Pieces To Make Your Spring Wardrobe Bloom!



Yay! It's almost over.
“It's” being the frigid air drying out my pores. 
Lately we've been having (apparently because of that chubby rodent with the tophat) warmer, brighter, less wet days. I'm going to knock on wood now that its been formally typed because Mother Nature or the gopher that predicts the future, likes to change her/its mind quite often. Anyway, now that the days have been getting warmer there's only one thing left to do: SHOP. 
It's never too soon to start dipping into what will become staples of the season (thought for another post: are staples even a thing anymore? You tell me) so lets start by refreshing our oversized winter wardrobes with some sunnier pieces, yes?
I think that while shopping it's important to purchase big on the first go so that every other item you buy afterwards feels like a bargain by comparison. For me, that purchase would be this light blue ruffled Gucci shirt. Yes, I own many button down poplin shirts, but not with these glorious ruffles. Before you judge, picture this: paired with the perfect cropped jeans and a patent chunky heel, pile on the spanish-style bracelets. Can't go wrong!
I've always wanted a cool bomber jacket and this Needle & Thread one is embellished. Two trends in one. Two birds, one sequined stone. 
You know those Dior shoes that are literally killing your soul and tempting your pockets? I found a similar pair to satisfy that luxury itch at Topshop for a lovely $130! I'll probably grab these Topshop Unique bow heels, too. 
As far as denim goes, a jumpsuit in the fabric is just maintenance-man-inspired enough. And then I kind of shouted to myself when I ended up adding these Victoria Beckham cropped flares to my bag. I'm a sucker for a cropped flare. You are, too. 
Don't be alarmed at all the ruffles. It's still cool. And even if it wasn't, I would probably prolong this trend until it became boring. It's hard to resist when Goen J creates an ivory coat-shirt with architectual ruffles and removable belt. So. Freaking. Cute. If the uber girly is stressing you out, try out the simple pleasure of wearing your pajamas outside. Grab a coffee. Sleep on the train. Go to a meeting. 
OR! or or or or. If you have a party to attend this weekend (preferably in a riviera theme) why not try out this Isabel Marant mini dress? I feel like it would help me to dance better. Yes. That's a fantastic reason to buy it. You CAN dance well. 

I may have to narrow down this list but for now, these are my Spring dreams. Which would you get? And if not any, what items are you coveting for the new season?

The Dialogue: Jane Aldridge

Jane Aldridge seaofshoes sea of shoes


Vintage beauty, Jane Aldridge of uber popular blog, Sea of Shoes, might have made a name for herself modeling her enviable shoe collection (which includes everything from Dries Van Noten to Alaia) but it's her keen eye for detail, intricate styling techniques and unique aesthetic among a sea of bloggers that has held everyone's attention over the years. She was one of the first fashion blogs I came across that I still have bookmarked to this day. Maybe it's the porcelain skin. Maybe it's the magazine worthy photography. Maybe it's the expert cat eye. However, I do know that it is definitely her vintage clad Texan style rivaling the looks seen at fashion week that has me coming back for more. 

This week, I was fortunate enough to ask Jane some of the questions I have always wanted to ask. So what, im a bit of a fangirl. You should be, too. 

Name and Occupation:   Jane Aldridge, Blogger

- Where are you based and why do you love it?   Dallas, Texas. My family has deep roots in Texas and I have a great affinity for the character of people here. I'm an avid thrifter/junker, and Texas is a haven for that. Going out to West Texas to see the plains is a yearly pilgrimage for me. Texas is a very special place for me.

How can fashion newbies start to incorporate bolder pieces into their wardrobes in a way that's not overwhelming for them?  I guess you have to find something you really love! If you feel uncomfortable in it, it will show. When it doubt, dress it down with jeans.

Jane Aldridge fashion blogger sweater jeans

 When did you realize that you were in love with fashion? I always loved to dress up as a kid. That's what people knew me for in grade school. I always looked at magazines, but by the time I was 11 I was memorizing the runway collections. I started learning more about vintage and my mom and I would spend every weekend at thrift stores scouring for crazy pieces and great labels. We also started sewing and dying our own clothes around that time. It's just always been my life!

- Your blog, Sea of Shoes, is one of the first blogs that gained notoriety. What made you want to start a blog in the first place?  I lived in a small town, went to a small charter school, and didn't really have anyone to talk about fashion with, except for my mom who loves and has a deep knowledge of fashion. I was 15 and honestly just was hoping to connect with a few people who loved it the way I did. It was such a small close-knit community then. I miss that. It made me so happy that even one person read it!

