Texturizin'

 How many textures can I put into one outfit? I felt compelled to answer this question, much like the little boy who asked the owl "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?"

 A one, a two-ho...eight! Wool, leather, suede, crushed velvet, silk, jean, gold, and gunmetal. Eight textures, to get to the center of my Tootsie Pop.

Vintage sweater and scarf, Francesca's tank, NY & Co jeans and leather jacket, Nine West suede boots, jewelry from Express, Nordstrom Rack, Forever 21, and Crossroads, Michael Kors watch, and Revlon Certainly Red lipstick

What a difference a good camera makes! I think I have just added the first item to my Christmas list. Too soon? Thank you to Yesenia's Lumix (and Yesenia, of course).

Man Repelling

The definition of a man repeller, according to the Man Repeller herself:
MAN·RE·PELL·ER¹  [MAHN-REE-PELLER]
–noun: outfitting oneself in a sartorially offensive way that will result in repelling members of the opposite sex. Such garments include but are not limited to harem pants, boyfriend jeans, overalls (see: human repelling), shoulder pads, full length jumpsuits, jewelry that resembles violent weaponry and clogs.
In addition to identifying different garments that repel, this genius of a fashionista also takes your hum drum sexy dress or tight skirt (a la the striped number in my pics) and adds, and adds, and adds to make it much more fashion forward and yes, less appealing to the opposite sex, as seen here. I realized I was man repelling today when the nice gentleman across from me on the bus looked at my feet and raised his eyebrows. I've always said I dress for the girls, anyways.

NY & Co Tee, I Heart Ronson jean shirt, LOFT puffer vest, Target skirt, Nine West sandals, Target socks, and Target necklace

Chanel-ing Coco

Much like the movie "Bonnie & Clyde," I couldn't believe I hadn't seen the Coco Chanel Lifetime movie. I accidentally stumbled upon it during a relaxing Sunday evening and my mouth was agape by her intuition, determination, and motivation in ensuring her creations and mastery were received by the masses, as well as her grace, sarcasm, and unfailing pride in her personal life. 

My original intention was to dress up as Bonnie one day/night for Halloween weekend and Coco on another occasion to interact with the ghouls, witches, and maybe, a celebrity satire. However, in reviewing the items needed to effectively channel Ms. Chanel, I realized that I wanted to incorporate the elements, or at least the tie neck and white blouse, into my every day.

J.Crew blouse, I Heart Ronson blazer, Target scarf, NY & Co jeans, MIA mary jane pumps, Aldo ring, Fossil watch, and Certainly Red lipstick

How do you incorporate vintage inspiration into your day?

Ode to Jenna Lyons - The Queen of High/Low

To say that Jenna Lyons, the creative director of J.Crew, is an inspiration, a girl crush, or a trendsetter, feels too...too...minimal to express her impact on the fashion world, which is ironic, considering that she does minimalism so well. Almost as well as she does high and low, such as sequins and camouflage, fur and jersey, and even menswear or mixing prints. I mean, really, what am I going on about, these pictures speak for themselves and demonstrate her genius, as does this article.

So, what do you need to epitomize Jenna-chic this fall?
I've narrowed it down to a few basics.

1. Utility jacket

2. Red lipstick

3. Sequins skirt 

4. Fur stole

5. Striped crewneck tee

6. Skinny dark jeans

7. Black stilettos

8. Tortoise shell eye glasses

9. White button down

10. Gold boyfriend watch

Lipsession

 You may have noticed one particular trend in all of my outfit posts - lipstick. Orange, pink, nude, red, berry...it's all fab to me, especially when it's of the Revlon variety. Believe me, I was a lip gloss devotee my entire life. I loved the wet and glittery look, and was minorly (ok, majorly) obsessed with continually smacking on the gooey substance a few (ok, a dozen) times per day. 

I must say, though, that I have become officially matte-sessed. 

I certainly suggest that you consider doing the same. It's much like wearing red high heels, a leopard belt, or black nails - why reserve these things like a fine china? I used to wear my one red lipstick (that I've had for 2 years...probably unsanitary) only once in a while (read: weddings) but then thought, "What's the point in keeping the lid on such a fun and confident feeling - why not make every day special?

Persian Melon, Benefit Mod Squad, Love That Pink, Orange Flip, Certainly Red, Raspberry Bite, and Cherries in the Snow

Zoe Report

When my coworker said today that I looked like Rachel Zoe, I could only say, "I die." I definitely was channeling some 70s chic this morning with a fur vest, wide leg pants, choker necklace, and platform boots updated with a boyfriend blazer. It's "everything."

H & M blazer and shirt, Forever 21 pants, Club Monaco vest, Nine West booties, vintage necklace, bracelets from Pandora and JC Penney, Skaagen watch, rings from Target and Crossroads, and Revlon lipstick in Raspberry Bite

Dressing up as...Bonnie

My past Halloween costumes have not necessarily been the kind that can be reused. Case in point - a full length foam penguin suit, complete with a beak and flippers.

