Lilac Snow

Most people equate pastels with spring wardrobes, but to me it's always been more natural to wear them in winter. My lovely soft Anthropologie scarf arrived and I took the opportunity to wear it with my lavender leather oxfords, which turned out to not be the best idea since it started snowing lightly today! I finished up the look with a few swipes of Barry M Lip Paint in Palest Lavender.

 Anthropologie pink Misen Cowl
Cotton On white button-down placket front tank top
Cotton On star print grey cardigan
Cotton On black velvet leggings
Kimchi Blue Teen Dream lavender oxfords

Breton Stripe Redux + Heart Flats review

I have this habit of fixating on a specific article of clothing that I'm fond of and wearing it in endless combinations, perhaps more often than is appropriate...I've thrown on this Breton striped jersey dress by Cotton On three times in this past week. While this probably makes me a bad fashion blogger to post two outfits featuring the same dress one after another, I think it's a great thing to have versatile pieces in your wardrobe.

Cotton On Colette Breton jersey dress
H&M dolman-sleeve slouchy cardigan
Printed Village Black Sheep scarf
Mel Pop Special Blush Heart flats

Let's take a moment to talk about these cute new flats I'm wearing, which I picked up from Modcloth for a modest $45. They're by Mel, the more affordable little sister brand of Brazilian brand Melissa who is known for their adorable vegan jelly shoes and amazing collaborations with popular designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Jason Wu, and Karl Lagerfeld.

Concept-wise these shoes are simple yet charming, a translucent matte muted mauve jelly flat topped with a shiny candy apple red heart. It goes without saying that I love the design which is right up my alley, no complaints there.

But what really hits it out of the park for me is the incredible comfort of these flats. I don't think I've ever had as much of a Cinderella moment as when I first put these shoes on because the fit was perfect--they molded to my feet like they were made for me, and not once did my heel slip out of the back as is common with many flats I've tried. I ideally wear a US size 5 shoe and am often forced to compromise on shoe sizing because most brands don't manufacture anything smaller than a 6, but Mel comes to the rescue again by actually producing my size! Mad props to them for that alone.

I was initially concerned about them rubbing or cutting into my heel with long wear because they were plastic, but I wore them out all day today and they are by far the comfiest first-wear I've ever had with ballet flats.

Possibly my only critique is that when I wore them with sheer tights today I noticed a small amount of sweatiness happening, which is unsurprising since they are plastic, but when I wear them barefoot (which I guess facilitates evaporation better) I have no issues, and since a bit of sweat is to be expected with any barefoot or close-to-barefoot closed shoe regardless of material, I think I'd rather have my shoes be easily washable.

TL;DR--Cutest shoes ever, fit is amazing, I want them in every color.

Florals for...Fall

Since dressing seasonally appropriately is not something I always do...today's outfit was florals. I had a chance to take my new canvas satchel out; it's the perfect size for my sketchbook and pencil pouch, and the clasps are easy to undo--a must for breezing through subway stations and college campus security.

Cotton On Colette Breton jersey dress
Forever21 boxy pink alpaca sweater
Doc Marten Victorian Flowers combat boots
Typo Taylor pink floral satchel

Opening Week

Unless you attend a school that enforces a uniform, most students are faced with the task of appearing presentable before their teachers and peers every day in a different set of clothes. I don't know about other people but usually what happens with me is that I make a cursory endeavor to be well-dressed the first few weeks and then the attention put into my clothes slowly declines over the months as the workload piles on, until I'm showing up to class in leggings and an over-sized men's button-down. So while I'm still up to making the effort, here's a week of outfits from September:

click to enlarge!

Monday - H&M dolman-sleeve slouchy cardigan, asymmetrical crepe chiffon tank (over Forever21 cami), Charlotte Russe trouser shorts, Lucky Brand Covela sandals.

Tuesday - Forever21 criss-cross back swiss dot dress, Zara skull print scarf, Wild Diva Timberly combat boots.

Wednesday - Forever21 draped cardigan, Silence + Noise scoop back tank top, Charlotte Russe trouser shorts, Kimchi Blue ribbon tie flats.

Thursday - Piko1988 faux fur drape jacket, Silence + Noise mesh cami, Black Milk Mechanical leggings, Aldo Flomace hi-top sneakers.

Friday - Forever21 boxy alpaca sweater, Line and Dot bird-print silk blouse, ASOS burgundy corduroy skinny jeans, Doctor Marten Victorian Flowers combat boots.


