24. hours. in. virginia. beach.

Sometimes you find inspiration in the most unlikely of places. I did just that during a recent trip to Virginia Beach that lasted slightly less than 24 hours. Though the architecture may have been unsightly, I found solace in all the eclectic colored walls and coastal-hued buildings that lined the boardwalk. While I’m admittedly not a fan of the beach (self-proclaimed city girl right here), it was certainly a change in scenery for me.
 
Because I was in town right after Hurricane Matthew had hit the area, the temps were definitely not cooperating (I’m not kidding when I say it felt like late November!). Thankfully, I decided to swap out my open-toed sandals for ankle boots and a field jacket just in case it wasn’t warm. Let it be known: That wind chill was brutal. Had it not been for how cold it was, I would’ve gotten an ice cream cone (or two) from one of the many Dairy Queens and local parlors that lined the boardwalk. Spoiler: I snagged a box of salt water taffy instead.
 
For some visual inspo, I’ve put together a Steller story documenting a few of my favorite snapshots. Take a look below (click to open) and let me know about your latest travels in the comments 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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nyc. recap. | pt. one.

If you've noticed a brief "pause" in new content lately, then that's because I've been on vacation. I just returned from spending five days in NYC and am slowly (but surely!) getting back into the swing of things. Instead of sharing everything in one massive recap, I've decided to split my NYC adventure up into several posts. First up, I'm highlighting some of my favorite snapshots from my trip — enjoy!

When you travel by Amtrak...

View from the New Museum. (FYI: On Thursday evenings, the admission is pay-what-you-wish.) 

My first time visiting Mimi Cheng's + my first time trying dumplings was a success! 

MoMA + Andy Warhol for UNIQLO Free Friday Nights.

The High Line.  A quiet oasis from the busy city.

The #NewWhitney designed by Renzo Piano.  Outdoor terraces, skyline views + contemporary art — yes, please! 

Morganstern's was worth the wait.  I tried the edible schoolyard mint chip w/ a monster cone.  Yum!

A quick #ootd snapshot.  Just trying to beat the heat... 

My favorite rooftop on the Upper East Side.

Goals: To spend every Sunday at the Met.

Two new favorites in one day: Burger Fi (hand-cut fries and strawberry lemonade) and Emack & Bolio's (grasshopper pie).  All I can say is ah-maz-ing.  Both of these were recommendations from Carly (aka the College Prepster) — she seriously knows all the best spots! 

If you're currently located in NYC for the summer or have upcoming travel plans to the Big Apple, you must pay the Plaza Food Hall a visit.  Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the Plaza seriously has everything!  I will definitely be going back after trying the most scrumptious waffle everrr courtesy of William Greenberg desserts.

Exploring in the New York Public Library. 

What are your favorite things to do in NYC?  Let me know in the comments below!

xo,
A

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introducing. steller.

Taking a break from my regularly scheduled fashion posts, today, I wanted to introduce you to a storytelling app called Steller.  (If you haven't heard of it yet, don't fret — it's still a relatively unknown app/social media network.)  In a nutshell, Steller allows you to combine photos, videos and text to convey your creative vision.  Here's where the creativity comes in:  A story can be as simple as a photo diary capturing a typical day at the park or it can be rooted in something more personal + meaningful to you.  Your story can be short or relatively long.  The sky's the limit!  

Upon initially downloading Steller, I distinctly remember feeling inspired by so many of the stories being uploaded by users.  I found the ones that incorporated video clips and stunning photography to be extra compelling.  Whereas the process of uploading a top-notch photo to Instagram is fairly seamless (capture, edit, filter, add a description and hashtags, upload!), Steller requires a little more story boarding prior to hitting publish.  But the end result is so worth it, in my opinion!  I'm constantly looking for new creative outlets and Steller just so happens to fulfill a unique niche that falls between Instagram and video apps like Vine. 

With all that being said, I finally (!) composed my first Steller story.  Last week, as per summer tradition, I went to a neighboring town's lawn party/carnival.  Side note: Personally, I LOVE carnivals — not only for the food (fries and funnel cakes FTW!), but all of the amazing photo ops.  While I didn't record any video clips this year, I did capture enough photos to share my carnival-going experience via Steller.  Considering that this was my first story, I'm actually pretty happy with how it turned out.  I used the "Wander" theme which complemented the free-spirited vibe of my story perfectly.  Check it out below and let me know what you think!  

Will you be giving Steller a download?  Let me know in the comments below!  Feel free to share a link to your Steller profile, so that I can check out your stories!

xo,
A

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insta. obsessed. // pt. 2.

