You've probably seen these little bar necklaces everywhere--the ones on the short, delicate chains where the bar sits right below the collarbone. I wasn't sure how much I would like them on me, because short necklaces aren't usually my thing, so I picked up a gold plated one on Etsy with an 18 inch chain for $20-something from this little shop. I got the hammered version, where the bar is slightly textured (you can kind of see it in the second photo).
I absolutely love this. I wear it every day. I think it would feel cheap, because it was pretty cheap, but it looks and feels pretty expensive. The chain is so thin that it almost disappears on me, and it's just the gold bar floating below my collarbone, which looks really pretty. I love it because it's the kind of necklace you can wear with everything--it's fancy enough to wear out or to a nice event, but it's simple enough that you can wear it with a tee and leggings. It's just a great, easy to wear piece of jewelry.
I also super recommend that Etsy shop! It shipped quickly, came in cute packaging, and it was super affordable.
I know, I know, I'm a bad little blogger. To be fair, I have been traveling a lot and my internet is so slow it takes 3 hours to upload an album to Facebook. Excuses, excuses, I know. (I also have to read all of Don Quijote, parts 1 and 2 for class. Please, kill me).
I don't have that much news, but I did dye my hair! Again. So long story short, it's naturally a dark blonde/light brown. Then I dyed it brown for year, and for about the first 6 months of the year it was red. Like red-red-red. But I got tired of it, and I wanted it to go back to brown. So I dyed it medium-dark golden-brown literally 3 separate times. It was still red, and worse than that, it was strawberry blonde on the bottom half because I have too much hair for one box of dye and the color on my ends had faded away. This made me very frustrated. So one day, I freaked out and grabbed 2 boxes of a neutral dark brown and dyed my hair.
It's dark! Dark dark dark. It also looks like I have highlights because now my hair isn't taking dye evenly (damn you, red hair dye), but I guess that makes it more natural looking? Either way, I really like the dark. I had it this dark when my hair was way shorter--just over chin-length--and that felt a little harsh. I think the extra length softens it up a lot, and I feel much more Spanish now! Haha. But no, really, the red hair + epic paleness was getting stares and comments from creepy old men on the street. So. Oh, and I slept with it in braids last night and attempted to make it wavy today.
I've been bouncing around Spain quite a bit since I got here. So far I've been to Madrid, Toledo, Cadiz, Sevilla (obviously haha), Huelva, and Granada. Here are some pics I took of the Alhambra in Granada--the last Moorish palace built in Spain in the last city conquered by the Catholic Kings. Sigh. Isn't it gorgeous? It was abandoned by centuries and random squatters lived there before it was reclaimed and restored by the state.
I know these are basically the same. I really like the combination of skinny watch face, long brown leather straps, and chunky chains mixed in. The watch face is so delicate and lady-like, the leather adds an equestrian/slightly preppy-aristocratic feel, and the chain brings it all back down to earth and gives it some grit. The basic dilemma is between silver or gold. I think I like the silver one better. And all the rest of my rings/bracelets are silver too...hm...And momma, if you read this, I may or may not be asking for this for Christmas. Love you!
That's all for now, darlings. Hasta luego!
Images via lamercollections.com.
I've been packing and cleaning all day today. I hate packing and cleaning. I really, really do. So, to make me feel better, here are some pretty things.
Melinda Maria Gwyneth Ring, $42 at shopbop.com, Rachel Zoe Zoe Tote, $450 at shopbop.com, Rachel Zoe Pamela Satchel, $495 at shopbop.com: How cute is that skinny ring? It comes in turquoise and black, and it's got stones set in 18K (plated, not solid) gold. That's pretty good for $42, no? I love it because it's skinny and basic enough to wear every day, but the alternating stone sizes and geometric feel keep it interesting. It would be cute and dainty with just one on the ring finger, and layered with a few other gold rings it could have a more rocker/Olsen twin vibe. Apparently Rachel Zoe has a bag line now. I think they're pretty cute, given the price point, even if they are a little heavy on the hardware. I like the doctor/framed shape of this first bag. It feels very ladylike, but all the black and the gold hardware and the little chain give it a bit of a rebellious vibe. This would be a great work bag that transitions well to going out at night. And how great is that shape of that tote? It would be such a great school bag, big enough to fit some books and a laptop. The buckles on the bottom have a bit of a biker feel, but the overall shape is simple enough to keep it all from being too busy.
