When chic and crafty collide, beautiful things can happen — case in point: these elegant Etsy finds. Enjoy a dose of heavenly hand-crafted delights: 1. “Crystal” Lace Top with Tassels, $30 from DDSLGirlsStore. How cute would this be with a … Continue reading
outfit of the day: eye of the tiger
Tiger top: H&M | Acid-wash jeans: H&M | Mesh heels: Forever 21 | Ear cuff: Freedom at TopShop | Cross ring: Forever 21 | Metallic clutch: Marc Jacobs
quick chic: DIY chain heels in just 5 steps
Ah, the classic black pump: timeless, versatile, classy, but albeit a bit snooze-inducing. How fab would it be if those same tired heels could pack more of a punch? If you’re looking for a quick way to inject some devilish … Continue reading
outfit of the day: may flowers & mesh
Floral top: H&M | Neon skirt: H&M | Mesh heels: Forever 21 | Triangle necklace: ASOS
outfit of the day: on the fringe
Top: Cotton On | Fringe skirt: Forever21 | Shoes: Bamboo | Clutch: Aldo | Necklace: Topshop
outfit of the day: the lion and the lace
Lace top: Thrifted | Maxi dress (underneath): Forever21 | Clutch: handmade by moi | Lion Head Necklace: Mango | Sandals: Dolce Vita
outfit of the day: downtown harem pant + breezy boho beads
Top: H&M | Pants: Forever21 | Shoes: Wild Rose | Necklace: Charlotte Russe Can you believe this necklace was on sale for THREE dollars?! Sure, its only plastic but I love the unique boho vibe … Continue reading
accessory report: join the raffia mafia
While typically reserved for flamboyantly floppy sunhats and hip-shaking hula dancers, raffia has been granted a new life this summer season thanks to big-name design houses like Dolce and Gabbana and Tory Burch. The easy-going feeling of the straw … Continue reading
artsy fartsy discovery: flora on fire
close up Still life is possibly one of the most recognizable genres of art. From Cezanne’s juicy bowls of fruit to the Dutch masters’ eerie compositions of cadaverous skulls, still lifes hold a substantial spot in the world of art … Continue reading
what’s black and white and trendy all over?
Alright, I’ll admit that when I first noticed this trend I didn’t quite have a gotta-have-it-right-now love-at-first-sight reaction. To me the bold black and white stripes looked more like a discounted Halloween costume referee outfit than chic streetwear. It just seemed … Continue reading
holographic intergalactic: a dose of inspiration
Marios Schwab Du Abu Poetic Cosmos of the Breath, Tomas Saraceno nymag.com prettyyouth.tumblr.com Chanel Sportmax Manik Mercian Andras Horvath Your Eyes Lie scarf ASOS Subodh Gupta Sportmax pshiiit.com chicwish.com Madame Figaro constellation earrings Bjoern Ewers Lacoste From brilliantly bold holographic … Continue reading
geology + geometry part II
Debuting new additions to my etsy shop, all drawing inspiration from the dynamic Earth we walk upon. Hope you like them! To take a closer look, click here. “Molten Magma” necklace in teal – seventeen “Molten Magma” necklace in magenta … Continue reading
picture perfect pastel: an etsy exclusive
Even with winter jewel tones running rampant, it seems I just cannot shake my passion for pastel. There’s something about a soft pastel pink that is just oh-so-lovely. Sure rubies and sapphires are delightful, but pastels are the very essence … Continue reading
auld lang chic: 7 ways to make your New Year’s Eve outfit stand out
Tis the season for sparkle and shine, especially on New Year’s Eve. But when everyone around you is dressed their best in shimmering shifts and marvelous metallics, how can you possibly stand out? Try one (or all) of these 7 … Continue reading
bright blooms: a pretty petal lamp DIY
Pretty up an average white paper lantern with soft, playful petals. You’ll need: And this Petal template to help you cut precisely if you’re a perfectionist like me. *(Specifics: To cover my 8″ diameter paper lantern — about $10 including the hanging … Continue reading
shark week chic: celebrating in style
Enter the water if you dare — Shark Week is here. I had never paid much attention to Shark Week. The hoopla and excitement that comes with the arrival of a whole week dedicated to a terrifying, killing machine went … Continue reading
high tea: a collection inspired by Marie Antoinette, London socialites, and macarons
D&G via Cretus D&G Recipe via Raspberri CupcakesPPQ Spring 2012 via Chic Genre Miu Miu Applique BagLouis Vuitton ad via Keep in Touch with Fashion Cream Ice Cream Embroidered Cardigan By KTZ**Kate Middleton via mirror.co.ukOscar de la Renta TiaraSera Park “The Dessert Lady” … Continue reading
artsy fartsy discovery: a fanciful zoo just for you
“Watering Hole” “Six Whales Stacked” “Dove Diamond” “The Neighbors” “Zebras and Guinea Fowl Watering Hole” “Bison Herd” “Deep Sea” “Bee Hive” “Feathers” “Botanical Nest” “Watering Hole No. 2” “Northern Bobwhites” “The Collector” If I could, I would buy every last … Continue reading
