Sometimes dressing up is hard to do. OK sure, maybe not for the bow loving, skirt rocking, glam girly girls out there… and don’t get me wrong, I’m completely at home in a sequin laced Vegas wardrobe any day of the week. But when I’m not going crazy on the peacock end of the spectrum, I tend to reach for jeans whenever remotely acceptable. So dressing up in a classic skirt and top combo for a regular evening out is not something you’ll see me do very often. This outfit on the other hand manages to be right up my alley. The top is covered in gold jewels trickling from top to bottom yet it’s still restrained and classic, and the skirt is easy, stretchy, structured trumpet perfection. Throwing on an orangey bright lip, arms of gold, and black leather everything else brings it to a place I’m more than happy to be in.
Every spring for the past three years, I have found myself standing in a corner at Zara debating over a novelty non-basic blazer, wondering whether I’d reach for it enough to make it worth the $90. First it was the orange blazer which granted me with endless good outfits in Europe (not to mention for the rest of the summer and fall), this year it’s the aqua embroidered one I just purchased last week and have pretty much worn it everyday since (as seen here), and last year it was this canary yellow tweed zipper number (I also wore it here). Each time I decided to go for it has been followed by months of said blazer addiction, and I’m still reaching for them the years to come. Perhaps it’s time I stop questioning the novelty blazer purchase, and embrace it from the get go. I love the yellow one because it has the perfect spring brightness we crave, but it’s still a warm enough fabric for those cloudy, breezy, transitional days. This weekend I threw it on over one of my favorite Free People tees (completely obsessed with these), some stretchy skinnies (comfy enough for a Sunday), and my trusty wedge sneakers. Before too long, I’ll be swapping in cutoffs to take this look into summer.
Zara blazer (last year), Free People t-shirt, Joe’s jeans, Steve Madden sneakers, Nixon watch (c/o Watch Co), Ray-Ban sunglasses, Workhorse Jewelry necklace, Bracelets: BCBGeneration, Forever21, Kate Spade, Valentino bag
Photography by Ian Sheppard
After living the first 27 years of my life in much colder states, I still can’t get used to the fact that I now live so close to the Pacific, with palm trees in abundance. While a flowy maxi might be the more obvious choice for a sunset gaze over the ocean, I like to opt for something a bit more edgy, structured, and a little kitschy. The only kind of shark I like is one on a cute tee with pretty colors like these, worn with a seafoam embroidered moto blazer and some sharklike accessories in gray leather and razor sharp silver to match. These sunnies from Ivory + Mason remind me of something you’d see in Miami in the 70′s, which makes them perfect for this outfit. This is about as beachy as my wardrobe gets, and I’m totally fine with that.
Zara blazer and tee, Joe’s jeans, J.Crew flats, Rebecca Minkoff purse, Ivory + Mason sunglasses (c/o), Michael Kors watch, Workhorse Jewelry necklace (c/o), Bracelets: HRH Collection and Moondance Jewelry, Kate Spade earrings, MAC lipstick in Costa Chic
Photography by Ian Sheppard
The truth is that even though my job often requires me to do a lot of running around, a great deal of my days are spent doing work at home. I really love these days. I move around from room to room for different work setups and inspiration, with my computer and pups in tow, treating myself to a square or two of dark chocolate and a cup of green tea around 4pm (I love the Yogi brand Blueberry Slim Life). When I don’t have a meeting or appointment, I don’t have to give a moment’s thought to what I wear. Often times it’s special if I throw anything but sweatpants and a drapey tee, which can be every bit as chic as a fully styled outfit in my book. But what I reach for in my closet when I’m on autopilot is usually some variation of this outfit – rolled up boyfriend jeans and a casual shirt of some sort. I love a rumpled crisp white men’s shirt like this one from Banana Republic. It’s comfy for lazing around at home, but if I have to run out the door I’ll throw on a watch and my favorite Moschino belt and I’m set for casual errands without feeling frumpy.
Banana Republic shirt (c/o), Joe’s jeans, Moschino belt, Nixon watch (c/o Watch Co), Jonathan Adler mug, YSL lipstick, Warby Parker Beckett specs (c/o)
In case you missed it back in June, you can see lots more of my home in Glitter Guide’s Style at Home feature.
Photography by Ian Sheppard
Sometimes all I want is to live in the 70′s so I can wear glittery jumpsuits, go roller skating on the reg, and spend my nights at the disco. Lucky for me there’s something about this galaxy print peplum top that makes me feel just a bit closer to the decade (the thick polyester blend fabric certainly helps). Oddly enough, it has turned out to be a very versatile piece in my wardrobe. I’ve worn it with boyfriend jeans and pointy flats, in Vegas with my Margiela for H&M crystal fringe collar and candy clutch, and on several dinners out – both dressy and casual. Versatile or not, any piece of clothing that mentally transports me to a place and time that inspires me is a must have in my book.