Images via shopbop.com.
So I watched 'The Devil Wears Prada' this weekend, and there was this one scene in the intro where this girl is wearing heeled campus boots, just like the ones below. Now, I'm not a heels person, I feel like a giant enough already, but that kind of heeled boot...it calls to me. I wants it. I put together an outfit around a pair of boots like that to legitimize my cravings (of course).
7 For All Mankind The Skinny Legging Jeans, $168 at shopbop.com, Frye Harlow Campus Pull-on Boots, $358 at shopbop.com: How cute are those boots?! The stacked heel is just over 4", which would be a bit impractical if these boots didn't have rugged, easy to walk on soles and squishy foot beds. I'll all about adding a little practical sexy to the daytime wardrobe, and these fit the bill. The leather is a lovely, thick warm brown but has this amazing tumbled texture that keeps them from being too dominatrix and too polished for daytime. In sort, they are perfect and I must has them. I'd wear them with simple black legging jeans. With heels that high, you need a basic color and a slim cut to keep them from being too over the top (plus those 7 legging jeans are ridiculously comfy).
Soft Joie Maitza Top, $98 at shopbop.com, tuleste market Tufted Diamond Pendant Necklace, $60 at shopbop.com: As far as tops go, the jeans and the boots have such structured, clean lines and basic colors that for the top I'd do something more fluid and in a fun, bright color. This top has a lovely shape, with the oversized body balancing out the draped shoulders and scoop neckline. It's flirty without showing cleavage, which is great, and it hits at a good place on the hip, not too low. To top it all off, I'd add this tuleste market necklace. It's a lot of look with minimal effort, the geometric shape contrasts nicely with the more Grecian top, and the black ties in with the black jeans.
Images via shopbop.com.
So I was bumming around Target today picking up stuff for my next semester in Spain (apparently they don't have Tampax in Spain. Um. WHAT.) and I was meandering through the beauty aisles when I saw this little guy:
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Honeysuckle, $7 at burtsbees.com: How cute is that packaging? From the outside it looks like this giant, elegantly packaged lip balm and Target conveniently had no price tags up, so I bought it.
The cute packaging is much bigger than the actual lip balm (sob) which is normal tube of Chapstick-sized. That said, the tube still looks pretty chic for a lip balm, and I love tinted lip balms that come in tubes instead of pots (so you don't have to germify them up with your fingers). Here's what Burt's Bees has to say about them:
"Care for your lips with beautiful, sheer color. Our new tinted balms give you a hint of color with a soft, sweet flavor and natural ingredients that moisturize and condition your lips. Available in six flirty shades – Hibiscus, Honeysuckle, Tiger Lily, Pink Blossom, Red Dahlia and Rose."
It's packed full of shea butter and lots of plant/flower oils too. I wish these had SPF, but you can't have everything. Honeysuckle is a brownish-peach nude, similar to my favorite lipstick, MAC Shy Girl. It has no shimmer, and the pigmentation is sheer but noticeable. I have medium-light pigmented lips, and this tones down my natural lip color a bit for a hint of nude color, but it's still too sheer for me to swatch and get it to show it.
The balm goes on very easily, and manages to have that nice texture between oily and waxy--it doesn't sit up your lips like Vaseline and it doesn't go on all dry and waxy like the Burt's Bees chapsticks. It's not as moisturizing as, say, Aquaphor, but it's moisturizing enough to be me through the day. Since the color is sheer, it doesn't last too long, maybe an hour. The moisture lasts 2-3 hours, which is standard for me.
All in all, I really like this lip balm. I've tried a fair amount, and this is one of my favorites. More moisturizing than my Kiehls and Korres lip balms for sure, and a prettier color than my clear Aquaphor. The only downsides are the misleading packaging, slightly high price, and lack of SPF. I'd give this a B+. I'd really like to try Hibiscus, which seems like a medium warm pink (they also have sheer reds, which would be so, so pretty with this formula).