If you're #instaobsessed, then you're in for a real treat today.  I realize that it's been far too long since I've shared a roundup of my favorite Instagram users (here's pt. I in case you missed it!).  For the most part, I am very picky (read: highly selective) and make it a point to only follow those who post photos that I genuinely enjoy.  As you can imagine, who I follow fluctuates as I discover the latest and greatest users sharing stunning imagery and visual stories.  But, then again, that's probably pretty true for most of us. Without further ado, here are six Instagrammers that I'm currently loving — enjoy!    
  

@iamgalla (Adam Gallagher, "Creative Director 23, 5'11, Libra"): Meet Adam Galla: the epitome of cool. Founder of the blog, I AM GALLA, Adam is a blogger/stylist who has succeeded in striking the perfect balance between his impeccable style and worldly travels.

@daphnemodeandthecity (Daphné M. | Mode & The City Fashion and lifestyle blogger since 2007. Paris, FR.): When preppy meets Parisian, you get this.  I recently stumbled across Daphné's Instagram account and she's quickly become a favorite of mine. Besides the fact that she is as cute as a button (could I please borrow her collection of Fair Isle jumpers?!), her dreamy photos of Paris have given me a serious case of wanderlust.

@stephens_louisa (stephens, louisa. lamp lifeboat ladder | detroit mi.): In the midst of what seems like an infinite number of preppy Instagram users, Louisa flaunts by far one of the best feeds out there.  Not just restricted to #ootd snapshots (which I do adore!), she also has a way with documenting little tidbits and snippets from her everyday life.  For a well-curated feed and simple aesthetic, Louisa is your go-to gal. 

@kadyinvienna (Kady K, 21-year-old Vienna based university student and photography enthusiast.): No Instagram roundup would be complete without at least one Vienna-based feed.  I've come to appreciate not only Kady's artsy perspective and attention to detail, but also her ability to capture Vienna from a non-touristy point of view.  As part of the #igersaustria team, she knows firsthand all of the city's nooks and crannies, and her Insta account is reflective of that.

@madewell1937 (Madewell, denim obsessives. infovores. chambray.): I'm not going to lie, this one's kind of a no-brainer.  I'm a sucker for all things Madewell — the effortless cool-girl aesthetic, the brand's always on-point branding, the artful details and oh, the clothes. The fact that Madewell recently did their December shoot in Vienna makes me even more inclined to include them in this roundup. 
   
@oliveandjune (Olive & June): If you live for #ManiMonday, then Olive & June's Insta is going to quickly become your jam.  But, really, though.  This Beverly Hills-based nail salon is all about sharing fun manis on the daily... how could you go wrong with that? #oliveyourmani

Now that I've shared my favorite Instagrammers, it's your turn!  Which Instagram users’ photos do you find yourself tapping “like” one too many times?

xo,
A

P.S. - Check out my recent article on Brit + Co for "15 Tips to Turn You Into an Instagram Pro."

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coolest. keds. on. the. block.

Between freelancing this summer and gearing up for vacay this Friday (!!!), keeping this blog updated has been easier said than done!  Believe me, I so wish that I could be more on top of things... Until that time comes, however, I did want to share a quick preview post.  I'm currently having a major Keds moment.  I know, I know, I'm so late on this ultra summery + sporty trend.  Let's just say that I was in Kate Spade a few weeks ago and a certain pair of navy KSNY x Keds sneaks were on sale and I just had to try them on. And then, of course, I just had to buy them.  What can I say, sometimes the stars align and it's just meant to be!  With all that said, I've shared a pic of my new sneakers above (#navyornothing) and next week you can look forward to a post of how I plan on styling them.  In the meantime, check out one of my latest articles for Brit + Co on "13 Ways to Style Flat Sneakers!"  

Are you loving Keds as much as I am?  How would you style them?  Leave a comment below!

xo,
A 

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vsco. grid.

Find me at:  a_wilmer.vsco.co

A life without inspiration isn’t truly living.  If you know me, then you’re probably aware of my constant need to stay inspired. Whether it be an especially moving quote, the latest collection from so-and-so fashion designer or a spot-on Instagram photo, I’ve found that the little things in life are what keep me going the most.  For those moments when writing has grown stale (and writer’s block has gotten the absolute best of me), photography is a breath of fresh air.  Though I’m an amateur photographer at best, I appreciate how naturally it comes.  It’s something that I can enjoy without having to stress – it’s all about composition, lighting and aesthetics. Done. Not to be mistaken, though, the photo editing process (all those darn filters!) is an entirely different story. 

Whenever I travel or visit a new place, I always try to snap a photo or two.  I love looking up at buildings and capturing interesting angles.  There’s no doubt that my desire to document everything stems from my time in Vienna.  In the midst of an exciting new city, it’s far too easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of everything around you and miss out on what’s right in front of you. I know that I’ve said it before, but my advice remains: don’t forget to look up, and look up often.

