Mix Master: Work-Appropriate Sweats

This week, I am really inspired by mixing the unconventional. I don't subscribe to one standard of style, or shop at one store in particular (J. Crew, though, does hold a large part of my heart, and closet). If I like something and think I will wear it (and if I can afford it) I buy it. To me, nothing is more fun than mixing your new purchases with old favorites, all while challenging common fashion standards.

This week's mix? Classic work-wear, such as gray twill pants, luxe jewelry and a sweatshirt! Sweats to work?! Trust me, when done correctly and tastefully, this look is both appropriate for the workplace and fashion-forward.

A crew neck sweatshirt in a solid color works best (try this one, from American Apparel) for layering. Hoods aren't exactly work appropriate, anyway.

The pants should be tailored and fit well, and tapered at the bottom to show off some killer shoes (these pants from Urban Outfitters are pictured above).

Your shoes should balance sex appeal and utilitarianism. Shoes that fit this description shouldn't be hard to find as this is a major trend for the season (I have these from Steve Madden, they are awesome in person).

With the key pieces of your outfit figured out, the ever-important accessories now come into play. A statement necklace adds a formal element to an otherwise casual sweatshirt, and is a nice juxtaposition to a man's watch and a structured bag.

The final piece just happens to be my favorite piece of outerwear for the season: anything faux fur, especially in leopard print! Leopard print is always a luxe and glamourous addition to any outfit.

Add a messy up-do and red lip, and you are good to go!

The key here is the mix of masculine and feminine elements, with a few unique touches added in to make it your own.

Weekly Obsessions

Just a few things that have made their way into my hands that I am loving this week...

{"Roman Equestrian" rain boots from Banana Republic, $98}

I have worn these every day so far this week due to all of the rain we have been having. I had been on the search for a pair of sophisticated rainboots that were both functional and work-appropriate, and these most certainly fit the bill. They keep my feet dry and toasty during rainy fall days while still looking like a chic pair of leather boots. Their price can't be beat, either.

{Men's Timex® vintage field army watch from J. Crew, $150}

I have been wanting this watch since I first saw it months ago, so I am ecstatic to finally have it on my wrist! Tom and I decided to check out the J. Crew Liquor Store (one of their men's-only shops) last weekend and it was so cool, and well worth it since we both walked away with watches for our birthdays! The masculine aspects of the watch mix so perfectly with the more feminine aspects of my wardrobe, and its just-barely-oversized size is perfect. While I love the deep olive strap it came with, I also bought a strap in blush stone for an added touch of femininity.

{Tom and I with our new watches! Please excuse the cell phone-quality photo!}

{"Boo" Spicy Pumpkin Candle from Yankee Candle, available at Amazon.com}

I bought this candle in late August, so I have been counting down the days until October rolled around and I could finally start using it. It smells so delicious, and adds the perfect amount of fall and Halloween spirit to any room. The design on the jar is super cute, too.

That is what I am loving this week, what are you loving this week?

{Dedicated: Martha Stewart}

It is no secret that I love Martha Stewart. Ironically, however, I don't ever seem to have the time to test out the many recipes, crafts, and tips this multi-faceted woman offers through her magazines, website, blog, TV shows, etc. Luckily, with my summer becoming more (unexpectedly) open-ended by the day, I think I am going to have ample time to delve into the seemingly endless crafts and recipes of Martha's that I have stored away, hoping to one day be tested out.

Though I truly enjoy working and interning, I am looking forward to at least a little bit of downtime to start crossing things off of my seemingly endless to-do list. My bedroom at my Dad's house has never been finished decor wise, and it has been over two years since I first started!

If you are ever in need of something, whether it be a cupcake or appetizer recipe to bring to a summer barbeque, or a quick-and-easy hostess gift, Martha has it all. Her website is very comprehensive, and the Recipe Finder is a great tool.

Here are some of the things I have been perusing for inspiration...

