Love: Color Block Tee

At the top of my summer must list: this adorable color-blocked tee from Sparkle and Fade...
|

Tomboy Ease

While I'm certainly a fan of frills and pretty, but fussy frocks, there's something to be said for the freedom of boyish dressing. Loving cuffed, white shorts, a loose chambray button-up, bensimon flats and a structured bag.

1. Chambray shirt (Madewell) 2. via SuzyWire 3. BDG linen fedora (Urban Outfitters) 4. Bensimon tennis flats (ShopBop) 5. Dear Danae Bag (Lanvin)

Wishful Spring Style

One of the more annoying things about living in DC is that there are really only two seasons -- summer and winter. If you're lucky, you might get a good, full week of truly spring or fall temperatures before you're dealing with bitter cold or swampy humidity.

Nonetheless, I approach every changing season hopefully...and end up with a lot of useless transitional pieces in my closet. But with inspiration this good, how could you not want to run around some perfect leather ankle boots or a rolled-up denim shirt for a few weeks. A girl can dream, right?

Images via Hanneli
}

Love: A Scarlet Pout

File this under "looks I wish I could pull off." My thin, little, wimpy lips could probably never pull off a scarlet red pout, but, damn, don't I wish I could!

Photos via L'Officiel Ukraine via Style with Isabelle

Retail Love: NastyGal

Cheap, fun and on-trend. 'Nuff said. Shop here.
|

Spotted...

Little (glamorous) pops of red via The Sartorialist, and my new polish obsession Scarlett O'Hara from Essie.

Thrills for Frills

I cannot get enough lacy skirts/dresses these days. Clearly (and much to my annoyance), Olivia Palermo's style is a driving force in this obsession. How is she always so perfectly put together??

While both of these looks are spring-y, they could easily make the leap to fall by pairing with tough leather boots and a fitted blazer. Perfection.

(Sources: Stockholm Street Style, Fashionising)

Spotted...

A lot of pink, a little black...

1. Vintage copy of Jane Eyre (Photo, Candice Lesage via Dress, Design, Decor) 2. Buckle Ankle Boots (Surface to Air) 3. Olivia Palermo and Bianca Brandolini (Stockholm Street Style) 4. (Design Sponge) 5. Proenza Schouler Spring 2011

Scooter Chic

Aren't these shots from The Sartorialist the ultimate in cuteness? Well, actually, I think his relationship with the adorable Garance is probably the ultimate in cuteness, but this comes pretty darn close.

I've wanted to rock an outfit like this since I first saw these photos a few weeks ago, but I think I missed my window! It was 85 degrees when I left Washington and now its in the 40s here in London. Sigh.

Love: Flowy Skirts + Wintry Knits

Absolutely loving this trend for the summer/fall transition...

1. Garance Dore 2. The Sartorialist 3. Michael Kors Spring 2011

The Fall Uniform

There are two trains of thought when it comes to interior design lovers' fashion skills. I've heard some people say that if you're into home design -- you probably suck at fashion. (That stings.) More often, I've heard that if you have a good eye for home design -- you probably just have a good eye.

I like to think that I have good taste in singular objects, but I have to admit I have a hard time styling my outfits and pulling them together in that effortless, messy, yet impeccably pulled-together way, the way most actually fashionable people can (sort of like the woman in this recent post).

To compensate, I usually develop some kind of uniform for each season, with a color palette I need to stick to, some well-made basics, two (okay, maybe, three) splurges for fun, and two splurges for investment pieces.

This fall, I'm going for buttery leather, rugged Frye-esque boots for walking, skinny jeans and cords,and a colors restricted to olive, black, cream and authentic plaids (no neon streaks in my plaid). So, admittedly, this sounds pretty boring -- although if you read this blog you know I am certainly not a bright color fan.

To shake things up, I plan to always accessorize with something metallic or sparkly things -- like the rings or (freaking awesome) Kate Spade shoes above.

...And I've literally just realized...I dress like the rooms I want to live in...Kind of like those people who enter "I look like my dog" contests. Good God.

Will any of you cop to this? I can't be the only one...

Clockwise: 1. JBrand Olive Skinny Cords (Net-a-Porter) 2. Herringbone Boy Shirt (J.Crew) 3. Bristol Cardigan (Madewell) 4. Photo via Pia Jane Bijkerk 5. Zip Leather Gloves (J.Crew) 6. Rings (Satomi Kawakita) 7. Artist's list via Sight Unseen 8. Sheldon Shoes (Kate Spade)

Love: Handmade Wedding Dresses

Attention handmade brides -- I think you should really get to know Katie Jean Walker (KT Jean Designs) whose custom-made wedding dresses rival (maybe even surpass) those at any fancy bridal boutique. Simply adoring the cascading tulle and lace details (I mean that T-strap back! Swoon.)

