fancy pants.

Not sure if you've noticed, but the cools kids are really on to something here.

Kelly Framel.

Is it strange that I know that this is Jenna Lyons?

Taylor Tomasi Hill.

Other fashionable people.

I'll admit it. I'm kind of over dresses. (I said kind of!) There's really something to be said for good looking comfort and not having to worry about how your legs are crossed or if a dangerous breeze is en route. What's the alternative, you ask? Ladies and gents, I bring you the fanciest of all fancy pants. And you thought colored denim was brave. Next time, I dare you to try a flower print as big as your face.

Tibi :: camilla and marc :: Tucker :: Alice + Olivia

And as long as I can procure an appropriate top to go with these, I have found my first pair of dress-replacing winners.

:: available aquí ::

wishlist wednesday: made in the shade.

Up until a few days ago, Ray Bans were my facewear staple, with a few pricier guys thrown into the mix. But whilst perusing Shopbop, as I do quite often, I happened upon a collection of $30 shades that looked like they may be worth a shot. Naturally, I ordered a few - the Cryokinesis and Books, and at this point am contemplating going crazy and getting another pair. I kid you not, they're spectac[le]ular! (Get it?!)

stock up here

But now let's travel to the polar opposite end of this realm and talk about Miu Miu's pricey plot to bankrupt me.

Where might I find these in silver? They are an enigma, and far too cool to not own, especially if I pretend they're a gift to myself for some accomplishment that I'll determine at a later time. My face is just as good of a place as any to display a sparkly piece of art. Holy wow.

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april showers bring an excuse to go shopping.

I know it's not April yet, and from the looks of this weather it seems as though we may have skipped spring entirely (not complaining, although certainly confused), but let's go off of the assumption that global warming regulates itself sometime soon and we get some rain.
The transition into the next season makes me yearn for a good ol' fashioned spending spree. More specifically, the transition into spring translates into major rain gear crushing. Let's go shopping, splash in some puddles, and pretend we're not as old as we really are. Woo!

boots: this, that, and the other // raincoats: here, here, here, here, and there // umbrellas: first and last // puppy apparel: just the one

grandma chic.

 

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I've always admired a black and white photograph my dad has of my grandmother. She was in her seventies when the picture was taken and has pronounced wrinkles around her eyes and smile. I always thought she looked so beautiful. When I met J's grandma, she immediately offered me her fabulous red Chanel lipstick - you know, because we were going out in public and my lips were bare {gasp!}.

 Much of my styling inspirations come from these older ladies and has evolved into what can only be described as "grandma chic." We've borrowed so much from the past generations over the years, and their fashions are no exception.. fur jackets and stoles (faux, please), amazing hats, bright lips, layered necklaces, pattern on pattern, whimsical blouses with bows and ties, and gold jewels studded with colored stones.

A few of my favorites, young and old.

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mr. alexis.

Meet Alexis. No, not on the left.. on the right. Don't you know who that is on the left? What's wrong with you?! Sorry, that was rude.. Okay, Iris Apfel (who should probably get her own dedicated post somewhere down the line) is on the left and Alexis Bittar is on the right.

He is a connossieur of the pretty and the lighthearted, and I am completely unable to figure out how we aren't yet best friends forever.

If you were curious, the way to my gaudy, child-of-the-1980s heart is a) bright colors, b) sparkles, and c) metallics. Together.
The inspirations for his new collection are the sad and the fabulous, whereas the stuff he creates is just plain fabulous.

Little Edie and Big Edie of Grey Gardens, the original "GG."

Miss Havisham, another glam recluse. 

Georgia O'Keefe, painter of the Southwest.. among other things.

Speaking of fabulous, this is what we have to look forward to for Summer 2012!

AB does AbFab

I recommend beginning the penny-pinching at this very second so you can start to acquire as many of these mood-elevating and eye-catching beauties as humanly possible. And my birthday is in October, so you have some time to save for that as well.

all other images via pinterest

wishlist wednesday: man up.

Whether you're the guy already in our life (happy birthday to K's J!), the guy who desperately wants to be in our life (Aaron Rodgers for B, if we're attempting to be a smidge realistic), or any old dude who needs a bit of direction in the fashion department, look no further.
We are here to help.

