winter fashion – 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

TEXTURE CLASH!

January 15, 2024 No Comments

Knitwear, leather, suede, tulle. There’s nothing I enjoy more than adding interest to an ensemble with a variety of textures. Especially when it comes to monochrome looks that don’t have much color differentiation, this is always one of my go-to methods when I want to highlight those eye-catching details. I tried my best to batch as much content as possible so that I could enjoy my time off during the holidays; and when it came to planning my outfits, this sheer skirt was one of the pieces I knew I had to create a moment with! Every now and then I like to take a “fashion risk,” and I knew when I selected this item it would be a bit challenging to style. That said, after having it in my possession for a few weeks, the ideas started to flow and the vison began to form. After doing a deep dive into my existing wardrobe, I stumbled upon this knit bodysuit that I don’t get nearly enough wear out of! Because of the see-through material, comfort was my main priority so opting for something with a full-coverage bottom definitely put me at ease. To take it a step further, I also layered a pair of tights for extra security and a more weather appropriate base. I was surprised to love how everything was coming together, but the look was far from complete. I wanted to add an element of edge so I threw on my favorite oversized distressed leather jacket which coordinated perfectly with the cool tones I was working with. When it came to accessories, “understated glam” was the vibe I was after. Despite incorporating platform heeled sandals, earrings, and a bag featuring rhinestones, I thought they all worked together seamlessly to bring a subtle, less obvious touch of sparkle. Lastly, for a pop of color, I went with a classic red lip and my black everyday sunnies! Personally, I always love when I have the opportunity to really test myself and my skills by styling garments outside of my usual realm. Cheers to taking more chances in 2024 and pushing ourselves to grow through the discomfort! Until next time!

In the vault

CHAPTER ONE!

January 1, 2024 No Comments

A new beginning. A fresh start. Regardless of how you choose to view it, we’ve been given another opportunity to make the most of the time we have on this planet. Despite what you failed to accomplish or what has yet to happen, the first of the year represents an overall reset as well as a chance to write a new chapter in this book called “life.” I chose to enter 2024 with a mindset of peace and gratitude from the comfort of my own home. With everything going on in the world, I wasn’t feeling very celebratory and like many, I felt reluctant going out when I still have so much work to do to get to where I ultimately want to be. That said, as a fashion and style content creator the festive looks still had to be captured! Had I gone out, I would’ve most likely pulled from my closet (surprising I know) and kept the overall vibe comfortable yet chic. The last time I wore this white feather-trimmed blazer was during my first trip to Paris in 2022, and it has always remained a special piece in my wardrobe. Thanks to one of my brand partners, I was also kindly gifted these sequin trousers which seemed like the most fitting garment for the occasion. Because I was working with two rather bold items, I wanted to keep my accessories fairly minimal with a metallic heeled sandal and my usual jewelry; though I did spice it up with a rhinestone and pearl necklace, which perfectly accentuated the plunging neckline. I wanted to keep this post short and sweet, but as far as the new year goes, the theme is: temporary sacrifice, for long-term success. Of course I still plan to sprinkle in some fun along the way, but I really want to push myself to focus on the things I can control while putting in the work to create the life I deserve. Comment below if this resonates with you and how you’re planning to walk into day 1 of 365. We got this!

In the vault

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!

December 28, 2023 No Comments

As we reflect on these last few days of 2023, a lot of us find ourselves moving through a wave of emotions. All of the “shoulda, woulda, coulda’s,” potential disappointment regarding the things we didn’t accomplish, and maybe even a bit of regret for some of the decisions we ultimately made. All in all, I think it’s important to feel all of it so that we can hopefully move into a space of acceptance and contentment as we step into the year ahead; we deserve it. Now with that being said, the shopping season is still in full swing! While we may have gotten our gift giving out of the way, the post Xmas sales have just begun and honestly, it’s not a bad time to see if there’s any last minute pieces you can check off your wish-list for a discounted price! Over the last 2 months, I’ve noticed a void in my wardrobe that has kept me vigilantly on the hunt for a floor-grazing, black, oversized, double-breasted wool coat. Though this seems like a pretty common garment to come across especially during the colder months, there are SO many options from tons of brands, each having their own subtle differences, that made this quest harder than expected. Unexpectedly however, I happened to be scrolling through IG and one of my favorite influencers had actually partnered with the brand and was modeling this piece for the collection that was dropping that same day! So after rushing to the website and refreshing my browser all morning, waiting for the item to be available for purchase, I finally secured the outerwear staple I had been craving! Even prior to receiving it, my vision was to layer it over more feminine pieces to play up the juxtaposition of the menswear structure. JPG has been having quite a moment with all of the “body illusion” dresses this year and before I jumped on the trend, I wanted to take my time and wait for something that I could truly see being a quality addition to my wardrobe. Because of the bold print, I knew I would most likely opt for something neutral and I finally found the perfect frock! I didn’t even realize how sparkly the metallic stripes would be until I saw it in person, and the contrast of the brown panels really made the design come to life! I kept my accessories simple while highlighting the silver accents with my jewelry and clutch. Despite my NYE plans looking fairly relaxed thus far, this is definitely an outfit I would wear if I planned to go out; would you??? Comment below your favorite featured item and until next time!

