fashion week – A Styled Mind

In the vault

MAXIMAL MONOCHROME!

February 26, 2024 No Comments

Purpose. I chose to take a break from NYFW this season for a number of reasons but mainly to gain clarity on my “Why.” I’ve been going consistently since 2015, and as exciting and glamorous as it may seem, it requires a lot of time, money, and energy that can easily leave you feeling drained and burnt out. I feel like I got to this point last year after coming back from Paris in October, and it took me a lot longer than expected to stabilize and get back into the swing of things. For the first time I really had to take a step back and assess if attending fashion week was beneficial to my long term goals, or if it was just something I was doing out of habit and the need to feel “included.” Despite the anticipated FOMO, I also wanted to challenge myself to see what else I could create to expand & differentiate my content if fashion week wasn’t in the mix. That said, I am happy to report that I made the most of my time off and even developed a few new series that I’ve really been enjoying! I say all this to say, sometimes a pause and reset is necessary to remember why you started in the first place & to ensure you remain on track instead of just going through the motions.

Let’s not get crazy though, just because I wasn’t attending doesn’t mean I didn’t plan on shooting some incredible looks! I’ve always approached these seasons as an opportunity to showcase my style but in the most amplified way. For this particular ensemble, I chose to take a maximalist approach to an otherwise fairly monochrome look. I started with this oxblood patent midi skirt, which I actually bought during my first trip to Paris in 2022, and paired it with a leopard print bodysuit. Because we are still in the midst of Winter, I thought adding this patchwork shearling coat in similar tones would be both eye-catching and functional for the occasion. Though I could’ve grounded the outfit with black accessories, I chose to lean into the warm palette by throwing on a pair of brown croc-embossed boots, and a berry-colored bag. What I loved most about how everything came together, is that each piece shined without competing with the others. Can we also have a moment for the textures?! I honestly have no words, except that this quite possibly might make it to my list of top 2024 outfits…but only time will tell! Comment below your favorite featured item(s) and until next time!

In the vault

CRUSHED VELVET!

February 19, 2024 No Comments

I recently read quote that said, “a major part of manifesting is believing you’re worthy of what you’re asking for.” This resonated with me not only because I found it to be true, but because not many people talk about the mental gymnastics that are required to chase your dreams and build the life you deserve. Forget outside influence and the negativity of others who may cast doubt. Usually, it’s the inner voice that we all have at times that can be our own worst critic and deterrent in moving forward, past the fear and discomfort, that ultimately holds us back. It’s very easy to fall into this cycle of thinking especially when you see firsthand the amount of effort that goes into your passions, and it seems like you’re barely moving the needle. I personally struggle with this often, but I refuse to believe that all of this was fror nothing and choose to trust the timing of my journey no matter how frustrating it can be. We got this!

On a lighter note, I received this suit during the holidays and unfortunately did not have an opportunity to style it. Despite taking a break from fashion week this season, I still wanted to get out into the city streets and shoot some looks that I would’ve potentially worn had I attended. To no surprise, I was instantly drawn to the rich crushed velvet texture of this set. Everything about it looked so lush, and the added comfort and ease was simply a bonus! A close friend of mine recently said, “co-ords are the best fashion hack” and I couldn’t have agreed more! With both pieces, 85% of the ensemble was nearly complete so all that was left to do was add my personal flare and make it ASM approved! I knew that black would be my contrasting color based on the shadows that flowed throughout the pattern of the textile. I then chose to layer with a sheer ribbed turtleneck for a bit of juxtaposition against the heavier fabric, and ground the outfit with a sleek heeled bootie. For accessories, my go-to classic cat-eye sunnies were the obvious choice as they somewhat mirrored the geometric shape of my earrings. Lastly, I decided to stick with the angular accents by incorporating a croc-embossed bag that also featured silver hardware, effortlessly complimenting the rest of my jewelry. I loved the strength and power that this look emanated and I couldn’t be happier with the images that were captured. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In ASM Shop

NYFW F/W23!

March 9, 2023 No Comments

LOOK 1:

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LOOK 6:

In the vault

BACK TO WORK!

