a faux glow?

{images via Fashiongonerogue}

The other day I had reached the breaking point with my pasty, white, Midwestern skin and decided to bite the bullet and spray tan.  Now, I am by no means a connoisseur of the spray tan, but decided to give it a go after having a session or 2 when I lived in New York where I was fairly pleased with the results.  Alas, that was not the case this time.  Potential tanner beware if the establishment doesn't have a machine that not only tans you, but dries you as well, which is key.  When color is running down your legs and you are responsible for blending it in I quickly realized that I could have done this shoddy job at home.  8 hours later the damage was evident and was a mistake that lasted 5 days (A+ for the longevity part, though).  So what's a disgustingly pale girl to do?  I've tried many an at home spray and since I'm on the verge of needing botox, tanning beds have to be avoided like the plague.  What do you think is the best sunless tan out there?

too much time on my hands

{1. silk plaid shirt, 2. Zara denim shorts, 3. chiffon bow-tie sandals, 4. cross-body bag, 5. random belt from ill-fitting Patterson J. Kincaid dress, 6. Zara leopard print dress, 7. American Apparel clutch}

Basically my little photo shoot was a result of my refusal to go to the gym, dreary weather and a little vino thrown in for good measure.  Please excuse my juvenile photographer skills, but in preparation for the debut of my Topshop sandals {seen here} I wanted to put together a daytime and nighttime ensemble just to prove that these statement making shoes could crossover from work into play.  And for those of you interested the rug is Dash&Albert, which has a fantastic line of reasonably priced indoor/outdoor rugs.  Just thought you might want to know.

elegantly waisted

{1. leather belt with brass bow, $110, 2. skinny bow belt, $14}

I usually keep a running laundry list of current items that I'm hoping to purchase, but alas, most of them don't come to fruition.  This is usually due to the fact that many items on my wish list are horribly out of my price range, but hey, a girl can dream.  To counteract that I'm always on the search for frugal finds that bare a striking resemblance to the piece that I'm coveting.  Case in point is the FredFlare belt above that is a mere pittance to the real leather version on the left.  Winning!

it's electric

{fluorescent carryalls}

Lately, I've been obsessed with anything that comes in a highlighter palette, which is how my google searches helped me come across these fantastically fluorescent satchels from The Cambridge Satchel Co.  Come to think of it I am in the market for a new bag and of course I was looking into the standard cognac and whiskey colors, which is always a safe bet, but I'm actually considering these!  I've always been a sucker for hot pink....

beach bound

{1. Silk-chiffon kaftan, 2. Bikini, 3. Friendship bracelets, 4. T-strap sandals, 5. Classic wayfarers}

One Summer during College I decided to become a lifeguard.  I had no real desire to save lives or to enforce general safety at our local community pool, but was more interested in getting a tan, hanging out with my friends, eating Choco Tacos and subsequently getting paid for it.  However, as opening day loomed before me I realized something - I would be parading around my pool in front of my fellow peers (one of whom was potential dating material) and I was no where near swimsuit ready.  I panicked.  And lo and behold it was from shear fear and anxiety that I actually got into great shape for the Summer.  That turned out to be an absolute fluke.   The following semester I went abroad and gained 20 lbs and my love handleless Summer faded further into the background.  As I reflect on that time I'm trying to stir up that same mind-numbing fear and piercing anxiety since I just booked a ticket to Florida and have only weeks to get myself together.  I'm hoping that that same panic will aid me in more miles on the treadmill and less glasses of pinot grigio.  That's healthy, right? 

message in a bottle

{glass bottle necklace}

A ridiculously clever and campy necklace that features a personalized message inside.  Or, if you're not one with words you can chose from one of their standard notes with my favorite being "help...I'm out of rum."  Although, if I were to personalize it the message would read "help...I"m out of pinot grigio" which would most likely be a true statement and I would be panic stricken as well.

lady in red

{chiffon sandals}

My latest purchase from Topshop in order to introduce some color into my wardrobe {see here}.  Although I'm pretty much covered in the cherry red department I couldn't resist these chiffon bow sandals, which would be the perfect pairing to this lace dress that I am absolutely lusting after.

