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In the corporate world, the Summer season is a time where the office finally begins to calm down a bit. Everyone is scheduling their vacations, leaving work early for happy hours, and if you’re lucky, making the most of Summer Fridays. While I tend to keep my work life and blog separate, I wanted to style a look that intertwined the two and represented my day to day attire. I decided to create an ensemble that gave a playful take on the business casual look, but was more fitting for social events after hours. More times than not, I usually gravitate towards trousers for the workplace. I’ve also noticed my collection of dress pants rapidly growing over the years with various styles that all seem to contain some form of interest whether it be through color, pattern, or even texture. When I came across this vibrant salmon colored pair, I was immediately intrigued by the classic tapered silhouette and knew they would be a wonderful closet addition. Another popular article of clothing I always reach for is the button up shirt. In my humble opinion, you can never have too many white button-ups (or downs), and I have more than enough to prove it! I love that they each have their subtle differences that make them unique and give a different vibe to each look they are paired with. For instance, it was only until I got very close that I noticed the faded stripes of color that gave a refreshing modern twist on an otherwise basic wardrobe staple. Because I was working with an overall pastel palette, I wanted to accessorize with something that wouldn’t darken the look and add an unnecessarily harsh contrast. Instantly, my favorite pair of metallic heeled sandals came to mind and ended up being the perfect piece to complete this look. To further play off of the shiny accents, I threw on some silver bangles and a gorgeous turquoise pendant necklace for some final feminine touches. I was gifted these pieces by my Father from a recent trip to Mexico, and while I was unsure of how I would style them at first, I don’t think I could have picked a better outfit to showcase them with. Let me know in the comments how you spend your Summer Fridays and how you would describe your go-to style at work. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Shirt- Topshop

Trousers- Topshop

Heels- Zara

Necklace- Similar Here

Bracelet- Similar Here

I don’t know about you but whenever I’m having trouble deciding on what to wear for the day, I like to go back to my most basic pieces and build from there. In this case, I opted for a classic pair of light wash denim jeans, and a white button up; something I’m pretty positive we all currently own. I also feel like this is one of the fool proof combinations perfect for entering the spring and summer seasons as it always looks refreshing and timeless. On my search to find pieces to complete this look, I honestly didn’t have much in mind but knew I wanted something vibrant and different. It didn’t take long before I stumbled upon a multicolored beaded bralette with intricate embroidered details. Because this piece had so much going on, I figured it would it would be the perfect item to layer over my stark shirt to give the ensemble a bit more interest. Another plus to styling heavily embellished garments is that you can easily eliminate the hassle of finding accessories, as the focus will remain on that eye-catching piece. Though I opted to forgo a bag, I still wanted to complete the look with something that tied the ensemble together seamlessly. I suddenly remembered a pair of satin heeled sandals I had purchased last year that perfectly highlighted the bright tangerine hues in my top; and with that final touch, the look was complete! All in all, this look was pretty easy to pull together and it just goes to show why certain pieces have remained the foundation of a lot of our wardrobes (including myself). At the end of the day you can never go wrong with jeans and a top! So let me know in the comments below how often you incorporate these closet staples into your weekly looks! Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- H&M

Bralette- Zara

Jeans- Topshop

Heels- & Other Stories

 

With spring comes warm weather, and warm weather brings tons of outdoor activities! I decided to switch gears and create a more casual look for the “girl on the go” who can easily make the transition from brunch to the park. The first piece I came across during my shopping trip was a mismatched button up. I was instantly drawn to the contrasting striped pattern which made the top incredibly eye-catching and unique in comparison to the average dress-shirt. From this point I was pretty set on finding a pair of jeans to complete this look but to my surprise that task ended up being much harder than I had expected. For whatever reason, I simply couldn’t find a pair of denim that satisfied my vision for this ensemble and after hours of searching I was ready to give up and recycle something from my existing wardrobe. In a last stitch effort however, I paired the top with a light wash denim midi skirt, and instantly knew I had found what I was looking for. To offset the more feminine pieces, I chose to wear a pair of sneakers which added a cool “tom-boy” vibe to the overall look. Lastly, I decided to try something new and take a risk with an accessory that has been trending for the last few seasons. I was never really interested in the idea of a fanny pack, however I’d be lying if I said the practicality of the item didn’t somewhat intrigue me. That being said, I decided to introduce a pop of color with a bright red waist bag that ultimately tied the entire outfit together seamlessly. This was a very simple look; however I loved the mixture of smart and casual pieces. I definitely plan on creating more day to day styles with similar elements in the upcoming seasons and I also plan to get the most use out of my new bag! Comment below your opinion of fanny packs and whether you think they can be chic given the right styling. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- H&M

