Wishlist Wednesday

I know for a fact (thanks to tumblr) that I'm not the only one who leaves tabs open on my laptop, thinking "nah, I'll get back to that later". And (surprise surprise) most of those tabs are shopping-related. Often times I read a blog and see something that I like, end up clicking on the link to the item, and just stare at it for the next week or two. After a while those tabs turn into my "online wishlist" - things that I love, want, and sometimes need.

In this post I decided to share some of the items that I've had on my "online wishlist". I'm thinking of doing these types of posts every wednesday... Yay or nay? Let me know in the comments below! 

:: one :: two :: three :: four :: five :: six ::

I've been eyeing the ASOS scalloped tote for a looooong time now (number four), but I just can't seem to get myself to buy it - one part of me keeps telling myself I have too many handbags, but the other part keeps saying that I need one that isn't too big or too small and that can fit my 13" laptop in... A nice fur vest (number two) and corduroy skinnies (number five) are the obvious fall essentials that I, believe it or not, do not own yet. Number six is pretty obvious - navy, gold, horses...SOLD! 

What are some things you've been eyeing lately? Let me know in the comments below along with any other post suggestions or questions!

xoxo,

Liz

Whirlwind.

Lately I've just been too busy. Too busy to watch YouTube, to shop, to spend time with friends and family, to blog - too busy to do things that I love doing. The last week of school before fall break (thank goodness it's finally here) seemed like a year, not five days; I was incredibly stressed, sleep deprived, and anxious. 

Now that break is finally here I've been trying to spend as much time as I can relaxing...in Rome. I am here for break and I am in love with this city (my Instagram is a witness of exactly how much I love it). Everything about Rome is beautiful and I couldn't ask for a better place to relax and forget all of my worries.

I promise to get back into blogging as soon as possible! I really do miss it, but we all have our priorities and right now, mine is to relax and have fun.

xoxo,

Liz

Pick One: Rebecca Taylor Fall 2013

I've been reading a ton of fashion and lifestyle blogs lately (should I make a list of my favorites?) and they're pretty much where I get all of my fashion inspiration from. I spend a couple of minutes every evening just catching up with the latest posts and planning my outfit for the next day, but when Gadabout posted about Rebecca Taylor I literally gasped.

Immediately after skimming through her post I went onto rebeccataylor.com to look through the whole collection and I completely fell in love. Items were flooding into my cart before I even noticed. Her clothes mix neutrals (read my opinion on that here) and have a lot of leather and tweed - and who doesn't love leather an tweed?!

:: Super Skinny Leatherette Jegging ($245) :: Cap Sleeve Dress With Leather Detail ($475) :: Wool Coat With Shearling Colar ($995) :: Tweed and Leather Shift ($475) :: Tweed Jacket ($495) ::

Now, I'm not going to go out and buy everything in my cart (especially now that I only have a couple hundred dollars from spending $1000 at a restaurant...), so I'm forced to shop smart and pick one or two things that I love the most. Although I highly doubt I'll purchase any of these items anytime soon, a girl can dream, right? ;)

I think these items are perfect fall and winter staples - yes, they are a bit pricey, but wouldn't you rather spend $1000 on a coat that will keep you warm and stylish for years rather than spending $100 on a coat, but buying one every single year? I always put quality over quantity, classic staple pieces will last forever and always be stylish, whereas cheap and trendy pieces will only last you a season or two.

I am very biased towards the tweed jacket because I've been looking for the perfect one for months, so I think that if I was to buy only one thing - that would be it. I love the wool coat, too, but the chunkiness of it could make me look a bit...well, chunky. I'm not that tall and I have a muscular build, so boxy styles tend to be less flattering on me. Nevertheless, I love this collection and I hope you like it too :)

Which item would you buy? Let me know in the comments below along with any other post suggestions!

xoxo,
Liz

Breaking Fashion "Rules"

No white after labor day, never mix brown, black and navy, redheads can't wear red, never mix gold and silver - how many "fashion rules" are there and how can a person possibly follow them all?! I asked myself this question this morning while re-thinking my outfit - a navy dress, black tights and flats, and a brown bag. Did my outfit look good to me? Absolutely. Did I think that I was breaking a "rule"? Yes.

I felt like I was going to be judged the second I went out of my house - black, navy, and brown all in one outfit?! Horrible. Ugly. A disgrace.

I simply like to call it groundbreaking. According to Michael Kors himself "White after Labor Day is glamorous," and I totally agree. What better way to brighten up a gloomy winter day than by wearing something clean and bright?

So, if you could take one thing away from this post I hope that you understand that there is no "right" or "wrong" in fashion. Yes, there can be a right and a wrong for me, for you, for your best friend - but in the end, fashion and style is what makes you and only you happy, confident, and glowing. 

If you want to wear white after labor day - wear it. If you feel like wearing your brown boots, black pants, and navy sweater all in one outfit - no one is going to stop you. Do what you want to do, wear what you want to wear, as long as you're confident and content.

xoxo,

Liz

Fur Vests

One thing that I didn't add to my fall fashion essentials list is a fur vest. The only reason for that was that it really isn't an "essential" for me. To be completely honest, I don't even own one! 

