Tongue in Chic

I'm old school, I still bring my lunch to work every day.  Partly because of the lack of options at my place of employment and partly because I would rather spend my money on something more substantial... like a new pair of shoes.

I have never given a second thought to the receptacle with which I carry my lunch into work.  Usually it's just a leftover grocery bag of some sort tied together and carried the few hundred feet from my car to office.  But today, well that went a little differently.  Today as I was walking into work I looked down at said bag in question and thought to myself: "Casey, you are better than this."  

1. Marie Turner - The Picnic Clutch

2. Zara - Basic Messanger Bag

3. See by Chloe - Annette Clutch

4. Jil Sander - Handbag

And you ask, who would carry a $290 lunch bag?  Uhm... hello have we met?

On Repeat

Vintage Bomber Jacket  // American Apparel Crop Top // Forever 21 Skirt // Cole Haan Booties // Marc Jacobs Clutch (old) // Ray-Ban Aviators

This shirt has been on repeat the past week, partially because I'm somewhat obsessed with crop tops and also I know my time is limited as the weather starts to turn.  I absolutely love pairing it with every high-waisted skirt in my closet.  All black outfit and obnoxiously orange clutch,  I think I'm inadvertently channeling halloween right now.  Tell me, have you decided on your costume yet?

A few of my favorite things

American Apparel Crop Top // Anthropologie Skirt (old, similar here) // B Brian Atwood Heels (old) // Prada (Frada) Sunnies

There are several pieces in my wardrobe I love but rarely get the chance to wear.  I know when making the purchase that it will spend most of the time hanging in my closet but the pure delight I get from even just seeing it there on the hanger is well worth it.  Looking at it knowing it is mine makes me supremely happy.  Just try being in a bad mood while wearing a giant tutu.  Trust me, it's near impossible.   

Fall Trends: Part Trois

Winter seems the hardest season to showcase the latest trends, must-have accessories and fabulous footwear.  As someone who is perpetually cold, once the temperature drops I become less and less concerned with how I look and more and more focused on how I can function outside without freezing.    This season's answer came to me in various shades of pastels.  There is just something so effortless and striking about throwing on a coat in the softest shade of pink.  And, anything with a three quarter-length sleeve lends the perfect excuse to pick up the most epic pair of attention-grabbing gloves.

1. Zara Masculine Studio Overcoat

2. MaxMara Wool Coat

3. H&M Wool-blend Coat

Confession:  I had to google how to say/spell three in french.  Yikes...

Fall Trends - Part Deux

Popular with models and various beautiful people, the midi is notoriously hard to wear but when done right, oh it is just oh so good.  I love the volume, glamour and 50's influence in the shape of this skirt.  It makes for such a romantic outfit and absolutely necessitates a heeled shoe to go along with it.  With Summer officially over, the midi is making me incredibly excited for cooler weather.

1. Topshop Skater Skirt

2. Clover Canyon Midi Skirt

3. Topshop Blue Double Slit Midi Skirt  

4. Tibi Silk Failie Skirt

Fall Trends - Part Une

After pouring over every September issue I could get my hands on my next several posts will be dedicated to fall fashion trends I'm loving and can't wait to incorporate once the weather starts to turn towards cooler temperatures.  This fall I can't get enough of chunky heeled booties with interesting textures and am worshipping a pair by Tibi in particular.  

1.Tibi  Perla Bootie $575

2. Zara Suede Bootie $89.90

3. Rebecca Minkoff Dalli Bootie $350

4. Jean Michael Cazabat Noni Short Bootie

Fashion Faux Pas

I think Cher really said it best:  "So, ok... I don't want to be a traitor to my generation and all... but I don't get how guys dress today.  I mean come on... it looks like they just fall out of bed and put on some baggy pants and take their creasy hair... eww... and cover it up with a backwards cap and like we're expected to swoon?  I don't think so..."

Today friends we are discussing why flip flops are unacceptable footwear and a fashion faux pas I see all too often here in Raleigh.  As previously discussed here you all already know my dislike and disgust towards the dreaded flip flop.  Men of Raleigh, as perfectly illustrated in the above picture please try and drill into your brains that going out in public like that is unacceptable and no one, I repeat no one should think it's something you can leave the house in.  

Sneakers // Wing-tips // Loafers // Monkstrap Slip Ons

Whether they be sneakers (not athletic shoes boys), loafers or the most beautiful pair of Salvatore Ferragamo Monk-strap slip-ons all of these are a step in the right direction.  I promise you you'll feel happier, more confident and become much more aware of how you're perceived by others once you start dressing like an adult and not a drunken frat boy crushing PBRs at 11:30am in the morning.  