- If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be? Haha, Thom Browne! He's incredible. I want to help him design his runway sets. That's my dream!

Jane Aldridge denim dress blogger

- Neutrals or brights? Brights, every time!

- What's your signature drink?  A cup of Yorkshire tea with lots of cream.


- It's Saturday morning. Where can we find you?  Up at 6 AM, because the dogs never let us sleep in. Then we start to cook! My boyfriend Jeff and I have a food blog (Thyme & Temp) that we love doing together and it's a huge source of joy for us to spend time on that! It's funny, even on weekends I am still blogging non-stop. Do what you love!


- What are your favorite Instagram accounts?  I love Douglas A Hart and Camille B Waddington's accounts for inspiration. Laura Kitty has an amazing eye for vintage cataloguing. I'm also so inspired by the_corner_store's take on vintage.


Jane Aldridge

- How would you describe your personal style? I prefer to wear mostly vintage! I have pet relationships with all the clothes I own. My personal style is based on whatever I've found lately.

- Heels or flats?  Heels! 


- Favorite classic brand? Favorite emerging brand?  My favorite classic brand is Giorgio Armani. He designs with such a singular eye and runs his company with such integrity. More than ever his clothes look fresh to me. I love his color palettes, always. My favorite emerging brand....Faustine Steinmetz.


- Which luxury item will you always splurge on? Shoes of course!! 


- Before bed beauty routine? I use all Korean products I buy from Memebox.com! I start with a lemony cleanser, pat a toner on, mist on an essence, massage few different serums in for a few minutes, then finish with a rich oil or heavy night cream. 


Jane Aldridge fashion blogger

- What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? Always trust your instinct, and don't worry if other people don't get it yet!

- You travel a lot. Which place have you traveled to that inspired you the most? Tucson, Arizona is this amazing hub of young creatives, artists, and history. I am obsessed, I could totally move there! The beauty of the desert landscape was breathtaking. I am so glad I got to see it and I can't wait to go back.


-  What's your favorite novel? Publication? Website? Let's say Dog of the South by Charles Portis, it's a great dark comedy and I just love everything he's written. My favorite publication is CR Book! And my favorite website..is eBay.


Follow Jane on Twitter & Instagram 
Check out her blog seaofshoes (as if you hadn't already!) 

Jane Aldridge fashion blogger
florals fashion blogger


The It Bag Cemetery.


When I arrived at a new and snootier middle school in the upscale town of Wellington West Palm Beach, I instantly earned favor with a group of girls who's parents lived in mansions on lakes and took quick weekend vacations to Disney World within an hours notice. Oh, and had maids. After a few weeks of relaxing poolside in crochet bikinis and gossiping about gangly thirteen-year-old boys, I realized for the first time in my life that I wanted to keep up. My three best friends (We will just call them A, C and J) owned BMW golf carts and wood paneled refrigerators. But that wasn't what I cared about. 

I became convinced that if I had a Dooney and Burke purse like my friends, my problems would disappear. Mind you, these were middle school problems. The heart saturated bag would finally bring me my period so I would be a grown up, give me a less bloated belly and make my color coordinated braces disappear. I was sure of it. I was fixated. 


A few months later, I received the bag as a gift. When I first opened it, I was ecstatic. When I strutted into school swinging it on my arm, I was disappointed. No one seemed to notice or even care. I was two months too late. I looked around and noticed everyone wearing Coach messenger bags and nylon Nike drawstring backpacks. I vowed to myself then that I would abstain from getting a bag just because everyone else has it. 


It bags are fantastic. Well-made. Accepted as a valuable item and sought after by those who have not yet purchased it. It makes you feel important for a moment in time-- when that bag is still loved and advertised but once the trend is over, you feel almost ashamed to wear something not "in" anymore. Why? Because we all want to feel respected and accepted. 


What goes up must come down. I still use my Alexander Wang Rocco bag not because it's currently in style but because it's my favorite black bag. And it looks great with a fur poof attached. What is an It Bag eventually becomes just another bag and the only thing worse than feeling lame for wearing an item is feeling lame for wearing an item you paid a ton of money for, only to wear it for the season. 


My old bags were handed down to younger cousins and sent to consignment shops. But I always wonder, what happens to those bags we once adored? Where do It Bags go to die? I hope they're at peace. 


