INSPIRED BuY...the color red

i tend to gravitate towards muted colors (black, grey, beige, olive green, etc.) but recently i've been really into the color red. i'm sure subconsciously it's because christmas is around the corner, but regardless it's a nice change for me. the last two sweaters i bought were red- this pullover crewneck from crewcuts and the red cardigan i'm wearing below from madewell. i wore this outfit to work, but i feel like its the perfect outfit to pack for a long weekend away at a log cabin. it's so cozy and warm. (this outfit also makes me think of the american girl doll, molly, and this hot water bottle she had).

sweater- madewell

dress- american apparel

ribbed tights- hue

boots- vince camuto

INSPIRED BuY...equestrianism

horseback riders always look so put together. leather riding boots, fitted pants, perfectly tailored jackets...you get it. as much as i like to dress in floaty fabrics, i have a major appreciation for structured classic style. the key to mastering this style is all in the fit. a crisp white shirt shouldn't bunch when it's tucked it, a skirt should hit a couple of inches above the knee, pants should fit just right, and most importantly- the sleeves of your shirt or coat should hit about an inch past your wrist. if you're petite or tall, it's often difficult to find a shirt with the perfect sleeve length- that's where rolling comes into play. no one can tell how short/long your sleeves are once you roll them, so make rolling your best friend! (sidenote- banana republic makes an amazing white buttondown for petites)

ready to ride

shirt- girls polo

skirt-h&m

brown ribbed tights- hue

boots- vince camuto

little red rider

sweater jacket- free people

tee- target

jeans- earnest sewn

boots- vince camuto

INSPIRED BuY...alexa chung

alexa chung is one of the biggest fashion icons of the moment. in case you don't already know, she's an english model who hosted a show on mtv and most recently, she designed a line for madewell- one of my favorite stores. in her style, she likes to play with proportions (see the "mini with a long top" posts i've put up recently). she's all about the structured completer piece (jacket/blazer). this lacey tunic and this girly skirt with a blazer combo are two of my favorite alexa outfits, and inspired me to wear the following:

black and white

skirt- free people

spandex tank- the limited

wool blazer- madewell

tights- hue

oxford shoes- steve madden

necklace- blue tree boutique

winter white

leggings- forever 21

tunic- french connection

necklace- vintage

boots- vince camuto

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...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