Now for the purpose behind this post…

You guys, VSCO Grid is a game-changer.  Longtime fans of VSCO Cam, meet your latest obsession!  I love how it provides me with a place to store all of my favorite snapshots – you won’t find any #ootd posts here (those are reserved for my Insta).  These are the photos that instantly make me happy and remind me of my passions.  I’m not kidding when I say that it keeps me going.  Like I said, it’s a game-changer.  

Not only does VSCO Grid flaunt the most aesthetically pleasing, minimalist interface possible, but it allows you to connect with a network of like-minded photography enthusiasts.  Get ready to be inspired!

Are you on VSCO Grid?  If so, leave a comment sharing your Grid – I’d love to check it out!

xo,

A

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vienna.

I can’t believe it, but today marks exactly three years since I embarked on my trip to Vienna, Austria.  In May 2011, I spent five weeks studying abroad (I use this term loosely as what I experienced was a deep immersion in design and architecture.  No classwork, no credits.  It was purely inspiration driven).  It’s interesting because when I entered college, I never thought that I would participate in a study abroad-type program.  It’s not that I didn’t want to...because I definitely did (London, Paris...anywhere in Europe sounded fabulous).  I simply didn’t think that I had time to travel abroad (I was a double major, so I had double the requirements to fulfill) and I quite honestly didn’t think there was a program out there that perfectly encapsulated my interests.  Not to mention that I wasn’t sure if I could handle living in another country for an entire semester or longer.  It sounds fun in theory, but what if I get homesick or don’t like where I’m living or can’t handle the stress of classes...I worry about these types of things.  And, of course, studying abroad certainly doesn’t come cheap, either.  Despite all of this, however, during the spring semester of my junior year, I found myself faced with a dare.  Even at this point in time, I still thought it was all kind of a joke.  I never imagined that I would be able to go to Vienna...it just didn’t seem like it was in the cards for me.  After extensive thought and what felt like a gazillion back-and-forth e-mails with my professor (I was afraid that the trip would involve bike riding and outdoorsy types of things, something which is definitely not my forte), I suddenly knew that I had to go.  There on forward, it was just a matter of convincing my parents that this spur-of-the-moment trip was relevant to my interests (they didn’t quite see the connection between fashion and architecture/design).  Thank goodness I came to my senses, because if I hadn’t then I would have missed out on an opportunity of a lifetime.  Sounds cliche, but it’s so true.

I’m not going to lie, each year as May/June approaches, I always begin feeling a tad nostalgic because I know that there’s nothing that I can do (or experience) that will even come close to being as inspirational as my time in Vienna.  The truth is, I’m not kidding when I say that I’m always in a Vienna-state-of-mind.  Every day, Vienna somehow has a way of making its way into my thoughts. Maybe it’s because I’ve set the background of every laptop and digital device that I own to a stunning photo of the Vienna skyline or perhaps it’s because I follow at least three Instagram feeds that post daily photos of Vienna.  Going beyond these subtle reminders, I wholeheartedly believe that Vienna has shaped me for the better.  These days, I strive to surround myself with inspiration and only do things with passion.  I can’t say that this is always true (sometimes there are things that I simply can’t be passionate about), but I fully realize that passion and inspiration are two non-negotiables that I can’t move forward without. Vienna has also taught me the importance of looking up – literally.  Transported to a faraway place, I did what any other tourist would do:  I photographed everything with an artful eye.  Close-ups, extreme close-ups, framing shots...you get the idea.  One thing I specifically noticed was that you can’t just focus on what’s at eye level. You have to look up, because there are always going to be interesting angles and perspectives that are waiting to be captured.  If you don’t look up, then you miss out.  Simple as that.  While my current residence may be no Vienna, I still carry this mentality along with me.  Photograph to document, to remember and to inspire.

Now that it’s been three years, I like to think about what I truly miss about Vienna.  Part of me misses the most ambiguous and odd things...like taking a trip to the local grocery store (there’s nothing like a SPAR), the route that I took every morning from my host’s apartment to the u-bahn station to the Institute (or St. Stephens or wherever we were meeting in the morning), getting ice cream at Zanoni & Zanoni (so. good.) or just sitting in the park (Burggarten is my favorite).  The other part of me longs for the extensive process of documentation that we practiced – all the note-taking, sketching, photography, lectures, our studio visits with industrial designers, graphic designers, artists, etc.  While it may be true that inspiration is everywhere, sometimes I find it downright impossible to discover it here in the states.  But, I do try.  Creating this blog, curating my Instagram feed and re-blogging meaningful photos on Tumblr are my way of staying in tune with what inspires me.  Practicing good design never fails, either.

