Fashion story

I love when a magazine editorial can take me to another place. These images I found a little while ago tell a story. The story is up to the viewer. Kind of like when you look at a piece of art in a museum, fashion is sometimes left up to interpratation.The ideas in fashion aren't always as abstract and complex as fine art, but the feeling of being transported to a different place or time is similar.

I love that I can really see the texture of that blazer. It has sheen to it that makes it look luxurious and expensive. The sweater looks soft, and I like how I feel like I can reach out and touch the embellished knee highs here. The background in these images is so important. The girl looks like she might be in a mansion. Her air of confidence in the first image makes her look like she may also be affluent. The look on her face in the last image is mysterious. And you can easily come up with a story as to why she looks like that.


And besides the feeling this ad campaign or editorial gives me, I am also smitten with the clothing in the image. Which obviously is the whole point.

Blazer from Urban Outfitters, $78


Cashmere sweater from Neiman Marcus, $100

Skirt from TopShop, $65


Leg warmers from American Apparel, $16

(Magazine images from le fashion)

Inspired by Kate Spade

Polka dots and pearls by The Cosmopolitan Clevelander featuring H&M cardigans

Items in this set:
Retro Polka Dot Party Dress-Classic 60s Style Dress, $110
H&M Shop Online
Dune Dilly Wedge Platform Shoes, Black, 5, 55 GBP
Women - Straw seaside tote - J.Crew, $40
mine blue plaid skirt mine for mine story

Little girl trench coat

Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed the action from the Super Bow and took part in the great sales online. Did anyone make any good purchases while watching the game? Please share. I just love the style of this mom and her daughter. The oversize blazer and knee-high boots look so chic on the mom and the daughter's cute ballerina flats, mini trench coat, and pony tail are just perfection. I wish I could look as stylish as she does! haha

(Photo from Stockholm Streetstyle)

Steel Magnolias

This weekend some friends and I committed to watching Steel Magnolias, eating peel your own shrimp, and consuming southern cocktails. I could not be more excited. Hope you have something fun planned. As for tonight I need to finish printing out the invites to my sister's bridal shower. Wish me luck! Last night I ran out of ink.

Some things that caught my eye:

Is it too late to change my mind about exchanging gifts for V-day?

I want this girl's cool LA style.

A guide to beards. My guy's a Hollywoodian. It's super dreamy.

A romantic photo shoot...in a museum?

A Halloween costume to keep in mind.

Bike Couture

How pretty are these handlebar bags and seats? They are by Beatrice Holiday and are made out of vintage fabric. These would really spruce up an old bike and make the rider look tres chic. I wish I could ride a bike to work. I guess I will have to build up to riding 35 miles there and back. Ha!

(Found on Design Sponge)

Great grosgrain! A Brooks Brother's Sale

Brooks Brothers had their big sale after Christmas, which made it possible for me to get my boyfriend a gift I know he will be cherishing for a long time. But now, they are having a 70% off online sale, and I wouldn't mind picking up this Tattersall satchel for $74 or this seersucker, pineapple emroidered dress for $50.40.

Fun shoes

These shoes are amazing. Even though the details are kind of wacky, I can imagine so many outfits these shoes could be worn with. And they are very unique. I was kind of surprised to find out these were Steve Maddens. I was even more surprised to find out the store that carries them in Chicago is a store I have purchased accesories at before. One black clutch, to be exact, for a wedding I was attending in the city. Lori's Shoes can be found in Lincoln Park, but there are other locations in Illinois.

SMC Update

For a shirtdress remixed for winter and a classic black sweater vest with a surprise in the back check out Shop My Closet.

Outfits for Valentine's Day

Here are some outfits I would wear for Valentine's day if I was not on a spending freeze and if I had any clue what our plans are. We can't really plan for days like Valentine's day being in a long-distance relationship (by long distance I mean 120 miles between Pittsburgh and Cleveland). But I think that makes it more fun and much more relaxed. We don't have to put up with lines of people and reservations, and we can just do whatever we feel like doing when we do decide to celebrate, which will probably consist of something we would have done even if it wasn't Valentine's day.

So my outfit picks for any kind of date or special day you have planned consist of fun skirts, floral prints, and frilly shirts paired with cardigans and tights of course. It's not quite warm enough for some of these looks.

Do you have anything more interesting planned?

(Images from Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and J.Crew)

Lesson learned: Classic versus trendy

I can't believe I have been through an entire month without buying any clothes. I have had no impulse buys, and I haven't walked into a Forever 21 since before Christmas. I am pretty excited. I feel liberated. I am not thinking about the next trendy piece I need to add to my wardrobe, and I have been able to be more creative in shopping my own closet. I have been forced to find new outfits, and I am surprised at the new creations I have come up with. I am starting to think and day dream of what my first purchase will be after my three-month spending freeze is up. I am of course thinking of something practical and classic that will last a long time. I could really use a new pair of black pumps that can be worn to both work and out with my friends. Does anyone have any recommendations? Are there a pair of black pumps you can't live without?

(Photo from Fashion Gone Rogue)