Since I've worn wellies the last three days to tromp through puddles and wade the slight rivers flowing through the streets per melting mounds of snow - I see no better time than to approximate my spring lewk. I tend to do this thing where I obsess over a key item or element and then roll with it until I've collected so much of it that I never want to look at them again. (Last spring/summer for me was vests) Ready? You ready? It's fringe, which you probably could have already guessed. 

This fringe Junya Watanabe fringe tunic is everything + more. I'm still trying to construct my thesis on layering fringe - mainly because I've never delved into such ambrosial territory. These sandals are Valentino, they remind me quite a bit of Isabel Marant's Elvis Sandal, accept better because hey fringy fringe. Pair them with these silk Acne shorts. (I saw them in the flesh at FiveStory the detailing is impeccable) High-waist denim shorts they're a staple. Okay, let me explain this tunic - or more so the idea of the tunic. Two days ago I went to study at a coffee shop and ended up at my favorite vintage/consignment shop. How I ended up there is irrelevant, I found this sheer, faded, patch-work grey and navy tunic. It's hand made and label less, but it features this collar - more like floaty flap of fabric that can be folded down as a faux sleeve or folded up to moonlight as a scarf. I basically plan to wear it now until forever. It's a physical manifestation of the dress of my dreams.

 Any who, enough about me - more about my spring lewk. Other than fringe, I'm also loving mix printed paisley, this dress has a real ruffly skirt which I'm always about, it is Suno. I buy the same gold aviators every time I lose the same gold aviators, and I'm taking that as a sign to stop buying gold aviators. These floral sunglasses are semi-printed and from first glance I thought they were a pink speckled tortoise, they're not. I'm still romanticizing the idea of being a clutch girl and please picture this Shourouk clutch with the Watanabe fringe. 

The other day my dad instructed me to not spend all my money at Zara. This occurred right after I had spent all my money on vintage thrills, just kidding sort of. But his questioning me about Zara, only prompted me to refresh their new arrivals page and voila. These Zara sandals remind me quite a bit of Marni, with their wide fringe, and chunky soles. Perfect with point blank everything.

This morning amid my scattered brain I thought of how I would define my personal style, had someone besides myself ever asked. I posed myself with the question: If you had to define your wardrobe with ten pieces, what would they be? Well, What would they be? If these ten pieces were chosen over their competition they must mean enough to me - thus they might,  just might help me better define my sartorial choices.

1. Black Frilly Dress - I bought it two years ago to wear on my birthday, but its really been through so much more. It has small crochet flowers and gathered sheer layers of fabric that swing around at every step. I wear a fair share of sweaters over it, so it often moonlights as a skirt. (pictured is Red Valentino)

2. Leather Jacket - It transforms everything into a better version of itself. (Mango quilted and suede)

3. Alpaca Coat - Okay, I just finished making this one so I haven't technically worn it - outside of 24/7 within the confines of my house. I know this one is going to be a staple though, after all he was stitched with nothing but TLC. (Alexander Wang)

4. Jeans - ONLY of the Topshop variety. I tried their denim for the first time last August and theres no turning back, I think I have 5 pairs now.

5. Oversized Mens Pullover - the one I'm referencing within my own wardrobe I got from Thrift Town and slightly resembles a very loved teddy bear. It lends it's self to many roles, over the dress, under the jacket, over the plaid under the coat, with the jeans etc. (Rag & Bone)

6. White Tee Shirt - I went back and forth between a black or white tee. Settling on white just for the novelty of my particular favorite - from an Elizabeth and James sample sale, it's large and soft enough that it could've been my boyfriends, had I had a boyfriend who shopped at sample sales.

7. Plaid Silk Button up - Also from Thrift Town, it yearns to be really grungy but it's 100% silk so it can only go so far. (LAMB)

8. Penny Loafers - They're black and white and have baby sized gold tassels. For some reason whenever I'm in Dallas they garner a lot of male attention that leaves me wondering - did he like me or just my shoes? (Michael Kors)

9. Wang Ponyhair Oxfords - they're not really oxfords but that's what AWang.com refers to them as. They were an eBay feat and lend about two additional inches to my stature.

10. Golden Goose Sneakers - Yet another, if not my most prized eBay victory. Theres just something about handmade, pre-distressed sneakers that add a little sparkle to my stride - aside from the fact that they are indeed metallic.

