Wrapped Up

Wearing a blanket outside of the house used to be reserved for days of extreme hangover or tailgating a football game (or a combination of both).

Now, thanks largely in part to Burberry sending some of the fashionable elite monogrammed versions of their latest "blanket poncho". This is especially exciting for those located in areas where the next five months can bring nothing but cold stinging noses and frozen toes until the April/May thaw.

The thought of never removing our blankets is one I can definitely get behind and where fashion really has met function in the coziest way possible. 

InStyle

From Olivia Palermo to Cara Delevigne, most of the figures whose style I aim to somewhat emulate have been donning this comfy hybrid, meaning my inclination toward buying one of my own is increasing by the day (good marketing, Burberry! If only I could afford your version..)

Instead of taking out some loans to get my own personalized Burberry blanket cape, I have found some more fiscally responsible versions to get wrapped up in.
(Although the DIY possibilities are endless with this, especially with cute festive blankets being sold essentially everywhere, go nuts!)

Topshop

Urban Outfitters

New Look

ASOS

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Fall Wish List

Pretty much summed up from the title, these are the pieces that hopefully stumble home one night and find themselves in my closet....hopefully within the next few weeks. 

Topshop

DKNYC

Urban Outfitters

DailyLook

Sole Society

LOFT

Benetton

One Teaspoon

J.Crew

ASOS

What's on your wish list?! What is missing from mine?! Leave a comment and tell me!

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Worth the InVESTment?

By glancing at photos of my middle school years, it is clear that this gal has never said no to a good vest. Aside from the fact that a very fetching maroon knit vest that accompanied my school uniform, every fall meant purchasing a brand new puffer vest for the cooler months. 

Although this puffer vest fascination waned throughout my formative years (although never fully disappeared), the next vest purchases were during my college years and were an army cargo vest, a leather moto vest (something I may not have worn as much as anticipated), and what girl didn't dabble in the faux-fur vest trend?

However, an emerging trend this fall has been of the more formal and longer length vest varieties. As I laid eyes upon these amazing structures of wool and leather, my vest obsession (obvestssion?) came hurdling back into view. 

...and also Olivia Palermo (aka my queen) rocked the heck out of an orange version which is reason enough to try it out.

DailyMail

Although initially, with my views of the traditional puffer vest fresh in my mind, these new silhouettes seemed more like sleeveless coats as opposed to vests, a distinction I realized that was only important in my own personal repertoire, really. 

With much help from an article on my favorite website (dare I say, of all time?), Refinery29, I have compiled a list of some of my favorites – from the affordable to the take-out-a-loan-dare-to-dream variety. 

Madewell

Ann Taylor

Topshop

Club Monaco

Mango

Urban Outfitters

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Summer Wish List

Making lists is somewhat of a passion of mine. To put it in perspective, I think I came out of the womb and probably checked "take first breath" off my mental to-do list. It's my most notable (and endearing? annoying?) Type-A quality.

This list-making fascination has come in quite handy when juggling classes, internships, a social life, and finances (a.k.a how exactly how many trips to the Whole Foods salad bar I can make in between paychecks). 

I have now started to make lists at the start of each season of what would ideally make its way into my closet sometime in the coming months. This keeps me focused and also helps me refrain from purchasing items purely out of impulse or because Olivia Palermo was wearing it in InStyle this week.
(The girl's got serious style, what can I say?)

For this summer, my list may not be extensive, but it is specific. It is as follows:

1. A light, draped trench coat

1 Rachel Zoe via Shopbop // 2 Haute Hippie via Shopbop // 3 NastyGal

Aside from the obvious aesthetic reasons I may wish to procure this item, I also think it will be my first step in owning a real-life grown up trench coat now that I am a post-grad. 

2. Metallic Pumps

1 Manolo Blahnik via Barneys // 2 Club Monaco // 3 J.Crew

Truth be told, these have been on my wish list for a couple of months, and only a few weeks ago did I finally bite the bullet and buy the J.Crew version, pictured as #3 here. I have only had them in my possession for about two weeks, but they are already one of my more used summer heels. 

