Denim & Roses

Glasses: Bonlook / Jacket: Zara / Chambray shirt: thrifted / Sweater: Dear Cashmere / Floral jeans: Free People / Studded loafers: Sam Edelman




Lunch at Juliette in Williamsburg: scallops with endives, pears and scallions

Work vs. Play: Grandmother's Rehearsal Dress

I've had a lot of trouble finding the motivation to keep my blog going lately, mostly because it felt self-interested but also because I never felt I had one outfit worth posting. Consequently, I've decided to start a "Versus" feature, letting you decide which outfits you like while also revealing the potential for versatility in your own wardrobe. I've found when getting dressed, I come up with multiple options for one outfit, more than one look using using the same basic pieces, so I'm excited to inspire you with my options. Easily bored with my wardrobe, I have the tendency to overshop although I have perfectly great pieces to remix. Hopefully this new section will encourage you, along with me, to stop mindlessly purchasing and be a little more creative instead!

Work

Glasses: Bonlook / Dress: vintage Kramer / Leopard belt: Target / Ring: House of Harlow / Oversized clutch: thrifted / Heels: Stuart Weitzman 

Play

Dress: vintage Kramer / Cuff: Banana Republic / Bracelets: markets and thrift stores / Purse: vintage / Lace sneakers: Aldo

I'm so excited to share this dress as my first piece of the new feature. Yesterday I was going through an attic closet at my parent's house (where I'm living this summer) when I found this fantastic tan dress with an intricate beaded neckline. I assumed it was one of mother's many vintage dresses but upon asking her about, she informed me it was my grandmother's wedding rehearsal dinner dress from 1954. How cool! I was actually named after my grandmother; her married name is Morgan. It's great to carry her name on, as well as her style. On a side note, I'm so blessed to have all four of my sweet grandparents in my life! It's wonderful to learn from their many years of wisdom, as well as simply enjoying their humor.

My grandmother's dress reminded me that with clothing trends, what goes around, really comes back around. We all know pockets and neutrals were recent trends, but longer lengths have been making a show all over the runways for fall 2012. Right at the knee or lower, hems have stayed traditional for most designers, like Ralph Lauren and Valentino. Also, the ornate embellishments of the Baroque period seems to have influenced current designers, like Balmain and Louis Vuitton, who featured intricate beadwork on their pieces for the fall. As seen at Stella McCartney and Etro, botanical ornamentation in particular were another Baroque-inspired trend I found in my grandmother's dress. So let this be a lesson to all of you youngsters like me: you don't have to buy something new every season; there are classic pieces that will last you a lifetime (and maybe even your granddaughter's) if you chose carefully.

Beading detail on the dress

For the more traditional feel of the work outfit, I chose an oversized clutch, leopard belt and House of Harlow ring to keep the look current. Remember, to keep your legs from looking stumpy in a longer dress, wear open heels. Booties or ankle straps will the line of your leg off. For the playful outfit, I chose my lace sneakers to balance out the white embroidery of the collar line. I also pinned the hem of the dress to create the asymmetrical look that's become quite a trend (and to make the cut more flattering of course).

So what do you think? Do you prefer the classic or the playful? Or would you have styled it completely differently? Vote and leave comments!

Which way would you wear the dress?
	Work
	Play
	Neither - I'd style it differently.

Leopard and Denim [mystyle]

While in New York last month, we visited the Met mostly for the Egyptian and Modern art. I loved seeing my absolute favorite post-Impressionists: Matisse, van Gogh, Cezanne. The colors, the brushstrokes, everything becomes more unbelievably beautiful in person. Life goal: to own one of the great modern masters.



Leopard jacket: vintage / Denim shirt: thrifted / Sweater: Michael Kors / Jeans: Banana Republic / Boots: Freebird by Free People / Purse: Urban Outfitters / Glasses: BonLook


How ombre looks braided

First Post in Forever!

Hi everyone! Wow, I can't believe the last time I posted was in September... Time has certainly flown! As you may know, I'm in my senior year at American University and I graduate in MAY. but this is turning point in my life I'm actually looking forward to as I've gotten to the point where school seems to be holding me back and I just want to break free and use that time to pursue other interests. Like blogging. I've seriously had no time to even take photos but I'm not complaining because I love what's running my life: AmLit, Bethesda Magazine, and now Katzen. More updates later though, I've got a busy weekend ahead of me - heading to NYC!



Coat: American Apparel / Shirt: UO / Cords: K-Mart c/o of Teen Vogue / Belt: Value Village / Boots: Park Avenue Thrift / Purse: Aldo / Glasses: Bonlook






Here's a shot of how my ombre has evolved! I really love it - I never thought I'd have this much fun growing my hair out!


