Filed under: My Style, bags, boots, coats, dresses, necklace | Tags: bags, boots, Coat, dress, favorites, necklace
A couple weeks ago Miss Sophie of Les Anti-Modernes tagged me to share some of my most-worn and valued pieces making an interesting point that this exercise “brings to light the depths of sartorial experience beyond just coveting beautiful, ‘fashionable’ things…your favorite dress, jacket or pair of shoes embodies memories and has transformative powers that make it special beyond its materiality alone.” Deep, right? Choosing which items to pick wasn’t easy at all, but here’s what I ended up with…
Chanel sunnies and Kors wool coat – The past few months I’ve rarely left my apartment without wearing these things. My eyes are super sensitive to sunlight (especially in the AM) and the coat’s been a necessity since the winter was FREEZING in DC.
St. John Collection dress – Knit dresses are definitely one of my wardrobe staples and my mother and I came across this perfectly form-fitting purple python print beauty on a shopping trip with my aunt – and all 3 of us walked out of the store with it! I’m telling ya there’s magic in this fabric – I don’t know what it is about it, but it fits like a dream and gives me instant confidence, even on fat days!
Ciao Bella boots – When I bought these a few months ago, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the caramel color. I thought the boots would either go with everything, or go with nothing – turns out they go with everything and I’ve been wearing them nonstop! They’re ridiculously comfy which is key since I walk everywhere…
Gemma Redux, Prima Donna, F21 and gifted necklaces, Louis Vuitton Palermo GM – I’ve been loving mixed metal necklaces and anything big and chunky for a while now and these are some of the ones I wear most often. The Gemma Redux was a birthday gift from Z, the chunky gold necklace was a present from my friend J’s store Prima Donna, and the layered gold necklace was a present from my mom. The bag was a present from Santa and is the perfect size for all the “stuff” I carry around.
Of course now that I’ve posted all of these I’m thinking of all of the items I didn’t pick and want to start over… I didn’t pick a pair of pretty heels because I honestly couldn’t choose which ones were my favorites. Same with my cocktail rings, I’m wearing them all constantly! We took photos of a few other things that didn’t turn out as well, but I’d also include my American Apparel leggings in black boa, Chanel 2.55 jumbo bag, and a nude lace Silence and Noise skirt that is unabashedly feminine…
What items would yall choose as your most-valued/treasured/worn? I’d love to know!
Filed under: My Style, boots, heels | Tags: bloggers with style, boots, Charles David, Dries Van Noten, Frye, heels, Louboutin, Prada
A few comments on this post last week inspired me to wonder what shoes other bloggers would chose to represent themselves and so I asked some of my favorite ladies, “what shoe would you be?” I am thrilled to share their responses with you because while each and every shoe is beautiful, they are all incredibly different as well!
Analiese of Tulips and Tea
“If I were a pair of shoes, I would be this pair of Prada espadrille wedges. Understated, yet elegant, these would lend an air of quiet sophistication to jeans yet pair just as beautifully with my favorite cobalt blue jersey knit dress. The earthy taupe color and graceful shape suggest an aura of organic simplicity.”
Bess of Style Sparkler
Christian Louboutin Glitter Pump in Fuxia
“If I were a shoe I would definitely be the Christian Louboutin Glitter Pump in Fuxia. My style is constantly changing but two things remain consistent: my love of glitter and the color pink. My go to outfit has always been classic dark jeans, a basic tee, and a really great heel!”
Christen of La Rue Neuve
Dries Van Noten High Heeled Sandals (Spring 2008)
“Dries is my all-time favorite designer. He isn’t too feminine, too urban or too ethnic but he uses all of these elements in his designs. This shoe embodies all of these. I love that there is an ankle strap making the high heel more comfortable. The beading is undeniably ethnic-inspired which is what I am most attracted to but the sparkle is eye-catching as well. I also like that they can be worn day or night. A great shoe, easy to wear and versatile? What else could a girl want?”
“I will admit that choosing my footwear counterpart sounded like a simple task; however, it was nothing of the sort. It wasn’t until I had weighed the value of everything from wedges to ballerinas that I came to the conclusion that, if I were a shoe, there is really no question about it… I would be Frye’s Jane Stitch in Redwood. While it lacks the sparkles, sequins, or imaginative, fairytale aesthetic so often associated with my personality; the Jane Stitch harbors a chameleon-like ability to weasel its way into any style situation, making them an ideal accompaniment to all ensembles – be it flirty frock in the summer or sinewy skinny jeans in the winter. Besides, they’re “a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll.” Precisely the way I like to think of myself!”
Grace Like Kelly
Charles by Charles David “Spicy” Pump in Red
“I picked out a pair that I actually own, and when I was shopping with my friends they all saw it and said that’s so you… so it only seemed appropriate. If I were a shoe, I’d be “Spicy”, this shoe is sultry, feminine and playful all at the same time. It’s classy and accessible, like me.”