{So pretty! It is made from costume brooches.}

{I love all the fresh ingredients!}

{The wooden beads are perfect for summer!}

{The frames are decorated with beans. I am going to try this out in my bedroom.}

{Yummy! I can't wait to bring these to a Fourth of July barbeque!}

{What a clever way to display jewelry. I love the idea of using frames to "frame" unconventional items.}

What crafts, recipes or tips from Martha Stewart have caught your eye lately?

{Happy Summer!}

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day Weekend; I know I sure did! Here on the beaches of New Jersey (I refuse to call it "the shore") we had beautiful weather which helped to make it an especially memorable weekend.

I have spent the fast few weeks transitioning into summer mode... aka time-to-get-all-of-those-projects-done mode. My goal this summer? To sort through EVERYTHING I have accumulated over the years. I'm talking every drawer, closet, box, nook and cranny. While definitely a tedious task, there is nothing so rewarding as sorting and de-cluttering a room, and nothing so relaxing as enjoying your revitalized space.

Summer mode also means updating my wardrobe, both in terms of what I wear on a day-to-day basis and clearing out things I no longer need or wear. I really am trying to live a more simplistic lifestyle as I have been coming to the realization that I have way too much stuff (never thought I would say that!).

So, here's to a great summer 2010, and I hope it is a successful one! In terms of friends, family, career, home decor, fashion, and hobbies! There is so much to look forward to...

{beautiful blooms}

{so true!, via bryn alexandra}

{amazing sunsets}

{effortlessly chic outfits}

{delectable meals al fresco}

{flowing dresses and beachy hair, via coco+kelley}

What are you looking forward to about this summer?

{Elle Decor}

As I have mentioned before, I love a good magazine. And a good supplement to these magazines, is a good website. Some magazine websites really fall short in my opinion - they don't have much to offer, are outdated, etc.

One magazine website that does not fall into this category is Elle Decor. This website not only features the spreads from the current issue, but frequently updated shopping tips, beautiful homes, and trends. It is one of my favorite places to go for inspiration, and is a great alternative for the times when I don't have the cash readily available to purchase the magazine.

Elledecor.com has a really cool feature called "ED's LookBook," which can be found on the homepage. Here you select the type of room, and then your personal style (broken down into categories) from a drop-down menu, and are then presented with a slideshow featuring looks that match your search. I love how quick-and-easy this makes searching for inspiration, I wish that other websites offered a similar feature!

{I love a good breakfast nook, and this is a GREAT breakfast nook. It is part of a renovated 110-year-old barn/house.}

{A bedroom in the same renovated barn. How amazing is this room? That bed is bananas, and I am loving all the natural light.}

{Some plates from the "Shopping" section of the site. I love the idea of mixing colors and patterns in a table setting, much like I love doing in my wardrobe.}

{I adore these Jonathan Adler Positano pillows with crisp white linen contrasted with bright grosgrain ribbon. I love how geometric they are.}

{Actress Ellen Pompeo's living room. Her home was featured in the most recent issue of the magazine. This room is so simple-chic, and not at all fussy.}

{Ellen Pompeo's kitchen. I have been obsessed since I saw these images. I have always been a sucker for open shelving, but this room is beyond my wildest dreams. It feels so lived-in and is so "undecorated." I also love the use of a very large picture resting on counter space as a focal point.}

{Decorator Joe Nye gives advice for summer table setting. A perfect place for a Sunday brunch with friends and family, no?}

This is just a sampling of the great inspirational images and ideas to be found on Elle Decor's website, so head that way if you are looking for something chic!

{Dedicated: Workout DVDs}

As I have mentioned before, I love working out. I wish that I had the freedom in my wallet to belong to a gorgeous, up-to-date workout facility (Lombardi Center, you are no Equinox). I also wish that I had the space in my schedule to head to the gym seven days a week, if only for a short 20-minute interval workout and some lifting.

