insta. obsessed. // pt. 4.

The Colorful Prep // Rachel Schwartzmann // Kevin Wong // J.Crew // Miüda the Frenchie // The Viennese Girl

551 meticulously coordinated photos later, and I surprisingly have yet to grow tired of Instagram. (Psst: You can follow me at @a_wilmer!) Between staged photos and more authentic snapshots, Instagram continues to be my go-to source for visual inspiration. Whereas I can go without checking Twitter or watching a blogger’s Snaps for a day, it’s admittedly harder for me to stop double-tapping. Whether you’re new to the Insta game or are looking to add some variety to your Instagram feed, I’ve compiled a list of six users that are currently on my radar. If you’re new to the blog, be sure to check out my first, second and third installments to see some of my previous faves. Enjoy!

@thecolorfulprep (Danielle Sarkissian: Fashion Lifestyle Blogger / OC California): Think: colorful walls, preppy style (lots of J.Crew!) and a laid-back California aesthetic to match. Summed up in one word, The Colorful Prep’s feed is simply FUN. From that infamous polka dot wall to endless coffee shop vibes, Danielle’s bright + punchy snapshots never fail to disappoint.

@rachelschwartzmann (Rachel Schwartzmann: Founder + CEO and wearing more hats for The Style Line): Can you say #girlboss? Besides being the founder of The Style Line (a creative community built upon storytelling), Rachel also has a minimalist style that slays. Seriously, so good. I’m constantly getting inspiration from her daily outfit snapshots. For a glimpse at Rachel’s favorite NYC spots and daily adventures — and well-edited photos with a hipster aesthetic — be sure to give her a follow.

@kevinwonka (Kevin Wong: Hong Kong & New York. Parsons Architecture Design. Creator of #Neckxercise): Warning: This Instagram feed will fuel your love affair with New York City. I stumbled upon Kevin’s feed a while ago and have been blown away by his insane photography skills and game-changing perspective ever since. For architecture… and city corners… and unparalleled skyline views… it’s all here.

@jcrew (J.Crew): Okay, so this one’s a no-brainer. Between fashion week coverage, Jenna Lyons-esque styling (pattern play! colour!) and no shortage of #shinyponies to go around, J.Crew’s presence on social is always on point. If you love J.Crew as a brand, then it's safe to say that you’ll love their Insta even more.

@miudafrenchie (Miüda: “I was born in Slovakia, now I live in Vienna but my humans are Portuguese. I take selfies all day long. Problem??!): Until I can actually snag a French Bulldog of my own, this account will have to do. Meet Miüda, aka the cutest Frenchie in existence. Adorableness aside, this Frenchie account is incredibly streamlined and aesthetically pleasing with lots of glorious white space. (Even the photos of Miüda napping have artistic value!)

@theviennesegirl (Silia | Vienna. Photography): Of course, no roundup of Instagram users would be complete without at least one Vienna-based account. I’ve followed the Viennese Girl for some time now, and it’s been a delight seeing Silia grow as a photographer and blogger. Not just restricted to Vienna street shots (which are swoon-inducing in their own right), she also shares snapshots of her latest travels and ultra-glam photo shoots.

What are your favorite Instagram accounts to follow? 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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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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french. words.

Just checking in on this Sunday evening to share an Instagram account that I’m currently loving.  It’s been a while since I’ve done a roundup of my favorite Insta-feeds and the one that I’m about to share today is a total gem.  Seriously though, so. good.  If you’re a lover of all things Parisian, would never turn down a Ladurée macaron and swear by your beloved Breton stripes (who doesn’t?), then French Words is for you. Besides the perfectly minimalist aesthetic of each post (and amazing illustrations), you get to discover a new French word every day!  Oui, oui!  I don’t even remember how I stumbled across French Words, but I’m so glad that I did because I love seeing each new post pop up on my feed.  Not to mention the fact that to this day, I still regret that I never took French in high school (four years of Spanish, why?!).

Here are a few of my favorite posts…all photo credits go to French Words, of course!

Stripes for days...

#navyornothing

Bzzzzzzzz...

"Everyday, a French word to discover. Why? Because French is beautiful." - French Words

French Words is also on Twitter – but being as #instaobsessed as I am – naturally, I prefer their Instagram feed.  They also recently came out with a newsletter where you can sign up to receive a podcast with all of the pronunciations of the words featured each week.  One French word a day, yes please!  

What are your favorite Instagram feeds to follow? Leave a comment below, so that I can check them out! :)

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

3

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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