Friday, October 26, 2018

OOTD: Cozy Meets Cool


Cozy vibes meet your Bucktown cool girl? I think so! Normally I am not a leather skirt kind of girl, but I love this faux leather mini skirt from Forever 21. It's a rich redish brown color which makes it perfect for fall. Usually leather skirts are black and dark, which just isn't me. So, I love this option to still rock the trend! Best part it is currently on sale for under $13! Such a steal. It's actually pretty good quality too! 


I paired the skirt with a classic ruffled button down to add a little bit of preppy style to the look. Layered on top is my favorite cozy fuzzy sweater. Fun fact: I've had this sweater since high school!! You don't always have to buy a ton of new clothes each season. Let's be honest, sweaters don't really change that much. So, be sure to re-wear some of your past favorites each season. 


Might I add that this sweater is so cozy. It has a zipper closure so it has a little bit of fun details. Plus pockets are always a positive. Fuzzy cardigans like this are a great substitute for a light jacket when your fall weather is on the mild side for the day. It's like wearing a blanket, but socially acceptable outside of the house. 



I'm bringing the beret back out to play guys, sorry bout it. This beret is from Forever 21 and is on sale for under $10! So affordable, but you still get the trend for the season. I love the oversize pom pom on the top too! 


Then my classic tall Cole Haan boots are back to play. You can expect myself to wearing these on repeat until March. Tall riding style boots, in my opinion, work with practically any look! 



Where it's from: 
Sweater: Nordstrom (old) 
Shirt: J. crew (old) 
Skirt: Forever 21 
Boots: Cole Haan via Nordstrom
Bracelet: Hermes  
Location: Bucktown Chicago, IL


What is your favorite fall trend this year? Can you tell I'm on the beret trend? Let me know in the comments below! 
XOXO 
Miranda 

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

OOTD: 70's Vibes


70's style is in! I love when trends from fashion history come back around. Essentially fashion is just an ongoing replay of trends from the past. Usually I'm not a 70's girl, but this little corduroy mini skirt was calling my name. Best part is that it was under $20, score!  


I paired this little skirt with a simple sweater from J. Crew's new line Point Sur. Its pretty sheer so I layered a little t-shirt under it. Since this sweater is a cream color it's perfect to pair with so many skirts and bottoms. Also, it's not too heavy so it can be worn into spring! 


The star of this look is my cheetah booties, which I love. I picked these up from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale and I'm obsessed. I'm so onboard with the cheetah trend to be honest. So much so that I even have a cheetah headband to match my boots! 


My boots are Cole Haan which makes them super comfortable. I love their shoes because they are stylish, but don't kill your feet. Running around the city is a breeze in these as they won't give you blisters. Unlike another pair of boots I recently wore for the first time that gave me major blisters!! Ouch! 


Then there is the cheetah headband... I'm sorry I couldn't help it people! The inner Blair Waldorf in me is just busting to come out. Headbands are in people I'm telling you. Plus they can keep your hair out of your face so that's a plus. 



Where it's from: 
Sweater: J. Crew
T-shirt (layered): J. Crew
Skirt: Forever 21 
Headband: Nordstrom
Shoes: Cole Haan via Nordstrom 
Bracelet: Hermes 
Location: Bucktown Chicago, IL


That's all for this throwback look, what is your favorite decade for fashion inspiration? Let me know in the comments! 
XOXO 
Miranda 

Monday, October 22, 2018

OOTD: Exploring the City



Last weekend we took a trip to a new part of Lincoln Park we hadn't explored yet. The main purpose of the exploration was to pick out new glasses for my boyfriend at the Warby Parker store. But, we stayed around for wandering around and lunch!


This patch of Lincoln Park is lined with stunning homes and architecture. To live in one of these homes is major goals. So, if someone wants to lend me about $1.5 million that would be fabulous. In the meantime I'll settle for wandering around down these streets. 


To say I found my dream home would be an understatement. Cute doorstep decor, a PURPLE DOOR (aka my favorite color), and a gorgeous facade this place had everything a girl could ask for. Hence why I had to stop and take photos in front of it. This was just one of many gorgeous places we found while walking down Bissell Street in Lincoln Park. 


As for my outfit, this was the perfect fall outfit for a Sunday afternoon. The temperature was in the high 50s and was gorgeous out. We had some very cold days, in the 40s, so this day felt so refreshing and perfect. This kind of weather is what I call Beadnell weather. If you couldn't tell I've been living in this Barbour jacket. I have it in olive and navy and it is absolutely perfect for days in the 50s. 