Cartoon Nation

Wario Tee // Zara Pants (old) // Zara heels (old) // F(P)rada Sunnies

Back in 7th grade cartoon t's were the must have at my school.  My Little Pony, Spongebob Squarepants and Care Bears were everywhere when I walked down the hallway.  I am kicking myself I ever threw those bad boys away and couldn't resist scooping up this muscle t when I bypassed it on the racks, nevermind that it was the only size left was a large.  The fact that it's practically neon only confirmed my decision.

On the Lookout

Dress // Shoes // Rings // Shift Dress

From my mouth to your screen, I thought I'd share with you all a few different designers I am majorly crushing on:

Mara Hoffman's eye-catching prints first caught my eye when I stumbled across her swimsuit line and her ready-to-wear dresses and tops are just as stunning.  Her dresses make me feel as if I'm wearing the inside of a kaleidoscope aka awesome-central.  I know very little about Jenni Kayne except that she's found a way to reinvent flats (a style of shoe I usually ignore) in an interesting way, and I love them in suede.  Catbird is my favorite jewelry store of all time, you all can thank me later. Just don't go telling everyone, mkay as it happens to be Brooklyn's best kept secret.  I was first introduced to Michelle Mason's line via Intermix, my very favorite boutique and own the most breathtakingly beautiful blueberry chiffon summer dress by her. I love her simplistic-with-a-twist designs and floaty, effortless fabrics.

So, go out and buy yourself something nice.  Everyone deserved a little Monday pick-me-up.  And in other news, I finally bought that lobster iphone case.  Worth EVERY penny.

Beach Fix

Hat // Suit // Sandals // Cover Up // Sunnies // Necklace

I've always found it nearly impossible to seamlessly transition from a chic on-the-beach look to a socially acceptable after-beach ensemble and inevitably end up in cutoff shorts, flip flops and whatever baseball cap I have laying around in my beach bag.  Consequently I then end up foregoing the upscale restaurants and cute boutiques I so love.  Obviously this is becoming somewhat of a travesty.  

A pair of classic ray-bans, a floaty chiffon cover-up and floppy straw sunhat to plop on top of what inevitably turns into a rats nest on my head after the sun and salt water get ahold of it seems like such an effortless and easy way to go from a morning spent on the sand to an afternoon walking around my favorite shops.  You all knew that swimsuit was going to make another appearance (after seeing it here), what can I say I am 100% obsessed.  

While this may be a bit much for North Carolina beaches since moving I have found myself wildly overdressed most of the time I go anywhere.  However standing out in the crowd for being fabulous is always preferred over standing out for being slob and my beach wardrobe should be no exception.

Mars versus Venus

Shirt // Suits // Wedges // Pumps // Lobster

We've all experienced that moment.  The moment when you point out an adorable top or fun pair of shoes only to illicit an unfavorably strong reaction by your significant other.  I've come to find a few trends are universally not understood nor appreciated by my male counterpart.  Such trends include neon in any hue, shoes with futuristic details and swimsuits that leave tan lines of epic proportions.  I can say this with the utmost confidence as the boyfriend has had an extremely discouraging reaction to them all.  But since he's forever been unsuccessful in his quest to persuade me to part with said clothing in question I don't foresee my not purchasing and wearing it far into the future.

This designer I stumbled upon before the start of swimsuit season and have since seen it explode in popularity.  The use of color-blocking, interesting patterns and of course unique edges made me do a double-take at first which is no easy feat in the world of swimwear.  I still remember showing it to the boyfriend like a kid on Christmas morning.  With excitement I pulled up the website, clicked on the suit I loved and turned to him with a hopeful and earnest face.  He glanced briefly, gave me that look (you know that look) and proceeded to point out the most egregious tan lines it would produce.  But I was too far gone, six presents deep with wrapping paper piling up around me and an errant bow stuck in my hair gleefully clapping my hands in delight over the the color-blocking, the flamingos, the zigzags!
What does he know anyway?  He is a man.  The only swimsuit decision he has to make are whether or not his board shorts should tie or velcro.

While there may be certain pieces of women's wardrobe men will never understand, if you find someone that tolerates it I'd say hold on and don't let him go.  Besides, one day this swimsuit will be mine and then I'll really show him.

P.S. You don't even want to know the response I got for the neon lobster iphone case...

Summer Sale

Charlotte Olympia Sandals, $945, jk, jk... $472

There are few things I love more than shoes and when those shoes are heavily discounted, well... all bets are off.  Quite possibly my favorite thing about summer sales is that they happen mid-way through the season which means I have several more months of good wear out of said footware before switching over my closet.  Here are some I am currently craving.

