Mad About Style {The Muse}: J. Crew's Jenna Lyons

 Photo Credit

Ninety percent of my closet consists of J. Crew, so it shouldn't come as any surprise that I am a Jenna Lyons fangirl.  Her style is amazing not to mention attainable.  Who doesn't have the pieces in their closet to recreate this look.  

Cropped

 

I love the idea of a cropped look for the spring.  I would pair it with a high waist pencil skirt or incorporate one of the current trends with the denim overalls.  You can never go wrong pairing florals with stripes as the latter serves as a neutral.  To add a bit more interest and flair throw in a few clutches in an eye catching color.   Birkenstocks are all the rage this season so take advantage of the sensible footwear while you can and incorporate with either look.  The great thing about the pieces I selected is that they mix and match well.  Dress up the denim with the pumps and dress down the skirt with the Birkenstocks or vice versa.   

A Mashup of Prints

 I came across a few photos from an event I hosted a few months ago.    This was my father's retirement bash and I wanted to do something different.  I purchased these pants from Free People and had this peplum floral number that I bought in early spring.  I love mixing prints so I decided to throw a mashup together and was very happy with the final look.  

Thank you to my lovely sister for snapping these photos when I wasn't looking.  She knows how much I am insecure about posing for the blog and she always manages to sneak a few in.  

Style-spiration: Ashley Olsen

photo credit

Thinking of all of the things I have in my closet that would allow for me to duplicate this exact look!!  How amazing does Ashley Olsen look in this leather pencil skirt and blazer!!

February Instagram Photo Journal

Something new I am trying.  While I have a link to my instagram available on the blog it is not my blog's official instagram.  I am horrible at documenting my outfits (I hate staged photos).  I find the best way for me to share what I am wearing is via my instagram photos.  The shots are more reflective of my personality.

So here is what you are looking at:

An all denim inspired outfit with my favorite (and most comfortable) pair of heels from Shoemint. A preview of a few outfits I recently bought for spring.  Loving Nordstrom's inventory and their take on the Spring trends.

 My take on this Spring's Black and White trend with Ann Taylor Loft Peplum blouse and my new Furla Candy Bag in Opaque White.

Some Doc Marten's I found in my closet from a few seasons ago.

P.S.  I have sort of taken the blog in a new direction (hence the infrequent posts).  Instead of taking an editorial approach I am treating it much like a mood board so you will be seeing more inspirational type posts and things that represent whatever creative space I am in at the moment.  It will still be centered around fashion and art and culture so it isn't that much of a departure.

My Closet {Today's Look} - Madewell Leopard Spotted Pants

I picked these Madewell pants up a few days ago and am extremely happy with the purchase.  The print is amazing and the styling possibilities are endless.  Today I wore them with a black vintage cotton T, ballerina flats all from J. Crew and an Armani Exchange leather jacket.

The Bermuda Short

Photo via my instagram

The perfect summer short with perforated J. Crew ballet flats!!

Instashot: Tie Dyed

Photo via my instagram

A quick shot of what I wore yesterday, my new pair of Crop Roxanne Tie Dye jeans and my current fave pair of Alexander Wang sandals that are currently sold out. 

My Closet: Purple Haze

Shirt: Stylemint; Skirt: J. Crew (old); Shades: Ray Bans; Belt: Ann Taylor; Bag: The Sak

Some of my best looks come together unexpectedly.   The story behind this look is I woke up and realized I was going to be late for an appointment.  I found this skirt I forgot I had from two summers ago and decided to throw one of my favorite Stylemint T's with it.  Here is the thing about basics they always work together.  To make things a bit interesting I added the gold skinny belt with a very beautiful bag that doesn't get nearly enough wear.  In the end I managed to pull together a monochromatic/mixed-print look, not too bad for a last minute look.

My Closet: Summer Dressing

Photos via my Instagram

I got this dress from Free People and am loving the leather detailing and the cut outs in the back.  Also found these Alexander Wang sandals on sale, major shoutout to Where Did U Get That blog for bringing them to my attention. This dress was the perfect addition for the extremely hot summer we have been having thus far.  The material is soft and flowing and extra feminine and is given a slight edge with the leather trimming.



My Closet: Returning to the Basics

Blazer: White House Black Market; Shoes: 3.1 Phillip Lim Cody D'Orsay Pumps; Shirt: Stylemint; Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Shades: Chloe

I never tire of the basics; blazer, t-shirt and jeans with statement bag and shoes. 