On a totally random note, look at these pretty things I found on Shopbop today:
ADAM Leather Aviator Jacket with Shearling Collar, $895 at shopbop.com, Chan Luu Key Earrings, $62 at shopbop.com: I love little leather motorcycle jackets. I also love shearling collars. A little black leather motorcycle jacket with a removable shearling collar? YES PLEASE. The cropped waist and long, tight sleeves of the jacket create a flattering, streamlined silhouette but still have the inherent edge of a moto jacket. The shearling adds some warmth and a wild, impractical glamour that I find strangely endearing. I want to wear this with fitted black jeans, sassy harness boots, and a fitted olive green tee. Okay, y'all know that I'm a sucker for old-fashioned key-shaped anything. I have those Tiffany's necklaces. I even have random old-fashioned skeleton keys hanging out in my room. But antique key-shaped earrings? WHAT. These are so cute! They're small enough to not be too over the top, and the keys have such a dainty, elegant feel to them. Plus they're plated in rose gold, which develops the prettiest patina over time.
Happy weekend!
Images via shopbop.com, burtsbees.com.
I'm just thinking of outfits for me to wear next semester in Spain at this point. This is the kind of thing I want to wear while bouncing around old buildings in the city center and drinking cappuccinos in sunlit plazas.
Every Thursday Dress, $47.99 at modcloth.com, Antik Batik Akan Stone Flat Sandals, $120 at shopbop.com: I'm realizing that there is a hole in my closet--a fitted sun/daydress-sized hole. I have a ton of little dresses with a-line skirts, but for some reason, I'm really craving dresses that are more fitted. This Modcloth dress is ADORABLE. I like the silky fabric, the way it drapes and has a subtle sheen, and I like the adjustable waist-tie, which creates a really flattering shape. The tomato red is classic but fresh and works for a lot of complexions. Plus the shape is just great--it hugs the body without clinging to it too much, has an interesting neckline, and hides any stomach bulge. For daytime, I'd do this with a pair of flat but embellished sandals. These Antik Batik sandals are nice because they're fancy enough to go with the polished vibe of the dress, but still low-key enough to be daytime appropriate. The crystals add a little fun and glamour, and their pink tone ties them in with the dress.
Kenneth Jay Lane Golden Shadow Earrings, $60 at shopbop.com, Ray-Ban Modern Wayfarers, $139 at shopbop.com: I like the idea of keeping this outfit relatively simple and clean to let the draping do the talking. For jewelry, I'd do this simple pair of oversized studs. They're a basic shape, so they have a classic feel, but since they're slightly oversized they're a bit more playful and eccentric. I'd top it all off with a giant pair of sunglasses--when are giant sunglasses not a great addition to any outfit?--and these are a nice neutral shape with a basic brown frame. Plus I have them and they are totally fab.
Images via modcloth.com, polyvore.com, shopbop.com.
I am the worst with dressing for work. In theory, I have all these adorable outfits that I'd wear, but in reality, I just wear what I already have, which is lots of cardigans and sundresses. Gah. But people at my office wear JEANS. It's so weird to me. Anyways, here's one of those theoretical outfits I'd wear to work. I really like slightly '50s, retro work ensembles (Joan Holloway = my icon) with a slightly modern twist.
J. Crew Ruthie Shirtdress, $118 at jcrew.com, J. Crew Skinny Patent Belt, $34.50 at jcrew.com: This J. Crew shirtdress is ADORABLE. It's a lovely camel color, which is very of the moment but also flattering and versatile. The cut works well for a lot of body types--it's fitted through the smallest part of your torso, and glides over the lower body. The elbow-length sleeves add a hint of sweetness to the utilitarian feel of a shirtdress. To add even more emphasis to the waist, I'd do a skinny patent leather belt. The patent gives it a bit of an urban edge, and a cinched-in waist is always a good look.
GUESS Osten Heels, $99 at zappos.com, J. Crew Oval Heirloom Locket Necklace, $50 at jcrew.com: For a bit of modern sass, I'd do a suede platform heel in this lovely ruby red. The rich visual texture of the suede adds a sense of warmth and luxury that livens up the shirtdress, and the pop of color from the red is just so fun and girly. To top it all off, I like this vintage-y locket necklace. It works with the general '50s feel, and adds a personal touch (since generally you put adorable family/pet pictures in lockets. I would totally have my dog and my pony).
So what do y'all wear to work? Jeans? (just kidding)
Images via jcrew.com, zappos.com.
