Cozy Pastels

This week's IFB Project was about pastels,  which isn't exactly my favorite color group, unless...

Essie nail polish  / Old Navy  Infinity Scarf  / GAP Textural bobble hat / Kate Spade Sedgewick Place Paige / Pieces - Comet Gloves  / Hunter Wellington Boots

...we're talking about a pastel accessory. Hats, scarves, gloves, bags... anything that adds a girly touch to my parka.  

The trick with pastels in the colder months is to choose things with a thicker texture, leave the chiffon in your closet and go for big knits, leather or suede.  

Peace, Love, and Chrunchy Leaves

Laura

Green & Blue

Ever since I was a kid I had a fascination with all things military: army green has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember, I always loved a good a combat boot, and if a coat didn't have uniform inspired details I wouldn't even look at it....  

So of course I was ecstatic when I saw the theme for this week's IFB project: Soldier Chic  

I love to make my army jackets a little more feminine by pairing them with dresses and skirts, and this fall I'm all about pencil skirts: 

Army Jacket: Ralph Lauren (from the men's collection!) 

Henley Top: H&M

Skirt: Antropologie (also seen here)

Boots: ASOS

Belt: Vintage Ralph Lauren

Pea Coat: Vintage

Shirt: Worn By

Skirt&Flats: Burberry

What's your favorite way to rock the army or navy style? Let me know comment below!

And check out IFB for more inspiration.

Peace, Love, and Pumpkin Spice

Laura

Tall, Rugged, Slouchy

This week's IFB project is about boots, also known as my one true love besides trench coats.  

The assignment was to blog about our boot-choices for the upcoming fall, and as much as I adore all the cute ankle boots that are in style this season, for me it's not a boot until it covers half of my leg. 

These Copo De Nieve suede boots do the trick:

Copo De Nieve Boots 

But what makes them so perfect is the rugged and slouchy look. 

The only downside is that I still have to buy them, but in my mind I'm already wearing them with a short dress and fun overknee socks.

Peace, Love and Sunsets
Laura

Pineapple Express

What are the odds? The day I finally decide to put on that crazy print romper I got last summer,  IFB challenges us to write a post about our favorite prints.

I usually prefer solids over prints, and I have to admit that this River Island romper was a joke gift from my mom in an attempt to mock my fondness for pineapples. But since it was rather hot today, and all my shorts were in the laundry I figured why not...

pineapple express by novachecknerd 

To make the tropical print a little more town friendly I paired it with brown Sperrys and a simple linen cardigan.  And lets just say I may have found a new appreciation for tropical prints.

Peace, Love, and Sunsets

Laura

Fun in The Sun

This week's IFB assignment  is to blog  about our summer essentials, and I decided to divide them into three categories:

Style:

Hats help you to stay cool in both senses of the word. This one's from Burberry.

Usually I reach for the big tortoise shades, but when it's really hot out I simply prefer my aviator's. The smaller Ray Ban's to be specific. 

You know I'm all substance over style,  but H&M has the most amazing camis on sale. And for 2.99, who cares if they won't last forever?

Beauty:

Burberry Brit Summer 2012 – ok I'm cheating because I love to wear this all year round, but that is because it makes me think of summer no matter how how miserable the weather is.

Max Factor Eye Brightening Tonal Black Mascara  – I picked this up because it came with a free eyeliner, which  seemed like a good deal. I didn't really believe that it would actually make my eyes brighter, but it actually does. I put this on, and it's the only eye makeup I need. The only downside is that it doesn't come in a waterproof version, but so far I wore it to work out and during a heavy rainstorm, and didn't have any raccoon eye issues.

Pineapple lip balm, because it tastes like summer.

Entertainment:

Summer is the time for carefree country music  (I'm thinking Gloriana, Hunter Hayes, and Kingston)

classic horror movies, bonus points if they are set in a coastal Town like Lost Boys,  and Detective Novels that take you to the Beach like Phoebe Atwood Taylor's Cape Cod Mysteries.

What are your summer essentials? Let me know, comment below!

Peace, Love, and Tiny Umbrellas in Your Drinks,
Laura

One More Thing...

This week's IFB project asked us to share our favorite vintage piece and mine is – how could it not? – a trench coat: 

But here's a surprise for you: it's not Burberry! I found this lightweight Ralph Lauren trench at a thriftstore a while back, and it quickly became one of my favorite pieces:

The detail and craftsmanship on this coat are amazing. It's exactly what I dreamed of since I was five and jealous of all the cool TV detectives in their awesome coats (yes, I had mature taste in TV), and I know that I will wear it for years to come – the more beat-up, the better!

What is your favorite vintage piece? Let me know, comment below!