Nothing fancy, as always most of my wardrobe is composed largely of inexpensive pieces from common high-street shops as I lack both the restraint and the patience to entertain the idea of a "capsule" wardrobe composed of a few well-edited pieces. Thus the majority of what I buy tends to be from stores that cater to what is generally considered "fast fashion".

There's a certain stigma in shopping at such stores, namely the notion that clothes from these stores are trendy, shoddily made, and disposable. Often this is true, but it doesn't have to be if you choose and treat your clothes with care--several of the garments I use in these outfits are ones I've owned for years, and I enjoy wearing them and incorporating them into my daily outfits just as much as some of the more expensive things I own.

“Never use the word 'cheap'. Today everybody can look chic in inexpensive clothes (the rich buy them too). There is good clothing design on every level today. You can be the chicest thing in the world in a T-shirt and jeans — it’s up to you.” -Karl Lagerfed

Bambi

So despite all my moaning about the heat, it's actually cooled off a bit in the past few days, due in no small part to the endless rain we've been getting. I'm dreading it getting warmer again, because as the temperature climbs my productivity level inevitably drops...the past month all I've wanted to do is laze around and catch up on Season 3 of My Little Pony (yup, I am....a Brony *screams internally* O u O ).

Anyway, enough banter. A couple weeks ago I posted this deer-print dress. I adored the look of it, and could only hope that the actuality was just as cute. Items from Chinese Ebay sellers are very hit-or-miss--sometimes they look nothing like their photo.

Pardon the mess, I've just moved to a new apartment!

Rest of the review after the jump!

Casual Sunday Brunch

Really simple one today, I am really tired and grumpy from a slow-healing burn and just not in the state of mind to think about it. I went out and got some really delicious fish and chips and lemon pie, which improved my mood significantly.

Geri C New York charcoal button down sweater
Truly Madly Deeply cobalt 3/4 sleeve fitted open-back tee
Blank NYC Big Melons pale pink jeans
ALDO black leather sneakers

Winterization

So basically nearly all my clothes year-round are more or less the same clothes. I just layer everything or shed layers as needed to suit the weather. Since NYC had its first snow day yesterday, I bundled up when I ran out to mail a package this morning.

J. Jill black drawstring cardigan
E&You ivory sweater
Forever21 sheer white high-low blouse
Forever21 pale pink shorts
Sock Dreams Long Cuffable Scrunchable Socks in grey
Wet Seal combat boots
Random Grey Ebay Scarf from China
Me&City white tote

Study in Knits

Nothing fancy, just staying home and working on sketches. It's been getting chilly and my heating hasn't come on yet, so a sweater + beanie keeps me cozy.

Indus+ry sweater
Piu by Celapiu teddy bear beanie
Blank NYC Big Melons pale pink jeans
Deena & Ozzy multi-strap wedge sandal
Random white ruffly dress from China


Will probably go get McD's later. Klassy.

Sugar Skulls

I was supposed to meet a friend in Midtown but he bailed at the last minute because he had a train to catch...it's starting to get pretty chilly up here in the North East.

I wore my new Zara Skull Print Scarf for the first time, and I really adore it. The pattern is reminiscent of Dia de los Muertos sugar skulls. They're currently out of stock on Zara's website, but are marked as being restocked, so there's still an opportunity to pick one up.

Piu by Celapiu Teddy Bear Beanie
Zara Skull Print Scarf
Asos Navy Wool Coat
Romwe Backless Nude Dress
Sock Dreams O Chevron Black over the knee socks
Jeffrey Campbell Back Offs

Sun Faded

I'm really not a fan of flip-flop stye shoes, I feel uncomfortable wearing any sort of loose shoe out of doors--I prefer something firmly attached to my foot. Pretty much the only time I ever do is if I'm just running out to pick up something from the drugstore or a forgotten dinner ingredient.

E&You ivory Sweater
Forever21 white racerback tank top
Forever21 pale pink shorts
Deena & Ozzy Multi-Strap Wedge Sandal

Opening Fall

My outfit for an IKEA run--breezy top and comfy flats.

Everyone in the world has IKEA furniture, but I don't think popularity always signifies a bad thing despite the trendy thing right now is small companies, local farms, and indie brands. I like IKEA's simple, sleek styles and some of their designs are actually pretty clever. Until I can afford my more expensive love, MUJI, I will be sticking with IKEA.

White tiered spaghetti-strap dress
Neue grey open back T-shirt with silver stars
Gomax Days 01 black suede pointy toe flats