Go Team!

This weekend is Homecoming for the Hawkeyes. I'll be catching up & toasting with my sorority sisters while we cheer on the Hawks in Iowa City! I can't wait to sport my new black wedge sneakers {get yours here} & a cozy knit sweater as we belly up to the bar and toast to our beloved team. 

Denim Crush

I have never wanted a denim pencil skirt so badly in my life. 

{images via J.Crew}

Autumn Calling

BR Sweater {Similar} || Target Belt {Similar} || J.Crew Boots {Similar} || Coach Bag

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."

The Great Gatsby

64th Annual Emmy Awards

 

As you can see, I have a few favorites from the 64th Annual Emmy Awards.  I can say, without a doubt, my favorite moment was watching Aaron Paul win for Best Supporting Actor. He's engaged to one of the most amazing and beautiful women I've been blessed to know, Lauren Parsekian {she's one half of Kind Campaign, which is something near and dear to my heart}. I'm sure I wasn't the only one squealing when he won & thanked her! Makes my heart melt! 

PS. Bowties are in. And I love it. 

Easiest.Braid.Ever.

Pinterest, once again, has come to my rescue. I love a good fishtail braid as much as the next girl, especially after seeing them strurt their stuff alongside Tory Burch for NYFW. I followed these directions and was quite pleased with the results. 

Instructions

1) Pull your hair together to one side. Separate the hair above your hands and put your fore finger and thumb through the hole.

2) Grab the bottom of your hair and pull through the hole, this is what I call the "topsy-turvy" method. You will continue to repeat this step until you reach the bottom of your hair.

3) To make sure you don't have one big hole down the middle of your braid, put your fingers through one side of the last twist. It's kind of hard to explain but just make sure you don't repeat the step right through the middle each time.

4) Finish with a clear elastic!  

Make sure to tag me in your instagram or twitter feed {@_thebrunetteone} - I would love to see your inverted braids if you try them out!

{This is version #257343 of this video - I decided against posting the video of me chatting with you for a few minutes about being a fan of the snooze button which leads into never having time to do my hair, guilty of pinning things on pinterest but never following through on them, and screwing up this braid while attempting to talk through the instructions. I thought I would spare you all the embarrassment, this being on camera business is a rough job! :) }

My Daily Skin Care Routine

cleanse // exfoliate // moisturize

With the official start of autumn around the corner {this Saturday - can you believe it?!}, it's time I start prepping not only my fall wardrobe but first and foremost, my skin. I truly believe that taking care of your skin is the most important step when getting prepped and ready for the day. It is the first thing I take care of in the morning and last thing at night. 

My Style: Floral + Cut-Offs

equipment blouse {similar} // j.crew shorts {similar} // vintage coach cross body // gojane wedges {splurge} // shira melody bracelets + necklaces // bombom earrings // maui jim sunnies

Happy Wednesday! This is a belated outfit post from what I wore to the last day of KCFW. I scored this equipment blouse {similar} from Klury, an online high-end consignment boutique, for only $60 {with the tags still on it}! Talk about a steal. Now, if all the other pretty little equipment blouses could come live in my closet it for that price, I'd be one happy girl. 

What I Wish I Was Wearing

Lately I've been having quite the love affair with leather. Whether it's in the details or 
a statement piece {such as these Topshop pants}, I'm hooked.

What do you wish you were wearing?

My Style: Delicate Jewelry

f21 blouse {via itcwc} // f21 purse // paige jeans // zara heels // 

shira melody necklaces {1,2} // gifted bombom sexyback bloom earrings

While I love making a statement when it comes to my accessories, my typical day-to-day look is rocking a pair of stud earrings and a delicate necklace. Last week I added to my collection with these two necklaces from Shira Melody that I picked up during KCFW and these bombom sexyback bloom earrings {you can curve the back or keep them straight}. These three pieces will definitely be on heavy rotation for weeks to come!

My Style: Kansas City Fashion Week

f21 blazer // f21 tank // f21 shorts // steven by steve madden heels

I saw this quote the other day on instagram that pretty much summed up the Carries'  {as dubbed by Derrick Yule, who took these b&w photos} attire for Saturday night's KCFW Runway Showcase. 

"Twice is coincidence, three times is a trend."

