september. the. list.

It's hard to believe, but September is just about outta here. WHAT?! To celebrate the arrival of October (any other fellow Libras?!), I've put together a roundup of my top picks for fall. With the exception of a few of-the-moment trends (button-front skirts, I'm looking at you), these are all tried-and-true staples that you can wear for seasons to come. #winning


Alexa Chung for AG Kety Cord Mini Skirt (Anthropologie) + Denim Skirt (Nordstrom) // Like everyone else, I'm currently loving button-front skirts. Now, whether I can actually pull one off is a different story... Both of these options from Alexa Chung's line for AG are at the top of my list. I especially love the corduroy one on the left which seems significantly less intimidating to me.  Not to mention that it would also look super cute with lace-up flats and a chunky knit sweater.

Loeffler Randall Ambra Flat (Loeffler Randall) // Speaking of lace-up flats, these Loeffler Randall beauties are utter perfection. Insert heart eyes emoji. From styling them with skinny leg jeans to A-line mini skirts, the outfit possibilities are endless.

The Downtown Field Jacket (J.Crew) // Ah! Field jackets are ah-mazing. I have one from J.Crew Factory and now I really want to invest in another one. Whereas my current field jacket is more of a lightweight cotton material, the ones from J.Crew are made of water-resistant waxed cotton.  I'm currently eyeing one in either black or mossy brown.

Letter Pendant Necklace (Shopbop) // Since I'm not a fan of monograms, I've come to the conclusion that a simple initial pendant necklace is completely necessary. I love this one by Kate Spade — it's clean, simple and practical enough to be worn on the daily. As someone who normally gravitates toward statement necklaces, I think it'll be nice having a more subtle piece of jewelry for #sweaterweather days.

The Simone Highrise in Black (Industry Standard) // Black jeans are yet another one of my fall must-haves. I have a pair from Madewell that I absolutely swear by.  Alas, they've seen better days. To ensure that I have a back-up pair, I've already asked for these high-rise black jeans from Industry Standard for Christmas. Based upon how much I love my Industry Standard jeans in ink blue (read all about the "jeans of my dreams"), it only makes sense to snag another pair.
What are your fall must-haves? Leave a comment below!

xo,

A
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kate. spade. // spring. 2016.

Ah! Kate Spade, you never fail to knock my socks off. ICYMI: KS's Spring 2016 collection, entitled "Imagine the Possibilities," was just as colorful, witty, kitschy and FUN as you would expect it to be. Fun fact: Over 30,000 fresh blooms were brought in to decorate the show venue and to hand out to attendees. I loved the c-o-l-o-r-f-u-l lineup of clothing, shoes and accessories (oh the bags!) so much that, naturally, a quick post was in order. Thanks to all the scrolling and double-tapping that I did on Insta, I've rounded up some of my favorite snapshots from the presentation. (All photo credits noted within the captions below.)

Photo via @ladydeborahlloyd // Imagine the Possibilities.

Photo via @ftdflowers // #livecolorfully
Photo via @ladydeborahlloyd // Black + yellow everything, please!
 
Photo via @bloomingdales // Tea time at Spade.

Photo via @katespadeny // Behind every KS girl is a bouquet of fresh blooms...

Photo via @katespadeny // I spy an ice cream truck clutch.  Insert heart eyes emoji.

Photo via @mrbradgoreski // BRB, crying, because this was Brad Goreski's last time styling a show for Kate Spade.

Photo via @portermagazine // Stop and smell the roses.

And now for a few of my favorite looks from the presentation (Photos via Vogue Runway)...


Candy stripes FTW!  I especially want to replicate the head-to-toe look on the left.  Don't even get me started on the accessories...  An orange bucket bag and movie theater-inspired clutch?  Sign me up.

So chic + sophisticated.  Besides the fact that stripes are a perennial staple, I am straight-up loving the classic trench + navy crossbody bag look.  Can we just go ahead and skip to spring already?!

Ooh-la-la.  I mean, what is there not to love here?  Pretty floral prints, bow flats (!) and a chic neutral palette.

What were your favorite looks from the Kate Spade 2016 collection? Leave a comment below!

xo,
A
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peace. love. summer.


I'm feeling very bittersweet today as we prepare to leave summer behind for the arrival of fall. (ICYMI: The first official day of fall is tomorrow, 9/23).  The funny thing is, I'm not even a fan of hot, humid 90-degree weather.  I prefer my days to be warm-ish + sunny with the possibility of an ice cream cone always on the horizon.

The thing that I love most about summer is the easy-going and free-spirited vibe that seems to accompany us from May through August (and some of September).  Oh, and the long nights when it doesn't get dark until around 9PM. Simply put: I equate summer with vacations (NYC over the beach any day), frozen treats (bomb pops, soft-serve ice cream and shaved ice), printed shorts + vibrant manis, endless nautical stripes, #navyornothing, July 4th (duh!), 7-Eleven Day, McAlister's Free Tea Day, carnival shenanigans and, most importantly, time spent outdoors soaking up the rays (while wearing SPF 100, of course).

While fall really isn't that bad — October is my birthday month after all and I will become accustomed to the chillier temps and added layers soon enough — I definitely find myself yearning more and more for summer as each year passes. In some ways, I guess you could say that it's become my favorite season.  In honor of the "official" end of of summer, I've put together a Steller story consisting of some of my favorite snapshots from the past few months.  Enjoy!


