Category: Uncategorized

While the long weekend is still not quite over, I’m among the chosen few who actually have to work on tomorrow’s holiday so I figured I’d keep my weekend flashback focused on the usual Friday – Sunday.  With the big cross country road trip kicking off in exactly two weeks, most of my weekend was spent preparing.  This included picking up a couple great drugstore beauty finds that will easily transition into Fall and pouring over books and magazines – and of course the Madewell Fall Lookbook – to plan outfits/routes.  Tonight however, I took a break and enjoyed Labor Day weekend like the rest of America.  A cookout with my family followed by neighborhood block party fireworks.  The boy and I are about to see a whole lot of this country in the next month, but the view from my parents backyard will always be one my favorites. 


(check out my instagrid here)

For the first few months in LA I’ll be living in a furnished sublease, but I’m already dreaming of how I’ll decorate once the boy and I settle into an apartment/house of our own.  I read once that even if the girl gets to pick out everything else in the home, choose the couch and the bedding with the boy in mind.  The above bedroom inspiration pictures seem to heed this advice by keeping things simple and neutral.  Sticking to a palette of black, white, grays and browns on the walls and bedding leaves room to add interest with industrial styled lighting and nature inspired prints (how cool is that NASA print I found on Ebay?).  A luxe black candle and a sweet little print (‘I love you to the moon and back’ .. a cheeky nod to the art selection) soften the overall feel.  Give him a comfortable yet masculine bedroom and he’ll barely even notice I’ve taken up 75% of the closet space.. right? 

(image 1; image 2)
(1. etsy card; 2. world market lamp; 3. similar nasa photo; 4. diptyque candle; 5. calvin klein sheets)

It may be the last official weekend of summer but we’re still right in the middle of that bittersweet moment in time known as Indian Summer.  The days are warm but starting to get shorter and the nights have the first hint of Fall in them.  Wispy summer dresses aren’t really still appropriate, but neither are your full out fall items.  The above picture gets it exactly right – a totally on trend varsity jacket that nods to back to school (even if you no longer attend…) and a flouncy little skirt (because honestly your tan legs deserve to be showcased as long as possible).  Happy Friday/Labor Day weekend!

(butterfly print, watercolor, girl)

A little midweek pick me up collage: loving this equally mashed up mountain print and this amazing collar necklace from Loren Hope‘s new Fall collection.  And Arizona Muse – the ultimate natural beauty, I’m hoping she’s all over the NY runways this upcoming week.  

Graphic tees and sweatshirts are all over for Fall (see Garance Dore for Kate Spade), and after seeing the cutest ballet inspired tee, I figured why not make my own?  With a few simple steps, I think I’ve got a close second to the original.
1. Materials Needed: Ruler, Masking Tape, Pencil, Helvetica Stencil, Permanent Fabric Marker, T-shirt (total materials cost = about $15)
2. Using ruler and masking tape, align 4 equal rows (I aligned mine along the left hand side but you could center if you wanted). First in pencil, use the stencil to carefully trace out the phrase desired (I copied the ballet tee verbatim – but feel free to use any lyric, poem or catchphrase that you like!)
3. Simply fill in the pencil letters with the fabric marker.  Let dry completely.

See below for how I plan to style this cute, simple graphic tee both for day and night! 

For day, mixing simple graphics (like typography and florals) is stylish yet easy.  Pair with sleek studs and dressy flats for an outfit that is cool without trying too hard.  For night, switch out patterned denim for an on trend leather peplum skirt, a geometric necklace and patterned colorful heels to match the playful feel of the t-shirt.

(original tee)
(for day: 1. patterned jeans; 2. studs; 3. flats)
(for night: 1. peplum skirt; 2. necklace; 3. heels)