Back To Basics

Chanel Classic Mini Flap // We The Free Top // Vintage Denim // Madewell Sandals // Ray Ban Sunnies // Anthropologie Necklace //

Quick little outfit post for you all. My close friend is visiting me for a week, which means I have a minion to take photos for my outfit posts.

We just had a chill shopping day so I chose some basics (white top and denim shorts) and layered on the gold accessories as I like to do. My style is so boring lately, but I'm really enjoying the plain normcore/ laid-back style. Literally, I wear a white shirt and denim everyday... Maybe I'll try to switch it up for you guys.

I'm finally a high school graduate. I feel like I've been talking about it forever, but yes. It's finally done and over with. 

Now it's time to fully enjoy summer vacation.

Grad Party Hopping: Day Two

F21 Dress // Eva & Zoe Sandals // Ray Ban Sunnies // Louis Vuitton Speedy // Vintage Necklace

The second round of grad parties and Father's Day dinner pushed me to wear this new white tunic dress from Forever 21. It's a little more girly than I normally would go for, but I think I'm starting to warm up to my feminine side.

The weather was perfectly sunny and breezy, let's hope it stays nice tomorrow for my graduation. Wish me luck on not tripping on the stage.

Dressing Up A Basic Outfit: feat. Chanel, Steve Madden, and Flashtat

   

Recently I've been into dressing up a casual outfit (like this plain t-shirt and joggers) with accessories. 

I'm in love with these new Steven Madden booties because they add the right amount of "cool" to a basic outfit. 

To be even more cool, I slapped on these faux tattoos from Flashtat. I love the metallic/ foil finish, but I bet it'd look 100x better with a tan.

You've probably noticed that amazing bag on my shoulder...Yes, my flawless Chanel classic flap mini came this past week from eBay for my graduation present. 

I really couldn't be any happier-- school's ending this week, I have my amazing Chanel bag, and Memorial Day (my favorite holiday) marks the start of the best season: summer. 

What's your favorite holiday?

Casio Watch // Aid Through Trade Bracelet // Vintage Ring, Bracelets, and Necklace 

Flashtattoos Temporary Tattoos // We The Free Tank // 

Topshop Joggers // Steve Madden Booties // 

Chanel Classic Flap Mini // 

Queen of Versailles

Too bad the fountains weren't on.. I thought Versailles is the palace of luxury! Haha.

 Posing with a not-so-picturesque boat collision in the background.

We the Free Top // La Fée Maraboutée Blazer // J Brand Denim // Soludos Espadrilles // Ray Ban Sunnies

These photos were taken on my last full day in France at the Palace Versailles.  I can't believe it's been a month since the trip. It's so weird remembering that something is over when you have looked forward to it for months. 

My experience was like nothing I've ever had and I would do it over in a heart beat. I was put out of my comfort zone by living with a host family for a week and a half, eating strange (but amazing) foods, and speaking a language 24/7 (well almost) I hardly know. 

I learned to not be afraid of the unknown and to have trust in the kindness of strangers.

I learned that I can do anything I put my mind to and that is the biggest thing I took away from this trip. 

Now I feel ready to take on any challenge life throws me. Because I know if I set my mind to it, I can accomplish anything. 

Enough with the sappiness Andrea... I hope you have a great week.

Springtime Stroll

J. Crew Top // Bull Head Denim // Superga Shoes // Gap Denim Jacket // 

Since it's my last week in the DMV until the end of April I wanted to go into D.C. and be a bit of a tourist. 

I thought the Cherry Blossoms would have bloomed a little since the ones in my neighborhood have; however, I was wrong and they were still only little buds. 

It was still a gorgeous day even without the blossoms and I had a nice little stroll around the Tidal Basin. I'm so glad spring his here, it truly is the greatest season. What better way to celebrate it with color blocking (not pictured is a mint green purse).

Now I'm off for France, I can't wait to share all the wonderful sights, decadent food, and fabulous outfits along the way. 

Bisous xx

Soludos for spring

Splendid Top // Hudson Jeans // H&M Anorak // Soludos Espadrilles //  The Frye Company Satchel // Target Sunnies // Casio Watch //  Vintage Necklaces // 

Ahhh, spring is in the air. Well, there's still snow melting on the ground, but for the time being we have warm weather. 

Today was perfect for debuting my new Soludos. I bought them for my upcoming trip to France (which I am so excited about), but I figured I would wear them before to break them in. 

I think I'll need a shoe insert for them because they don't have much support for my flat feet. I do like how they are very casual and summery. I opted for the canvas derby model with the laces because I already have toms. They do come in some cute colors and prints, but I decided to leave those for my next pair.

