Flowers and jewelry and makeup, oh my!

Can anyone else believe that it's almost Valentines Day? I definitely can't, and I know I'm not the only one. These kind of holidays always seem to sneak up on me and leave me in a panic of what to wear and buy and do. So if anyone else can relate to this I've made a little guide of things to do and wear this Valentine's Day, whether you're celebrating with a special someone or just your closest friends. I know this year I'll be sending all my love to my long distance friends from home and enjoying a night of fun with new friends from school.

For a lot of girls, dressing up is just not their thing. I can relate- almost all through junior high and high school just the thought of putting on a skirt made me cringe. However, adding some more girly pieces to your wardrobe is nothing to be scared of, and can be super easy and fun. I tried to create looks that were a little more feminine (after all it is for a day all about love) but I've also included ways to give these outfits a little more edge. Whatever you wear, use this week to remind your loved ones of how much you love them.

Date #1: Art Museum

This option is first on my list because I just got back from a wonderful day with a friend, visiting the art museum and grabbing lunch from our favorite spot in the city. It was a lot of fun and we got in for free with our student IDs! I love anything that won't break the bank, and our free tickets allowed us to splurge on some Starbucks while waiting for the train back to campus. For a day like this, a comfortable but pretty outfit is always a good option. I love this skirt because it adds just the right amount of color. Get inspiration from some of the paintings and pick a pattern that's bold. I'm loving my floral pieces right now since they remind me that spring is only a few weeks away. Pair the skirt with a comfy knit top and fun hair bow to add some more girly elements, but don't forget some tights and a scarf for warmth. To keep the look casual I would opt for just a touch of mascara and blush. My favorite part of this outfit might be the light colored boots which would be a lovely addition to my mostly black shoe collection. Add just a few artsy pieces of jewelry and you're set. Want to grunge it up? Try some black Docs or a spiked bracelet for an unexpected element. When I think of museums, I think that anything goes. Be as creative as the artists!

                                                                                                          Date #2: Night Out

Of course, what would a Valentine's post be without the classic dinner date? Pick somewhere fancy that you wouldn't normally go to and you'll have the perfect excuse to really dress up- lipstick, heels, everything. I chose a cutout dress from Forever 21 that I thought would be just right. It's a little flirty but with some classic elements thrown in for an altogether polished look. If the thought of something so feminine deters you, a simple black dress will also get the job done. For jewelry you can keep it simple with just a few bracelets- I love the layered look of these with the pearls and gold mixed together. Make your lips stand out with a bold red color. To create a more urban feel, I love this jacket. The leather, olive green, and fur details all have me swooning. To get the same look you could also layer a fur trimmed vest over a long sleeved jacket to stay warm but look cool. Finally, throw on your favorite heels and you'll be ready for the perfect date.

Date #3: Coffee Shop and Thrifting

And last but not least we have my dream date. I love this idea because I can imagine bringing along a friend, boyfriend, or simply taking myself out. I live right next to Manayunk- an area of Philly known for its bars, cafes, and cute little shops. The next time I want to treat myself I'll head down for an afternoon of lounging in one of the many cafes followed by hours of hunting for the perfect vintage finds. For a day like this I'd wear a nice tank top and some scalloped shorts with an extra cozy sweater over top and black thigh highs or tights to keep warm. My current fashion obsession are cutout boots, and this would be the perfect opportunity to wear them, since they are a comfy but cute option that your feet will love. To add a little vintage flair I love this black and white striped bow which has me dreaming of Parisian cafes. One item that I've been searched for in every thrift shop I've visited is a small beaded clutch which could be used to make any outfit more girly. I'll keep looking, but for now a black bucket bag would look just as cute and tone down the girlyness of this look. 

I hope everyone had a great weekend and is ready for the week to come, I know I am!

Boots Made for Walking

Hello lovelies! Today was brisk here in Philly but that didn't stop my friend Tori from dragging me out to go explore our neighborhood. It was great walking along the river, laughing and snapping pictures, although we were thoroughly chilled by the time we headed back to campus. I am loving the photos we got because I think they show exactly how Philly is in the winter- a little gray and bare but still full of people going about their days.

For this walk I donned my newest shoes- Qupid's Valiant Cutout boot. It's safe to say I am in love. They're sturdy which is perfect for icy city sidewalks, but still look adorable. They have cutouts in the back which makes me so excited to wear all my vibrant socks this spring, and I've already been playing around with different sock combinations. Today I paired these shoes with some magenta high socks and my new fox socks from Urban outfitters, which add a playful touch to my sometimes serious winter apparel. 

I couldn't help but admire my friends' shoes as well and how our footwear all matched our personalities and styles. Tori, a huge fan of anything vintage or leopard print, paired a fluffy coat with red tights, black socks, and gray loafers to brighten up her outfit and stay warm. Taisha added a girly touch to her urban style with floral boots that I am incredibly envious of. 

Shoes: Qupid (ordered from amazon), Magenta socks: Target, Fox Socks: Urban Outfitters, Tights: H&M

Below are some of my favorite photos from today. I hope everyone is staying warm and cozy this weekend!

Business Casual?

Hello! It's been another hectic week of classes, club meetings, and design projects. I was so grateful for a wonderful day of doing nothing yesterday but today I dove right back into things with an interview with a "business casual" dress code. I haven't had much experience with this way of dressing so I gave it my best shot and ended up getting a lot of compliments! I think the most important thing to remember with any dress code is to wear what makes you confident. As long as you like what you're wearing and aren't breaking any major rules you'll be fine.
With business casual there are two main guidelines: no jeans, and no revealing tops. Other than that it's pretty much up to you, which I know freaked me out at first. The outfit I settled on was simple but had hints of my own personal style. I started with the basics: a gray skirt, black tights, and a striped button down. As you can see from the pictures, the skirt got a bit wrinkled but thankfully not until after the interview. If you're dressing for an interview or presentation, remember to always wear comfortable clothes that won't start acting high maintenance halfway through. Nothing is worse than trying to impress people with an itchy tag or wrinkly blouse bothering you.
To add my own touch to the outfit I buttoned the shirt all the way up and added my silver spiked necklace which always adds a bit of edge to my outfits. To keep the silver theme going I added my favorite rings. The hearts ring was a gift from my stepdad for my graduation, and the black pearl ring was also a gift, but from my mother for my eighteenth birthday. I always love wearing little mementos during a situation where I think I'll need a little courage. Having gifts from my parents is always comforting.
For shoes I went with my go-to boots with red knee high socks bunched down around my ankles to add some color to my mainly black and white ensemble. Overall, I would definitely wear this again if needed.

Shirt: Forever 21, Skirt: Tobi, Tights: H&M, Socks: Goldtoe, Boots: Famous Footwear, Necklace: Forever 21, Hearts ring: Tiffany & Co, Pearl ring: Justin Bortz, Midi rings: American Eagle