Start the New Year Off Bright!

1. Matthew Williamson ($385) 2. Victoria, Victoria Beckham, 3. Marni ($74) 4. Marc by Marc Jacobs ($498) 5. Marchesa ($775) 6. Michael Kors ($1795) 7. Matthew Williamson ($765)

Florescent Yellow and Girly Pink are the must have colors for this spring season.

Splurge or Steal On This Drop-Waist Little White Dress

Lately I have been looking around for appropriate yet stylish outfits that show off both my professionalism as well as my own personal style. Now 22 and a senior graduating college its time to sophisticated my wardrobe while still maintaining my own flare. The hunt has been harder than I thought. But while shopping around I found this beautiful winter-white drop-waist dress by Victoria, Victoria Beckham  which I assume to be priced at around $800 to $1000. On the right is Top Shop’s tennis dress for a steal at £85.  So would you Splurge or Steal?

Wardrobe Wishlist: Anthropologie

Dream-In-Colored Slippers, Orange $58, Intertwined Traditions Clutch $328, Single File Necklace $98, Tobacco Clinched Hat $78, Silver Shuffle Booties $548, Scalloped Suede Clog Boots $338

My friend asked me if I could help her find a collared necklace for under $100. Jewelry-line Dannijo has really changed necklaces by creating one big enough to call it a collar necklace. And although I would love to own it myself, my student budget doesn’t really allow me the freedom to spend that kind of dough when I’m jobless. So I took it upon myself to look for a cheaper but just as chic alternative to Dannijo’s must have collars. 

While looking at the usual online stores of asos.com, topshop, shopstyle, shopbob, and net-a-porter I forgot one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie. 

Although I was suppose to just be looking at necklaces, some how I ended up at shoes and other accessories. I hadn’t been on the website or in a store for so long. I had forgotten what a great selection of unique and beautiful things they offer. 

With the holidays just around the corner I thought I’d show you some items that will be on my wishlist, although I doubt I’ll be getting all of them. A girl can dream though, can’t she? 

Wardrobe Wishlist: Perfect Look for Classes

Alright, I’m over the hot weather, anyone else? Bring on the scarfs, sweaters, and boots. I’m ready for it. And I say this knowing I’m going to regret writing this blog post when I’m walking in two feet of snow to class come December. 

Of course I love going down to the beach, being homework free, and enjoying pink lemonade sipped from mason jars, but just like all the September issues anxiously await their newsstands, I couldn’t be more excited for the leaves to change colors so I can throw on that slouchy go-to sweater, wrap my neck around a large scarf, and pull on a pair of boots. Although this outfit is pretty unreasonable for my college budget, here’s an idea of what I picture casual fall fashion to epitomize. 

3.1 Phillip Lim Satchel, Madewell Shirt, Vince Jacket, Etro Hat, All Saint Jeans, Frye Boots

1. 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Satchel $875, 2. Madewell Silk High Tea Top $118, 3. Hooded Drape Coat $675, 4. Etro Embroidered Rabbit Felt Hat $360, 5. All Saint Jeans $110, 6. Frye Billy Ankle Bootie $297.95

Fall Wish List: Western Inspired Booties

I’m thrilled to see that the bootie is back for another season. I’m petite, only 5’2”, so I find that knee high boots tend to make me look shorter. Instead, I look for booties. They are adorable with jeans, skirts, leggings, dresses, you name it and basically it works. Here are a couple of my favorite from this season. Many are Isabel Marant inspired because I’m in love with her bootie for this fall season (see earlier post). Another huge fall trend for the fall is 1970s inspired. So pair these booties with thick tights and crochet dresses for a free-spirited look or a flared jean with a silk blouse. Free people is a great place to look for young 1970s inspiration. 

1. Rage & Bone $495

2. Jeffrey Campbell $124.95

3. Kurt Geiger £195 

4. KG by Kurt Geiger £160

5. Madewell $188

Wardrobe Wishlist: Fall edition

 I know looking at this collection probably just made a sweat drop trickle down your cheek, but it’s inevitable that fall is approaching, and quicker than you think! Here are some of my affordable Fall must-haves. 

Top Shop blouse(£35), H&M booties ($69.95), Zadig and Voltaire dress (180 €), Top Shop sweater (£42), Zara bag ($45), Top Shop coat (£89)

1. A silk top is great to pair with pretty much anything and everything. Day or night, jeans or a skirt, heels or flats it always works. I like the caramel color but black, white, or grey work just as well. J Crew also has some Silk blouses in some really nice colors. And Joie (although they are a little over $200) have the best variety of printed silk blouses in my opinion. 

