Thursday, January 31, 2013

Downtown Prep


I used to think of pearls exclusively as über conservative and limited to preppy ladies who lunch at country clubs (most likely named Muffy Von Something or other.) While I have obviously changed my mind, they still do make me feel a tad more lady-like. 

There is no better way to ensure that my work outfits don't lean too much to the conservative than throwing in some leather. I fully believe leather makes everything better. Just imagine if I had (GASP) worn a plain knee-length skirt with this-- I'd be scared to walk out the door.


So this is my attempt to give prep the edge that it so desperately needs.



 SweaterJ. Crew Tippi Crewneck // Top: Equipment Signature Blouse
Skirt: H&M (old but similar here and here) // Necklace: BaubleBar (similar here and here)

{Details, Details, Details}


I have both the blouse and sweater in multiple colors and patterns. The Equipment blouses aren't cheap, but they last and the cut is so worth it (plus, they go on sale!) The J. Crew Tippi is a great basic that you really can wear with anything. I'm a fan of both too because its so easy to dress them up and down (great for someone like me who enjoys multiple outfit changes.)

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Urban Jungle

Do not adjust your screens, I am in fact wearing short sleeves in January! Apparently Mother Nature is trying to make up for the bone-chilling weather of last week with today and tomorrow's "heatwave." 

Perhaps its the warm weather that's gotten me thinking about jungles and the tropics...or I just haven't worn this dress in a while. Either way, I'll take it. 

Dress: Marc by Marc Jacobs Panthera Silk Jacquard Dress {Last year but found this one and this one}

I love this dress because I can throw it on and feel put together even when I'm not-- it only feels like I'm wearing pj's. If you really want this exact one, just keep an eye out on ebay.


Details: Marc by Marc Jacobs Panther Dress  // Necklace: Fenton Fallon for J. Crew {Old but you could layer this one  and this one  for a similar feel)  // Ring: From Ambiance in San Francisco {similar here}

Oxford Booties: Imposter {old from Loehmann's but similar here and here}

Now, go enjoy the sun!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Better off Red

Red is one of those colors that I love in theory but find it hard to pull of in real life. I have a few red items that I adore, but lately only serve the purpose of adding color to my closet. It always made me feel a little too Va Va Voom for daytime.

Lately I've been noticing though that I keep being drawn to a lot of Red-centric looks. So my new mission is to incorporate more red in my daily style, while avoiding the overly Vegas or Valentine overtones. 

The key seems to be incorporating at least one pattern and/or contrasting color that both compliment, but also tone down, the boldness of the red. As always, accessories are my favorite icing on the cake (er, outfit.)

These lovelies pull it off perfectly!




A Lacey Perspective: Red Booties 

Of course, sometimes a piece is so stunning that it deserves to pop all on its own. This one wakes you up more than a triple espresso!

The bag is just the icing on the cake

Friday, January 25, 2013

Fancy Friday



Let's all take a cue from Lady Mary and embrace the cold weather. Who says you have to dress down?

Have a great weekend!

Everything Old is New Again

It goes without saying (though of course I am anyway) that I love new things. Whether its a new pair of boots or a new can opener, I get a little giddy every time. On the other hand, I'm a firm believer that  if you hold onto something long enough, it will come back around. I'm not talking Girl Scout uniforms, but a tuxedo jacket or alligator boots? YES! This may explain why my closet is the size of a small bedroom.

I won't even get started on how much I love vintage-- if you wanted to read an ode to 1940's satin gloves you probably wouldn't be here. Actually, I'll likely just save that for another week-- you've been warned.

So long story short, nothing I'm wearing is new but I've managed to mix it up enough that I don't feel like I'm haunted by ghosts of outfits past.


Ring: From Ambiance in San Francisco (similar) // Belt: Vintage (similar) // Bracelet: Vintage shop in Philly (similar here and here) // Earrings: Sorrelli (buy them here!)

Go buy these earrings  now. I wear them at least 2-3 times a week and they have just enough punch to kick up an outfit.


Boots: Faux Crocodile by BCBGirls (old but sort of similar here and here)

Dress: BB Dakota (old but this and this would work) // Long sleeve tee: Theory (old but similar here ) // Leggings: Lululemon Wunder Unders (buy them here) // Vest: This was a major score. Real rabbit fur for under $50 in Paris! Couldn't resist. (Almost identical here)

Wunder Unders are not only the most comfortable leggings in the world, but you can ACTUALLY work out in them (what they are made for), not just wear them as real clothes like I do. So really its a 2 for 1, aka a steal!



Thursday, January 24, 2013

Pants Party

Before we get down to the very serious business of the outfit (and the aforementioned pants party), lets take a minute to look at more shiny things...

Bracelet: J. Crew Classic Pave (here) // Earrings: J. Crew (old but similar herehere and here)

I recently lifted my long-standing pants ban. These babies were just too fun to not take home with me. Of course after there I had to snap up every pair of faux leather leggings in sight, but that's a whole other story.


Faux fur vest: French Connection (old) // Pants: AllSaints Coated denim (old, but similar herehere, and here) // Sweater: J. Crew (old but similar here and here)

Pants: AllSaints Coated denim (old, but similar herehere, and here) // Boots: Pour La Victoire (Last year, but on Amazon here)


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The Best Kind of Souvenir


My parents went to Italy for two weeks and all I got was this...stunning Giorgio Armani leather sash. It is the most supple, soft, buttery leather piece I have ever owned and I have a feeling I'll be wearing it all the time. I love it so much I never want to take it off. You can belt PJ's right??


