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In the vault

SPRING AWAKENING!

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Seasons. The subtle reminder of the end of one chapter, and the beginning of another. Ironically, the mirroring of nature and life can be funny at times, disheartening, yet also quite beautiful. As we come to the end of Q1 and the city slowly becomes more alive, I am welcoming these changes while finding the lessons in the inevitable reset. While that may come off a bit bleak, I am honestly quite content. As a person who suffers from self-diagnosed seasonal depression, nothing has made me happier than a few consistent days of sunshine, blue skies, and the ability to leave my heavier pieces at home. If you follow me on IG (you should, lol), I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my latest “5 essentials” series. This has allowed me the opportunity to 1. shop my own closet, and 2. figure out the items that may be missing if I had to start over with a minimal, capsule wardrobe. So far I’ve done coats, jackets, and skirts, with many more ideas to come! While I do have quite the collection of outerwear, there was one fabric I noticed that was missing; tweed. I also tend to gravitate towards Earth tones, so when I saw this stunning cropped jacket with shoulder pads and silver antique-looking buttons, I knew I had to have it! This garment would obviously be the focal point of my ensemble and because of it’s slightly “mature” presence, I was immediately inclined to add some juxtaposition by pairing it with casual, streamlined items. The weather was absolutely gorgeous on this particular day, so a ribbed cut-out tank and jeans seemed like the perfect fit! BREAKING NEWS: I recently bought 2 new pairs of flats! If you’ve been following any of the recent trend reports, it’s no secret that ballet flats have been having a HUGE moment; and while I’m naturally a heels girly, I couldn’t resist trying out a few styles that I thought would be cute to incorporate during the warmer months ahead. I was able to tie in the rhinestone details with my jewelry and geometric sunnies, and as a wildcard, opted for a croc-embossed grey bag for an extra element of interest. I absolutely loved how this look came together and I look forward to seeing how my fashion expression evolves within this new era. Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!

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In the vault

MARBLE MAGIC!

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The older I get, the more I realize the importance of capitalizing on opportunities when they are presented to you. As the years pass by, time only seems to be moving faster and there’s no guarantee how or when the next moment for progression will present itself. This way of thinking can be applied to a number of scenarios, but on this particular day it was as simple as the weather. Because we’ve FINALLY begun to get some glimpses of Spring, I’ve been planning my shoots accordingly while doing my best to take advantage of the warmer, rain-free days. To be honest I still felt a little unsure about whether or not it was “too early” to shoot such a look, but the perfectly coordinating location told me otherwise! Personally I’m still heavily into the metallic trend, specifically as it relates to chunky hardware, so as soon as I saw this maxi skirt I knew it would be a joy to style. I’m also at a point in my wardrobe where I’ve built up enough of a collection where I rarely have trouble figuring out which pieces to pair with my new items. Without hesitation, I knew this pastel marble top would be the perfect addition to the ensemble and from there it was all about pulling in the right accessories. Surprisingly (or not), I chose to use a mixture of metals to accentuate each layer of the outfit. Since the bold buckle was such a major focal point, I threw on my favorite silver closed-toe heels and jewelry to match. That said, there were also white and neutral tones in my top which I wanted to highlight using my bag as well as my sunnies, featuring arms that seamlessly mirrored the mineral-like design. I think I’m officially ready to put my coats away and turnover my closet to the next season, are you?!! Comment below you favorite showcased item and until next time!

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In the vault

CITY SUMMER!

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I think I’ve mentioned recently, that I’m in a space within my shopping journey where I only want to add things to my closet that I absolutely love; and because of that, I’ve become a lot more selective with the things I buy and ultimately keep. That said, this way of thinking has also helped me to distinguish the “must-haves” vs the trendy pieces I feel like I need just because they’re all over my timeline. I’ve gone through many phases when it comes to how I’ve built my wardrobe over the years, and aside from denim, another prominent time was my “jumpsuit era.” At one point they literally became my go-to garment regardless of the setting, time of day, or occasion and I was here for it! I mean, who doesn’t love a low maintenance all-in-one piece?!? While things have since diversified overall, I was quickly reminded of my subtle obsession when I saw this piece (ironically) scrolling through the gram. As soon as I was able to pinpoint the brand, my investigative research began and I quickly found her! Everything from the light sage color (very on trend for the season), to the intricate hardware, and open back intrigued me; I was SOLD. As if things couldn’t get any better, I also found it on sale with only one left in my size so I knew it was fate! Upon receiving it I was even more in love and beyond excited to bring this ensemble to life! Though the shade is fairly muted, it’s also quite distinct so it was a bit tricky trying to figure out what accessories would be the most complimentary. Finally, I decided on a chocolate brown pair of heeled sandals and matching sunnies which I thought were the perfect accent. In efforts to highlight the contrast white stitching, I added a geometric shoulder bag for extra depth and interest. Gold jewelry was the obvious choice, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled for this effortlessly chic look. All of the elements played off of each other in the most seamless way and I personally cannot wait to wear this outfit ASAP IRL (LOL). Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

