On My Radar: Urban Renewal

This fall is all about re-imagining classically boho, relaxed, or otherwise unassuming pieces to give them an edge that's, well, edgier. No one will take you for anything less than commanding when you take one of these reworked pieces to the streets.

1. The Beanie. Normally a favorite of ski bums, aujourd-hui style icons like Taylor Swift have made this cozy style instantly chic and a must-have for fall. Pairing it with an attitude-packed cropped t-shirt, tough leather leggings, and sky-high platforms give the beanie a whole new feel.

2. Feather Jewelry. Peacock feathers or graphic colors like black and white make feather jewelry less a bohemian staple and more an updated alternative to chandelier earrings for the street-smart urban girl. Use the peacock variety to add a pop of color to a neutral monochromatic outfit as shown, or match them to an equally punchy top or skirt (just not both...there is such a thing as too much turquoise).

3. The Panama. Seen on the silver screen in Westerns like True Grit and There Will Be Blood, a Panama hat is more sophisticated and versatile than its close relative the cowboy hat, but undeniably rugged and more tomboyish than berets or cloches. Which is why a gray felt variety lends the style incredible conviction and a surprising amount of femininity when paired with a maxi or body-con skirt.

4. The Maxi. Luxe fabrics like chiffon and satin are a fresh take on this floor-dusting boho style. Maybe still not appropriate for the office, but platform stilettos and a cropped tee or sweater make the skirt perfect for a day at the mall or a night out with the girls. Bonus: the maxi need not go into hibernation for the winter - the length hides a pair of cozy leggings.

Ballet-Chic

I love the idea of turning dancewear into ready-to-wear clothes for everyday, and I plan to design a collection around the idea one of these days.  So I was really excited to find the pink skirt - I'm obsessed with how much movement it has!  The other outfit is just an old reliable favorite.  I really like the shopping center I shot this in because it has so much character - the fireplace, the murals, the fountains.  It really adds to the whole experience and I just had to get some of the artistic backdrops in.

Skirt & lace top: Forever21.  Shoes: Juicy Couture.

Top: Bluefly.  Skirt: Free People.  Boots: Steve Madden.

Career-Changing News!

Happy Saturday night, my fellow bloggers!

Once again, I've found myself swamped with other commitments, and so I've been totally scatterbrained.  But tonight, I received some news that could possibly jump-start my fashion career.  Through a connection my mother has, I landed an internship for next summer with Zandra Rhodes in London!  I am so excited for the opportunity to get inside the brain of the woman who is not only one of the connoisseurs of haute punk, but is practically the mother of bold prints and costumes.  Also, Ms. Rhodes basically wants to know from me what I want from the internship - such a unique opportunity!

I better start saving if I'm going to be doing any sort of shopping!  (And it would be a crime not to.)  I should probably start planning too; it's going to take that long...I absolutely cannot wait!  I have wanted to go to London for so long.

That's all for now, but I'll pick back up again tomorrow.

Hidden Gem: Target Hats

I was at Target the other day to pick up a few things  - you know how it goes at Target, you go there with four things on your list and end up with a bill of $100 or more.  I didn't really have anywhere to be that day, so I took some time to peruse my favorite parts of the store, and unexpectedly, found an abundance of adorable hats.  I love hats as accessories, so it's shocking that I walked away without buying one.  I have a cute basic beret from Target that I love, but I didn't realize the store was such a great place to find hats!  What really makes them awesome is that most of the winter hats (my favorite) are wool or mostly wool, which is a big thing because quality is important to me when it comes to accessories.  I know where I'll be doing a lot of my winter accessorizing from now on!  A few of my personal favorites from Target's selection:

I find this one especially interesting because it has the floppy shape of a summer sun hat, but is made of wool to make it a winter hat.  I think it would lend the wearer an unexpected air of mystery.

 

Neutrals: Lovely or Lifeless?

Yet another week has slipped through my fingers, what with all my job hunting and deep-cleaning my apartment, but now that I've landed a job (two, in fact!) and my apartment is clean, it's time to get back on track.  I was recently skimming Global Fashion News and other fashion news sites, and in addition to "rediscovered classics" I saw a continuation of the trend of wearing neutral colors that's been going for the past few seasons.

This is a trend that I just can't get fully on board with.  I see the allure of soft pinks and ivories (I have a few pieces in those colors), and I understand the versatility of the color family, but I can't understand the appeal of beiges, taupes, and browns.  To me, trying to match your clothes to your skin color looks dowdy and lifeless.  Fashion magazine after fashion magazine has encouraged choosing shades closest to your skin tone, and I just don't see how that does anything for the wearer.  When I went shoe-shopping recently, I even tried to like a few pairs of flesh-toned ballet flats because of the versatility, and I couldn't.

What does everyone think?  Am I crazy, or are neutral-toned outfits weird to more people than just me?

Smell of Summer

I really wanted to do a shoot in the mountains because the Flatirons are so beautiful, and they really capture the feeling of summer right now.  This is one of my favorite dresses - I usually only wear it in the fall because of the colors, but I thought it would work really well with the atmosphere of the mountains.

The pictures ended up with a little more of a senior portrait-y feel than I usually like, and they don't focus as much on the outfit. But it was still a lot of fun, and the effects on some of the shots are really cool!

On My Radar: The Sartorialist

Hello, my fellow bloggers!  Hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday evening.  Personally, I've been hiding inside (at the mall, in the yoga studio, etc.) for the past few days avoiding the searing heat.

My hairstylist introduced me to a wonderful fashion blog called The Sartorialist.  I'm sure some of you (if not all, and I'm just incredibly airheaded) have heard of it, since Scott Schuman and blog have become quite famous in the fashion world.  I particularly relate to The Sartorialist because his documentation of everyday street style that he comes across in his amazing adventures is what I hope to achieve eventually with my blog.

I'm not going to dilute his work by reposting his photography, so here's just the link: http://www.thesartorialist.com/
The blog is really inspiring, so I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!