Paired with my go-to jacket is a sweater I bought last year. I know shocking, a blogger that doesn't have a whole new wardrobe each season! Let me tell you something, re-wearing things is a fact of life. There is no way someone can never re-wear an item in their wardrobe. Unless they are like someone famous or uber rich or I don't know something crazy! In real life we are Lizzie McGuire outfit repeaters. Embrace the wardrobe you already have. I bought this sweater at Kohls of all places last year. Yet, it still works this season. The great thing about sweaters is that they don't really change all that much year to year. I still have sweaters I wore in high school because they were good quality and timeless pieces. 


This sweater is a gorgeous maroon color and has little lace up details near the shoulder. It's warm and cozy which is good in my book. Change up how you style your old sweater with a new skirt you bought this season or add a cheetah bootie. Simple changes can really revamp a piece in your wardrobe. Accessories are powerful things! 


I kept my accessories pretty simple. Just a super cute pair of Kate Spade rhinestone stud earrings with rose gold hardware paired with a stack of Disney rose gold Alex and Ani bangles. Then of course my trusty Cole Haan boots are out to play again. 


Where it's from: 
Sweater: Kohls (old) (similar)
Jeans: Paige Jeans 
Boots: Cole Haan 
Earrings: Kate Spade (old) 
Bracelets: Alex and Ani 
Location: Lincoln Park Bissell Street


What is your favorite piece to re-wear season after season? Let me know in the comments! 
XOXO 
Miranda

Friday, October 19, 2018

Dose of Disney: Monsters University Gear



There is no doubt that I love Monsters University. It is for sure my favorite Pixar movie. I love it more the original Monsters Inc. (don't kill me). But, it's so true! MU came out on my birthday weekend the summer I was going into college so to say I related to the film was an understatement. I think that's why it is my favorite! 

Anyways, since I'm obsessed with MU, I am obsessed with merchandise that goes along with the movie. So, I rounded up some super cool pieces for all the fellow MU and Monsters Inc. fans out there! I'm loving the Oozma Kappa hat, Squishy tee, and MU yearbook tee. There are some really cool pieces from ShopDisney and BoxLunch so be sure to check them out! 

Who is your favorite MU character? I'm a Mike fan for life!! Let me know in the comments below! 
XOXO 
Miranda 

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Atlantic-Pacific x Halogen Collection: Dressing Room Try-On + Chicago Event!



Today, I'm sharing my dressing room try-on photos plus some snapshots of the Halogen x Atlantic-Pacific collaboration at Nordstrom. Woah, slow down. What is this collab you may ask? Well Blair Eadie the blogger behind Atlantic-Pacific collaborated with Halogen to create a capsule collaborative collection of clothing, accessories, and footwear. I am a huge fan of Blair and her style. To say she is colorful, sophisticated, feminine perfection would be an understatement. She makes wearing color so fun and easy. As a huge fan of color and all things pretty naturally I was so excited to see this collection get announced! She only recently announced it, so you may not have heard the buzz. I can assure you though that this collection is not to be missed! Out of all the recent collaborations Nordstrom has done this is by far my favorite! 


As part of the launch of the collection Nordstrom Michigan Ave was having an exclusive event to shop the collection EARLY and to meet Blair! Naturally I had to attend. I showed up a little bit before the 5:30pm event to shop the collection, which was a smart move. Since the collection was available to shop all day a lot of sizes had already been snatched up. No worries though, that didn't stop me from picking up a ton of good pieces! 

I wanted to walk through everything I picked up along with fit info as well as pricing!


First, we need to talk about this blouse. If you know me and my style you know this blouse was practically made for me. Pink, bows, velvet, pearls, and a button down... enough said. This was the one piece I knew I HAD to have from the collection. It was the first thing I saw when I walked in and there it was in my size. Meant to be! The fit on this is great. I purchased an XS and it works great. If you are petite this would fit you great! I have longer arms, but the length was perfect. Not too long or short. The back has a zipper closure so it is super easy to get on and off. The best part is the quality is incredible. 


Price: $89
Style name: Halogen x Atlantic-Pacific Bow Front Pleated Blouse 
Color: Pink Chintz
Size I'm wearing: XS


Here you can see the details of the shirt. Pearl buttons, gorgeous velvet bows, and pleats to the front of the shirt. Gorgeous!



Next up is this purple perfection sweater. I love purple, it's my favorite color, but sometimes it's hard to find purple clothing. Oddly enough. When I saw this purple turtleneck stripe sweater I knew I had to have it. There is also a rainbow style version, but they had already sold out of it. But, I think I'm gonna try and pick it up online on the release date! Although, I am loving this purple color. I am wearing a size small, which is a bit oversize but I think it still works. An XS would have fit better, but gotta take what I can get right? The material is soft, not itchy. 