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In the vault

ALIEN SUPERSTAR!

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There are certain ensembles that instantly bring out an unexplainable energy as soon as you put them on, and that was definitely the case when it came to styling this look! While still being in the midst of the maxi trend, I had come across this cargo skirt a few months ago and immediately became obsessed. Aside from it being designed by one of my favorite brands at the moment, it also had the perfect balance of casual yet “fashion” elements that I absolutely loved and could easily see myself throwing on all throughout the Spring and Summer seasons. Though I was a tad bit worried about the length on me, as I’m surprisingly shorter than I appear in photos (shocking I know), I opted to give it a try and see for myself! Upon receiving the garment, I was beyond thrilled with the quality, construction, fit and overall details of this piece. From there, the rest of the styling came pretty effortlessly and it was just a matter of pulling together the right items that would complete the vision I had in my head. Because of the amount of fabric I was working with and how light it was in color, I chose to add some contrast with a dark top and heels. While I’ve had these wedge sandals for about a year now, this lace-up knit was more of a recent purchase and I was just waiting for the best opportunity to showcase it! Since it’s more on the risqué side, I really wanted to make sure that I felt comfortable wearing it in a way that was still true to my personal style. I first saw it on the ultimate fashion icon (Rihanna) which definitely peaked my interest, but I also thoroughly enjoyed the nod to the influential 90’s aesthetic. To complete the outfit, I accessorized with silver sunnies that seamlessly complimented the hardware on my skirt, and an oversized zebra clutch for some added texture and interest. Dare I say this is my most loved look of 2023 thus far?!! Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!

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In the vault

ELEVATED CASUAL!

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I know what you’re thinking, “more denim?!” Well truth be told, it’s not a phase. I’ve always been a denim girl and quite frankly during the transitional seasons (i.e. Spring & Fall), in my humble opinion, it’s one of the most durable textiles. Aside from being trendy at the moment, it’s also versatile, easy to layer, and can be dressed up or down! Believe it or not, I did actually take a look at my wardrobe to see what I was missing before settling on this outfit. It’s no secret that I have a pretty sizable collection of jeans, and my skirt selection has definitely grown in the last year as well. Casual dresses however, seemed to be where I was lacking so I quickly scoured the internet to find a style that would serve as a solid base. Though more often than not I will opt for a heel, having the option to wear a flat shoe is absolutely something I take into consideration when bringing new pieces into my closet. That being said, this dark-washed strapless frock was unlike anything I already owned and thus fit the bill perfectly! Another void I noticed was short jackets. Outside of blazers and leather/moto designs, most of my outerwear is long, which once again serves as a slight issue when getting dressed as the temperatures continue to rise. Not going to lie, I was fully influenced by one of my favorite content creators to buy this bomber; but also, is it not incredible?! I absolutely loved the exaggerated take on the classic varsity jacket. The oversized drop shoulder unexpectedly brought a “fashion” element to an otherwise sporty and understated item. Because of the bulk on top, having a sleeker garment underneath helped to keep the ensemble streamlined and not too voluminous overall. Based on the color palette I was working with, I chose to keep my accessories fairly light and minimal. Though I could’ve easily paired this with a crisp white sneaker (and most likely will in the future), I really wanted to show some juxtaposition so a nude lace-up heel was the final choice. I complimented my shoes with a small crossbody bag which featured other light shades, gold hardware, and pop of neon for added interest. Lastly, I threw on my favorite “indoor-outdoor” sunnies some eye-catching jewelry and voila! In the grand scheme of things, nothing about these items are particularly extravagant or “ground-breaking,” but it just goes to show that a few subtle details here and there can easily take your look from basic to elevated. Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!

