Out & About: An Anchorage Holiday

After a red-eye flight and an accompanying cold I caught a day earlier, it's safe to say I'm glad to be back home. My trip to Anchorage for the holiday was filled with seeing friends from my past (3rd grade), driving down memory lane to see my childhood houses, waking up to fresh snow on the ground, and a certain dessert that's become a classic in my mom's kitchen. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday as well!

*morning dog walk in the fresh snow*


*a picturesque view of a frozen creek and bridge*


*an antique shop: a combination of old and new*


*upside down trees, miniature trees, and aluminum trees*


*vintage ornaments to go along with a fresh tree*

*Mom's famous pavlova*


*drive through coffee huts strewn all across town*

Fresh Mango

After walking past a Mango store the other day, I knew I would regret not taking a moment to shop around. Once time was on my side, their online store proved to have an ample mix of slouchy dresses, caramel handbags, and fresh blues. There's something truly classic and minimalistic with the brand's seasonal palette. Also, the added belts, tights and footwear should not go unnoticed as far as their styling.

(click images for site links)

Shades of Grey

These winter days transform far too soon into dark nights with the daylight savings time. It's hard to believe that November is coming to a close, and Christmas is quickly approaching. This monochromatic outfit seems to take note from the sudden grey skies, and debuts my latest addition to my sweater collection. The skirt and shirt might look familiar since they were featured in my very first outfit post. By adding a sweater and some tights, it's a fresh, fall take on some closet oldie's.

Zara sweater, Silence and Noise tank and skirt,
Banana Republic pumps and belt, Hue tights,
Nine West crossbody, & French Connection scarf

Fashion Foodie

This weekend I'm going to attempt one of these recipes. I'm not sure which one will strike my fancy, but whether it's sweet or savory I know the winning recipe will be delicious from the looks of these photos (@ Epicurious). Since fashion is the name of the game with this blog, I'm pairing the dishes with a stylish ensemble (found @ lookbook.nu).Whether it's Mayo nibbling on a rhubarb tart or a hearty chili on the stove for Frida, I can't help but imagine them as cooks in their own kitchen.

Crabbed Stuffed Zucchini Flowers & Lini
Mayo & Rhubarb Tart
Chicken and White Bean Chili & Frida
Shareen & Blueberry Cheesecake

Home Add-Ons

I'm a true believer that your home reflects your sense of style. Just as your fashion tendencies are a constant evolution, home decorating can be a similar process. With a "never quite complete" attitude, it's exciting to always be on the brink of that newest find or decorating tweak. From a new couch (a desperate need in my place) to a bold table accessory, I'm definitely on the lookout for pieces to put together my own apartment decorating puzzle. Big pieces can wait for another post, so here are some smaller items to get me started.

let there be light:
key lantern (Accessory Seen) @ $95
outdoor oil lamp (Emmo Home) @ $89.95
silver pillar candles (Target) @ $14.99

holiday touches:

"fuschia on snow" pillow (Weego Home) @ $215

deer & moose shot glasses (Weego Home) @ $28/each
red capiz mirror (Pier1) $149.95
"warmest greetings" wreath (Anthropologie) @ $148

A Very Fashionable Holiday

As the holidays approach, my mailbox is becoming more and more inundated with catalogs filled with gift ideas and new fall shipments. Urban Outfitters has put together some quirky and playful images to get us in the seasonal spirit. From pumpkin harvesting to Christmas light decorating and everything in between (dim sum feast included), the models are ready for what looks like a Southern California holiday. It was the lack of snow and their bare legs and shoulders that tipped me off.

(all images via Urban Outfitters)

Knits & Knots

During yesterday's trip to the local mall, I found myself attracted to one thing---knit sweaters. The variety of options was endless: pullovers, military styled cardigans, diamond patterns, and preppy stripes. Practically speaking, I couldn't have been more relieved since these knits are my only option to stay warm when I visit Alaska over the Thanksgiving holiday. I was under the impression I might fore-go looking stylish with a simple, comfortable sweater, but those thoughts were null and void once I spotted these shots from my favorite blogs. I love how these ladies have combined unique pieces together, kept emphasis on their sweaters, and stayed true to their individual styles.

*blush pink+polka dots+leather jacket*
via Stockholm Street Style

*cable knit sleeves+army green+stripes*
via JAK & JIL

*classic cream cable knit over a simple print dress*
via The Sartorialist

*cowl neck vest+layering originality*
via Tommy Ton at style.com

Which look most closely reflects your own style?

Morning Beauty Routine

Every girl has a specific routine come morning. Those of us who choose to sleep in at the latest possible moment (a.k.a the snooze button) have about 10 minutes to look presentable, awake, and pretty in that final mirror glance before we head for the door. From start to finish, this is my morning beauty routine. New additions are always creeping in, but these are the products that I've stayed loyal to for the most time.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Buf-Puf facial sponge
Neutrogena Healthy Skin moisturizer

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Georgio Armani Luminous Silk Powder
Clinique True Bronzer
Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara
Lorac blush (color: desire)
Mac blush (color:buff)

Carmex lip balm
Benefit Brow Zings
Acqua di Gioia perfume
Nars lipgloss (color: Turkish Delight)

How To: Tea Cup Displays

Growing up, my mom always cherished her china cabinet full of tea cups and saucers. During any move, we would meticulously unwrap each individual piece together and place them in the curio cabinet. It was a long process, but it's one of the simple memories I always look back on. Over the years, I've collected a few pieces of my own at thrift shops and swap meets, but I wanted to create a space for them far more functional than collecting dust on a shelf. Here's what I came up with.

A simple tea set in white and silver displays:
earrings dangling from a rim,
pairs of bangles in cup,
rings and watch atop a flipped teacup
& a colorful
necklace pouring out of a spout.

A mix-matched selection of patterned cups holds:
a jeweled headband,
collected perfume samples in stacked cups
(glue together for a more permanent hold),
make-up brushes in cream dispenser,
& eyeshadow palettes in another variation of stacked cups.

Inspiration Past

Last week I came upon a little treasure trove of magazines in a friend's bookshelf. Just below a row of classics including Catch22, The Catcher in the Rye, and The Jungle were issues of fashion magazines she had collected over the years. One particular issue of Nylon quickly got my attention with several photo spreads with an emphasis on the month's theme of "Look, Beautiful". These Nylon issues may be close to a decade old, but their pages are filled with inspiration and cyclical trends that are still relevant to the latest issues coming in our mailboxes.

*glossy lips and eyes paired with Alice Roi polka dot blouses*

*Barbie parody with Sophie Dahl*

*elaborate up-do's & diamond jewels*

*reminscent of a gray haired Lady Gaga in Vanity Fair*

*all images via Nylon Magazine
Issue April 2000 "beauty issues"*