October Pin Ups

Here are the best of the month... Enjoy!

Inspiration: Staying Cozy

It happened; the weather shifted from still-holding-on-to-summer-warmth to yup-winters-coming-and-it's-100%-fall-now. So I thought I'd look for some inspiration to get me through the chill. Time to break out the tea and jammies...

Happy Friday!

Oooooh, what goes with my Giants hat???

Oh, thats right- EVERYTHING.



Happy Friday

And Game 3.

Makin' It Happen: Smashbook

Hi; I'm Katie and I'm addicted to scrapbooking.

No really though, I just finished my first scrapbook this week and I'm obsessed. Theres something deeply satisfying about taking paper and glue and making something adorable and, hopefully, worth treasuring. 

Today, while out on a grocery run, my roommate and I stopped my Michaels (cuz why not?) and I found this:

That's right kids; It's my first Smashbook.

I guess that means I'm finally a woman. 

Smashbook is a line of scrapbooks designed to be, well, smashed together. That is, it's not meant to be a particular style or theme but a conglomerate of scrapbooking bits and pieces. It's like a spiral-bound notebook but the pages are all cute and ready to be decorated. 

I'm going to use my Smashbook as a personal challenge: fill it up in the next 52 weeks. Hopefully, setting aside time every week or so to craft, create and look at old pictures will help keep me inspired. 

Here's to hobbies!

Wish List: Flats

Ok, I love the look of heels, but let's be honest: they're hardly practical.

As a result, the bulk of my shoe collection is flats. Unfortunately they're all wearing out at the same time. OH NO- now I have to shop.

Here's some of my favorites

Say Hello to My Jewelry

I finally have all my jewelry unpacked and set up.

Although many people subscribe to the jewelry box school of thought, I prefer to hang up all me jewelry. That way I can see it all and grab what I'm looking for in the morning.

Take a look and see what you think

Happy Friday!

It's Friday! Go out and get yourself a well-deserved drink and something fried; I know I will be!

Here's a pic of my grandma's happy dogdog to get you going.

Have a good weekend!

Dress Is More: Striped Dress

Picked this little number up at Target the other day- and its already my new go-to dress. I paired it with my Madewells and green socks for maximum comfort. It's so soft and warm... I'm basically wearing a sweatshirt and tricking everyone into thinking its real clothes.

Who said looking good has to be uncomfortable?

Wish List: Vases

Here at our apartment we've gotten into the habit of having fresh flowers in our living room and... foyer? welcome nook? front hall? I don't know what it's called, but its the first thing you see when you get home and I like it. Anywho, since we've had flowers around a lot, it's got me thinking about vases. So here are some vases i've had my eye on.

Enjoy!

Never Ending Story Pt II: The Goods.

Remember that time I started sorting my clothes? I know it's been a while, but I promise I didn't forget.

Well I completed Step 1, which was getting rid of the pieces I don't wear or don't like anymore (which was a much smaller pile than I was expecting). With that phase finished, packing went much faster. Now that I'm unpacking, I'm starting Step 2. Step 2 is going through and assessing what I have going on.

So here's a brief overview of the closet:


TOPS

Looking at all my tops lined up, I have come to a conclusion: I'm not allowed to get any more cream or white button downs. Especially if they're sheer. To be fair, I wear all of them, but there is a limit.
I also noticed that I have pretty much all solid colors. A color locked or small scale pattern will sneak in there once in a while, or maybe some beading, but my tops are dominated by solid colors. The cut of my tops is fairly uniform: either button downs, semi-fitted t shirts, trapeze tops or camisoles. That's it.



OUTERWEAR

My jackets are kind of dull, really; either leather jackets (of which I have many like my boots,) or blazers. I have a grays, black and a red one. Boom.

I also have two vests, a black leather one and a fishing vest from my uncle. It sounds a little odd, but it looks awesome with everything and is so cozy.