Want: Hand-Crocheted Shawl

Just spotted this shawl on Etsy. Adore it, but just don't think it will work on 5 foot twoers like me. Hope one of you snaps it up!

Love: Bayan Hippo Sailor Tote

I know beach season is already half over, but I cannot resist this adorable, sunny little tote bag from Bayan Hippo. You cannot be in a bad mood if you've got that thing hanging on your shoulder. It's just not possible. (Available in blue, too)

Discovered on Oh Joy!

Fall Style Inspiration

As a card-carrying member of the anti-pants club, I'm always looking for ways to stretch skirt wearing all the way into the fall. I came across these looks during a weekend shopping binge -- I actually bought the entire outfit with the blue shirt below (because I'm creative like that) and plan to make this my fall weekend style inspiration. Loose-fitting button-ups and sweaters + mini skirts/dresses + totally sweet boots. Easy, right?

P.S. My computer crashed over the weekend with the world's worst virus -- it actually disables any program you use to remove it, so I've lost access to tons of files and posts I had planned out for the week. I'm doing my best to recover everything, so bear with me!

Look 1 available only through Maje France (sad face, I know), Look 2 -- Acne Realities Sweater, Acne Lifetime Rib Dress, Alexander Wang Boots, Look 3 -- Rag & Bone Jean Shirt, Pleasure Doing Business Mini, Elegantly Waisted Harlow Belt

In My Heart of Hearts

So, in case you can't tell I'm finally catching up on my Etsy faves (and I have so much to share!). Love this 'In My Heart of Hearts' tank from Neena Creates.

American Woman

It's official -- I'm back in the USA. And while I'm already missing the romance of Paris, I'm am definitely ready to repatriate myself with an all-american weekend on the beach in Cape May.

Right now, I'm loving these adorable, patriotic dresses from Urban Outfitters. Can't you just picture yourself in them, the sound of crashing waves in the background, the smokey smell of a grill, a sparkler in one hand?

One word of warning -- if you're larger on top, or really, have anything at all on top, do order a size up in the dress above -- they are not fooling around with the bodice on that one! Meanwhile, I found that the dress below appears much more fitted on me than it does on the model.

Cooperative Linen Sundress; FlatBack by Pegleg Sloan Dress

Vintage St. Tropez

After reading Garance Dore's rave reviews of vintage clothing shop Le Marche Du Marin, I made sure to check out the store while in St. Tropez. My already high expectations were more than exceeded: Amazing selection of nautical staples (think endless rows of St. John sailor striped shirts, white linen and sea-inspired scarves), affordable prices, and a super friendly staff. And how can I forget -- lovely shop design. Quite possibly the new inspiration for the seaside home of my dreams.

I could have spent hours in the shop, but was in a rush to go visit Cannes and only had one hour. I ended up scoring a St. John striped sweater, a fabulously worn-in briefcase style handbag and a tribly hat, which I loved, but may very well never have the guts to wear at home.

For those of you who won't be jetting off to St. Tropez anytime soon, I have some great news for you. The owners are planning to open a New York store this winter.

A few shots of St. Tropez and the store:

The gorgeous design inside the store:

Annnd of course, an embarrassing photo of me and my hat.

P.S. I've missed you all and have loved reading everyone's comments. Can't wait to get back and catch up on everything. My reader is +1000 now -- Eeek!

Scènes de la Vie de Bohème

I keep coming back to this amazing vintage photo posted to The Sartorialist last week. It's of model Willy van Rooy and her son Alejandro, taken in Paris in the early 70s.

Just a lovely artifact from a time and place that couldn't be more glamorous to me. Learn more about the photo here.

Style I Heart: Jane Aldridge from Sea of Shoes

The beautiful thing about the Internet is that as soon as you come across something unbelievably lovely, you realize that everyone else already knows about it. Such is the case with my recent discovery of 18 year-old fashion prodigy Jane Aldridge and her perfect style blog Sea of Shoes.

I guess I've missed out on her blog because I shy away from fashion blogs, in favor of interior design/craft blogs. You know Carrie Bradshaw's famous line, "I like my money where I can see it...hanging in my closet." Well, the closet was never good enough for me. I like my money where I can really see it. Every day, out in the open in my apartment.

So jumping down the rabbit hole of fashion/style blogs just seemed like a terrible way to divert my funds from home goods to clothes.

But Jane's fantastic romantic and bohemian (with a bit of edge) style has me sold. So with great trepidation, I'm going to add Sea of Shoes to my Best Dressed blogroll and kiss my few remaining savings goodbye.

A small taste of her style: