'murica.

Hey gang, just dropping by to wish everyone a happy Fourth and to share my patriotic #OOTD. I may or may not have also missed blogging just a smidge ;)

Honestly, it really doesn't get any more patriotic than a set of Breton stripes (hello, Madewell x Sézane), amirite? Throw in some vintage Levi's (thrifted at Awoke Vintage) for a lewk that screams US of A. Not photographed are my Cult Gaia Lilleth bag and Comme des Garçons PLAY x Converse high-tops (just snagged the OG ones, natch).  

I really would hate to jinx it, but fingers crossed that I'll be able to get back to blogging regularly soon.

till next time

xo,

A

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how. i. styled. it. // UO. wrap. dress.

 

 

We May'd it. Not only is it finally beginning to feel more and more like spring (err, summer), but it's also a bit of a whirlwind weekend with graduation (not for me, but it's that time!), the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo all overlapping.

It took long enough, but I've finally abandoned the sheer nude tights for my bare legs. And with that, I celebrate the arrival of wrap dress + juice box season. Seeing as to how it's been 4ever since I've done an #OOTD post, I'm doing a quick rundown of one of my most recent lewks. The good news: The wrap dress in this post is still available (albeit, there's a limited size run) and it's on major sale. #WinWin



Ze dress: Upon stumbling across this long-sleeved ruffle wrap dress at Urban Outfitters, I knew I had to at least try it on. Despite the somewhat mixed reviews online, I actually loved it at first try-on — with a few exceptions. As many have noted, the fabric is a bit on the flimsy side and will need to be re-ironed with each wear. I'll have to check, but I believe I purchased this dress in a size small, so it appears to run TTS (most customers said that it runs large though, so be sure to keep that in mind). With it being a wrap dress, it does take a bit of adjusting to keep everything in place, but it wasn't a deal-breaker. To avoid any potential wardrobe malfunctions, I knotted the wrap front skirt and added a set of Dress Downs (aka, reusable garment weights), should it be extra windy outside. What else? While the daisy motif is super cute, beware that it's only printed on one side which cheapens the dress a bit, IMO. I didn't find the dress clingy — if anything, I found it extremely comfortable and perfect for the balmy temps. Oh! My fave part just may be the subtle ruffled bell sleeves. Cue the heart eyes. 

The lewk: On this particular outing, I kept it simple by styling my navy UO wrap dress with metallic gold oxford flats and a seafoam green crossbody bag. In case you were wondering: Trader Joe's has a v good lemonade juice box (I'm also partial to their apple juice.)

The verdict: Whether you're looking for a carefree summer dress or want to test-drive the wrap dress trend on a budget, I would 10/10 recommend this UO ruffled stunner that's currently available in three different colorways. For just under $20, this dress would be great for an outdoor sporting event, especially if you only plan on getting one wear out of it. Pro tip: Be sure to DL the Urban Outfitters app for additional savings (maybe) or at the very least to rack up points with their somewhat new-ish loyalty program.

Should you want to splurge on a wrap dress (cough, Ganni, cough), I've rounded up a few of my favorites below:

1. Tilden Tulip Mesh Wrap Dress in Vanilla Ice (Ganni) // Dem orange tulips.

2. The Alexandra in Navy Star (Réalisation Par) // Style influencer-approved, summer-ready.

3. Lucky Dress (Reformation) // "Never met a wrap dress I didn't like." 'Nuff said.
 
What's your favorite way to style a wrap dress for summer? Comment below! :)

xo,
A

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roygbiv. sweater.

Spring is SO close, yet so far away…

I can’t believe that I’m admitting this, but I’ve actually been enjoying the cold spell that's been wreaking havoc on most of the east coast. WHO AM I?!?! While I’m a self-proclaimed summer girl through and through, there’s something to be said about the final push of blustery, cold air before spring takes over. (Although, don’t be mistaken, Virginia has become notorious for its unsettled sprinter-like weather.) Not to mention that it legitimately gives me an excuse to reach for all my beloved winter sweaters at least a handful more times.
 
Speaking of #sweaterweather, can we please talk about this happiness-inducing ROYGBIV number? It was an Anthropologie find from a new-to-me brand called Essentiel Antwerp, and it's basically the equivalent of a very stylish security blanket. While the oversized fits gives it a boho-chic feel, it's the Instagram-approved rainbow stripes that initially won me over. I kid you not — I can't wear it w/o smiling ear to ear. 

