What I wore today: 12/25/2014 (Cozy Christmas Day)

I'm going to take a stand today and admit something you may find shocking: I like Ugg boots. I'm not ashamed of it. And yes, they are warm as hell, and yes they are comfortable, but here's the real heart of the issue: I like the way they look!

Sometimes you like ugly things and that's okay. However, I think the real thing that makes people react so strongly against Uggs isn't how ugly they are, but the fact that they are associated with being basic. 

But, you know what, I think it's okay to like some basic things and not worry about people labeling you a basic bitch. Just like it's okay to like some hipster things and not freak out if people call you a hipster. Just like what you like. Real people don't fall one-hundred-percent into stereotypes, but they also don't usually avoid stereotypical traits altogether. 

Here are some things I like that I am not ashamed of...

– Polaroid camera

– Taylor Swift's new album

– Vinyl records

– Bob Evan's pot roast

– Thick-framed glasses

– Bubba Gump's Shrimp Co.

– Mason jars 

– Starbucks

– Antlers 

Merry Christmas, everybody. 

Jeans – Gap

Lace camisole – Free People

Split-back top – Anthropologie

Boots – Ugg

What I wore today: 08/09/2013 (Leather Pops)

I so love a pop of leather that sometimes I may overdo it a little, turning what used to be a "pop" into an overwhelming statement. And sometimes that statement might be interpreted as "I am a dominatrix," though I doubt it since dominatrixes (dominatri?) usually don't wear leather baseball caps that they bought from their shoe repair guy. And least not that I know of.

Other notable things about this outfit: This is Day Two of trying to take badass self-portriats for outfit posts. See Day One here. Also, these Jeffrey Cambell "Everly" ankle boots are new and they might just be my new God. They are so comfortable and stylish and exactly the right height to wear with AG "Stevie Ankle" jeans, of which I have two beloved pairs (the plum ones seen here and the polkadot ones seen here).

Seriously, these boots are so perfect, I might name my first born after them...

"Well, Everly, when I was 25, I fell in love with a pair of boots."
"The ones you've worn literally ever day for as long as I can remember?"
"Those are the ones. They are your namesake. One day they will be yours. But not until you pry them off my cold, dead feet."
"You are a very strange person."
"I know. My mother was strange too, and, one day, I became her. One day, you will become me."
"That is the most terrifying thing I've ever heard. I thought you agreed to stop telling me scary stories before bed. I hate you. I'm running away."

Yeah, I'm gonna be a great mom.

Leather peplum top - Urban Outfitters

Plum AG "Stevie Ankle" Jeans - Anthropologie 

"Everly" cutout black leather ankle boots - Jeffrey Campbell, Urban Outfitters

Leather baseball cap - Clarence Shoe Repair

Studded-bottom bag - eBay

Beauty Tutorial: How to give yourself a caviar manicure

If you follow me on Instagram, you are, no doubt, well aware of my love for nail art. I like to do my own nails (it's a nice ritual and a good way to take a little "me time"), and I love trying out new trends.

Some of my favorite recent nail trends include ombré, neon, oxblood, half-moon reverse French, and matte. 

Lately, however, I've been interested in pushing the envelope a bit further and experimenting with 3D nail art. Last Halloween, I glued googly eyes to my nails (but they didn't last long) and, for a costume party, I tried glueing scrapbooking pearls to them with pretty awesome results. 

So, it was only a matter of time before I decided to test drive a caviar-nails kit. The one I bought is called "Nail Rock"and is available at Urban Outfitters for $8.00, but I think you could probably use seed beads, and I'm even considering trying to do it with candy sprinkles. 

Here's how you get the look . . . 

01. Paint nails with two coats of polish. Before the second coat dries, dip focus nail into caviar beads.

02. Lightly press beads into polish, brushing away excess. You'll want to do this on a smooth surface to simplify cleanup. 

03. Pain remaining nails with a layer of glitter polish. Let dry. 

04. Seal all nails with a clear topcoat. Let dry for a good 20-30 minutes. 

What I wore today: 03/20/2013 (Hello, Sneaks!)

These are my third pair of sneaker wedges. The first two are bulky with huge tongues and velcro-strap closures. After resisting the urge to buy another pair for a while, I finally decided that I wanted something with laces and a slimmer, more feminine shape.

This pair fit the bill perfectly. I love the colors and their quilted detailing. I don't usually build an outfit starting with a pair of shoes, but that's exactly what I did here. 

I love this casual look that's all about the details, but I can't wait to create a fun, opposites-attract look by wearing these sneaks with a beige pencil skirt when the weather gets warmer. 

Sneaker wedges - BC Footwear, Urban Outfitters

Jeans - Pilcro and the Letterpress, Anthropologie

Striped t-shirt - Anthropologie

Brocade blazer - Anthropologie

Sparkly suede clutch - Anthropologie

Pavé cable bracelet - J.Crew

How to rock the mismatched earrings trend

I've mentioned before my recent penchant for wearing mismatched earrings. As a near-exclusive wearer of studs, I find it to be a nice way to add a bit of subtle interest to your look. It's one of those things that a friend won't notice or mention until a good two hours into a hangout session (and many won't notice at all), but, in my experience, it never fails to elicit the "what a great idea!" response.

