Peaches 'N' Cream

This chic and dewy disheveled look is totally what I'm going to be going for the entire sunshine-y warm spring season to come (if it would kindly stop rain-snowing, that is) and I think I'll try and will it to come a little sooner than later by swipin' and sportin' peachy lips (like this J.Crew model) all around town.  I mean, I can be pretty persuasive when I need to be ...  

Photo Source: The Neo-Traditionalist

Grey on Grey

I love never knowing when style inspiration will hit me again, but I love it even more when that moment does.  There's no wordy way to describe it, really, but I'll give it a good ol' blogger's try anyway ... 

Right when I saw the pretty picture above, I immediately remembered a little Ruche lace dress I'd taken quite a liking to recently (my first hint being the fact that I look for this particular dress every time I go on the site) and how much I still want to wear and pair it with these darling oxfords. 

Looks like another style inspiration has hit me right between the eyes, once again, but I'm certainly not complaining.  What about you?  Where'd inspiration last hit you?

Photo Source: The Drifter and the Gypsy

Guilty As Charged

Is it weird that one of my favorite pastimes is to look at wedding gowns and all things bridal-y?  For some reason, sometimes I feel guilty for doing so because a walk down any aisle is so not in even my distant future ... but I can't help it ... especially when I see pretty dresses like the chiffon-y number the Twigs & Honey model is wearing above.  Can you blame me?  It actually looks like it's floating.  Pretty, pretty, pretty.  So to justify the twinge of guilt I'm feeling, I found a lovely retail replacement here that could/can be worn for many other occasions, not just one's proverbial "big day."  There.  I feel much better now.

Photo Source: Twigs & Honey 

In The Blink Of An Eye

As soon as this beauty blinks, the perfect bronze-y shade I've been searching for (a little short of forever, really) appears.  Luckily for me, I was wandering through the makeup aisle of Target recently and nabbed this 32 color e.l.f. set (including my most sought-after shade) for just five smackers.  Now I can copy this copper-y eye (and every other color of the rainbow) every day of my week, if I so choose.  YES!!  A single fist-pump-into-the-air kind of a moment and a major beauty steal of a deal indeed. 

Photo Source: Stardust and Sequins     

Lay Me Down To Sleep

I thought this would not only tie in nicely with my complete obsession for all things hair, silk and scarf-y this week, but also because I was pretty sure I had died and gone straight to Heaven when I saw it in all its handmade, (unfortunately already sold) one-of-a-kind quilt o' vintage scarves glory.  Much staring and jaw-hitting-floor ensued.  Trust me. 

Then, as if sharing the exact same second in time travel, I came right back down to Earth after seeing the outside-of-my-bargainer's-budget price tag.  BUT ... after reading the painstaking process of how each is so lovingly made ... I started to think it just might be worth saving up for one day.  Maybe a future wedding, perhaps?

Or get me to start seriously thinking about taking up my quilt-making hobby again (hey, sitting in your grandmother's basement underneath the actual quilt as a little girl watching all the needles go down and back up again totally counts, right?)  Or, at the very least, make me want to start collecting vintage silk scarves?

Photo Source: Ouno

Side Swept

Oh, don't mind me.  Just wanted to come on here to blog about yet another reason why my current path of growing-out-my-strands is so very well worth it in the end: perfectly sexy little mussed-up sideswept bangs.  So so pretty, don't ya think?  And thank you for oh-so-beautifully illustrating my point, Rodarte ladies.   

Photo Source: fieldguided

Mane Attraction

It seems as if I've been on a bit of a blogging tress-induced tangent lately, but all I can ask is that you bear with me through my growing-out phase because I can't even remember a time when I've had locks long enough I've had to blow dry, let alone that hang past my chin.  It's a BIG thing for me, rather epic actually ... and, just this week, I was able to pull all of my hair up into a high-ish ponytail!  And I'm gonna need all the visual (and virtual) encouragement I can get ... like today's pretty platinum-y braid.  So, will you stick in here with me?  Pretty please? 

