Shoe-Centric

Have you ever built an outfit around a pair of shoes? I am totally guilty of doing this way more than I should. Shoes change the whole tone of an outfit in my opinion so it totally makes sense to base outfits around what shoes you want to wear!

Y'all know how ob-sessed I am with the Fall 2012 Michael Kors line but my favorite shoe in the collection has to be the Lesly Bootie:

I love the simplicity or the clean lines and caramel colored leather. My only worry is that it isn't a practical shoe. I adore looking at it but I wonder if would it will fit into my life and everyday outfits since it has a heel? I do think it would look amazing with jeans and a sweater or button down. Here's a few ways I would style them:

I am so torn! They are an amazing shoe but wearing a heel during the day can be tricky. Maybe I just need to bite the bullet and wear them without shame? I need help deciding! I plan to ask for them for Christmas but don't want to get them and never wear them, which I am guilty of doing. Let me know your thoughts! I am so bad at making decisions so I need all the help I can get :) 

Thanks in advance!

-Lanie W.

Ladylike Leather

Leather is not necessarily the first texture I would gravitate towards given the choice. To me it brings to mind images of scary/old motorcycle riders and all things tough, which is nothing like me. However, the past couple of seasons I've noticed leather being used in a much more chic and ladylike way. Leather skirts in particular have taken a turn from the usual black to unexpected shapes and colors.

This is definitely a trend I can get on board with and really love the more structured and dressy aspect it brings when paired with more casual pieces like a simple sweater-

Or ladylike blouse-

And it even looks amazing layered-

What do y'all think about the leather skirt trend? I think it's super chic and can't wait to try it out for myself! I got a deep brown "leather" skirt from Forever 21 last fall but haven't found quite the right time to wear it. After seeing all of these fabulous outfits I'm super inspired to try it out for myself! Follow my Instagram (laniemw) I'm sure I'll #ootd it one day soon! :)

Have a great week y'all!

-Lanie W.

Guest Post: Anya Sarre

I have a treat for you guys today, my first guest post! I am so excited to introduce Anya Sarre! Anya Sarre is one of Hollywood’s most influential trendsetters. A nationally recognized celebrity stylist, Sarre is known for her impeccable eye and ability to tie any look together with the perfect accessory. Named “Best Television Fashion Stylist” for her appearances on Entertainment Tonight, The Insider and countless other media outlets, Sarre is the go-to fashion expert for Hollywood’s biggest celebrities.

Pair Classics and Trends for the Perfect Fall Look

Getting ready for the new fall fashion season should totally be all about what makes you feel great and super-confident in your style.  You do not have to be a celebrity to look your best; all you need is to know what looks great on your body and a willingness to creatively express yourself through your wardrobe.  Go for a look that says, “I look this good when I crawl from beneath the sheets.  It took no effort whatsoever.  Cheers!”  It doesn’t matter if it really was uncomplicated or if it took hours; always go for that effortless persona!

The new fall look is completely exciting this year, and there are tons of styles that I am dying to try.  The first on my list includes a white, scoop-neck tee complemented by a fitted, black pea coat on top.  I am all about bang for my buck, and a great white tee is never going out of style.  Consider a pea coat a great piece to invest in, too, because this traditional favorite will be a classic practically forever!  Another factor to consider is that this combo can be adjusted to look great on virtually any lady with any figure!

Add panache to any outfit with a wine-colored bag, classic in size and form, but with a chain-link strap.  Sticking with a neutral leather purse or funky knit texture is fine, as well, if that is what you are most comfortable with.  

Do not forget; the crème de la crème is in the accessories, my friends.  Work your wardrobe from the ground up by finding the perfect shoes and go for those awesome bangles without a second thought. Just make sure that the metal matches the strap of your purse, as well as your other accessories.  Metallic jewelry is a great way to make a statement this season.  Personally, I’m going with a simple pair of earrings and a pendant necklace to complete my fall outfit!  It is totally acceptable to wear some dangly earrings if you skip the necklace altogether.  

Fall fashion is definitely at its best this season, and the styles are amazingly diverse and fun.  Remember, the key to looking great is feeling great about you.  Choose a style that you feel complements your body, and that makes you feel vibrant and alive.  Fashion trends are great, but don’t be afraid to pair trends with classics if that is what it takes to make you happy about your look.  All of that confidence is going to radiate outwards, touch the people around you and bring positivity to you all.  

Americana: An Ode to Michael Kors

I know I've talked about this collection before, but one post just isn't enough. I took a shopping trip to Atlanta with my roommate this past weekend and had the opportunity to go into an actual Michael Kors store and see all of these items in person for the first time. Being able to touch and try on some of the pieces from the collection made me fall deeper in love than I even thought possible. 

The combination of laid back elements like the most perfect wash/fit jeans and a chunky knit cream sweater with polished elements like a silky equestrian print blouse, exquisite gold jewelry, and beautifully constructed jackets is absolute genius. 

