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Shirt: Old Navy, Skirt: Forever 21, Moccasins: Minnetonka, Sunglasses: H&M

I'm back at home, which means more opportunity for me to take outfit photos and, of course, actual natural light to take better photos. Same color palette as the last outfit I posted, but what can I say, I'm just a red, white and blue lover. Since I'm back home, I've been reunited with my wardrobe and closet, from which I dug out these Minnetonka moccasins. They're perfectly worn in and feel perfect on my feet. Who needs new shoes when old shoes are so welcoming?

Malfoy and Ron do Band of Outsiders

Remember how a while ago, everyone was all over those Boy by Band of Outsiders photos that featured Kirsten Dunst? Well, this is even better than Kiki - it's Tom Felton and Rupert Grint in Band of Outsiders. These are the best ever (yes, I'm a huge Harry Potter fan).

All images (and more!) via Band of Outsiders

Brand Love: Tommy Hilfiger

If you've read my blog for basically any amount of time, you know I'm a lover of all things preppy. So, of course, this Tommy Hilfiger video for their Fall 2011 collection, featuring the motley crew of models that make up the fictional Hilfiger clan, is right up my alley.




Enjoy the sartorial inspiration and house envy.

Stay Safe, East Coasters

I'm at home in Virginia, luckily. I hope everyone stays indoors and stays safe this weekend!

Brand Love: Jack Wills

While on Nantucket, my mom, sister and I took an afternoon to wander about in town, ducking in and out of stores. One of our favorites (and the place where both my sister and I got a little something) was Jack Wills. The Nantucket outpost of the British brand was their first in the U.S., though now they've expanded past the island. The brand, which tags itself as "fabulously British" has a lot of clothes and accessories that appeal to me. I bought a striped boatneck dress but there was a lot in the store that caught my fancy. So, of course, I'm equally intrigued by their fall lookbook and the accompanying video.

Jack Wills Autumn 2011 from Jack Wills on Vimeo.
One thing I like about the Jack Wills brand is that it has a clear attitude. You know how magazines have a voice? I feel like the Jack Wills brand is like that - it has a voice, that remains uncompromised. (I feel this way about a lot of other brands - Kate Spade for instance, never wavers in their voice.) Another thing I like about Jack Wills? The fun bedroom/dressing rooms:

And one last thing I really like about the Jack Wills store? The cute British guy working the register.

More from Me:

If you've been wondering what I've been up to this summer:

See my fellow interns and I pose streetstyle-style

Or pick up a September issue of SELF and turn to p. 82

You can also follow me on Tumblr and Pinterest when things seem a little quiet here

It's in the Bag

I apologize for having gone missing recently. With work and working on a freelance piece, not to mention trying to make the most out of my last week in New York (I leave tomorrow), I've just been busy. And when I haven't been busy, I've been exhausted (case in point, I could probably fall asleep right this minute). But I hope to get the creative juices flowing and more up on here once I'm home and a little less stressed.

Here's an outfit I wore a couple weeks ago:

Dress: Forever 21, Blazer: Petite Sophisticate, Shoes: Target, Bag & Sunglasses: H&M

I loved this outfit so much, I wore it two days in a row. I wore it on a day off, then realized that I liked the combination of the dress, shoes and bag so much that I might as well wear it to work the next day. After all, who would know? This bag was one of my favorite H&M finds this summer (and there have been quite a few). I wanted a satchel, and I love the bright color and the adjustable strap. It'll be a great companion this fall.

My Last Back to School: Penny Loafers

I'm currently looking for a perfect pair of penny loafers. Or, really a pair of loafers, since I'm not sure all of these warrant the cent title. I'm dreaming of a pair of loafers to get me through fall, to be worn with cuffed skinny jeans, sweaters and plaid shirts but also dresses (or skirts) with bright tights and a denim jacket. These six represent some of my favorite options out there (though some aren't really options for me, being out of my price range and all). If I had my way, come September I'd be packing all of these into my senior year-bound suitcases

Clockwise from top left: Asos "Scholar" loafer, Tory Burch Penny Loafer, J.Crew Biella Patent Loafer, Bass Beacon Hill loafer,  DV by Dolce Vita "Wentz" Loafer, Sperry Topsider Brant Point slip-on

My last back to school year

I was hanging out with one of my friends who graduated this spring and realized that this would be my last back-to-school fall. It's a little hard to think about, honestly. I'm ready to be done with school, but am I ready to leave behind back to school shopping?
In honor of my last year of back-to-school, I'm putting together some posts on my ideal school-type wardrobe. First up: a look at what I hope to be wearing on my feet.  

Big Red

It's been a while since I've shared an outfit, but since I'm living on a couch right now (graciously provided by a friend who lives in Washington Heights) I'm glad I've stored up a few to post while I'm unable to snap photos. Don't worry - you're not missing much. In addition to living on a couch I'm also dressing out of a suitcase (which is turning more for the weird hobo end of the spectrum instead of glamorous jetsetter, alas).