In addition to being a great way to avoid the choice between two awesome pairs of earrings, wearing mismatched studs is also a great way to extend the life of earrings long after loosing their mates. In fact, in the case of the plain-white-peal stud and rhinestone stud seen below, both are earrings I found, never laying eyes on their mates to begin with.

Some of you -- those who love wearing mismatched socks for instance -- probably need no cajoling at this point to mixup your earring drawer and never look back; you might even be excited to try out a more obvious look such a mismatched danglies. 

But, for those of you wondering where to begin and how to keep this trend looking . . . well, intentional . . . I have a few tips to keep in mind. 

The first is that the studs you pick should be relatively similar in size. For example the pavé ball and pyramid above are both about 1/4" in diameter, while the pearl and rhinestone above come in at about 1/8".  In this way, the amount of earlobe showing stays the same on both sides, giving your face an overall appearance of symmetry. 

Another tip is that you should have fun playing with contrasts, which is, after all, the point. In my opinion, the best pairings have just enough similarities (including size) that they work together, but just enough contrast to add visual interest.

For example, in the first photo, both earrings are pavé (a nod to uniformity) but their shape is vastly different: one a smooth sphere, the other all edges and angles. 

In the paring below, the shapes are also vastly different, but the uniform gold color lends a hint of similarity.

And here, both earring share a circular shape but differ vastly on their surfaces, one being a sparkly, encrusted pavé, the other pearly smooth. 

Finally, I love the idea of clashing the essential attitudes of each earring. Much as I enjoy toughening up a girly dress with a leather biker jacket, the idea of pairing a classically preppy pearl stud with a punky spike is endlessly appealing to me.

I hope you have as much fun as I did finding surprising pairings in your jewelry box. And I hope my tips are helpful to those of you that might be a bit tentative when embracing this trend. Vive la mismatch!

Pavé pyramid, pavé ball, golden bee - Anthropologie

Pink pearl - a gift

White pearl, rhinestone - found

Circular spike - Tobi (though not a site I'd recommend) 

What I wore today: 12/13/2012 (Trying on Trends)

Two of my favorite trends this fall are printed paints and graphic novelty sweaters. Both are things I might not have considered "me" a few years ago, but my tastes are changing and evolving, and I have a newfound love of things that may have been off my radar before. 

Sometimes you just have to try on a trend and see if it fits. You might be pleasantly surprised. 

Brown leather boots - Journey's

Patterned corduroys - Pilcro and the Letterpress, Anthropologie

"La Parisienne" intarsia sweater - J.Crew

"Sparked Agate Collar" necklace - Anthropologie (peach, pearl)

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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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What I wore today: 10/19/2012 (Pajama Game)

My tips for making the pajama-top-as-daywear trend look chic, not sloppy:

01. Pick a solid color or a simple pattern like stripes rather that a kooky pattern that's obviously designed for sleepwear.

02. Roll up the sleeves and tie the front or tuck it in. These little touches give the top a new shape and make you look pulled together, and not as if you just rolled out of bed.

03. Add jewelry. Like rolling your sleeves, or tying the front of your top, adding jewelry gives your look an air of thoughtfulness, which helps your outfit read "intentionally trying out a fun trend" rather than "slept through my alarm this morning."

04. Have fun with it. I paired my pajama top with velvet loafers that hint at the idea of smoking slippers. I don't want to look like I rolled out of bed, but I do want to take advantage of the glamourous, loungey feeling that my satin pajama top is bringing to the outfit party. After all, if I just wanted to look like I was wearing a plain top, I could just wear a plain top. But, as I'm wearing PJs, why not wink a bit and let my outfit have a sense of humor.  

Full disclosure: trying out new trends can be scary. I offer these tips in the hope that they can assuage some of your fears if you've been drawn to this trend but haven't had the confidence to take the plunge yet because you worried you might not be able to "pull it off." However, don't think that my giving advice means that I am in any way immune to the same insecurities as you. I wore this outfit to work and I was really nervous about it. Once I got to work, however, I got three compliments: two from people who realized it was a pajama top and one from someone who didn't. Their kind words reassured me.

Sometimes fashion is fun, and sometimes it's scary . . . and sometimes, like the best things in life (roller coasters, falling in love), it's a little of both. 

Satin pajama top - Victoria's secret

Polka-dot jeans - AG, Anthropologie

Velvet loafers - Urban Outfitters

Studded-bottom bag - eBay

Necklace - J.Crew Factory

Bracelets - Anthropologie, Asos, J.Crew

Diamond watch - Citizen

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What I wore today: 09/06/2012 (Dark Tones)

I wore this outfit to go out to dinner with Ryan and then to see Ruby Sparks. It incorporates some of my favorite trends -- colored denim, a peplum, polkadots, flatforms -- but it doesn't feel overly trendy to me; just casual and comfortable.

I'm not normally drawn to deeper shades (I like brights and pastels), but lately, especially with the approach of fall, I've been into dark, bruised, broody colors.

See more bloggers wearing oxblood here.

What shades are you loving for fall?

 

Jeans - cropped "Stevies" by AG for Anthropologie
Flatforms - Jeffrey Campbell, Urban Outfitters
Bag - eBay
Peplum top - H&M
Sunnies - Prada

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