The Art of a Button-Down

Is it just me or have button-downs become a wardrobe staple for you too? Whether I am wearing a chambray, floral or flannel, a button-down shirt just makes me feel comfortable and put together. Spring time seems to be the perfect season to start utilizing my ever-growing collection. With tons of patterns and colors (okay, not too many colors but I want a red one), sizes and fits, I can use these pieces as light weight jackets, shirt-dresses, layering pieces, cropped tops...

Do you love button-downs too? How do you usually wear them?

Keepin' It Real

What's the best fashion advice you have ever heard? Recently magazines keep urging us to wear what is comfortable and what is most familiar. While I love testing the limits (sometimes...baby steps) I am definitely most comfortable in a cardigan, jeans, a button-down shirt and flats. There is something about the comfort of all these individual pieces; funnily, the simplicity of all my fashion staples combined creates a pretty polished and glossy look. Today I am "keepin' it real," totally simple:

Cardigan: H&M, Button-down: Verve, Jeans: Forever21, Flats: Steve Madden, Watch: Michael Kors

If you are "keepin' it real" what do you wear?

Where Is My Horse?

Hey lovely followers (and hopefully soon to be followers!)

This morning when I woke up I was in a great mood. You know that feeling? Kind of like when you have a new crush, and you have butterflies in your stomach (the good kind) and you can't keep smiling, and every song that comes on your itunes seems to be the perfect mix of tempo, rhyme, and rhythm? It was the kind of morning where "Drops of Jupiter" by Train and "Mine" by Taylor Swift were on repeat and dancing around my bedroom seemed to be oh so natural. For some reason while I was laying in my bed thinking about today's post (TODAY IS LOVE YOUR BODY DAY) I glanced out the window and saw the most beautiful pile of colorful leaves on my lawn. It seems to be a little early for leaves on the ground, but I love the changing seasons and I am embracing autumn. Anyway, I thought back to when I was younger, horseback riding in my cute riding jodhpurs, boots and velvet helmet. I was inspired by the equestrian look today, and it's about time, since I literally have been cutting out every RALPH LAUREN AD I have seen recently. They are just so classic, sophisticated and preppy--is it sad that I envision myself in one every time I get dressed? Oh well, we all have our little quirks.

Today I am wearing my black Forever21 leggings as a base. They fit perfectly into the boots I am wearing. Don't you hate when your jeans are too bulky to tuck into boots? That is a major pet peeve of mine. Anyway, I decided to wear a half button blue long sleeve blouse that I got at Marshalls and seen in this post. On top of the blouse I am wearing my Bass cream colored cardigan (sans buttons), which just seems flow-y, but it has structured shoulders which stands in for my nonexistent riding jacket. Disclaimer: I fully plan on buying a Ralph Lauren or Yves Saint Laurent blazer once I am rich and rolling in the MON-AY! Lastly, I am wearing my brown boots that I got in a boutique in New York City last winter break. The great thing about these boots is that they zip from the bottom to the top of the boot which makes tucking in pants so much easier, like I said earlier I hate when jeans/pants don't tuck properly in boots. It looks messy, feels uncomfortable, and is just plain miserable. I know my boots are brown and I am wearing black leggings, but for some reason I really love the contrast. One of the bloggers I follow, at The Classic Case, posted about combining black leggings/tights and brown boots yesterday. I guess that was in my mind because I love the contrast too. Follow her blog because she has a great writing style and sense of style--what a combination, right?

Okay, well I am going to attempt to do some of my homework. I have a big weekend ahead of me (even though it's only hump day) I am going to think ahead. It's homecoming weekend so we have a big football game complete with tailgating and an alumni BBQ for my sorority sisters that graduated! I can't wait to see everyone. Oh and also a "Cowboys and Indians" social this Friday! I am fully prepared to channel my inner Pocahontas, I am so excited! I will post more about my "Indian" outfit on Friday, I hope it will be done by then. I hope everyone has a great day, embrace the fall, it's beautiful out!

PS: Everyone remember to "love your body" because you are beautiful and confident, strong and determined and you can do whatever you set your mind to. This is what I keep telling myself and I firmly believe in the motto "look good, feel good!" So do something for yourself today that makes you feel great. I picked out a killer outfit to make me feel good (dress wise). I am going to go to the gym after class today and work on my body. As for spirit, I am going to keep the happy mood flowing, the endorphins will help later when I start dragging around 3pm. But seriously, do something to make you love yourself today.
If you love yourself you will learn how to love your body too. It's a work in progress but it is so worth it!

I Dream in Jean-y

Good Morning! How is every one's day going so far? Mine is great: the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and my mind keeps drifting back to the Kid Cudi concert I went to last night! It was a great concert, and I must admit although I am not the biggest Cudi fan, he is a great performer with amazing stage presence. I went with my roommates and one of my roommates friends from home (and a ton of her school friends!) In total there were about 25 of us and that always makes for a great time. Sadly, I do not have an outfit post from the concert last night because we weren't allowed to bring cameras in, why I do not know! I definitely wouldn't have gotten a close up of the Kid because I was way up in the nosebleeds but still I wish I had some photos to remember the night. I guess I will just focus on my outfit today and what I am wearing.

I wanted to wear jeans today, but I was in more of a comfy leggings type of mood so I wore my favorite stretchy pair from Forever21, you know the one that aren't see through, GOTTA LOVE THOSE! On top I wore my relatively new Jean long sleeve button down from Bass Outfitters, which is a cool mix between J. Crew and L.L. Bean. It is a really relaxed, and laid back brand that has special statement pieces every season, this season it is all about embellished sweaters and JEAN SHIRTS! I also decided to wear my GAP jean ballet flats with ruffle detailing, which are cute and girly but still sophisticated and classy. While I usually don't wear oversize shirts and leggings without a cinched waist, it just felt right to let the shirt flow today. When I left the house I also decided to put on an over sized black waffle sweater from the GAP (not pictured) with a gold headband (flea-market find & also not pictured). Sorry for the picture mishap, I caught my roomie E earlier in the morning, begged her to take my picture and didn't think to add the last bits of the outfit until I ran out of the house.

My hair is straightened today! I decided to give it a little something extra, but the makeup is natural and basically the same as always. I keep experimenting with new eyeliners and need to find something that glides on smooth (brown color only), but been having trouble finding something. I have tried Pixi, ELF, Revlon, Bonnebelle, and nothing seems to be working out for me, any suggestions? I would really appreciate any suggestions.