Get the Look: Miranda Kerr's Leather Pants

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Miranda Kerr always looks amazing, regardless of what she is (or isn't!) wearing. While I am finally coming to terms with the fact that I will never look as amazing as Miranda does on an everyday, or any-day, basis, I am still extremely inspired by the leather pant trend and love Miranda's leather, sweater, and denim combination. This look is perfect for a cool summer or fall day.

1. Frye Carson Woven Ballet - $198 (Or these at $42)
2. Urban Outfitters Mix Stitch Sweater - $59
3. Lauren by Ralph Lauren Straw & Sheer Floppy Hat - $45
4. Anthropologie Cosmolito Loop - $48
5. Topshop Moto Fitted Denim Shirt - $40
6. Free People Vegan Leather Cropped Skinny - $128

7. Panda Monroe in Black Sunglasses - $120 (Or these at $12)

Because it is literally impossible to find a pair of affordable cognac leather pants, I decided on settling with a similar black pair. From there, I just loved contrasting the light denim with dark skinnies and wanted to add in a little warmth to the ensemble by including the cream sweater and red flats. The hat and sunglasses tie the black into the rest of the outfit, while the scarf pulls everything together, also adding a little more color. The woven flats and sweater's crochet texture add contrast to the outfit's sleek leather, keeping it interesting. I may not be Miranda Kerr, but I could totally rock this outfit!

Denim vests, shirts, and jackets are a total must-have for me for any season, what are yours?

Outfit: French Inspired Americana

 

 

(French Connection top, Just USA jeans, UO bag, Necklace via Stella Mae, Frye platforms, AA hoops, Alex & Ani Bangles)

After a rainy evening and morning, I decided to take advantage of the rain's short withdrawal and take some much needed pictures for a "front tie shirt" trend post for work. Before snapping the pictures of adorable tops; however, I decided to quickly document my french-artist-striving-to-make-it-work-in-NYC outfit. Inspired by the bright denim, I chose the top on a whim and loved the combination immediately. Also - to be frank, I am absolutely obsessed with my wood-platform new Frye Carlie Huarache platform sandals and take literally every opportunity to wear them. As platforms, they're even more comfortable than most of my flats and can wear them for my 6-8 hour shifts at work. Afterwards I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon with one of my best friends, get tea, taste a ton of olive oils and vinaigrette (just for fun!) and she approves of a dress that I have decided is necessary for my wardrobe from work. I hope everyone had as fulfilling a rainy Monday as I did and am wondering - How do you relish in those moments between rainstorms?

Collection: Marchesa Fall 2012 RTW

Codie Young 

Jasmine Tookes

Lara Mullen

Sara Blomqvist

Ginta Lapina

Maja Salamon

Ava Smith

Kate King

Othilia Simon

Jacquelyn Jablonski

Marchesa has done exactly what they do best - created a formal wear collection that makes the viewers wish, more than anything, that we could go to the Met. ball or Oscars, just for an excuse to wear one of these awe-inspiring pieces. Marchesa creates collections which bring us to another era. While last year's Fall RTW collection included many of the same elements emphasized this year (lace bodices, tulle and mini skirts), the feel of the collection is entirely Gothic - bringing the audience down to the Medieval Era, rather than this entirely airy and Victorian-inspired collection. The femininity of the lace, tulle, and ball gowns are perfectly contrasted with the austerity of the metals and harsh, almost miss-matched, embroidery. Georgina Chapman and Karen Craig's collection was unsurprisingly inspired by William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s nineteenth-century painting A Soul Brought to Heaven, to which we relate it as the models walk down the runway in the refreshingly light tulle, lace and even, at times, feathers. In fact, it is impossible to not imagine them soaring as goddesses through the clouds. One thing at least is for sure - if I were dressing a celeb for red carpets this year, Marchesa would be at the top of my list.

All photos borrowed from Vogue.