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In the vault

DENIM DARLING!

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I think we all know by now that most “trends” are not original. Almost everything has been done before, and eventually they all come back around in some form or capacity with each new decade. That said, some textiles are absolute classics that will return every year without fail; one of my all time favorites being, denim. For as long as I’ve been shopping on my own, I’ve always maintained a sizeable collection of jeans but this year, like the cargo trend, it seems to have exploded in a way that even I have been shocked by. Forget the Canadian tuxedo, head-to-toe denim looks including bags, shoes, and even jewelry can be seen all over the concrete runways and the fashion girlies are living for it! Again, because I’ve always been a lover of this fabric and already had many pieces in my wardrobe that fit the bill, it was just a matter of deciding which garments I actually wanted to bring out. To no surprise however, I did manage to add a few new items to my closet starting with this cropped jacket. As soon as I saw it, I was instantly brought back to my carefree middle school days where I had a very similar one that I was completely obsessed with. The overall shape and construction really sold me, especially when it came to the oversized relaxed fit and added shoulder pads. Because the wash was slightly off from my bottoms, I wanted to break it up in a chic yet effortless way. Personally, I believe that everyone should freshen up their basics each Spring/Summer season as they end up being the most worn and versatile throughout the year. I was really attempting to channel that 90’s “cool-girl” aesthetic, so when I came across these cut-out ribbed tanks, I knew they would be perfect; so much so that I got them in white and black. With the ensemble nearly complete I just had to pull together the right accessories to compliment my fit. Have you ever seen an item that you loved, but took your time on buying to the point where it sold out and you just assumed it would be restocked, but then NEVER was??? Well, that was my exact situation with these slingback heels and after months of obsessing and regretting having passed them up in the moment, I was finally able to find them in my size via consignment and did not make that mistake twice! Because of the hardware on my shoes, a silver chainmail bag and my favorite chunky earrings were the obvious choice. I finished off the look with a pair of sunnies (as per usual), and could not have felt more comfortable and confident! Have you noticed an increase in the amount of denim you’ve been purchasing lately? Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!

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In the vault

CARGO CRAZE!

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Unless you’ve truly been living under a rock, or have absolutely no interest in keeping up with fashion trends, it’s been nearly impossible to avoid the explosion that cargos have had over the last year. From runways to retailers, it seems like every brand has produced their own take on this utilitarian style, and have found ways to incorporate it into every type of garment you could possibly think of. While initially only trousers came to mind, the “cargo-inspo” has since merged into denim, skirts, vests, jackets, corsets, jumpsuits, dresses, boots, and even bags! So naturally, it was only a matter of time before I found a piece (or two) that peaked my interest and fit my wardrobe needs. As soon as I saw this set I was immediately intrigued and knew that as long as the quality was up to par, I would not hesitate to bring it home! I loved the overall design of the co-ord, as well as the distinct contrast of the black zippers that really gave an added pop of interest and edge. I also appreciated the versatility knowing that I could easily pair both pieces with other items in my closet if I didn’t want to wear the entire set (though it does look amazing as a whole). To further play up the darker accents, as well as account for the inconsistent temperatures, I chose to layer it with a long-sleeved knit turtleneck. Whoever invented this concept was truly a genius because functionality aside, it also doesn’t take away from showing the best parts of the ensemble! To tie everything together, I chose to complete the outfit with minimal accessories including my favorite sunnies, lace-up heeled sandals, and a bag that mimicked the hardware on the top and pants. A few final touches of silver jewelry were the icing on the cake, and I was quite pleased with the end result. Especially now that we’re finally getting back into the warmer months, it feels great to get excited about expressing myself through clothing again without having to worry about coordinating a piece of outerwear so I don’t freeze. Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

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In the vault

OFF-DUTY!