Photo Source: Strawberry Koi

A Classic

Sometimes things are dubbed classic and timeless for a reason.  Like this super darling bow headband.  It's got just enough Alice In Wonderland-ishness for me to want to pair it with a little flip here and there at the ends of my own 'do ... and I bet even yours too.  In pink, black or bright blue.  Those ban.do girls sure know what they're doing, don't they?

Photo Source: ban.do

All Tied Up

Tie a Turban from Starr Crow on Vimeo.

I'm admittedly a super duper newbie-novice when it comes to actually doing my hair.  I had it short for so long that the thought of having to wrap, tie or pin it up gives me complete, abashed anxiety.  Now enter strand-y, handy little Starr to the mix (and to my mop's rescue) with her easy peasy video that makes me think maybe I can actually do my hair after all.  Just don't expect braids ... yet.  Baby steps, people.

Video Source: A Thought Is The Blossom   

Wrapper's Delight

Me oh my ... Charlotte Taylor's Fall 2011 Collection has me wanting like a thousand different little silky head scarves in every print and color combination imaginable so I can wrap 'em around my head and stick massive amounts of big ol' bejeweled brooches smack dab in the middle of 'em ... just because it looks so darn pretty.  Oh.  And purple-y lips too.

Photo Source: HonestlyWTF

Hair YOU Doin'?

Oh hi, pretty twisty hair.  How YOU doin'?  I was thinkin' ... since my hair is finally long enough again, maybe you and I could try each other on for a night or two just to see where this thing goes ... and, you know, if we have any coif chemistry happenin'.  Whataya say?  Is it a date?

Photo Source: A Cup Of Jo

Sneak Peek

With needing to find a pair of chucks on the brain, I saw this pic and was instantly sneaker smitten.  No bows or frills allowed.  Just roughed-up studs and lived-in wear and tear on the whites of the toes, please.  And don't even get me started on that camel coat so casually tied to bring all the attention down to the real star here: the stud-ly shoes.  I'm so sold.

Photo Source: Livin' Young

Wearer Of The Pants

So inspired by all this pants-wearin' business was I ... that I took matters into my own debit card-holding hands and purchased not one, not two, but three pretty (incredibly marked-down) pairs just so I could officially be another proud pants wearer.  Oh yes.  Yes I did. 

Photo Source: Urban Outfitters

A Man's World

Mr. James Brown agrees with this week's style sentiment (songwise, at least) that this is most definitely a man's world, but it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl looking (and dressing) this good in it.  Seems like Paul Smith agrees too with his F/W collection chock full of boyish blazers, vests and beanies which has me beginning to wonder if maybe we women should start (and keep) wearin' the (polka-dotted and pinstripe-y) pants ...

Photo Source: Fashion Tidbits

Girlie Girl Gone

I'm startin' to really get into this whole 'girlie girl gone' style thing.  I mean, look how gosh darn cute the girl above looks in her all-the-way-buttoned-up plaid, skinnies and that heckuva collared coat.  Serious adorableness.  Makes me want to add my own little flair to the topper in way of a bow tie (or two) too.  And she's even made me see and realize the shoe sin that I've been committing all these years by not owning a pair of lace-up chucks.  Maybe this girlie girl will stay gone a lot longer than she thought.  Hm ... 

Photo Source: Hoy Fashion    

Tie One On

Ok, ok.  It's time that I get me a tie (and learn how to tie it too) so I can start sportin' them so gosh darn adorably like Kendi here everywhere I go and with everything that I happen to wear.  She nabbed her grey gorgeousness from her hubby's closet, but since I don't have a fella's racks to raid, I think maybe I'll just start here.  Sound like a plan?  

Photo Source: Kendi Everyday   

Girl Meets Boy

Looks like I'm not the only one totally taken with (and inspired by) all things Ms. Keaton when it comes to wardrobin' wears.  Beth also clearly digs the girl meets boy look made so fashion famous too, but I'm pretty sure that no boy I've seen has ever looked as good in an ascot-y scarf, fedora and plaid trousers as Ms. Jones does.  Am I right or am I right?

