Last day of February? Time flies when you’ve got a growing to-do list looming over you. With spring on the horizon (only 20 days away — put it in your iCal!) I'm slowly, but surely starting to work in spring wardrobe essentials. (Knowing how spring in Virginia goes though, I have a feeling we haven’t seen the last of winter yet. I like to call it sprin-ter.) And that’s where today’s #OOTD comes in.
What better way to make the transition from winter to spring than with a lightweight Madewell knit sweater (I’m obsessed with the pinkish coral hue!), skinny jeans (cuffed ‘cuz I'm borderline petite) and lace-up ballerinas? Give or take a little peekaboo tulle trim. I know this outfit isn’t particularly fancy, but goodness knows I'm a sucker for a dialed down look that works overtime on the weekend. Since I know that tulle’s having a bit of a moment, I paired my oversized sweater with a frilly hem tank top that I’ve had for years. The result was a little bit girly, a lot femme — and definitely sophisticated. For accessories, I opted for a simple gold horn necklace and an Old Navy bucket bag that never fails to fit the bill.
Last but certainly not least, let’s take a sec to chat about these olive suede flats (also from Madewell). They’re. Literally. Perfection. I got them on sale on a whim, but never imagined how comfortable/amazing/foolproof they’d be. Not only was I able to break them in during the first wear, but they’re extremely versatile with jeans, denim button-front skirts — you name it. Sometimes the ties have a way of unraveling over the course of the day, but otherwise, they’re < insert praise hands emoji here >.
Okay I lied, one more thing. Can we all just agree that a good hair day shall *always* be documented? Lately, I’ve been all about peppy ponytails. They’re fun, girly and immensely underrated. Throw in a bow hair tie and I'm pretty much on cloud nine. Sue me for my obsession with bows — they may not be for everyone, but you can definitely count me in.
What are your spring style essentials? Comment below!
xo,
A
Unfortunately, I missed my opportunity to learn French in high school. (I still regret it to this day, especially since I was stuck taking four g-l-o-r-i-o-u-s years of Spanish. No me gusta.) Fortunately, I DO have the somewhat recent-ish Madewell x Sezane capsule collection to fulfill my dreams of becoming a Parisian girl. As you can imagine, this playful striped tee was pretty much a no-brainer. Factor in the nautical stripes, the relaxed fit and the well-placed pocket (!), and you’ve got the quintessential French girl staple.
I had to Google what the embroidery on the pocket translated to in English — ‘cuz you obvs can’t go around sporting an embroidered shirt not knowing the meaning behind it. Initially, it seemed as though the translation was “marry me,” but that just didn’t seem right. According to Madewell, it actually means “you with me.” Phew. That makes a lot more sense now knowing that Madewell and Sezane also designed a matching navy striped tee with the phrase “moi avec toi” (“me with you”). AKA, grab your BFF for a twinning look.
And now onto the outfit deets. Although, I wore this particular ensemble when out and about on an unseasonably warm January day, it would be absolutely perfect for the weather that we’re having this week. It’s still winter, but boy does it feel like spring! I’m beginning to think that Punxsutawney Phil was wrong with his whole six-more-weeks-of-winter prediction. Not that I’m complaining or anything… To complement my favorite striped shirt of the moment, I opted for none other than my favorite denim skirt of the moment (also notably from Madewell and on repeat). With my shirt tucked in, the result was effortless and dialed down for the daytime. Last but not least, I accessorized with my go-to Cambridge Satchel bag, a pair of my beloved Bloch oxford flats and mirrored sunnies. I imagine this look working just as well with some rolled-up boyfriend jeans or white chino shorts come summer.
What are your must-have French girl staples? Let me know in the comments below!
xo,
A
Happy Valentine’s Day! In honor of this lovey dovey holiday that everyone either loves or loves to hate, I’m sharing a special V-Day themed mani. In place of the traditional sparkly accent nail or pink ombre mani that I’m normally accustomed to, I decided to switch things up. I spotted this super cute upside down heart with eyes manicure (I’m assuming it was inspired by the Comme des Garçons logo) while scrolling through Olive & June’s Instagram feed and decided to replicate it. The fact that I’m sharing the end result means that it didn’t turn out half bad — surprisingly.
While this nail design just so happens to be *perfect* for Valentine’s Day, it need not be restricted to February 13, 14 or 15. A few tips if you’re looking to replicate the design: Practice first! As a rule of thumb, be sure to allow ample drying time for your base coat (#glossierpink) to avoid any messy slip-ups. My next tip would be to utilize an extra fine-tipped paint brush (or nail art brush if you happen to have one handy) to achieve any minuscule details such as the eyes and heart outline. Finish off with a fast-drying top coat (I applied a coat once the pink base layer was dry and then another once the heart eyes design was complete). Voilà !
