Morning Glory

This weekend, I went to margaritas with the fashion department before heading home to bake cookies and decorate my miniature Christmas tree. Did I say bake cookies? I meant eat them. Oops. My mistake. The thing about grabbing drinks with the fashion department is that even while wearing two necklaces and wedge boots, I still manage to be the most underdressed person there. You know what could help? A choose-your-own-adventure-outfit video from Madewell. After twelve years of wearing plaid kilts and knee socks, I'm not good at dressing myself in new and imaginative ways. If I do in fact find a creative combination, I'll wear it once a week until I do my dry-cleaning. So tomorrow, I'm going to let this cute video decide. Where did your choices take you? (Mine were: Tea, geeky chic, handbags, dress down, confetti).

Flat Out Gorgeous

I love a good wedge, but my affection for ballet flats is no secret.

Help a terribly indecisive girl out. Which style is your favorite?

(From left to right): Madewell skimmers, J.Crew ballet flats, and Marais maryjanes

[photo cred to AMY STONE // COFFEE TALK]

For the Love of Leopard

On any given day, I walk at least 44 blocks to and from work. It's actually a fantastic commute—I just stroll down First Ave, under the 59th St Bridge, and cut over to Third. I think it's very good for my temper that I don't try to squeeze into a rush-hour 6 train, but the havoc that my walk wreaks on my feet? Not so much. Pumps are out of the question, and I'll only wear wedges when I'm desperate. (I keep a pair of each under my desk). (Obviously).

I'm crushing on a good pair of flats that, comfort and endurance aside, will make an easy transition to the office. My Bensimon sneakers won't cut it (cute as they are) and my satin Marc by Marc boat shoes are already really pissed that I let them near the gritty sidewalks of Chicago. These Madewell leopard print skimmers ($118; Click to Buy) are perfect. I love the pointed toe and the honest-to-God calf hair. Bonus: they're neutral enough to match almost everything, but still add a playful touch. And it's at moments like this that I regret memorizing my credit card number. But are they worth it? Absolutely.


[photo cred to Atlantic Pacific blog, top, and here]

Chambray Style

I know I wax poetic about silk and sequins, but I can't deny the fact that I'm a sucker for a good tee. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways... tees look great with skinny jeans and a pair of Bensimons (I'm going to mention my new kicks in every post this week, for I've worn them since they appeared on my doorstep and they've actually rendered me incapable of wearing anything else). Tees are simple enough to tuck into a frilly masterpiece of a skirt. Tees are soft, comfortable, and unbelievably flattering when you have the right fit and material (I love anything by James Perse, and my best friend swears by Madewell's artisan tees).

But sometimes (and I can't believe I'm about to say this), my tees get a little old. Maybe not old — a bit worn, if you will. After eight seasons, my tee needs a supporting actor to swoop in and help it win an Emmy. You know who that superstar is? Chambray. I get that this is old news, but here's the thing: the typical blue wash and classic shape just aren't doing it for me, so one of them needs to change. This is what separates an Emmy Award-winning supporting actor from the masses:

A ha! See, not slow on picking up the trend (which would make me a terrible style blogger); I'm just tweaking the trend to my own tastes. If I'm going to sell-out, I'm obviously going to do it for something a) grey, like this shirt by Rag & Bone on the left, or b) cut longer and reminiscent of oversized men's shirts, such as this J.Crew tunic. Are you a sucker for either one of these or more about the classic chambray shirt (which, of course, is a classic for a reason)?


[photo cred to 1 and 2, both via havelessbemore]

Lightening Up

I'm always one for the classic black and white pairing, but my favorite way to update it for the summer? A sandy taupe and pale cream, à la Madewell:

It may or may not already be in my shopping bag on the site...

...but let's be real, it totally is.

[photo cred to 1 and 2]

Bits of Poppy

A dash of red can make all the difference, be it in the form of a silky blouse or a new bloom. Especially that blouse pictured above, for which I'd do anything. I love that it's slouchy and carelessly sensual, how it just slips off the shoulder ever so subtly. The poppy-red shade is really just a bonus. Maybe this top by Madewell would do? (There's a zipper on the back that could alter the neckline):

What do you think?

[photo cred to 1, 2, and 3]

Give Me a Tee!

As I make my daily effort to dress more like a girl, I feel myself being more and more drawn to the comforting and supersoft arms of my favorite items in the closet: tees. I'm currently crushing on this by Madewell, which has barely-there stripes and a slouchy cut that makes my heart beat a little faster. Naturally I'm going to take a page from the chicest, tee-wearing girls I could find (both Ms. Portman, top, and The Lucky Lady Who Presumably Owns a Vespa, lower left) and pair my beloved staples with a skirt in a sheer, floaty fabric or with ruffly pleats. It adds the touch of femininity to my usual repertoire of simple, silky tees — plus, after living in dark skinny jeans all winter, who wouldn't jump at the chance to show a little leg?

P.S. A huge thank you to Baily Jones, who thought of me for her Stylish Blogger Award.

[photo cred to That Obscure Object via Musings in Femininity, The Sartorialist via Patterson Maker]

Grey & Red

I've completely fallen for the rich and elegant color palette of Madewell's holiday collection. I'm already a sucker for anything even closely related to grey, but combine it with blood red and I'll be head over heels. You could paint a rock with silver and red stripes, give it a French name, and I'll be sure to adore it for the rest of time. Muted neutrals, such as nude and chocolate brown, heighten the class factor and add a much-needed dose of subtlety while still allowing the Christmas vibe to shine through. I love how the pop of red, even when playing just a small cameo, elevates a look to something festive and special.

Now that finals are finally, finally over, I spent my weekend sharing secrets over tea in the basement of 30 Rockefeller and reading delightfully enormous issues of fashion magazines until all hours of the night. I kept telling myself that after I finished my work, I'd finally meet up with old friends over coffee and Baileys, but really, I keep curling up in bed with December's issue of InStyle. How was your weekend?

Sarong Season

Aren't these sarongs from Madewell absolutely beautiful? I think sarongs are so versatile -- they can masquerade as bright and breezy skirts, sunny poolside cover ups, makeshift scarves for chilly late-August nights, and impromptu beach or picnic blankets. I feel like it's difficult to find a sweet sarong that's all grown up and not at all campy, as some have a habit of becoming. I have my own dark cobalt sarong from a trip to Bali when I was nine years old; it cost me only $2 and is somehow still in perfect condition. Unfortunately, the price for this isn't quite as pretty, but the idea of these skirts paired with a thin cotton tank and flat leather sandals are enough to hook me.

MadeSOwell

Lovely things about my internship:

a) I shared an elevator with Anna Wintour this morning.

b) She scares me.

c) I'm so happy I ditched dentistry in favor of magazine editing.

Madewell has recently debuted an online store that offers a fresh twist on J. Crew style at prettier prices. In particular, ruffles boosted simple vests and dresses, giving them a more stylish and upscale edge. They also update J. Crew staples and put a youthful spin on classics. My two favorite picks?

Both available at Madewell online, these pieces keep ruffles from looking too girlish by letting them act as details instead of the main event. Both beg to be belted - the first with a skinny belt and the second with a thick, masculine belt to up the androgyny factor. Even better, they're affordable for the subtle touches that they lend to any outfit ($62 and $88, respectively). Thus begins my torrid love affair with Madewell.