Photo Source: B. Jones Style

Annie Hall

The girlie girl in me needs a wee bit of a style break this week.  So bows, ruffles, glitter and sequins are all being put on the back burner.  And plaids, trousers and ties are coming right up to my own little style stage to bask in the spotlight for awhile.  And it's all due to this picture of Ms. Annie Hall herself.  Woody would be so proud.

Photo Source: Le Fashion

Red Hot

Speaking of wanting to show off my gams more, it's become blaringly apparent after seeing this spot-on photo here, that I must, must, must add a pair of bright red shorts to my closet's repertoire.  Like now.  I do fear my bank account is not going to be happy about this latest little style development, though.  Nope.  Not one bit.  Oh well.  All in the name of fashion, right? 

Photo Source: Heart City Vintage

Song And Dance Man

It should really come as no surprise to me that there is at least one man left in this world that understands the importance of a good hat and that that man would be Thom Yorke of Radiohead.  He even has his white shirt rolled at the sleeves too.  Of course he does.  And he can dance.  Unlike the author of this post.

Video Source: Dooce

Monochramatic Maven

I have long been a lover of an all-black outfit.  For the slimming and sleek effects alone.  But, after seeing Swedish style blogger extraordinaire Elin Kling here, I may just change my mind.  Now I'm slowly starting to see the crisp and clean qualities an all-white outfit can offer.  And would you believe that after a quick glimpse into my closet, I don't own a single simple little white tee?!  Tragic, I know.  But you can be most assured I'll remedy that as soon as possible.  And maybe even muster up the courage for a pair of matching trousers too.

Photo Source: The Neo-Traditionalist 

Shifty Business

Now that I have decided to celebrate more often with what I like to think are some of my best womanly attributes, I've come to yet another wardrobe-ish decision: short little shifts.  And I have this particular post to thank for it.  Because I just so happen to like my legs and I figure I just don't quite show them off as much as I (think I) should.  So now I'm going to.  In shiny, sequin-encrusted shifts.  Because I (and my inner magpie) like me some sparkles.

Photo Source: ASOS

For Sleep's Sake

Nobody ever told me this bedroom remodeling business would be so exhausting.  As soon as I think I have a look or aesthetic that is pleasing to my little eye (like bright white-painted walls), I somehow still manage to find/see something else that I never knew I always wanted (now coveting grey-painted walls) and it's keeping this already-insomniac up at night.  So, to artfully translate my current sleep-deprived status, I want to own and hang up every Tastes Orangey print having to do with the closed-eye activity, right above my bed(head) to remind my exhausted, wheels-always-turning self of what I really, truly need most: good, old-fashioned sleep.

Photo Source: Tastes Orangey

The Way They Wore

I saw The Adjustment Bureau over the weekend, and although I deemed it as one of my favorite, must-see cinematic stories of the year immediately after viewing it, I just couldn't get over the sartorial pang I felt every time I saw a well-suited, fedora-wearing member of the bureau appear on the screen.  Why can't men dress like that and women dress like this nowadays?  Sigh.  It's obvious to me now.  I was born in the wrong decade.

Photo Source: Rotten Tomatoes 

From Her To Me

Whenever I see an ensemble on Miss Jamie, I know I am in for another important wardrobe lesson as I'm taken back to a time when getting up and dressed for another day meant head-to-toe glamour, all the way, every day. Where accentuating the figure with lovely little black dresses, cascading curls, bow-adorned heels and red little lips and toesies was - and is still - the most perfect way to celebrate womanliness.  It's her gift to me and it makes me want to take the time to implement her teachings into my wardrobe too.  And I think I'll start here.  Just like Miss Jamie. 