Peace, Love, and Tiny Umbrellas in Your Drinks,
Laura

Head to Toe

It's IFB project time, and this week it is all about making lists:

We all know them. Those days when we stand infront of our closets and the only look that seems to work is the classic jeans and white shirt combo.  But classic does not need to be boring.  Here are my 5 favorite ways to add interest and style to even the simplest of all looks:  

find us

1 ) Hats: 

 Not only do they protect you from the sun, but they also make one of the best accessories of all time. And they are cool.

2) Bright pink lipstick: 

Wearing a lipstick shade that is a little out of your comfort zone can do wonders for your style.  Dare to be bold every once in a while.  

3) Statement necklaces:  

It's just a necklace, but it does seem to  have the power to turn a white tee into a ball gown. 

4) Skinny belts in bold colors:  

It does not have to be bright pink, but it also does not have to be black or brown. Think about it. 

5) Shoes:  

When everything else fails put on your best shoes. The shabbiest jean can look like a couture piece if paired with the right footwear.

Peace, Love, and Cupcakes

Laura

Summer Essentials

This week IFB asked us to blog about our summer style. My personal summer style does not differ all that much from what I wear during the other seasons, but I always rely on five things to give me that laid back summer edge - no matter how bad the weather is: 

           Free People Top / Ralph Lauren jeans  / Park Lane sandals / Coach bag / Essie nail polish

White Jeans: 

When it's too cold for shorts, I reach for white  denim to give my outfits a summery feel. But remember, you don't want them to look cheap - or worse, end up with seethrough ones. Make sure you get a good quality pair that will last you all summer. A good idea is always to look for them on a salesrack during the winter.  

Whimsical Tops:  

I love my Free People camis in the summer, even if they just peak out of a cardigan.

Beach Bags:  

Who cares if you are just going to school or the grocery store, there is no reason why your books or frozen peas don't deserve a little beach vacation.

Bright Sandals:

As soon as the weather allows it I break out the brightest sandals I own.  

Blue Nailpolish:

Nothing says summer like a manicure that makes you think of pools and beaches. I personally love Essie's blues, especially the metallics.  

What's your Summer must have?

Peace, Love, and Cupcakes

Laura

Good Grip

This week's IFB project features something that I have a love/hate relationship with: Clutches.  

I do love the way a dainty clutch adds sophistication and glamour to everything, but I also love having my iPad, big sunglasses, and half of my bathroom with me at all times, so the big totes usually win.  But that does not mean that I don't have one or two clutches in my collection, and my favorite is this tattered gem:

(the blouse is from Zara)

I'm not a 100% sure if it is real crocodile, as it is one of those 50 cent flew market finds, but it sure looks cool,  and that is all that matters to me. 

Do you have a favorite clutch?

Peace, Love, and Garden Parties

Laura

New Horizons

This week's IFB project is all about shades, and usually this would be a rather boring topic for me because I used to only own two pairs:  a pair of Ray Ban Aviators, that I snatched from my mom a few years back, and the obligatory black Wayfarer's that every cool kid needs. But all this changed a few weeks ago when I set foot into the Coach outlet, and walked out with these:

The Coach  58 mm Retro Oversized Sunglasses

I wasn't even looking for new shades, I just tried these on (in pink!) for a laugh, thinking that they would look silly. But then they didn't, and when I saw that they also came in olive green something possessed me to buy them.  

...and now I love them so much that I am actually considering going back to get a second pair  in another color, like the honey version pictured above. 

Peace, Love, and Garden Parties

Laura

Refusing to Sink...

This week's IFB project asked us to showcase a striped outfit. Those of you who have been following me for a while  know that there could not have been a more fitting assignment, as I rarely wear anything that doesn't involve stripes. So instead of featuring one outfit, I decided to put the spotlight on my favorite striped item: 

The French Sailor Shirt 

I think the picture suffices to demonstrate my love for it (and I didn't even include the sweater versions), but what makes these striped cotton shirts so awesome?

They are easy: 

Striped shirt + jeans = classic and put together. 

They are versatile: 

There is no other item that is easier to dress up or down. Add a suit and heels and you can tackle any business meeting or wear it with shorts and white Converse to enjoy a day at the beach.

They are timeless: 

Originaly designed for members of the French Navy in 1859, the shirt became popular after the Saint James Company first set up shop in 1889. The Normandy based clothier specialized in the striped shirts that were also known as "the seafarer's second skin",  and over a 100 years later the company is still going strong, and the classic design is as popular now as it was back then. 

They are iconic: 

No other item has been worn by as many movie and style icons as the striped shirt

source

source

There is one for everyone (and every wallet):

You don't have to spend a small fortune on a Saint James Shirt, when you can find an equally cute one for  a fracture of the price  at H&M.

...basically there is no excuse not to wear them. 

Peace, Love, and Garden Parties

Laura

Double D

This week's IFB Project is all about the greatest fabric of them all: denim! 