The thought of owning a fur vest never really crossed my mind, but one of my friends and I had a discussion about these - she was telling me how much she wanted one for her birthday. Boy, let me tell you, she completely sold me on these. I am now on the hunt for the perfect one and I found some inspiration on the way ;)

What were some of your favorite ways to wear a fur vest? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo,
Liz

Fall Fashion Essentials

I've (sadly) been down with a cold for the past couple of days, so I've had some time (not a lot, but still) to spare. And free time means books, sleep, tumblr, and blogging.

Since the first official day of fall wasn't so long ago, I decided to put together a collage with my 10 fall fashion essentials. Hope you enjoy!

oversized flannel

Something about a big oversized flannel and leggings makes me feel so cozy; like I want to light the fireplace, pour myself some coffee and curl up with a book. I love wearing my big flannel (which looks like a lumberjack's shirt, by the way) more as a jacket or a sweater with a tank top, leggings, and riding boots.

khaki skirt

I am on a hunt for the perfect khaki skirt and I think I found it. It's the perfect must-have preppy piece for fall that can be worn with anything or anyhow - boots, flats, loafers, t-shirts, blouses, you name it. This one from Madewell is perfect for me, so I may or may not have added it to my online cart...

equestrian boots

Everyone knows about my love for horses, brown leather, and boots (which, all together, equals riding boots), so I won't go on and on about these babies. If it's not raining - or worse - snowing outside, you bet I'll be wearing riding boots. Yep. Must-have. Totally worth the money, so invest in a nice ol' pair of leather boots.

peacoat

This one is a no-brainer, especially if you live somewhere where fall weather isn't all 70 degrees and sunny (ekhem Moscow ekhem). They come in all kinds of different colors, so it's the perfect way to add some color if your wardrobe is all black-and-white.

rain boots

If you don't live in a rainy climate, then I guess this won't really be an essential for you, but they certainly are for me! I get a ton of use out of my Hunter wellies, even in the winter - you can wear them with special warm socks that come in a bunch of different colors and patterns. Red and navy are always classic color choices, but I got mine in teal and I still wear them with everything!

black tote

This is an essential for every season (for me, at least), but I still felt like I had to include a black tote in this list. Black is one of the "it" colors for fall, and a cute tote like the one in the collage (from YSL, by the way) is a good thing to have in your collection any time of the year.

moto jacket

I talked about my recent obsession with motorcycle/leahter-style jackets in my last blog post and I think it's safe to say that I will (hopefully. soon. maybe?) be getting one of these sooner or later. When your outfit looks to grandma-ish (don't know about you, but it happens to me quite often) you just add a jacket like this one and POOF! your outfit is glamorous and not grandma-ous.

leopard heels

Something about leopard-print screams "fall" to me. I'm not a big fan of animal print (zebra. ugh), but I absolutely love leopard. It's so chic and sophisticated I just can't help myself. And what better way to add some sophistication into your outfit than with shoes?   

pixie pants

If you're not yet familiar with the J.Crew "pixie pants" I have two simple things to say to you. One: they are like leggings, but thicker (so your butt and/or underwear isn't on-show) and two: boy, are you missing out. I wear mine all the time, especially since they're perfect for any outfit - no matter how dressy or casual. Hoodie and Uggs? Why not.

sweater

And last, but definitely not least, a sweater - the ultimate fall must-have. Sweaters are cozy, soft, and essential. Can't say much more, except that this one from J.Crew is adorable (and sold out almost everywhere!).

What are your fall must-haves? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo,
Liz

Prepped for School

I am very very guilty of adding all of these items to my shopping cart...and almost checking out. My birthday is in the beginning of October by the way, just in case you run out of ideas ;)

I haven't had much free time lately, but one thing I've had plenty of is homework. And - news flash - since I watch Gossip Girl even when I'm taking a shower (true story) I watch it when I'm doing homework as well. There's just something about knowing all of the lines and outfits that makes me feel accomplished.

As are 90% of my outfits, this one is also inspired by characters from this TV show. And, for once, it's not Blair Waldorf (gasp). I put together two outfits - one is a bit edgier than usual, and another is more laid-back. The edgier one is inspired by something I think that Jenny Humphrey would wear (in her better, preppier days) and the more casual one is inspired by the bombshell Serena van der Woodsen. 

:: Marc Jacobs flats :: Isabel Marant skirt :: Rag & Bone jacket :: J. Crew blouse ::

:: Chloé flats :: Ralph Lauren skirt :: River Island blazer :: Rag & Bone blouse ::

I've really been into giving a little edgy twist to my outfits lately, but I pretty much fail all the time - only because I own no street style/edgy clothes. I've seen a few classier twists on the moto jacket (of course, the J.Crew one is my favorite) and I think black tones the "edgyness" down a notch. I can definitely see myself wearing this - it's so cute and totally fall-appropriate!

Of course, the "Serena" outfit is more casual and, frankly, more in my comfort zone. The blazer/cardigan still makes the outfit nice and put-together, but doesn't look too dressy or old-grandma-ish. Scallops were a huge thing this summer, so I thought that these Chloé flats are a perfect transition into fall (I love brown leather flats!).

Which outfit would you wear?

xoxo,

Liz