I hope all my East Coasters and enjoying this nice weather. I can't wait for more days like this to come.

Traveling Home

J. Crew top// 7 For All Mankind denim // H&M jacket // Acne boots// Ray Ban sunnies// Casio watch

Hey readers, this is just a quick outfit that I wore going back to NoVa from Miami. I had a great time and was really sad to leave the warm weather. I had to dress in many layers because it was 7 degrees. Yes I repeat, 7 degrees in NoVa. I was freezing when I got off the plane, it was such a temperature shock.

Adjusting back to school is more difficult than I thought. With one more application to do and mountains of homework in preparation for midterm exams, I'm feeling very stressed. 

All White On The Beach

 

The first week of the new year I'm currently spending down in South Beach. My grandparents live close by so it's an easy destination for my family. Sadly, the weather hasn't been ideal for Miami, but it is way better than the 23 degree weather at home.

The grey weather does compliment my all-white ensemble perfectly, if I do say so myself. In the first picture my pose is very Chiara Ferragni  isn't it?

I hope your first week of the year is going well. Stay tuned, yet again, for my new year's resolution post. I have come up with my resolution, but I need to think about how I'm going to frame it in a post.

Outfit Detials:

Top- Zara

Jeans- Pac Sun

Bag- Phillip Lim for Target

Sandals- Tommy Hilfager

Bra- Urban Outfitters

Bracelets- Anthropologie, Etsy

Watch- Casio

Necklace- Vintage

Merry Late Christmas

 It's a bit late, but this was my Christmas Eve dinner outfit. My family and I went out to a delicious Lebanese restaurant and then opened gifts by the tree. I had a great Christmas and I hope you did too.

 If you notice a difference the the quality it is because it's on my film camera. I bought it for a few dollars at a thrift store, it worked instantly with a fresh battery and some film. 

I'm really getting into experimenting with the different types of photography since I'm not the best at digital photography. Film photography adds a really cool effect that no instagram filter can match. Carefully planning out each picture (because you have limited snaps) has sparked creativity in me and make me really think about each thing I take a picture of. Also, the anticipation of waiting the see how the pictures turned out is really exciting. 

Stay tuned for a NYE post which will be coming up in January. 

Outfit Details:

Coat- J. Crew

Tunic- Free People

Leggings- Guess

Flats- Fossil

Clutch- Michael Kors

Watch- Casio

Necklace- Tiffany and Co.

Bracelets- Anthropologie, J. Crew, Isabel Marant pour H&M

Mod Biker

Twas the last week of school before winter break, so I decided to wear some pieces that haven't seen the outside of my closet in a while. This Zara white skort is not something I consider a winter item. However, I felt appropriate paring it with all black. I felt very mod today wearing all black with a pop of white. Someone pointed out to me that my skort looked like a napkin... which surprisingly it does. 

As the week carries on, I'm getting excited to go to Miami to see my grandparents over break. Hopefully the weather will be warm because it can get pretty windy there in the winter...maybe you'll see a summery outfit including this skort, if the weather permits. 

What are you doing for the holidays?

Outfit Details: 

Sweater- Anne Taylor

Jacket- H&M

Skort- Zara

Tights- H&M

Boots- Urban Outfitters

Watch- Casio

Breaking Fashion "Rules"

Now I don't know about you, but I used to think brown and black was the ugliest combination of colors ever to exist. Apparently it's common sense that there is a  rule about wearing the two colors together, which I followed religiously. 

I was already perpetually afraid of the color brown on its self, so I mostly just stuck to black. I just feel like a big, gooey fudge brownie when wearing the color brown. Weird. I know. I think it's because of the close color resemblance to my hair.. Do other people feel this way or am I just really weird?

Initially, it was the tan camel color of my boots that opened me up to pairing black with brown hues. It just felt easy and more relaxed. Then when I got this brown leather skirt many years ago I had no flipping clue how to wear it. 

It certainly is not a spring or summer skirt because of the color-- #skysoutthighsout is not an option. "But, but, but what do I wear with it?" I thought as I stood in front of my full length mirror. Sheer, skin-colored pantyhose never keep me warm in the chill winter days and I don't really like how colored tights look on my body. So I had to try the black. 

Well it actually doesn't end up looking to bad. Right? As long as you make it a point that you are clashing black and brown on purpose by incorporating it more in the outfit, I think it's great.

I can't even tell you how many compliments I got on this outfit today-- normally I never get compliments so it was a nice surprise. So I guess the brown & black was a hit. 

What fashion "rules" do you break?

