the basics brigade

striped tee & leggings.

is it just me or are there certain pieces in your closet that you pull out time and time again? don't know what to wear? having an i-feel-like-crap-but-i-need-to-go-look-presentable moment? i always reach for the same couple outfits. what is it about that ratty gray t-shirt that i can't get enough of (it's moved with me across the country...twice)? that old pair of jeans i'm wearing out, despite the fact that i have about fifteen other pairs in my closet. or those black stretch trousers that i cried over when my dog chewed through the corner. for a girl who loves fashion so much, i have a pretty solid collection of must-have basics, and so i've decided to compile a list of them from you (which are almost entirely from J. Crew...they know how to do classic). that way, just in case, that favorite sweater of yours gets lost with your luggage, you can have hope that my list-o-basics could maybe come close help replace it.

cozy sweater & denim.

tops:
1. v-neck tee (i like J.Crew's vintage cotton tee, mine's gray a.k.a. the most utilized shirt i have)
2. the fun striped long(er) sleeve tee (i'm all about J. Crew's rotating version of these, i have a sequined one from a few years ago i can't get enough of)
3. a comfy, slouchy, cashmere pullover (J.Crew has this one covered too)
4. basic, solid button up (Splendid's double pocket, in white, is top for me)
5. the chambray (hands down Madewell's ex-boyfriend chambray is the best)
6. a classic blazer (the schoolboy blazer from J.Crew fits me well and lasts forever)

pants:
1. a straight-leg denim in a classic wash (mine are a pair of Seven's)
2. stretch black pants, not leggings (the minnie pant... what would i wear without you??)
3. black leggings (lululemon's wonder under... no muffin top from these bad boys!)

simple accessories & favorite basics. 

mix in some simple jewelry, a pair of Frye boots, a chunky scarf, and Ray-Ban sunnies and you have my basic basics. what are some pieces on your list?

images 1/2/3

frozen petals

i'm a girl who loves everything about fresh flowers: the bright colors, the intoxicating smell, the softness of the petals... i could go on and on. but it seems like every year in fashion as soon as the leaves fall, all things floral disappear. i've tried to make my summertime prints work in the colder months, but for whatever reason those pretty little flowers just look weird when paired with winter boots and a down jacket.

but oh, imagine my joy when i discovered these pants by Citizens of Humanity... a winter floral!!! and they made it in the 'rocket,' a high-rise jean that's oh-so-soft and flattering, making it one of my favorites for the past couple years.

obviously, i sprinted right out and bought myself a pair of these awesome jeans. i've been pairing them with chambray shirts (like the way they were styled on CoH website), but also with chunky sweaters, boots, or high heeled booties. The muted gray-blue of the pants keeps them winter appropriate, but the rose pattern is a fun and flirty nod to the summer months to come. 

below i've posted some of the other great winter floral pants that i've seen since i bought the Citizens. i'm terribly infatuated with the pair by 7 for All Mankind. Which are your favorites? Do you have a favorite way to make florals work in the darker months?

{images via Shopbop}

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LRD

there are certain things that instantly vamp up the va-va-voom factor to any occasion, and with holiday parties about to begin {the ones that don't involve face masks, that is} the little red dress might be the perfect statement maker. 

i don't know about you, but i get a little bored of my go-to LBD, and my pale fall/wintertime skin looks somewhat frightening next to the bright colors of summertime. but a rich red dress compliments in both the cool fall months and the start of the holiday party season. and trust me, it's just about impossible to not feel confident when you're rocking a little red number. throw a cute jacket on, some heeled pumps or booties, a tiny bit of sparkly jewelry, and you're good to go.

anybody else already excited to think about {gasp!} christmas time?? and which of my shopbop finds could you see yourself in?

1. Dolce Vita Hymore Dress
2. BB Dakota Lewiston One Shoulder Dress
3. Free People Floral Mesh Lace Dress
4. Shoshanna Megan Strapless Dress
5. alice + olivia Long Sleeve Goddess Dress
6. Torn by Ronny Kobo Christie Pleated Dress

fall frenzy

i love dressing for the fall months: layers (but not too many), mixing colors and textures, acceptability of chunky knits (people look at you funny if you try and wear them in july), and all the cozy pieces i love are ready to be worn again. the outfit below would be ultimate perfection if i was carrying around a cup of hot cocoa and eating an apple cider donut too.  