3. High-Waisted Dark(ish) Denim

1 Levi's // 2 H&M // 3 H&M

For whatever reason, I don't own a pair of these suckers. I know this isn't the most summer-themed item, but I think that high-waisted denim is the perfect complement to any summer top for a night out. The days may be sweltering, but I somehow always feel the chill enough to wish I had worn pants out. 

4. LWD (Little White Dress)

1 Dolce Vita via Bloomingdales // 2 Zara // 3 Urban Outfitters

This is the item on my list I am a little less specific about. To be honest, I'm not sure what kind of LWD  I am after, although it seems I have a sleeveless theme here.

5. Floral Skirt

1 Givenchy via Selfridges // 2 ASOS // 3. Jealous Tomato via Piperlime

Floral skirts such as these remind me of Joan in Mad Men, only instead of strutting around an office, I hope to don one of them to a day at the Saratoga Race Track sometime this summer. The print will also distract everyone from my obviously bleak expression when I lose all of my money whilst there!

So that's my wish list, it is ever-growing and ever-edited depending on my mood and the day. I will plan on doing one of these before every season. 

(sort of doing this in the throws of summer, but you can't win them all!)

What's on your list?! What am I missing from mine!?

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Trend Tuesday: 'Tis the Season for Ugly Sweaters

UglyChristmasSweater

Granted, it's not a new trend to wear ugly holiday sweaters for the entirety of December, but lately it has turned intentional. What I mean by this, is in years past, the sweaters donned in this merry month were not intentionally hilarious, but simply expected to be worn as they were traditionally gifts from grandma/aunts/moms/etc. However, with the adaptation and increase in popularity of "ugly sweater parties", these sweaters have become a hot commodity at Salvation Army.

UrbanOutfitters

In this Sunday's Sunday Styles section of the NYT, there was an entire article dedicated to the expansion of this trend into stores, specifically Urban Outfitters. Instead of holiday revelers having to bargain hunt in Salvation Army or thrift stores of the like, Urban has mad their own brand of ugly sweaters for the modern elf. Aside from this indie clothing giant, there are also websites dedicated solely to these, excuse the british, jumpers!(MyUglyChristmasSweater.com etc)

UrbanOutfitters

The article concludes by remarking these sweaters are best accomplished if the wearer goes "...extremely tacky or very funny". So, if you haven't already, get hunting for those light-up, tinsel-laden, and sequined covered sweaters to wear this season!

Also: to get more in the season:

Holiday Cheer!

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Thrifty Thursday: Stocking Stuffers for the Chic Chick!

I will be the first to admit that I am probably pretty hard to shop for. I may have a variety of interests, but it seems those interests include fashion and writing for the most part, so how many gift cards and travel notebooks can one girl handle!? (More notebooks though, I really can't get enough of those suckers... #hoarder)

If you are having trouble buying those small little gifts for your friends/ mom/ aunts/ daughters/ cousins/ nieces/ yoga instructors, look no further! I have been scouring the web for some of these inexpensive gems that may be just the ticket to help end your shopping woes before December 24th rolls around all too quickly. 

For the student:

ModCloth

It is a sad thing when someone asks someone of a younger generation what time it is, and immediately the fumbling for the phone (if it isn't already out) begins. I am trying to bring the watch back as a means to not only consistently tell the time, but also because I am LOVING wrap watches at the moment. Combining bracelet layering with a watch is simply brilliant. 

ModCloth

If you have ever read this blog before, you should be somewhat aware of my dangerous addiction to the color mint. It was huge this summer, and it has surprisingly transitioned nicely into the cooler months as well. I do not believe this color is going anywhere anytime soon, and this satchel is pretty much the cutest thing since the laughing baby videos hit youtube. (do a search, thank me later).

For your friend who just came back from being abroad or who is going abroad:

So, this may be because I am abroad now, and I feel I now have some worldly insight on what girls who are just coming back from/ just about leaving for studying abroad, but these two are pretty awesome gifts and can be used for anyone with the traveling bug.

FredFlare

This map is pretty much the coolest thing I have ever seen. As you visit the countries, you get to play lotto ticket and scratch that sucker off! A visual representation of how much of the world you have seen while at the same time how much more there is to see is really enjoyable and definitely inspiring. 