My Closet: Revisiting Old Favorites

Shirt: Nordstrom; Shorts: Nordstrom; Bag: PS11 Classic; Shoes: Shoemint

I found these old favorites in my closet and decided to update them with a few pieces I bought this season; my PS11 Classic and my favorite Shoemint wedges.

My Closet: The Villa Wedding in DVF

Dress: Diane Von Furstenberg; Shoes: 3.1 Phillip Lim Cody D' Orsay; Shades: Ray Ban

Two weeks ago I attended my cousins wedding in Atlanta.  I wore a Diane Von Furstenberg Maja Two Dress in Dot Trail.  I really love the silhouettes that the designer uses and I think she makes the perfect dresses for semi-formal occasions.  My favorite shoe currently is the 3.1 Phillip Lim Cody D' Orsay pump.  Surprisingly this shoe is extremely comfortable and I get lots of compliments on them.  As you can see the grounds of the Villa were absolutely perfect for a wedding and the weather was amazing.  

My Closet: White Denim

Jeans: Abercrombie; Top: Ann Taylor Loft; Shoes: J. Crew

I am honestly having a bit of an obsession with white denim this season.  It is something about the neutrality of this color and its ability to go with just about anything that has me reaching for this pair of jeans often.  I love the cropped look with my flats and not to mention how not so casual a white pair of jeans can look.  It is so easy to look more done up than you really are when you throw on a pair of white denim pants with an easy tank top and a pair of fun flats, don't you guys agree?

My Closet: Stylemint x Shoemint

Shirt: Stylemint (Jessie T); Shoes: Shoemint (Christina); Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11 Classic; Jeans: Siwy Denim; Shades: Ray Ban Polarized Aviators

Of all of the Beachmint ventures Stylemint and Shoemint have to be my absolute favorites.  I think I average 2 shirts and a pair of shoes a month.  I get so excited anticipating what new styles are to be released each month.  I recently made a few purchases that I was happy to pair together and try a nice striped look.  I love the Jessie T in Navy and black, as well as the Christina pointed toe flat in black and white.  I absolutely love a no fuss look and comfortable clothing; and Stylemint and Shoemint make well made products that are absolutely COMFORTABLE!!  I very rarely wear heels and I find myself buying more and more of them from the site.  I recommend everyone tries at least one pair of their shoes and you will be instantly hooked.  Not to mention the very reasonable price tag.  Whenever I choose to wear minimal basics, I try to amp them up with a designer bag or statement piece of jewelry.  My PS11 Classic compliments this stylemint x shoemint look very well. 

My Closet: Warm Weather Knits

Knit: J Crew; Bag: Louis Vuitton Alma; Shoes: Dolce Vita; Sunnies: Ray Ban Polarized Aviators

I bought this lovely knit from J Crew last week and am so obsessed with its light weight high quality fabric that I went back today to get the white and beige/yellow versions.  Warm weather knits are an absolute must when you want to take a casual look to the next level.  Also how amazing is this Louis Vuitton Alma bag? I wrestled with myself in the boutique trying to make a decision between the black and yellow version and am so very happy I went with the yellow.  I have gotten so many compliments on this bag and I love pairing it with the bright colors that are on trend this season for a nice color blocking effect. 

My Closet: J. Crew + Madewell Gingham Button Up Shirt

 

photo via my Instagram

Gotta love the updates to a classic.  Gingham print on the classic button up shirt amazing work J. Crew and Madewell!!

Keeping Time

Photos taken via my instagram

The ultimate piece of statement jewelry.

Personal Styling: Menswear with a Twist

I love the menswear look!!.  The secret to this look is to incorporate a piece here or there.   I chose the brogue and button up to anchor the look and feminized it with the skirt and tights.  How would you style your ideal menswear look?

Click the links below to shop the look or similar pieces

Equipment Deck Hand Blue Denim Shirt Blouse (similar)

Alice + Olivia Louise Box Pleat Leather Skirt

Color Block Striped Tights (similar)

Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium Bag

Acne Spin Brogue Wedge Boot

Personal Styling: Prints

I will be featuring designer Mary Katrantzou this month on the blog.  I really love how she uses digital prints in her designs.  It is very different from anything I have ever seen.  Click on the links below to shop this look or similars.

Mary Katrantzou 'Sail'  Dress (similar)

Monsoon Yellow 80 Den Opaque Tights (similar)

Loriblu Beige Platform Booties

Asos Leather Ostrich Embossed Clutch (similar in Croc Embossed Leather)