Asos top, Zara pants (similar), Boutique 9 heels, 3.1 Phillip Lim clutch, Forever 21 ring, Nixon watch (c/o Watch Co.), J.Crew and Forever 21 bracelets, Incoco nail wraps
Photos by Ian Sheppard
I’m not much of a sports girl but it’s fun to take in a game every once in awhile. I love the sense of excitement, community, and an excuse to eat some all-American stadium food without feeling guilty (I don’t know why I don’t have to feel guilty – I just don’t). Since we moved to LA, Ian’s gotten into the Kings and this weekend we went to a game. Being there in person reminded me how much fun hockey is to watch and to play (yep, I played for one season my senior year of high school – just long enough to learn the rules, so I’m afraid I wasn’t much of an asset to the team). They lost this one against Vancouver, but we had a blast cheering them on and can’t wait to go to another one. How can you not love a team whose logo is a sparkly crown? Just saying. Even though it was warm outside, I was happy to layer up for the arena with some favorites that are on heavy rotation lately. The jeans and sunnies almost look a little like ice, don’t they?
Theyskens’ Theory leather jacket (same jacket, different leather), Free People tee and scarf (similar here and here), Joe’s jeans, Jeffrey Campbell boots, Workhorse Jewelry Burke necklace (c/o), Kule cuff (c/o), Michael Kors watch (similar), Kate Spade earrings, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Rebecca Minkoff purse
Photography by Ian Sheppard
Growing up I was definitely one of those girls who was “jealous” of those without 20/20 vision and got to wear cute glasses. I even had a few pairs with plastic lenses so I could pretend but back then it wasn’t cool to wear “pretend” glasses. Lucky for me that’s not the case anymore and glasses are there to use for our styling pleasure. Warby Parker makes it even more fun with their at home try-on program, not to mention the fact that they give a pair to someone in need for every pair purchased. I must have spent three hours on the site playing virtual dress-up before finally narrowing down to my five picks. I’m a huge sucker for sunnies as well so I had to include a couple of those too. It was hard enough to select just five (there’s at least three or four I am sad to have left out – eh hem Percey), and now how am I going to choose between them? What do you think – which ones should I keep?
Warby Parker glasses from top to bottom (c/o): Beckett specs in revolver matte black, Tenley sunglasses in midnight blue, Crosby specs in black, Jasper sunglasses in marine slate, Winston specs in lunar fade, Outfit: Theyskens Theory leather jacket, T by Alexander Wang tee, Joe’s jeans, J.Crew flats, Valentino bag, Forever 21 bracelet, Michael Kors watch (similar)
Photos by Ian Sheppard
So many of my wardrobe staples are black, I often forget there are other rich neutrals that can mix in just as well. I’ll admit I even felt a little weird pairing these pieces together – oxblood + olive + blue gray. How… colorful? Maybe for a girl who uses black as an anchor to every outfit. It’s slimming, chic, and goes with everything, which is why it’s always the first color I go to if I’m investing in something pricier that I expect to have forever. But my latest challenge is to stray a bit from the black and start playing with other sleek, sophisticated colors. These Alexander Wang booties were my first non-black investment shoes and I like where they’ve taken my wardrobe. I’ve still got the Helmut Lang oxblood version of my black waxed skinnies (seen here) on my list as well. It’s a whole new world of possibilities.
BCBG blazer (last seen here), Gold Hawk top, Joe’s jeans, Alexander Wang booties, 3.1 Phillip Lim pouch, Tom Ford sunglasses, Michael Kors watch, Forever 21 necklace, NARS Scarlett Empress lipstick
Photos by Ian Sheppard
My Louis Vuitton Speedy 35 is for sale!
Even though I live in LA where the typical winter day involves temps that hover in the 70′s, I happen to be a girl who enjoys the cold – within reason, of course. I love to have a hibernation period in the year to eat soup, cozy up with a blanket, drink red wine, layer, and have an excuse to avoid leaving the house. I don’t get much of those excuses here, but I took the opportunity to soak up every bit of the crisp air (followed by delicious hot beverages) when I was in Minnesota. I was so excited to finally have a chance to wear the wool All Saints coat I picked up on major sale at the end of the season last year and my new favorite snood from J.Crew which adds a nice pop of pattern to my darker toned winter outerwear (which in LA is usually a leather jacket). Secretly, I’m still a little sad that the holidays came and went so fast. But the year has gotten off to such a great start, all there is to do is keep up with the fast pace of 2013. Can you believe we’re already almost done with January?
All Saints coat, Topshop hat, J.Crew scarf and pants, Shoemint boots, Equipment blouse, gloves from Rue La La
Today’s look is also featured on the brand new Rue Daily by Rue Magazine! I am in love with the new site. Be sure to head over there and check it out!
Photos by Ian Sheppard
In the lead-up to December, I could not wait to get to Minnesota for the holidays. Aside from the giddy excitement I felt about spending Christmas relaxing and celebrating with my loved ones, I was craving snow and winter activities more than ever. Nothing is better than the feeling of frolicking out in the cold and then coming home to my mom’s afternoon tea to warm me. It’s a feeling I look forward to all year. Minnesota gets a bad rap for being bone chillingly cold (not that that’s a lie) but it really is the most gorgeous winter wonderland and there’s no place I’d rather be at Christmas. We were so lucky to have such dreamy weather during our stay and we made sure to soak it up. We went on brisk winter walks, we did some night skating, and on this particular afternoon we drove out into the country and frolicked in the snowy fields.
Margaret O’Leary cape (c/o), T by Alexander Wang tee, GAP jeans, Moschino belt, Rachel Roy boots, Forever21 hat (similar), H&M gloves, Lips: MAC Russian Red
Photos by Ian Sheppard - Check out his new website!
Thanks for stopping by! I'm Catherine Sheppard, a fashion stylist living in Los Angeles...
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