Unfortunately, I have neither the freedom in my wallet nor the space in my schedule to do accommodate these wishes. Being a "poor" college student, I am stuck working out in that eyesore that is the Lombardi Center. And because I am a student, I have classes, interning, and meetings to worry about before I can even begin to think of working out.

Admittedly, I am usually pretty good about waking up before class and heading to the gym, or prioritizing my day to be sure I have at least 45 minutes for a solid workout. But then, of course, there are days like today, where I have been up for interning since 7:00 a.m., and don't return home until 9:30 p.m. (I went shopping after work... I can't be "poor" all of the time haha)... which is why I am posting now. Tired from a long day, I don't always feel like changing into my full workout gear and trekking to the gym.

My solution? Workout DVDs! I was skeptical at first about using DVDs. I worried that I wouldn't do the moves properly, or that because no one was around (we all know we try hard at the gym partly because there are people there who can see us) I wouldn't put in my usual amount of effort.

Boy, was I wrong. I have slowly been amassing a collection of DVDs, most focused on abdominal workouts. The DVDs have introduced me to moves I would never have thought of trying, and I am definitely noticing a difference in my stomach. I have never had abs, and probably will never officially have them. But, my core is most definitely tighter and more sculpted. My favorite part about the DVDs is that most of them have 10-minute workouts that are quick and really blast the areas you want to target in the shortest amount of time.

Right now I am loving:

{Michele Olson, PhD: Fitness Prescription: Perfect Legs, Glutes, & Abs}

{Exhale: Core Fusion: Lean & Toned}

{Exercise TV: Ultimate Body: Quick & Incredible Abs}

{Crunchless Abs}

So, if you are in need of a workout but don't have a lot of time? A workout DVD is definitely the solution!

**All titles available on Amazon.

{Classic Style}

I read A LOT of magazines. Each month I look forward to I look forward to receiving my various subscriptions in the mail and carefully examining each and every page for any type of inspiration. I tear out the pages that have something that I am drawn to; a makeup look, hairstyle, certain outfit, color combination, home decor, etc., and save them for future reference.

In the May issue of American Vogue, I was ecstatic to find an entire fashion spread that I loved. Shot by the fabulous Mario Testino and styled by Marie-Amelie Sauve, I found myself drooling over the simple, chic elegance of the looks featured in the spread " Americans in Paris." And I can't forget to mention model Daria Werbowy's sultry smoky eye and long hair with choppy bangs. I always strive to incorporate the hottest trends into my wardrobe, but there is definitely something to be said for classic looks.

So perfect, in every way.

{Dedicated: Pure Yoga}

I had the pleasure of attending a press event at Pure Yoga-West yesterday morning. I am by no means a yoga person-I am actually incredibly inflexible and lacking in core strength which makes many of the moves very difficult. With that being said, however, I am a health and exercise fiend, and jump at the opportunity to try any kind of exercise.

The yoga studio at Pure West is absolutely INCREDIBLE! Upon opening the giant wooden doors you are instantly whisked away to a calming mecca consisting of soothing music, flickering candlelight, and an overall relaxing atmosphere.

The decor is reminiscent of how I would like a room in my future home decorated. At every corner is a little "socializing" nook, complete with cool couches and chairs, ambient lighting, awesome pillows, and any magazine you could imagine. All of the colors used are highly saturated, rich colors, and look great against all of the natural and wood elements found elsewhere.

I can't, of course, forget to mention the most important part, the yoga itself! All of the instructors are incredibly nice and so experienced. I was taught yesterday by one instructor who had just returned from four years in Hong Kong, and another who had recently returned from Australia. They are very helpful and work with you to modify the moves to better fit your skill level. My favorite part was the complete meditation at the end of my session, I haven't felt that relaxed in so long.

Pure Yoga is pricy, but definitely worth it if you love yoga, or cool decor!