2. This black silk and lace dress is adorable. Its currently on sale at Zadig & Voltaire for 180 euros (originally 300). Dress it up or down.

3. The H&M booties are a highly anticipated sold out item for fall. They come out mid-August and I assume will be out of them within a week. At $69.95 they are a total steal.

4.  This two toned bowling ball bag is so convenient. I can honestly fit my life inside of one of these. The Louise Vuitton one looks smaller than it is but I’m pretty sure I even fit a textbook inside of it when I was running late for class one time. And these are two essential fall colors–tan and off white.

5. I love this top shop cardigan for fall. I’m a very minimalistic dresser so this with a white Hanes t-shirt and J Brand jeans is a comfortable and adorable look. Pair it with these red flats to give it some color and you are good to go.

6. Anything with wooden toggles is a must. I think its just so adorable. The red is a nice change from black or navy blue. 

Bright Bold Bikinis

It’s cold and rainy in Paris so what do I do? I shop for bathing suits. Logical right? I want them all. The one downside is- I don’t do bikinis. Maybe buying one of these swimming costumes is the motivation to get into bikini shape. Ha, sorry getting a little nostalgic about London. I never actually use that term. Anyway, for all you Americans out there and Canadians who are experiencing the heat wave these are for you. Put the black bandeaus away and sport a more vivacious look. Now go have fun in the sun while I go get a hot coffee to warm my body up. 

The Nameless Store of the Marais

While window shopping in the Marais I came across a little store without a name, or at least I couldn’t find it. It’s not called Gloves Sales either. I’ve already tried looking that name up and got no results. Anyway, this nameless store sold jeans and cowboy boots, colorful tribal inspired hobo bags and totes, but what caught my eye almost instantaneously was these leather bracelets. The worst part of this whole story is that I didn’t get the leather cuff (I couldn’t get myself to spend 50 euros on them) and now without a store name I don’t know if I’ll ever find the store again. What do you think, should I have bought them?

Wardrobe Wishlist: Isabel Marant Dicker Suede Booties

They’re sold out everywhere and for good reason. Fashion editors, models, celebs and the most well known bloggers have been donning them around the world’s most fashionable cities. I think it’s only fair I have a pair too. Don’t you think? So Mom, put yourself on the wait list, my birthday’s just a couple months away! (She’s gonna kill me if she reads this). Oh did I tell you they’re 615 dollars? They’re 615 dollars.

I think they are just the perfect investment piece. And Kate Bosworth proves that they can be worth day or night.

Cutie Rachel Bilson’s also wearing them and she’s my favorite style icon. Her look is just so achievable! 

Meeting Heimstone Boutique, Paris.

Time Out and Yelp were my bibles while I was studying in London. I used them religiously to find London’s best coffee, the hottest spots on King’s Road, and what was happening that weekend. However, their websites in Paris unfortunately are only in French and I don’t speak enough French to figure out what’s happening in Paris. So, I ended up in WHSmith, an English bookstore, on Avenue du Rivoli to get myself a guide book by Time Out, of course!  How very French of me. While I was wandering around the bookstore I also took it upon myself to buy “French Phrases for Dumbies,” a true classic, to try to teach myself French while I’m here. God, the language is just so difficult!

Anyway, Time Out Paris Shorelist 2011 was my book of choice and one I’m very thankful to have picked up. It highlights everything and it comes with me everywhere even though I HATE looking like a tourist.

While reading the guidebook (normally I just look at the places that have a featured picture) I couldn’t help marking every Boulanger they recommend going to. Since I’ve been in Paris I’ve been obsessed with bread and consequently frightened by my scale. Time Out recommended this Boulanger called Poilane which may be the most well known and oldest bakery in Paris. Not only is it a beautiful quaint Parisian bread shop, it’s location is key to this treasured gem. Situated on Rue du Cherche Midi this boulanger is surrounded by little boutiques and one in particular a fashion boutique called Heimstone that immediately caught my eye. It’s one of the most unique clothing stores I’ve come across thus far. And trust me, I’ve been in A LOT of shops.

Meet Heimstone. The shop was filled with pinks, aquas, greys, whites, and blacks, cute dresses with jewel embellishment, beautifully made silk tops, and great leather handbags I wish I had pictures of, or better yet, wish I owned. The store was made of old wood and had a western ambience to it. I love it!  So thank you Time Out Paris for indirectly directing me to Heimstone. You know me oh so well.