1. Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote

2. The North Face Metropolis Down Parka

3. Oh Deer Stag’s Head Necklace

4. Clarisonic Mia Skincare kit

5. Life Extension Vitamin D Drops

6. Mother The Runaway Flared Jeans

7. Nike Knit Sweater Windrunner

8. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

9. Nike 6.0 Dunk High

10. Old Navy Chambray Western Shirt

All I want for December is black, white and Isabel Marant all over! Be it a striped sweater, houndstooth pants or a Pendleton pillow, I’ll take one (or three) of each, in black and white only. For me, the color black has always been my least fave because I’ve never found the right way to mix it. I normally feel like a goth, a bumble bee or a waitress when I attempt to rock it, but I’ve just learned that white has been the missing ingredient all along. When I discovered French designer Isabel Marant’s Aztec print jeans (see above) I wept at the $640 price tag, but knew where there’s a style, there’s a way. I ran off to Xerox an interesting Aztec print, then carefully cut out a stencil that I used to hand paint onto a pair of formerly $9 white Gap flares found at Goodwill. With a little time and effort they’re certainly worth more now, and I also have a stencil to use for holiday gift wrap! Though style can never be bought, a crafty approach can always get you any style you want.

{special thanks to Portland’s Pretty for such pretty photos}

Yours Truly got to spend this past week thrifting away in Palm Springs (a.k.a. the thrift shop capital of my world). Per usual I started out with a list of inspiration, and what I actually purchased reflected my strategic shopping list based on the current season.

However, I took a different approach than last time and left the camera at home in order to fully commit to what my shopping partner calls “picking a row and committing to it.” My newfound sense of direction left me feeling more disappointment every time I sifted through a thousand nasty cropped knits in order to find just one A-MA-ZING sweater. After days of what seemed like little accumulation, I tallied the votes and turns out the extra luggage I had to bring home wasn’t for lack of complete success.

From velvet, high-rise Gloria Vanderbilt pants to Navajo print tunics, a dozen of the warmest, boldest and right on trend pieces made the cut. No you can’t borrow any of my golden oldies, but do help yourself to a new edition, no sifting necessary.

Torn ‘Taylor’ Lumberjack Jacket

BB Dakota ‘Nikki’ Friday Stripe Skirt

Free People ‘New Romantics’ Mesh Poncho

Silence & Noise Velvet Skinny Pant

Right now I’m super stoked on dressing up a bit more than usual. I’ve ditched the hoodie for my polished peacoat; meanwhile, denim has taken a backseat to the dresses and tights that I can’t seem to get enough of. To conjure up this post was quite difficult, but not for lack of inspiration. I have a potpourri of a look that roughly translates as: 70’s Zoe boho+ Fleetwood Mac Gypsy + New England prepster + inspector gadget + 90’s grunge + Mary Poppins. Also, the more layers, prints and textures the better. I’m also embracing the dark side with a switch towards vamp nails, thick brows, stained lips and leather accents. So… as you can see, it’s easier worn than said. I don’t know what’s got me all up and at it right now, but if you’re picking up what I’m putting down then this style is yours to share!

1. Essie Velvet Voyage

2. Rebecca Minkoff Swing Bag

3. Forever 21 Wool Fedora w/Leatherette Trim

4. Smythe Velvet Smoking Jacket

5. Daughters of the Revolution Floral Bell Bottoms

6. Anastasia ‘Go Brow’ Pencil Duo

7. Saka’s Cable Knit Slouch Beanie

8. Ivanka Trump ‘Kamila’ Boot

9. Croft & Barrow Plaid Midi Skirt

10. Rag & Bone Portobello Short

11. Topshop Knitted Stitch Stripe Jumper

12. Vanessa Bruno Floral Sheer Blouse

13. Milly Cape Jacket

Ugh. Fall. Here we go again. Back to the wet, cold, vitamin D(esperate) days of old. Stage one of this transition involves dumping last year’s skinny jeans and boots after discovering you’re just not that into them anymore. Then it’s time to move on, and that is where I’ve been stranded for weeks. Window shopping trips to Urban, Eddie Bauer (!) and my favorite vintage shop stirred up my love for classic, comfortable and outdoorsy basics. Getting dressed for work has been a manic-panic, cluster-mess of a situation; however, I cleaned up my steez thanks to new skinnie’s ($$$), boots ($$) and chunky knits ($) while  “borrowing” tops from dudes (free!). Now I  stick to the staples of my newly compiled simple uniform, and somehow I have yet to wear the same combo twice. If the rain has also begun to blur your style vision, here’s a cheat sheet for a warm, on-trend and relatively effortless outfit equation.

1. Pendleton Dopp Bag

2. The North Face Venture Jacket

3. Indigo By Clarks Water Row Boots

4. Vince Metallic Stripe Sweater

5. Coldwater Creek Cabled Sweater

6. Chaps Ripstop Puffer Vest

7. Eddie Bauer Classic Heritage Zip Sweater

8. AG Stevie Cords

9. Old Navy Men’s Lined Plaid Work Jacket

10. Hunter Original Tall Boots

11. Mother The Looker Mid-Rise Skinny

12. Pendleton Outback Hat

After 3 months of nothing but Daisy Dukes, the autumn breeze has signaled that it’s time to store my beloved Jorts and seek out some new style staples. As much as I subscribe to the latest trends, sometimes I just go rogue and create my own uniform of choice. Right now I’m falling for classic Ralph Lauren Canadian Tuxedo cowboy meets 1970’s secretary. For daytime I’m all for colored corduroy pants paired with an ivory silk blouse or a lived-in chambray shirt, but for night I’m obsessed with switching into leather pants (they’re more wearable than you might think!). Once again I’m crushing on ombré highlights, and despite finding some great DIY tips I know that my amazing stylist would put a stop to any such craftiness! I suppose if anything were to go awry I’d just put a lid on it a la Charlie Chaplin’s trés chic Tramp. Oh and speaking of celebs: After spotting Kate Middleton’s stateside debut in DVF, grass green has become my dress color of choice. Remember that bold choices mean minimal accessories, as ‘less is more’ has never been more prevalent. Better to invest in a tri-color satchel or a loafer gone wild and call it good. Also, don’t be discouraged by online sellouts of Missoni For Target. The collection is worth staking your claim in the returns department. You never know if someone’s buyer’s remorse could become your greatest fall fashion victory!

