counting down

{ statement bags: python zara cross-body, asos floral clutch // metallic shoes: j.crew ballet flats, zara t-straps // comfy kicks: vans classics in "gossamer green," toms "pink primrose" vegan classics  // day-to-night dresses: leopard shift, dipped hem tank dress & v-neck shift, all topshop // bold jewelry: topshop earrings, nixon watch, topshop cuff // sharp blazers: halston heritage white blazer, topshop beige open-front blazer }

as a continuation of one of my recent posts, i put together my current new york wish list. i find more pieces i "need" every single day, so i may have to make this a recurring theme!

 i'm leaving in a little over six weeks and all i can seem to think about is how desperately my closet needs an update. i have plenty of sundresses to tide me over for an indiana summer, but nyc requires a little more variety. since i spent last summer interning in london, i kind of have a feel for what i'll be wearing to work. however, temperatures in london were in the mid-60s, and a new york will be closer to 90 degrees in the middle of june. that will definitely be an adjustment. 

as a result, i'm looking for easy-yet-amazing pieces to do all my styling work for me -- i.e. bold accessories (like patterned bags and metallic shoes) to spice up simple ensembles; cute-but-comfortable kicks to wear on long adventures around the city; unfussy dresses that can be worn to work with flats and glammed up at night with heels; extra-bold jewelry to make a chic statement; and sleek blazers to throw over anything and everything.

i'm thinking all of these pieces would carry me through the entire season and mix seamlessly with what i already have hanging in my wardrobe; what's on your summer wish list?

II emily

summer accessories

{clockwise from top left: ASOS loafers, french sole flats, ASOS clutch, j.crew flats, j.crew cork clutch, ASOS bow belt, ASOS bow belt, nixon watch, ASOS tote, ASOS clutch}

i just found out i am officially spending this summer in NYC working as an intern with condé

 nast. of course, the first thing that came to mind (after OMG, OMG, OMG) was: what will i wear?

i'm not entirely sure what my dress code will entail, but i'm guessing my normal summer uniform of sundresses and sandals is out of the question. instead of investing in an entire new wardrobe, though, i'm hoping some strong (and affordable) accessories will do all the work for me. 

simple outfits with statement-making bags, shoes, belts, watches, etc. are not only easy, but chic in that effortless, oh-i-just-threw-this-together kind of way. the pastels and brights above  are all on my wish list; those perfect pale blue flats would brighten up an all-black ensemble, ditto for the bold clutches, which could double as foolproof evening bags. 

II emily

color story: bright red

image via design lovefest

in a recent post about my newfound appreciation for purple, i mentioned how i used to really, really dislike the color. i never wore purple, and to this day i have almost zero purple pieces in my closet. (that's about to change as i begin my spring shopping, but i digress.)

i could say the same thing about bright red. i suddenly have an insatiable appetite for ruby accessories, clothes and manicures, in sharp contrast with my once-reluctant attitude towards the "basic" primary hue.

but i'm not talking about brick red, pinkish-red, or blue-tinged red -- only the brightest, punchiest orange-tinged red will do. it's an amped up version of our beloved coral - fresh, feminine and downright playful for the warmer months. from apple-printed ballet flats to a lip-shaped miniaudiere, the color carries a little twinge of humor, and that i cannot resist.

{clockwise from top left: cacharel belt, essie 'ole caliente' polish, paula dorf 'bosa nova' lip color, michael michael kors tote, giuseppe zanotti peep-toe pumps, lulu guinness snakeskin lips clutch, j.crew printed ballet flats}

II emily

color story: purple

i used to love purple... as a child. 
 but until recently, i was not a fan of the color. something about purple just hasn't felt special, nor has it had a proper place in my wardrobe. in high school i couldn't wear purple with other colors without feeling like an 80s jazzercise instructor, and i hated how purple looked against blue jeans and neutrals like black and gray. blah. the color in general just felt very un-chic and uninspired.

however: i'm now reconsidering. this season's extra-bold palette made me a fan of all things colorful, including jewel tones like emerald, deep purple and cobalt blue. the trend is continuing into spring with pastels and neons, and i'm becoming ever more inclined to wear purple in springy hues like bright fuchsia & pale lavender. 
worn with white and camel, the colors pop without being overbearing, and paired with complementary hues like yellow or pink, the effect is soft and feminine.

{clockwise from top left: 3.1 phillip lim top, thierry lasry sunglasses, nixon watch, forever21 nail polish, h&m dress, j.crew pants, current/elliott jeans, current/elliott polka dot skinnies}

naturally, blair eadie (my fave) sparked my newfound interest in bright purple and its infinite combinations; mixed with neons, animal print, neutrals or bold jewelry, she's successfully convinced me of purple's resurgence on the fashion frontier:

{images via atlantic-pacific}

II emily

so clutch

from top: jimmy choo, charlotte olympia, zara, dvf, rafe

though i'm constantly on the hunt for that perfect everyday bag (aka this wonderful cognac confection by chloe), i'm currently being drawn to the craziest, least practical clutches out there. i mean, really - a slim jungle-print pouch inside a lucite box that will fit little more than a debit card and lip gloss? ...sign me up.

with bags like this, your outfit can be simple, sleek, and fuss-free. these are like little works of art. i'm obsessed with that jimmy choo surf scene bag - it's completely unlike me, yet here i am, wishing i had $795 to blow.

#MAY-JOR.

II emily

bow down

everyone who knows me is well aware of my lifelong obsession with bows. it's not that i even wear bows every day; i've just happened to accumulate a huge collection of bow patterns, bow-adorned shoes, bow jewelry, even bow blouses. lucky for me, the ultra-feminine embellishment is coming back this spring (i mean, only every major fashion blogger has a pair of those carven sling backs) and you'd better believe i'll be stocking up. i've been building up my currently obsessed page and have found almost too many covetable bow-adorned items . . .

{clockwise from top left: topshop belted shorts, seychelles sandals, anya hindmarch wallet, anya hindmarch clutch, topshop blouse (also comes in an amazing stripe), ban.do clip, carven flats, carven heels, ban.do headband, marc by marc jacobs necklace (also comes in an adorable ring)}

II emily

mastering pastels

as a major proponent of pastels (also evident here and here), i've been playing with different ways to wear them. though the colors themselves are quite versatile, there's only so many ways you can wear colors like "baby pink" and "soft yellow" before you feel like a legitimate easter egg. luckily, i've found one foolproof way to elevate the look: mix in lots of gold. the slick shine contrasts perfectly with the cotton candy hues, creating the perfect balance of sugary and chic. 

{from top left: geranium necklace, chloe bikini, current/elliot jeans (i'm also in love with these solid ones), asos bracelet, dolce vita sandals, mr. kate ear cuff, asos clutch, topshop sandals, topshop tee}

II emily

planning ahead

this post is pretty self-explanatory: simply a compilation of current obsessions. i'm well aware that it's still winter and i'm far from being able to wear a lace dress or raffia sandals (nor can i afford most of these things), but all i can think about is spring! and really, what says spring more than hot pink ballet flats and model cut-outs in the shape of easter eggs? 

happy shopping:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

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