Latest Obsession: Jason Wu's Pre-Fall 2014 Collection

           Just as everyone is getting over the S/S14 collections, Pre-Fall pops up with a fresh perspective. While shorts and sundresses are far in the future for most of us, this handful of shows brings us back to the reality of layers and earth tones. We can actually apply the styling to our current outfits and gather inspiration for our winter shopping.

           That's why I'm loving Jason Wu's Pre-Fall 2014 collection. I has everything I want from a fall/winter wardrobe, by balancing thick knits and leather with thin lace and silk. He applied simple layering techniques that all of us on the East Coast can appreciate, like wearing a big sweater over a flowy dress. Nothing is too complex about his pieces, just clean, comfortable clothes that are beautifully understated. His gowns are divine! Who wouldn't want to wear one to a holiday party? And I'm all about his sweater and leather jacket combo. You get the rigidity of a leather moto jacket, with all the cozy warmth of a sweater.

            Another thing I really like, while subtle, is his pairing of neutrals. For anyone who doesn't believing in wearing brown and black together, Wu proves that it can be done. Breaking the "rules" can be refreshing, especially in the winter when your biggest concern is staying warm. Lastly, the pointed toe is here to stay and his double buckle, ankle strap heels and booties are a must-have.

photo credits: Fashionista.com

Apple Picking

         Fall is one of the upsides to living in rural New Hampshire. The leaves are beautiful when I'm driving around, the air smells crisp, my family stokes up the wood stove, and of course, we go apple picking! An annual family tradition, I always look forward to the pretty apple trees and eating apple cider donuts. However, I leave the actual picking to the rest of my family. After 15 plus years, I've found that it's much more fun to walk around and test each variety while my dad and brother are climbing the trees to grab the best apples. This year, I figured the time I spent wandering around would be a great chance to do a photoshoot. The orchard had a beautiful view of the mountains and a cute, little farmhouse sitting on the top of the hill.

hat - T.J.Maxx // scarf - gift // leather jacket -T.J.Maxx

 jeans - Charlotte Russe // ankle boots - Cole Haan

 

 

Photography courtesy of Jeff Ortakales. 

To see more of his talented work, visit his webpage at

 www.jortakalesphotography.com and like his Facebook page. 

Makeup: 

mascara - Diorshow by Dior 

eyeliner - e.l.f. Glitter Eyeshadow in "Night Owl"

lip color - Estee Lauder Lip Pencil in "Apple Cordial"

lip gloss - Victoria's Secret Minty Kiss

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Gold, Leather Accessories, and Navy

     Lately, I haven’t been able to keep gold out of my wardrobe! It’s what I typically wear for jewelry, whenever I find a gold piece of clothing I always seem to pick it over something else, and it’s my current nail color. For my birthday last Sunday, I went on a shopping spree at TJMaxx where I got a leather Cynthia Rowley purse (of course the hardware’s gold) and a complementing gold Michael Kors wallet. I also got a pair of Franco Sarto suede, wedge boots and Michael Kors suede, loafer flats, both of which have gold accents. Needless to say, I’m in love with gold (and leather)! This realization prompted me to do a themed photoshoot, incorporating navy pieces that I think look great with gold.

Greek fisherman’s hat; Express top; PacSun denim leggings; Cynthia Rowley handbag; gold pumps.

Vintage gold dress; Michael Kors wallet; Tahari wedge sandals.

 J.Crew cardigan; Charlotte Russe dress; Michael Kors loafers.

Vintage dress; Franco Sarto wedge boots.

Gold vintage jacket; navy Victoria’s Secret Top; PacSun denim leggings; Kelsi Dagger gladiator sandals.

J.Crew cardigan; Aeropostale halter; Forever 21 shorts; vintage lucite handbag; Charlotte Russe heels.

Purple Velvet, The Perfect Leather Jacket, & Cosmic Lycra

     Today, my friend Danielle and I relived 4th grade days and wore matching tops to school! Yes, normally something like this would be viewed as a fashion faux pas...however, some best friends have friendship bracelets, we have matching velvet corsets! The best part? We both have our own style so we wore them differently. She wore a black sweater over hers and I wore a maroon quarter-sleeve tee under mine.

 

     I also wore my new Victoria's Secret leather jacket to and from school to ward off the frosty, morning winds and chilly, afternoon breeze. I am totally in love with it, so don't be surprised if I wear it almost everyday! I've been on a hunt for the perfect leather jacket lately, envying starlets such as Taylor Momsen and Rachel Bilson, and realized this one just had to be on my Christmas wishlist!

     Another addition to my wardrobe via Christmas presents? These Charlotte Russe studded clogs--a trend I've been wanting to try for a while now. The fuzzy lining and thick heel make them so comfy, they may become my go-to pair of heels for winter.

And now for my astronomical (quite literally) Victoria's Secret purchases...

     I was thinking of saving the best for last, but I just couldn't wait. I've been eying this amazing monokini on victoriassecret.com and couldn't help buying it with the gift cards I got for Christmas. When I got it in the mail today all I wanted was for the snow to melt, the humidity to rise, and for another vacation from school! And it's a good thing I bought it when I did because I can't find it on the website anymore.

     I couldn't be happier with my swim suit...in fact, it was hard for me to take it off! I was tempted to just wear it all night long, despite the chill of early January and my family probably not enjoying that idea!

     And oh yah! I got this sweater too! It's not as exciting, but at least I don't have to wait a whole six months to wear it. Plus, there have been multiple times (mainly during the holidays) that I've needed a red sweater, but haven't had a very flattering or versatile option. So this was sort of my practical buy to offset my impulse buy, which in this case, turned out to be a very smart choice anyway!

 Hope everyone has a lovely beginning to their week!

PS - Sorry I haven't been posting my "Who Belongs to These Shoes" segment very regularly. I've been reconsidering the day I normally post it, so stay tuned! It'll return...just perhaps on a different day!