possibilities are endless. 

LESSON #2: mix it up. 

there are few things i want more right now than this bedazzled 3.1 phillip lim "i heart nueva york" t-shirt. it kind of captures this precise moment in fashion, and as such i want to wear it like the girl above – with a mash-up of other unexpected things, like a flippy tulip skirt, tough leather jacket, a stack of bracelets and probably some mirrored sunglasses, too. less can definitely be more, but in this case, it pays to pile it on.

LESSON #3: when all else fails, wear all black and/or copy emmanuelle alt.

i don’t know if you can get away with it everywhere, but black-on-black-on-black is really the easiest way ever to get dressed, and it will always look chic, 100% of the time. the reason i don’t think this is necessarily a universal rule is that i never even considered wearing all-black in my hometown of indianapolis; it would read as dark, moody, even a little "goth." if you wear all black in indiana, chances are your friends will ask if you're heading to a funeral. but in new york? london? paris? chicago? LA? not the case. but be bold. wear black wherever you want! chicness knows no bounds. mix up the textures and try this quilted jacket, kitten heels like these or these, and cuffed jeans for a look similar to emannuelle's, above.

LESSON #4: go grey early.

as stated above, all-black is always awesome. it is perennially chic. it is flattering. it is powerful. but maybe i want something a little softer, a little more plush… enter: all-grey. i love this look above -- it's everything i want to wear this season (chunky sweater, structured skirt, giant clutch and subtle heels). i would pair this knit (a size or two up) with this skirt for the ultimate winter minimalist outfit. 

LESSON #5: think (baby) pink.

pale pink is my favorite color, but i'm not the only one -- i could hardly click through style.com or any blogs without seeing someone decked out in the cotton candy hue. pale pink coats are huge for fall (i snagged the perfect one from zara that is now unavailable, but you can get a similar one here, here and here) and alexander wang is doing pale pink bags and accessories for spring. it is universally flattering (your skin will glow next to, say, a pale pink cashmere sweater) and it goes with a range of colors -- like burgundy, navy, black, and dark gray as well as other pastels like pale blue, lilac and dandelion. avoid looking like an infant with some sleek accessories, or dress it down with some ripped denim. 

all images via tommy ton for style.com

roped in

everyone's loving ankle-wrap heels right now, including me (evidenced here and here), and sometimes they even veer into "leg climbing" territory (explored by marlien here). why not go all out, right? on the flip side, i'm looking back to the days of preppy ankle-wrap espadrilles like the ones j.crew used to sell. i remember being in middle school and loving the bright colors and bold patterns on their sky-high, ankle-wrap beauties. i was too young to wear clunky wedges, but i eventually begged my mom to get me a navy and pink pair when they were on sale. i then proceeded to never, ever wear them... rookie mistake! 

that being said, j.crew is getting back to basics by selling some of their classic ankle-wrap espadrilles in chic colors and lower heels. i'm loving them in black or nude; i would wear mine tied in a bow, and with something light and flowy like this...

{ karen walker sunglasses, zara dress, dannijo earrings, 

primary clutch, j.crew espadrilles }

II emily

ice ice

i don't consider myself much of a "blue person" (unless you consider jeans, in which case i'm highly dependent) - i tend to stick to warmer tones. but after i picked up these sandals from j.crew, i've been picturing them with strictly cool shades. pale blue, turquoise, royal blue, navy, aqua... anything! plus, a metallic silver shoe is great with a variety of looks, from a sleek blazer to a loose, ultra-casual peasant top, as seen here:

{ j.crew blouse, frame jeans, madewell sunglasses, jules smith ring (love anything gemini), c.wonder earrings & bag, j.crew sandals } 

II emily

coral candy

these earrings are only $10, but they pack a serious punch. i'd wear them with jeans, a white tee & flat sandals on a rushed morning, or with something like this when i have a few more minutes...

{ j.crew embroidered top (on sale!), levi's 501 shorts, asos earrings, maison martin margiela rings, j.crew sandals (loosely inspired by these, but much easier on your wallet - plus, you can get them for 20% off by using the code SHOPNOW at checkout) }

II emily

fruit punch

images via pinterest

as summer finally (finally!) approaches, i'm loving bright color combinations, like pink and orange (or orange and yellow, or blue and green)... the bolder the better! subtlety is reserved for the winter months. go all out this season with my favorite pieces below:

{ from top left: miss selfridge necklace, baublebar triangle earrings, loeffler randall bag, michael kors watch, butter london "teddy girl" nail polish, nars "barbarella" (sheer peach) lipstick, adia kibur earrings, clare vivier clutch, topshop skirt, loeffler randall woven sandals, tory burch bow sandals }

II emily

the look for less: acne pencil skirt

images via pinterest

the minute i saw a new york fashion editor wearing her distressed acne pencil skirt with silver manolo sandals, a white peplum top & neon dannijo necklace last summer, i was hooked on the trend. i love how the women above styled the same skirt with crisp, structured shapes for unexpected contrast. the skirt would look all wrong worn with equally edgy items - like moto boots or a biker jacket - but with unexpected pastels and glinty accessories, it's perfect.

however, the acne skirt is no longer available and was very pricey. this one by miss selfridge is strikingly similar, but for a fraction of the cost. i'd wear it with a classic striped tee, raffia clutch, a little sparkle and easy flats: 

