down to earth + mia shoes $50 giveaway

Wearing | cardigan + skirt c/o Romwe • vintage sweater • "Roam" boots c/o MIA Shoes • sunglasses c/o 80's Purple

Happy Friday, everyone! Remember when I asked you guys to vote for me on MIA Shoes' Blogger Style Out contest? I won third place and as a "thank you," I get to give away a $50 gift certificate to one of you lucky readers to redeem on their site!

To enter, simply leave a comment below with your name, e-mail address, and favorite pair of shoes from miashoes.com.

Winner will be selected and notified on November 3rd. Thanks again to those who took the time to vote for me! Enjoy x

you're the only one for me

Wearing | jumper c/o Goodnight Macaroon • pants c/o Romwe • "Lorena" shoes + "Dive" crossbody bag c/o  ShoeMint • sunglasses c/o 80's Purple • Michael Kors watch

I'm a huge nitpicker when it comes to functionality in bags and the fact that this "Dive" crossbody bag (which doubles as a clutch without the straps) from ShoeMint also has a zipper at the top for quicker access completely won me over. I mean, I'm sure you can all relate to what a hassle it can be to open and close that darn flap every time you just want to reach for your phone in your flap bags. Sometimes, it can get so annoying that I just end up holding my phone in my hand! Not with this bag.

Something else that boasts of functionality? This ceramic white MK watch that never fails make a stand-out piece in almost any of my outfits. Surely, it was a no-brainer to pair it with one of my favorite tried-and-true formulas: a heavy grandpa-style knit jumper and pair of unconventional pants. Never gets old... but when in doubt, take a cue from Freja Beha and throw on a a soft leather moto jacket!

Don't forget to Instagram a photo of how you wear your Michael Kors watch with the hashtag, #MKTimeless, anytime this month for a chance to win his Paris Limited Edition Runway watch! More details about the contest, here. xo

skulls and crosses

Wearing | sweater c/o Lavish Alice • Mango shirt • skirt c/o Motel Rocks • Topshop beanie • ASOS socks • boots c/o Oasap

Woah. Did I really just jump from looking like a cupcake to this? I know, I know. It's like I've slipped into some dark depression and became obsessed with death and other morbid objects all of a sudden (not really). However, I did make a compromise between girly and gothic here! Speaking of opposites, skulls and crosses have to be one of the most ironic yet aesthetically harmonized combinations ever. Whatever keeps the soul balanced, I guess.

burgundy: the new black

 

{via ASOS}

It's barely a few weeks into fall and jewel tones are already back in full swing. One hue burning brighter than the rest? Burgundy. Or "oxblood" as the industry is dubbing it. Oxblood. Oxblood...? Yuck! I know. It's not a joke though, the trend was confirmed to me the minute I walked into the mall a few days ago and saw a sea of blood coming out of window displays at every corner. So, whether you call it maroon, ruby, crimson, wine, or oxblood, you can't deny this rich, dark shade of red is the new black for fall! From jeans to sweaters to shoes and jewelry, it's almost impossible not to find something you like. And to make things much, much, muuuch easier, ASOS took a step ahead in the game and has got all of their oxblood-colored items sorted in one place, thanks to their handy F/W '12 trend guide. Hm... suddenly, oxblood doesn't sound so bad after all! Start your hunt for the perfect burgundy piece, here!

pinch of periwinkle

Wearing | sweater c/o 2020AVE • dress c/o Club Couture • AllSaints beanie • Forever 21 heart print socks • "Love Struck" heels c/o Nanette Lepore

I feel like a cupcake in this outfit. My beanie being the tip of the frosting, my gold heels being the foil wrapper, and my sweater layered over this dress being the yummiest part of the cupcake! Those thoughts actually didn't occur to me until reviewing these photos on the camera... guess I was having a sweet tooth at the time I arranged this outfit. It finally feels like fall here in Southern California and suddenly every breath inhaled makes you feel vigorously alive with the air's blooming scent full of promises of bluer skies and crisper nights. After all the heat that the Indian Summer had bestowed upon us, the rain dancing outside as I type couldn't be more refreshing. Hope you all are having a beautiful week!

les fleurs

     

Wearing | blazer c/o Chicwish • top from Urban Outfitters • jeans from Shop Wasteland c/o Bollare • heels c/o IScrewedYourBoyfriend

1.) I don't know how it is that I always manage to subconsciously match my nail polish to my outfits... I never plan for this to happen, I swear!
2.) Just because it's fall doesn't mean you should forget about pastels! One of the reasons why I love autumnal weather is because I get to pretend that it's my favorite season: spring.
2.) Roses are red, violets are blue... don't you love these pants? 'Cause I sure do!

gunmetal

Wearing | Forever 21 sweater • shorts c/o 2020AVE • friend's beanie • boots c/o Oasap • sunglasses c/o 80's Purple

All that glitters is not just gold, and that's 'cause there are metallics too! I paired these gunmetal-like, snake skin print shorts with something a little more matte and muted: a blush-toned, open-weave knit that thinks it's related to this sweater by Isabel Marant but was actually just 1/50th the price from my local Forever 21. After all, it's all about the metallic shorts here. Why have on competing pieces?!

noir et blanc

Wearing | "Maryum" blazer c/o DV by Dolce Vita • Forever 21 shirt • shorts c/o No Rest for Bridget • boots from Lulu's • necklace c/o Mad Lady • Vince Camuto bag • sunglasses c/o 80's Purple

Decked out head-to-toe in staples that aren't your average, traditional staples. White shorts are best frayed. "The bigger, the better" applies when wayfarers are oversized. Classic button-down shirt? Try one with rows of eyelets. Plain ol' black blazer? This one's equipped with lace sleeves! With the heat wave that hit SoCal this past weekend, breathable options like eyelet and lace couldn't be more ideal to keep cool in—all the better so I can catch some wind!