  

    

And can we also take a moment to appreciate the footwear and accessories in this collection? I have never been so enamored with a shoe as I am with the Lesly bootie. The design is so sleek and easy, and the color of the leather brings to mind vintage riding boots or marled caramel. And as usual is jewelry and handbags are as simple yet gorgeous as ever.

(all images via) 

The colors of this collection really hit the nail on the head. Washed out blue jean, orange, camel, hunter green, gold, cream, and chocolate brown work together and separately so beautifully. I have never seen a collection that walks the line between glamour and simplicity so wonderfully. I can't get enough.

His collection is so essentially American, which I love. Some designers are very out-there for my classic taste but season after season he sticks with looks that make me proud of our fashion legacy in this country.  Kors is one of the designers, in my opinion, that can capture the American style to the T. My current inspiration file is full of his leathers, knits, blouses, gold jewelry and beautiful handbags. Can I pretty please just have it all? Sigh.. that would be the ultimate dream. Until that day comes I will continue to dream of this collection and all of the ways I would style it if it were mine. 

Happy Humpday!

-Lanie W.

Outfit Inspiration: Mackenzie Horan

If you have not heard of Mackenzie Horan or her genius blog and online boutique Design Darling you need to head to her sites immediately...like, right now! In all seriousness this girl has amazing personal style and walks the fine line between classic preppy and on trend girly so perfectly.

I found this picture while obsessing over pursing her blog and immediately put it in my "outfits I need to re-create" file. I love the unexpected use of the classic leather belt and trendy booties with a puffer vest and stripes. Perfect example of her preppy girly style.

For my take on this outfit I incorporated a navy puffer vest and lighter jeans so it wasn't such a dark color palate since I don't have a raspberry vest like Mackenzie.  My booties are J. Crew and one of my favorite purchases ever, I have been able to style them so many different ways! My vest was a steal ($15!) from Forever 21 and the jeans/striped tee are Gap. I wore this outfit on a chilly day running errands with my roommate and love how it turned out!

What do y'all think about this look? Would you like to see more personal style posts or posts with me re-creating outfits? Let me know what you think! 

-Lanie W.

Tall Black Boots

To me black has always been a tricky color. It is definitely a color that changes drastically by the way you style it. Black can be either very harsh and rock inspired or incredibly sophisticated and chic. Of course it is the most universally slimming color and every girl needs an "LBD" but I have never been able to incorporate it into my wardrobe very well, especially in regards to shoes. I have a pair of black flats but lately on blogs and Pinterest I have been seeing a lot more simple and polished black boots that have really been catching my eye. Take a look at some of the pictures sparking my interest:

I love the way these ladies chose to style these simple boots with various layers and textures. They look amazing with black pants or tights and can be so easily styled in different ways whether dressed up with a silk blouse or down with a chambray shirt and scarf! Here's so options I have my eye on:

What do y'all think about black boots? Totally chic or too harsh? I personally only have boots that are brown so black might be a welcome change in my wardrobe. Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Happy Weekend!

-Lanie W.

Sweater Weather

Tomorrow is a big day here in the upstate of South Carolina.... The temperature is dropping below 70 degrees for the first time this autumn! The *high* is 59 degrees and I could not be more excited!! In honor of the first real day of fall I though I would share what I am hoping to finally have a chance to wear!!

sweater & puffer vest- Forever 21// jeans- J. Crew // boots-Delia's

I just purchased this navy puffer vest and oxblood sweater from Forever 21 a couple weeks ago and they were both around $15 each! Such a great find! I am especially in love with this sweater because it has brown corduroy elow patches! They are such a fun and unexpected addition and remind me of vintage menswear. I have posted about these boots before but this is the first time I will be able to wear them! Can't wait to finally test them out!

In lieu of the chilly temperatures my roommate and I plan to walk to Starbucks and treat ourselves to some Pumpkin Spice Lattes before heading to campus :) It couldn't think of a better  way to start off the week! What are you excited to wear as the temperature drops?

Have a fabulous week!

-Lanie W.

Outfit Inspiration: Olivia Palermo

If Blair Waldorf was a real person, she would be Olivia Palermo. This girl seems to be able to do no wrong. Her style is always impeccable but what I really love is when she dresses more causally. Even in a sweater and knit pants she can look incredibly fresh and chic.

I love how she embraced fall colors completely in this ensemble. Her chunky pumpkin knit sweater and bordeaux pants work together perfectly and look so classic yet on-trend at the same time. I recently bought a pair of bordeaux colored pants and was unsure of what to pair them with. Seeing this outfit I am totally inspired to rock these two fall colors together without shame!

In my take on this outfit I would pair it with pointed toe tortoise flats rather than heels, for a more daytime appropriate look you could wear to class or running errands! Do y'all love Olivia's style as much as I do?? Let me know what you think about this autumnal color combo! 

Here's to a great week!

-Lanie W.