Skirt- Topshop

Sneakers- Adidas

Bag- Topshop

Nothing screams “Fall fashion” like neutral tones and animal prints, so I absolutely couldn’t resist creating a look that gave my personal take on these trends. I also wanted to use this as an opportunity to style my new leather watch band from Daniel Wellington. Upon seeing this stunning accessory on their website, I knew it would make for the perfect arm candy this Autumn/Winter season. Initially I was aiming to create a rather monochrome look, which I feel like I somewhat achieved but with a bit of a twist. The next piece that really helped curate this look for me, were these amazing pumpkin colored culottes. The silver ring zipper detail on them perfectly highlighted the watch and meshed effortlessly. From there, I had a bit of difficulty choosing a shoe but in the end decided on a pair of brown mules which couldn’t have been more perfect for this casual yet chic look. To tie up the bottom half of the outfit, I stumbled across this leopard print clutch which I received as a gift from another purchase and had totally forgot about! This bag allowed me to fuse all of the warm tones I currently had paired together without having any of the pieces clash. In efforts break up the warmth as  Fall annually does, I added a white button down to the mix to give the look a more classic element while still emphasizing the stark face of the time piece. At this point, all there was left to do was  grab my trench coat and head out the door! This ensemble really got me excited for all of the Autumn looks I plan to style this year, so if you have anything in particular you’d like to see leave a comment below! Lastly if you liked the watch that I styled, there will be bundle deals from 11/1-12/31 in addition to my personal 15% off code: ASTYLEDMIND that can be used on Danielwellington.com. Happy shopping!

Outfit Details & Links:

Trench Coat- Massimo Dutti

Top- Macys

Trousers- H&M

Mules- Zara

Clutch- Bebe

Watch- Daniel Wellington

 

I wore this look to a networking event a few weeks ago and loved it so much that I couldn’t help but devote an entire blog post to it. For me, this was the perfect outfit for the occasion because it was feminine, classic, flirty, and just all around perfect for Spring. Because the weather can still be a bit unexpected this time of  year, layering is always a safe bet. It also allows you to add dimension to your look while still remaining on trend and chic. I purchased this dress last summer and thought it served as a great contrasting piece to the smart white button up I paired it with. While I’m not the biggest “floral” girl, I tend to gravitate towards prints that contain darker base colors as they are easier to style. The great thing about this transitional period, is that you can make use of your entire wardrobe by mixing and matching pieces from various seasons. Since I was working with such a bold print, I kept my accessories very minimal and chose a black caged heel for a bit of edge. I also opted for a nude colored bag to keep the look light and soft when accenting the floral design. Overall, I was very pleased with how this look turned out and think it’s fitting for many different occasions regardless of what the attire calls for. Dresses are probably one of the easiest pieces you can style, but it never hurts to add an extra layer that will allow you stand out from the crowd and make a few heads turn. Until next time!