FredFlare

And take it from a constantly exhausted traveling student, traveling takes sleeping from an enjoyable nightly activity to a means of survival on long/cramped RyanAir flights or MegaBus rides. Having a cute Holly Golightly themed face mask is a good way to remain incognito while grabbing some shut eye in between country hopping.

For someone with a new apartment:

UrbanOutfitters

So this physically fitting into a stocking is doubtful. Buuuuut its so cute and definitely a nice way to display and organize jewelry. In a new place, the decor may be lacking and this is a nice way to start the decorating process for a friend without getting sucked into painting for them. 

Anthropologie

Someone moving is definitely cause for some sort of housewarming gift. The hard part is trying to predict what their decor will look like, and trying not to buy something that will clash. This is seemingly impossible. Therefore, the easy route to go is to buy something comforting that will make the place feel like home even when it is in the process of becoming one. Candles are a great way to do this not only because they give warmth and delicious smells to the new home, but you can also find many in adorable containers such as this one from Anthropologie that will pretty much go well with any decor. And show me one person who wouldn't want their house to smell like angel food cake and I will show you a liar.

For every girl:

Tobi

No girl can have enough scarves. They are pretty much the easiest way to transform an outfit and simultaneously keep you warm (or cover up a mustard stain on your shirt....been there done that too many times to count). This scarf from Tobi is just a juxtaposition of awesomeness. The black and skulls are a little dark and ominous, and Alexander McQueen reminiscent, but the addition of flowers masks the darkness and makes the scarf incredibly wearable.

Sephora

So, I can't really afford anything from Marc Jacobs, and to make up for that I purchased his Daisy perfume in high school, and to this day, it seems to be one of the best investments I've made to date. I love the light, fun scent and if you have a friend who is still without a signature scent, or is someone who likes to experiment or switch up her scent, this is the perfect gift! The roller ball perfume is perfect for in your purse to freshen up throughout the day. 

For the professional:

Kate Spade

I honestly think Kate Spade's goal in life is to make professional women look fabulous CONSTANTLY, and let me just tell you, she is definitely succeeding. This adorable poppy-colored iphone case comes equipped with a back sleeve that is perfect for some business cards when on the move!

Eyebobs

There is no shame in maybe needing a little help in the sight department after long hours staring at a computer screen or document scanning for hours on end. If you know someone heading toward this fate, make sure they are doing so in style! These are mad-men inspired glasses that would having to wear glasses definitely more bearable.

Happy Shopping!

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Thrifty Thursday: Diet of Vegan Leather Skirts

Name one reason you shouldn't have a leather skater skirt in your closet at this very moment. Nothing? That's what I thought.
 Forget the trench coat or the LBD, I have decided this is the new staple of every 20-something's wardrobes. (That statement may need to be retracted after the initial high of this new find has subsided, but humor me for now)
I have spotted these fun little numbers (am I 60?) at stores all over ranging from traditional black to light pink, from ass-grazing to floor length. The one thing that has varied just as much as the shape and length of the garment is the price. Considering this is Thrifty Thursday, I will give you the low-down on what I have discovered.

Source: Urban Outfitters

I first saw this lovely vegan leather skater skirt on Urban Outfitters, which, coming in at a reasonable $69 dollars, isn't SO bad. However, when you consider the fact you are buying something that is probably one of the lesser practical items, you may want to save some of that dough.

Source: Asos

I then went scouring on my typical go-tos for the thriftiest of fashions. However, one place that I can alsmot always rely on to have amazing sales, Asos, threw me a curveball with this skater skirt coming in at a whopping $175.90! Asos, for shame.

Source: Tobi

Then, my reliable source for amazing items for great prices, Tobi, came through with a vengeance. I found, dare I say it, the cutest version of them all, and for the great price of $30. AND if you sign up for Tobi, they tend to send you amazing deals like 50% off a purchase....worth it!



All in all, the vegan skirts are obviously the cheaper (and more humane) options. Win-win.

Get out there and replace your LBD with your LBVLS (little black vegan leather skirt....working title...)


P.S. I would write a cute little "Happy Thanksgiving!" part of this post if I wasn't so bitter about missing it this year being in London...I guess I just lost that battle too.

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