eight squared: 8 charming new necklaces for 8 dollars each
Introducing the new “stalagmite necklace” — the perfect combo of tough and pretty for any outfit. At seventeen inches, these beauties sit right below the collarbone. In eight fashionable shades for fall: Mint Julep, Gold Glitz, Lilac Dream, Gunmetal Glitter, … Continue reading
racing stripes: 5 tips on wearing the tuxedo stripe trend
Last season the fashion world simply could not get enough of floral print pants. But as the pretty petals of spring wilt away to make way for autumn leaves, a new pant trend emerges: the tuxedo stripe pant. The … Continue reading
drumroll: introducing items from my shop (oh, and a special coupon, too)
I’d like to introduced four new pieces to you, handmade by yours truly — 1. The Mint Julep necklace: Fierce, feisty spikes in everybody’s favorite color — mint green. $8 2. Razzle Dazzle tassel earrings: Whimsical swinging tassels bounce around … Continue reading
weekend wishlist: mermaid material, an eternal summer sweater, and toothy jewelry
1. Shine on. Very rarely does “iridescent” shout “chic” and “polished”. Fabric of the shiny, rainbowlike sort is often reserved for little girl’s pageants and mermaid costumes sitting in the 50% off rack at the Halloween store. However, this oversized clutch … Continue reading
outfit of the day: sharp chartreuse, crisp stripes, and a hint of blush
Pale pink cardigan – Merona Bold striped dress — Charlotte Russe Chartreuse multi-strand necklace — Thrifted Faux snakeskin t-straps — BDG Floral clutch — handmade (tutorial to be posted soon)
mod podge cures all: DIY patterned clutch
How can it be that after countless crafting endeavors, the miracle that is Mod Podge has only just now entered my arsenal of supplies? I original bought a jar with the intention of creating an adorable pair of floral … Continue reading
when styles collide: preppy stripes + boho bags
Once you become settled in your own personal style niche — whether it be sophisticated minimalism, sporty chic, laid-back beach babe, etc. — it can be hard to break free from your own mold that you’ve created yourself. Your closet … Continue reading
bag lady: top-notch toppers
While there’s no arguing that a larger handbag is more practical when it comes to toting around your belongings (whether it be the bare necessities or the not-so-bare mess of makeup brushes), there’s something so elegant and sophisticated about a … Continue reading
trend blend: dark florals + metallic oxfords
Just when you thought you’d seen enough flowery, petalled patterns on the shelves, the classic floral dress gets a much needed makeover. Lately, some of the finest labels (D&G, DKNY, Alexander McQueen, to name a few) have been trading up … Continue reading
dare to wear: over-the-top collars
As the embellished collar trend grows, so does the flashy factor. With so many brands out there that are offering collars nowadays, designers are striving to create wilder, funkier, more over-the-top collars to make theirs stand out in a sea … Continue reading
style crush: six chic ideas inspired by Hello it’s Valentine
Valentine is a Parisian-dwelling graphic designer with a style blog filled to the brim with gloriously colorful ensembles and playful, whimsical self-photoshoots. It’s impossible to visit her blog without feeling inspired. Upon discovering this chic Parisian fashion enthusiast, I immediately … Continue reading
accessories report: the gold cuff
From the beautiful Queen of the Nile to the fictional Wonder Woman, gold cuffs have long been a symbol of female empowerment and self-expression. In fact, for 7,000 years it has been a go-to staple for female leaders all over … Continue reading
color obsession: mustard
This season I’m all about mustard. I’m not talking the kind of mustard you drench your Nathan’s hot dog with, but rather a classier form of the word. Mustard in the fashion world is a rich, golden shade of yellow, … Continue reading
weekend wishlist: gravity-defying elegance and floor-sweeping florals
1. Jolly green jewels:Â While it may not apply to portion sizes or phone bills, the Texan motto “Bigger is always better” does have its place. For instance, when it comes to an Erickson Beamon emerald and gold-plated statement necklace, bigger … Continue reading
award ceremony: “very inspiring” and “illuminating”
Since I’ve only just begun this blog a few months ago, I still get really excited whenever I get a comment on a post or a new follower. So imagination my excitement when I was notified that I had been … Continue reading
trend blend: painterly prints + pleated skirts
