I love the sassy vibe of this pleated faux-leather skirt, and these leopard print heels. I love the way leather and Tiffany blue look together and adding that girly pop of print at the bottom completed the look perfectly.
Shirt: H&M
Skirt: H&M
Shoes: Steve Madden via Wearhouse
Necklace: Gifted
Photo courtesy of Devan Chirgwin.
I love the many girly details in this outfit, butterflies, bows, the schoolgirl style skirt, the t-strap heel, my pink toenails. The first thing I thought of when I saw it all together and paired with a bun was a quintessentially feminine and elegant image: a ballerina.
Skirt: H&M
Top: Forever21
Shoes: TJ Maxx
Bracelets: Forever21
Photos courtesy of Shannon Mahoney.
I love the way this outfit looks sweet and sassy despite the leather and plaid, two elements that generally have more of a grunge vibe. It’s that perfect mix of soft and hard that I just can’t get enough of.
Shirt: H&M
Skirt: H&M
Tight: TJ Maxx
Shoes: Christian Siriano for Payless
Photos by Jamie Kaplan.
I come from a small town but Well, Limburg is even smaller. With about 2,500 residents and only a handful of small shops, it embodies the typical small town image. People walk and bike to everything and there’s a great sense of community within the village. Coming from downtown Boston this was a hard adjustment to make. My style tends to have more of an urban edge that feels a little out of place in this environment. I’m still trying to find the balance between style and overdoing it.
Top: H&M
Skirt: Forever21
Tights: TJ Maxx
Flats: Payless
Necklace: Forever21
Belt: Forever21
Photos by Jamie Kaplan.
I am always, always overdressed. The other day I wore a black, bodycon Express dress to go to the supermarket. Yeah, it’s that bad. Because of this tendency towards more dressy looks, I almost never wear t-shirts. But recently, after a talk with my friend Jenni, I’ve been revisiting the style staple. Jenni designs t-shirts independently through Redbubble (see her work here) and asked me for some advice on wearing t-shirts in a fashionable way. This is what I came up with:
Some tips: When trying to dress up a t-shirt, I usually avoid wearing it with jeans. Tucking your tee into a skirt, a high waisted pair of shorts, or some printed trousers will automatically take it to the next level. I also highly recommend adding jewelry. I used a statement necklace to class up the simple v-neck but a pendant necklace, an armful of bangles, or some unique earrings could work just as well.
Layer, layer, layer. Putting a jacket, blazer, or sweater over a t-shirt makes it part of an ensemble, not a stand alone piece. Here I used a blazer but I also recommend a leather jacket as an easy way to add interest to a t-shirt. See my example here. Working in a more sophisticated color pallet also helps make your t-shirt seem more fashionable. For this purpose I generally graviate towards neutrals, black, taupe, grey etc. But navy, oxblood, or forest green will do the trick as well.
Footwear is another great way to dress up a t-shirt. Don’t get me wrong, you don’t have to wear five inch studded heels. (Although, how gorgeous are these beauties?) I would suggest avoiding casual, sporty footwear such as sneakers, boat shoes, and Toms. Pairing your t-shirt instead with flats, heels, or boots gives it a more sophisticated, put-together look.
Blazer: TJ Maxx, Shirt: Custom (see here), Skirt: Forever21, Shoes: Steve Madden, Necklace: Forever21
Photos are mine.
I bought these heels as a more subtle alternative to these, and I just can’t wear them enough. With only a 3 inch heel they’re totally manageable, and definitely a statement piece.
Shirt: Forever21, Skirt: H&M (similar here), Shoes: ShoeDazzle (alternative here), Arm Candy: Various, Necklace: H&M (similar here)
Photos by Jamie Kaplan
Maybe it’s because I’ve been watching too much Gossip Girl, but I’ve felt the need to dress über feminine lately. This bun-and-bow combination did the trick. It’s a cute, unexpected way to add a little detail to my favorite hairstyle.
Shirt: H&M, Skirt: Forever21, Tights: TJ Maxx, Flats: Tahari, Necklace: Gifted, Bow: H&M
Photos by Jamie Kaplan.
As a New England girl, I love my knitwear. That’s why I’m ecstatic to be collaborating with the uber-talented Dylan Uscher of Dylanium Knits. Dylan’s work is unique in that he cares both about design and craft. Every item is handmade by Dylan himself, in yarns he specifically chooses. When you wear a piece of knitwear from Dylanium Knits you’re wearing a handmade piece of art.
