get the look: rachel bilson

How adorable does Rachel Bilson look for a show appearance? Her shoes are sick, and I love how the chartreuse looks with the cobalt and black. Her palazzo pants are slim enough not to overwhelm her small frame, which is good for petite girls like me. She always looks amazing, and looks ahead of the trends, but subtle.

Get her look here!

 

Alexander Wang Silk Tank //  Romeo Gigli Vintage Palazzo Pant // Ivanka Trump Etta Fisherman Sandal

co-ords

I've never had as natural of a knack for men's fashion as I have for women's. I'm unsure of what's appropriate for certain events, what prints go with which ties, etc. Anytime I try to dress a male family member or my boyfriend, I feel like I want to make them look like Brad Goreski. When I edit back and show restraint, they pretty much look like they do when they dress themselves.

Part of my confusion has to do with suits. I always encourage the men in my life to buy suits. I feel like they can wear the separates in different ways, as well as together. While I'm not sure if it actually works this way, I'm certain that the new trend in women's fashion is made to add diversity to a wardrobe.

A bunch of different retailers are selling matching tops and bottoms this season. From my beloved crop tops and pencil skirts, to matching blouses and shorts, suit-inspired dressing is definitely on trend. Leave it to Topshop to make online shopping that much easier by selling these looks together in their "Co-ords" section. I'm not sure if this online department is new, but right now it's packed with adorable two piece outfits. The looks are adorable paired together, but can also be mixed with other pieces. I love that they sell the pieces individually, too, in case you're a different size on top than bottom. I'm obsessed with the Swan Print Bralet and Skirt. They look amazing together, or I might throw a white blazer on top, and both pieces would look amazing in different outfits.

Swan Print Bralet and Skirt // Daisy Bow Back Top and Pleated Skirt // Graphic Blazer and Trousers // Swan Print Tie Bandeau and Skirt // Motel Print Denim Bralet and Pencil Skirt // Collarless Blazer and Shorts

white on white

It's pretty clear by now that the "no white after Labor Day" rule is outdated, but Memorial Day is still the official start of Summer dressing. As much as I love an all-white look, I find myself surprisingly intimidated when it comes to layering on stark white pieces. This Summer, I'm going to make it a point to rock this style more often.

On another note, happy Memorial Day! I hope you're all enjoying your long weekends! I wish I could enjoy some fun in the sun, but it's business as usual for us in the news!

Topshop Lace Corset Style Crop Top //  Piazza Sempione Pencil Skirt // Michael by Michael Kors Grace Platform Sandals // Tibi Cotton-Blend Lace Top // M Missoni Cotton-Blend Twill Shorts // Belle by Sigerson Morrison Floris Gladiator Sandals

Rag & Bone Skinny Jeans // Topshop Knitted Bra Crop Top // Michael Kors Eliza Rafia Wedges // Collette by Collette Dinnigan Cotton Dress // Dorothy Perkins Tuxedo Jacket // Chloé Laser Cut Wedge Sandals

Michael by Michael Kors Cutout Cotton Maxi Skirt // Topshop Geometric Lace Mix Shell Top // Call it Spring Cleland //  French Connection Silky Tie Neck Blouse // Current Elliot Sweet Cream Captain Trouser Pants // Wet Seal Rope Canvas Wedges

so we beat on, boats against the current

 
The trailer for The Great Gatsby is just too much from me. From the Jay-Z/Kanye intro, to the Baz Luhrman-signature party scene, I literally got pumped up watching it. It doesn't hurt that The Great Gatsby is my favorite book ever, and I love Carey Mulligan. Plus, the last time Baz Luhrman and Leo got together, we got Romeo + Juliet, so this is sure to be amazing.

The fact that the movie is in 3D (don't know how I feel about that), and knowing the director's style, the film will definitely be heavily based on aesthetics. Considering the amazing Jazz Age wardrobe, I'm pretty excited about this. I'm dying over the white suits, fur stoles and head wraps.

Possibly in anticipation of the movie, flapper and 20's style was all over the runway this year (I talked about Ralph Laurens show here). The Great Gatsby look can be emulated literally, or more interpretively. Channel Daisy Buchanan in a silk swing dress with mary janes and pearls, or combine the feminine and masculine styles with a girlie, lavender dress (that seems to be Daisy's color in this film) and cream brogues.

Rag & Bone Sophie Dress // Alberta Ferretti Feather Cape // Topshop Maddie Lemon Eva Sole Brogues // Marni Edition Mary Janes // Stella & Dot Soiree Pearl Pave Bracelet // Aspinal of London Pink Butterfly Silk Scarf // BCBG Paisley Rhinestone Headband // MAC Lipstick // Eternal Child Sunday Dress

my day job: summer style

I've mentioned my job before, and this weekend I had the opportunity to cover a couple of great local fashion events. I love when my work overlaps with my blog. News and fashion are my two passions, and a lot of the writing that I do at work is a lot more "hard news," compared with what I talk about with you all. It's amazing when I get to write about Rebecca Minkoff and Shoshanna for my job. It's a little taste of what I hope to be able to do full-time one day.