The philosophy is simple: cultivate your own style, buy timeless pieces, and mix in seasonal trends. Don't let your girlfriend/boyfriend, wife or mother dictate what you wear. A nice pair of jeans, a tailored suit, and a beautiful watch are going to be well worth it, and unique accessories will keep you from looking oh so catalog. If you let us dress you, our picks would be:

jacket / watch / shirt / headphones / [similar] jeans / briefcase / tiebar / tie / cufflinks / sunglasses / hoodie 

Happiest birthday my sweet J! This is largely inspired by his sense of style, a combination of Johnny Cash, Kurt Cobain, Josh Homme, with a bit of Gordan Gekko for the office. And, while I swear to him that a grunge comeback is imminent and soon enough everyone will be sporting his most coveted look: a long sleeve thermal layered with a band tee - in the meantime, I'm grateful that he allows me to influence his small corner of our shared walk-in closet. xx

weekender / tie / sunglasses / [similar] flannel / jacket / [similar] messenger bag / cologne / cufflinks / little black book / shoes / watch / [similar] jeans

Think fancy mountain man. New York meets Colorado. When in doubt, just J.Crew (the verb).
I happen to know for a fact that this leather jacket weighs approximately 95 lbs, so it's like inadvertent exercise - win win situation. Also, what's up with guys not having little black books anymore? It would make it so much easier for us ladies to find out who else they're courting without having to run through numerous password combinations on their phone. Wait.. what?

wishlist wednesday: to spend or to spend a little more.

Dearest Refinery29, I have the timestamp to prove it, so please pack up your stylish self and get out of my brain. Love you lots. 

$190/$1295/$328/$????/$150/$695

Getting down to business, it's worth pointing out that not all of these items are on my wish list (particularly the studded boots.. I really would like to be able to pull off that look, but contrary to what all of those silly people that stop me on the street may think, I am not Erin Wasson! Sheesh.) But just like everyone and their mother, I definitely wouldn't say no to a Celine bag, preferably in a tri-tone. Anyhoo, should you have had your eye on one of the bank-breaking items on the right, I hope that I have done my good deed for the day by directing you to the semi-equivalent item on the left. And if not, just let me know and I'll find a new way to earn your trust, respect, and undying love. I don't utilize my oven except for storing unused cookware, but I would be thrilled to buy you a cupcake.

seeing red.

Heart shaped cookies iced and decorated, and one bite taken out of each of the chocolates in the box you just received (or bought yourself!) – no matter what, you’re rocking a medium to heavy sugar buzz all day today. And, whether it’s your blood boiling with rage hating the entire holiday, the warm and fuzzy feeling you get from all the love in the air, or the agent provocateur purchase you made last week – Valentine’s Day has us all seeing red. 

Personally, I love holidays of any sort. Decorating, entertaining, and dressing for the occasion always bring out the inspired, fun side of me that’s generally hiding in an office building under florescent lighting. For Valentine’s Day this year, I found myself ready with little favors for my co-workers, a clever gift and evening plans with J. But, I was lusting after something fun and glitzy to add into the mix. Enter Joanna. My younger brother’s adorable longtime girlfriend, the ultimate perfectionist and queen of all things pretty. She set up her arsenal in my living room this weekend, and shared her favorite Valentine’s Day designs.

hi, my name is tom, and i am adorable.

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Show me a great pair of flats and I will show you the money! Such was the case when my southwestern bff brought the Toms ballet flats to my attention. Despite the fact that I deeply appreciate the beauty in a casual pair of $1200 sparkly and spiked Louboutin heels, a) putting those on my feet would make me well over six feet tall, b) I feel like I'm a little young to go into debt, and c) my daily life makes it necessary to walk further than ten steps a day. The beauty of these bad boys is that I get to remain my flat-footed height, each pair will run you no more than $84, I can walk the entire length of my place of employment and back again (trust me, it's a hike), and then there is the added bonus of the Toms "One for One" mission. Vera and Tory will always have their dedicated spaces carved out in my closet, but my shopping addiction is often fueled by moral justification, so I'm officially hooked. And you should be, too.
A word to the wise, I am a 9.5 in your regular everyday shoe, a 9 in the original Toms, and an 8.5 in these. You have been warned.