Dylan’s fall 2014 collection is inspired by his recent trip to Florence, in particular by the Duomo, the large cathedral in the center of the city. My favorite is this oversized infinity scarf in a rich burgundy. It’s perfect to throw on during cooler summer evenings for a little bit of warmth.
Dylan’s fall collection is now available for pre-sale on Luevo. Purchasing an order during the pre-sale will help this talented designer get the funding to create his collection. All the items are 15% off for the sale. The scarf I’m wearing is the Rowen.
I paired my scarf with an all black ensemble to bring out the rich red of the yarn. The leather and studded t-strap flats give the outfit some subtle visual interest to accent the statement scarf. I finished it off with my new favorite book clutch, also handmade.
I know we’re still waiting for summer to fully arrive, so fall knits might not be at the top of your mind right now. But if you should keep one brand in mind for those inevitable fall chills, it’s Dylanium Knits. Dylan Uscher is an incredibly talented designer and his knitwear is truly one of a kind.
To see more of Dylan’s work you can find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. I can’t wait to see what he produces next!
Please note: Product and compensation was provided by Dylanium Knits to sponsor this post. However, all opinions and statements are my own.
Photos by Jenni Heller.
I found this Dior top at the SoWa vintage market last week and I’ve hardly been able to take it off. It has a very retro, space-age vibe about it but somehow also fits seamlessly into my current wardrobe. I paired the top with a leather skirt and gladiator sandals for an event with the Young Women in Digital group. My new favorite bag added just the right pop of pink.
Top: Vintage Dior, Skirt: Forever21, Shoes: Payless, Bag: Fossil, Bracelets: Kendra Scott & others
Photos by Jenni Heller.
I first saw a leather baseball cap on a fashion blog three months ago, and I’ve been searching for one ever since. I love the edgy/athletic vibe it has, adopting a sporty trend into a fashion context. You can see more of my athletic inspired outfits here, and here.
Hat: ASOS, Skirt: H&M, Top: H&M, Shoes: Tahari, Necklace: c/o Kendra Scott, Rings: Thrifted, vintage, and purchased abroad
Photos by Jenni Heller.
It’s not very often that I get dressed up in traditional workwear. Most of my everyday style basics (leather, mini skirts, slip dresses, more leather) aren’t office appropriate, and I’m lucky enough to work in places where the dress code is very loose. But I can run with the best of them, and I styled this look to have more of a professional edge. Although, yes, I still had to include the leather.
Jacket: H&M, Shirt: Thrifted, Skirt: Forever21, Shoes: H&M
Photos by Rebecca Isenhart.
Find her Twitter, Instagram, and website.
At long last September has arrived! Fall is my favorite time of year and I’ve been eagerly awaiting the days when the weather cools down. September always carries that “back-to-school” feeling for me. And while I don’t really go back to school anymore, it still feels like a chance for a fresh new start.
Nothing makes me feel fall like plaid. I always say my love of flannel is the only trace left of my New Hampshire roots. I paired this one with a leather skirt and collar pin to give it a stylish kick.
This pin is my mom’s, it’s engraved with her maiden initials “CP.” I find it gives the perfect girlish touch to any outfit, and wearing it always makes me think of her.
Shirt: H&M, Skirt: Forever21, Shoes: Tahari, Pin: My mom’s, Watch: Timex
Photos by Jenni Heller.
From left to right: 1) Snuggles with Coco on a weekend home. 2) Pretty little things to brighten my day. 3) Outfit planning for Boston Fashion Week. 4) Necessary sushi date. 5) Please tell me why this is a thing. 6) Sporting a red lip with a neutral outfit.
I’ve always loved the look of camel colored coats. I don’t know what it is about them but they always give outfits an extra chic-factor. I got this beauty from OASAP and (of course) paired it with an all-black ensemble. Sometimes the best outfits are the most subtle.
This sweater is a men’s cashmere piece I picked up at the SoWa Vintage Market. It’s the perfect amount of oversized and it’s probably the softest thing I own.
Coat: c/o OASAP (available here), Sweater: Vintage, Skirt: Forever21, Stockings: c/o OASAP (available here), Shoes: Tahari, Hat: Payless
Photos by Jenni Heller.
I’ve mentioned before how much I love the Museum of Fine Arts (remember those Romans?) and I’ll say it again. Only a ten minute walk from my apartment, the museum is my safe space and I spend a great deal of time there. This outfit was inspired a little bit by Blair Waldorf’s Paris museum outfits. Even a classy, educated institution seems much more intellectual when wearing a beret.