good things come in small packages

{1. Marc Jacobs, 2. Street style, 3. Celine, 4. Marc nylon computer case, 5. Comme des Garcons, 6. American Apparel leather pouch}

Never could I live without a bottomless slouchy tote in which I lug around my entire life and would be utterly lost without.  However, the current trend is placing an emphasis on downsizing with a simple understated pouch that moonlights as one's carryall.  Oh-so-chic wedged underneath the arm of an editor of the glossies I'm still somewhat skeptical of it's practicality.  Of course I would don this look for a night out or quick jaunt running errands, but it would force me to only take along the necessities.  Although after rummaging through my bag and finding a pair of socks, a wine opener (how did that get in there?) and several forks (weird) this might be something I should look into.

concert series

{1. Lace off the shoulder top, 2. shredded denim shorts, 3. vintage bucket bag, 4. lace up sandals, 5, straw fedora, 6. pendant necklace}

Sadly, I won't have the opportunity to cavort alongside Kate Bosworth and Rachel Bilson in the desert of Indio, California for Coachella coming up next month (I'm really busy) I've decided to come up with my own music festival appropriate ensemble.  Of course the look would consist of the requisite denim shorts an airy off the shoulder top and a straw fedora (also noted as a staple), piles of jewelry and lace up leather sandals.  I am however, going to keep this look in my back pocket seeing as how there's always Lollapalooza.     

arm candy

{1. street style, 2. Aurelie Bidermann, 3. street style, 4. Lizzie Fortunato for UO, 5. boxchain silk bracelet , 6. street style}

One of my favorite past times is hunting for new bling mainly because you don't have to face your greatest fears in the dressing room with pasty white skin, bad lighting and the very obvious fact that that gym membership has not been used in quite some time.  Although I have a fairly substantial collection since I'm not always willing for my self-esteem to take a hit I've definitely been inspired by the recent onslaught of fashion week attendees.  Numerous people were sporting clusters of quirky baubles and rather expensive pieces in their effort to create a high/low look and many a celeb, model, editor, etc were donning the highly coveted "grown-up" friendship bracelet.  Above, are some pieces I'm thinking of investing in.

into the blue

{1. Sessun jacket, 2. Sessun necklace, 3. Celine clutch, 4. sequined sweater, 5. electric blue heels, 6. Vogue China}

I was actually getting my life together today and organizing my closet when my somewhat anal retentive self began hanging clothes from darkest to lightest (within their corresponding categories of course).  2 Diet Cokes and a bit of perspiration later I realized that I had done just what I sought out to accomplish, but noticed that my "colors" ranged from the darkest shade of cream to the lightest.  A few random pieces of black and red (if I was looking to get crazy) hung intermittently in between.  I realized that although I might preach about color it is completely void in my wardrobe.  I mainly shy away from color and stick to the basics, but I've now become bored with the same old formula.  So now I am fully concentrating on introducing some pop colors into my life and thought I might start with the ultramarine and cerulean blues that are so abundant in the market.  This is really uncharted territory because my closet has never seen the cool end of the spectrum since elementary school when I was dressed in every color of the rainbow.  Wish me luck.  

garden party

{images via Kelsey Genna}

19 year-old design phenom, Kelsey Genna is a New Zealand native who just recently launched her own label upon graduating.  I can barely tie my own shoelaces in the morning let alone successfully run my own handmade line, which is why I'm absolutely in awe of her unapologetically flirty and feminine pieces.  Better yet, she also offers a sample sale exclusive to etsy so the pieces you covet can be a little more wallet friendly.

going to great lengths



{1. FreePeople pleated maxi skirt, 2. image via Fashion Cappuccino, 3. asymmetric strapless dress, 4. strapless dress with skirt drape 5. tank maxi dress }

I have to admit that I first resisted the onslaught of floor skimming dresses and skirts.  My motto had always been "the shorter, the better" which was especially evident when my horrified mother discovered that I had cut another 2 inches off of my already too short denim mini skirt in high school.  Alas, I have become wiser and somewhat more conservative over the years, or so I would like to think, and now fully embrace the look.  The maxi skirts and dresses above are fantastically ethereal confections of silk and chiffon and of course, I had to throw in the Mara Hoffman tribal print for fun.