1. Eddie Bauer Chambray Field Shirt

2. L’Oreal Frost & Design Highlighting Kit

3. J Hat Wool & Felt Derby/Bowler

4. La Mer Bali Watch

5. Missoni For Target Cardigan Sweater

6. J Brand ‘Allie’ Corduroy Flares

7. Roccatella ‘Jane’ Belted Leather Satchel

8. Elizabeth and James ‘Diedrick’ Leather Leggings

9. Sam Edelman ‘Wesley’ Suede Tassel Wooden Platforms

10. Marc By Marc Jacobs ‘Michaela’ Tie-Neck Dress with DVF ‘Yoko’ Boot

The sun has finally decided to make an appearance signaling the brief retirement of my gym membership for a hot minute or two. I’ve been getting my kicks for free with quick jogs in my ‘hood that result in a seriously addictive cheap high. For no other reason than to see if I can just do it, I’m signing on for a self-imposed 30 day jog challenge, and hopefully an endless summer will cooperate with my senseless goal. To be honest, I did a trial run last month, but I failed to win the race after my knees and workout wardrobe gave out on me. Now (thanks to Mrs. Big Game and her Nike Employee Store hook-up), everything is back on track with a mere $129 purchase of the most vibrant, yet functional running gear my wardrobe has ever made space for. Let the games begin… round two!

1. Nike Vapor Women's Running Jacket
2. Jay-Z & Kanye West Watch The Throne, Lady Gaga Born This Way, Girl Talk All Day, Lil Wayne 6 Foot 7 Foot
3. Nike Swoosh V-Neck Tshirt
4. Apple iPod Shuffle
5. Larabar Cherry Pie
6. Nike Tempo Shorts
7. Nike Air Relentless
8. Scunci Headbands
9. Dawn Dais The Non-Runner's Guide For Women
10. Queen Helene Batherapy Mineral Salts
11. Old Navy Padded Sports Bra

I’ve come down with a serious case of the summer blues, and its sole cause is not just the rain that is unexpectedly drowning out my weekend. I’m speaking of the flood of electric blue skirts, trousers and denim that are taking the streets (and their respective style blogs) by storm! With the exception of the JBrand 811 and the American Apparel midi-skirt, the best of the blues can only be found via vintage stores, online sites, estate sales and flea markets. If you’re feeling crafty hit up a fabric store, make a simple circle skirt and sew your own name in the label. Nothing cures the blues quite like fashion productivity in spite of a rainy day.

As a denim-maniac, lately I am down to get down. Even though it’s been quite cold this “summer,” I recognize that Uggs are no longer appropriate… perhaps this is why baggy jeans have become my new comfy go-to. I define the updated boyfriend jean as a loosely cuffed, straight leg style that is simply one size up from your normal size (or two if you’re  über-cool and happen to live in a beach town). Feeling frumpy? Give your BF jeans a boost with a sturdy heel or a standout flat and throw on a structured top. I have 2 old pairs of Rich & Skinny jeans that I switch out nearly every day, and I’ve yet to run into the same look twice. So retread your threads, save yourself a bundle and sack it up this summer… no real boyfriend necessary.

1. A.L.C. Leather Paillette Tank

2. Splendid Forgotten Avenues Tee

3. Topshop Crop Shoulder Detail Jacket

4. AG Adriano Goldschmied The Ex-Boyfriend Crop

5. Current/Elliot The Boyfriend W/Star

6. Joe’s Jeans Rolled Best Friend

7. Madewell The Bridgewalk Sandal

8. Topshop Horatio Orange Sandal

9. L.A.M.B. Nathan

After months of east side apartment hunting to no avail, I caved into some seriously adorable west side “vintage charm” and am finally all settled in. A growing obsession with Pinterest is to thank for all of my interior inspiration, and my clothing budget has been cut to make way for all new (some used!) and very much improved home décor. I have been trying to neutralize my home style in every way; frankly, I’ve had to toss anything overtly feminine, colorful or dainty to make way for a white-out of clean lines, simple comfort and retro chic. Though I have a couple pieces of furniture left to paint and am still in need of a proper wine opener (hint, hint to my lovely guests), the constant trips to IKEA, T.J.Maxx and Home Goods are finally a thing of the past. In fact, after all this moving I might just be reppin’ the west side ‘till I die… or at least until my lease is up.

 1. Peace Lily 

2. Z Gallerie Deer Head

3. IKEA ‘Skruvsta’ Swivel Chair

4. Suzanne Kasler Dalton Mercury Glass Lamp

5. IKEA ‘Stockholm Blad’ Cushions

6. Capel Willoughby Black Rug

7. Anthropologie ‘Rivulets’ Bedding

8. Capri Blue Mercury Glass Candle

9. Rust-Oleum Gloss White Spray Paint

10. Wholesale Interiors Clear Accent Chair

11. IKEA ‘Micke’ Desk