Tribal Print

Memorial Day for me has a few different meanings...it's the unofficial start of summer, my birthday usually falls over the weekend (this year it's the holiday—today!) and it seems to be the official start of wedding season. Since I spent yesterday at one of those ceremonies, I knew I needed a dress that was fun and birthday-like, too. I opted for a colorful, printed Mara Hoffman dress, added sparkly, bright earrings and threw on a fun pair of heels!

 I'm not usually one for anything too tight or short, but I've been lusting over Mara Hoffman's prints for a while and liked the higher neckline on this piece. And, let's be totally honest, the turquoise color had me hooked, too. I've also been looking for a chance to wear my Prabal Gurung for Target heels—I scooped them up over a year ago, but between the never-ending winter and my more casual work attire (read: jeans, sneakers and t-shirts) they've been stuffed away for far too long.

The ceremony was up in Dubuque, Iowa, a beautiful little city up on the Mississippi River where Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin meet. I wish I'd had more time to get some photos of the beautiful view from the park where the ceremony was, high up over the river, but between the 3 hour drive there and back from Des Moines and all the fun in between, there wasn't near enough time to wander around and soak up the beautiful day. Putting it on my must-do list for the future, especially since Galena, Illinois across the river is known for their antiques and beautiful architecture (and I'm a sucker for both!).

Mara Hoffman Dress c/o Zappos || Aldo Crossbody c/o Zappos || Prabal Gurung for Target Heels (similar, on sale!)
Badgley Mischka Earrings (similar, only $36) || Sequin Bangles || Givenchy Le Rouge in Magnolia Organza

Weekly Wants

Look at me, getting my sh*t together this week (so far)...but since I've long been eyeing so many of the things in this week's post, it was pretty easy to pull together. I've even been to the gym and done some cleaning, with plans to hit up a spin class, get drinks with a few friends and *hopefully* relax by the weekend.

I'm simplifying my look now that the weather's getting much colder-a sweatshirt, relaxed jeans and slip on shoes would be perfect to have on hand every day. Simple accessories like a pink lip & this adorable map necklace from Three Jane are all I need, especially once the jackets and scarves start to pile up. 

Clockwise from top left: Franco Sarto Zahara Shoes || Target Decanter || NARS Velvet Matte Pencil in Never Say Never || Todd Snyder x Champion Sweatshirt || Express Stella (minus the) Leather Legging || Siiso Giclee Print || Pickwick and Weller Hanna T-shirt || Three Jane Map Necklace || Zara Fur Shopper || The Beau by AG Jeans || Terrain Tumbes Throw || Lulu & Georgia Sweet Pea Jar || Être Cécil Cheetah Striped Tee

Weekend Casual

Once the event-loaded month of September died down, I finally had a few weekends to relax and just enjoy my city. I have been living in casual looks like the one you see here-and these pants from Express have been no exception. You may remember I've been crushing on the rag&bone version, but when I found these for just a third of the price (and then got another 25% off) I knew I had to get them. The other great thing about easy weekends is I'm able to carry around a much smaller bag-like this one from Danielle Nicole! It's a known fact I love the color blue, and this cross-body is the perfect size to fit my wallet, a good book and a few other essentials.

Jacket, old (similar) || T-shirt, Target || Necklace, vintage || Pants, Express || Shoes, Zara

Bag, Danielle Nicole || Polish, OPI Every Month is Oktoberfest

Swingy Skirts

I'm sure you've been seeing plenty of New Yorkers (bloggers & otherwise) talking about the little Indian Summer in NYC and I hate to jump on the bandwagon, but it's true. Despite the fact that these photos seriously allude to fall (hello, colorful leaves!) all last week we had temperatures in the 70's and 80's. I had to get the last few miles of no tights out of my swingy a-line skirts while I still could! 

I stayed up very late the night 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target came out-blame it on my recent addiction to Scandal (in case you're wondering-I'm all caught up as of last night!). I was more and more disappointed with the fit as I tried each item on, but I was saving the skirt for last-and I'm so glad I did. It's long enough to wear to work, incredibly flattering and just plain fun. Oh, and the tote? It's 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target, too...of course I was going to keep that!

T-shirt, Pickwick & Weller || Skirt and Tote, Phillip Lim for Target

Boots, Zara || Necklace, Sequin Jewelry || Lipstick, Model Co

*One last thing* 

I feel like most girls dream of being able to be in NYC for New York Fashion Week at least once in their life, but not everyone is lucky enough to live here (or even get invited!). You all know I've been blessed to be able to attend because of work since I first moved here, but now you can enter for a chance to attend the next one!

