Head Over Heels

When I have a free moment I love to browse the Etsy shops.  I do this not only because I think those behind my favorite shops are extremely talented and unique, but because the prices are often much less than what you would buy something similar for in your favorite boutique.  I'm a huge fan of Jennifer Behr and all that she does with hair accessories, but sometimes prices can get a bit steep.  Here are some of my favorite shoppes for headbands.

Luciabella

Little White Dresser

Snow White Studio

Kristen Kuehn Designs

Sunshine & Kamala

Do you have a favorite Etsy shop?  I feel like there are so many I'll never discover them all...

Zipped Up

Making the transition from summer to fall can be a daunting task, but I find it easiest when I keep the same clothes in rotation and make a few tweaks.  I have been wearing this navy blue dress all summer with sandals, big shades and loads of jewelry.  Since this look wouldn't quite work in the fall, I've worn tights and a long-sleeved shirt along with a faux fur scarf for added warmth.  Marc by Marc Jacobs dress, H&M scarf and clutch, John Eshaya shirt, Uniqlo tights, Steve Madden booties, Tiffany&Co and F21 rings.  Please excuse the wrinkles, it's the kind of dress that wrinkles the minute you sit down.

Are there items in your closet that transition particularly well from summer to fall?

Lusting After: Fall Coats

It's so easy to get wrapped up in the spring 2011 shoes going on right now, so much that I often forget it's only the beginning of fall.  There are plenty of winter months to be had, so I'll hold off on a post about color blocking and mini-dresses for now.   Though the cold and I are not best friends, rather more like enemies, I plan to drown my sorrows of feeling like a human popsicle in fabulous coats and in particular, a nice cape.  I love pieces the are versatile and I feel like a cape can be dressed up by wearing it over a dress with stilettos or dressed down with skinnies and a pair of boots.  Here are some of the coats and capes I am most lusting after this fall...

Any Favorites?

Rain Check

I woke up this morning with plans to go on a long walk, take some pictures and eat at a cute outdoor café...all the while doing this in my cute new Topshop booties.  My plans were squashed soon after when I opened the curtains to find a downpour of rain and skies so grey I could have sworn the sun chose not to rise today.  Why do I get the feeling this isn't the last time London's fickle weather will leave me in a bind? I traded in the booties for my wellies and went for a walk in the rain anyway.  I don't mean to complain too much, there are plenty of rainy day activities I take pleasure in like eating comfort food and crawling under the covers to watch old movies..which is exactly what I did.

Wore my pink wellies with a pair of Urban Outfitters socks...

...made homemade gnocci with pesto...

...and topped my meal off with vanilla ice cream and oreos.

Do you have any favorite things to do on a rainy day?

Falling For London

I've been in London for just over a week and I'm already smitten.  I love that despite being a big bustling city it still has really quaint areas like SoHo, Hyde Park and Portobello Market.  I don't think I could get bored here if I tried.  Today was amazing weather so I opted against a jacket and just wore a Topshop long-sleeved shirt, rings and earrings, J Brand shorts, H&M tights and clutch, and Jeffrey Campbell clogs for a long walk in the park.

Accessory Trend Watch: Part 2

I posted earlier this week on my fall accessories must-haves, and this is the second part of that same list. Green and brights trends are quite suitable for the daytime, but I've always found that pearls and rhinestones perfectly complete a nighttime look.  From brooches to cocktail rings, these trends truly class-up an outfit.

Statement Jewelry

Making a dorm room your own can be a daunting task, especially when your curtains are the color of a pumpkin and your door is Pepto Bismol pink.  Seeing as I'm only going to be here in London for the next three months, I decided to decorate my room with things I already have rather than buying posters or picture frames.

Hanging up my jewelry turned out not only to be decorative but extremely helpful.  I like that I can see everything I have without having to search for it, plus I no longer have to spend hours untangling necklaces (a serious pet peeve of mine).

I also thought I'd share some new purchases I've made in foggy London town...

Grizzly ring from Top Shop...

H&M trench coat with Splendid leggings, Sam Edelman flats, burberry purse and F21 necklace

Accessory Trend Watch: Part 1

Every time a new season rolls around I get excited not only to shop for new fall pieces, but also for new accessories.  While accessories might not seem as trendy as clothing, there are definitely a few pieces on my must-have list for fall like greens and brights.  Since black seems to be worn a bit more come fall, keeping your accessories bright makes for an unexpected pop of color.

Grey Skies

London has greeted me with perpetual grey skies posing quite a challenge for my picture taking, however I'm trying to manage.  Much to my surprise, it has not been too cold so today I wore an Urban Outfitters dress, H&M tights, LaRok vest, Dolce Vita boots and F21 necklaces.  The dismal weather brings out my tendencies of wanting to wear all black, yet I have been making it a point to wear something of color each day.  I put this outfit together keeping in mind that I wanted to mix textures, and I really liked the end result I wore it out to dinner last night.  What's your go-to outfit for a gloomy day?

Save Or Splurge

I've confessed my love for Forever 21 accessories before, so I won't make you listen to my spiel once more.  I just love that by spending a little less on accessories I can have a variety of options when I go to put together an outfit.  Here are some earrings I thought looked remarkably similar and are a perfect opportunity to save.

Greener Grass

I've been in London for three days now and am beginning to realize that its weather is just about as predictable as the lottery: not at all.  One minute it's sunny, the next it's windy beyond belief and soon enough it's raining.  I've learned that layering is the key to always being comfortable, so I usually wear a nice top, a light cardigan and a coat.  My parents and I visited my abroad university for the first time today, here is what I wore.  VS Pink top, Ella Moss cardigan, Paige skinnies, Steve Madden wedges, H&M fringe bag, F21 jewelry and J Crew belt.

À La Mode

I've been having an amazing time traveling in Dublin and Paris and I've finally settled down in London, so I thought it was about time to share some pictures.  My days were jam packed with museum tours, seeing the sights like Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur, and making my pilgrimage to the shopping mecca...Printemps and Galleries Lafayette (two incredible Paris department stores).  What is your favorite city to visit?

View of Dublin from the Guinness brewery...

...shopping for sweets on the left bank

eclairs from Fauchon that looked way too pretty to eat...

stained glass in the Notre Dame cathedral.