How I styled my trophy sweater: Typically with skinny jeans and smoking slippers, but I've also teamed it alongside a denim zip-front mini and suede ankle boots for a girlier vibe. These snaps were taken post-bomb cyclone craziness, but trust that it was nippy out — hence the need to document this look on two separate outings.
 
I don't know how y'all feel about scrunchies (err, cringe much?), but I'm all about this resurgence trend. Literally the moment I caught wind that Mansur Gavriel was going to be making scrunchies — three words: vintage Italian silk — I knew I was on board. Though a far cry from MG's perfectly elegant and non-fussy styling, my inner '90s kid couldn't turn down the chance to rock an extra AF sequin scrunchie. And so, a high-ponytail, it was.



 
Shop the look: stripe sweater (different, but I like this one for spring!) | frayed hem jeans (similar) | velvet loafers (similar) | sequin scrunchie (similar)

What are you most looking forward to about spring? Comment below!

xo,
A

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five. reasons. to. create. a. squarespace. portfolio.

It's been a while (to say the least!), but rest assured I haven't abandoned this little corner of the internet! Far from it, actually! When I created this blog, I did so purely with the intent of having a creative outlet to write about fashion and share inspiring tidbits along the way — and thus, that's pretty much eliminated the pressure to constantly have new content up (quality > quantity). Although, don't be mistaken, I really would like to stick to an editorial calendar one of these days…
 
Before I get back to sharing my latest #OOTD (I actually have quite a few in the queue) and spotlighting my spring must-haves, I'm doing a rare career-related post. I finally bit the bullet and created a portfolio on Squarespace to spotlight my social media work (err, rather, case studies at the moment). As someone who likes to dabble in a lot of things, I found that having one digital portfolio wasn't enough. In addition to an about.me page (I prefer it over LinkedIn for networking purposes) and an account on Pressfolios to share my writing clips, I felt that it was time to add a visual portfolio to my repertoire. One in which I could share my personal aesthetic, creative direction and photography style (think: flatlays, doodles from Instagram Stories and stop motion animation).
 
Below, I'm sharing five reasons to create a portfolio on Squarespace. Just as a disclaimer: This post is in no way suggesting that Wix, Weebly or any other website builder isn't as worthy. I'm just going off of my personal experience and what has worked for me. :)
 
1. Intuitive and Easy to Use: Three words: No coding necessary. While other website builders may require a bit of a learning curve, Squarespace is easy to use from the get-go. Unless you're savvy with html, this is a MAJOR selling point in my book. Spend some time exploring all the features and customization options, and you'll 10/10 get the results you're looking for. And if not, there's always Google and Squarespace support, amirite?
 
2. Professional Looking Templates: Prior to using Squarespace, I often found myself feeling uninspired by the lack of aesthetically pleasing templates. They were either too cookie-cutter and bland or not dynamic enough to support the variety of content I was hoping to be sharing. Not only are all the templates on Squarespace SUPER pretty to look at and easily customizable, but there's literally oodles and oodles to choose from. Seeing as to how there's a category for everything from "art & design" to "community & non-profit" to "travel & lifestyle," you really can't go wrong.

I ended up installing the Jasper template (you can read about it below) due to its clean and minimalist aesthetic. I like how the landing page features hoverable photos that function as teasers to individual "case studies." It also included an about page and moodboard, which I really appreciated. 

Showcase your work and engage potential clients with Jasper. This portfolio template creates an enticing visual summary of your projects with a dynamic grid-style homepage. Page animations, scaling fonts, and page headers display your work in a bold and immersive way. The special Project Pages arrange images, titles, and captions into elegant layouts, giving your visitors a story-driven experience.

3. Caters to Creative Types: Whether you're an artist, a photographer, a freelance writer or any creative type, Squarespace caters to the design-centric crowd with their dynamic page designs (infinite scroll, full screen + hi-res photos, etc.) and slideshow interface that is excellent for showing off your work. 

4. Integrated Social Media Feeds + Tons of Add-Ons: Those of you with a background in social media, PR and marketing will especially appreciate the social media integration feature. (Connect your accounts, add social media icons to the footer of your page and/or embed your Instagram feed directly onto your site). Being a visual enthusiast, I like to think that my snaps on Instagram serve as a visual representation of my whimsical nature and creative spirit. It's a way for potential employers and clients to get to know me prior to even connecting.