Shirt: Old Navy, Skirt: Zara, Wedges: Steve Madden

I wore this...a week and a half ago? Maybe? My memory is terrible. It was one of those mornings where nothing was looking quite right, so I just threw on one of my favorite 3/4 sleeve tees and a skirt that draws attention. I think that's the best thing to do when you're running low on time or energy in the morning or just can't think of what to wear: Wear something bold and build around to complement it. Don't go for some fancy, complicated outfit, just go with things you know work.

Fall favorites: Tommy Hilfiger

In case you were wondering, yes, Tommy Hilfiger has put out another set of awesome ads for Fall 2011. And yes, I'm adding basically every piece to my "If I had $1,000,000" wishlist.

Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2012

Investment Pieces

In almost every fashion magazine, from time to time you'll find an article about so-called "investment" pieces. These, of course, are things you spend a lot of money on because they're classic, eternally wearable articles of clothing/accessories. Well, I just bought my first investment piece.
Today, I headed over to the Frye store in Soho (if you're ever in NYC, you should check it out because it's gorgeous. If you're not in NYC, check out the pictures from NY Mag here) in search of a brand new pair of boots that will last me a long time.
The Frye store was a bit overwhelming with all the styles of boots available. I had already scoped out some styles online (as seen in my post here) but when confronted with so many boots in person it was a little harder to choose. I ended up trying on only one of the pairs from my post, the Melissa button boot and then I also tried on the Carson riding boot.
Despite my previous desire for the Melissas, I went with the Carsons.

Both pairs were comfortable, but the Carsons had more characteristics that I liked - the top was more scalloped, they had more detail and the leather was matte instead of shiny. Since I can't wait to wear them, I styled a few outfits around them.

I'm in love with these boots.

Wear Shorts to Work

Even though I work in an environment that isn't strict about dress code, there are still a few things that I worry about wearing to the office. One of those things is a pair of shorts. I had seen numerous people in them at work, but I was still concerned that I would wear a pair and get some sort of reprimand. So I planned my first shorts to work outfit carefully.

Step 1: Pick a pair of shorts that isn't too short
     This one is self-explanatory. There are, of course, certain workplaces where short-shorts would be more    than welcome. Mine is not one of them. So I wore my one pair of shorts that has a 5-inch inseam. That's right a whole 5 inches. This was a struggle for me, but I looked work appropriate.


Step 2: Choose your top carefully.
     I didn't want all the focus to be on my bottom half, so I wore a loose-fitting, sheer top with a fun pattern (adorable elephants!). I'm not saying you can't go more form-fitting, this is just what I felt most comfortable with. I think in general, covering up on your top half detracts from the laid back feel of shorts. You don't want to look like you're going to a barbecue.


Step 3: Appropriate shoes are key
     Again, I'm sure there are some workplaces where a pair of short-shorts and a platform stiletto would be encouraged, but um, not anywhere I go. I wore a heel, sure. But a small, sturdy heel. I've seen shorts worn with serious heels in the office, but I'm not brave enough to pull it off. Really, the key is knowing what looks right for you for your workplace.

Outfit Details: Top: Forever 21, Shorts: Old Navy, Shoes: Aerosoles

To Boot

I've recently come into a bit of money (my first freelancing paycheck) and to celebrate being a published and paid writer, I'm putting my hard earned dollars toward something that I wouldn't normally be able to get myself. I have a few rules though. For one, I'm not going to buy anything that I can't have for a long time - nothing I won't use a lot or will wear out quickly. Second, it has to be something classic. I want something that I can have for years upon years that won't look dated. So, I've tentatively decided that I want a pair of Frye boots.

I've narrowed it down to these four styles and on Wednesday I'll go to the Frye store in Soho to try and find them to try them on. Any suggestions?

Falling for Fall: Zara TRF

The news that Zara would have U.S. e-commerce starting in September was already exciting for me, thanks to my numerous visits here in NYC (there is one in Chicago and one in the suburbs, but nowhere, you know, in walking distance) but then I saw some of the fall campaign images and got even more excited. The Zara TRF line looks to be full of jewel tones and cozy knits - two of my favorite things. I'm already contemplating an online shopping cart filled with that green cable knit sweater and pink quilted skirt.

Images via Fashion Gone Rogue

Naturally Nantucket

One of the things I love most about Nantucket is how beautiful it is. The island got a lot of rain this winter, so everything on the island is green and lush. I took a lot of pictures of all the gorgeous flowers I saw, which included my absolute favorite flower - hydrangeas. I had a great time snapping the blooms against the bright blue sky. Make sure you get to the last photos in the post - they're my favorite!

 More to come from my weekend in Nantucket