funky gold hoops// aaaaah-mazing floral Emma Cook vest//fabulous booties by Belle by Sigerson Morrison// infinity scarf (available at Target!)// Splendid t-shirt (so soft and cozy)// black skinny jeans// Tory Burch wallet// obsessed with this Marc Jacobs satchel

feeling foxy

fun fox prints are popping up all over the place this fall, and i would love to be curled up with these sly little fellows as the days get shorter and leaves start to crunch under my feet.

cozy wool fox sweater// bright earrings for a pop of color// striped pencil skirt and solid tights// riding boots to pull the look together// whimsical pouch for odds and ends

haute hiking

as seen here, one of my favorite ways to spend time is hiking around the woods. lucky for me, i live near to both the green mountains and the adirondacks, so finding fun hiking trails isn't too hard. one of my goals for the upcoming year is to do more overnight backpacking and explore other mountain ranges i haven't had the chance to see yet. 

pumped up at the start of an awesome hike in utah. can't wait to do more of this!

hiking (and outdoor activities in general) are not often considered particularly fashionable endeavors. however, i'm here to tell you that there are a lot of really cute (and still practical) gear that will make your nature adventure much more comfortable and therefore more fun. 

1. this jacket by Arc'teryx is great for fall hiking because it is both breathable (for the ascent) and warm (for chilly breezes at the summit). Arc'teryx gear is really light to carry and packs down pretty small if you end up getting too hot while you hike up.
2. a classic swiss army knife can help with many sticky situations, and it's smart to always keep one (as well as a first aid kit) in your pack in case of emergencies.
3. a durable daypack like this one from Gregory is a hiking must have. It should be able to carry extra layers, water, snacks, bug repellent, and your trail map (also, in my case, dog treats for the pups). 
4. snacks. nothing tastes better to me than a smooshed pb&j sandwich and some fresh fruit on the top of a mountain. i also like baby carrots and sugar snap peas for a quick and tasty source energy. 
5. a large waterbottle is super important. even on a cold day, you need to be drinking tons of water on hikes in order to avoid dehydration.
6. i'm obsessed with wool socks. they are wicking, warm, durable, and comfortable, not to mention come in tons of colors and patterns. 
7. base layers, like this one from lululemon are essential for keeping your body dry while you sweat. i love these because they have anti-stink properties and come in such pretty colors!
8. a solid pair of hiking boots will get you through the day without being miserable because your feet are sore. i prefer ones that go to the ankle for added support. 
9. a comfy pair of workout tights to stretch all the ways you move and keep you warm.

so there you have it! do you like hiking? how to you keep fashionable on the trail?

packing list: cape cod

this week, i'm headed down to the cape to see family and splash around in the ocean before completely bidding farewell to summer 2012. packing for seaside vacations tends to be a little overwhelming, so to simplify, i try to pack with a strong color scheme and things to layer or mix and match. for this cape trip, i decided to stick with nautical navy and white, and if i could pack my dream suitcase, these necessities would definitely be in it.

my favorite chambray is perfectly oversized and acts as a beach coverup or casual layering piece// acqua di gioia is a light, summery fragrance--great for the beach// at least two swimsuits (how cool is this one piece? i love the unique cutouts. and i've been coveting this Miu Miu bikini all summer long)// a straw fedora to help with sun protection// a comfy tank is easy to throw on after a day in the sun// monogrammed necklace is simple perfection for casual vacation jewelry// striped linen shorts// Jack Rogers sandals// the best diary: answer short, interesting questions to sum up your day// luggage to die for

of course, don't forget to pack sunscreen!! do you have any beach essentials you don't leave on vacation without?

today was a day

image via here

i have to admit, i'm just having one of those days. it was neither good nor bad, just full of small annoyances (my alarm didn't go off this morning and i got pulled over driving to work (just a warning though!)) at this point, i kind of want to just curl up with a good book and a cozy sweater and be by myself.

chunky knit// supersoft scarf// cozy leggings// a book i'll never get sick of// beautiful suede booties

sometimes, a little bit of alone time is all i need to recharge... and guess what? the weekend is just around the corner!

hello//goodbye

this time of year will forever remind me of the back-to-school transition: a new year, new teachers, new classes, new clothes.  the crisp and cool nights, leaves starting to change color (yes, i saw it already!), and the appearance of fall sweaters makes me realize that i must say au revoir to a glorious summer and welcome in a fresh, new season. however, i'm also faced with the fact that it's still summer weather half the time and doing a 180 from sundresses to wool sweaters just doesn't work.

