Jamie Chung’s (actress and blogger) personal style is nothing short of amazing.
From vintage inspired looks consisting of knee high boots and a medallion print miniskirt to casual looks that balance a chunky knit and leather leggings, Chung always seems to get it right. I also love the white on white ensemble, as so many are afraid of wearing white during Winter.
(All images and their original sources can be found on my Pinterest board)
Come Friday, it’ll be a New Year. One to fill with new people, new experiences, new adventures, and more special moments.
I’m honestly quite excited about the New Year and what it has to bring me as 2015 has been a bit of a rough one. With that being said, I am still quite hopeful.
With family having come in to town to visit, I just had to show them the Co-Cathedral that was built not that long ago in Downtown Houston.
As a lover of art and architecture, the cathedral and the amount of detail put into it amazed me. The stained glass was gorgeous, the statues of patron saints looked incredibly realistic, and the cupola had my neck sore from straining to look at it for so long.
Whether or not you’re Catholic, be sure to visit the Co-Cathedral if you’re in Houston. The history of it along with the story of each piece that used used to construct and the architecture itself is so amazing you’ll have a wonderful time touring it.
-C
With a larger budget, it honestly feels way easier to spend more frivolously or to splurge on specific materials and brands. I love the shape of the Topshop Girlfriend Blazer and the beaded peony clutch found at Anthropologie is so unique. When it comes to gifts like those, quality and rarity of a print matter.
Another splurge are PJ Salvage pajamas. They’re a little more pricy than the pajamas you’d find at Target, but I love their prints and they last forever (I’ve had my pair for coming on 10 years now).
Gifts like these really focus on quality over quantity–which I’ve always been for.
-C
(Beaded Peony Clutch ($68), Claudine Faux Fur Hat ($78), and Flora Fawn Scarf ($78) all at Anthropologie; Girlfriend Blazer $95 at Tophsop; Bobbi Brown Deluxe Eye & Cheek Palette ($76.50) and PJ Salvage Pajamas ($62) at Nordstrom; Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black Perfume 1.7 oz Parfum $80 at Sephora; Crosley x UO Portable Briefcase Turntable $80 at Urban Outfitters)
The holiday season has to be the busiest time of the year for partygoers. Not only are there the traditional family Christmas parties but also the ones at workplace, at your friend’s or significant other’s workplace, and (of course) NYE parties.
I love when I see women wearing dresses and outfits at said events with a unique detail or a little extra quirk. Whether it’s a bow in the back or a ruffled low neckline or a kimono style dress, there’s so may dresses out there that stray away from the crowd.
(Tiered Minka Dress:$495 at Anthropologie; Urban Renewal Sequin Sack Dress: $129 at Urban Outfitters; Spin Me ‘Round Maxi Dress: $78 at NastyGal; Ainkia Kimono Dress: $498 at Anthropologie; Open Back Bow Dress: $448 at Kate Spade)
According to the PlayNetwork site, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has been replaced as the number one Christmas song by the Shins rendition of Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime”.
When I first saw this news, I was kinda shocked to be honest. With Love Actually being one of my favorite Christmas movies, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has always been one of the songs I most associate with the holiday season and never imagined it could be trumped as the top song.
One thing I always try to look at when picking someone for “Style to Admire” is whether or not their outfits are attainable for a modern woman who is not in the spotlight. So while I may not be able to rock thigh high boots, I can do the jeans+booties, sweater+pencil skirt, or the suede shorts+tights combo just about any day.
Life is so fast paced, having an easy outfit combination to rely on is a necessity. I’m also always looking for more ways to look put together while casually dressing when I’m out and about. I’ll definitely be trying the cuffed jeans and booties look here soon.
(To find the original sources for the images, go to my Pinterest page here)
When it comes to gift giving, I generally am pretty practical. If I know someone who has limited amount of winter clothes, I’ll give them gloves or a beanie or a nice scarf. Or if I have a friend who’s either a beauty or music junkie, I know the latest album or palette will be used/listened to repeatedly.
I always figured it’s best to give someone a gift that you know they’ll actually use versus something they just want.
-C
(Gwen Stefani x Urban Decay Palette: $58; Fuzzy Knit Leather gloves from Urban Outfitters: $39; Faux Fur vest from H&M; Ribbed Infinity Scarf from J Crew: $49.99; Clinique Happiness in Colour Gift Set: $39.50; Makeup bag from Sephora:$26; Adele 25 LP from Urban Outfitters: $29.98; Penny Coin Pouch from Anthropologie:$38)
People generally define this time of year by their essentials–Williams & Sonoma’s Peppermint Bark, trips into the Village to explore the shops and lights, a comfy fisherman sweater, a cup of Chai along with a good book, and of course, red lipstick.
Red lips work all year ’round, but for some reason their effect intensifies around the holiday season. The first thing I always notice during the last couple of scenes of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is Beverly D’Angelo’s red lips. And every time the Barnes & Noble ad with Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett airs, my eyes are instantly drawn to Gaga’s red lips (and of course that gorgeous outfit, but let’s not get off track here…).
They’re just an eye catcher and should really be in every woman’s beauty arsenal (if they’re not already). Whether you’re a fan of the classic red, such as Chanel’s Rouge Matte, or tend to go for something a bit quirkier, like Topshop’s Brighton Rock, you can’t go wrong.
Just be sure to find the right one for you.
(Chanel Rouge Matte lipstick (for when I want to feel fancy); Topshop Lips in Brighton Rock (perfect with a fresh face); Red Lizard by Nars (current favorite); Smashbox Fireball Matte lipstick (for when I want to have a Grace Kelly moment); Ruby Woo by MAC (an all-time favorite))
There are officially four Wednesdays before Christmas day, so instead of posting a “Wednesday Want” I’ll be posting gift guides. The gift guides will be divided by price range, as I know budgeting for the holidays is something many of us keep in mind.
This one, like many of the others, includes items that I am currently coveting. I mean, who wouldn’t want to get on the fringe trend train for a cheap fare? Also, I just adore the book covers for the Jane Austen classic novels at Anthropologie.
I hope each and every one of these helps you in your search for the perfect gift.
(From top left: Stamped Zodiac Sign from Urban Outfitters ($18); Fringe Bag from H&M ($24.99); Beaded Sweater from H&M ($19.99); Chloe Coffret Gift Set from Sephora ($18) ; Rifle Paper & Co Tea and Coffee Calendar from Anthropologie ($20); Jane Austen Classic Novels from Anthropologie ($18.95); Pour-ganic Chemistry Wine Glass from Modcloth ($17.99))
ShortSweetandLovely 