Eager Beaver

Top and Jacket: Joie; Skirt: Rebecca Taylor; Booties: Simply Vera Wang

As I look towards fall and plan out my transitional wardrobe, (overeager much?) I'm leaning strongly towards neutrals. While green isn't typically classified as a neutral, the olive tone of my new bomber jacket goes with, surprisingly, almost anything. By wearing neutrals, I can let the beautiful, colorful city around me act as the pattern in my outfit! (cheesy much?)

These walls are located in Deep Ellum, Dallas.

Deep Ellum

Top: Theory; Pants: Dolan Los Angeles; Chain Necklace: Ashley Pittman; Sandals: Zara

The Deep Ellum neighborhood in Dallas is one of my favorite places to adventure. Full of amazing restaurants, galleries, boutiques, and concert/event venues, the place has everything a person could want for entertainment. Another unique component of the neighborhood is the impressive street art. It seems that there's a mural on almost every other wall, all bursting with color and detail (in other words it's a bloggers dream photo location). 

Recommended night in Deep Ellum: Grab dinner at Deep Sushi and follow it up with a concert at Trees!

http://www.deepsushi.com

http://treesdallas.com

If you ever find yourself in Dallas, it's worth your while to check this place out!

Bomb Girl

Top: Topshop; Skirt: Rebecca Taylor; Sneakers: Creative Recreation; Bag: Urban

The Bomb Factory is a music venue in Deep Ellum with a stellar/intriguing exterior. I've never been inside, but I hope to go soon! There is a free Saint Motel concert there tomorrow... 

Also, I wanted to show off the outfit, but it was insanely bright. Hope that explains the hand-visor situation.

http://www.thebombfactory.com

The silver bird sculptures are part of The Traveling Man scupture series in Deep Ellum! I love that they are a symbol of the district itself and they reflect the community they represent with their reflective surfaces! Read more about the project below: 

http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/in-deep-ellum-meet-the-traveling-man-7128485

Color by Number

Top: Theory; Bralette: Aerie; Shorts: Madewell; Shoes: Creative Recreation; Earrings: Ashley Pittman; Jacket: Free People

A leather jacket during a Dallas July? I know, I know, it seems out of place. But I come from a leather-year-round mentality, and trust me, the hotter the day, the higher the air conditioning! As soon as you walk into a restaurant during a Texas summer, you'll think you've been transported to Siberia. So, I keep the under layers breezy, but make sure I've got a protective layer to throw on for those frigid blasts of sweet, sweet air conditioning. 

Denim on Denim

Jacket: Gap; Tank: Dolan LA; Necklace: Freefall Jewelry; Sandals: Zara; Skirt: Madewell; Shorts: Madewell.

This past weekend was the fourth of July and it had me thinking about my favorite American traditions, and the certain fashion trends fall within that category. A self-proclaimed pants-hater (I force myself to wear them from time to time for style's sake), I have trouble finding comfortable and stylish denim alternatives to jeans! However, the classic denim jacket can be thrown on with anything, and my denim skirt takes the place of uncomfortable and too-for-summer jeans, as do my chambray shorts (not quite denim but close enough!). While I know we've got another year ahead of us before the next fourth of July, if you'd like to keep that patriotism going with your reds, whites, and blues, try out some denim on denim.

Looking for inspiration? Check out a Denim Story by Emily Current, Merrit Elliot, and Hilary Walsh. Emily and Merrit are the women behind Current Elliot and now their new project, This is the Great (whose lookbooks blow my mind), and Hilary is an incredible photographer with a killer instagram that allows you to follow her work. 

http://www.amazon.com/Denim-Story-Inspirations-Bellbottoms-Boyfriends/dp/0847842347/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436217378&sr=1-1&keywords=denim

http://thisisthegreat.com

(shop these free spirit finds and commence the length road trip that will no doubt ensue)

https://instagram.com/hilarybwalsh/?hl=en

(features Hilary Walsh's stunning photography and on point denim style)

Florence Fantasy

Coat: APC; Necklace: Freefall Jewelry; Blouse: Zoa; Skirt: & OtherStories; Sandals: Zara; Rings: Ashley Pittman; Bralette: Aerie

Found these stairs in Dallas and they set the perfect scene for pretending I was back in Florence. This neutral toned outfit is exactly what I would wear while strolling through narrow florentine streets and touring the Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore.

Lost, Found, and Custom Made

 Shirt: Jcrew; Jeans: Mom's Levis; Necklace: Freefalljewelry

I'm honestly not sure how or when I acquired this shirt, but I think a friend left it at my house a few years ago (so if anyone sees this and knows it's theirs let me know). Nevertheless, I recently stumbled across it around the same time I bought my custom Freefall Jewelry necklace, and the colors went together oh so perfectly. I love the ladies behind Freefall jewelry even more than I love pastel button downs (which is saying a lot). Check them out @freefalljewelry -- they even make custom pieces! I sent them a photo of the Valentino Spring Summer 2015 collection shown in the image below. I loved the soft pink and blue tones with metallic accents.

http://www.valentino.com/gb/shop/women/spring-main-woman_section

Summer Skylines

Top: Gap, Jeans: Mom's vintage Levis, Necklace: Freefall Jewelry, Rings: Ashley Pittman

On a Saturday afternoon, with a 10 minute drive from downtown Dallas, my friend and I made it to this incredible clearing off the highway with a million dollar view! A perfect place to enjoy that clear Texas sky-- free entertainment at its finest.

P.S. The amazing necklace is from a jewelry company that two of my friends started! These girls never cease to impress me! Check out their amazing merch on their instagram @freefalljewelry

pretty greenery

Seasonally Confused

Jacket: forever 21; E Necklace: Swoozie's; Earrings: Riff Raff; Top: Anthropologie; Skirt: Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent; Other Jewelry: Ashley Pittman; Nail polish: Michael kors; Second Top: Zoa New York; Bralette: Aerie; Shoes: Repetto

Early this summer I went to Paris, and one thing I noticed time and time again was that the Parisian women dressed for fall/winter even on warm sunny days. Coming from Dallas, I’m used to shorts as early as February or March! So, I decided to try it their way and put together a Dallas-weather-appropriate outfit while taking queues from the French. I mixed the knit tank top, and leather skirt (which have fall/winter fabrics in warm-weather cuts) with a lightweight coat and my French ballet flats and there you have it—a take on French summer fashion!

Sidenote: I’m interning for Ashley Pittman Co this summer, a Dallas-based luxury jewelry brand, and they were nice enough to let me borrow some pieces (the necklace and rings)! Everything they make is stunning and opulent, check it out at:

http://www.ashleypittman.com