What will you most miss about summer?  Are you ready for fall?  Leave a comment below!

xo,
A
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insta. obsessed. // pt. 3.

It's fri-yay and I'm sharing my favorite Instagram users of the moment! Just as the title of this post suggests, I am Insta-obsessed in every possible way. Out of all the social media platforms, Instagram is without a doubt my go-to resource for visual inspiration. I get a kick out of seeing both staged photos and those taken spontaneously in the moment. For your viewing pleasure, I've rounded up six Instagram accounts — from art to fashion and everything in-between — that have been on my radar lately. (If you're new to the blog, feel free to check out my first and second installments to see which accounts I've spotlighted in the past.) Enjoy!


@paintboxnails (Paintbox, A modern manicure studio located at 17 Crosby Street in SoHo.): Get ready for nail posts galore! While I follow quite a few nail salons on Instagram these days, Paintbox Nails is definitely at the top of my list. Not only do I appreciate their minimalist aesthetic and perfectly manicured tips, but it gives me a way to stay posted on all of the latest nail trends.

@whitneymuseum (Whitney Museum of American Art, The Whitney houses one of the world's foremost collections of modern and contemporary American art. #NewWhitney): My love for following art museums on Instagram allows my inner art history nerd to show — that's for sure. Having completed an internship at an on-campus art gallery myself, I find it especially fascinating to see what other art museums are posting. The Whitney Museum just so happens to flaunt an impeccable feed chock-full of snapshots of their new Renzo Piano-designed building in the Meatpacking District, their current exhibits and the occasional skyline view.

@gregsideris (Greg | Vienna, Austria: Urban Perspectives | Urban Lifestyle): So. Good. As you might (or might not) already know, Vienna serves as a major point of inspiration for me. Until I can make the trip back to visit, I love following Viennese-based Instagram accounts. For urban street shots, beautiful architecture and photography from a non-touristy point of view, Greg Sideris' feed will not disappoint.

@colormecourtney (Color Me Courtney | Blogger: I believe in red lipstick, dessert first, positive vibes & playing dress up! Big apple living. Hopeless hostess.): OMG, I've become a major fan of the fashion blogger Color Me Courtney lately. Not only is her style always fun + fearless, but her positivity is contagious. Not to mention her adorable french bulldog, Waffles (he's seriously the cutest thing everrrr). For instant cheer, DO give this gal a follow.

@evachen212 (Eva Chen, Fashion at Instagram and editor/writer/compulsive shopper/New Yorker): TBH, I'm surprised that I didn't already feature Eva Chen in a previous Insta roundup. Besides her infamous #evachenpose (duh!), I love following her for all of the behind-the-scenes pics and previews. Now that she's working at Instagram as their new head of fashion partnerships, there's no doubt that the stylish snaps will keep on coming.

@dchaussee (Daisy Chaussée 20. Flâneuse. Los Angeles | New York #pursuepink): This stunning feed = #goals. But really. I wish that my feed was as ah-mazing/colorful/awe-inspiring as Daisy Chaussée's. Her creative vision and ability to capture beautiful moments inspires me to no end and keeps me double-tapping. Think pops of pink, hydrangeas and picture-perfect compositions.

Now that I've shared my favorite Instagrammers, it's your turn! Who are your favorite Instagram users to follow? Let me know in the comments below!

xo,
A
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summer. in. lilly.




It's not every day that I wear a Lilly Pulitzer skirt (aka, close to never), but that's exactly what I sported during a casual outing a few weeks ago. To be honest, when I first purchased this skirt on sale last summer, I wasn't exactly sure how to style it. I mean, the fluorescent floral print by itself can be downright intimidating. Add in the wrong top and you have a potential fashion fiasco at your hands. And, we all know that no one wants that!

Ultimately, I opted to take a back-to-basics approach by pairing my pretty floral number with a white tee. Simple really does it. In true "me" fashion, I went a step further and knotted my t-shirt for a slightly more pulled-together look. To complement my easy-going #ootd, I accessorized with a high-shine, seafoam green crossbody bag, mirrored aviators, and sparkly ballerinas to boot. The result was a #winning look — not only was this an uber girly + fun outfit to wear on a hot summer day, but the compliments kept on coming too!

What's your favorite way to wear a white t-shirt? Are there any winning combos that you swear by? Let me know in the comments below!

xo,
A
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blog. redesign.

New month, new blog redesign... and September issues have arrived!
As you may have already noticed, I've swapped out my Blogger template for one that's a tad more sophisticated and streamlined.  For once, I can confidently say that my blog actually resembles a "real" blog.  If that at all makes sense...?!  I've been wanting to give my blog a facelift of sorts for a while now, but knew that I wouldn't be able to do it on my own.  (I also knew that I didn't want to spend a fortune on a blog redesign as I'm still only an amateur blogger at best.)  With all that being said, I couldn't be more happier with this $10 template from CreativeMarket. While it may not be customized solely for my blog — and there may or may not be a million other users with the exact same design — I'm totally okay with that.  I love the minimalist aesthetic and continue to geek out over the cool Instagram and Pinterest widgets on the side.

Besides the obvious (my blog is prettier to look at!), I think the new design will motivate me to blog more consistently and come up with more innovative + original content.  As I continue onto the next phase of blogging, what types of posts and content would you be interested in seeing in the coming weeks?  Let me know in the comments below and I'll do my best to make it happen!

xo,
A
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