Elizabeth and James Spring 2011 Lookbook

photo credit: Fashionista Blog

The soft neutral tones, loose knits and flowy blouses mixed with structured jackets and boyfriend trousers create a minimalistic approach to femininity that is beautifully executed. It caught my attention and kept me intrigued. I wanted to see more looks! With pops of color, floral accents, stripes, and touches of sparkle here and there the look comes together perfectly. Chic, sophisticated and savvy while still keeping in tune with the contemporary style of Elizabeth and James. I'm in love with these looks!

Love Urban's Kimchi Blue dress as much as I do? You can find it on their website

Holiday Visuals

This quarter I'm in a Visual Technique class where we learn all the ins and outs of being a visual merchandiser. Fortunately everything we had to use for this project I was familiar with from my job as accessories specialist at Forever 21. It was easy and a lot of fun! Our class was divided into groups and each group got a corner of the fourth floor of our school. Our goal was to decorate these corners as a visual merchandiser would do at a store, or boutique, at the mall-in real life. I was excited especially when my teacher told us we would be basing our theme around Holidays. I immediately jumped the gun and took Christmas/Holiday before anyone else because I love Christmas!The twist was that we cant make it look cheesy. No Christmas trees or  red and green banners that say "MERRY CHRISTMAS" with lights everywhere. None of that. We had to stay away from anything that screams Christmas while still making it feel like Christmas. Tricky, I know, but it will be fun. I love using my creativity.

My group and I decided we wanted to do a sophisticated, classic, twist to Christmas and use the theme "Christmas in Paris." Perfect. It's time to start shopping and start getting ideas for our display. We headed to: Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Hancock Fabrics, Target, WalMart, Woodfield mall, basically anywhere where we could get ideas and ideally buy some stuff! 

Beautiful!

Next up was the outfit for our mannequin. Since the theme is wrapped around the idea of Holiday, or Christmas, in Paris I went to H&M to try on different outfits and explore my options. I found a couple good outfits that were a possible suit for our display but only one dress came out on top:

I thought it was very Carrie Bradshaw in Paris but, it wasn't Holiday enough.

I loved this one-the picture doesn't do it any justice (bad phone quality picture)-but it felt more party holiday instead of sophisticated Parisian Holiday cocktail dress. If it were more structured and fitted it would have been perfect.

Now this is more like it. I love the pattern and the neutral colors on the silk, sheen, fabric. The belt defines the waist but it's too casual for a Holiday in Paris.

Finally found the perfect dress, from my roommates closet (thank you Krystal!), and tied a pearl necklace around the waist give it a little pizazz and some pearls around the neck for a more sophisticated, Holiday look. Mission accomplished.

Having a little fun never hurt anybody. We decided our mannequins name is Belle.

 

Figuring out the best place to hang our Paris picture. I think we found it!

Sara is working hard cutting out the border of the picture.

Now it's time to hang the background. We decided to go with a suede, tan, fabric; very warm and classic. It reminds me of Christmas, and suede is a winter fabric so it was the most logical choice. I spent time sewing the top to make it more accessible to hanging without showing any hooks.

Hanging the fabric.

Makes such a big difference.

Now it's time to hang the picture that Sara cut and placed into a frame.

After the picture was hung, Belle goes into her place. Excellent.

Time to hang the ornaments!

Sara is right bedside me handing me double-sided tape. Working as a team.

Finished Product. Doesn't it make you want to cuddle up on the couch by the fireplace and drink Baileys and hot coco!?

Pumpkin spice and Everything nice

I don't know what it is about Fall but as soon as the leaves start to fall and the year hits the first of Ocotber, every poster and baked good has Pumpkin all over it: Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Pumpkin Pankcakes, waffles, muffins, cheesecake, granola bars, ice cream, even candy! Ohh but it doesn't stop there; it's not just food, no...cards, shirts, socks, and my personal favorite, pumpkin pie candles! Everything is being hit with the pumpkin curse- curse being the operative word here; it hits everyone without any warning, October comes and BAM! before you know it you're racing up and down the grocery aisles looking for canned pumpkin so you can go home and create your very own, homemade, pumpkin spice pancakes, or muffins...whatever the taste buds are asking for. It gets to the point where you can't even walk through the mall without passing Yogen fruz, Starbucks, Cold Stone, Auntie Ann's, etc and not seeing a big sign advertising pumpkin Spice flavors.

Personally I love it. This is the first year where the pumpkin "curse" has hit me and let me tell you, it's serious. Anything Pumpkin I can find I buy, I try, I gobble it up like a turkey on Thanksgiving. It's so deliscious and so addicting I never want it to end. I love the festiveness of Fall going into Winter. If not for the food then for it's ability to bring family and friend back together for a couple of months. It's getting cold outside so everyone stays in. You can spend time together carving pumpkins and baking pumpkin seeds, or baking pumpking pies and pumpkin spice cookies...with a warm chocolately drizzle on top.....okay I have to stop, I'm making myself drool. I don't know what it is about Fall that makes everyone jump at the sight of a Pumpkin, all I know is that I love it and am happy to enjoy it while it lasts. I took pictures of things that I've found in the last week that are pumpkin. They made me happy so I hope they make you feel the same way. Enjoy, I know I did.



Pumpkin Spice Latte!! I die for them, although I wish there was a sugar free/fat free option. Oh well, it's only here once a year so might as well enjoy them while they last!



Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin is like heaven in a tiny little baking cup.

My school has Student Organizations and every day from 1-3 there is a fundraiser held by one of these organizations to raise money for their funding. Well, the other day I walked out of the elevator to find these staring at me in the face. Red velvet cookies with a cream cheese frosting on top. Holy smokes, I'm telling you, I could've eaten all thirteen of those things. Red velvet and Pumpkin spice are the epitome of Fall treats.

Yes, I found these and fell in love. Very healthy too! Serves double duty.

I spent the morning with my mother yesterday. We went to Barnes & Noble at Mayfair Mall in Milwaukee -which, by the way, is one of the biggest bookstores I've ever seen inside of a mall-and I spotted these little monsters at the Barnes & Noble Cafe! YUM!

Literally, this is Fall in a cup!

One of my closest friends, Alexa- who loves anything Fall and Pumpkin flavored as much as I do, if not more- sent me a picture of this over the weekend. Looks absolutely incredible.

Doesn't this look delicious. No, it looks so good, my mouth is starting to water. Alexa, I wish you could taste this! Can't wait for Thanksgiving!



I'm too scared to try one because I know I won't have the discipline to just eat ONE. I WILL end up eating the whole entire bag. So, I'll take one and leave the rest for everyone else...



Why didn't I know Hersheys made Pumpkin Spice kisses. Perfect!

In Love..

The Uptown Astor Shoulder Tote.
I'm in LOVE with this bag. I keep arguing with myself on whether or not I should spend the money and buy it. Yes? No? Maybe so? I'm leaning towards yes...

Michael's Classic Hamilton Tote



Michael Kors girl! I'm wearing the Cashgora Bubble Dress