After making this list, I realized these ten items are much like my style in which they are perpetually changing. These items I somehow lived without prior to obtaining, but now claim I cannot. Just like two years ago I lived for brightly colored blazers in every color of the rainbow and now can't even bear to look at them. SO what items of the future will take over the very spots above? Destiny's Child really captured how I feel about this through "thought I would die without you But I'm livin'"

November is flying by - holiday windows are up, holiday gift guides are out and you can't find words to describe the inexplicable shopping nature of the ones you're giving gifts to. Luckily for you - we've outlined many possible scenarios of various recipients - from llamas lovers to Jenna Lyons enthusiasts. 

She really wanted a vintage cuff but you didn't want to spend hours scouring the internet or sifting through vintage boutiques. Will she really know this isn't actually vintage but rather the coolest art deco inspired C Wonder cuff? She didn't want clothes, or jewelry so tell me who wouldn't love this Alexander Wang bear?  She asked for a dog, but pugs aren't hypoallergenic and this Dorothy Perkins scarf is the closest you can come by. Does this J. Crew sweater really need reasoning behind it? - it sparkles and it has llamas. Like any gal - if she wanted one cool cuff, she really wants like 31841 cool cuffs - Alexis Bittar and C Wonder are perfect for cool cuffs. Maybe she's the type to match her llama to her handbag, if so this Opening Ceremony velvet cross body will do the trick. A tip to Santa, or anyone else stuffing stockings this season - everybody loves quirky packaging and nail polish, especially of the Anna Sui variety. Maybe she was extra nice this year, and into supporting the American economy as this Edie Parker clutch was born in the USA. (Sing it Springsteen) Okay for the girl who has everything - does she really have paperclips like these?

Glasses options -dependent on if we want to be Jenna Lyons or Holly Golightly. A hat for everyone reminiscing about the Isabel Marant x H&M loop sweater, only this time seen in cashmere and Missoni hat form. Or maybe you're feeling extra jolly be jumbles this holiday season, look no further then Venessa Arizaga. For a semi-practical gal - this Topshop Daisy print coat is perfect - subtle yet trendy. If you're gift giving for someone that abides by only what glitters and is gold, bangles from Alexis Bittar(top and bottom), and J.Crew will suffice.  By now we've definitely decided we do want to be Jenna Lyons, so hopefully whomever ends up on receiving end of these vibrant J. Crew pants will feel the same. Or if they still love sparkly shiny new things, but are not jewelry lovers, this Bobbi Brown x Lulu Frost compact may be exactly what they need. You need another gift for the same person you're giving the coat too -it's okay, we're way ahead of you with this Rebecca Minkoff bag. Lastly, this Alexis Bittar ring, throw it in your own stocking. (to me's are fun)

I've been mulling spring trends this week. I was expecting this week (aka spring break) to have me leaping into spring spirit, but I'm just not quite there yet. The weather was not warm enough for spring, but too warm for winter dressing. Upon shopping I kept asking myself

  "what am I even looking for? I don't know what I want"

After careful thought/consideration I can say my Spring Top 5:

1. LOVING Denim everything. (well thats pretty basic... I said to myself) Patchwork, overalls, crop tops dresses etc. particularly with black and white pieces, along with some various pop of color. Also leaning toward lighter bleached denim, which I normally don't favor. This was basically my wardrobe combo for the entire week.

2. Coral and Baby Blue, partially because I fell in love twice with a pair of pale blue linen Acne shorts that would have rang up <$40.00, turns out they were three sizes too big and I was just too excited to check the size.

3. Dainty and not-so-dainty collars. Yes, both. I can't make up my mind (The Khai Khai 'Cloudy With a Chance of Rain, and Lulu Frost Demeter Collage Necklace are my reigning favs)

4. Cut out boots, I feel like the pair I recently purchased completely transformed my wardrobe.

5. Overalls, especially vintage, or of the Zara silk variety.

Kenzo Belt, Lulu Frost Demeter Collar, Simone Rochas Neon Embroidered Organza T-Shirt, 3.1 Philip Lim I Love NY T-Shirt (Nueva York, I love you), Zara Denim Patchwork Top  Sea NY Cotton Linen Stripe Shorts, Zara Printed Bermudas, Rachel Comey Acker with Holes, A Piece Apart Agnes Tank, Boticca Unicorn Ring

MiH Scalloped linen blend shorts, Alexander Wang Marti Bckpack, Olympia Le Tan Blouse, Lulus sunglasses, Zara neon flat sandal, Rebecca Minkoff Heart Stack Ring, Rebecca Minkoff Woven Box Bag, Zara beaded shorts (shout to Philip Lim), Lulu Frost code ring, Prada Sunglasses, Scotch & Soda Linen Safari Playsuit

ASOS Leather Flat Sandals, Topshop Kaboom Crop Tee, ASOS Chunky Blue Necklace, Topshop Moto Acid Wash Denim Jacket, ASOS Necklace, Opening Ceremony Blouse, Topshop Advance Cut out Boots, ASOS Metal Top Keyhole Round Sunglasses, ASOS Round Sunglasses with Pearl Highbrow, Opening Ceremony OC LA Perforated Bag

Recently I've been infatuated by the idea of warm weather. Today it's cloudy with a chill in the wind and it's like last weekends wonderful weather was only just a dream (sing it Nelly)

I've also come to the conclusion that Spring in the city is not the same as spring in TX. 

ex: I'd already be wearing shorts and sandals. 