Check out the trunk show I covered at a local boutique and stay tuned for a very cool interview I got to be a part of!

Images via Caitlin O'Brien

strong arm

I love pieces that add diversity to my wardrobe. My closet is full of collared shirts, blazers and feminine skirts, sometimes I need some more casual, masculine pieces to break up the girliness. A good muscle tee does just that.

Over the past few weeks I've picked up some great cutoff t-shirts that give me some much more edgier outfit options. The obvious choice to wear with these tops is jean cutoffs or boyfriend jeans. I mean, these are pretty much hipster's uniforms. They'd look great with a fringe bag and bell bottom jeans, but I prefer to juxtaposition of a sophisticated look with a grungier piece thrown in. I'm looking forward to pairing them with a cute pencil skirt, or dark skinnies with pointy toe heels.

A lot of these tops have open armholes and sheer fabric, so they also look great with pretty underpinnings like lace or neon. In fact, I thought the armholes on one of the shirts I bought were a little high, so I just cut a little more off. It was so easy, I'm considering going to the thrift store and buying some old t-shirts and making some cutoff tanks of my own!

a. Chaser Slash Vintage Muscle Tee // b. Truly Madly Deeply Studded Bolt Tank // c. Doe Knicks Muscle Tee // d. Chaser LA Life & Death Iron Maiden Destroyed Muscle Tee // e. Lauren Moshi Effie Color Rasta Lion Muscle Tee // f. Nasty Gal Galaxy Tee // g. Daydreamer LA Drop-Arm Tank // h. Daydreamer LA Strange Paradise Slashed Muscle Tee // i. Daydreamer LA Hypnotic Gaze Muscle Tee // j. Billabong Freedom Tee // k. Chaser Anthrax Skater Muscle Tee // l. Wildfox Couture Live Fast Cut Off Trailer Tank

Check out some of the different ways to style this look.

colors to watch

There's definitely not a shortage of watches on the market these days, but I just can't stop thinking about this timepiece. I first spotted the Viscid from Anthropologie on Taylor at Sterling Style. The watch is the perfect size and a good complement to my classic gold piece. It has the same masculine silhouette, but the colors and rubber give it a more casual vibe. I wear my watch all the time, but sometimes I feel like I scratch it up to much when I type on a computer. This watch doesn't have that problem! Taylor has the "Sky" color, and I love how it looks with the gold accents. The other colors are juicy citruses and just as gorgeous. The four shades are spot on for Summer and the exact colors that are inspiring me this season.

Images via Anthropologie and Sterling Style

flowers in her hair

This is another case of a look that may be easier to pull off in an editorial than in real life. Floral crowns are so ethereal and pastoral. It makes me think of A Midsummer Night's Dream meets Woodstock. Unfortunately, there aren't that many opportunities in my life to channel a woodland fairy. However, I'll definitely be rocking this look at any summer concerts I go to. It's sort of a prettier, fresher alternative to the braided hipster headbands that everyone seems to wear at music festivals.

summer sparkle

I am in dire need of a new bag, and with summer literally knocking on our door, I'm going to need a good tote for the pool, beach and general carrying (don't you find yourself lugging more stuff around in the summer?). I mentioned Deux Lux before, when Oprah put one of their bags on her Favorite Things list. Well lucky me, I ended up getting that bag for Christmas and I love it. It's sturdy, roomy and fun. So when I stumbled on the line's beach totes, I was excited at the prospect of having a little sparkle with me at the beach.

The problem is, the industrial colors and leather in the bag that Oprah mentions really tone down the sequins. I like to have more of a casual-polished or bohemian look on the weekends. I definitely don't want to look like a Real Housewife of Orange County (no offense to my family in Orange County! I'm talking about the Tamras and Gretchens of O.C.). The grey works well as a neutral to offset the silver, I think. For a little color, I like the yellow. It's a muted and a little unexpected with the metallic.

If I chicken out and go with a less glitzy bag, then I will make the cosmetic case mine. I am obsessed with the gold and silver versions. Either one would be perfect for carrying my sunscreen, comb and other summer essentials!

met ball

It's pretty much a goal of mine to go to the Met Gala one day. It's like the Superbowl of fashion. All rules are cast aside and designers lend A-list attendees their most fabulous pieces. The colors on last night's red carpet were amazing. I loved the bright citrus hues and the range of blush tones. Metallic dresses had unique patterns and the blacks were anything but basic with textures in everything from reptile to jacquard. The different hemlines were so fun. The feathers and trains were beautiful and I'm obsessed with Marion Cotillard's sheer plum skirt. I'm sure they'll be controversial, but I think Lily Collins' and Sarah Jessica Parker's Valentino's are gorgeous. I adore all the pretty pinks. I love Allison Williams' Ralph Lauren, Amber Heard's Zac Posen and Emily Blunt's Calvin Klein. My absolute favorite look may be Diane Kruger's. It's a nontraditional silhouette and the bodice, hair and accessories give the glamorous look a surfer-chic twist.

Images via People