In the vault

HOLLY JOLLY!

December 22, 2023 No Comments

I can’t believe we’re at the end of yet another year! With Christmas right around the corner, the only thing I’m focused on is maintaining my peace, while staying present and grateful this festive season. This year, I began a new video series showcasing my weekly office outfits over on Instagram and this one actually made the cut! Though I did opt for different footwear (specifically, boots) when I initially wore this ensemble, it made quite the statement at this year’s holiday party! Red has been one of the main standout colors of 2023, so it was only right that I share my own interpretation when the occasion presented itself. A great benefit to wearing vibrant hues is that they are so eye-catching, your outfit will always look elevated regardless of how simple it actually is. To take it a step further, a bold monochrome pairing adds a streamlined chicness no matter how bright or muted the color palette. So long story short, all it took was a mock neck sweater and satin midi skirt to create a seemingly well thought out look. Now, of course I couldn’t just stop there! In efforts to stay on theme, I knew from the start that I’d be accenting the crimson tones with elements of silver. Starting with my shoes, these demure closed toe heels have been an absolute staple in my wardrobe from the moment I bought them! They provide just enough interest and shine, while still remaining subtle enough to compliment a variety of styles whether formal or casual. In preparation for all of the upcoming festivities, I found myself wanting to update some of my costume jewelry pieces; and from the moment I saw these earrings, I was sold! In all honesty, though I did love them, I couldn’t help but feel like maybe the “shoulder-grazers” were a bit too much; but there was only one way to find out. After receiving them in the mail and trying them on with a few of my closet favorites, I knew I had made the right decision and could not have been more pleased with how this look turned out! As a final touch I added my everyday rings, a beaded bag to match, and was fully ready for a merry evening with family, friends, or even coworkers! Comment below if/where you’d wear this outfit, along with your favorite featured item. Until next time!

In the vault

AUTUMNAL ACCENTS!

November 22, 2023 No Comments

Denim. Shearling. Tortoise. Leather.

All standout elements that come to mind when I think about the pieces that I want to reflect and highlight my Fall/Winter style. Regardless of how my wardrobe continues to evolve, they always remain a constant with each passing season. I can absolutely admit that my skirt collection has grown exponentially, and while that may be overkill for some, I can appreciate the varying details and uniqueness they bring to each ensemble. For this particular cut-out design, I was immediately intrigued by the voluminous shape the garment held and even more sold on the movement it created with every step. Neutral tones always seem to be a match made in heaven with the autumnal months, and I fully embraced them with this styling session. I decided to throw on a tan ribbed asymmetric bodysuit as my base layer, and further built upon the texture with a cropped cream shearling jacket. Because the overall color palette was fairly light at this point, I chose to ground the look with a rich chocolate croc-embossed pair of boots. As far as accessories go, I kept things fun and coordinated with a beige-hued crossbody featuring abstract drawings by Jean Michel Basquiat and geometric sunnies that perfectly matched the buttons on my top. In efforts to keep the hardware accents consistent, I completed the outfit with chunky gold hoops, dainty rings, and was finally ready for whatever this crisp Fall day had to offer! While it is my favorite season, it seems to be getting shorter with every year so I always feel rushed to wear the items that can stand alone before I’m forced to cover them with much heavier coats. Comment below one piece you’ve been consistently reaching to style this season, as well as your favorite featured item! Until next time!

In the vault

J’ADORE PARIS!