Shirt: c/o OASAP, Skirt: Forever21, Tights: TJ Maxx, Flats: Tahari, Beret: Purchased in Paris. Bracelet: c/o Kendra Scott.
Photos by Jenni Heller.
Even as it starts to get warmer here in Boston there are still some serious wardrobe challenges. For one thing, the taller-than-me snowbanks are starting to melt so it’s wet everywhere. This means I have to keep wearing boots which significantly restrains my outfit options. But once in a while I can sneak in a look like this.
The concept is still pretty basic, a sweater, a skirt, and some booties. But the contrasting textures, metallic knit and leather, elevate the look from my usual snow ensembles.
Sweater: Gifted, Skirt: Forever21, Tights: TJ Maxx, Booties: c/o OASAP
Photos by Jamie Ditaranto.
As the weather jumps from 50 to 90 in traditional New England style, I’ve been transitioning my favorite black and white color combination into spring. This light grid print top adds a summery look to my usual black leather skirt, and the pink coat pulls it all together.
The outfit has a very modern vintage vibe with the dainty grid print and ’50s coat. So I paired some of my favorite vintage heels with the look.
This shirt is actually a dress that I pinned up underneath the skirt. Stay tuned to see it in its full glory!
Coat: OASAP, Shirt: TJ Maxx, Skirt: H&M, Shoes: Vintage, Necklace: c/o Kendra Scott
Photos by Jamie Ditaranto.
I’m so excited to introduce you guys to one of my new favorite artists and designers: Jen Stark. Not only is Jen a super cool human, she’s also a very talented knitwear designer. Most of her products are fall and winter geared but she created an adorable twinset that’s perfect for summer. Though let’s be honest, you should always be thinking about winter clothes in Boston.
Jen custom made this beautiful lilac twinset for me. It’s a tank with a front detail and a bolero top with a matching back detail. Twinsets have a very retro feel to me but this was definitely an updated version. The contemporary shapes, edgy detailing, and lower neckline makes this look more street-style than Hampton Beach. I paired it with a leather swing skirt and flats for a retro-meets-modern look. 
Not only is it wonderful to have something made perfectly to your size, this set was infinitely higher quality than what I purchase on a daily basis. By working directly with designers like Jen you have control over fit, color, style, and you know you’re getting a well-made garment. Even better? No one else will have the same twinset you do. Gotta love that. 
Jen’s twinsets will be available for purchase on her website soon. In the meantime browse her fall 2014 collection to get a sense of her style. 
How cool is this back detailing? It’s like housewife abandons the stepford life, shreds her sweater and heads to a rock concert. Which is pretty much exactly my style.
Photos by Jamie Ditaranto.
Full Disclosure: I was compensated for this post, however all opinions are my own.
For those of you longtime followers, you know this jacket is one of my favorite and hardest won garments. You can read the story of how I wrestled it from the hands of gay man in a Parisian thrift store here. What I love about this jacket is how perfectly it embodies the idea of “fashion.” High fashion is a little crazy and most ensembles require a serious degree of casual cool to pull off. Especially in Boston you should’ve seen the looks I got strolling down Newbury Street in a glorified pimp jacket. But hey, you gotta make sacrifices for #fashion. 
To make this look especially meta, photographer Rebecca Isenhart shot it in front of a store. Because let’s be honest, nothing is more #fashion than shooting an outfit in front of a fast-fashion consumer abyss.
To tone down the crazy, I paired the jacket with a leather mini skirt, a black knit top, and the fashion world’s current favorite accessory: the lace-up flat. This keeps the focus on the statement piece and also gives an otherwise frumpy silhouette a little sex appeal. 
In case you didn’t see it the first time, this jacket has a glitter amoeba pattern embroidered on the back. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better. 
Jacket: Thrfited/Fought for in Paris, Skirt: Forever21, Shoes: Primark
Photos by Rebecca Isenhart.
I’ve slowly but surely been adding to my work wardrobe and this is one of my favorite combinations. The cashmere turtleneck is from the Savers in Wilmington and the leather skirt is from Primark. I love the way the hard and soft textures play off each other. In the few brisk days we’ve had this year this look has kept me cozy without falling into a style rut. 
Skirt: Primark, Sweater: Thrifted, Belt: Thrifted, Shoes: TJ Maxx
Photos by Stephanie Krist.