Jessica of Style Obsession
Prada Criss-Cross Sandal in Brown
“Unapologetically classic, yet unstuffy. Prada’s Criss-Cross Sandal epitomizes my style with its understated sophistication by day. But with a simple change of a dress, it can transform into something sexy and undeniably chic.”
Katy of Tangerine Hearts
Christian Louboutin Candy Lace & Satin Spike Pump in Black
Kristin of BonBon Rose Girls
“I would be these fabulous Carven pumps. The platform and strong heel make them sturdy enough for me to be able to carry the dude around without feeling like I was going to keel over and send us both tumbling, plus they would be equally at home with a sundress or jeans…my wardrobe staples!”
For everyone else, what shoes would you be? It’s a fun idea to think about!Filed under: My Style, ballet flats | Tags: flats, Miu Miu, NEED IN MY LIFE
If you follow me on twitter, you may have seen me try to talk myself out of wanting these GORGEOUS shoes… but I’ve fallen completely, hopelessly, literally-brought-me-to-tears in love with them. I first saw them in black a few weeks ago and immediately put them on my “when they go on sale, I must buy” list… but just today I came across them in PINK and knew they needed to be mine. Like now. Like really 5 seconds ago.
If I were a shoe, I would hands down be the Miu Miu Bow Jeweled Ballet Flat in pink washed, napa leather. Pink! With bows! And sparkles! They’re incredibly girly but the golden hardware makes them seem a bit more serious. Since they’re flats they’re comfy (because I’m kinda lazy like that) but they’re far too striking to be just any old ballet flat. And they will go perfectly with (almost) every single LBD in my overflowing closet!
I mean seriously? SERIOUSLY.
Filed under: My Style, Sandals, dresses, flats, rings, swimwear | Tags: dress, Gold, Kevia, Loeffler Randall, Milly, Mint, rings, Sandals, swimwear, Valentine's Day
I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! After a busy couple of days moving things to the new apartment, I finally sat down on the couch ready to catch up on everyone’s blogs and NYFW coverage only to remember… I don’t have internet yet! Thank goodness for WIFI in the building or I might have cried! Anyway, I still have plenty of organizing to do so until I can get Comcast to come set up service, posting might be limited…
Here’s a quick peek at one of my Valentine’s Day presents from Z! You may have read about my recent life plan of amassing an incredible collection of cocktail rings by the time I’m a little old lady and this beauty is the newest addition to the collection! It’s actually a little lighter green than it appears here, but it’s a Kevia Rococo Cluster Stone Ring in Emerald and it’s so pretttttty! I’m loving the combination of minty green + gold right now…
I NEED this Milly Manila Coin-Embellished Dress and if I were to rock a one-piece the Anacapri Plunge-Front Swimsuit would be a so chic paired with these Loeffler Randall Carlie multi-strap leather sandals.
I’m off for now, but don’t forget to enter my Valentine’s Day giveaway! Entries will be accepted until Friday, because I’m a big believer in week long celebrations
So my closet purge wasn’t as successful as I planned (Dirty Sexy Money marathon got in the way), although I did get about a third of the way through my closet just in time to realize that my LBD obsession might just be a little out of control… How many is too many? (more than 20?) I haven’t quite decided, but I’m officially banning myself from buying any more… (at least for now). I managed to purge a few from my collection, but here are a few shots of ones that made the cut!
I actually forgot I bought this ruffled LBD a couple months ago, but it’s fun and was an impulse <$20 H&M purchase that I have yet to wear… I love that it’s a bit ballerina inspired with the light, layered skirt and would LOVE to be able to pair it with these McQueen ballerina pumps (oh if only)!
This is the LBD I previously mentioned “accidentally” buying before the holidays. I did end up wearing it to a Christmas party and love the way the bow detail is waist-cinching and the mesh layer on top gives the illusion of being a little more covered up.
My very fashionable mother found this St. John Collection dress when she was shopping and loved it but they only had it in my size – so yay for me! It’s really so much prettier in person and can be worn strapless with the ribbon tied in a bow at the bust or as a halter. I only wish I had an occasion to wear it!
This amazing MaxStudio dress has Grecian draping at the bottom and really flattering ruching along the bodice. I don’t wear it often, but I feel like its one of those timeless pieces that I might grow to love even more some day.
I firmly believe that every woman should have at least one LBD that always makes them feel great. This BCBG dress happens to be mine… Something about the symmetrical deep V in both the front and back + banded high waist + origami pleating just does all the right things for my body type.
