INSPIRED BUY...my dad

i wouldn't call my dad the most fashionable guy (his closet resembles doug funny's: a collection of green polo shirts and khaki pants) but he is pretty darn cool.  his brain is filled with tons of random information, he cruises around in a 1975 MGB that he restored on his own, he's a music aficionado, and he'll drive me home from wherever i am, at any time of night (or early morning), no questions asked.

so i thought i'd say thanks for everything he's taught me/done for me by dedicating this post to him (mom, your post is coming soon)!

i put together a collection of tomboy style below.  this is a look i'd rock when traveling out of town for the weekend.

1. tom's classic 101

2. madewell artisan tee

3. wesc oboe headphones

4. keil james patrick croffix sailing belt

5. wgaca vintage boyfriend jeans

6. the hill-side bandana

7. quality mending co. duffel

8. steve madden sallutte shoes

INSPIRED BuY...the lone star state

i've never been to texas, but it's near the top of my list of places i want to go. i think my first stop would be austin because it's the live music capital of the world. my whole family is really into music, so it has always been a major interest of mine. the outfit below is what i imagine a funky girl in austin would wear to a concert.

dainty cowgirl

chambray shirt- american eagle

lacey tank- free people

slip- free people

leggings- target

boots- loehmann's

INSPIRED BuY...taylor swift

lately, i've been slightly obsessed with taylor swift's newest album, speak now (tell no one). her music and lyrics may not be that complex, but she knows how to say what a lot of people are thinking in a pretty straightforward yet unique way. in addition, she has pretty cool style- she's got that whole "girl-next-door / i-just-rolled-out-of-bed-but-still-look-cute" thing going for her. taylor swift actually owns the sweater i'm wearing below, but i swear i bought it before i knew she had it. this sweater is great because its so big and baggy so you can layer it over almost anything.

sweater- free people

tank- target

jeans- topshop (opening ceremony)

boots- vintage

INSPIRED BuY...the skinny cargo pant

remember back in high school when khaki and cargo pants were all the rage? it was fun to have an alternative to jeans, so i'm glad non-denim bottoms have made a comeback. the skinny cargo is definitely a must-have for the season. you can find them pretty much anywhere (madewell, jcrew, free people, banana, etc) but i got this pair from LOFT petites on black friday (yes i know i'm crazy for stepping foot in a mall on black friday). skinny cargos are the perfect bottom for the oh-so-popular chambray (denim) shirt. they can be tucked into boots or cuffed and worn with oxfords. they would look great with a pair of lace up ankle boots, but unfortunately i don't have a pair yet, so i couldn't model this look for you!

western denim shirt- american eagle

skinny cargo pants- LOFT

boots- vintage

tshirt- madewell

leather jacket- banana republic

skinny cargo pants- LOFT

oxfords- steven by steve madden

chambray shirt- banana republic

skinny cargo pants- LOFT

oxfords- steven by steve madden

shirt- urban outfitters

leather jacket- bcbg

skinny cargo pants- LOFT

boots- vintage

INSPIRED BuY...military details

dear military trend,

i've truly enjoyed the last several years with you, but i'm afraid it's time you must go. we had a great run, and i'll miss you dearly. maybe someday you'll come back, and i'm sure i'll appreciate you more then.

take care

-meg

ladylike lieutenant

dress- american apparel

fleece jacket- free people

tights- hue

boots- vintage

at ease

jeans- madewell

shirt- american eagle (from about 10 years ago)

tank- target

boots- steve madden

INSPIRED BuY...the sound of music

first of all- who doesn't love "the sound of music"?! it's up there on my list of favorite musical movies (along with "the wizard of oz" and "newsies"). anyway- in the sound of music, fraulein maria makes the von trapp children beautiful clothing out of old curtains. i've spent a lot of time analyzing runway shows and i've found that a lot of the patternwork out there for spring 2011 has a curtain/tapestry feel to it (see rodarte and erdem). this paisley skirt from free people's fall line jumped out at me, and at the reasonable price of $58 i just couldn't resist. this skirt is especially wonderful because I can wear it now with boots and tights, and i can also wear it in the spring!

modern day liesl

paisley skirt- free people

charcoal cardigan- jcrew

beige tank- banana republic

over the knee socks- steve madden (macy's)

boots- vince camuto (macy's)

louisa's loungewear

paisley skirt- free people

beige sweatshirt- gap

over the knee socks- steve madden (macy's)

boots- vince camuto (macy's)

INSPIRED BuY...all day lingerie

so there's this whole lingerie/sheer trend floating around right now. it's sometimes tough to translate this from the runway to the real world without looking like you're doing the walk of shame. the trick is layering: i found this amazing piece from free people that can be worn under or over practically anything. it comes in a bunch of colors, but i'm on a beige/neutral kick so i decided to go with this one. here are a few looks i threw together:

leather jacket- bcbg

layering tank- free people

sheer ruffle top- free people

jeans- blank nyc

top- free people

sheer ruffle top- free people

jeans- blank nyc

shoes- miss sixty

necklace- gap

layering tank- banana republic

sheer ruffle top- free people

jacket- gap kids

jeans- banana republic

boots- vince camuto

INSPIRED BuY...charlotte gainsbourg

charlotte gainsbourg is a french actress/singer who has amazingly cool, casual, style. it's very menswear inspired but with a sexy, feminine, vintage twist. (i first heard about her last year when she and Beck collaborated on an album. the song "heaven can wait" from the album is pretty cool- i'd recommend checking it out). this looks reminds me of something she might wear- the girly top paired with ultra tight jeans and chunky but sexy shoes.

casual chic

lace top/dress- french connection

jeans- blank nyc

shoes- miss sixty

necklace- borrowed (thanks, mom!)

