Inspiration - Jeans and Heels

I've been in love with the look of jeans and heels for some time now. The beauty of this look is that you can so easily change it up and make it your own. Dress it up or dress it down. The coolest part is that when you throw on some heels (high or kitten) and add a great accessory or two it elevates your jeans and gives them new life.

 

 

photo credits: WhoWhatWear.com, Lovely-Pepa.com

Jeans, heels and a dressy jacket is one of my all time favorite looks. Those distressed jeans that you used to throw on with your ratty sneaks are now more sophisticated with some great heels and a jacket. Bonus, they are still just as comfy.

photo credit: afterDRK.com, devonrachel.com


A biker or a baseball jacket also make great additions to this simple look.

photo credits: walkinwonderland.com, thecourtneykerr.com, trini-g.com, thecourtneykerr.com


Sometimes simple is best. A graphic sweatshirt, a baseball shirt, a simple white button down, or even a Texas tuxedo all seem a little more special with the addition of a pair of heels.



You don't have to don sky high heels. Pick the height you like best and go for it. I gravitate more toward lower heels these days but any heel will do. I tend to prefer a simple, pointed toe pump but just Google "jeans and heels" and you'll find lots of additional inspiration.

Inspiration - Amal Ramzi Clooney

Amal possesses the same gift that many international women have, she is effortlessly chic. Her wardrobe consists of classic solids, statement shoes and bags, and great jackets and coats.  She doesn't wear lots of jewelry but usually selects a standout pair of earrings or a great necklace. Even her casual outfits have a few standout elements but mostly consist of a base of simple, tasteful and classic pieces. She is a brilliant human rights lawyer who happens to be married to George Clooney. I loved Tina Fey's stab at that, during the Golden Globes this year!

photo credits: Harpers Bazaar

Inspiration - Kate Lanphear

I often think that I could wear mostly black on a daily basis and I'd be happy. It has to do with my rocker chic sensibility and the fact that I love mixing tough pieces with soft pretty pieces. Kate Lanphear, former Style Director of Elle and currently Editor and Chief of Maxim, is the perfect embodiment of that style. She has rocker chic down and looks bad ass even when she's wearing feminine touches. She makes the combination look so effortless. Even her trademark hairstyle and platinum color are statement making.

photo credit: streetpeeper

photo credit: stockholm-streetstyle



photo credit: mrnewton

She wears colors other than black but they are usually neutrals or mixed in a print with black.

photo credit: vogue.nl

photo credit: grastrochic

photo credit: elle


Did I mention how amazing her jewelry is? Studs, spikes, and heavy chains, oh my! She's all about the amazing accessories, jewels, bags, shoes, and belts.

photo credit: hanneli

photo credit: tommyton

photo credit: vogue.es

Inspiration - Cold Weather Layers

This time of year, moving in and out of the cold when you're doing errands or shopping can be a challenge. The key is layers. You can easily warm up or cool down by quickly adding or removing layers. I love the style of these ladies.

photo credit: stockholdstreetstyle.com

I love everything about the look above, the skinny jeans, the wool biker jacket, the slouchy hat and the sneaks. Fantastic! 

photo credit: trendfashiondesign.com

What's not to love about fur, leather and boots!

photo credit: ministryoffashion.co.uk

Words can't describe how much I want to find this coat. It's perfection.

Inspiration - Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween is less than a week away. Our party this year is on Saturday (November 1st). Luckily, we have one extra day to get our act together. I definitely feel like our costumes are a huge part of the party. Since we're the hosts, I like to go all out. It's the only time, EVER, that I enjoy dressing as a couple. I'm definitely not big on the matching thing. In fact, one or both of us have been known to change clothes if that accidentally happens. Halloween is the only exception. Last year {msL} was Edgar Allan Poe and I was the Raven. My costume was over the top, complete with wings, feathers and claws. {msL} wore a dark wig, mustache, a waist coat, ascot and carried a book of POEtry (see what I did there?). Hopefully, we'll look just as great this year. I thought we were set on our idea but we keep going back and forth. Time is ticking people. Here are our options.



The Corpse Bride - Victor and Emily

More costume inspiration after the break.

Inspiration - Zanna Roberts Rassi

Zanna Roberts Rassi is the Senior Fashion Editor for Marie Claire USA. She is also a television host and stylist. I lover her chic and effortless style. It's a trait that many of us American ladies try to emulate and it's something that European ladies seem to be born with. I love Zanna's mix of high end items with denim and t-shirts. She also has a great way of combining tough items like leather with soft items like silk and chiffon.

She even has amazing and stylish friends (l to r: Taylor Tomasi Hill, Zanna, Joanna Hillman).

photo credits - 1 / 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7/ 8/ 9/ 10

Inspiration - Halloween 2014

It's time to start decorating for our annual Halloween party. It's become an exciting tradition for our friends and I look forward to it every year. I love the decorations we have but like to change things up and give guests some surprises. This year we are also celebrating the birthday of one of our guests, which means that we have to pull out all the stops, of course. As you can see, I go for spooky over cute. What's Halloween without creepiness? Here are a few new sources of inspiration.

The designers and creators at Martha Stewart are genius. The ideas they come up with are incredible and memorable.

 

My friend the DC Goodwill Fashionista is featuring last year's party and decorations, many purchased from Goodwill, on her blog today. Head on over and show her some love!


photo credits: marthastewart.com, abcdesign.com, houzz.com, epicurious.com, cocktails at marthastewart.com

Inspiration - Fall Denim Styling

I've always been a jeans girl. I love denim and I'm loving that it's not just for casual wear anymore. I love dressing up denim and making it look sophisticated. I spent some time over the weekend, looking for lots of denim inspiration. I found some great options to style a the fall trends I told you about last week, this time with denim.

 

Cape and Denim

Denim and Fur (I prefer faux.)

I have to confess, I might love this red fur coat more than I love the whole look but isn't it fantastic?!

Denim and Leopard

Denim and a Wrap Coat



 

A few more for inspiration...

Denim, Booties, and a Skull

Denim and Tweed