January 9, 2023 No Comments

After taking a week off to get my head and game plan together for 2023, I was ready to come back with my first blog post of the year! It’s so crazy to see how our styles continue to evolve over time and though I don’t notice any drastic changes, the theme of quality over quantity remains the standard. I’m at a point where I don’t mind spending a little more on a piece if it means that it will hold a place in my wardrobe for years to come. I had been eyeing this sweater for a few months and as soon as the Black Friday sales came around, I knew that was my chance to make it mine! To be completely honest, knitwear is something that I have no shortage of; that said, this one seemed “different.” The shape, construction, and contrast stitching really intrigued me; and from the first time I tried it on, I knew I had made the right decision. When it comes to trends, the denim midi/maxi skirt is here to stay! Again, being an individual that also has no shortage of denim in her arsenal, I had to be strategic. I knew I wanted to try it out, but I didn’t want to purchase anything too similar to what I already owned. After carefully surveying my closet and many returns/exchanges later, I finally settled on this dark-wash garment. Though I was unsure at first, I have actually grown to love the minimal design and streamline fit. At this point, I was ready to tie everything together and ended up making a last minute decision which completely worked out in my favor (if I do say so myself, LOL)! Of course, I could’ve easily anchored this ensemble with a black boot but I remembered another footwear option I had recently seen and loved, but was unfortunately already sold out online. Cowboy boots have also been trending, and for a long time I didn’t think they had a place in my collection; that was, until I found a pair that had all of the elements I was looking for. So long story short, the evening before my shoot I ran into the city to try them on and instantly knew they were the missing link to complete my look! Typically, I try to create outfits that are more coordinated and less “matchy” but for some reason, I wasn’t bothered by the monochrome color palette I was working with. For accessories I kept it simple with a white geometric shoulder bag and baseball cap which totally brought me back to my college fashion era. Lastly, in efforts to add a bit of juxtaposition to the overall casual vibe, I threw on a fully embellished statement earring and a red lip for a slight pop of color. I am more than happy to be back in the swing of things and hope you are just as excited to see what this new year has in store! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

CORSET CHRONICLES!

August 6, 2022 No Comments

I read a quote that said, “August is the Sunday of Summer” and I’m highly inclined to agree! As we look ahead to the upcoming seasons, I’ve been very intentional about the items that I’m choosing to add to my wardrobe to ensure they are versatile enough to withstand the inevitable temperature changes. In addition to that, I have also been preparing for an exciting Euro trip that will absolutely require some stand-out pieces… but, more to come on that later. Recently, I’ve found myself drawn to a lot of corset and bustier structured tops. I personally believe they are here to stay and will be quite the trend, especially during the transitional periods, since they’re so easy to layer over and under an array of garments. It’s no secret that this particular version was inspired by a few different designers and to my surprise, even at a fraction of the price, the quality exceeded my expectations! The double lined fabric and sweetheart neckline design kept me feeling super supported as well as comfortable, making it an instant win. As a nod to my obsession with juxtaposition and denim, I chose to pair it with yet another set of cargo-like trousers. I was immediately “influenced” when I saw these on a fellow blogger, and absolutely sold by the adjustable ankle strap that allowed for a more tapered look if desired. For footwear, I opted for my trusted sling-back pvc heels and finished off the ensemble with my go-to round black frames which tied all of the dark elements together seamlessly. Since my color palette remained neutral, the option was definitely available to add a pop of color. After giving it some thought however, I decided to balance out the edginess with a touch of glamor and grabbed my newest rhinestone bag as a final statement maker. To match, I quickly threw on some silver jewelry, and another simple yet elevated outfit was complete! I’ve always taken pride in my ability to find and style unique items that pack a punch in understated yet cool ways. Comment below your favorite featured piece and whether you’re still enjoying Summer fashion or ready to jump into more Autumnal vibes. Until next time!

In ASM Shop

CHIC & COZY FALL PIECES!

October 20, 2021 No Comments

When I think of the Autumnal season, the first word that always comes to mind is “cozy.” Below I’ve rounded up a few pieces that are sure to enhance your wardrobe and keep you Fall-ready, whether relaxing at home or out and about! Click the images in the carousels for direct links to the items and until next time!

HEARTLOOM:

TOPS:

BOTTOMS:

DRESSES:

SHOES:

In the vault

BABY BLUES!