ECCO is giving away an all-expenses-paid trip to NYFW through their Smile Your Way to Style sweepstakes. All you have to do is vote for your favorite pair of shoes from their Sculptured 75 line-so easy! They'll give away a free pair of shoes each week and the Grand Prize winner will win a trip for 2 to NYC in February. Hopefully, it's you, ya' lucky reader, so we can meet up in NYC! Head over here to enter-good luck! :)

Style Anatomy: Wine & Leather

I can have a lot of trouble getting dressed in the mornings. Sometimes, I know exactly what I want to wear and it comes out just how I imagined, but more often than not I end up hating everything I own because combinations always look much better in my head than in the mirror. I forget about the little details-the fit, the hardware, the colors-that can make a seemingly perfect combination clash. I've found that if I focus on one piece I'd really like to wear and build up from there, it can (sometimes-not always) lead to a look I really love, like this one!

This look started with the leather accented oxblood top. I was heading to a show at Terminal 5 in the evening and knew I wanted something brooding, tinged with punk, so I added a pair of black skinnies and my favorite Jeffrey Campbells. Chilly fall weather calls for a jacket, and nothing says rock-n-roll like a leather one. Since I'm rarely without lip color, I opted for a dark wine-tinted stain. The final touches are, of course, all in blue. I picked up this hat a few weeks ago and had been itching for the perfect opportunity to wear it; the sunnies & scarf are regulars in my arsenal and happened to blend seamlessly into the rest of this look. Et, voilà! So many of my favorite pieces, working in harmony. 

Jacket, L.A. find (similar) || Top, Zara (similar) || Jeans, 7 For All Mankind

Boots, Jeffrey Campbell || Bag, Phillip Lim for Target || Scarf, Italian street vendor

Hat, Goorin Brothers || Sunglasses, Ray-Ban || Lipstain, Bite Beauty || Blue & Gold Necklace, Lionette

Photos: Ashley Manfred

Colorblock

Happy spring! I think, anyways. I'm pretty sure someone didn't let NYC (or Iowa, for that matter) know about its impending arrival as it's still far too cold out and the ten day is dashing any raised hopes I could have. This colorblocked pants & top duo came out for a day of meetings at the office, and look-I'm wearing real heels! (I own a lot but I never have much of a reason to wear them as my office is pretty casual.) This isn't the first time I've styled a mint & mustard color combo, either. Check out how I wore it last fall here.

 (side note-my hair looks so BLONDE! I can't wait for summer.)

Coat, Zara (last fall) | Top, Target | Pants, H&M | Necklace & Bangles, Sequin

Ring, Silpada | Shoes, Ellen Tracy (similar) | Lipstick, NARS in Funny Face

Here's hoping if I continue to dress in colors, spring will follow. Although, if the weather followed my dressing patterns, it would always be spring & summer.

Thanks for taking my pictures, Jessica!

xx

Pickwick & Weller

I stumbled across the up & coming t-shirt company Pickwick & Weller a few months back (co-founded by fellow Iowan Ashton Kutchter!) and decided it was time I tried out a new brand for my t-shirt addiction needs (evidence: my first-ever outfit post here). I placed an order that week and proceeded to live in my shirt for much of the next few weeks, so it's a little surprising it hasn't made it onto the blog til now!

Not only is the T super soft & made right here in the USA, but Pickwick & Weller's customer service is downright incredible. My shirt arrived in cute, easy to recycle packaging, I received an email followup a few days later & had lots of easygoing interaction with their employees via Twitter and Instagram (I first wore it here). I cannot recommend them enough & they've gained a loyal customer who has plans to stock up on several of their styles! 

Bonus: free shipping & 20% off orders for new customers when you sign up for emails!

Coat, Tracy Reese | Cardigan, Target (similar) | T-shirt, Pickwick & Weller Arabella Classic in Smoke

Gloves, Zara | Purse, street vendor in Italy | Necklace, Sparkle Farm | Jeans, BDG at Urban Outfitters

I know I kept the T pretty covered up-it was freezing out when we took these pictures a few weeks back!

Thanks for taking my pictures, Jessica!

xx

No Parking

Some days, when I get dressed, I like what I'm wearing. Other days, I hate it. There are times I wish I tried harder, and put more thought into what I purchase, how I style it and the way I get dressed in the morning.