I came to the realization today that I need more big girl work clothes. Like sheath dresses and pencil skirts. Those things scare me. But it had to be done. So I went into Anne Taylor Loft today (I know, I know, but they have cute work clothes) and picked up a pencil skirt and some other basics. I felt very old. It was weird.
Anne Taylor Loft Sateen Straight Skirt, $49.50 at loft.com, Schutz Open Toe Nubuck Pumps, $152.60 at shopbop.com: So I picked up this skirt today. It's really much cuter in person. It's a medium grey with a little bit of a sheen, it has a little stretch, it's a nice length, and it's comfy. My only issue with it is that it's built for someone with a little boy's torso. Seriously. Straight up and down. I dropped it off at the tailor today to get almost 6 inches taken out of the waist. Yeesh. Anyways, I've been thinking of cute little outfits to wear around this skirt. I'd add these mauve platforms. They're neutral enough to be work appropriate, but the color is still a little offbeat, and the platform makes them comfy. Plus the suede texture adds visual interest.
Anne Taylor Loft 3/4 Sleeve Crew Neck Cardigan, $39.50 at loft.com, Anne Taylor Loft Rib Tank, $7.25 at loft.com: Obviously if you're going the retro, pencil skirt, Mad Men route, you have to have a little cropped cardigan. I picked this up today too, and I really like it. The sleeves are nice and fitted, and it actually hits me at the waist, which makes for a much more flattering cut. The black and the slate from the skirt play together nicely. For a pop of color, I'd do this coral tank. It's fitted and simple, so it'll fall cleanly under the cardigan, and the pretty pink is sweet and feminine, but not too much to wear to the office.
Anne Taylor Loft Braided Jeans Belt, $39.50 at loft.com, Adia Kibur Jumbo Pretzel Necklace, $48 at shopbop.com: To highlight the waist even more (can you ever do that enough?), I like this braided belt. The black keeps it from being too over the top, and the rustic, braided texture adds a slightly earthy twist to the ensemble. Lastly, I'd finish it off with a piece of statement jewelry. This twisted, knotted necklace gives the outfit a quirky vibe. It's a little offbeat, but not so much that you can't wear it to work, and the gold would be lovely with the pink tank.
Images via shopbop.com, loft.com.
It's my birthday next Monday! I'm gonna be 20! I feel old (I know that sounds dumb, but still). Anyways, here's some random stuff that I've been eyeing for gifties (in my head. Not for reality. But still).
Los Angeles print by BirdAve, $20 at etsy.com, J. Crew Jenna's Cardigan, $70 at jcrew.com: This Etsy shop has the cutest, CUTEST prints. There's a whole series on skylines of different cities, and I had to pick my hometown. I love the retro, slightly faded classic skyline against the neon blue. It feels very fresh but very old school at the same time, and I want to frame it and hang it up in my room. And it's only $20! That's why I love Etsy. That such a great price for an original print. I'm in a cardigan collecting phase right now, and I have my eye set on this little guy. I've blogged it already like ten times, so I'll just say that it comes in a good range of neutral colors, the cropped body and 3/4 sleeves are very flattering and sweet, and it will go with everything.
Ray-Ban Modern Wayfarers, $139 at shopbop.com, Fallon Jewelry Loved ID Ring, $75 at shopbop.com: I have two pairs of Ray-Bans, and they're both broken. Ugh. It's definitely my fault, but it's still annoying. I love oversized wayfarers, but this modern take on the shape is refreshing. The shape of the glasses works for a lot of different face types, the gradient lenses have a slightly retro feel, and the dark brown is a great, less harsh alternative to black. I know this ring looks giant, but it's much smaller in person. I love how it looks relatively simple from afar, but up close it has the adorable writing across the band (this one says 'loved,' and there's another one that says 'adored'). It's just a fun, sweet little piece of jewelry that you can wear everyday, and it's gold-plated! Gotta love the little luxuries.