{Spring Layering}

Spring weather, especially here on the East coast, is never easy to predict. One day it is 80 degrees, the next day it is rainy and 50 degrees. It is during troubling weather times such as these that mastering the skill of layering really comes into play. The key is to mix lighter colors and warm weather fabrics with transitional pieces, such as blazers and fun accessories like ankle socks, scarves, short boots, and tights.

{Elle.com}

{Jak&Jil}

{The Sartorialist}

{J. Crew}

{J. Crew}

Layering is also a great way to extend the seasonal lives of pieces in your wardrobe, all while keeping you dressed appropriately in the ever-changing weather. Win-win!

{Phew!}

The fashion show was on Friday and I think it was an overall success! I have heard nothing but positive feedback from people so I am very excited about that.

While I loved putting the show together, I am definitely excited to have a little bit of free time before finals start.

I thought that I would spend this weekend relaxing, reading magazines and blogs and drinking tea. But, all I did was sleep! Which is something I hardly ever do; I do not like napping or sleeping late and hate the idea of losing valuable time to get things done. I guess I did need rest this weekend though!

With that being said, I will spending this week catching up on all of my magazines and blogs, and posting more here.

Have a good week!

{Hectic Week}

The fashion show is on Friday, so it is going to be a crazy, hectic week! Aside from preparing for the show, tomorrow I register for classes for the fall semester and start a new internship. Then, of course, I still have classes and homework to take care of.

I love being busy, don't get me wrong, especially because all of the money we raise will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but right about now I would love to be able to relax and read a book in a beautiful little nook like this one!

{via a life's design}

Enjoy your week!

{What's happening in FFP!}

It is hard to believe that the fashion show is eight days away. Overall, I feel that we are generally very well prepared for the show. Most, if not all, of the major details are figured out. It is just the finishing touches (which there seem to be a lot of) that need to be finished.

We have had "work days" every day this week, and club members have been diligently working on tissue paper flowers, painting cardboard, cutting out stars, and various other decorations for the gym.

{Bags of tissue paper flowers and donations next to my bed.}

At the same time, we are continuing to have model practices and are still working on fittings and styling looks. Members are still collecting donations and making final contact efforts with potential donors.

{Club members working on fittings and styling looks.}

I really feel as though this year's show will be the best yet, and I am really hoping to make at least $10,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, though I think we might even make more than that, which would be amazing!

I am so excited for the show, but I am also excited to have my room back. Currently I can not get to any of my shoes because they are covered in stacks of cardboard, and I can barely get into my closet because it is blocked by 300 Ted Gibson Salon shampoos and conditioners. I can't open my bathroom or bedroom doors all of the way because of the 300 O.P.I. nail polishes and raffle donations from companies like Clarins and Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics that are in boxes everywhere.

{Gift bags, O.P.I. nail polishes, and various other donations stacked in VERY heavy boxes.}

{Some of the 300 Ted Gibson shampoos and conditioners Tina and I had to get from Manhattan to the Bronx.}

Did I mention that one other club member, Tina, and I had to get those 300 bottles of shampoo from 1120 Avenue of the Americas (between 43rd and 44th) to Fordham University Lincoln Center at West 60th and 9th? We had four giant cardboard boxes full of regular sized shampoos and conditioners! Luckily, we got an amazing taxi driver and only had one box break at Lincoln Center. What a sight we must have been...

We have even more work to do this week and into next week, then it is show time!

{Sunny Room}

I'm going to keep today's post short-and-sweet because the weather is nice and I have so much to do in the next 10 days. The show fashion is a week from this Friday and there is a lot to get done!

{Elle Decor}

I love the openness of this room. Look at all of that sunlight streaming in! The mix of textures is so great and really adds a sense of casualness and warmth to the room. My favorite part, though, are all of the houseplants. The giant, wild fern is a great juxtaposition against the white walls and streamlined architecture of the room. I would love to enjoy a good book and cup of tea in this room, especially now that it is spring!