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As much as I love shopping, there’s nothing more exciting than rediscovering pieces in your wardrobe that you either forgot about, or for whatever reason no longer gravitate towards. For this particular shoot, I actually went shopping and bought a few new items because I felt like I had “nothing to wear.” To my disappointment, I wasn’t very impressed with any of the things I picked up during that trip and instead of forcing it and styling something I wasn’t in love with, I opted to take another look through my own closet to see what I could find. I purchased this dress during the Fall of last year, and never had the opportunity to wear it; that is, until now! I remember what initially caught my eye was the illusion of a shirt-skirt combo. I also loved the balance that the garment provided by being slightly oversized on top and more fitted on the bottom. Once I realized my foundation was set, I decided not to overthink the ensemble and just compliment it with some of the classic pieces I personally cherish and enjoy. Because this frock was quite mini, I felt like adding an oversized blazer would help with the proportions and incorporate a bit of modesty. Keeping the weather in mind however, and trying my best not to overheat, I reached for my lace up flat-form sandals which bring an edginess to any outfit I pair them with. For accessories (sunglasses aside), I wanted to break up the shades of black with a wine-colored handbag and it made for the perfect subtle pop of color. After layering on some gold jewelry, I was beyond satisfied and ready to live the street-style fantasy! This look definitely ended up being more “off-duty” inspired with the combination of traditional capsule collection must-haves and a few more modern elements that kept it exciting and fresh. As a fashion content creator, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressures of constantly feeling the need to always show the newest styles and trends. That said, sometimes just taking a new approach to your closet staples will do the trick in the most effortless way! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

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In the vault

SOFT TONES!

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As the weather heats up, the more effortless my style becomes and with that, the more I gravitate towards my go-to “uniform.” While some may perceive me as quite “girly,” 90% of the time I’m actually in jeans/trousers. For me, especially when it comes to how I put looks together, I typically feel most comfortable with the top half of my ensemble making the statement while keeping the bottom on the more casual side. I purchased black pants in a similar design last year and when I saw that another brand offered them in beige, I knew they would make for another great closet staple! Unlike the previous pair, these were insanely long but I still managed to make it work for the photoshoot. After doing a bit more browsing online, I saw that the same brand also sold a chic open-back knit polo in a muted green shade. Once I received both items, it was clear that they were essentially meant to be worn together because of how well the garments complimented each other. The softness of the tones and slightly cropped hem of the top seamlessly grazed the high-waisted trouser and couldn’t have been more perfect! Because of the color palette I was working with, I immediately knew that black would be too harsh of a contrast. Instead, I opted for brown accessories which allowed for a more understated juxtaposition. After deciding on my footwear and sunnies, instead of incorporating a matching bag, I figured a white option would be a better suited choice in terms of adding interest and highlighting the unique fold-over detail. Lastly I threw on a few pieces of gold jewelry and was ready for my close up! Outfits like this show that you don’t need the flashiest pieces to stand out. Just a few unexpected design elements can really make your look one to be remembered without overwhelming the onlooker. Comment below your favorite featured piece and until next time!

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In the vault

CARAMEL CO-ORD!

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Quality over quantity; ALWAYS. As I’ve begun tailoring my wardrobe to more contemporary styles, this statement rings true more than ever! While I would previously focus on and shop for pieces that peaked my interest in the current moment, I now make it a point to only purchase items that I absolutely love and most importantly ones that will last. In preparation for a store’s grand opening, I was kindly granted the opportunity to select a look from the brand to keep and wear for the celebratory evening. Without even looking at the price tags, I was quickly drawn to this leather co-ord in the most gorgeous caramel shade. The supple texture and intricate stitching had me sold from the beginning, but the seamless fit was easily the icing on the cake! I loved the chic yet modern vibe that these garments displayed and I felt comfortable knowing that they resonated so well with my personal style. Since my ensemble was already nearly complete, it was really just a matter of deciding what my contrasting color would be. Though I initially pulled a cream colored tank to tie everything together during my fitting, I ultimately chose to go with all black, mainly to showcase a new closet addition I’m currently obsessed with. I had been on the hunt for this short-sleeved turtleneck for months and had placed at least 3-5 orders which to my disappointment were all canceled due to inventory issues. Finally however, after much continued persistance, I was able to secure the piece that had literally been haunting me for far too long. For accessories I went with a few of my classic most-worn favorites including heeled sandals, sunnies, and a cross-body bag featuring gold hardware that I opted to carry as a top handle. I finished the outfit with simple jewelry and was left feeling like a complete boss! Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

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