Anyone who’s studied abroad before can probably relate to this post.  It doesn’t matter if you fell in love with Italy, Paris or Egypt, there’s something about traveling abroad and becoming immersed in a culture that makes life a little more complete.  Put simply: you can’t imagine life without having met and traveled to  fill-in-the-blank-place.  I know that this is a longer, more personal post than usual, but I couldn’t let the three year mark pass by without commenting on how Vienna has (and continues) to be a constant guiding source of inspiration in my life today.

Vienna, I’m so glad I met you, and I hope we meet again soon.  Ja.

xo,

A

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green + orange.

These playful mustache adorned straws from Target inspired me to have a mini photo-sesh last Friday.  I grabbed my camera and Pantone paint chips, and just went at it!  The lighting was perfect and the marble surface really made the green + orange pop.  I don’t know about you, but I’m currently obsessed with striped paper straws – they’re the epitome of summer-lovin’ and are just so...fun.  If I could, then I would totally sip from one everyday.    

The only thing missing is a San Pellegrino Limonata.  Ja?!

Happy Monday!

xo,

A

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insta. obsessed.

As far as social media goes, I’d say that I’m generally a pretty big fan.  Living in a digital world, it’s hard not to gravitate toward at least one (or five) social media feeds.       

Pinterest is chock-full of inspiration...and, as I’m sure many of you know, it happens to also be super addictive.  I like to think of Tumblr as a more streamlined version of Pinterest reserved for only the crème de la crème.  Twitter is perfect for my random thoughts of the day (140 characters or less!).  As for Facebook...yeah, not my cup of tea.  I love the idea behind Vine, I’m just not super video-savvy.  If you’re not using it yet, then download Steller...like right now.  It’s a storytelling app that is so inspirational, you really just have to check it out.  

With all that being said, there’s no question that Instagram is my absolute favorite social media platform to use.  I love photography and capturing the “perfect” shot.  Picking (who am I kidding, sometimes obsessing over) just the right filter and coming up with the most thoughtful or clever description that I can dream up is all part of the IG process.

Since I’m constantly stumbling across new Instagram users, I decided to just spotlight six that I can’t get enough of right now.  These are the users who post seriously amazing photos that inspire me on a daily basis.  Without further ado, here they are:

@anyeske (Alex Yeske, “graphic designer at Madewell + blogger”)- I aspire for Alex’s attention to detail and clean/simple/minimalist aesthetic.  Her entire feed is so. good.

@amy_stone (Amy Stone, “social media @gap. west village, nyc.”)- Proof that colour inspires and enlightens – shots like this one are the epitome of cool.  One thing that I really appreciate about Amy’s feed is that she makes every photo count.  Oh, and did I mention that she has a knack for snapping some of NYC’s snazziest and most stylish doors?!

@equipment_fr (Equipment, “The Equipment woman is strong, chic, elegant, adventurous, sexy and above all classic.”)- Whether it be a rack of Equipment’s lustworthy color coordinated blouses (I’ll take one in every color, please!), a glimpse of their current moodboard or regrams from fashion bloggers sporting Equipment in their latest #ootd, everything featured in Equipment’s feed is simply exquisite, to say the least.   

@garancedore (Garance Doré)- The personal Instagram account of fashion photographer, illustrator and writer, Garance Doré, is as impeccable as they come.  For your sartorial pleasure, and for a peek into Garance’s design-filled world, I suggest giving her a follow.

@VoiceofVienna (“Hobby photographer, traveller, nature lover”)- 365 days a year, you can bet that I’m in a Vienna state of mind.  With Voice of Vienna, each photo brings back a little bit of Vienna to my daily life.

@katespadeny (kate spade new york, “quick and curious and playful and strong.”)- This one probably comes as no surprise, but to be fair, every photo really is just as witty + charming as the brand itself.  I wouldn’t expect anything less from ksny...

Which Instagram users’ photos do you find yourself tapping “like” one too many times?

xo,

A

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chairs.

Two things that I love:  Colour + Chairs.  

In case you were wondering...yes, I did use the Waterlogue app on the photo above.  If you haven't downloaded the app yet, then I highly recommend it.  Transforming all of your photos into beautiful watercolor images for just $2.99:  Priceless.  Don't say that I didn't warn you though, it's super addictive!

xo,
A

P.S.- Stay tuned for my recommendations for March's installment of "the list" on Monday!  
P.P.S.- Heads up – I just bought my own domain name!  You can now find me at www.bitte-und-danke.com.  (No more blogspot!)  Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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