Chopped & Cropped

via

Chopped & Cropped is the new look when it comes to toppers {layering pieces}. It took me awhile to really embrace this trend, but I am definitely a fan now and I can't wait to layer up for Fall with a cute cropped sweater.

1. Topshop

2.Topshop

3.Opening Ceremony

4. Rachel Comey

Hammered Look

I love the look of hammered metal or glass, like these pieces from West Elm!

Day to Night

Day: Missoni Dress, Cynthia Vincet Boots, Archive Designs Necklace , Antoinette Lee Bag

Night: Missoni Dress, Givenchy Heels, Intermix Fur Collar, Anya Hindmarch Glitter Clutch

Fur fur fur!

Fur can be fairly hard to pull off. If you live in the South where it rarely ever snows, you look ridiculous wearing a heavy oversized fur or even if you live somewhere colder, it can be hard to find the right fur for the right occasion. But thanks to my girl Rachel Zoe, I think fur is becoming more acceptable for day-time and even for warmer weather. Fur was all over the runway for Fall. Here are some loves from Brian Reyes and Proenza Schouler.

And then the faux fur that we can all afford!

Jack by BB Dakota $54, Dorothy Perkins $55, Gap $45

French Connection $395, Topshop $50, Topshop $170

My so called bike

I love this! It's called "My So-Called Bike" from Urban Outfitters. You can click on each person that works for Urban Outiftters and find out what they do at the company and a little bit about their bikes. Here is what I think mine would say:

KRISTIN- Assistant Buyer
My bike is just a basic blue Schwinn. It was a very spontaneous purchase, that ended up being a very spontaneous purchase for my boyfriend who some how got dragged into this as well (his is black). I can't wait to get a cute little basket to put on the front of mine. I don't know what I'd put in the basket, but I'd find something. We like to ride our bikes for leisure. On the weekends we'll ride to brunch or to the park to play tennis. Nothing serious here!

Bright Idea

I'm loving these bright photographs by Miriam West. They are so bright and cheery and I love how unique they are. You can buy them on etsy.com or if you're in NYC you can stop by Union Square Park on a weekend and look for her beautiful art.

Closet Confessions

"I wanna be the next Kate Moss"
-Johnny Weir

The new Closet Confessions by Bluefly.com, with Johnny Weir is hilarious and fabulous all at the same time. His description of all the things in his closet and his Balenciaga tree just made my day. Thank you for making me smile Johnny Weir!

it's here, it's here

Fall is here and although I am much more of a warm-weather girl, I'm craving some cooler weather {and mostly a change in wardrobe}. I do love a lot of other things about Fall though, from the warm colors like burnt orange and spiced reds, to the changing of leaves on all of our trees {which there are a lot of in North Carolina}.

On my way home from work last night I stopped by the grocery store and saw beautiful orange, yellow and red floral arrangements and then on my home I even saw pumpkins on a neighbors porch. Probably a little premature, but atleast they're in the Fall mood!

Happy 1st day of Fall! XOXO

S and B go to Paris

Gossip Girl is one of those shows that I was immediately hooked on when the first season started. I can't help myself -with their fabulous (although totally ridiculous) lifestyle's and their incredible wardrobes from designers that no teenagers should be able to spoil themselves with at that age. I just had to tune in every week just to see what S and B were going to wear! I have to admit that I got a little behind last season and as I tried to get back in the loop this season, I was easily persuaded because S and B are in Paris and it's to die for. Like always, the plot is totally out of left field but their clothes are amazing and the Parisian backdrop makes this season even better than the rest, in my opinion. I don't want their summer to end. Stay and vacay all you want S and B.

Happy Tuesday. XOXO

spa day!

I constantly find myself dreaming of spa days while I'm at work, and this weekend all of my daydreams came true! I spent the weekend in Pinehurst, NC here which is mostly known for it's amazing golf courses. But they also have a fabulous Spa, at which I indulged myself in all day Saturday. This is something I've never done before, atleast not to this extent, so don't get jealous that I live the life of a celebrity quite yet. {because I absolutely do not}
Needless to say, my day was the most relaxing I've had in as long as I can remember. I could get used to wearing a huge cozy white robe and slippers all day in between getting a massage and manicure. This is something I think every girl should have the opportunity to do for themselves every once in awhile.

Happy Monday! XOXO

packing up

Packing up for a relaxing weekend away!
XOXO

Fall in Paris

One of my best friends is headed to Paris with her husband in a few weeks. I'm dying to sneak into her suitcase, but I don't know how thrilled they'd actually be about me tagging along. She's been asking for things to do and places to go and see and although it's been a few years now since I've been, I gave her a few suggestions to get her started. {She said they could be touristy, so dont judge that I'm not giving her a local's point of view. Although she would greatly appreciate that too}. Here is what I think she should do while they're in the best city ever! All other recommendations are welcome.

1) Take a picnic to the Luxembourg Gardens and people watch/relax: We did this several times while I was in Paris and it ended up being one of my favorite Sunday afternoon pass times. We'd take a blanket and grab a cheap bottle of wine from a local wine shop, glasses (which were usually just coffee mugs b/c that's all we had at our flat) and just sit and chat and people watch all afternoon

(told you...serious people watching on the weekends! I actually took this while we were there)

2) Take a river boat tour on the Siene River: We got lucky the year that I went to Paris because not only was it during Bastille Day but it was the summer that they were announcing where the next Olympics would be held, and Paris was in the running. We took a river boat dinner cruise down the Siene River on Bastille Day, and because of the ordeal with the Olympics, they shot fireworks off of the Eifel Tower. Amazing!

3) Visit Versailles: It's just a short trip outside of Paris and it's beautiful. You could also take a picnic with you and sit on the huge lawn there. You have to go inside and see how it's decorated. Talk about vintage =)

4) Eiffel Tower: I know this is complete obvious one; but it has to be on the list. I recommend going at night to see the lights that sparkle. It's amazing.

