Lookbook | Off Duty

This lookbook is inspired by the "off duty" look that is seen all over Pinterest. It's supposed to be what models would wear during fashion week-- running all over town going from one job to the next. The principles of the 3 looks are comfort, monochrome or muted colors, and versatility. 

I kept all the looks with a pair of black skinny jeans because it is the number one staple of the "off duty" look. You can see basic pieces such as a white top, leather jacket, or heavy knit can be incorporated effortlessly.

I worked really hard on this lookbook, but it was a ton of fun to make. Let me know if you like it an if I should do more. 

Leather Weather

Allsaints Leather Jacket //  Forever 21 Knit Top // Madewell Denim // Zara Ankle Boots // Ray Ban Sunnies // Chanel Classic Flap

It seems like fall was here for a minute and now winter weather has arrived. This polar vortex is killing my Pumpkin Spice latte vibe. What's the fun of fall when the weather is telling you to order that Peppermint Mocha that seems more appropriate for Christmas? (Actually I only drink soy lattes, but you get the point)

Oh well, I guess the weather is following the retail marketing trends and pushing the winter/Christmas buzz up a few weeks. It just feels like I was waiting for fall to come for so long and then I didn't even realize it was here before it passed and the winter chills took over.

You may have seen this outfit in the last video I posted. I love this off duty look that a monochrome outfit with ankle boots gives. The black leather jacket, which is my best investment of the season (seriously guys), just adds that cool factor to an otherwise boring outfit.

Last Beach Day

Free People Crop // Splendid Pants // Ray Ban Sunnies // Vintage Necklace

Happy Labor Day everyone and happy birthday to me! To end the last weekend of summer here's a beach look taken a week before I moved to Richmond for college. 

Fall is my absolute favorite season, but it's sad to see the summer fade away. Now that I'm off at college and getting back into the swing of school, I'm really excited for the sweater weather in  a new city.

There are still summer posts to come (don't worry), so we can still pretend the hot weather will last forever. 

Have a great long weekend.

Shibuya Crossing

Topshop Top // Forever 21 Skirt // Madewell Bag and Sandals // Chanour Necklace // Ray Ban Sunnies

I’m back from the other side of the earth in one piece. My first time in Asia was spent in Japan with my two best friends. Staying in inner Tokyo was such an amazing experience. By the end, we knew our way around like locals.

On our first day we decided to go to the main shopping attraction-- Shibuya. This is the classic “scramble crossing” image most people get when picturing Tokyo. To say it was crazy would be an understatement.

I’ve never seen so many people in one place at one time. It was major culture shock being in the largest city in the world and at the center of over 33 million people.

We aimlessly circled department stores like the famous 109, where employees stand on a soapbox and shout at the top of their lungs to draw in customers to the 20-minute time sales. With my petite frame perfect for Asian brands, I was in heaven.

After shopping, we went to get Ramen at Ichiran were the noodles are ordered through a kiosk at the entrance and then delivered to you through a window at your barstool. Ending all interaction with wait staff.

The combination of culture shock and jet lag made the first day feel like a strange dream. However, as you will see in posts to come, I began to love the different culture Japan offers.

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.

Grad Party Hopping: Day One

BCBG Max Azria Top // UO Blazer // F21 Shorts // Madewell Heels // Ray Ban Sunnies // Louis Vuitton Speedy // 

As my high school career ends with graduation just a couple days away, the ever famous 'grad party weekend' commences. 

Jumping from party to party. Sipping iced tea and nibbling on cheese and crackers. Chit-chatting with parents and extended family of peers. The weekend is full of awkward small talk and sweet dessert tables. 

It's important to have a comfortable yet stylish outfit to hop from party to party in. Since I'm not particularly a plain dress kind of girl, I went for a shorts suit combo for a smart look.

The linen shorts kept the outfit summery while the crochet top and blazer added interest to the monochrome outfit. The heels added much needed height for talking to parents, but I also needed to break them in for graduation. 

Keep a look out tomorrow for the next 'grad party weekend' post.

Spring & Summer Essentials: What's In My Bag

I'm celebrating my 100th post by showing you my spring & summer essentials and the things I'm loving at the moment.

1. Bandeau bikini tops are a must for me during summer because I cannot stand tan lines on my chest. I don't need a lot of support in the chest department, so I can get away with wearing them 24/7 in the summer. 
2. I'm also loving these Aid Through Trade beaded bracelets because they come in tons of colors and sparkle in the light. They're  inexpensive and the money is going to a good cause.
3. I always need lotion and lip balm so it's a given that they're included in my essentials. I'm really loving this black pepper & ginger scent from Antiguan Aromas and the Fresh Sugar Rosé lip balm.
4. Of course I need my electronics such as iPhone 5, Polaroid camera, and bluetooth MP3 player to keep me occupied by the pool.
5.  Aside from electronics, like to do a bit of reading to entertain me. I'm really interested in fashion and style books naturally, but I really enjoy reading fiction as well. I'm currently reading the first Game of Thrones book because I love the TV series so much.
6. Lastly, I protect myself from the sun with some SPF 75 and my polarized Ray Ban Club Master II.  

I tote everything around in this vintage woven market bag. It adds the perfect amount of casualness to any outfit.

What are you spring & summer essentials? Comment below and tell me.

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.

Toulousian Uniform

Kenzo T-shirt // H&M Blazer // Jolie Joggers // Superga Shoes // Anne Taylor Bag // Ray Ban Sunnies

This outfit was heavily inspired by the many Toulousian girls I saw rocking the uniform of joggers and a blazer. I think this look is so street-style chic with the casual bottoms and and the smart blazer thrown over. Making even more French, I chose my new Kenzo t-shirt from Galaries Lafayette in Paris. 

I'm so glad it's the weekend and I can catch my breath. Senior year is finally winding down and things like prom, exams, and graduation are looming ahead. This spring weather is the only thing keeping me alive until graduation. 

Do you want to go to the plage with me?

  J. Crew Top // American Apparel Skirt //  Madewell Scarf // Soludos Espadrilles // Ray Ban Sunnies

Rebonjour my readers. Yes, this post means I am back from my two week trip to France. I can't express how much of an amazing time I had. I would go back tomorrow for another two weeks if I could. This is just one of a few posts I will do about what I did (and more importantly what I wore) while in France.

This was during my stay in Toulouse for the first week with my host family. We went to the Gruissan plage, dipped our feet in the water and took some pictures. After, we went to small town near by where we climbed to the top of a medieval church and saw the amazing view of the town and water.

 I decided to keep the look bright with this orange shirt that you saw in my last post. To make it oh-so-French I layered it with a striped scarf. The weather was around 60 degrees most days so I could get away with skirts, but only with a scarf on top. 

Keep a look out for the next France post which I will pepper in with my regular outfit posts. I hope you had a great Easter holiday.