What I wore today: 04/11/2015 (Bien)

This spring, I've been wearing my denim jacket like crazy. It's just so easy to pair with everything, from dresses to t-shirts and black jeans.

I got these J.Brand jeans from an outlet a few weeks ago, and I've worn them basically every day since. They fit beautifully, look amazing, and haven't stretched out at all. I'm a total J.Brand convert now. I love that these only cost $20 (because they were from an outlet), but in the future I think I'll willingly shell out for the hefty J.Brand price point with the confidence that their jeans are totally worth it. 

High-waisted black skinny jeans – J.Brand
Bien t-shirt – Madewell
Metal necklace – Madewell
Denim jacket – Pilco, Anthropologie
Flats – Dolce Vita
Belt – Madewell

What I wore today: 12/12/2014 (Black and Tan)

Black and tan is my favorite color combination right now. I know some of you are probably thinking that black and tan aren't even real colors, so allow me to explain. 

I've mentioned my love of neutrals (and, by association, Madewell) before, but I haven't really said all I want to say on the subject. You see, I realized recently that neutrals are the introverts of the color world.

I often hear people express the opinion that colors are happy and neutrals are sad, that colors are exciting and neutrals are boring, that colors express personality and neutrals express conformity. But, all I hear in these opinions is the same extrovert-privileging perspective that saturates all aspects of American society to the detriment of us all.

Yes, colors are loud and neutrals are quiet, but there's nothing wrong with being quiet. In fact, when color is stripped away, it's easier to notice the subtler design aspects underneath, such as silhouette, texture, and material.

I must admit that, as an introvert who loves neutrals, as a person who invited only 50 guests to her wedding and chose gray bridesmaid dresses, I sometimes take it personally when people bash neutrals as "boring" or "lazy."

I like a certain effortlessness, yes, but I am not a lazy person. Just because I chose a black and tan coat, a beige sofa, or a solid gray linen comforter, doesn't mean I didn't pick those pieces with care, consideration, and a desire to express my authentic self. Of course, there's nothing wrong with choosing color if that's what you like (for the record, my other sofa is purple), but colors aren't inherently superior anymore than extroverts are.

The point is that the world benefits from a balance of color and neutrals, extroverts and introverts, noise and quiet. Don't bash the quiet corners of the world.

Black and tan "Colorblock Streetcar Coat" – Madewell

Black high-rise jeans – Gap

Camel-colored cashmere long-sleeve tee – J.Crew

Partial lace-up brown leather boots – Frye

Quartz necklace – Forever 21

What I wore today: 11/20/2014 (La Superbe)

I wasn't kidding when I said I could live in Madewell. Lately, I've been loving neutrals and tomboy silhouettes with French-girl feminine details, and Madewell covers all those bases beautifully. 

Neutrals are not only effortlessly cool looking, but they also make getting dressed in the morning so easy since everything goes with everything else. 

"La Superbe" sweatshirt – Madewell et Sézane

Colorblock Streetcar coat – Madewell

Skinny jeans – Gap

Brown leather"Cast & Crew" ankle boots – Jeffrey Campbell, Free People

Wooden collar necklace – Madewell

Dinosaur bone rib cage cuff bracelet – Noir Jewelry 

Mismatch ankle socks – Madewell

What I wore today: 11/11/2014 (Bien Fait)

 

When Ryan and I went to Mood while we were in New York (photos, video), I told him how occasionally I'll see the same textile used for wildly different products from different brands, and I like to imagine that Mood was the source for both. Two different designers, each living in New York and shopping at Mood, see the same textile and give it two separate lives, each as far reaching as the other. 

I once spotted a really lovely pattern I recognized from an Anthro top used on a Crosby record player.  These pants happen to share their fabric with an Anthro top as well. When I first saw the top, I loved the pattern, but I didn't really love the shape. I even thought that I would prefer the fabric as pants. Then, a few months later, there they were at Madewell. Thank you, Mood.

Everly ankle boots – Jeffrey Campbell, Urban Outfitters

"Delancey Slouch Trousers" – Madewell

Lace and leather shirt – Prabal Garung for Target

Necklace – J.Crew Factory

Belt – Madewell

November Wish List

As the weather turns quickly colder, I find myself coveting leather skirts, wool jackets, cashmere scarves, and plaid everything. I've also been on a bit of a skincare and haircare kick lately, no doubt inspired by the ravage of harsh winds and dry air.

01. Anthropologie, 02. Madewell, 03. J.Crew, 04. Madewell, 05. Amazon, 06. Madewell

What I wore today: 10/20/2014 (High Line)

This fall, I bought myself my first ever nice wool coat. I think my taste has finally evolved to the point where I can invest in something like this, and I'm really happy with my choice of this lovely bi-tonal coat from Madewell. Lately, I feel like I could just live in Madewell. 

Ryan took these photos of my on the High Line, the lovely new(isn) green space that runs through Chelsea along an old rail-line they were going to tear down. It's a real coup too because, other than Central Park, New York is really lacking in good parks. I guess it's hard to keep any space in Manhattan from quickly turning into a building. 

As far as green space goes, I'm really spoiled living in Northside here in Cincinnati because there are several preserved forests within the city just walking distance from my home as well as an incredible cemetery/arboretum. Anyway, the High Line is really special. I'd like to run on it the next time we go to New York. 

Coat - Madewell

Hat - Anthropologie

Sweater - Phillip Lim for Target

Jeans - Gap

Boots - Free People

Bag - thrifted

Fall Wish List

01. Moorea Seal, 02. Madewell, 03. Madewell, 04. Urban Outfitters, 05. Amazon, 06. Moorea Seal, 07. Converse x Missoni for Nordstrom, 08. Target, 09. Moorea Seal, 10. Madewell, 11. Moorea Seal

As with home decor, I'm really excited right now about neutrals, good quality materials, and basics with a twist. I've been drawn to well-designed minimal pieces lately. Whether it be a delicate piece of gold jewelry, a great leather bag, or that perfect go-with-everything scarf, these are the pieces I continue to love and wear season after season, year after year. 

Home Office Wish List

With all of the work I do from home, it's so exciting to finally have a home office. At the moment, it's still just a chair and desk surrounded by boxes and random piles of things, but I've already spent hours at my desk writing, recording podcasts, and editing photos.

As with the rest of the house, I'm trying to balance masculine elements with feminine ones and harder things with soft pieces. For my home office, I've been drawn to lots of white, gold, and lucite, with bits of unbleached canvas and dark wood to keep things grounded.

Having a space of my own to focus on my writing and other projects feels like such a luxury, and my biggest hope is that working in a fresh, dedicated space will help keep me motivated, focused, and inspired as I continue to make strides toward my goal of supporting myself full time with my writing.

01. Target, 02. Terrain, 03. IKEA, 04. Anthropologie, 05. Madewell, 06. Target & Target, 07. Target, 08. Anthropologie, 09. Madewell, 10. Madewell, 11. Anthropologie

Fall Trend: Graphic Novelty Sweaters

One of my favorite trends this season is the graphic novelty sweater. I especially like cute intarsia ones with portraits of animals or people. At the top of my wish list right now are sweaters from... 01. J.Crew, 02. Urban Outfitters, 03. Urban Outfitters, and 04. Madewell. Which is your favorite?

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