INSPIRED BuY...pumpkin spice

it's here. the season of pumpkin everything...lattes, pie, candles, bread, seeds, cupcakes, etc....

here's a little poem for you all:

the crisp cool air, an auburn sky

apple picking and warm spiced chai

transforming trees and pumpkin ale

worn-in boots on a leaf-covered trail

your favorite sweater with a hole in the seam

parking lot parties with your favorite football team

this summer was grand, but it's come to an end

and i need to ensure we'll continue the trend

of laughs and adventures with purple-stained smiles,

creating and imagining with our unique/compatible styles

i'm a little superstitious, so i asked my eight ball...

it's confirmed!: we'll have a spectacular fall!

fall makes me want to do 2 things: drink pumpkin spiced coffee and wear boots. i just bought this rad pair of vince camuto over-the-knee boots from macy's (the coolest part about them is they fold down into regular riding boots) and i felt the need to wear them asap.

the enemy

"the enemy" tee- inspired by almost famous, made by my dear friend meg

wool blazer- madewell

shorts- madewell

boots- vince camuto

quilted chain-strap bag- forever 21

great lengths

shirt- free people

shorts- madewell

tights- hue

boots- vince camuto

necklace- gap

INSPIRED BuY...lykke li

lykke li is a swedish singer who made it big by telling record companies in the US that she was a pop star in her country (which wasn't true at the time). no one could second guess her, with her unique voice and bubbly presence and so she ended up making it pretty big among indie music lovers. this video with bon iver, "dance dance dance" is a favorite of mine and her casual, cool, free people-ish style in exemplified in this video.

i am very into long dresses during the summer, and want to find a way to transition them for cooler weather, so i decided to add a slightly unpredictable layer. once it gets even cooler out, i'll probably add a leather bomber or a pullover chunky sweater and some boots.

unpredictable layers

dress- what goes around comes around

vneck tee- bdg (urban outfitters)

necklaces- vintage and the gap

sandals- american eagle

INSPIRED BuY...the color green

i flock to anything army green. actually anything army in general. and now that i think of it, also anything green.

i know you're probably already sick of hearing it, but military is where it's at. this trend came at the perfect time. totally wearable, easily adaptable to any style, available at any price (and oh-so-much vintage shopping fun). it's the perfect trend to arise during a recession because it gives people a reason to buy. everyone's got skinny jeans and riding boots, but only a select few have the perfect pair of army green skinny cargo pants and lace up boots! time to go shoppinggggg!

here are a few army inspired outfits for summer/fall...and just a side note, i am a little too obsessed with these boots

modern military

tuxedo style chinos- gap

striped tank- converse one start (target)

wool blazer- madewell

pumps- inc

casual parisian

tuxedo style chinos- gap

black tank- banana republic

80's style leather jacket- bcbg

sneakers- converse

classic remix

tuxedo style chinos- gap

silk shirt- banana republic

gold and green necklace- target

pumps- inc

phys-ed funk

skirt- h&m

sweatshirt- gap

shoes- massimo baldi

gold chain necklace- vintage

stylish scout

skirt- h&m

shirt- banana republic

belt- banana republic

wooden platform pumps- aldo

INSPIRED BuY...beachy keen

i just returned from a relaxing, peaceful week at the beach. being at the beach makes me want to be completely natural- no makeup, no blow dryer, no shoes. it also makes me want to dress comfortably: light, flowy dresses by day and cozy sweatshirts by night. here are some of my outfits from the week:

maxi by night

dress- bcbg

*i love the color and pattern on this dress- reminds me of missoni

maxi by day

dress- what goes around comes around

*this linen dress is light and airy- perfect for a hot summer day

light and layered

shorts- madewell

henley- gap

crewneck sweatshirt- gap

watch- vintage

romping around

linen romper- free people

denim shirt- american eagle

sandals- steve madden

playfully patriotic

shorts- madewell

navy tank- puella

cardigan- urban outfitters

sandals- american eagle

belt- american eagle

INSPIRED BuY...hipster prep

i love things that are atypical; mixing and matching things that don't usually go together. i'm loving the look of the summer which seems to be some sort of fusion between hipster and prep. i'm talking skinny jeans and sperrys. cutoff denim shorts and oxfords. worn out t-shirts and luxe cardigans. the fit is also very important; you need something super-fitted or short paired with something a little baggier to make it look effortless. think jcrew + urban outfitters...madewell is a great one-stop-shop for this trend.

williamsburg meets nantucket

shorts- madewell

vneck tee- madewell

cardigan- banana republic

shoes- inc

hat- gap

belt- vintage

INSPIRED BuY...jennifer aniston

jennifer aniston's style has taught me the beauty in simplicity. she usually wears solids and neutrals, and rocks the jeans & tee look better than anyone. distressed jeans in light washes are perfect for the summer. they're casual and in the right fit, they can be very sexy. add one accessory and you're set- i'm really into fedora's lately, and this straw one from the men's section of the gap will be trend-right straight through 2011. plus you can convince your boyfriend to buy it for himself and then steal it when he sees how cute you look in it!

plain jane perfection

jeans- blank nyc (from platform boutique in hoboken)

tee shirt- gap

fedora- gap (men's section)

sandals- steve madden

INSPIRED BuY...rockers in the sun

it's super easy to pull off the "rocker" look in the winter- leather jackets, black jeans, motorcycle boots, chains, and really anything dark. i love the rocker look, but i'm always trying to figure out how to transition the look for fall and spring- it usually ends up turing out very hippie-ish, but i think i was able to hit the nail on the head with these two.

fall rocker

charcoal cardigan- jcrew

plaid shirt- polo kids

tee- jcrew

boots- vintage

springtime rocker

leggings- forever 21

shirt- talula oxford

leather jacket- banana republic

shoes- miss sixty