Since the weather in D.C. today is a bone chilling 20 degrees, I used my new toy to belt my longest and coziest sweater I own. Essentially, I feel like I am wearing a bathrobe, but it looks like I am wearing real clothes (always a win.)


Sweater: Kier + J (old, similar here)// Belt: Giorgio Armani (almost identical here)// Pants: Paige Denim Verdugo Skinny Pant (got at Nordstrom Rack but for sale here )// Boots: Frye Harlow Campus Boots (similar )

Bracelets: Skulls (random eBay find but dream version here), BaubleBar Pave Cone Cuffs (here)

 Necklace: CC Skye (exact one here)


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Go Big or Go Home


Sunglasses: Karen Walker 'Perfect Day' {in tortoise here} // Asos Faux Fur Snood {grey version here}

This pretty much sums up my personal style. The only thing I want to blend in is my makeup. While most people get more conservative as they get older, I've gotten more experimental. I'm not talking aluminum foil dresses guys, but big vintage coats, crazy pattern dresses, and lots of shiny things.

I spent so much of my life caring first about what other people thought and secondly how I felt. Of course its a great feeling when everyone likes you (and your outfit), but I'm finally at the point now where I think about what I like more than what everyone else might. I guess that's my version of growing up.

Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn. -Gore Vidal

Pret-A-Papier

My Mom and I decided to have a girls day and take a trip to Hillwood Estate and Museum. Its tucked away in Rock Creek Park and wandering around the feels like you've been whisked away to Europe, not DC. It was bought by Marjorie Merriweather Post and filled with treasures like this chandelier and Russian Imperial Crown. 
Unlike a museum, the artwork and artifacts are in all of the living spaces, so you really get the feel of what it was like to live there. Every few steps you see something more decadent than the last-- I personally wouldn't mind taking home a chandelier and necklace or two...






















While the estate is an exhibit in and of itself, the real reason we came today was to see "Pret-A-Papier," an exhibit of Isabelle de Borchgrave's works. She is a Belgian artist who recreates haute couture, both past and present, with decadent colors, patterns and intricate textures. With inspiration ranging from Marie Antoinette to 1920's Lanvin, her handiwork is incredible....and a bit of an illusion. None of these dresses are made with even a scrap of cloth-- they are done entirely with paper. 

Even up close, its hard to imagine that the pleating, draping, and beautiful patterns are done with fabric (its also REALLY hard to not touch them, but I managed to keep my hands to myself.)



 French 18th century in the style of Marie Antoinette



 {Clockwise from top left} 18th Century Housedress, French 18th Century Dress a La Polonaise, Fortuny Dresses, 1924 Lanvin Recreation



Details of the fan dress, the train and dress based on one worn to Napoleon's wedding

Monday, January 21, 2013

Cuckoo for Coco

Chanel that is. Some people dream of owning a house in the burbs with a white picket fence-- I dream of one day owning a vintage Chanel 2.55 bag. Until then, I figured I can at least pay homage to the great CC with my outfit.


Banana Republic v-neck sweater // J. Crew Lady Jacket (on sale too!) // Zara Wax Coated Denim (on sale now!) // Ash Women's Original Fold-Over Boot (majorly on sale at Amazon)Bauble Bar multi-strand pearl necklace (Adore this one) and (This one) + vintage Ben Amun chain // Small pearl drop earrings // Michael Kors Oversized Runway watch



If anyone does have some vintage Chanel they're tired of, I'd be happy to take it off their hands. A girl can dream right?

Friday, January 18, 2013

Shiny Things


Anyone who has met (or even glanced at my Instagram feed) knows that I like my gold, sparkles, and statement pieces. These earrings by Amrita Singh (Same style, different color) fit all three categories. The blue green color combination punches up my usual array of black outfits perfectly. 

I pretty much live in these two bracelets by J. Crew, which pretty much go with everything. They still have the Classic Pave Bracelet and the Wild Side Bangle (but different pattern.)  

In addition to my insatiable love affair with accessories, a few well-meaning friends have also suggested an intervention for my faux fur addiction. Thanks, but I'm perfectly content with a healthy dose of denial.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Opposites Attract




We're supposed to get an inch (GASP) of snow in D.C. today, which means the city pretty much shuts down. Since realistically this means a little drizzle and slush, I figured I would save my ballgown for tomorrow. My favorite Spike the Punch Crystal Statement Necklace makes any outfit fancier. Today, I paired it with a J. Crew sweatshirt (similar), Max Studio faux leather (sounds so much nicer than 'pleather' right?) mini (my dream version), black opaque tights, and BCBG Rachel wedge boot (On sale on Gilt!)

And since its all about the details...

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Rain Rain Go Away

Grey. Rainy. Mid-week. This combination does not inspire outrageous outfits and colors. Time for... Diane Von Furstenberg cable-knit sweaterdress (old), Black vintage slouch boots, White and silver cuff (ebay), Michael Kors Runway Watch (Bloomingdale's), and my favorite multi-chain necklace from a little store in San Francisco (Seams)

Welcome to the Party

Although I've been in love with clothes ever since I was old enough to pick out my own outfits for kindergarten, this is my first attempt to put all my thoughts in one place. I've always leaned more towards the creative side, but since I'm no Monet, fashion has become my creative outlet.

 ***We are pretending this is my actual closet, just go with it***

All About Oxblood

Dress : Petit Bateau {almost identical here } // Jacket : Rachel Zoe {try this , this  or this } // Necklace : Baublebar // Hat...