CAPED CRUSADER

Good morning and happy Saturday, Everyone! Hope you're all enjoying your weekend! I just wanted to say a quick hello and share a few images of my latest obsessions, starting with the uber cozy Club Monaco poncho I've added to my outwear collection recently. Chic, yet very warm and comfy, what I love about this piece the most is the fact that I can wear it in a multitude of ways. Today I opted to pair it with slouchy jeans and ankle boots, but it would look just as great with flared jeans or knee-high boots for example. Basically, the possibilities are endless, and of course you know how much I love that!:)

CLUB MONACO Imani wool poncho { also love this option and this one } | CITIZENS OF HUMANITY Agnes jeans | CLUB MONACO Luise felt floppy hat | CHLOE small Hudson bag studded cross body bag | CHELSEA PARIS boots { similar here & here } 

SANDAL STAPLES :: A FEW MARC FISHER LTD FAVORITES

If you read my blog on regular basis, you probably know what a huge shoeaholic I truly am! And so, when Marc Fisher LTD reached out with an opportunity to style a few of my favorite sandal styles, I simply couldn't resist!:) 

When it comes to my favorite shoe styles in general, drama and details is what I tend to go for the most. Even when it comes to everyday and casual, plain is not my game:)! And so, since details are so important to me and lace-up is one of the biggest trends of SS16, for this particular post, I opted to style 3 different lace-up style sandals ranging from casual to dressy. Why lace-up you ask? Well, aside from being incredibly versatile, what I like about lace-up details the most is the fact that they add that perfect touch of drama to both casual and dressy sandals. A little sexy, a little girly, they have this great ability to transform even the simplest of styles into statement making heels.

Look 1:

When it comes to must-have sandals for Summer, a great pair of black heels is always at the top of my list. Black works with everything and never goes out of style, so I always look for something I can wear in a multitude of ways. In general, I prefer slightly edgier options because they work so well to balance girly dresses yet pair beautifully with jeans and tailored separates. What gives that slightly edgy, polished look to the Lauren heels I am sporting in today's post, are the thicker lace-up straps with tasseled edges, which can be casually tied in the front. For today's look, I paired them with a simple cobalt-colored shirt dress and a wide tasseled belt. Introducing a thicker black leather belt gives a bit more polish to this outfit and also helps make tassels a statement detail in this look.

Look 2:

I am completely obsessed with these nude-colored Larsa lace-up heels with tassel detailing! Aside from the fact that nude-colored suede heels happen to be a particular weakness of mine, I love this particular style because it's such a statement-making shoe. A great hybrid between sandals and booties, to me, they are a perfect option to pair with a cute girly dress to add a bit of edge and polish to the look. For this particular outfit, I went with a beautiful stark white eyelet dress and a matching nude-colored purse. A perfect dressier option for dinner or cocktails, when it comes to Summer color pairings, nude and white is probably one of my favorites. Cool and crisp, this combo feels fresh and never goes out of style, and works for day or night and everything in between!

Look 3: 

Gold-colored gladiator sandals? Yes, please! My ultimate statement-making flat sandal, there is literally no wrong way of wearing these beauties. They work with absolutely everything from casual, nonchalant pieces like denim cut-offs or sundresses to a much more polished options like flowy midi dresses and of course cute denim skirts and sheer lace blouses:)! For this outfit, I drew inspiration from my beloved 70s, so I paired my Mia gold gladiator flats with button-front denim mini, a long-sleeved lace blouse, huge sunnies and a few gold jewels to add a bit of sparkle to the look.

What do you thing, guys? Which sandal style is your favorite? 

CAMEL COATED

As far as I'm concerned, accessories make or break an outfit... Ok, maybe not break but they definitely make outfits a little more interesting:)! Take today's look for example, a classic camel and black combo gets a touch of drama thanks to a pair of studded booties and a bright red bandana. Sure, I could have gone with a neutral-hued scarf like brown, cream or gray for example, but I rather like that unexpected pop of red precisely because it takes this look away from the neutral territory and makes it a bit more special:) What do you guys think? 

BANANA REPUBLIC Camel double-breasted coat | IRO leather pants { similar here & here } | SAINT LAURENT Embellished leather ankle boots | FREE PEOPLE vintage bandana | CHANEL bag | DIOR So Real 48mm sunglasses

BLACK & WHITE

After living in LA for more than 10 years, when it comes to weather, the one thing I still find difficult to adjust to is how quickly it changes. Just when you get used to wearing sweaters and coats, it plays a trick on you and sends one of those super warm days your way. Not that I mind the warmth and sunshine! Yet, trying to dress in a weather-appropriate manner can get a little tricky.

Take this week for example, it started off nice and cool. Basically, by Cali standards completely coat appropriate temperatures. Then 2 days ago, the weather decided that it had enough of winter, and took us into a full summer mode! Well, ... what is a girl to do but bust out her new spring wardrobe! The plus side, beside the gorgeous warm weather of course, is that I get to wear my new spring favorites a little early. Or, a lot early in this case! :) 

IRO Shera jacket & Nicole skirt | B-LOW THE BELT Ana wrap belt | DIOR So Real 48mm sunglasses | SAINT LAURENT Embellished leather ankle boots | CHANEL bag 

BURGUNDY SUEDE

Yet another one of my outfits comprised entirely of all the things I am completely and totally obsessed with! Take this beautiful trench coat for example, sure, I am more than a little partial to trenches in general, but this suede perfection takes trench coats to the next level! As far as I'm concerned, suede is the ultimate leather of choice for pretty much everything. It adds just the right touch of texture and transforms even the simplest of pieces into statement makers. Yet, what I particularly adore about this trench, is the fact that it's made from light-as-air, buttery-soft suede that moves. And though I certainly appreciate a certain degree of stiffness for some suede items like jackets for example, in this case, the cut and soft suede work synergistically to create a piece that is both slightly casual and decidedly polished. Naturally, I absolutely love that!

REBECCA MINKOFF Amis suede trench coat { similar here & here } | CHLOE Patchwork knit Hudson bag | FRAME DENIM Le High flare jeans | LARSSON & JENNINGS Lader suede & gold plated watch | ISABEL MARANT Daria round-frame metal sunglasses 

PASTELS & POM POMs

Emil and I spent the weekend in Venice, California, wondering about Abbot Kinney, exploring our favorite shops, eating out and just enjoying the warm weather! Packing for our mini staycation got me thinking about how my favorite basics changed over the years. Though my fondness of high heels will never go away completely, lately, I find myself reaching for a pair of comfy sneakers whenever I put together a casual look. And the same philosophy extends to clothing. Sure, whenever I dress up, tailored, polished and embellished is still what I generally prefer. But on my days off, cozy comfort is what I crave, which believe it or not, is a big chance considering my old casual uniform consisted of jeans, blazers and heels:) 

AG Stevie ankle cords | JOIE Kajetan turtleneck sweater { also love this one  } | BANANA REPUBLIC Camel double-breasted coat | CELINE bag | JOCELYN bag charm { similar here & here } | URBAN OUTFITTERS Pom Pom hat { similar here & here } | GOLDEN GOOSE sneakers { also love these ones & these }