feminine cuir

Love.

Ask me maybe 2 years ago if it was okay to wear a leather skirt and I would've shook my head no. Kelsey bought this skirt from Forever 21 (which can be found here) and at first we had a really hard time putting together any outfit with it. There is definitely a boundary between looking chic and looking like a hooker (i.e all leather). I think when you are wearing either a leather skirt or leggings, a great way to contrast it is with a feminine top. As soon as I saw this top, I knew it would be perfect for the skirt Kelsey bought. It was a funny coincidence that the SAME exact outfit was styled on Forever21 (maybe they should hire me :) ) 

This gorgeous day at a park near our house was great for this outfit and you could dress it up with black pumps or down with black flats. (I do wish it was  me wearing this outfit...) Just remember, this could be a trend and the best thing to do with this is not to spend hundreds of dollars on a leather skirt when you can get it for $12! Learning what to and not to splurge on is one of my major strengths, what kinds of things are you willing to splurge on?

thinking about how badly I want a Shirt in the color of that wall...(and Kelsey looks gooooood)

the contract of rough and feminine is played up in the background of this photo

Kelsey's Emily pose...

 

All Photos Taken by Me

Accessorize: créativité and style

Beautiful Indian Bangles I bought in Chennai, India

A necklace friends bought back from Italy for me

Growing up, I attended Catholic School and in high school we were not allowed to wear certain shoes or tights etc. and the only way to express ourselves was through our jewelry. It says so much about a person and even what they are feeling on a certain day. I learned what looked good on me and what my "accessory style" was. This has obviously developed over the past couple of years along with the changes in my wardrobe etc., but the most powerful and noticeable change was studying abroad. I know, you're thinking, what could studying abroad have to do with jewelry? Well, in pretty much every country I went to, I found some piece of jewelry that stood out to me (or many. :) ) and I came home with a pretty large collection. Each of these pieces represents a memory and expresses a little part of who I am. How do you use jewelry to express yourself?

craving a Cameo at the moment. This ring is gorgeous.

Earrings I got in Ghana- handmade by a wonderful woman

Kelsey's jewelry collection (of which I am envious)

one of my favorite rings! (From Payless-$3)

Photos: 1, 2, 4, 6 taken by me, 5 taken by Shannon Powell

danser toute la nuit, all night long

 

  Outfit: Top: H&M $24 (bought in Hong Kong), Belt: Forever21 (came with skirt) Faux Leather Side Zip Leggings: Miley Cyrus for Wal-Mart $3, Boots: Kenneth Cole Reaction $12

This past weekend was fabulous. Friday night was a girls night filled with hours and hours of talking and laughing (it was just what I needed). After a long day of school work on Saturday, I felt like I just needed to wind down. What could be better than a night of dancing? My friend Ashley and I got dressed up in appropriate and comfortable dancing clothes and headed out to a party. Other than the creepy guys who wouldn't give up on asking us to dance (telling them I have a boyfriend wasn't always enough), we had a fabulous time. We spent about 2 hours dancing with no breaks, sweating, moving, smiling and just being our silly selves. Can you tell I love to dance? What do you do to wind down and let out some energy? 

Ashley's Gorgeous Purple Tunic/Dress: Body Central

la beauté de la simplicité

the classiness of this photo is perfect and the shirt, fabulous

Simplicity. I feel like a lot of people take a simple outfit or style to be boring or extremely easy to put together. To me, simplicity is taking an outfit and focusing it around one single piece and keeping everything else very understated and well "simple." The shirt Shannon is wearing in these pictures is a perfect example of this; she doesn't need a full head of curls, a statement necklace, crazy shoes, tons of makeup or detailed bottoms, the shirt accounts for everything the outfit needs. The lace overlay is perfectly classy, yet super seductive and the shape of the shirt is perfect to play up some curves (whether you have them or not). The open back is right on trend at the moment and its flattering to almost everyone. Whats your simple piece that makes an outfit say "WOW?'(I'll be posting as soon as I figure out mine ;) )

can you tell the love for nude pumps?!

the simple shoe. you could be naked and look good in these.