What are your favorite Valentine’s Day traditions? (Mine’s obvs indulging in candy hearts!) Let me know in the comments below!
xo,
A
Comin’ atcha on this frigid February Friday (try saying that three times fast!) with a new series. I was hoping to share a larger roundup of Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day gifts, but with the date fast-approaching, I’ve put together a short list of gifts to treat yo’ self to this February 14 (and beyond). It goes without saying that you deserve it, boo!
1. Pizza Sweatshirt (ILY Couture) // Pizza is bae. That’s all I’m sayin’. I may or may not already have this cheeky sweatshirt on standby just waiting to be incorporated into an #OOTD (or two). You best believe I’ll be sharing the outfit snapshots when I do.
2. Marina Pajama Shirt (Sleepy Jones) // Fancy pjs are pretty much expected come Valentine’s Day, especially when they’re this cute and playful. Sleepy Jones recently teamed up with artist, stylist and illustrator, Kate Schelter, on a custom watercolor heart print set. While I’m eying the oversized Marina pajama shirt, the Jasper boxer shorts and matching Marina pajama pants are also noteworthy.
3. Be Mine Card Holder (Kate Spade) // Kate Spade seriously has so, SO many cute heart-themed accessories right now. This “be mine” heart-covered card holder is my fave though. Not only is it functional (hello, small purses that hold *only* the essentials), but the price point is just right if you’re on a $50 or less budget.
4. Mani Kit (Pinch Provisions) // As far as pampering goes, nothing says treat yo’ self to a single ladies vino night like an at-home mani kit. You can thank the geniuses behind Pinch Provisions for this gem of a gift idea. Inside your kit, you’ll find everything from clear nail polish and nail polish remover pads to emery boards.
5. Striped Wool Sweater (Comme Des Garçons Play) // If you’re looking for a well-calculated splurge, then I can’t think of anything more It girl-approved than this Comme des Garçons PLAY striped sweater (I die) featuring the brand’s iconic heart and eyes logo. (I'm also partial to this striped long-sleeve tee that's a bit more on the budget-friendly side.)
6. Blush Lipstick Clutch (Ann Howell Bullard) // You had me at blush pink lips printed clutch inspired by “Andy Warhol and pure sass.” Add instant swag via a tassel or pom keychain for a whole lotta YAS.
7. Valen-mine Package (Packed Party) // If anyone knows how to throw a Valentine’s Day-bash-for-one, then it’s the folks over at Packed Party. Think: care packages delivered directly to your doorstep. While the contents may vary, this one reveals Fatty Sundays sprinkle-coated pretzels, customized stationery and a polka dot makeup pouch.
Which of these gifts will you be snagging for Valentine’s Day? Let me know in the comments below!
xo,
A
PS: Need more Valentine’s Day inspo? Check out my recent write-up for Brit + Co for more ideas!
Was it just me or was January a doozy? In the midst of unseasonably warm weather (for the most part anyway), I still somehow struggled with an extreme case of the winter blues. How many days until spring again? Do I even want to know? Probs not, but according to Punxsutawney Phil, we still have at least six more weeks of winter to endure. Womp, womp.
On a positive note: The blasé days of January inspired me to keep the outfits coming. As a rule of thumb — whether it’s a rainy day, an important class presentation (I’m no longer in school anymore, but you get the idea) or a mundane Monday, an extra on-point ensemble can never steer you wrong. For the sake of having a productive work sesh, I often times will pull out all the stops just to feel more in the zone.
One particular pièce de résistance that’s been on repeat lately is this long waxed downtown field jacket from J.Crew featuring military-inspired details and a corduroy collar. The dark forest green hue doesn’t hurt either. It’s no overstatement when I say that I reach for it almost every. Freaking. Day. Rain or shine, work or play, it always comes through. What can I say? I love it’s off-duty appeal and the fact that it can be dressed up or down. While I love wearing it with plain ol’ jeans or black high-waisted skinnies, I’m equally obsessed with how it looks teamed alongside a mini skirt or a casual dress. To show you how it’s done, I’m sharing two different ways that I’ve styled my go-to topper of the season.
field jacket (similar) | gingham shirt (similar) | the margot highrise (industry standard) | cross-body bag (different color) | d'Orsay flats (similar)
Outfit #1: I call this my unofficial weekend uniform. There are few things that I love more than a gingham button-down — even better if it’s knotted into a bow. I paired it alongside my favorite Industry Standard Margot high-waisted jeans and a pint-sized Kate Spade cross-body bag (which holds just the essentials BTW!) for a look that reads girl-on-the-go. Perfectly put-together with a hint of prep, just the way I like it.
field jacket (similar) | sweater (different, but I love those tassels!) | skirt (different, but another great CM style) | tights (similar) | penny loafers (similar)
Outfit #2: Though a smidge more on the dressier side, I would also consider this to be an off-duty #OOTD. My field jacket instantly dials down the appearance of my jacquard mini skirt and lace-trimmed blush pink sweater (so pretty!) making it more suitable for the daytime. Since it was a bit nippy out, I opted for polka dot-printed tights and velvet penny loafers.
What are your go-to ways to style a field jacket? Let me know in the comments below!
xo,
A
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