black bird fly

[f21 top.  B.P. tunic tank.  j. simpson dany heels.  cool, casual by slow and steady wins the race clutch.  vintage cuff.  vintage gucci watch and david yurman bracelets. f21 and gold citrine rings.]

It's been such a long, dreary week, but now I couldn't be more excited for the weekend and all of the upcoming festivities it will bring.  Now I'm off for a day of shopping to get some last minute touches for my Halloween costume (I'm going to attempt to look like I just walked off the set of The Birds), and just get some much needed retail therapy.  I hope everyone enjoys some delicious cocktails in their fabulous costumes this weekend.. I know I will! Have a marvelous Halloween! Cheers!

xx

A

top it off

When the temperature starts to drop, hats serve as both a stylish and functional accessory.  In my opinion, they really put the cherry on top of any outfit, and make you look ever so chic and put together.  I prefer to throw on a fedora for an unexpected twist when I’m running around town (as shown here), or cuddle up in a cozy beret when I’m dressed casually.  Don’t be shy to try out the look – it’s a huge trend for fall and winter!

1. Stetson Wool Fedora – $78

2. Floppy Fedora – $14.80

3. Hemp Fedora – $22

4. Leopard Print Beret – $30

5. Ribbed Beret – $39.50

6. Chunky Knit Beret – $4.50

7. Felt Fedora with Ribbon – $255

8. Floppy Brim Fedora – $140

9. Eugenia Kim Hats Kurt Hat – $315

xx

A

my beautiful dark twisted fantasy

I’ve never been a huge Kanye West fan, but his new short film definitely caught my attention.  With inspiration from Federico Fellini, Stanley Kubrick, and Karl Lagerfeld and a little bit of Bon Iver’s “Woods”, how could it not? 

The imagery from the film is absolutely breathtaking – from the phoenix’s feathers, to the forest scene, and the abundance of gentle animals like the lamb and deer.  There’s also a good amount of style inspiration to take away from the film; I loved the ruggedly urban background behind the prim and graceful ballet dancers (plus the stark black tutus mixed with the worn-in point shoes is a great combination) and the dinner table is absolutely beautiful with its rustic undone-ness.  

The film premiered in Paris in front of some of fashion's elite where West gave a speech that stated, “I found when I used to come to Paris…I didn’t know what shows to go to, but I just wanted to see people display their art unadulterated, unfiltered by buyers” which clearly expresses his appreciation of the art of fashion.  You can watch the whole film here.  Enjoy!

xx

A

[photos courtesy of MTV.com and bloginity.com]

glitter/goth

Halloween is one of my favorite Holidays, so decorating my house with lots of eerie knick knacks makes me one happy girl.  I touched on Halloween decor earlier, but I found even more items recently; I bought the large black skull at Target, the raven at Michael's, and the small skulls and the silver skull at Kirklands.  I'm actually kind of bummed that Halloween is only a few days away.. I might just have to keep the decorations up for a little bit longer.

xx

A

seminole heights

[happening in the present light sweater.  h&m tank dress.  mossimo moto boots.  louis vuitton speedy.  ray-ban clubmaster sunglasses.]

This weekend, D and I went over to his cousin's house in Tampa.  I had never really spent too much time near the Hillsborough River, but it is absolutely beautiful.  We lounged around in the huge overgrown jungle/yard, played with the really cute animals (see above), and enjoyed a few cold brews on the boat.  Pretty great weekend if I do say so myself.

xx

A

the other side vintage

One of the great things about Tallahassee, Florida is its plethora of eclectic vintage shops.  The other day, I spent a few hours wandering around The Other Side Vintage, and walked away with some amazing finds - including the antique trunk pictured above.  The shop had a huge selection of shoes, hats, furniture, and also displayed a ton of adorable Halloween trinkets.  If you're in the area, definitely stop by and check it out!

xx

A

over the knee obsession

The over-the-knee boot trend first hit the fashion scene about two years ago, but only slightly began to catch on commercially last year.  This season, however, they are the must-have boot for fall and winter.  You can find them at most retail stores in an array of colors, styles, and price points - and I couldn't be happier.  They can vamp up an outfit without being too over the top (a la Pretty Woman), and really add a lot of style without looking like you're trying too hard.  These boots are best paired with a more conservative piece on top such as a slouchy tunic along with either a fitted mini skirt, skinny jeans, or leggings.  A chic sweater dress is also a great option.  However you pair it, these boots are sure to be the main attraction.  Happy Shopping!

