Classsssy.

It's Wednesday--hump day as me and my siblings used to call it growing up. We always were so excited we were halfway through the week, and the weekend was just around the corner....which ultimately meant no school ;)

The other day I once again had the privilege of dressing my gorgeous sister! I love everything about this outfit; the classic white/black contrast, with the pop of the red belt. Classy, but still exciting! And, after all this season black & white are being taken over by bold colors in everything from blouses to trousers....the new chic is COLOR. :)

                           (Merona dress & belt, Forever 21 Blazer, Necklace-Bought in Ireland)
Hope you enjoy this beautiful Wednesday wherever you find yourself!
Peace. Love. Joy.

(p.s. Guess what today is?! You got it--Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's; my joy cannot be contained!!!)

Maxi. Maxi....Skirt?

Another, must have for fall...maxi skirts/full skirts. Yup, you heard it ladies, the hemline has dropped. I am loving this new trend because anyone, of any style can embrace it. It can be boho or ultra feminine (loving Kate Bosworth's sophisticated take on this trend above!)

Here are some options to get your shopping started:

                                                                          (Nasty Gal)

                                                                                 (Asos)

                                                                           (JCrew)
How will your dress your maxi or full skirt this fall? So excited to wear this trend :)

Happy Tuesday!
Peace. Love. Joy.

Fancy Nancy,

Happy Monday! Hope your week is off to a great start :-) I am finally getting around to a style post...praise! Today was a slow day for me...hoping this week goes faster than today. I am getting really excited for Wednesday and the Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's launch--brings joy to my heart!

                    (Anna & Frank Silk blouse, Anna Klein skirt, Random pumps, Charlotte Russe ring)
To an amazing, speedy, and joyful weeek :-)

Peace. Love. Joy.

Lazy Saturday && some Missoni :)

Spending this rainy Saturday drinking tea, reading and catching up on my mess of a room....at last a day to rest...ahh! :) (and preparing for "Irene" :)

Some amazing fashion news--Missoni is coming to Target next month! From September 13-October 22nd, Target will be carrying Missoni :) So, all you fellow fashionistas get ready for trendy designs at a price you love!

Here are some of my favorites from the lookbook (check out the bicycle! ahhh!)

(pictures courtesy of Fashionista.com)
Make sure to pop in to your Target starting on September 13th and fulfill your Missoni craving ;)
Enjoy your weekend--and stay safe you fellow east coasters!

Peace. Love. Joy.

(ps. I have the opportunity to go to Vietnam in November, if you'd like to donate to my trip let me know!)

The Help.

The other week I went to see The Help, and I can say hands down it was my favorite movie of the summer!
I fell in love with Jessica Chastain's character, Celia. I loved how she was so oblivious to any racial discrimination. She just lived life, and saw people as "people", not people on some crazy social status ladder. And, I absolutely loved her style! Everything she wore I fell in love with--I would definitely give her best dressed for the film :) (I loved her Monroe-esque figure as well, although she gained 15 pounds for the movie--she looked amazing to me!)

                                             (pictures courtesy of The Help)

If you haven't seen, The Help, I would definitely suggest going out and spending the money to see it!
Jessica is also featured in Brad Pitt's new film, The Tree of Life.

Happy Friday! Hope you've got some fun plans for the weekend before the crazy school season starts up!

Peace. Love. Joy.

Ohh, the little things in life.

My life has been consumed by work and more work, here are things that have been taking up any extra time I find :)

    
-Painting, ohh the joy! My current de-stresser (well, that and a nice latte!)
-September Vogue & Elle issues! I can't tell you how excited September makes me, it's the most exciting month in fashion...so much going on!
-Starting some reading for school--did I mention I am beyond excited to get started? ;)
-Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's; out this coming Wednesday the 31st. I am in love with this dress...and who wouldn't want a tweed dress designed by the one and only Karl Lagerfeld without the Chanel price tag? :-)
(picture courtesy of Nylon Magazine)

P.S. If you've got some time, and you should make some for this--head over to Forbes and read Lauren Conrad's latest article. :-)

Stay inspired :)
Peace. Love. Joy.

Hellooo Polka Dots.

Getting ready for your fall wardrobe? Well, don't forget your polka dots! Polka dots were all over the runway for fall 2011; they are a must have! So go out, buy your dots--small or large and enjoy!

Here are some options to get you started on this lovely trend--happy shopping!

                                                              
                                                                (Tahari-Nordstrom)

 

                                                            (Voile-Net-A-Porter)

                                                                       (Forever 21)
Go out, hit up your mall and get yourself some dots--take apart in this fall must-have!

Peace. Love. Joy.

(ps. make sure to check out the artist spotlight of the month--Katelyn Smoot)

Artist Spotlight: Katelyn Smoot.

This month for my artist spotlight I am featuring photographer Katelyn Smoot :) She has done numerous photo shoots for me and is such a dear friend. Her passion for art and ability to see beauty in everything has inspired me deeply. I got to steal away an interview with her, so take some time and read it and enjoy a little Monday inspiration :)

You’re featured as a photographer in this blog post, but what other forms of art do you meander in?
My photography is what I'm most known for, but I've dabbled in drawing/sketching, printmaking, painting, and sculpting. My university requires every art major to be well rounded in other forms of art outside of their specific major. It allows students to explore outlets they never thought they were particularly excellent in. I, for one, am thankful for this, because the skills I've learned have helped my aesthetic and understanding of my own art, as well as allowed me to understand the interest behind mixed media and how one can utilize it with the skills learned in other art forms. I would have to say that drawing has to be my strong second art form, though I never thought I was particularly good at it. Just goes to show that you should never doubt your own abilities until you've at least tried. 