 So this year, I'm considering copying someone whose style I enjoy outside of Halloween and one where I can wear the pieces I have invested in on many different days out of the year. A couple weekends ago, my mom and I drank some Malbec and cuddled up in her bed to watch "Bonnie & Clyde." I feel like a goof admitting that it was my first time viewing this classic. Shame on me; however, I don't think I would've appreciated it at an earlier time in my life. I couldn't get over the beauty and symbolism of the cinematography, not to mention the costumes. They channeled the 1930s but are completely timeless and exude a classically vintage elegance.

So what do you need to pull off the look of Bonnie Parker for Halloween? 

1. Blond bob - Lucky for us blonds, it's just a styling quandary, but if you're any other hue, get a blond wig

2. Beret

3. Square silk scarf

4. V-neck yellow sweater

5. Tweed knee-length pencil skirt

6. Knee high brown flat boots

7. Peacoat

And the most necessary accessories...cigar, toy handgun,and a brown paper bag (use it as a purse and be sure to put some fake dollar bills on top!)

Leaves 'n' Dots

I spent the day at my grandma's house with the women of our family learning how to make potica (pronounced "po-teet-sah"), which is essentially a nut roll, but the way she makes it is a super secret family recipe. There's something incredibly nostalgic about being at my grandma's house in the fall...

Forever 21 sweater, J.Crew Chambray shirt, Lauren Conrad shorts, Steve Madden boots, and Revlon "Love That Pink" lipstick 

Ill-ini

Blue, black, brown, and orange. 

The color combo reminds me of autumn as an undergrad at the University of Illinois. I'd like to say that I got ready and looked like this every day walking up and down Chalmers or through the quad, but I was always in a baseball cap, North Face fleece, and pajama pants this time of year. I'm not proud, but then again...that's what college is for, right? PJs during the day and sparkly shirts at night.

Cynthia Rowley dress via TJ Maxx, American Apparel blouse, LOFT blazer, H&M scarf, Nine West booties, Arden B earrings, Kenneth Jay Lane ring, Kenneth Cole watch, and Pandora bracelet.

I never met...

...a bright color combo or tribal dress print that I didn't like. So why not combine them? And highlight, shadow, warmity, and fill-light it up with Picasa.

Target tee and tank, Betsey Johnson belt via TJ Maxx, Discovery, White Mountain booties

Hips Don't Lie

To say that a peplum waist is flattering is as "duh" inducing as saying that the sky is blue. All girls benefit from this silhouette. But won't it make my hips look big, you say? Quite the contrary. The juxtaposition of a mini A-line with the pencil skirt underneath makes your own hips look slim and streamlined. It's the same idea as pulling in a billowy blouse with a belt.

 

The most recent peplum attack, in the late 90s, was in reaction to the extra padding on the shoulders that dominated the 80s. Women moved from trying to look like linebackers in order to fit into a male work force and embraced their feminine form, curvy hips and all. Talk about girl power! The key is to really nail this look and take it into 2012 is minimalism. You want your waist to speak volumes, so accessorize with button sized stud earrings, classic pointy toe pumps, a bracelet watch, and mini clutch.

Now, do it for yourself all for under $150!

New York & Co Ponte Peplum Top

Anthropologie Tucked Peplum Tank

Nue by Shani SleevelessPeplum Dress

BCBG Huxley Strapless Dress

Aqua Klingon Peplum Skirt

The Fourth Piece

Recently, I've been walking out of the house in no less than four items of clothing. Like today - it would have been cute to wear without the cardigan, but I'm challenging myself here and to be honest, I think it's turning out real well, don't you?

Club Monaco cardigan & skirt, I Heart Ronson jean shirt, NY & Co tank, White Mountain booties

Layer shy? Check out my no fail post on how to do it right.

Adapting Style from...Charlize Theron

Until I saw this stunning outfit displayed by the lovely Charlize Theron, I forgot the impact of a beautiful tank and trousers as an appropriate outfit substitution for a dress. Wear this to that fall wedding, anniversary dinner, or maybe throw it on just because it's a Friday. The color combination of lavender and gray are classic and ooze an understated elegance, not to mention the berry lip. Although I've given much time and attention to the slim trouser trend (and have no intention of stopping), a wide leg tweed or wool pant is a power item. Now pair that with a peep of a strappy sandal? So completely and powerfully feminine. Thank goodness Katharine Hepburn committed herself to pants so we could continue to rock them much better than the opposite sex - you go, girl.

ASOS Lace Trim Halter Camisole

J.Crew. Wide-Leg stretch pants

Mossimo Prue Satin Platform Heels

Forever 21 Woven Satin Clutch

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Simply, and completely sexy. Just ensure your date is wearing a tuxedo jacket that you can throw over your shoulders when you get chilly.