STYLE FILE

I was looking through my "inspiration" folder this morning, trying to figure out what to wear for thanksgiving, so I thought I would share some of my favorites! 

(ps. Emma Watson...I love your trench as much as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1)

Hope everyone has a happy thanksgiving!!

BOOT OBSESSION

I am LOVING this colder weather. I hate being cold, but I like it to feel like the holidays; it's hard to get into the spirit when it's still acceptable to go without a jacket or a sweater...

Recently, I went to Austin to celebrate my my mom and sister's birthday. I still can't believe my baby sister is 20!

Plus, I finally got a chance to wear my new trench coat! I've always wanted one, and I love the zipper detail on this one, it keeps it kind of edgy while still being classic. It kinda makes me want to solve mysteries. Edgy mysteries.

I'm also in love with this chair. Anyone who's been to my apartment knows my penchant for all things cowhide (sorry, PETA..) and this chair is amazing. I found it at the Oasis, where we went for a fun birthday lunch. I still can't believe how gorgeous Lake Travis is...going there there automatically made it feel like a vacation. Water = vacation. Apparently. 

As the post title states, I'm also super excited about these boots I picked up on our way to Austin. I've been looking for a good casual bootie to wear with skinny pants and over-sized tops, and these by Report are so perfect. Plus they have some serious treads on the bottom, perfect if you are somewhat prone to slipping or falling when in heels...(like me.)

Worn with black legging jeans, sequin top, and mohair cardigan, all from Madewell. The trench is Madewell, as well.

Taking advantage of the gorgeous view.

I look forward to lots of holiday posts soon!! I hope everyone is having a great week!

A QUICK ART POST...

My newest painting...which I actually did around a month ago, but just now decided it was "finished." I'm really happy with how it turned out.  

I'm also working on a concept for a friend right now, too--her style is a little lighter than mine--so I'm excited about mixing it up a little bit and seeing how that turns out!

I hope everyone is having a good week!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I've never quite gotten the notion of being "too old to dress up." Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays; I love the freedom of getting to be someone (or something) else for a night. My friend Taurean actually came up my costume idea this year--he kind of has a talent for that--so I ended up as...

Cruella De Vil! When he suggested her, I immediately thought about how fun it would be to take her character and make it a little edgy...so I swapped the huge fur coat for a black (faux) fur vest--courtesy of my friend Lane--and used feathers to suggest her two tone hair as a fun twist. I also had the long cigarette holder (of course), which I'm holding in the last picture.

Barney's Co-op vest, American Apparel dress, and DV by Dolce Vita boots.

Lane as a fabulous penguin and her friend Bethany as chic Scottish pumpkin.

My friend Savannah was MaGruber...complete with bomb...and Sarah was a pinata.

My friend Tina being crazy as Alexa Chung.

Me and my friend Katherine having fun playing dress up. She was such a cute ballerina!

My friend Kelly as Daria (so perfect!) and her friend as "Phyllis." Such an inventive costume...she had a dog and...you know what, somethings just require pictures...

Amazing.

Hope everyone had a fun and fabulous Halloween!

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS

So this weekend I went to ACL....it. was. amazing. We had three day passes and saw at least 10 fantastic bands. 

This was my outfit for Saturday. Let me just tell you, it was hot. Like really hot. Like people had on bathing suits hot. I had to channel my inner Rachel Zoe on this one: "I can sweat for fashion."

Everything I'm wearing is actually from Madewell, except for the vintage Coach bag. The tights are Hue and the bracelets are Linea Pelle,

Naturally, I also made time to do some shopping. I've been wanting to check out the vintage scene in Austin for awhile (I know, long over due..) and I've heard nothing but great things about Feather's. It definitely didn't disappoint. This is probably the best edited vintage store I've ever been in; the owners have a great eye. I didn't pick anything up on this trip because we barely had time to do a run-through, but I will definitely be back next time I'm in Austin.

(That's my sister walking in.) 

At Zilker Park. 

Sarah and I...she's actually wearing all Madewell, too. We noticed this about halfway through the day. Such different looks for being from the same store.

The XX was definitely one of my favorite performances; they are amazing live. 

Another favorite was Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. They were adorable, I'm not sure how else to put it. It was kind of like going to a party full of sunshine and rainbows, and the lead singer was so into it he was jogging in place while singing. 

We ended up leaving their concert early to get good spots for Band of Horses, but I wish we would have stayed and gotten to hear them play "Home"... 

I already can't wait until next year!

Hope everyone else had a great weekend!

VA-VA-VELVET

In homage to Brad Goreski making his departure from Rachel Zoe (tear...), I felt it was only appropriate to do a "short shorts" post...

These velvet shorts are probably my favorite of the Alexa Chung pieces. They're a little luxe, a little rock and roll, and I feel like I'll get a ton of wear out of them with tights this winter.

I also recently purchased these shoes from Aldo. I'm usually not a fan of their shoes, but I really love these. They're ridiculously uncomfortable to walk in, but inevitably sacrifices in the name of fashion have to be made. Here's hoping they get better as I break them in...

Worn with a Madewell silk blouse and necklace and my favorite stack of Linea Pelle bracelets.

ALEXA CHUNG FOR MADEWELL AND A RESTAURANT WITH NO NAME

So earlier this month we got the Alexa Chung stuff in at work. I'll admit, it took me a little bit of time to warm up to it, but after seeing it in person and trying most of it on, I think she has some really great pieces.

We had the most adorable party to kick it off--complete with tea and cookies--but employees actually weren't allowed to buy it at all until quite recently. Frustrating, to say the least, as the hype made the sell-out risk greater than usual.

When we did get the go ahead, I purchased this sketchbook tee. (worn with an Idra leather jacket, American Apparel skirt, Sam Edelman flats, Linea Pelle bracelet, and vintage Coach bag) 

I also managed to get one of our last pairs of velvet shorts, which I'm sure to be doing a post on later...I've gotten very into velvet lately. Wishful thinking for fall, I suppose. I also really wish we had gotten in the Silk Margot Skirt. I was dying to see that one in person. I'm not really sure it's my style, but I have a feeling I could have made an exception...

Rarely do I enjoy a graphic tee, but I really like this one's simplicity and whimsy. I love how it looks with a leather jacket; kind of rocker, but without looking too juvenile. 

While in downtown Mckinney, I also tried this new burger place recommended by my mom. The fact that they had whole wheat buns (the turkey and salmon burgers are to die for) had me hooked, and the decor was absolutely awesome. Especially the ceiling...

It'd actually seen this place before, but never known what it was called because the sign simply has a picture of a burger incased in a square in lieu of a name. Come to find out, the name of it is "Square Burger." How clever...