Photo Source: From Me To You 

A Girl And Her Glasses

It's blaringly apparent that I have what some might call an unhealthy obsession with eyeglasses ... you know, since I want to wear them all the time, but don't even need the darn things to see ... black horn-rimmed styles especially, if I'm gonna get all specific and stuff.  But Warby Parker not only understands, but made me realize that it is - and always was - kismet for bargain-y me, my heart-shaped face and the darlingly darkest of specs.  

Why?  Because when I clicked on my face shape (heart) to browse some beauties, it automatically led me to the super stylish, ninety-five dollar pair - that if you buy, they also give a pair to someone in need - that is being so supremely modeled by the lovely red-lipped lady above.  And get this ... I just so happen to share my name with this particular style too!  If that's not meant to be, I don't know what is.  Guess you can't fight style fate, now can you?

Photo Source: Warby Parker

A Beautiful Mesh

As an avid shoe collector (only because I do find myself spending hours just staring at the things and, on occasion, have been known to give them a pet or two), there way absolutely NO WAY I wasn't going to shine the spotlight on this particularly pretty little pair with all the footsie features a girl could ever want like a chunky and oh-so-walkable platform heel, sporty-meshy goodness and laces to tighten your every stylish step.  Super sweet, right? 

And if all of that wasn't enough, what really seals the whole shoe-buyin' deal for this particular bargainer is the fact that they are available, right there and waiting for you, at good ol' Payless.  Payless, people!  For around fifty bucks.  Now, without a shadow of a doubt in my little shoe-dreamin' head, I know they're a total shoe-in for all you fellow shoe collectors out there, aren't they?  Yeah.  I thought so.  And you're totally welcome.

Photo Source: Payless

Maid in Braids

It's no secret I have made it my personal coif quest to steer clear of the shears for as long (hair pun totally intended) as possible just to see the lengths (I'm on a roll) I can go to with my 'do since I haven't had it past my shoulders in ... well ... I can't even remember how long (ba dum bum chee). 

Junior High.  That's the last time I had cascading, flowing locks.  It's also the last time I decided to have long-ish hair because being able to actually sit on your hair made me think it just might be time for a few snip snips of a trim - a trim that eventually led to and landed me in the land of the pixies for many years to come.  

But now I'm here, in 2011, and have just seen Erin Fetherston's F/W 2011 collection (thanks to The Clothes Horse) and have been convinced to grow, grow, grow out my locks so I can proudly wear a metallic-y, twisting wreath o' braids atop my own mane.  Just because I want to now visit and become a maid in the land of braids.  A maid in braids. 

Photo(s) Source: The Clothes Horse 

Mellow Yellow

Ok.  So maybe mellow isn't quite the right word to describe the brightly-lined MAC eye on the Peter Som model above, but I do think it's just the color jolt my makeup routine needs come Spring.  I used to love trying out different look-at-me shades, but I fear that recently I've become so set in my ways (black cat-lined eyes, anyone?) that I've forgotten what makeup is meant, made and intended for: F-U-N.  So maybe it's time to give the red lips a rest and let my eyes do the talkin' for a while ... whadaya think?  

Photo Source: Karla Sugar

Twelve Girls, Endless Style

The Delightful Dozen from Selective Potential on Vimeo.

As I was watching the Delightful Dozen video above, I had a silly little perma-grin on my face fully knowing I was going to be getting oodles and oodles of weardrobe inspiration to last me for days, weeks, months, YEARS to come - and all from my most favorite of style bloggers - and all in one pretty place!  Being swapped, styled and remixed twelve times over!! Dressing dreams totally come true.  Can't wait to see what you wear next, DD! 

March Madness

When I think of the month of March, I automatically associate it with all things Spring.  Layers are peeled off, legs become bare for the first time and ankle socks and little brown boots mark their adorable arrival.  And thanks to tba and the beautifully soft SS11 Collection (see it on the to be adored Facebook page here), I can now happily add peter pan collars and freshly picked flowers-in-pockets to the association too. 

Photo Source: tba