So spring time....

Topshop Bead Facet Bracelet, Topshop Aristole Chuncky Tassle Boot, Prabal Gurung x Target Drop Waist Dress, Marc By Marc Jacobs Rolled Slim Polka dot Jeans, Fashion Union Black Floral Skirt, Topshop Jewel Absail Bracelet, Keds Champion Dot Sneaker, LOST Wallice Vest,

 Sarah Aghili Flip Bar Sunglasses

And Summer. In sweltering heat and days spent at the lake, you want easy to throw on pieces, typically looser, and things that can even double as a swim suit cover up.

Jade & Belle Piper Lane Striped Crop Top, Zara multicolored Ethnic Necklace, Mini Rodini Flamingo Tee, Runwaydreamz 450 Vintage Frayed Studded Shorts, Topshop Moto 'Tommy' vintage overalls (@Nordstrom), Zara Ethnic Evening Bag, Zara Woven Bracelets, House of Harlow 1960 Abra Sandal

Moral of the story: Accessories are everything.

I wore this outfit a week ago to a user-feedback session at Refinery 29, and then over to the Erickson Beamon sample sale at Showroom Seven. It was a nicer than average day, the spirit in the air, the pep in my step, along with my red tights and pleated skirt left me feeling a bit like Blair Waldorf; As I am still mourning the shows dreadful end, and still have yet to fully recover from there termination.

On another note, this is me standing by the pseudo Empire State building in Chelsea.

Jacket made by myself circa 2013, Trouve sweater from Nordstrom, Topshop pleated skirt, Vera Vera Wang red tights, Forever 21 Glitter oxfords, Anthropologie necklace.

 No socks, no laces. YOLO.

 Whether this once held bird seed and nourished the pigeons inhabiting Chelsea, or if this was for sole decoration we may never know.

What could be more inspiring than this Garden of Inspiration? Flourishing with greenery and life.

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I just can't help it. They long for me to look through them, to add to cart, to click, click click and to then to commit myself by "Begin Checkout" I've actually been really impressed with the selection at the online sales, especially Shopbop, maybe because I'm hitting them early aka right when I hear the ding in my inbox, or maybe less people are shopping, whatever it may be, luck is on my side. 

(from top left) Dannijo Breast Cancer Awareness Vika Braclet, Topshop Leopard Print Collar, Pour La Victoire Aeesha Patent Pumps, Boy. by Band of Outsiders Punctuation Print Top(sadly not on sale, weeping), Elizabeth and James Solar Haircalf Booties, Topshop Angora Boyfriend Coat, DVF Sapna Haircalf Booties, Rag & Bone Adari Mohair Pullover, and Alexander Wang Booties, sadly no longer avaliable via the Outnet, similar but not really are these babies.

I highly believe in the mantra "Look good, Feel good, Do good" So in anticpation for finals, a quick little collage of a few things I need want in preparation of finals. In reality though, I will probably purchase as a reward if I do well, not as a crutch to brace studying/sanity on.

Included are things such as necessities like the Marc by Marc Jacobs flash drive, I have to store my papers and notes somewhere right? A slouchy casual cool Topshop sweater, in the perfect shade of emerald, paired with Rag & Bone Jeggings. I'm still obsessing over these denim Isabel Marant Sneaker Wedges and Floral Doc Martens, so those are included seeing as they are both comfortable and add to an otherwise basic outfit. 

The accessories also play a crucial role in my fantasy finals outfit. The sunglasses, just in case the sun ever comes out. The Marc By Marc Jacobs Messenger Bag, seeing as its the perfect size for essentials needed for testing days, and it would be perfect as a carry on for the flight home too. The Finn Love Knot Ring as something to jitter around my finger while testing. The Barneys Red Fur, because the wind chill is frigid and a simple knit scarf may not do during the drastic days of finals. 

And the last but not least, the teal coffee cup that smiles back, mainly because I foresee copious cups of coffee this week.