Order Details & Links:

Dress- Forever 21

Shirt- Jones New York

Heels- Express

Bag- Zara

It honestly took me a while to take interest in the mini skirt trend. I’m not sure if it was because my last memories of that garment were being layered over leggings in the early 2000’s (a trend that for the record I NEVER participated in) or if I just wasn’t comfortable styling them. Either way, I have since gotten over it all and my skirt collection has been rapidly growing. It all started last fall, when suede and leather minis were popping up everywhere and seemed to match perfectly with my favorite pair of thigh high boots. Ever since then I was hooked and my obsession began. The skirt I styled for this look is actually my first non-leather mini. I was initially attracted to its bright colors and intricate stitching. I knew it would be a great garment for the warmer months and also useful as a transitional piece going into fall. Because this was the focal point of the ensemble, I kept the other elements pretty simple. I could have really gone with any color shirt, but I slightly stepped outside of my comfort zone and opted for a powder blue button up rather than the classic white. To tie in the dark background color of the skirt, I accessorized with my black minimal heels, a small cross-body bag, and a thick choker necklace. This chic look was perfect because while it is eye catching, it is also simple enough to put together for those sweltering days when even getting dressed is a hassle. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- H&M

Skirt- Zara

Heels- NastyGal

Choker- Urban Outfitters

Bag- Forever 21

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Hands down, this shoot has easily become my new favorite! I loved everything about it from the outfit itself, to the location, even the weather was perfect! As usual, I wanted to construct a look using simple pieces that contained eye-catching, stand out elements and I think I successfully achieved just that! In my opinion, this outfit pretty much consisted of what I would consider the basic “closet essentials.” Because the bag was the busiest piece with all of the patchwork details, I decided to pair it with a crisp white button up and a distressed denim pencil skirt. This shirt is probably one of the most interesting tops in my closet and it fully encompasses the true meaning of “business in the front, party in the back.” Over the last few spring and summer seasons, denim skirts have also made quite the comeback and this silhouette happens to be my personal fave. I kept the footwear pretty minimal as well with my single strap mules, another closet staple. When building up your wardrobe, it is important to at least begin with foundational pieces that can easily translate into different looks and can be worn across two or more seasons. Lately, I have also noticed quirkier pieces making their way into fashion, so when I saw this bag I knew it would be the perfect accessory to add a cool pop to any ensemble. I had a lot of fun with this shoot and I hope you guys enjoy this post. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Asos

Skirt- Zara

Heels- Topshop

Bag- Zara

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If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I am a true holiday fanatic! The weeks leading up to Christmas is probably one of my favorite times of the year, and living in New York I get my full share of the holiday spirit. I am a sucker for all of the decorations, lights, and most importantly the shopping! Though this is not necessarily a “holiday look,” I wanted to show my excitement by doing a shoot in one of the most festive areas of the city: Rockefeller Center. This area truly becomes like something out of a Christmas Carol during the holidays and with the annual tree lighting happening tonight, I just couldn’t resist! Now on to the outfit. This look is minimal and in my opinion consists of a lot of basics that anyone could already have in their closet. The purpose of this outfit was to show that simple pieces can still make a statement. I was beyond excited to debut my satin detailed vest that I was lucky enough to get from the Balmain x H&M collaboration, even after the site crashed. To add a little texture and edge to the look I grabbed my favorite distressed jeans but still kept the look refined with a crisp white button up shirt and closed toe pumps. To me, you can never go wrong with looks like this because they always bring an element of “chic” to any occasion. So are you as pumped as I am for the holidays? Make sure that no matter what your plans are, you enjoy time with your loved ones and look fashionable doing it! 🙂

Outfit Details:

Shirt- Calvin Klein

Vest- Balmain x H&M

Jeans- Urban Outfitters

Heels- Zara

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Fashion, like many other forms of art expression, can be very fluid and ambiguous especially when it comes to gender. Though I tend to dress more feminine on a day-to-day basis and accentuate a softer, and sometimes sexier side, every now and then I like to challenge myself to style something more rigid and structured. For this menswear inspired look, I decided to pair a stark white button up shirt with medium wash boyfriend jeans and loafers. I find that for menswear, it is best to keep the overall look simple with pieces that have subtle yet striking details. Though this look goes against my norm, I made sure to keep my signature present with an open back detail and my favorite leather tote. I personally think it’s important to stray from the usual way of doing things from time to time in order to promote creativity and keep your ideas fresh. So take a chance and step out of your comfort zone, I dare you! 🙂

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Asos

Jeans- Forever 21

Loafers- Zara

Tote- Baggu

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