Foley + Corinna Jet Set Bag, $495 at shopbop.com, Gondolier with the Wind Dress, $47.99 at modcloth.com: I have a Foley + Corinna bag. I've had it since 8th grade (SEVEN YEARS Y'ALL) and it's in great shape. It actually looks better, aside from the minor stains I may have made, so I trust the quality of their bags. I want this one. I like the shiny black leather, and I love the shape. It fits so perfectly under your arm, but it's big enough to hold all my junk, and it has a slight equestrian vibe. Plus, one of my favorite parts is that it looks like it has an open top, which I like, but it actually zippers beneath the straps, so nothing is falling out of this baby. It's very chic and polished, so you could wear it to work, but it's also a little edgy, so you could wear it out and about. I know I won't actually get this for my bday, but in theory I want it. How adorable is this dress? The shape is very flattering, with the fitted bodice and slightly flared skirt, and I love the zig-zag stripe pattern. It's a little geometric, a little French girl, and a little retro. I want to wear it with a cobalt blue belt, cute little boots, and a cropped cardigan (plus the price is great!).
Images via shopbop.com, etsy.com, jcrew.com, modcloth.com.
It's a four-day weekend, y'all. FOUR DAYS. And you know what I'm going to be doing? Sleeping. Lots of sleep. I miss sleep. We haven't hung out in a while. Anyways, one of the things I'm going to be wearing a lot this weekend is this new tassel pendant necklace I was sent by Spring Street. I totally love it.
It's a long necklace with a 36" gold chain, an adjustable clasp, a circle covered in geometric crystals, and a large tassel. It's a very heavy, solid feeling necklace. You can get it on their website for $45. I love tassel necklaces. I bought one a while ago but it fell apart, and I've been meaning to get a new one for a while now. This one is perfect. It looks and feels expensive, and has a fun mixture of textures and finishes, with the crystal, black bead, chains, embossed metal, etc, etc. The chain tassels hang so nicely, and they have great movement, too. It all has a very exotic feel. Also I love anything shiny, so...
My favorite way to wear a statement necklace like this one is with a simpler outfit, so that the necklace gets to stand out more and it doesn't all look too busy. Here I'm wearing it with a Madewell tank, a vintage cardigan, and J. Crew shorts. You could also wear it with jeans, boots, and a black tee, or with jeans and a white button-down and boots, or it would look adorable with a simple LBD. You have a lot of different options.
So would I have paid for this? Yes. Especially with the discount code I'm about to tell you about!
And for the next 24 hours you can use the code Awkward chic at springstreetdesign.com to get 25% off your order. Yayyyy discount codes!
First off, this dress is totally unrelated to the rest of the post. It's the Honky Tonk dress by Lucy in Disguise, $230 at shopbop.com, and Lucy in Disguise is actually a brand done by Lily Allen. Apparently she's had a clothing store for a while and just recently came out with a line of vintage-inspired dresses. This has me written all over it. I love the western, kitschy print on the simple, retro silhouette. I'd do it with a masculine, brown leather belt, girly wedges, and a little cropped cardigan. Adorbs.
What I'm actually going to talk about today is jewelry. I know I talk about statement pieces all the time, because they're fun, but the pieces I actually end up wearing every day are little, versatile pieces, not big flashy things. I've worn the same pair of earrings basically everyday for the last 18 months. When you buy a piece that's wearable and easy to style around, so you can wear it a lot, the cost per wear goes down to virtually nothing. The cost per wear of my earrings is like 15 cents. That's awesome. So here are some pieces that you can literally wear day after day that will go with everything.
Shashi One Row Original Bracelet, $62 at shopbop.com, Shashi Petit Indian Danna Earrings, $40 at shopbop.com: I wear the same Tiffany's bracelet all day, everyday. It's one of the really cheesy, Return to Tiffany's bracelets that I got in like 10th grade. I love it, but another (slightly more, ahem, on-trend) and affordable option is this Shashi bracelet. The woven black cord has a nice, rustic feeling, the rose-gold beads add some understated glamour, and the crystals give it just the right amount of flash. It gives a casual, spontaneous feel to a cocktail dress and a bit of polish to jeans and a tee. You could actually not take it off. These earrings are SUPER tiny in real life. They're basically posts with the smallest little dangling charms. I love that idea, because you get the lightness and delicateness of a post, but the fun movement of a dangling earring. Even though the pearl is glass, the gold is real, so they have a really luxe feel to them.