so behold! transitional pieces that will make the hello/goodbye fashion conundrum much easier to navigate:

J. Crew's silky blouse is the perfect summery sea color that keeps the look feminine and soft, while still being able to hold it's own later under a structured blazer or military jacket. these lovely blue floral pants keep with the summer trend of 2012, without all the bright pinky hues of summertime florals. a black leather bag, such as tano's, allows you to bring along extra layers as well as grounding the outfit in a dark way appropriate for the cooler season. black, high-heeled booties are a great indication that sandal season is over, while dark sunnies are a cool way to protect your eyes. musky, as opposed to floral scents, such as 'eau de noho' by Bond No. 9, make for great fall perfumes, and a taupe nail polish is a welcome change from summers brights. 

what pieces do you rely on for the start of fall transition?

inspired by: white on white

today, i was going back through pins on my pinterest as a way to gauge styles and trends that have been appealing to me lately. i was not surprised to see many of my pins of white on white, on both my interior decorating and personal style boards. i often wear creamy whites, oatmeals, and beiges as my go-to neutral color: i find it to be much softer with my skin tone than black. below, i posted some of my favorite white on white inspiration on my pinboard. 

*image sources available on my pinterest

playful patterns

pattern mixing is a difficult endeavor, and i've struck out a few more times than i'm willing to admit trying to make it work getting dressed in the morning. over time, i've found that repeating colors and pattern themes makes styling a mixed-up outfit a much more manageable task. 

cute litte flower posts/ gorgeous statement necklace by J. Crew/ my obsession with sparkling sequin tees continues/ Kate Spade in bright mint/ DVF embroidered silk pants (although i am totally coveting these Madewell jeans which would make this look much more casual)/golden penny loafers complete the outfit

here, i repeated the floral pattern of the pants in both the necklace and earrings, enhanced the orange detail in the necklace with bright pop earrings, heightened the shimmer effect of the sequin shirt with gold accents on the necklace and shoes.  

what are some techniques you use to create fun and playful pattern mixing without overwhelming your image? 

going for gold

i happen to have a huge olympic obsession, and london 2012 is the only thing i've been watching since the opening ceremonies last week. most exciting for me was watching the USA women's gymnastic team win team gold for the first time since the 1996 games. 

image via here

with all the gold medals our olympic teams are racking up, it's only fitting to post some awesome golden pieces to add some sparkle to your wardrobe (how incredible are those shoes?! i also love the sporty golden whistle: a super quirky cute nod to the olympics). what's been the most exciting olympic moment for you thus far?

dress/ sunnies/ top/ shoes/ earrings/ shorts/ watch/ ring/ polish/ necklace

les rêveurs

this weekend, i had the pleasure of finishing 'Night Circus' by Erin Morgenstern, which is quite possibly the best book i have read in a very long time. i couldn't put it down. the novel was completely magical, entirely enchanting, and wholly romantic. the style was luxuriously detailed, the plot was layered and exciting, and the whole thing was so dreamy that i felt spellbound. if you haven't gotten your hands on this book yet, you really should. 


regardless, as soon as i finished reading, i put together two outfits that i would wear as a rêveur at the night circus if it ever came my way:

Hervé Léger dress/ Michael Kors wedges/ Love Quotes scarf/ Céline clutch/ Night Circus book/ Mango blouse/ DvF shorts/ Pour la Victoire sandals

i love the starkness of a black and white color theme, but pops of red really can make a whole outfit dramatic and fit for a mysterious and magical adventure. have you read the novel? are you as inspired by it as i am?

inspired by: roadside blooms

yesterday was one of those days that was so rainy and grey that i was taken by complete surprise when out on a jog i encountered tons of vibrant colors among the roadside wildflowers. i don't know if i just never noticed them when i was out before in the hazy heat that has become the norm this july, or if the most recent rainstorm inspired the blooms, but either way they were absolutely beautiful to me.

the lush greens, elegant queen anne's lace, rich purple-y pinks, pops of orange, and pale blues of the wildflowers inspired the dream date look i created for my trip to new york this weekend. i'm absolutely in love with the sequin embellishments on the dress, and both of the bracelets are gorgeous in detail. here's to everyone having a pretty and inspired weekend!