At first I simply wanted to post an outfit of the day but there were just too many options, all of these looks did, however, include one item: my good old denim shirt.
 

I wasn't always a fan of denim shirts. I live in jeans, and in my opinion  the whole denim on denim look was just one pair of western boots away from a cowgirl costume - but I recently discovered how wrong I was, and now I find myself rocking the denim on denim style at least one a week. 

All it took were the right accessories! 

(and a little inspiration from J. Crew)

Chambray Shirt / H&M lace Skirt  / Mango Skinny Jeans 

Keds Sneakers / Necklace / Leather Belt / Wallace & Barnes weekender

What's your favorite way to rock denim? 

Peace, Love, and Spring Showers
Laura

What's Your Story?

This weeks IFB project is all about jewelry, be it costume jewelry, family heirlooms, or that plastic ring you found in a cereal box when you were ten.

Before I begin I have to say that I'm not a jewelry kind of girl. I hardly wear earrings, prefer watches over bracelets, and if I wear my signature charm necklace twice a week, then that's a lot. But if I do put on jewelry it is always a piece with a story. And I'd like to share a few of them with you:

Let's start with the most meaningful one, and that would be the Tiffany's pineapple charm necklace. My grandpa used to give me and my cousins an allowance each month. My cousins, who lived right next to him, got their's each month. I, however, only saw him on holidays, and usually got a year's worth of allowance all at once. When he passed away two years ago, I wanted to spend that last money from him on something to remember him by, and a piece of jewelry seemed like the obvious choice. Why a pineapple? There are many reasons, some private, and some as silly as that he loved Toast Hawaii.

Then there's the Betsey Johnson anchor necklace, which was nothing but a splurge to reward myself for acing a tough exam, but I think it's important to have items that remind you of accomplishments, even small ones.  

The tennis racket, lady bug, horse charm bracelet is the very first piece of real jewelry I owned. And most of the charms have their own little stories, some funny, some sad, some more meaningful than others, but everytime I put it on it's like opening an old photo album.

The pearl necklace and the art deco bracelet are the family heirlooms in my collection - although technically not my family's. Both were given to me for my 20th Birthday by my neighbor, who got them from her best friend. They had known each other for over 70 years, and the pieces always remind of that strong bond between best friends.  

What are the stories behind your jewels? I'd love to hear some of them.

Peace, Love, and Spring Showers

Laura

It's a Cycle...

This week's IFB project asked us to blog about sustainable style, and what it means to us. Well for me it means mainly one thing: Recycling. 

A good half of my wardrobe comes from thrift stores, flew markets, or my parent's closet.  Ever since I was a little kid I loved shopping at thrift or secondhand stores. The main reasons were A) I loved having things that no one else had, and B) the mystery: Who had owned the clothes before me? Where had they been? And what had they been through? The Nancy Drew in me found it fascinating.  After I grew out off my finds I usually sold them at the Sunday morning flew market - long before I discovered Ebay.

It was a cycle. I found something,  enjoyed it for a while, and passed it on to someone else. And except for Ebay entering the equation not much has changed.

These are only some my favorite finds, and yes that's a real Mulberry, and it cost me less than a venti latte at Starbucks, because the leather was stained - which just makes it that much cooler to me.

So give "recycling" your clothes a try, you'll never know what you might find.

Peace, Love, and Spring Showers

Laura

The 4 C's

When I saw this week's IFB Project, I knew I had to participate. The assignment was:  "Define Your Style”, and as any fashion fan knows it's one of the hardest questions to answer. I hate putting labels on things. Yes,  I attend an elite University, and yes I own more than three navy cable knit sweaters, but I wouldn't call myself preppy. My iPod is full of Sum and Blink, and yet I wouldn't be caught in a hoody unless I'm working out. And then there's "nerd", but besides my reading glasses I don't aspire to look like a cast member of the Big Bang Theory...

So what exactly is my Style? Well, I like to refer to the 4 magic C's:

the 4 Cs 

My days are usually a constant back and forth between being curled up on the couch with my laptop,  and running around town. So I rely on great shoes and outerwear  to make my casual jeans and t-shirt combos presentable. My grandpa always  used to say something about judging a man by his shoes and coat - and I guess that kinda stuck with me.  A good (and comfortable) pair of black leather flats goes with everything, and can even make a pair of 9.99 H&M jeans (my fave) look sophisticated. And as long as I have a Burberry trench in my closet I know that I'll always be well dressed. 

Another factor is the versatility of this style, the "C" in colorful. If I wake up and want to celebrate my preppy side, I'll choose a bow and a longchamp. if I want to show my wild side I'll go with a skull scarf, and if I want to channel my inner Sheldon Cooper, I'll rock a comic book tote for the day.

accessories

So I guess one could define my style as a blank canvas. A blank canvas in good shoes and a Burberry trench.

Peace, Love and Spring Showers,

Laura