Viv & Ingrid 14K Gold Posts with Ruby--July, $190 at vivandingrid.com, Juliet & Company Champagne Pearl Stud Earrings, $20 at shopbop.com: My birthstone is ruby! That's why I picked these. Viv & Ingrid makes birthstone post earrings for every month. They make adorable birthday presents, and they have the real stones, but they are discrete enough to be worn every day. I love jewelry with little personal connections like that. Last but not least, if you're a pearl girl, these fake, oversized pearl studs are fab. The pinkish hue is really flattering, and the fact that they're kind of giant (for pearls at least) make them a little ironic. I can't bring myself to wear pearls without some sort of irony, and this is a really affordable and cute way to do that.
Images via shopbop.com, vivandingrid.com.
OMGIT'SONLYELEVENOCLOCKANDIAMFALLINGASLEEP.
I need my naptime, y'all. So here's a super short post because, honestly, I'm going to sleep. I don't do mornings well.
Kenneth Jay Lane Coral and Jade Earrings, $44 at shopbop.com, Elie Tahari Catalynn Dress, $398 at shopbop.com, Diane von Furstenberg Tonda Sliced Leather Clutch, $365 at shopbop.com: Confession: I don't like jade--or things that look like jade--and I don't really do large earrings. But there's something about these oversized jade-esque earrings that makes me really want to have them on RIGHT NOW. The pattern and color are so ornate and vibrant, but the tiny cutouts keep the earrings from being too over the top. The orange adds an unexpected visual contrast that really makes them pop. I think these work because the motif of the carved jade is so Old World but statement earrings feel young and fresh. This LBD is the perfect work-to-cocktails dress. It's a universally flattering shape, since it's fitted at the waist and has a soft a-line skirt, and black is such a versatile color. The way I'd wear it for work is with a pair of heels in a soft neutral, maybe a dove grey, a short cardigan in a cobalt-navy blue, and a patent leather dark grey belt. Then for cocktails, take off the sweater and add a statement cuff and some sparkly earrings. Voila! I'm really not a clutch person, but I really like this little guy. It has a skinny chain shoulder strap, which is really handy. My pet peeve about clutches is that I always drop them. This solves that problem. The sportiness of the perforated leather works really nicely with the organic feel of the twig clasp, too.
Night, y'all.
Images via shopbop.com.
I'm ALIVEEE!!!! And one day soon I shall finish posting pictures of my room. I swear. But in the mean time here and some pretty things.
Lisa Stewart Modern Myth Gold & Enamel Bracelet, $75 at shopbop.com, MELINDA MARIA Marquise Cluster Studs, $98 at shopbop.com: I love anything with Greek key on it. It's so graphic and clean and classic but modern at the same time, so you can wear it a ton of different ways. I love this turquoise bangle version. The blue and gold are so fresh and punchy together, and the bangle is just the right size--big enough to be a statement but not so large as to be annoying. How cute are these earrings? I love jewelry like this, where there's a pretty, girly jewel in a rough, abstract, geometric setting. These are a fun alternative to the usual set of studs without being too over the top.
Alice + Olivia Odette Dress, $396 at shopbop.com, Noir Jewelry Pyramid Bangle Set, $132 at shopbop.com: Ahhh I want this dress! I die for simple but dramatic cocktail dresses, and this one would work for a ton of different occasions and body types. The fitted silhouette and emphasized waist create or emphasize an hourglass silhouette, the dark on bottom and patterned on top layout minimizes any lower body issues, and the lace print adds the perfect amount of drama and visual interest. Plus the ruffle adds to a smaller chest and the deep-v keeps larger chests from looking even bigger. You could dress it down with a cardigan and flat boots or dress it up with cocktail jewelry and platform heels. And it has a cutout back! I'd totally wear it with these stacked stud bangles. I love layered bracelets. They look so casual and thrown together, and the mixture of colors and sizes of studs keeps it all interesting.
Marc by Marc Jacobs Lady V Bag, $548 at shopbop.com, Sara Berman Emma Envelope Clutch, $377 at shopbop.com: The name of this bag is so appropriate. It's so lady-like. The shape is very frame-bag-esque and retro, but the slouchy leather adds a fun, modern twist. The light beige works with a lot of different color palettes and it's a nice, practical size. This cheetah clutch totally reminds me of a way more expensive Mulberry clutch that I've been craving, but for like $1000 less. The utilitarian size works well with the fun leopard, the hardware adds an industrial edge, and who doesn't love leopard?! Really now.
Images via shopbop.com.