5. Just the Thing to Launch Your Side Hustle: So you're ready to offer your services — now what? Squarespace could be the first step to bringing your dream career or side hustle to fruition. Perhaps you're launching an online shop (yes, there are templates for that!) or are in the process of creating your own social media consultancy business. Or maybe you're a self-taught photographer or freelance graphic designer looking to get the ball rolling. When you're branching out, getting your name out there is everything. Each Squarespace subscription includes a domain name (aka, the name of your website), so be sure to pick something that's SEO-friendly. Of course, you'll also want to add a contact page — something that's very easily achievable with Squarespace's form block. 

**Bonus: Pssst: If you're a student with an academic email address, you can receive 50% off your first full year of Squarespace. While Squarespace isn't a free website builder, I am so, SO pleased with the outcome. See more info regarding pricing here.
 
With all that said, please do check out my newly launched portfolio! And do LMK if you're seeking a social media intern or know of someone who is! I'm literally just trying to gain experience at this point, so don't hesitate to reach out to me — if even just to chat or network!

Any questions?! Leave 'em below in the comments section and I'll get back to you!

xo,
A

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sézane. / bonjour. new. york.

What if I told you that your lifelong dream of becoming a beret-wearing Parisian girl is finally about to be realized? Well, almost, anyway. Meet Sézane: the first French fashion brand to function entirely online. What started out as an e-commerce store (formerly known as Les Composantes) for repurposed vintage threads quickly turned into a business plan for founder Morgane Sézalory. In 2013, Sézane was born. The ceaselessly chic brand releases four capsule collections per year — with femme blouses, silk dresses and tailored outerwear taking center stage. I imagine the quintessential Sézane girl being a cross between UK blogger Olivia Grace (isn't her polished tomboy style to die for?) and that of Parisian prepster, Daphne Moreau.

"A reflection of the times, of elegance, of real life."

During my most recent trip to NYC, I had the pleasure of visiting L'Appartement New York (Sézane's first stateside location, natch) and can attest that it's just as elegant/charming/cozy as you'd imagine. Between the complimentary coffee + treats from Maman and the curated bookshelves (displaying the most dreamy selection of heeled pumps and satchels), this Parisian boutique located in the heart of Nolita doesn't fail to bring a hint of je ne sais quoi to the city that never sleeps. Take it from me — the storefront especially dazzles at night. I was fortunate enough to stop in during the holidays and it was enchanting. 

 

I've rounded up a few of my favorite Sézane picks from the winter collection — shop 'em below!

1. Sézane Harlow Skirt // Um, yes, please. My wardrobe needs a soft leather mini that looks just as fabulous with mariner stripes as an oversized knit sweater.

2. Sézane Gaston Jumper // My femme side is screaming out for this fringy cream-colored lace jumper that practically calls for a trip to the City of Light. That and naturally tousled waves… I digress.

3. Sézane Oscar Striped Jersey // True story: I initially discovered Sézane through one of their highly coveted collaborations with Madewell. A "toi avec moi" striped pocket tee from said collab continues to be one of my most beloved Breton shirt purchases to date. It would only seem fitting if I were to snatch up this sweet bow-back top next. The only question: navy or red? 

4. Sézane Bow Coat // "BRB, off to grab croissants at the corner bakery." 'Nuff said. 

5. Sézane Elise Dress // French girl insouciance at your fingertips, right this way. Style this garden party-ready embroidered dress with noir tights and a teddy bear topper for all your after-hours affairs.

6. Sézane Demain T-Shirt // How about a whimsical t-shirt that puts a smile on your face and inadvertently gives back in the process? With proceeds from the purchase of each tee being donated to children's education, Sézane's charity initiative of choice, you can't lose.

7. Sézane Joe Coat // Every girl needs a sophisticated coat that elevates even the most normcore of looks (jeans, a tee and perfectly worn-in Chucks). Although, trust that this double-breasted number would look right at home with a corduroy mini and menswear-inspired brogues — should you take that route. 

8. Sézane Low Arthur Boots // Err'body's cult favorite Chelsea boot reimagined in chic leopard. Any takers?

Visiting NYC? Be sure to stop by L’Appartement New York:

L’Appartement New York
254 Elizabeth St
New York, NY 10012

Are you loving Sézane as much as me? Comment below with your favorite pieces from the collection!

xo,
A

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