Have you ever bought a bag just because it was on trend? Which was it?

Style Icon: Solange Knowles

Solange knowles style


 Beyonce may have the voice but her sister Solange has all the style. Making waves with her quirky, covetable looks, the actress/DJ/mother/aunt is not one to shy away from making major fashion statements. Eye-catching colors, big hair and bold prints are all blended together to create an effortless combination of cool girl and traveler. 

As I researched her more and more these past few weeks, I couldn't believe what I had been missing. Her personal style is the physical manifestation of the basic idea I created my blog to portray and advocate. Wearing whatever the hell you want. She's pushed prints to work with one another (and they do, surprisingly and gladly) and although the audience snapping shots of her may not always pick up what she's putting down, she doesn't seem to mind. She dresses for herself and that requires an immense amount of bravery among keyboard clad bullies and Best Dressed competitions in our favorite publications. 

So how can we emulate such an icon? 
I'm SO glad you asked!

Solange knowles style


  1. Don't be afraid of color: Brights with neutrals, white on white or monochrome pink. Try to pair colors that you haven't before -- purple with yellow, hot pink with orange. 
  2. Wear a ton of patterns. And mix them: What fun is a print when not meshed with another? None at all. Make sure to keep one color cohesive within the scheme. Plaids & florals are a yes.
  3. Pants are optional: Shorts, skirts, and dresses are not. 
  4. Vary heels and flats: Gone are the days of sky-high heels every time you leave the house. Have fun with strappy sandals, striped ballet flats, chunky wedges and pointed kitten heels. 
  5. Choose statement jewelry & Accessories: standout clutches in varying shapes, scarf tied wrists and large sunglasses will suffice. 

Bold & Bright 


Solange knowles style

"Shoes! I’m all about the shoes! I order a ton of them online and play with my entire wardrobe until I find the right shoe."


  • Wear Your natural hair: What you were given probably looks better than what youre forcing it to have. Im personally about to take up the no straightening lifestyle. 
  • Play with shapes: Oversized sweaters, billowing sleeves and sculptual blouses. 
  • When in doubt, try menswear: You know what that means. Blazers and trousers. 


Patterns, patterns, patterns



Solange knowles style


Shape & Structure 



Killer, right? You can follow Solange on Twitter & Instagram
You can follow me on bloglovin, too. 

What's The Biggest Style Risk You've Taken?

Susie bubble london fashion week 2016

On the heels of New York Fashion Week and in the wake of London Fashion Week, we are being flooded by streetstyle images, trend reports and runway reviews that have been overwhelming our social media accounts, brains, and wallets. There is an important question to ask that has been prompted by images similar to the one above, which features streetstyle favorite Susie Bubble wearing multiple patterns all in a primary color range. 
That question is: What is the biggest style risk you've taken?
The biggest relationship risk I've ever taken was two years ago, when I exchanged 'I love you's' with my then and now boyfriend on date number two. (Hey, it worked out. Don't judge.) My biggest beauty risk was in 9th grade when I decided I could shave my own eyebrows. (I ended up getting bangs to cover the shredded bits of hair left on my lower forehead.) As far as style liability goes, the dumbest risk I've ever taken was in Middle School when I wore a striped baggy Gap shirt in hideous shades of salmon paired with light pink corduroy pants and chunky white Sketchers. In my older age, I've experimented with clothing more and I can say that my biggest fashion risk as an adult was probably just deciding to wear what I want without thought of anyone else thus resulting in an oversized denim jumpsuit. 
LFW London Fashion Week 2016 streetstyle
So, I lied. There are two questions you must answer. 
 What’s the biggest fashion risk you've taken and what’s the biggest regret you have regarding your style? I need to know. I really do. I encourage you to share below! 

Less Words, More Streetstyle

Let's celebrate the rule breakers, the cold bearers, the animal print lovers, the risk takers. Let's celebrate those who have abandoned rules in order to accept personal flare. Let's hear it for those wearing seven different colors unflinchingly, those mixing patterns and textures, let's hear it for those unafraid to be stared at, unafraid to be different and unafraid to make mistakes for the sake of fashion. 

Oh, and don't forget to shop the trends at the very end. 
So far, so great. 
   /NYFW-STREET-DAY


Shop the trends

Animal Print coats 
Candy Colors 

Neutrals 
Shearling 
Cherry Red


New York has redefined personal and this time, its a good thing. 

Who do you look forward to seeing on the streets
 during fashion week?