The AU Museum at Katzen where I'll begin graphic design and marketing work soon!


Cory and I made proscuitto, pear and goat cheese pizza tonight!


Instead of sauce try olive oil, grape tomatoes and arugula!

More soon! Glad to get back into the blogosphere. :)

Radius Pizza and Rainy Days

It's been thunderstorming for the past few days... ugh! Fashion's Night Out was last night but who was in the mood to go trek around in the rain? However, today is bright and sunny though and I can't wait for Free Fest tomorrow!! I'll be seeing the Black Keys, Deadmau5, Bombay Bicycle Club, Cut Copy, !!!, TV on the Radio, Okkervil River, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and so many others. Also, seeing Ben Kweller (for free as well) tonight at my school.

And in not free news, Cory and I recently went to Radius Pizza for their pizza and pint happy hour - $5 for a pint and a slice. So basically it's cheaper to buy a huge slice of pizza along with a pint instead of just some beer. Who can complain? Cory and I both got cheese, tomato, sausage, and feta. Be sure to visit them any time between 5 and 7 p.m. for the best way to spend $5 (besides at a thrift store).


Shirt: Target / Pants (the most comfortable ever): thrifted (The Limited), $3 / Belt: thrifted, $1 / Wedges: Banana Republic, $19.99




Earrings: gift from mom


Ring: South Main Street vendor, $15


Yep, those are trees of basil growing outside.








Also, I'm excited to announce the winner of my Coach bag: my fellow blogger, Amber, from Amber Blue Bird! Thank you so so much to everyone who submitted. Here's the number generator:

Dog Days of Summer

Earlier this month, Cory and I stopped by the Dog Days of Summer sale that started at U St and 14th. I love discovering new, funky neighborhoods in DC and this was certainly one of them. There are so many great vintage and home decor stores in that part of town! Plus great restaurants. I'll definitely be back. That's what I love about a city like this: another day, another new sight... or taste.



Jumpsuit: Forever 21 / Purse: Aldo / Earrings: Target / Ring: House of Harlow / Bracelet: thrift / Belt: thrift / Shoes: Zara



I'm holding the $1 picture frames I just bought to add to my apartment's empty frame collection.



Fantastic pizza from Coppi's, an organic Italian restaurant on U St. Mine was the shrimp, artichoke, feta, and capers...



and Cory's was the salmon, spinach, and capers. Both amazing.



Our appetizer was fried green tomatoes. Perfection!





We stopped by Treasury, a fantastic vintage store on 14th St.





Skeleton at Miss Pixie's



and rulers inside.





Final stop was the Corcoran Gallery of Art, closer to the Mall and free on Saturdays. I loved the Washington Color and Light exhibit, featuring dizzying Gene Davis stripes and Sam Gilliam's gorgeous "Light Depth," the canvas hanging behind Cory.



Can you believe this is marble?? "Veiled Nun" from Corcoran's permanent British art collection.

Don't forget to enter my vintage Coach bag giveaway! http://stylocrat.blogspot.com/2011/08/100th-post-vintage-coach-purse-giveaway.html

Velvet Pleats and Aztec Prints

Finally, here are some more photos taken with my new lens, the 35mm f/1.8 Nikkor. It makes everything you photograph look so much better: people, food... I mean it, anything. I wish I had bought it a long time ago! Now I'm thinking of upgrading the body but that's a little bit more of an investment.

Normally, I'm not so matchy matchy with my accessories but I couldn't believe how well the headband and belt worked together! This look was a little more hippie than I normally do but I love how it turned out!

PS I dyed my hair blonde at the tips, the ombre look last night so I'll have to post photos soon!









Headband: Forever 21 / Tank: H&M / Belt: thrifted / Skirt: thrifted / Shoes: UO

Click here to like on Teen Vogue Fashion Click!

Shopping in Salado, TX

I feel like so many posts to catch up on and I'll never be able to do it! I still have so many photos from Europe to put up. I really need to do a post every day - but do I catch y'all up on the past or focus on what's going on with me right now?

Anyway, these were from about a month ago when I traveled to Salado, TX for a family reunion and for my grandfather's 90th birthday. Big year for him!! I assumed I'd be quite bored in a town with less than 5000 inhabitants but we found a lot of cute little boutiques and lots of sights along the road. Here are some photos from our day of shopping.


My it's-hot-as-hell-in-Texas look
Top: borrowed / Bikini: Fossil / Belt: Gypsy's Closet / Shorts: J Crew / Sunglasses: Charlotte Russe of all places!




Pretty great collar, huh?


Dresses at Gypsy's Closet


Docs!








My cousin Allison checking out




Little baby froggie!


Look what we found!