Get the Look: Whitney Port's Easy Geometric Shorts

Ex-The Hills star Whitney Port has mastered this summer's effortless outfit charm making a lazy-Sunday outfit chic enough to wear any day. She embraces oversize round sunglasses and geometric printed shorts as statement pieces, keeping the light jewelry, and tee shirt as quiet accents, making the outfit easy and breezy. She adds my favorite touch - the small, woven & chained bag - as a sophisticated piece to edge up the casual ensemble. In the summer  heat we are to expect this week in the northeast, something as simple as shorts and a loose tee sounds absolutely perfect.

1. Frye Stacy Studded Shoulder - $428 (Available @ Stella Mae in-store for BTV locals)

2. UO Mouchette Short Sleeve Shirttail Tee -$19

3.AJ Morgan Twig Oversize Sunglasses - $24.86

4. Free People High Waist Print Short - $78

5. Alex & Ani Bangles - ~$20-$70 (Available @ Jess Boutique for BTV Locals)

6. Fossil Bridgette Mini Stainless Steel Watch in Rose - $115

Rather than a straight-up geometric print, I decided to go a little more abstract for a easier summer feel and add my current Frye obsession to increase the intensity with woven leather and never-ending studs. I was never a bracelet fanatic until I bought my first Alex & Ani bracelet at Jess Boutique in BTV during my lunch break. They are simple, cute, and affordable, making them super wearable stacked on a wrist. Since my first purchase, I've bought two more and cannot seem to resist stopping in every time I get a new paycheck. Clearly mixing metals is a necessity in my jewelery habits - I can't help it! I just love gold, rose, copper, and silver together, I think it brings this mixture of femininity and edge to an outfit, which I am always looking to incorporate. While I made my version a little edgier, any easy summer outfit should have some simple, key assets (like the bangles, print, & watch) that pull it all together.

How do you feel about mixing metals in your jewelry, y/n?

Outfit: Something Old

 (UO Tunic, BDG Shorts, Alex & Ani Bracelets & Gifted Necklace)

I really started investing in cuter and nicer pieces to my wardrobe when I was about fifteen and a sophomore in high school. As I started getting more and more involved in my clothing, I also started getting more and more dissatisfied with pieces that I didn't think I really liked anymore - so I began bringing them to second hand stores and selling them. This tunic was one piece that I brought and they refused - so I had to keep it until I decided to donate it. Luckily for me, I was super lazy in high school and never actually did that so now - two years later - I rediscovered the piece when I was cleaning out my old room. I won't lie and say it's my new favorite shirt, but I'm definitely glad to have found it after these years. Granted, today was laundry day so I wasn't too creative with an outfit, but I'm excited to find ways to wear it with my newer, trendier pieces.

Have you found any pieces in your wardrobe that you're now seeing in a new light?

Friday Favorites: Summer 2012 Fedoras

With summer fast approaching, I've been on the lookout for a new summer hat to shade my insanely pale Welsh and German skin from the sun. As I already have an adorable classic sun hat from last summer, I'm on the market for something different. However, like with every trend I have a habit of being a little picky on How-To and How-To-NOT wear the classic Fedora. I think the typical tan, straw hat needs to go and make room for some more interesting options.

1. White

Who: Kate Spade New York

Where: Nordstrom

How Much: $78

Colors: White & Blue / Pink bow 

White is clean, fresh, and classic without being completely overdone. Adding a colorful tone gives this style the pop it needs to make one's outfit standout.

2. Patterned

Who: Shelli Segal

Where: Nordstrom

How Much: $38

Colors: Red/White, Black/White

Patterned accessories are an easy way to spice up some more simple summer outfits - or to go crazy (like I will!) and mix patterns on patterns on patterns. 

3. Dark

Who: Eugenia
Where: Shopbop
How Much: $264
Colors: Dark Brown/Snake
My last and favorite way to enjoy this trend is with a dark shade and definitely an accent or two - I'm in love with the mixing of textures in this hat; amazing.

When it's too hot to layer outfits and add interest, you have to add some interesting accessories, and with the classic tan straw look becoming tragically overseen, we have to start looking for alternatives in our summer hat wear. To me, it really comes down to: go bold or go home.