5) The Louvre: I told her not to get overwhelmed, but that she should definitely go to the Louvre at some point. It's so big inside that I don't think anyone could see the whole thing in 1 day {maybe even not in 2 days}. You may get lost inside, but it's beautiful and you have to see the Mona Lisa, and paintings by Monet. **While she's there she can also go nearby and see Notre Dame Cathedral.

6) Champs Elysees: Great nightlife, shopping and restaurants. {Also very touristy, but a must-see}

pics via muah. All other suggestions should be referenced through one of my favorite blogs, French Essence.

BFD- still years later

Breakfast for Dinner is by far one of my favorite meals! Nothing beats a heaping stack of chocolate chip pancakes, crispy bacon and eggs for dinner. This seems to also be a continuing theme for me; from growing up, to college with my roomates and even now with my girlfriends.
**Warning: If you're not a girly-girl...please stop now.
In college I lived with 2 of my best friends! We basically did everything together from the moment we all moved in. From nights out on the town, to grocery shopping and making dinners together- we did it all. My most fond memory of living together is definitely making Breafast for Dinner together. We'd make chocolate chip pancakes, scarmbled eggs, bacon and of course...mimosa's. Then we'd sit around in our pajama's and watch the movie Elf (don't make fun...it's a really cute movie). It was such a simple thing, but one of the things I miss the most about living together.
Last night my girlfriends (a different group, not from college) and I got together to have a "Girls Night" (something we do often). This time we decided to make it BFD -Breakfast for Dinner Night and had the same menu. Everyone wore their pajama's over to my place and we had a more grown up version of my college days of BFD, but still with all the trimmings. {A few minor additions included the chocolate chip waffle, eggs verde with avocado and black beans, fruit salad and turkey bacon}.


Happy Thursday!!

Jacket Up

With the cooler weather on it's way, there is one thing I can't seem to get enough of. Jackets and Vests! And I'm pretty sure my roomate can vouch for me, because I have taken over the coat closet in our front hall {which I agree is ridiculous since we only really have about 3 true jacket months out of the year}. Outerwear for me can almost act like a new top. Depending on the styling, you can sometimes wear it throughout the entire day. over a cute tee or cami. Here are some outerwear ideas! Bring on the cooler weather.

Lot78 &

Stella McCartney

Vanessa Bruno & Michael Kors

See by Chloe & Milly

livelaughlove

This weekend my friends and I were joking about how terrible the whole "live laugh love" quote is {no offense to anyone out there that loves it}. The thing is; it's one of those quotes that companies have used to make money by displaying it on everything from coffee mugs to bumper stickers {bad, right?} and it's just terribly over-used. Not that I don't agree with the message of the saying, but I feel like there are other options to express how to live your life. Here are some other quotes that I thought were cute and that maybe could take it's place.

being neutral

Spring 2011 Fashion week in NYC has taken way and while I'm a typical southerner who loves anything colorful, I cannot help but lust over these flowy and romantic neutrals. Also seen here & here.

Vivienne Tam, Ports 1961, Tadashi Shoji & Alexander Berardi

tailgating preparations

I'm not very big into football... that is, until it comes to the Carolina Panthers . Then it's a whole other story. I'm born and raised in Charlotte, NC so I couldn't be prouder to be a Panther's fan and cheer on our team. This year my friends and I are taking football season to a whole other level when it comes to tailgating. In t-minus 6 days we'll be setting up our tent, picnic table, fold-out chairs, cornhole and grills at about 9:00 AM to get the first regular season home game started. I couldn't be more excited for the festivties! It sounds easy, but we've really put a lot of thought and preparation into the process of tailgating this year. Here are all of the details for our tailgates:

Go Panthers!!

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unexpected surprises

Sometimes you get taken by surprise and those can often end up being some of the best memories. Ones that are rare and unexpected, but also unforgettable. On Friday night my boyfriend surprised me with tickets to the Kings of Leon concert (yay!) and then I found out that the Black Keys were the opening band (2nd yay!). When I got over to his house after work he was making my favorite meal and told me that we could both have wine before the concert because he had arranged for a car to pick us up (major yay!). Wanted to share a little video that I took at the concert and a clip from the Black Keys, who I also love. Hope you had a surprise filled weekend too =)

it's here!

NY Fashion week is here- which means runway shows and lots of fabulous fashion that I can't wait to get my eyes on. Although there is no comparison when it comes to the more seasoned designers, I can't wait to explore the designs of the younger, up-and-coming designers. (I'm the same way about music. I love all types, but I've found some of my favorite music from young, new artists. They are less played out, and it's exciting to feel like you've found a hidden gem!)
When I worked in Atlanta, and traveled to Coterie in NYC; my favorite thing to do was to explore the bottom floor of the piers, looking at the new designers. I always felt like they had such a different mindset about setting themselves apart from the rest of the market. And I loved that they were as "fresh" to the fashion industry as I felt at the time.
Happy Fashion Week!!

bella cottage

After the good ole days of a pre-furnished apartment in college, it came time to purchase my first "grown-up" set of bedroom furniture. I ended up with the lightest wood they make aside from white {which is also typically found in most small children's room}. My love for my bedroom furniture has been a little bit of a roller coaster ride. Some months I love it and other months I dream of dark oak furniture and it's classic look. Sometimes I even search for new sets, even though I know it's not realistic to re-purchase everything when it's in perfect working condition. Right now, my roller coaster ride has taken me towards another extreme, which is actually that of white furniture. I found some beautiful pieces from a website called Bella Cottage. They are all vintage pieces and I imagine they'll be perfect for my dream flat in Paris one day! {I can dream}