From Left to Right:

1. DV by Dolce Vita 'Nico' Over the Knee Boot –$159.95

2. D-segno 'Sofia' Over the Knee Boot – $394.95

3. Karen Millen Femme Fatale Limited Edition Over The Knee Boot – $589.75

4. Dollhouse Talana Over the Knee Boot – $59.95

5. Stuart Weitzman 'Combat' Over the Knee Boot – $675

6. Steve Madden 'Brewster' Over the Knee Boot – $129.95

7. Rachel rachel roy Rachel Roy Shoes, Nibia Over the Knee Boots – $250

8. Women's Mossimo Kailli Heeled Boots - Black – $39.99

9. Steve Madden Shoes, Irinna Over the Knee Boots – $99

10. BCBGeneration Shoes, Flashy Over The Knee Boots –$129

11. L.A.M.B. Belted Over the Knee Boot – $595

12. Ash Remix Studded Over The Knee Boot –$493.35

13. Audrey Brooke Mandee Over the Knee Boot –$99.95

14. Overrpas Over The Knee Boot Black Suede Steve Madden - $109.95

15. Women's Mossimo® Black Kanyiah Over-the-Knee Boots - Grey – $34.99

16. Joie Women's Coachella Over-The-Knee Boot – $525

xx

A

a fresh fall dinner

When I'm in the mood for comfort food, a great risotto is always a welcomed dish.  I tried out this unlikely combination of butternut squash risotto and panko fried shrimp, and it turned out to be amazing - especially paired with a fresh, light salad.

Butternut Squash Risotto with Panko Fried Shrimp

Preheat oven to 400°F, and use a fork to put several ventilating holes in the uncut butternut squash.  Place squash on a baking sheet covered in tin foil, and bake for about an hour. Let cool (this can be done ahead of time).  Cut the squash in half length-wise, scoop out the insides, puree them and set them aside.

Marinate shrimp (around 1 lb. for 4 people) a few hours beforehand in a good olive oil, a few chopped cloves of garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme.

Meanwhile, begin the risotto (here is a classic recipe you can use, or you could just use the recipe listed on the container of most arborio rice).  Remember that the key to amazing risotto is to continually stir the rice and broth mixture until your arm wants to fall off!

While you're busy with the risotto, enlist the help of a friend to toss those marinated shrimp into a mixture of 1 cup panko breadcrumbs and a few pinches of salt and pepper.  You can either use a deep fryer, or just put about 1/4 an inch of vegetable oil in a skillet on high heat to fry the shrimp.  You'll probably have to fry the shrimp in batches to prevent them from sticking together.

After the risotto is done, I always recommend adding about 2 tablespoons of butter to enhance the creaminess - plus, with this recipe, it really brings out the flavor of the butternut squash.  Warm the reserved butternut squash in the microwave, then add it with about a cup of freshly grated Parmesan to the risotto and mix it together.  Plate the dish with a few shrimp on top of the risotto, some extra Parmesan if you like, and some thyme for color.

Walnut, Parmesan, and Fresh Greens Salad with Balsamic Dijon Dressing

I kind of eye-ball all of my salad dressings, but here's the general idea:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp whole grain dijon mustard (I use Maille)

2 tsp red wine vinegar

2 tsp honey

Juice from 1 lemon

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp pepper

Toss this dressing with a spring mix salad, 1 cup walnuts, and 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Now Dig in and enjoy!

xx

A

apartment envy - coco rocha & james conran

Lauren Santo Domingo's new feature in Vogue, APT with LSD, lets us get a peek inside the homes of some of the fashion world's most interesting people.  The first segment of APT with LSD features the beautiful Gramercy Park apartment of model Coco Rocha and her husband, artist James Conran.

This apartment is my absolute dream - a perfect mix of quirky, eclectic, and elegant pieces. I love how the color palette is neutral but still undeniably glamorous, and interesting conversation pieces pop up everywhere (the Yves Saint Laurent piggy bank actually says "youve saved la rent!").  I love it when people's homes really show their personality, and every little knick-knack has a story behind it.  This makes me want to go out to the nearest flea market for a little shopping spree..

xx

A

p.s. To see the article, more photos and sources, head over to Vogue.