September 8, 2021 No Comments

September is such a special month for me! As we move into the new season, we are met with updated transitional pieces to incorporate into our closets, NYFW, and most importantly, MY BIRTHDAY! I’ve decided to kick off this exciting time by styling some of the goodies I’ve recently acquired. Being a resident of the northeast, I always tend to gravitate towards my most standout items as the temperatures begin to drop. Especially once we are in the midst of Winter and coats and boots are the only things people see, I find joy in showcasing the garments that are going to provide interest to every outfit. There are quite a few trends I’ve incorporated into this look, so let’s start from the top, shall we?! Tie-dye has made a strong comeback over the last few years, and though I was never opposed to it, I hadn’t come across any options that seamlessly fit with my style aesthetic. About a week ago however, my luck changed when I stumbled upon this short sleeved turtleneck. I immediately fell in love with the print and it’s striking yet understated feel. Because I was basically only working with 2 colors throughout the ensemble (blue & white), I knew I’d be able to pair multiple statement pieces without clashing. While this may be an unpopular opinion, I seem to be one of the few individuals that truly enjoys wearing jeans. After years of buying so many classic styles, I’m finally at a place where I feel comfortable expanding my denim range. This particular pair was something I knew I had to have and would get tons of wear out of for years to come, despite the abstract design. The line detailing, which gave a water-like effect, also provided a perfect synergy between the items. When it came to accessories, I knew I wouldn’t need to do much as my foundational pieces were already so bold. That being said, I was generously gifted a bag that was just too good not to include! It added an extra layer of interest and worked perfectly with my monochromatic theme. To complete the look, I threw on my favorite clear frames, a simple pair of strappy heels, and silver jewelry as a dainty touch. I loved the slightly maximalist approach this outfit took and as the year continues, I may challenge myself to style more items in this way. Comment below your favorite featured garment and until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Norma Kamali

Jeans- Alexander Wang

Heels- Aldo

Bag- Brandon Blackwood

In the vault

SALMON SET!

June 22, 2021 No Comments

Despite the temperatures steadily rising, there has been no shortage of knit garments rolling out from various designers and retailers. I’ve often given thought as to why this could be considering we usually associate this textile with the colder months. That being said, I personally am a fan of the subtle texture and structure that knitwear provides; especially during a time where most people are wearing more common lightweight fabrics such as chiffon, linen, and chambray. When I initially saw this salmon colored co-ord, I was intrigued by the hue but highly skeptical of the fit. Needless to say, I proceeded to place my order and simply hoped for the best. To my surprise the thin and rather clingy fabric was of good quality, and the pieces were extremely comfortable (not overly constricting in any way). This bright shade of coral made the ensemble perfect for the current season and while I was fairly confident wearing it as is, I decided to layer an oversized blazer on top for added elevation and chicness. For shoes, I almost went with something neutral but at the last minute decided to color-block with lime green mules, which created more of a “watermelon-like” palette. To balance the brighter tones and tie in my muted outerwear piece, I added an iridescent pair of sunnies and chandelier earrings featuring pearl accents. Overall, this outfit is more on the preppy side of what I’m used to and definitely had me considering taking up golfing (LOL!). Jokes aside, I’m excited to wear this look out and about and potentially add similar polo-style sets to my wardrobe collection. Comment below if this is something you would personally rock, as well as your favorite featured item. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Top- Zara

Shorts- Zara

Blazer- & Other Stories

Mules- Mango

Sunglasses- Dezi

In ASM Shop

SHEER PIECES!

September 29, 2020 No Comments

There’s something about sheer pieces in the cooler months that really help to add dimension when it comes to layering outfits. Whether you decide to take on the trend with a sheer top or keep it subtle with a pair of tights, see-through accents are here to stay! Don’t forget to click the images to shop my picks and until next time!

In the vault

OLIVE HOUR

February 6, 2020 No Comments

Another day, another opportunity to showcase a new monochrome look! I’m not sure what has gotten into me lately, but the thought of styling ensembles around one individual color story has become oddly satisfying. While it is easy to fall into this trend with neutrals, black, and white, I decided to give color a try for more experimental purposes. While doing a bit of online shopping, I was immediately drawn to this paper-bag waist, utilitarian style skirt. From the fabric, to the pocket details and middle slit, everything about this piece screamed street-style chic! After moments of contemplating what to pair it with, I remembered that I actually owned a faux leather jacket in a similar shade that I have rarely worn. I used this as my opportunity to finally break it out of the closet and in efforts to take my olive outfit to the next level, I also purchased a coordinating ribbed top as well. Now, I can understand that for some this may be over the top; however, I was quite pleased with how the subtle changes in color and texture really gave each of these garments a moment to shine while still blending together seamlessly. In efforts to brighten up the look, I added my cream colored knee-high boots which have truly been a wardrobe staple since I purchased them last year. Finally, for accessories, gold jewelry seemed like the most obvious choice to compliment my new over-sized sunnies, and thus the look was complete! Let me know in the comments whether you feel that this type of outfit is bold and fashion forward, or simply out of your comfort zone. Until next time!

Outfit Details & Links:

Jacket- Forever 21- (Similar)

Top- Zara

Skirt- Zara

Boots- Zara- (Similar)

Necklace- & Other Stories

Sunglasses- Mango