Refinery 29's 2012 Search for the Next Big Style Blogger

Hi, friends! I'm taking part in Refinery29's Search for The Next Big Style Blogger contest! I would love if you could take a minute and pop over to their website and vote for The Brunette One! 

It's simple, all you have to do is locate my photo (scroll down a bit) and click the 'HEART' next to my picture.  

Piece of cake. 

Thank you in advance for your vote and support!!

what to wear: starbucks run

leopard scarf // striped tee // skinny jeans // slouchy hat // cross-body bag // ankle boots // sunglasses

If I didn't have to dress up and go to work everyday, this is an outfit I would wear to grab my morning cup of Jo and wander the streets of the East Village.  Jessica Alba makes chic look effortless. Sigh.

diy: zebra artwork

Last weekend, one of my close friends, Sarah, and I discussed recreating this painting by our favorite etsy artist, lulu & drew.  How simple, we decided, it would be to recreate.  Metallic paint and a blank canvas. Easy enough.  

 lulu & drew's original painting

sarah's DIY zebra painting

my DIY zebra painting

supplies needed:

paint brush, free (already owned)

acrylic paint, $4

canvas, $5 for pack of 2

{available at hobby lobby}

splurge vs. steal: leather-sleeve trenchcoat

splurge vs. steal

This is a pretty easy decision.  I'll be purchasing this shopcuffs trenchcoat which will be perfect for those soon to come April showers.  {Yes, April, as in 3 months from now, April.  Can you tell this is me dreaming of spring?}

My Style: Chambray + Stripes

striped tee // chambray button up // jeggings // ankle boots

Who still takes mirror pictures, anyways? This girl, that's who.  How very myspace of me, I know.  I wore this outfit last Friday to work and then to the ypc dsm kick-off party. I had just received the striped stylemint tee the night prior, and had preceded in trying out five different outfits before ending up in this.  It was a game time decision to layer with my go-to chambray shirt.  Ended up loving how it looked paired with my trusty paige jeggings and old navy boots.

menswear tuesdays

Take note men; a perfect how-to for a casual weekend look.
Worn-in, cuffed trousers; a fitted, grey long-sleeve tee, & trusty desert boots. 

khaki trousers // long sleeve tee // aviators {similar} // desert boots

work it mondays

Julie Sarinana {Sincerely Jules} debuted this fail-proof work outfit over on Glamour's blog. The moment I laid on eyes on these photos, I instantly began obsessing over the sheer perfection and price tag over this simple office get-up (Luxe long sleeve top & pencil skirt from The Gap; Shazzam heels - Steve Madden). I can't wait until spring is around the corner to debut a similar outfit sans tights.

twelve

like twelve

wear twelve

follow twelve

do good in 2012

critic's choice awards

My favorite dresses of the evening. 

Purple sequins, a new favorite color - yellow, 

a pop of neon, a classic LBD, 

and my girl Emma.

Bérénice Bejo in Elie Saab

Elizabeth Olsen in Emilio Pucci

Diane Kruger in Prada

Kirsten Dunst in Dior

Emma Stone in Jason Wu

{via}

ombre effect

{images via pinterest}

For months I've been saving and pinning images of girls with the ombré effect.  After pinning many images of Jessica Biel, Victoria Secret model Lily Aldridge and having a dear friend of mine go under the coloring brush, I knew it was time to make the change.  It's a new hair 'do for a new year!  

{once again taken with an iPhone, more photos to come!}

My Style: Mixing Patterns

leather jacket // denim // striped shirt // leopard cardigan // ankle boots

On Sunday, I met up with Kiley & Brittney for Sunday Brunch.  We devoured an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at Americana and caught up over our delicious cups of coffee.  I ended up wearing a leopard print cardigan over a striped long-sleeve shirt. It was a bold move for me; I'm working on remixing items that I have in my closet instead of spending on clothes that simply hang in my closet. I managed to get one photo taken during Sunday via iPhone -- C & I managed to pause our usual Sunday Criminal Minds marathon to get the shot. 

splurge vs. steal: fuschia blouse

splurge vs. steal {on sale here}

If you have been an avid style blog follower or j.crew junkie, this equipment blouse is nothing new.  I am a believer of investing in classics, but priced at almost $200, equipment's lovely shirts are still a bit out of my price range.  These reiss blouses are available in a multitude of colors {green, black, & white} and would make for a few splendid additions to my work wardrobe.

cheeky wallets

 to save or to spend? that is the question. let's just say i would save enough money to spend it on this rebecca minkoff 'save/spend' wallet, first spotted over here.  and that rebecca minkoff 'benjamins' wallet that could double as a clutch - don't even get me started.

color block: juniper

the inspiration - nastygal Knit top, $58 {similar}

1. Top Shop high heel pumps, $100

2. Kate Spade Triple Threat 3-in-1 Bracelet, $248

3. Cross body shoulder bag, $70

4. Pierre Hardy Heels {similar}, $360 

 5. Madewell Stripe T-Shirt, $45

6. BELLISSIMA Indigo Embellished Cuff, $55

casual weekend style: sarah michelle gellar

via

{splurge: sweater // steal: sweater; jewelmint necklace; pants; splurge: biker boots // steal: biker boots}

Let me introduce to you my first outfit of 2012.  My mission, if I chose to accept, was recreating Sarah Michelle Gellar's outfit that I first spotted over on The Vogue Diaries.  Her look: a perfect errand running, holiday celebrating, casual Sunday outfit.   Perfect for braving the high winds and New Year's rush at the movies. If you couldn't tell yet, I took in an afternoon showing of the new Mission Impossible movie. All around two thumbs up - on the movie, Jeremy Renner, & the outfit.

champagne toasts & caramel corn

via

Last night we headed to our friend's house to ring in the new year.  I ended up swapping my sequined dress {sigh, maybe next year} for jeans and a sequined blazer.  It was a low-key affair, but held for lots of cocktails and laughs with good friends.  As midnight struck we celebrated with a champagne toast and watched the ball drop in Times Square. 

To kick off my New Year's Resolutions, I attempted and succeed in creating my first {technically second} recipe from Pinterest for the soiree.  As an avid popcorn lover, it was only fitting I start off with something I first spotted on Cupcakes & Cashmere - Caramel Corn.  I used this recipe, it was super easy and ridiculously good.

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