diy flannel lanterns

I am absolutely dying to try this! I will definitely try it soon and post pictures of how it turns out.

berry/oxblood/red wine

I know it has been forever and a day since I last posted; I've been super busy. I'll make up for it with several posts over the next few days. Right now I am absolutely obsessed with anything berry/oxblood/red wine-ish colored. It's such a quintessential fall color and is flattering on virtually anyone. Right now, while we are still in the transition from SS11 to AW11/12, pair oxblood colored pieces with lighter neutrals such as camel or honey-wheat tones, or simply add oxblood accents via oxblood booties, blazers, bags, jewelry, belts, etc. to ensembles. As the weather becomes even cooler, begin to pair more darker neutrals and blacks with oxblood pieces.

lookbook.nu

Free People Pebbled Lock Waist Belt

A few outfit ideas:

• Pair oxblood booties, lace anklets or thigh highs, and a lace dress.
• Be bolder by centering an outfit around a piece like  berry colored trousers or a berry colored skirt. 
• Bring a little more life to an outfit with a statement necklace with deep-red stones such as rubies.
• Go boho by layering a slouchy deep-berry sweater over a maxi-dress.  



Topshop Avenue Lace Up Ankle Boots

suede shorts

LOOKBOOK.nu

LOOKBOOK.nu

Suede is usually reserved for the fall months, but this spring/summer season,  I have fallen in love with suede shorts. Especially high-waisted ones. I love their subtle-yet-extravagant feel. Wear them as you would any other pair of shorts. To avoid looking like you're dressed for early fall, avoid wearing other pieces that are predominately deep, dark colors. I prefer light tan suede shorts, as they are most springy. However, when paired with light, airy peasant tops or with crochet tops, darker brown shades work well. If it's bold color blocking that you're interested in, try a pair of brightly colored suede shorts.

crop tops

Knotted Stripe Crop Top,  TOPSHOP

Blue Floral Print Crop Shirt,  TOPSHOP

Love 'em or hate 'em, crop tops are back. Many view crop tops as "trashy," risqué, or just plain unflattering, but that is not necessarily true.  Sure, daisy dukes and a belly-bearing top are a bit indecorous, and most certainly are unflattering if you don't have the most toned of tummies. However, instead of writing off crop tops altogether, look at them from a different perspective. Enter the crop top and the high-waisted bottom.

Side Split Maxi, ASOS

FP-1 Sleeveless Floral Crop Top, Free People

Pair crop tops with high waisted pants, shorts, or skirts. Not only will it keep your midriff from being exposed, but it will give you the illusion of having longer legs. If you want to show off a bit of skin, opt for a crop top that ties in the front, or for one that just barely grazes the top of your bottoms. When you more, just a bit of skin will peak through.

LOOKBOOK.nu

wedges

TOPSHOP

Free People

Wedges, just one of many pieces of the 70s fashion revolution, are one of the most trendy shoes of SS-11. They are lovely when paired with appropriate pieces, however they do not fare well with tight, body-hugging clothing. It makes them appear a bit clunky and clumsy. Pair wedges with high-waisted shorts, flowing maxi dresses, fit-and-flare dresses, and wide-legged or flared jeans. For a more bold look, choose brightly colored wedges. For a romantic, feminine feel, choose espadrilles.

TOPSHOP

TOPSHOP

latest love: azure-and-white

BCBG Max Azria

Emilio Pucci

Emilio Pucci

Azure-and-white printed pieces are reminiscent of delicate patterns on fine china. The trend is not marked by one particular silhouette, rather it marked by rich azure-and-white prints paired with unique statement gold jewelry. It can be tribal, bohemian, or crisp and classic.

bold color

LOOKBOOK.nu

Red Pleat Frill Dress, TOPSHOP

Petite Jade Floral Tee, TOPSHOP

SS-11 is marked by bright, bold, popping colors,  and lively prints, the opposite of FW-1011's palette of soft, muted colors. When mixing prints and colors, in order to maintain a chic fashionable look, make sure to choose pieces with colors that are similar to, or compatible with,  the ones in the print. Also, when pairing different boldly colored pieces, make sure to to consult a color wheel  to avoid pairing colors that do not match. If you are a bit color shy, try carrying a brightly colored bag, or wearing brightly colored heels, accessoires, or another clothing piece.
For more help with mixing prints, click here.

Gracey & Michy

Sunflower Earrings

Gold Tribal Set

Stella Cuff

Gracey & Michy is an online boutique based in New York City specializing in designer resale and vintage pieces. The boutique is owned by two sisters, Grace and Michelle, whose goal is to provide fabulous pieces to girls at an affordable price. Each week they have new arrivals. Currently, they carry women's designer vintage and contemporary, as well as gorgeous statement jewelry pieces. Blog La Bohème readers can receive a 15% discount on orders with this code: 9180490.

Marc Jacobs Jacket

baggy trousers

LOOKBOOK.nu

I honestly thought that I would never embrace baggy trousers, but after seeing some really well-put-together ensembles with them on LOOKBOOK.nu, I have made a complete 360˚ turn around. I especially love the feminine accents added by the ruffle and her bracelets, while a gender neutral and edgy feel is maintained with her somewhat masculine chain link necklace and graphic print t-shirt.

Baggy trousers also look great with simple, crisp, well-fitting button downs or, to incorporate the naval minitrend, nautical navy-and-white striped shirts. Avoid extremely loose-fitting shirts to balance out the bagginess of the trousers.

lovelypepablog.com

Baggy trousers are versatile in that they are not part of one particular personal style. They can be part of an edgy ensemble when paired with graphic tees and rocker shirts, preppy when paired with nautical shirts, and a polished-yet-casual ensemble when paired with a crisp button down. Accessorize accordingly.

blanket capes

LOOKBOOK.nu

I am well aware that I have already done posts on capes and Southwestern-themed pieces, but I just lover blanket so much that I felt that they need a post of their own. Awhile back I saw one on another blog and I immediately fell in love. I love the warm-and-cozy-blanket super-laid-back feel they have.