November 17, 2023 No Comments

I have now been to Paris twice, and with each visit my love for the city of lights continues to grow. To be honest, though I enjoyed my trip this past September, I came back feeling quite “thrown off.” My routine was out of sync, I felt depleted creatively, and overall just completely and utterly uninspired. That said, I decided to give myself grace and time to get back into the groove. I went back to filming my weekly office outfits, and slowly but surely began to feel like myself again! From my last blog shoot to now, we have since entered a new season so I wanted to style a look that fully captured where I was in the present moment– and what better way than with a sweatshirt showcasing the last place that brought me so much joy?! I had been eyeing this piece for well over a year now and I’m still baffled that it took me this long to finally pull the trigger. When it comes to the Fall/Winter seasons, I feel like there’s two types of people: ones that lean towards the camel/warm tones and those who prefer the grey/cool tones. I am absolutely the latter. As much as I love those hues on others, if I have to choose between two coats, a neutral taupe is going to win over a rich caramel every single time. I’d say this is most likely because I tend to ground the majority of my outfits with some element of black, and whenever I ‘ve tried to incorporate a warmer brown shade into my wardrobe it hardly gets worn. So with that bit of insight, I pretty much knew exactly how I was going to assemble this look. Though they were slightly different shades, I thought the color of my top and pleated mini skirt were close enough that I could use this an an opportunity for a monochrome foundation ( we also know I LOVE a co-ord set moment). In efforts to play into the “collegiate” trend and give a nod to my private school uniform days, I also decided to layer with a long-sleeved poplin bodysuit, which perfectly complimented the stark white lettering. For juxtaposition purposes, I thought a chunky knee-high boot would add a bit of grit to the ensemble and offset the preppy feel. Lastly, I threw on my olive vinyl trench to complete the styling and was beyond satisfied with the outcome! I kept my accessories sleek with classic square frames and a leather bag featuring silver hardware that effortlessly coordinated with my staple everyday jewelry. In my opinion, this was the perfect introduction back into blogging and I’m excited to finish out the year strong with some holiday looks and much needed festive content. Until next time!

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

NEW YEAR, NEW BEGINNINGS!

December 31, 2022 No Comments

Another year has come to an end and what a whirlwind it has been! It’s so surreal whenever we get to this point because it’s the only time we truly have a sense of “reset” and starting anew. Personally, while I’m trying to focus on gratitude overall, I also want to take account of everything that did not serve me over the last 365 days. All of the negative thoughts, habits, routines and even people who have no place in the next chapter of my story will be left here in this moment. As I get older, it’s important for me to prioritize healing, growth, and working the plans I’ve made to create the life that I rightfully deserve; and I hope you do the same! I’ve mentioned previously that the Fall and Winter holiday seasons are my favorite, and unfortunately it seems as though they keep flying by faster than the last. Because of that, my enthusiasm towards the festivities was slightly underwhelming and I feel like it reflected in my approach to styling my ensembles. That being said, there was no shortage of sparkle and shine which is really all that matters, right?! I had been on the hunt for a sequin top and actually purchased one but sadly, I was not in love with it. To my surprise, about two weeks later I stumbled upon another one during the Black Friday sales and though it was still a bit more than what I had initially paid for the first option, it was well worth it! The quality and construction of the sequins were infinitely better as well as the gunmetal color which made it more edgy and luxe in my opinion than the typical high-shine silver. In efforts to keep the rest of the look understated, I reached into my closet for a patent mini skirt and layered it with some fishnet tights for added texture and interest. I completed the outfit with a few more “vintage” wardrobe staples, including my pvc slingback heels and houndstooth coat which I honestly do not get enough wear out of! A black leather top-handle bag and signature red lip were all I needed to tie everything together and be ready for an at home or out on the town NYE celebration! I’m leaving 2022 filled with love, light, and optimism for an incredibly abundant 2023. See you there!

In the vault

XMAS 2022!

December 25, 2022 No Comments

WOW! We’ve made it to yet another holiday season and I couldn’t be more grateful and blessed to be where I am in this moment. Of course, not everything went according to plan, but the fact remains that everything happened the way it was supposed to and all I can do is appreciate how far I’ve come. While Christmas is my favorite holiday and I like to partake in as many festivities as possible, it’s also a time of much needed reflection and introspection. With less than a week until 2023, it’s all about strategizing and planning how to make the most out of the new year while striving for bigger and better all around. On a lighter note, I did obtain quite a few standout wardrobe additions in 2022 and showcasing them was an absolute must! Two of my favorite brands did a highly anticipated collaboration and I refused to let it pass me by without making at least a few pieces mine. While this bold fringe dress is honestly a bit out of my comfort zone, I knew that I would regret not picking it up so I did what needed to be done! These thigh-high patent boots were also a recent purchase and one that has truly exceeded my expectations. I’ve been weighing my Winter footwear options for quite some time and though I had already ordered a similar pair during the Black Friday sales, I immediately shipped them back as soon as I received these beauties. Everything from the fit and heel structure to the overall quality had me sold, and with NYFW right around the corner I knew they’d be worth the investment! Because we are still in the midst of the festive season I had to throw in some sparkle and opted for a black embellished earring to compliment my shoes and bag covered in the most beautiful rhinestones. Lastly, I completed the ensemble with a sleek pair of sunnies and was more than happy to paint the town RED! I hope you all are enjoying the time spent with your loved ones and are making lasting memories that you’ll cherish for as long as possible. Until next time!