I have a problem with buying orange and oatmeal sweaters. I just keep wearing and loving them; is that so wrong? They tend to be finer knits with some drape or cardigans. The chunky knits I have are few and far between. There's my Paris sweater from my cousin which I wear like a coat and my gold metallic sweater, the ultimate statement neutral. That sounds backwards, but just trust me on this one.


BOTTOMS

I hate jeans shopping, so when I find a pair I like, I just stick to that and don't deviate. As a result, all my pants are either from Old Navy or Uniqlo. My favorite cut is straight/ skinny, and I like some color; I have dark denim, gray, yellow, green, black and purple. S I've got some interest going on there.

As for skirts, I tend to go patterned on these guys. Looking at them all together, I tend to go with warm colors ranging from tans to reds with a black skirt thrown in for good measure.


DRESSES

I have a couple. this is actually the most diverse part of my closet. Most of them are plain, but I have a few ikat print and floral dresses. Color-wise, I have the whole spectrum: creams into pinks to reds all the way through to purples, browns and blacks. Even the cuts are diverse. Some full skirts, some straight cuts, fitted and draped, thin straps and long sleeves.











So that's what I'm working with. I have a lot of good base pieces, but a lot of it, but feels a little...stale. Or too much like college. Im not sure which; maybe its both. Either way I'm dissatisfied with my closet as a whole.

I think what I need to do next is look at my inspirations again and figure out my favorite pieces. I might even pack away my non-favorites for a few months and see if I forget about them or miss them. Although I love most of my closet, it lacks focus and a cohesive quality that would make it more functional and pleasing.

Now that I've looked at everything together, I'm ready for the next step: deciding what I love about my clothes and what I'm missing to take this pile of garments and turn it into a wardrobe.

I think I've got some more sorting to do...

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My Favorite Things: Boots

You know what we haven't talked about yet?

Boots.

I really don't know how we got this far without discussing them.

Boots are very near and dear to my heart. I'm the girl who wears them until July. I'm not gonna lie; they're kind of the backbone of my wardrobe. I'm also very loyal to my boots. I wear them until they literally cannot be worn any more. The heels have to break off or the soles have to slip off before I let a pair go.

In my move of epic proportions, I had to leave a pair or two at home, but I do have some of my favorite pairs here with me.

First up I have my black M&S boots. I got these in London about four years ago when I was studying abroad there. It was a day that started out sunny and then began pouring down rain. Naturally, I was in flats. So I ran into Marks and Spencer (M&S) and literally grabbed these off the rack. I've been wearing them incessantly ever since.

Then theres my Frye boots. These babies have been with me since freshman year of college. I found them after stalking them on ebay for... longer than I'd like to admit. Long story short, I got a pair of (admittedly used) $300 pair of boots for just over $100. Then they arrived and, miraculously, they fit me perfectly. And when I say perfectly I mean I'm pretty sure those clouds in that pixar short made them and the storks delivered them to my door. They really are the most perfect stacked heel boots a girl could hope for. They've worn in so nicely, with those fantastic slouches around the ankle that make me feel like Lauren Hutton or Angelica Huston circa 1970 (AKA freakin' fabulous).

Finally there are my Madewell boots. These were a birthday present from my grandparents, Grandma & Bumpa. My grandma loves shoe shopping, so I sent her pictures through the selection process, which might have been the most fun part. I knew I needed flat riding boots for the day when heels were just a little too much. I went to Madewell because I love their clean style (and I like to pretend I can afford beautiful %50 t shirts), and I was looking for something versatile without too many bells and whistles. Don't get me wrong; I love me some hardware, but it has it's time and place, y'know? Anywho, I saw these, tried them on, and fell instantly. The leather is beautiful and soft and they make a satisfying click. I started calling them my Han Solo boots because of how kick-ass they make me feel. That, and I wanted to name something after the coolest Harrison Ford character.

The thing that makes me love these boots so much is simple. I love them because they can all go anywhere. They have all been to parties, to work, to class, to family reunions, to Paris, you name it. All of them look amazing with any outfit, are comfortable enough to wear all day, and make me fell, well, fabulous. And isn't that what boots are supposed to be?