ponte boyfriend blazer/ emerald earrings/ embellished dress/ Tory Burch wallet/ floral gardens bangle/ meadow inspired bracelet/ Essie polish/ floral perfume/ Steven pumps

orange you glad

after a hot and humid weekend, i'm often craving tangy citrus flavors and lively pops of color to shake me out of my lazy state. orange and tangerine hues are the perfect accent to brighten up a room (in fact, 'tangerine tango' is Pantone's color of the year!), or to jazz up an otherwise average ensemble. so whether you are adorning your home or your body, taking a bite out of the orange trend is sure to juice up your look.

bright orange couch and details in the ottoman give focus to an otherwise neutral living space.
(image via here)

the armchair is a tangerine dream and the bookshelf pulls it all together.
(image via pinterest)

orange baubles to brighten a white tee/ frames to add color to your black and white photos/ beautiful floral fabric to make curtains or accent pillows/ side table for lamps and books/ print for your walls/ shocking satchel to boost your mood/ vibrant watch to act as arm candy/ delicate chair to prove bright does not always mean bold/practical sofa that makes a statement/ zebra pillow to pretend that everyday is safari day/summery polish for sassy fingers/a citrus-musk candle that your boyfriend won't hate/Pantone iPhone case because even your phone should get dressed up

maxed out

i love a good maxi dress: easy to wear, comfortable, diverse, and can transition from day to night no problem. with all that, it's no surprise that mine have been on repeat the past few weeks. start off with brown leather sandals, simple gold jewelry, a sun hat, and a neutral bag for day time casual, and pull on a crisp jacket or blazer, statement necklace, clutch, and heels for nighttime. easy-peasy!

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

i'm loving the cutouts on #1 and the grecian style of #3, but for the moment i am most drawn to the bright pink and fluttery details of #7. do you love your maxi's as much as i do?

seeing spots

image via J.Crew

being the huuuge j.crew fan that i am, it's no surprise that i scour their website for styling ideas and tips for current trends. i was excited to see their current online feature for polka dotted styles, a trend that i've noticed is popping up all over the place.

images via 1. 2. 3. 4.

polka dots are whimsical, fun, and when styled in the right way (like the ladies above) aren't overwhelming in the slightest. how do you wear your dots?

Dorothy Perkins dress/ Kate Spade pumps/ Brahmin tote/ AG black polka dot denim/ J.Crew popover/Mink Pink dress/ Topshop satin bow/Madewell tee/ Kate Spade laptop sleeve/Keds for Madewell sneakers

weekend warrior

unfortunately, it appears that my weekend is going to be spent running errands and getting mundane tasks done (cue car inspections, house cleaning, laundry, and trips to the bank), rather than my usual hiking fun and various adventures.

errands wouldn't be so bad if they were all bike rides to get fresh flowers!
(image via Beg Bicycles)

 despite my lack of enthusiasm for my weekend plans, i do love my errands ensemble: cropped-cuffed denim (Citizens of Humanity 'Thompson' is my fave), flats, cute t-shirt, and simple jewelry. 

J.Crew ribbon-stripe boatneck tee/ Citizens of Humanity Thompson (now on sale!)/ Elizabeth and James Mushroom Posts/ Shashi Zen Hoops/ See By Chloe Wallet/ Michael Kors Chunky Chain Bracelet/ Asos Ballet flats

happy weekend everybody, regardless of your current plans :-)

tickled pink

flipping through some old photos of a previous trip to spain, i came across this bright pink flower that became inspiration for today's post. pink is one of my favorite colors, it can be bold or soft and subtle depending on how you play it. out of the collection below, i am especially wanting the Rachel Pally maxi dress, but also dying over that adorable Lilly planner. how would you choose?  

NARS blush/ Rachel Pally maxi dress /J.Crew bubble necklace/ Rebecca Minkoff satchel/ Essie polish/ Stella McCartney sunnies/ Madewell Honeydew bra/ Epice linen scarf/ Matt Bernson sandals/ Jonathan Adler keychain/ Kate Spade watch/ Lilly Pulitzer planner/ Joie top/ Madewell shorts/ Vince shift dress/ Marc Jacobs perfume

poolside

image source unknown

today, i've been dreaming of an afternoon spent soaking up the sun in a bright yellow bikini, surrounded by the chic-est accessories (hello, sunscreen!), sipping on a fruity cocktail, all while laying in my hot pink pool floaty. hey, a girl can dream, can't she??

Essie 'Fear or Desire' polish/ Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock (my favorite non-greasy sunscreen)/ Kate Spade clutch & beach towel (seriously, why am i obsessed with everything KS does?!)/ Juicy Couture cockatoo ring  & pineapple earrings/ Ray-Ban sunnies/ L*Space fringe bikini