Outfit Details: 

Turtle Neck- BCBG Max Azria

Leather Skirt- Abercrombie

Tights- H&M

Boots- Sam Edelman 

Watch- Casio

Bracelet- World Market

Necklace- Zara

Snow Day

Again, I feel horrible about neglecting you all recently. It's only been a week, but I know that's a long time in the blog world. I was sick the majority of my absence. When I say sick, I mean it. I don't need to go into detail, but I'm currently on two sets of antibiotics..

Good thing is I'm at the end of my sickness and I'm only plagued with an occasional, ugly sounding cough and the sniffles. With the bad luck I've been having, I should probably get my flu shot ASAP.

I got the day off from school due to the fast falling snow that coated the ground quickly this morning. It was the perfect back-drop for showing you all my new menswear inspired coat from J.Crew.

 On top of this day off I have a job interview. I think this outfit is perfect for interviewing because it is smart looking with the menswear coat, yet still playful with the stacked bracelets and layered necklaces.

What's the weather like where you live?

Outfit Details:

Coat- J. Crew

Top- Free People

Jeans- Pac Sun

Boots- Urban Outfitters

Scarf- Nordstrom

Necklaces- Vintage and Target

Bracelets- Nordstrom, Anthropologie

Watch- Casio

Put-Together-Cozy

Sorry for the radio silence this past week. It's been so cold and rainy that I haven't been inspired to create any note-worthy looks. The awful weather has made me want to stay inside all warm and dry, so I decided to shoot this look in my living room that I find really peaceful and cozy. 

This outfit is a simple comfortable one that is perfect for thanksgiving dinner if you need to look presentable in front of your extended family. Dressing up a pair of leggings is my favorite thing to do during the colder months because they are just so damn comfortable, yet I still like to keep it somewhat fashionable with suede boots and a printed tee. 

I always have a tradition of reading a book over Thanksgiving break. This year I'm reading Alexa Chung's It. Also, my family and I always go out and see the new Twilight movies together, but now that it's over we are seeing Catching Fire. Do you have any holiday traditions?

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers, stay warm.

Outfit Details:

Top- Isabel Marant pour H&M

Leggings- VS Pink

Cardigan- BP Nordstroms

Boots- Sam Edelman 

French Cowgirl

I took on the western trend full force today. This autumn I noticed I've worn a ton of menswear inspired looks, but today I just felt like dressing like a girl. Well, to an extent... a skirt is girly enough for me so I can throw on a bomber jacket like this Isabel Marant pour H&M one. Yes, it is a children's jacket and was a hell-of-a-lot cheaper than any of the women's clothes.

I don't venture into the children's department a lot (mostly because of awful memories as a pre-teen being force to still shop in the children's department), but I forgot how much cheaper and more convenient it is. Maybe I try it more often.

Am I the only one who's confused on how this is a western look, yet I feel o-so-french in it? I'll just credit that to Isabel.

Outfit Details:

Jacket- Isabel Marant pour H&M

Sweater- Michael Kors

Skirt- Lohman's  (designer unknown)

Boots- Urban Outfitters

Decided to add a little music to add to the mood/feeling of the outfit. Or at least it's what I think goes with it. Let me know what you think.

Dressing up or just styled well?

"You always dress up and look so nice so for school," was said to me the day I wore this ensemble by an underclassman. "But, but, but- this isn't even dressing up," I though in my head while thanking her with flushed cheeks. A semi-panic set in as I walked away. "Am I over-dressed? Do I look too grown up? I hope other people don't  notice my outfit," I thought.
It is not like me to question an outfit, but the compliment coming from an underclassman blindsided me. I knew she was genuine, but it sounded less like a compliment and more like a comment-- not a good one at that. I rushed to the bathroom to examen the evidence at question. To my surprise, when I looked in the mirror, the self doubt quickly disappeared once I saw how chic I looked.

But really-- to me this is not dressing up. This is just another outfit I wear to school, not to a fancy dinner or even church. Why is it that putting in effort and trying out new looks is considered "dressing up" at school?

I view this outfit as one that is put together well and possibly chic. Looking put together is my goal for every outfit. With them, I want to show that I am presentable and on my A-game. If you asked me to give a presentation that day, I would be ready, because my outfit says "I'm ready." I let my outfits speak for me, showing the world (well, my school) that I'm on top of things-- at least on the outside.

Outfit Details:

Top- Urban Outfitters
Under shirt- Banana Republic
Vest- H&M
Trousers- American Apparel
Boots- Urban Outfitters
Watch- Casio
Bracelets- Anthropologie, Etsy, Juicy Couture, Vintage