Photos:1-4 Taken by Moi

Sunday, Jour de nouvelles

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It's Sunday already? Time really does go by faster when you are an adult. Anyways, before I go on to talk about Elizabeth Taylor as my weekly news, I remind you to keep praying and supporting Japan and even Haiti relief efforts. One of the biggest problems is how soon things like this die out from the media and more importantly from our minds (in my opinion). So, go back to last week's post and do something!

Now, for the wonderful and fabulous Elizabeth Taylor. She passed away on Wednesday at age 79 from congestive heart failure. Her son said that his "mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love." (FoxNews) She was not only a great actress, but also a beautiful woman on the inside and out.  Rest in Peace Liz.

 

P.S. I hope your weekend was great! Remember 1st giveaway is when my followers reaches 25!!! 

And check out the Twitter and Facebook over there-->

fridays de moi

one of the only pictures I actually liked from St. Patrick's Day (my only green piece of clothing)

This week has flown by and thankfully so. So many things have happened, I feel like my brain is all over the place. Luckily I took some outfit photos over Spring Break because I was quite the mess this week. I don't think I even matched (I know, awful). At the same time, last week was absolutely beautiful out and I spent so much time in the city, sitting in Columbus Circle soaking up the sun, walking down Broadway into tourist central also known as Times Square and shopping all over NYC as usual. It was the best going out at night and not having to bundle up in scarves an a million jackets. Now if only spring would come back for good...

The Perfect Skirt for a beautiful day of errands and shopping :)

Skirt, Shirt and Belt: Forever21, Flats: American Eagle

I'm not the best model at times, my silly personality gets in the way

Escape en France

 

How delicious does that crepe look? This past Saturday, Kelsey and I discovered this absolutely adorable and delicious French crêpe restaurant in the town she lives in. Half the time the two of us were just staring around the restaurant admiring the beautiful mural art on the walls and the other half of the time scrounging down our scrumptious crêpes-- mine was brie, red grapes and walnuts and Kelsey's was bananas, nutmeg, rum, and some other delicious ingredients. Dusted with the perfect amount of powdered sugar and overlooking everything you could ask for in (fake) France.

I thought it would be cool to put my hands around the fire...

Photos taken by Kelsey Powell

bronzage and nudes

 

Tan and Nude hues are everywhere. For me, they are seductive, sexy and utterly natural all at the same time. Before recently, I never really delved into this color scheme probably because I wasn't as daring with my style in the past (aka I wore black and blue, couldn't go wrong). As you may have noticed, I am trying to be all about positivity and embracing the life we are given and this has led to my breaking out of my shell when it comes to fashion. Yesterday I even bought a bright red blouse. Wearing nudes is not just about taking a fashion risk, but it is being beautiful. Our skin reflects various shades and hues of this color and the naturalness of wearing these colors really appeals to me (and should you too!). Here are some great finds I may just have to purchase (Don't worry I won't mind if you copy). 

 

1. Draped Dress: Topshop-$180 2. Lace Top: Forever21- $23 3. Chain Link Crossbody: Nordstrom-$135 4. Button Shorts: Topshop $70 5. Washed Effect Flats: Topshop $32 6. Cropped Blazer: Topshop $110 7. Peep-Toe Pumps: J. Crew $275 8. Marc Jacobs Bag: Nordstrom $358

Kelsey's Fabulous Kelsi Dagger Nude Pumps I couldn't help but photograph

Photos: Top Left (Michael Kors), Top Right (Halston), Room (Tumblr)

bonjour printemps, I have been waiting for you

All I can say is that I am so grateful that Spring is here. Despite the bad news that came with this weekend, the weather was absolutely beautiful. As you saw in the previous post, I actually went out for St. Patrick's Day (this was my first time, seriously). I am always up for a good time and we ended up having a great night in Manhattan and the weather was calm and warm. Before Kelsey and I went out, I got some really great photos of her and her oh-so-festive outfit (it's like St. Patty's and Spring combined!). 

yes. she is silly and she is my friend.

most fabulous photo of the day.

does old st. patty's necklaces count as vintage jewelry?

even St. Patty's day can be done in style.

Please remember to keep my friend, Brian, and his family in your prayers <3