Mimi & ChiChi; Pretty, Polished, Perfect; Everyday Chic; and The Brunette One

Shop the look!

Tinogona

I was blessed to be able to see Dr. Tereria Trent speak today. She was goosebump inducing, awe inspiring, and absolutely moving. And man, does she have a story to tell. If I took anything away from listening to her story and what she had to say, it was this, "It is achieveable." Whatever your dream may be, whatever you hope to accomplish in life, you have it in you to accomplish those dreams, no matter how big or small you may think they are.  You just have to have that dream, plant it firmly in the ground and watch it grow. Work hard, put in the time, and things will happen. It is achievable. Whatever your dreams may be. 

Dr. Tererai Trent

NYFW Snapshots

I may have not made it to New York Fashion Week, but I've been following along on twitter & instagram like it's my job. That girl who 'hearts' every photo, yup, that's me and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  Here are a few looks I've been obsessing over from my favorite designers.

Jenni Kayne

Boyfriend sweaters & high-waisted shorts, bright poppy colors, neutral + tweed, and of course, stripes {that drop waist hi-low number - yes, that happened}. If I could have it my way, I could wear her fashions every.single.day. 

Marissa Webb

A former designer for J.Crew, Marissa Webb showed her true clothers at her first showing at NYFW. With a mixture of sequins, color, monochromatic styling and leather leaves us with a striking balance between masculine and feminine design.  This chic collection would make a great companion to the office!

J.Crew

Skunk printed pants & a banana print graphic tank. Enough said. 

So, let's hear it. What were your favorite looks & moments from New York Fashion Week?

{images via style.com}

KCFW Red Carpet Runway Showcase

I arrived in Kansas City with just enough time for Kat & I to grab a glass of champagne to kick off the evening with our fellow fashion & beauty bloggers. I loved getting together with a group of bloggers and not feeling ashamed when asking for a few quick outfit snapshots before the show started! Here are a few mini moments & my favorite pieces from Friday's show benefiting WaysideWaifs, sponsored by Kansas Clean Distilled Whiskey.

 I was truly amazed by the amount of talent found at the Kansas City Red Carpet Runway Showcase, designers showed from all over the midwest and even coming in from Miami! Velvets, draping, trains, leather, bright & bold colors, patterns, & print were showcased. Just wait until you scroll to the end and we can discuss the fashiony-goodness that is Nina by Lisu Vega. I cannot stop obsessing. Stunning. Breathtaking. Jaw-dropping. 

Kat & I on the red carpet.

Here’s Kimberlyloc & Mimi and ChiChi priming before their red carpet shot!

American Trash designer sporting these studded beauties.

Kim of KimberlyLoc, Jess of Mimi and Chichi, Kat of EveryDay Chic,  Shea of Bon Chic Bon Gastronomique, Sandy of Sandy a la Mode, Megan of Chasing Davies, Erin of Pretty, Polished, Perfect, Kat of Everday Chic

Fall Florals mixed with the 'it' color of the season, oxblood. Fall Trends 101 by Lenzanita Sustainable Couture - Dakota by Design.

Flowing Hi-Low Skirts & edgy corset tops by American Trash.

Fashion for a cause. Prints on prints on prints. Crop tops + high waisted numbers.

 MargieHogue for Awava. 

Velvety goodness by SuSHE by J.Tracey.

Metallics, lace, and mint green. Girl worked it in Donna Faye.

A glimpse of next season's swimwear by Hilary Brown. One pieces are back ladies, so is having legs.for.days.

Love this jumpsuit & statement necklace by Chelsea Riane & Cheryl Eve Acosta? You should have seen the back of the suit {or lack there of}. Amazeballs.

The Finale.

Every piece that walked the runway from Nina by Lisu Vega left me wanting more. I found her pieces struck something inside me the most {that's what I love about fashion & a great design, it just makes me all giddy inside}. I loved the eclectic headpieces, draping shape of each of the dresses, and the color, oh the color! The movement and flow of each of her pieces paired with the striking headpieces to complete the looks. 

Stay tuned tomorrow for my coverage of Saturday night's Kansas City Fashion Week Runway Showcase.

{Thanks to Atherton Photography for the red carpet shots, all other image are my own.}