What gives you the most inspiration for photography?
My inspiration comes from the fact that no one sees the world the way I do, and I want to try and convey that. Whether it's through portraits or landscape, photography is a way to let people in on your world. And through that you can convey beliefs and ideals, or something that is simply beautiful without there having to be a deep, rich meaning behind it. It simply, is. My world is what I create it to be. I love fantasy, and I love how photography gives you the ability to create your own world. That's what excites me. 


What would you say you try to communicate through photography?
 Different things at different times, I would say. At times I try to convey different ideas that are close to me, like the idea of inner beauty and self worth. Then other times, my pictures are just something nice to look at. But they feel nostalgic, almost from a narrative that no one's in on except for me, and I like that. It leaves the image open to interpretation to the viewer, to create whatever story they wish in order to understand it. I've even worked in photojournalism to raise awareness for specific causes that I support. I'm not stuck in one area of communication, and that's the way it should be. 


What is your favorite form of photography? As well as favorite thing to photograph?
Portrait photography is my strong point. I enjoy people. They intrigue me. I love being able to see the beauty in someone that sometimes they can't see themselves. I guess you could say that's my favorite thing to photograph, as well. But, as I've said, I don't settle for one thing. I also love digital collage, which is how I created a series that I made on inner beauty. It's this whole fantasy vs. reality thing that excites me about it. The resources we have now allow photography to be something so not of the this world. So dream like and fictional, but believable at the same time, if that makes any sense. 


Any advice to people who wish to get involved in the ever growing industry of photography?
Don't compare yourself. Everyone's different. The biggest let down you could ever wish upon yourself is to compare your work to someone else's. You should be inspired by other artists, but you should never be discouraged when you think their work is better than yours. Also, stick to your convictions. Don't start creating feminist pieces just because everyone else around you is in on that craziness. Convey your own heart, and don't conform. You'll at least speak to at least one person with your artwork, and that's yourself. If you make art to please other people, you're in it for the wrong reasons. 


And, just because, what are your top 5 favorite things to do when you’ve got the time to do absolutely anything?
I love to read, and I've recently started to read now more than ever. I also love baking, another little form of art that I like, because it's so much fun to create edible things. Walking and day dreaming, simultaneously. And I also enjoy singing, and music, whether that's supporting or taking part in the creating of music. Music is a fantastic art form in and of itself, and I have a high appreciation and respect for musicians. 


Here are some of Katelyn's amazing photographs:

                    


Make sure to check out Katelyn's flickr, and frequent it as it will definitely produce inspiration!
Here's to creating--cheers!
 Peace. Love. Joy.

Parisian Tall.

Sorry I haven't had a style post in awhile, I am working a couple jobs right now and everything had been a bit insane.

Alas, today I am featuring my amazingly gorgeous sister. This morning she threw on these wide leg white pants and then I got to style her from there :) It was fun & easy (since she has the body of a model!).

                                        (Pants-Old Navy, Blouse-LC Lauren Conrad)

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend, and are refreshed and ready for a new week :)

Peace. Love. Joy.

Love 146.

Did you know that there are 27 million people enslaved on our planet today?

The trafficking issue is something so dear to my heart, and I will not stop talking or spreading the word about it until justice prevails. Trafficking generates around 32 billion dollars every year--which is a truly startling amount.

Love 146 is a non-profit that works to end this great atrocity of our time through prevention and aftercare facilities. 

Go on over to their website to learn more about the issue of trafficking, and make sure to visit their store and buy some of their products in support of ending trafficking and getting the word out that slavery is still very much alive in our world. 

Go here to view a clip that sums up what Love 146 does. :)

Get educated. Do something about it. Change the world.

Peace. Love. Joy.

Next Stop: Fall

Fall's just around the corner, and if you're like me you are probably already scrambling to get your wardrobe purchased for the changing seasons! :)

Fall is by far my favorite season....from the yummy lattes to the absolutely amazing fashion! Every year around this time everything in me is anticipating the changing leaves and crisp air.

I thought I'd do a series on fall trends so you can be prepared with all the must haves for the fall.
First staple for this fall: wide leg jeans! They are the most universally flattering pant for females, and they add a little bit of feminine mystique as well. Here are some of my favorite's I found--enjoy browsing!

                                                                    (American Eagle)

(Gap)

                                                                             (Express)
Go buy our wide leg jeans today && if you're daring even try 70's inspired trouser look that is back in!

Peace. Love. Joy.

Fashions Night Out.

People, mark your calendar for September 8th! The biggest night in the fashion industry is back for the 3rd year; Fashion's Night Out. Get your favorite fashionistas together and head out to your nearest city to spend the evening shopping, eating, and being entertained--all to honor and celebrate the fashion industry!

To find out what stores near you are celebrating to to: Fashion's Night Out.

Save up your moolah, grab your closest buddies and head out for a night of shopping and fun--make sure to take pictures too! Who knows, they may just appear in a future blog post! :)

If you want to get started on the big night, go over to the site and grab a piece from the collection--go here. (featured above.)

Hope you're having a fabulous Monday and that your week is off to a wonderful start! =)

Peace. Love. Joy.

Fashion Spotlight: Emma Stone

Emma Stone has been quite the buzz this year--from her bubbly personality to her effortlessly chic ensembles, she is all around amazing! I think what I most love about Emma's style is not that she seems to get it right every single time, but that she wears the outfit, it doesn't wear her. Emma gives outfits personality, instead of simply playing "model" for the gorgeous articles she throws on--you can see "her" in every outfit she embodies. For that she is my fashion spotlight of the month! Here are some of my favorite looks of hers :)

Last look is by far my favorite :)

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend :)

P.S. check out The Help, the new (may, I say amazing!) movie Emma stars in!

Peace. Love. Joy.