Then, there are days where I put something on and feel unequivocally me. That picture above (that is now the welcoming image to this blog)? That is my personality, in a nutshell. Brightly colored clothing, wacky (amazing) green nail polish, tons of rings and a bit of gold hardware all in front of NYC street art. Love, yours truly.

Coat, Plenty by Tracy Reese | Scarf, street vendor in Italy | Purse, Francesca's Collections (similar)

Blazer, Charlotte Russe | T-shirt, Target | Jeans, Hudson | Shoes, Steve Madden

Rings, unique/vintage finds | Nails, Butter London in Trustafarian | Lipstick, NARS Matte in Carthage

Thanks for taking my pictures Jen!

xx

Prabal Gurung x Target

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few months, you know that Prabal Gurung is Target's featured designer collaboration right now. The collection, titled "Love," launched Sunday and encompasses more than 100 different styles, hitting on all the latest trends (black & white, florals, color blocking). The ever-adorable Olivia Thirlby is featured in the ad spot & it really does make you fall in love. With the collection, of course!

Needless to say, I got home very late Saturday night (so, technically Sunday) and logged on to Target's site. I've already scooped up three pieces & will probably get a few more once my bank account and I are on better terms! I've pulled together my top picks from the collab, some of my absolute favorites being those incredible florals.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

Will you be getting anything from the Prabal Gurung collection? Any guesses what I already purchased?

xx

New York Fashion Week, Part 1

I can't believe it's New York Fashion Week again! Time flies-I knew it was coming, but after all the craziness of the last few weeks I feel slightly unprepared for it.

Clockwise: The chandeliers at The Standard for Houghton, Lincoln Center late Wednesday night, 

the rundown for Tadashi Shoji, a stunning red gown on the Tadashi Shoji FW 2013 Runway

I am blessed to be able to attend the shows my company designs jewelry for each runway season, along with other events and presentations, but I did use the blizzard as an excuse to spend my Friday night on my couch, having a date with my 3+ hours of TiVo that I didn't have time to watch this week (and giving my nails a fresh mani!).

I kicked off NYFW with the Aquafina + Project Runway Pure Challenge on Wednesday night (they had glowing ice cubes in the cocktails, how cool is that?) followed by the Tadashi Shoji and Houghton shows on Thursday. Nobody ever tells you how exhausting fashion week is until you're experiencing it yourself, dashing from one event to the next, trying to make sure you document everything (and, if you run a blog and do social media for your company, post about everything in as close to real time as possible!).  Regardless, it is a ton of fun and I always look forward to the great people I get to meet and see.

Jacket, Dolan Clothing (on sale!) | T-Shirt, Target | Necklace, Sequin | Skirt, thrifted

Coat, Zara | Tights, Hue | Boots, Steve Madden (similar)

Happy weekend! Wish me luck trekking through the snow tundra that is NYC today.

xx

Thanks for taking my pictures Suzie!

Layered Neutrals

And I'm back! Sorry for the silence this week, it was completely unplanned but in all honesty somewhat expected. I've been working six to seven days a week and was at work past one in the morning earlier this week. Throw in the start of fashion week (officially, today!) and you have one busy bee over here. Which also explains why these pictures were taken a couple weeks ago and I'm just getting around to posting them! It was getting dark fast by the time we got around to shooting, but I did love my layered neutrals/slightly western look that day & I'm certainly looking forward to the longer days that are creeping up on us! Now, enough of my over-exhausted babbling & on to the photos.

Coat, Zara | Scarf, small shop in Greenwich Village | Sweater, Madewell (borrowed from Jessica)

T-Shirt, Target | Skirt, Free People | Shoes, Steve Madden (similar) | Necklace, vintage

P.S. Want to keep up with me during Fashion Week? Follow me on Twitter & Instagram!

Thanks for taking my pictures Jessica :)

xx

Leopard Sweater + Bright Accents

A cozy sweater, a white t-shirt, and some bright pops of color (hello, yellow!)...this outfit has all of my favorite things in it! I'm so glad I got to snap it in front of the gorgeous Gramercy Park downtown, which still had some pops of color left in it for me (thanks Jessica for taking my photos).

Coat, Guess | Sweater, Loft | Jeans, 7 For All Mankind | Boots, Chinese Laundry

T-Shirt, Target | Bracelets, all Sequin | Rings, vintage finds/gifts from family

Diamond Palm Tree Necklace, Greenberg's | Lipstick, NARS Matte in Carthage

This super-casual look sums up so much of my personal style-classic skinnies, boots, and a white T, with a little bling & an unexpected pattern. It'll definitely be a repeat, I'm sure!

Happy Tuesday!

xx