Whip Stitch Aztec Blanket Cape
 Topshop
(out of stock)

Blanket capes can have Southwestern/Native American prints or tassels or both. Wear them with simple, slim fitting pieces to avoid having an outfit that is too busy or too overwhelmingly loose. Also avoid wearing pieces all feminine or all masculine; opt for a mix of the two or an ensemble of gender neutral pieces.

just a few things i've made...

I know this isn't fashion related, but I felt like sharing a few of the things that I've made in ceramics class.  The flowers were made by shaping individual petals and then piecing them together, and the bowl was made by marbling red and white together.
xo

choosing the right shade of red lipstick

 For Dark Skin:

• Opt for deep, rich shades with like wine red or burgundy
• Avoid super-bright reds and reds with as they can seem be too harsh for your skin-tone 

For Medium Skin:

• Opt for pinky-berry reds to deep raspberry shades with blue undertones
• Avoid tomato reds
• However, if your skin is more of an olive tone, choose tomato reds and burgundies and avoid shades with blue undertones

For Fair Skin:

• Choose reds with cool undertones
• Avoid terracotta reds unless you have red hair and freckles
• However, if your skin is very fair, choose reds with a bit of a pink tint

For all skin-tones:

•  If you want your color to be a little less noticeable dab the lipstick on your finger and then apply it to your lips. This gives a more stained effect.
• Avoid fire engine red unless you have olive skin

DIY tree jewelry holder

About a month ago I saw a super thrifty idea for making a tree jewelry holder and I finally did it! It was super easy and inexpensive. I found a sturdy branch in my yard and spray painted it copper. While I was waiting for it to dry, I went to a  craft supplies store and bought a glass jar and marbles.  To find out how to make your own, click here.
xx

crochet

Black Crochet Fringe Waistcoat, TOPSHOP

Windows On the World Top, Free People

The crochet  trend is not about having a crafty homemade feel, it is about intricacy and quality. It is part of a whole slew of seventies trends that are coming back into style.  For springtime I really like boxy crochet shirts paired with high-waisted bell-bottoms as well as loosely-fitted crochet shirts and sweaters with fringe hanging down. I prefer crochet pieces in earthy tones because bright colors would distract too much from the beautiful intricacy of the patterns. So, to incorporate the bright palette of this spring, pair crochet pieces with earthy jewelry with brilliantly colored stones like turquoise, amethyst, or ruby zoisite. Avoid pairing crochet pieces with other intricate pieces (lace, chiffon, anything with ruffles, etc.), instead, choose pieces made of leather, denim, suede, cotton, or other gender neutral to masculine pieces.

maxi dresses

Love Birds Maxi Dress, Free People

Free People Catalog,  February 2011
Maxi Skirt

Maxi dresses are floor or ankle length informal dresses. They are usually formfitting at the top and more loose and flowing at the bottom. However, they can also be loose and body skimming from top to bottom, or curve hugging from top to bottom. There is no one particular neckline for a maxi dress. For a romantic look,choose a maxi in pastels and made of light, gauzy material. Pair it with feminine pieces and accessoires like a lace cardigan. For a more tomboyish beachy look, choose any maxi dress and pair it with more gender neutral to masculine pieces like loosely-fitted cotton shirts, denim or leather vests, belts, foulards, etc. Most importantly, dont be intimidated by the length! If you are short, like me, I recommend wearing heels so that the length is not so overwhelming for your frame. 

southwestern

LOOKBOOK.nu

LOOKBOOK.nu

Right now I'm really in love with anything with a Native American/Southwestern feel. Especially dresses, sweaters, and shirts with Native American prints. Southwestern pieces have such a natural, laid-back feel. Look for pieces with simple cuts that have no frills or ruffles; mixing the intricate patterns and designs with a lot of extra detail would give a "busy" feel. Pair Southwestern pieces with masculine and somewhat ruggèd pieces. Stick with leather, denim, cotton, etc. and avoid lace or anything super-feminine.

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Hello, darlings. I've finally broken down and just got a bloglovin. Please follow me!
I'll have some new posts soon, I've just been a bit busy!
Stay gorgeous!
xo

capes

LOOKBOOK.nu

I know that I'm a bit late and that everyone has already covered it, but right now I'm absolutely in love with capes.  Lately I've really felt inspired by the elegance of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, and I think capes remind me of that. I love the slight bit of je-ne-sais-quoi-almost-unplaceable-elegance add to an outfit. I especially love camel, navy, and black capes for their timelessness, but red capes can also be cute-sy, fun, and adorable (but not quite as elegant).

Chictopia.com

combat boots

Free People Catalog, January 2011
Chiffon Ruffle Dress, Lace-up Combat Boots, Ruffle Socks, Leather Vest

LOOKBOOK.nu 
Combat Boots with Gender Neutral Pieces in Soft Colors

Free People Catalog, January 2011

Combat boots add an edgy-but-not-over-the-top look to an outfit, as long as they are paired with the right clothing. As with anything über-masculine, pair combat boots with soft feminine pieces (pieces made of chiffon, lace, silk, or ruffled pieces), or gender neutral pieces in soft colors. Another great way to soften combat boots is to wear socks with a lace ruffle that peeks over the top of the boot. To add even more edge, try wearing a leather vest over an ultra-feminine dress or shirt.