Price: $79 
Style name: Halogen x Atlantic Pacific Stripe Turtleneck Sweater 
Color: Burgundy-Lavender Stripe
Size I'm wearing: S



This next piece is so gorgeous, and versatile. A tweed jacket with a bow near the neck, perfection. The bow is detachable also! It's hard to see it in this photo, but the jacket is a black textured tweed with a chiffon bow near the neck. I'm wearing an XS which is surprisingly a little big on me. The sleeves could be shorter, but I think it would fit pretty well on most people. It's hard to get the fit just right when you are the size of a small child (I've come to terms with that a long time ago it's fine). 


Price: $169
Style name: Halogen x Atlantic-Pacific Bow Detail Tweed Jacket 
Color: Black 
Size I'm wearing: XS


This blazer is perfect for fall or winter! I also think it would be a great piece to add to any work wardrobe. It's casual enough to pair with jeans, but would look great with slacks, skirt, or a dress. Since I don't go into an office sometimes I wish I could dress up for work sometimes. But, then I remember I work from my apartment and I'm okay. Any who, this blazer is so great! This was one piece I found in an XXS and I think it fits perfect! Normally I wear a XXS in J. Crew so I'd say it is true to that sizing. 


Price: $149 
Style name: Halogen x Atlantic-Pacific Menswear Plaid Blazer Regular & Petite 
Color: Black Plaid 
Size I'm wearing: XXS 



A classic sweater is always a good idea. I'm loving this white cable knit sweater. The perfect fit and the perfect basic. I believe it comes in a bunch of other colors as well, but this was the only one in store in my size. I'm eyeing a lavender version of this sweater that I may need to pick up. It also looks great layered underneath the blazer! This fits true to size and isn't itchy! 


Price: $79 
Style name: Halogen x Atlantic-Pacific Cable Sweater 
Color: Ivory Pristine 
Size I'm wearing: XS


I'm a bad blogger because I forgot to take a picture in this sweater, but you can see it in the background of some of the other photos! It's so cute! I tried it on in the pastel blue color way, but preferred this one. Also, the pastel version was a small and it was just a little too big. It's meant to hug your body so the XS was a better fit. This is SUPER soft! Plus it has a lot of great colors so it will pair nicely with a lot of things. 

Price: $59 
Style name: Halogen x Atlantic-Pacific Shimmer Stripe Sweater 
Color: Navy Multi Stripe 
Size I'm wearing: XS


As for the event, it was CRAZY busy! So, I wasn't able to snap too many photos of everything set-up. Also, I was so in the zone for buying my items that I wasn't too concerned with photos. But, I got to meet Blair the blogger behind Atlantic-Pacific and she was so sweet! I showed her what I ended up picking up and talked about how excited I was for the launch. It was so great to meet her in person and to see how her collection unfolded. 


At the event Nordy reward members, which is Nordstrom's new rewards program, could shop the collection early. They also had a DJ, live music, flowers for attendees, and treats! Then obviously you could meet Blair herself! I snapped a fun photo with her at the photo booth, which had a gorgeous balloon backdrop. 


I was so happy I was able to come to this fun event! Thank goodness Chicago is getting some fashion events in town. 


Are you planning on shopping the collection? It officially launches October 22nd, which is Monday, at 9am EST. Let me know what you plan on picking up! 
XOXO 
Miranda

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

OOTD: Brown & Black


New skirt who dis? Last month I had the sudden urge to buy all of the skirts for fall. I picked this one up at the Mall of America while I was in town for work. Disclaimer: usually I do not shop at Forever 21... I just don't like the cheap items and knowing that their labor isn't the greatest. BUT, I will say their quality has extremely improved since I was in high school/ middle school and shopped at Forever 21. I guess that's what 6 or so years will do to a brand! So, hats off to you Forever 21 for making a pretty good quality skirt for $20. 


What I loved about this skirt was A. the length actually fit me how it was supposed to, B. it combines both brown and black, and C. buffalo plaid (enough said). This skirt I picture with so many looks from a plain black sweater, a simple white top, to a oversize cardigan with tights. The possibilities are endless!


For this look I paired it with a simple white button down with black velvet bow accents. This is one of my favorite tops that I purchased last year, and I've worn it so many ways since then. Investing in classic pieces like this is super important to me. Getting versatile basics with a little flair make outfit planning a breeze. Since it was actually a pretty warm October day I opted for no tights with flats. But, you could easily add tights and swap the flats for boots for a chilly fall day. 


My beret is back to play in this look. I told you I like berets! This one I purchased while I was studying abroad in London. It has tiny little black rhinestones on the back, which add a touch of sparkle. Which is always a good thing! My jewelry is pretty simple just some pearl studs and a gold bracelet. Then my flats are my classic black Tory Burch Reva Flats. A great classic to have in your wardrobe. 


Where it's from: 
Shirt: J. Crew (old) 
Skirt: Forever 21 
Shoes: Tory Burch 
Hat: bought in London (old)
Location: Wicker Park, Chicago 


What is your favorite way to style skirts for fall? Let me know in the comments below! 
XOXO 
Miranda