{ j.crew tee, miss selfridge skirt, j.crew necklace, bop basics bag, jeffrey campbell flats }

chrome kicks

it's hard not to fall hard for everything at j.crew, but their sale section always proves the most tempting. the perpetually on-trend, always-wearable clothing mecca marks down nearly every single item they sell, and usually there's an added bonus, like "extra 25% off orders of $150 or more" or "free shipping with this special code" .... how can you resist?

i clicked through their sale yesterday and experienced a mixture of emotions. i was a) tempted to buy winter boots in preparation for next season, b) torn over which pastel sperry i'd want to wear on my fictional sailboat vacation this summer, and c) immediately obsessed with these silver superga sneakers:

superga sneakers are the ultimate classic, and there's a reason they're called "the people's shoes of italy." they're incredibly well-made and go with everything. we all have a pair of converse lo-tops (or 3), but these are so much chicer. i love the ultra-modern silver leather here -- it's a simple update on the original -- and they're the perfect shoe to get into the whole "wear sneakers with everything" trend. (i love how everyone's been wearing colorful running shoes, but i don't think i could pull it off) PS: you can also get plain white or navy superga sneakers here.

wear your silver kicks with loose (faux) leather skinnies, a bright striped tank and super-simple accessories for a sleek yet laid-back look...

{ topshop tank, karl pants (similar here), le specs sunglasses, michael kors watch, tom binns earrings, loeffler randall bag, superga sneakers }

tribal mix

zara shoes

tribal/ethnic prints are going to be huge this season, and these sandals by zara (!!!) are crazy cool, shockingly affordable and would be the perfect mixed-media punch for all of my basic summer outfits. i can picture these with all of my favorite skinny jeans -- from my trusty rag & bone "legging" jeans to my trendier destroyed styles -- as well as with a simple loose tank, black wrap skirt and sleek accessories. it lets the sandals take center stage but still feels totally effortless.

{ oliver peoples sunglasses, t by alexander wang muscle tank, zara wrap skirt (another great one here), giles & brother earrings, repossi ring, prada bag, & zara sandals }

II emily

splurge or save

i recently posted on my instagram that i purchased 3 sunglasses in 2 days. and while this is shamelessly accurate... i could have bought more. i'm a little (very) obsessed with sunglasses, especially thick, oversized tortoiseshell ones. and when the racks of forever21, h&m and urban outfitters all boast about 10 sunglasses i want and all of them only cost $5 - $15, it's really hard to say no. like, really hard.

that being said, i certainly understand the value of high-quality, more expensive sunglasses. i bought a pair of chanel shades back in 2009 and they fit my face perfectly, feel light as air and still look brand-new. the same goes for a pair of coach shades my parents gave me for christmas, which are the perfect shape for every day and fit amazingly well. but when it comes to trendier styles, like the mirrored aviators and oversized sunnies i got at h&m, you have to go for the bargains.

which brings me to the image below: can you tell which pair of retro round sunglasses costs the most? all 4 are practically identical... 

fyi: they're pictured in order from most expensive to least expensive. but who would ever know that?

the top pair, by the row x linda farrow, cost $442... enough said. the next ones, by illesteva, cost $160 -- a hefty price tag for such a trendy shape, but worth it if you know you'll wear them for a while. the third pair is from madewell and costs a cool $55, which also isn't terrible -- but i would still be hesitant to shell out that kind of cash. 

the bottom pair, which i got last weekend at urban outfitters, costs just $14. i don't know about you, but i'd rather save my pennies for frozen yogurt and starbuck's blonde roast coffee than 1 pair of popular sunglasses. they may not be high-quality resin, but they look fantastic -- i'll look just as chic as any girl rocking the linda farrows.

would you splurge or save on these sunnies? 

II emily

stripes on stripes

images via atlantic-pacific, stockholm street style, and le catch

loving these multi-striped ensembles -- as long as you keep the colors relatively similar, you can't go wrong. wide stripes, skinny stripes, color blocked stripes... it's all good! 

in all of these photos, the striped pieces share a common color (in this case, navy/black). picture a navy-and-white sweater with a pink and navy skirt... or a green and navy skirt... if each item shares 1 color, you're set.

i have plenty of striped items in my closet but could always use more -- maybe this tee, this dress, this sweater, this jacket, this shift, and a skirt or two... 

PS: you can get blair's exact coat here at ASOS.

II emily

put a bow on it

everyone who knows me is fully aware of my love for bows. i can't even count how many bow-adorned clothes and accessories i own, including a black leather hair clip i am constantly losing and then finding again in the bottom of my bag. you can imagine how excited i was when carven introduced those uber-popular slingback bow-tied flats and pumps, as worn by blair eadie (and about a million other bloggers/editors/models) below:

the $500+ price tag deterred me from even considering buying these shoes, but i was triumphant when i stumbled upon these very similar slingback flats at miss selfridge for just $38 (they come in black too). they're just what i need to put a spring in my step this season -- fingers crossed it actually starts getting warm soon!

this blush pink color would go with everything, especially the following... 

{ clu sweater, current/elliott jeans, essie nail polish in geranium, bijoux heart earrings, gorjana bracelet, clare vivier clutch, miss selfridge flats }

II emily