Style Inspiration: Rambling Rose

I am feeling so inspired by Free People's latest look book, Rambling Rose. Haven't seen it? Check it out! The images bring to mind a gypsy village nestled among the trees, where creative souls live free, wearing beautiful clothing as unique as the soul within. The boho inspired looks, the rich burgundy & berry tones mixed with earthy tans & browns, the lush fabrics & beautiful background, I instantly fell in love with the entire concept. It makes me want to throw on my favorite kimono & floppy hat & roam around a field of flowers. As someone who generally sticks to whites and creams as my go to color pallet, this look book is certainly inspiring me to infuse some color into my wardrobe, & embrace the rich tones that mother earth has to offer.

What do you all think of the Rambling Rose look book? I'd love to hear from my lovely gypsies!

photos from Free People

Daily Style: Unexpected Combinations

Tank:Urban Outfitters|Jacket:Free People|

|Jeans:Ambercrombie & Fitch|Necklace:Urban Outfitters|

|Booties:Chelsea Crew|

Sometimes the most unexpected pairings turn out the most beautiful, and certainly the most unique. I mean we all know the age old saying, "opposites attract".  Why should that only apply to relationships?  I say we dabble in the unexpected when getting dressed.  Throw on a pair of worn in army boots with your favorite floral frock.  Layer a your favorite denim cutoffs under a dainty sheer slip in lieu of a long muted tank.  Mix it up, you may be surprised by the outcome.

Inspired by this whim, as well as an outfit post on one of my favorite style blogs, BLDG25, I put together my own version of an unexpected combo, pairing a vintage inspired lace top with a rugged motorcycle tee and my favorite old pair of jeans, perfectly destroyed from years of wear.  I mean years.  Six to be exact.  I think the key to mastering the unexpected combo is balance.  Not too much of one or the other, a middle ground.  I wouldn't exactly pair a tuu tuu with a pair of Dr. Martens and a Sex Pistols tee.  But a full length tulle skirt paired with a fitted leather jacket is another story.  Balance.  & also bravery.  You can't be afraid to be unique, to be quirky, and to let that reflect in your style.  Have no fear my fellow sartorialists.  Be unexpected.

Road Trip Packing Essentials

I posted about taking a road trip a little while back and finally I have made time to take one! I'll be spending the weekend at my family's beautiful home in Winhall, Vermont. In preparation for the weekend I decided to share some of my road trip essentials.

A heavy sweater

Cute, cozy socks

My favorite, warmest mittens

My Sorel boots, cozy and functional!

My favorite book, East of Eden

A bold printed scarf

An easy to wear beanie

A notebook to jot down ideas & inspiration.Vermont always gets my creative juices flowing.  

My main concern in Vermont is warmth. My days are spent outside on the mountain and trekking through the woods. If you're not bundled up the cold will go right to your core. Cozy sweaters with fun prints, and cute wool socks make staying warm easy and don't force you to sacrifice style for function.

What are your road trip essentials?

Daily Style: Layered in Winter White

 Sweater: Abercrombie & Fitch Tunic:Free People 

Crop Top:Free People Jeans:Paige Denim Boots:Jeffrey Campbell Hat:Free People

From my decor aesthetic to my wardrobe I have always been drawn to the delicacy of ivory and cream. There is a whimsicality and a femininity to these muted hues that color doesn't seem to provide. And while the world outside is coated in a layer of white, I found it fitting to incorporate these soft shades into my wardrobe.

I think the key to pairing several pieces within the same color family is to find a focal point, a piece that will draw the eye and act as the base of the look. When adding layers look for shades that compliment the focal point. In this look I pulled inspiration from the weathered cream lace and polka-dots on the tunic, choosing layering pieces of the same shade. Start with a strong base and the rest will fall into place.

How do you layer your favorite shades?

Style Inspiration: Combining Rough & Tumble with Soft & Feminine

My style is a complete and utter contridiction. Generally, I stick to my signature fem-boheme look, characterized by dreamy, feminine pieces with a bohemian vibe. Take a look around my wardrobe and you will find earthy tones, delicate vintage inspired pieces, and an overabundance of ivory lace.

As of late though I have been embracing my rougher side. Pieces made of vegan leather, studded chucks, and rocker T's are now juxtaposed to my uber fem frocks. I have alwas kept these looks seperate from one another, wearing either one style or the other. However, when I happened upon Free People's Vintage Love's catalog titled Sugar Magnolia, I was inspired to merge the two. The combination of hard and soft, of leather and lace, makes for a truly inspired, unique style. No longer will I feel the need to choose between the two. I suppose I will have to come up with a new label for this style hybrid.

 

I'm feeling inspired by this lovely combo...I'm thinking this may have to be the theme for next week's Daily Style posts. Come back and check it out.

 

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Daily Style: Snow Day

Top:Free People Jacket:Free People Beanie:Free People Jeans:AG Booties:Dolce Vita Zodiac Necklace:Free People Apothecary Necklace:DIY Scarf:H&M

The Jersey coast is covered in a whimsical layer of white & while I could do without the bitter, bitter cold, I am thrilled to finally have some snowfall, t simply isn't winter without it. 

I firmly believe that no matter how old we get, no matter how cynical we are about frigid weather and shoveling snow, even the slightest flurries bring out the inner child in all of us; I couldn't resist frolicking around outside, if only for a minute. I instantly regretted forgoing the mittens though! Luckily I was keeping cozy up top in my favorite beanie. That thing got some serious milage this winter. 

How are you enjoying this lovely winter weather?

Daily Style: La Boheme

I was given my first Free People dress as a gift for my eighth grade graduation: a cream colored frock embroidered with neon green flowers, adorned with a turquoise stone belt. That dress marked the start of my love affair with Free People and my infatuation with style. Six years later my collection of FP has grown, along with my passion for the brand.

When I found out that I would have the opportunity to attend a blogger retreat at FP's home office and meet the creative souls behind BLDG25's blog, I was beyond excited.(You can read more about my day at FP here.) So many things were rushing through my head: What would I ask the blog team? I have never been to that part of Phili, will I find the offices? But the most pressing question of all: What am I going to wear?!

Tunic:Free People Skirt:Free People Boots:Dolce Vita Hat: Lucky Brand Necklace:Free People DIY

After several outfit changes and more time than I'd like to admit perfecting every last detail, I finally settled on the above outfit!

Free People has mastered the blend of delicate,feminine and bohemian, earthy styles. Inspired by this combination, I chose a sixties inspired look that embraced some of FP's current trends and represented my personal style which is full of fem-boheme pieces.

 One of the things I love mos about style is that it has the power to completely change the way you feel about yourself. When I was getting ready that morning, butterflies fluttering away in my stomach, I felt so beautiful. I really felt that I was representing my truest inner self which brought out my confidence and self assurance. I was ready to take on the day and make the most of this amazing opportunity. With every opportunity life gives you, with every passing day, represent yourself, your innermost spirit and everything else will fall into place.

Check out some of the amazingly talented bloggers that I was fortunate enough to meet at the blogger retreat on Free People's blog BLDG25.