form meets function

currently loving how bloggers & beauties around the world are dressing down their favorite outfits with the comfiest shoe in their closet - the converse low-top.

converse all stars have always been a favorite of mine for their vintagey, retro feel, which juxtaposes perfectly with more feminine pieces. i love the ensembles below for that mix-and-match mentality: a glam sequin mini skirt, ladylike shorts,  a dolman-sleeve dress and preppy stripes all become so much more unique with those classic kicks!

converse come in a spectrum of colors, but my personal favorite is classic white - love the creamy color and red/blue stripes. 
which is your favorite?

images via atlantic-pacific, sincerely jules, & pinterest

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

get sporty

the other day i was wearing this black nixon watch when my friend said, "that's so unlike you! you usually dress so girly." wait... what?

this, i realized, is indeed an accurate statement. i may be the proud owner of spiky bracelets, combat boots and black pleather pants, but i always mix in some undoubtedly girly-girl items to balance out the toughness. (plus, just look at this post... and this one... and this one. i rest my case.)

i naturally gravitate towards girly styles, but going outside your comfort zone is good for the soul - just take the alexander wang spring 2012 runway for example. wet hair, nylon bombers, and NASCAR-inspired prints are so, so not me. but i love it. that ultra-edgy, super sporty vibe is the freshest trend of the season, and i can't wait to try it out once the weather warms up.

read a more extensive look at trend over at college magazine, or just peep the corresponding lust list right here:

{top row: alexander wang tee, APC jacket, pierre hardy wedge

middle row: DVF skirt, lisa marie fernandez rubberized bikini, alexander wang tote

bottom row: alexander wang shorts, chloe bangle, marc by marc jacobs bangle, anya hindmarch rubber clutch}

II emily

postimpressionist denim

{paige premium denim verdugo ultra-skinny jeans in tumble, clash, and ember}

i'm sure you thought the tie-dye denim phase was over after this lust-worthy post... but i'm happy to report about a new crop of enviable and totally groooovy show-stoppers by paige premium denim.

the bold verdugo ultra-skinny jeans {above} are from paige's new "toulouse" collection, inspired by artist henri de toulouse-lautrec.  blogs everywhere are buzzing about the art-inspired prints, and while toulouse-lautrec was not as "abstract" as many of them are claiming (i think these look more like fauve-era matisse), the messy, imperfect brushstrokes and bold colors that made him famous have translated oh-so perfectly to denim. 

as winter continues to alienate my wardrobe and make my daily sartorial choices that much more frustrating, i'm getting anxious for spring with each passing minute. and while these beauties would look major right now with a simple oversized sweater or crisp boy blazer, i'm imagining them in the warmer months with loose slub-cotton tanks and trapeze tees for that easy-breezy, yes-i-painted-these-myself vibe. and click on over to because i'm addicted to win yourself a pair of "tumble" wash verdugo jeans (my personal favorite).

II emily

madewell spring 2012 lookbook

you already know i'm a huge fan of madewell and that i'm their indiana campus representative, so it will come as no surprise to you that i'm head over heels for their new spring collection. what will be a surprise, however, is how swiftly you're going to hop onto their website and unconsciously spend hundreds of dollars on these amazing new pieces. seriously, prepare yourself.

bold colors like fuschia, kelly green and neon yellow spice up madewell's streamlined, feminine basics while mixed prints and clever pairings make it all feel current and unique (and so, so madewell). i love the retro floral patterns, subtle colorblocking, and quirky touches -- like that faux-denim t-shirt or the green engineer-stripe jeans. and the bold footwear -- from rainbow-hued flats to rugged suede booties and 70s-inspired chunky t-straps -- are the perfect finishing touches. 

consider yourself warned; i've already hidden my wallet to avoid an unstoppable urge to pre-order everything.

II emily

up close

{all images via fashion squad}

although carolina engman's outfits are always so, so, SO amazing, they become even more drop-dead-genius when you look a little closer. i love how she frequently includes zoomed-in photos of the little details (like texture, pattern, color, studs, chains, and embellishments) that play so nicely together in her ensemble.

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