The starving artist look is in this season. But luckily, you don’t have to actually give up your rent money for tubes of paint. Instead of developing a brooding mysterious personality paired with an affinity for felt berets, all you … Continue reading
DIY: cut, clarity, clockwork
This weekend I found myself trapped inside by the horrendous, hurricane-force rain that rudely refused to cease, ruining any hopes I had for a sunny, outdoorsy weekend. Feeling bored and cooped up, I took to cleaning up a little. While … Continue reading
weekend wishlist: shades of denim, popsicle makeup, and lost treasure
1. Handy dandy:Â When it comes to fashion, it’s all about the details. A single piece of jewelry harbors the potential to make or break the outfit. In this case, these delicate collar tips are definitely on the “make it” end … Continue reading
why didn’t I think of that? the genius of Henry Hargreaves
Photography is a unique  art form — using natural elements of light and shadow play, coupled with the manmade structures of lens and tripods. And not to mention the necessity of a good eye. But while it certainly is a beautiful … Continue reading
a tale of three necklaces: part II
In lieu of my recent post “Do What You Love: A Tale of Three Necklaces” — in which I detailed my return to jewelry-making, fueled by a growing exasperation with the finicky job market — I have found myself spending … Continue reading
trend blend: floral print + chunky heels
With the arrival of summer comes the inevitable arrival of floral sundresses in all shapes, sizes, and shades. But instead of joining the herd of flowery frocks, why not rock the pattern elsewhere. Floral print shoes are the perfect way … Continue reading
fancy pants: the new tuxedo
Tuxedos have long been a staple of masculine elegance, a crisply tailored and starkly contrasting black and white ensemble reserved for events where the people are dignified and the champagne is plentiful. But slowly this handsome costume has worked its … Continue reading
accessories report: no-hassle tassels
Evoking the glamour and sensuality of the 1920’s, tassel earrings are a great way to make a style statement this season. Fringe is all over the fashion world lately, mainly in the from of bohemian trimmed vests and dresses, but … Continue reading
etsy crush: scout & catalogue
Today as I was browsing through the handmade haven that is Etsy.com, I discovered a little gem of a shop. I had initially been searching for a blue snakeskin clutch, but what I found here was much, much better. What … Continue reading
wednesday wishlist: all that glitters
Ok so I may have missed the usual weekend wishlist post. So this week it’s the “Wednesday Wishlist” — still an alliteration, therefore still ok with me. 1. Fabulous is in the eye of the beholder. Fendi’s latest Spring/Summer runway … Continue reading
color obsession: lilac
This pastel hue is no longer strictly for Barbie dolls and the walls of a six-year-old’s princess-themed bedroom. Lilac gets a grown up makeover thanks, in part, to a few venturesome celebs who have opted to dye their lovely locks … Continue reading
gone tribal: neon + tribal prints
When it comes to personal style, I am a self-proclaimed girly-girl. I love all things pink, lacy, and of course sparkly. But while my usual purchases are soft and sweet pastels, lately a bolder trend has been catching my eye … Continue reading
one man’s trash: a day of treasure-hunting
Treasure isn’t easy to find. Sometimes it takes a whole lot of digging to get to that X that marks the spot, or in other cases a whole lot of digging through piles of old, dusty mason jars and broken … Continue reading
do what you love: a tale of three necklaces
After a month of job hunting, consisting of scouring every job search engine and completing an application to any and all jobs which did not require previous experience — a limitation which greatly narrowed down the pickings — my search … Continue reading
weekend wishlist: fabulous, glamorous, gotta-have-its
On myself: Forever 21 black maxi dress, printed scarf from Charming Charlie, Forever 21 rosette bracelet (I usually love to pile on jewelry, but too many accessories can easily overwhelm a maxi dress; instead let the dress take center stage) … Continue reading
accessories report: a bug’s life
When you think of creepy crawlers, “pretty” probably isn’t the first word to cross your mind. You may instead think of itchy, scary, or even menacing in the most extreme cases. But this season you’d better banish that arachnophobia and … Continue reading
nailed it: DIY glitter trim nails
Inspired by the countless photos of glittery accented nails I’ve seen on Pinterest lately, I decided to try my hand at the trend (pun intended). Mostly I’ve seen sprinkles of silver atop jet black, or gold encrusted nude nails, but … Continue reading