Inspiration: Gold

I'm a bit of a magpie. 

I love all things that sparkle.

That in mind, I started to look around me and I noticed how happy and warm and... fall like gold things make me feel. So in the spirit of the season, I put together some of my favorite gold images to keep me inspired all fall long and into winter. Hope this warms you up!

Weekend Pin Ups

Here are this weeks picks!

Dress Is More: Leopard and Orange

Some of my favorite pieces have been impulse pieces.

When I first got the skirt, it was just a cheep thrill from Forever 21. I literally grabbed it and tossed it on the pile on my way to check out. I honestly don't think I remembered I had bought it until I got home. 

The same goes for my orange Uniqlo blouse. It was next to the cardigans and the color popped as I walked by, so I snatched it up.

Both of these impulses were excellent choices. Especially when paired together and put with my Ferragamo loafers. It all works together in an unexpectedly fantastic way. Just goes to show that listening to your gut pays off. Right?

A Little Bit of Blog Love

Just wanted to give a shout out to my favorite blogs. These ladies perk me up and keep me inspired. I hope you enjoy them too!

Charmingly Styled
Cup of Jo
See Creatures
Heather Snacks
A Beautiful Mess

What are the blogs that inspire you?

Wish List: City Prints

Theres a blank space on my wall.

It's so sad, like a duckling that just cant catch up with her siblings or the dog that legitimately can't understand why he can't catch his tail.

Naturally, I wandered over to etsy to find a little something to make my wall feel a little less sad. And I found something. A few somethings, actually:

I love them so much. I want to get one for each city I've lived in (plus Paris). Now the only question is... do I get all the same series OR do I do all different?

Quandaries...

My Favorite Things: Perfume

I have a thing for smelling good. I hate leaving the house without a spritz of perfume. Perfumes are one of those things that make me feel complete. This is going to sound a tiny bit crazy, but I feel they take a group of garments and turn them into an outfit. They make me showered to clean and ready. They take me from awake to alive.


I really love perfume.
I wasn't kidding.

And I've gathered quite the collection over the years.

My relationship with perfume is a long one. So here it is.

me, loving one perfume best 

When I first started wearing perfumes every day, I started with the sweet, fruity ones like Ralph by Ralph Lauren. That one stuck for years; I was very into the signature scent school of thought. Like Belle in Beauty and the Beast when the shopkeepers like "girl, you've read that book!" and she's all "I don't care. Im gonna read it again."


That's right; I'm Belle in this story.

there are other perfumes? say WHAT

Later, I switched it up with florals when I discovered Stella by Stella Mccartney. I was extraordinarily loyal to my Stella, and still am in my heart. I still have a few bottles of Stella and Stella Fresh which I use regularly.

HELLS YES.

Then, about three years ago now, I realized something: by sticking to only one perfume, I was missing out on a myriad of scents. I could be wafting about smelling completely different and yet entirely like myself every day. Suddenly the walls of Sephora weren't just a shimmering collection of lights and glass, but a library of possibilities. I felt like Belle when Beast is all "here's a whole ton of books (ps please love me)" and she's all "What the WHAT? Awesome." Then she gives herself a mental high five.

Anyways, I became a woman of many perfumes. Not surprisingly, my collection expanded fairly quickly. After looking at them for a moment, I realized that I had, once again, fallen into a particular type of perfume: French, classic, and sexy. You might say that my perfume collection has matured as I have matured. Or you can say I have a weakness for Chanel. You would be right on either count.

Either way, my favorites right now are all have a crisp, old-world feel to them. On my nightstand, where they live, I have Eau de Fleures Néroli by Chloé, Chanel Allure, Coco Mademoiselle and it's predecessor, Coco, Love, Chloé by Chloé, and the recently rejuvenated classic Chanel No. 19 Poudré. I love them all for their subtlety and playfulness, their familiarity and  substantiality, but most of all for their sense of self.

Basically, I love them because they are everything a good book is.


And isn't that what all good perfumes should be?

So now you know my favorites, what are some of yours?