SUMMER IN THE CITY

I am so over summer.

In most places, that would be fine, but in Texas we still have a good two months before it will actually feel like fall. I walked into Hobby Lobby yesterday for painting supplies, and they already have out holiday decorations up until Christmas! Early? Yes. But I am already so excited; the holidays are my favorite time of year.

That being said, I decided to snap myself out of the haze of wanting to wear jackets and scarves and pull together an outfit that looked decidedly more summery.

I love this vest; I swear I don't wear it enough. Something about it makes it slightly tough to style for me...especially if the goal is to be edgy, which it usually is.

Vest, Madewell. Worn with boots and dress, both also from Madewell. Linea Pelle Bracelets, and the Free People necklace I was obsessed with at the beginning of the summer.

STYLE INSPIRATION: MARY KATE AND ASHLEY OLSEN

Image courtesy of Style.com

I have a (not so) secret longing to be an Olsen twin.

Image courtesy of Style.com

They share my love of all things leather, have artfully disheveled hair, and have mastered the elusive skill of looking completely chic while simultaneously looking like they just threw things on. 

Image courtesy of Style.com

I also love how they vary between extremes of being edgy and being more soft and bohemian...all while wearing predominantly neutrals.

Image courtesy of Style.com

Image courtesy of Style.com

Image courtesy of Style.com

Image courtesy of Style.com 

I would LOVE a short version of this dress. I love the long, too, but I think I'd get more use out of a shorter style...

Image courtesy of Marie Claire

Seriously stunning.

Image courtesy of Marie Claire

These last two are from the September issue of Marie Claire. Mary Kate looks KILLER.

Image courtesy of Marie Claire

I. DIE. FOR TIE DYE

So I bought Sarah and I some Panarea sandals from work the other day. You can switch out the straps, so I decided it would be fun to make some tie dye ones. (Pictures coming soon)

After I was done, I had a ton of dye left, so I literally walked around my apartment looking for things to tie dye...

I decided on a couple of pillow cases. I just bought new ones recently, so I had back up in case it didn't turn out...

Other than the fact they they ended up more brownish peach than the ecru color promised by the package, I like the look. I think it adds an interesting pop of pattern to all the neutrals and textures. I'm still debating on if I like the color with my decor though... 

And finally, kind of unrelated, but this is the antler I picked up when Sarah and I went vintage shopping in downtown McKinney the other day. I've been obsessed with finding one ever since my visit to Tillman's Roadhouse (GREAT decor). This one has found a new home on my table and I love it.

PARKING, THIS WAY...

So yesterday my friend told me that the vintage Neiman Marcus dress I blogged about was on sale...

I got there when they opened this morning...for half off, I decided I'll invent a reason to wear it. 

I also picked up two other dresses that I'll be blogging about soon: a lace one (that's currently at the tailor being shortened) and a black one that makes me feel like Audrey Hepburn. The silver ring in the photos is also from Ahab...so many great finds today. 

Off to embark on a DIY project involving shoes...look for pictures soon...

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HOT HOT HEAT

This heat in Texas right now is getting insane, I can barely remember the last time it was under 100 degrees outside. 

Even so, I couldn't resist wearing this amazing Leifsdottir leather skirt when Sarah and I did a little bit of vintage shopping in downtown McKinney. As Rachel Zoe says, "I can sweat for fashion." 

I'm kind of obsessed with these cheetah Super sunglasses. So cool. 

Worn with a Theory button down, Dolce Vita Rozene Wedges, Linea Pelle bracelets, and Sarah's vintage watch.

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BALMAIN FALL 2010

I'm not sure that I have enough good things to say about this outfit....leather, an amazing jacket, and the fit is impeccable. This alone could describe why Balmain is one of my favorites. 

I love the Baroque twist and how it softens Balmain's edge... 

This had me at the print. Love a leopard print done this chicly. 

The drama of this gown gives me goosebumps... 

Once again, Balmain doesn't disappoint. 

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(All images courtesy of style.com)

ART AND SOUL

When I was working out the decor of my loft, I decided I wanted it to feel sort of like an art gallery... 

The first two paintings are "copies" of ones at the DMA. I was there one day looking for inspiration and I kept thinking about how much I wished I could hang those two in my house...until I realized I (kind of) could. I think it really helped me hone in on my own artistic style as well. 

This is one of my original pieces...just red, I know, but there's something I love so much about dramatic colored paintings against stark walls, and I didn't want to detract from the contrast. The texture adds just enough interest for me. 

Another original piece...there is glitter detailing in this one, but more on that later...

Another recreation, this time from a set of paintings at Legacy Books. They have such great art there. I love how this almost looks like a crocodile print...

This piece, which currently resides above my bed, is my latest original work. It was kind of a breakthrough for me, so to speak, in terms of defining my vision as an artist. It's kind of hard to tell, but at the top left hand corner there's black glitter. It started out as something I kind of did on a whim, but I love how it turned out and what it adds to the moody, organic feel of the painting. I will definitely be playing with the embellishment concept for future works, hopefully coming soon, so look forward to pictures...


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