Do you have a go-to LBD? Or a particular outfit that you know always works? I’d love to know
Filed under: My Style, dresses, heels, skirts, tunic | Tags: Burberry, dress, heels, lace, Louboutin, outfit, Theory, Topshop, Tory Burch, Trinity, tunic
(via NY Mag)
I’ve been smitten with this little black dress from Akris’s Fall 2009 collection (the back is even more amazing) and this lace dress from Philip Lim’s Resort 2010 collection since I first saw each of them. Anything lacey has been catching my eye lately, so I was really excited to find this dress while “accidentally” shopping a couple weekends ago…
(Blazer – Theory, Dress – Trinity Organic, Pumps – Burberry)
Throwing a fitted blazer over a pretty dress is my go-to outfit for work/play/life these days… I love that this dress looks great with tights and boots now but is totally made for sunny, spring days (which i really, really can’t wait for)! I randomly found it at Filene’s marked down to a ridiculous price of something like $16 so of course, I couldn’t resist. It’s fairly shapeless but a skinny belt will fix that. It doesn’t matter under a fitted blazer anyway and the lace is so pretty that’s all that I care about!
A few other lacey pieces I wouldn’t mind having in my closet right about now: Urban Outfitters Thistlepearl Lace Dress ($30) / Christian Louboutin Candy 85 Pumps (on sale for $643 here if you’re a 35.5) / Tory Burch Lace Tunic ($495)
Filed under: My Style, camera, rings | Tags: ABS, boots, Bounkit, bracelet, heels, Iosselliani, Marta Per, Noir, rings, watch, YSL
I had a little bit of an epiphany this weekend when I was getting ready to meet Christen for lunch at Zaytinya – apparently, I’m sort of lazy when it comes to my outfits… No, not lazy in the “sweatpants and Uggs” kind of way (never!) and not even in a “jeans and a t-shirt” kind of way… I simply gravitate toward dresses, usually comfortable dresses, because they’re easy to throw on and don’t need to “coordinate” with any other piece of clothing.
This idea of being “lazy” about dressing was a little bit perplexing at first and I immediately thought “Oh no! Do I need to go out and but a whole new wardrobe full of separates?!?” Maybe it’s the result of 15 years at an all girls prep school in the south. Or the fact that I’m 5ft tall and have to get every single pair of pants altered. Or the fact that I’m not a morning person and want to expend the least amount of energy possible picking out what to wear. Whatever the reason, so be it. Hi, my name is Elle and I don’t wear pants. I almost always wear dresses, and maybe that’s boring, but I do, however, wear a ton of accessories and pretty, pretty shoes…
(Bracelet – gift from aunt, David Yurman Waverly Diamond Cuff Watch, Cluster Rhinestone Ring, Rhinestone bracelet)
(Stewart Weitzman ankle boots, Prada velvet studded pumps)
(Coral and gold wire cuff – Prima Donna NY, Faux pearl and crystal ring)
Above photos and artwork via Wonderfelle
I’m still learning how to use my new camera so I spent some time taking pictures of random things in my apartment to practice this weekend. Which sort of lead me to the recent decision/goal/life plan that I want to amass a ridiculous collection of cocktail rings. Like one day I want to be a little old lady with a whole room creepily full of thousands of big, bold cocktail rings from all over the world. Why cocktail rings? (Why not?) I almost never leave home without one. They’re fun little statement pieces and they don’t wear out the same way that pretty shoes do…
I’d love to add any (ahem, all) of these to my collection! ABS Black Magic Pave Ring ($85), Noir 2 Small Shells Connected Ring ($42), Iosselliani Mixed 5 Stack Loose Ring Set ($460), YSL Arty Metal Ring ($160), Marta Per Swarovski Pearl Cluster Ring ($108), Bounkit Multi Stone Vermeil Ring ($625)
Filed under: My Style, hair, necklace | Tags: Gemma Redux, hair, Immortal Beloved, Miguel Ases, Nikon D5000
On Friday I finally received a delayed Christmas present in the mail – a new DSLR camera! I actually got the Nikon D3000 on Christmas day, but Santa thought the D5000 was a better buy so I had to wait a bit for the new one. By no means am I well versed in cameras, but it seems to do a ton more things that my previous one, so I’m really excited to play with it more! (thanks Santa!)
Z snapped a few pics after I got my desperately needed haircut this weekend. I tried a new salon for the first time in 5 years and loved it! I went a little shorter than normal and my stylist took a ton of weight off (my hair is seriously thick) so it has so much more movement. I didn’t have any problems with my stylist at my old salon, Andre Chreky, but it was always super busy and sometimes felt rushed (and they started charging extra to block out more time to do my hair). Luckily Immortal Beloved opened a few months ago in my neighborhood and I’m happy to say its very deserving of the great reviews so far (plus the space is amazing). If you live in the DC area, I’d highly recommend it!
(Gemma Redux mixed metal layered necklace, Miguel Ases pearl necklace, hair by Nate at Immortal Beloved)