Zara Gladiator Sandals, $40 now $25

Ash Lace Up Sneaks, $230, now $161

3.1 Phillip Lim Wedge Sandal, $495 now $247

I am a firm believer your footware choices are truly an expression of your soul (or sole?).   Mine must be a gluten for punishment as I 100% of the time choose form over function.  But with designers like Charlotte Olympia can you really blame me?

I Pledge Allegiance

July 4th, a day filled with a few of my favorite things. There is sand to run my toes in, sun to burn my pale skin, and hot dogs to be consumed.  Also, the chance to play with fire.  Naturally, one must dress accordingly:

Hilfiger Large Star Sweater

Joe's Jeans Bleached Shorts

Zara Sneaks which you've seen already here

In case you haven't noticed, I took the 'American Flag' theme and really ran with it.  If you're especially bold in your sartorial choices might I suggest these.  Don't you just love major holidays?  How do you plan to dress for it? Tell me, tell me!

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.

As one comes to learn the ins and outs of living in a new place, I have noticed and decided to offer some unsolicited fashion advice to those North Carolinians.  Since I just can't really help myself...

These are appropriate on the beach, walking to the beach or walking from the beach.    I don't care if they're leather, jelly or they light up like a Christmas Tree they are not dinner-ware appropriate.  Even at your local BBQ joint.  Unless they're these (even I have exceptions).

Have you graduated from high-school?  Yes?  Throw away, burn or give to your nephew.  Cargo shorts are not slimming, appealing nor in any way fashionable.  These are not going to attract any respectable female, you have been warned.

Mens well-fitted, straight-cut pants are the only article you should even consider owning in khaki.  These are the boyfriends as I myself am allergic to the color.

Baseball caps are for baseball games and days spent outside playing kickball.  Bad hair days mean a trip to Dry Bar or additional styling mousse.  Unless they come in leather.

I am all for expressing yourself sartorially and I love nothing more than digesting and appreciating a good fashion moment.  So, try putting away the flip flops and put in a little effort to that ensemble.  I promise you that extra skip in your step won't just be because you're in more supportive shoes. 

Packing for Procrastinators

I'll be honest, I don't pack for anything until the night before or day of my trip.  I have always been like that, but since getting older and having a much larger range of wardrobe options to choose from I've in the past few years written out a "Pack List" with the basic necessities and think on it for a few days to determine which shirts, dresses and shoes I'll be cramming into my suitcase.

Five pairs of shoes for a three day vacation, sounds about right.  No matter how long the trip I inevitably fill my suitcase to the brim, never fails.  Oh, and the palm trees are just to make you jealous.

DIY: Embellished Sunnies

I've never been one who invests in expensive sunglasses, I've always found I'm too paranoid I'll drop them, scratch them, break them, lose them, etc... This weekend I picked up this pair from H&M for a staggering $8 and thought I could make them just a tad bit more special after seeing these and these.

Bad hair, don't care.  One trip to Michael's, 10 minutes and these bad boys are on my must-pack list for my Miami.  The Boyfriend's verdict is still out, but I just think he's a little jel.

South Beach

Counting down for the boyfriend and I's mini-vacay to Miami next week.  Stay tuned to see how I pack for trips and how I plan on fitting all my bikinis in my carry-on.

Rolling with the Homies

Trina Turk Blazer (old), Etsy Tee, AG Boyfriend Jeans (old but Similar here), Ray-Ban Sunnies, Prabal Gurung for Target Heels

Spring has officially sprung down South and I refuse to believe neon is a trend of the past.  A great perk of no longer living in the city means Target collaborations of epic proportions are available without long lines, potential cat fights or waiting for online purchases to finally arrive at my doorstep.  I saw these heels when his lookbook first came out, knew they had to be mine and have since been incorporating them into every spring outfit I own now that the weather is up to reasonable temperatures.

Created Equal

I decided to show my support of the upcoming decision the Supreme Court is making as best I know how, through sartorial choices.  Street Style over the past few seasons has exploded, with photographers such as Tommy Ton capturing some pretty epic looks during fashion week's around the world.  These are a few he's taken I've found particularly inspiring based on the above color-scheme.

And between you and me, as someone who has worked in the events industry, gay men have the absolute BEST taste when it comes to planning their wedding.  Hands. Down.

Added Inches

Studded Sneakers

Wedged sneakers became popular just as we saw summer coming to an end last year, and it is of my belief that they'll be back in full force come warmer weather.  With that in mind, I am craving stark white kicks with interesting details, and a few added inches in a secret wedge is nothing but an improvement in my opinion to an otherwise standard sneaker.

Nike Dunk Sky High

Ash Stud High Tops

With cut-off jean shorts, an epic tan and strawberry banana smoothie in my hand it's the perfect summer vision.  So I'm pretty sure these are one of this seasons must buys.  My boyfriend would totally agree I need yet another pair of shoes too...