Links A La Mode

I am so happy to have been chosen to be part of the Independent Fashion Bloggers weekly blog feature, Links A La Mode! This is such a great opportunity to share my love for fashion and personal style. I hope everyone has a chance to look at some of the other blogs listed below. Have a great Friday!

Summer Lovin’ Fades to Fall

  Edited by: Jess of Fresh Jess With IFBcon, Fashion’s Night Out and NYFW kicking off next week, it’s clear the first signs of fall in the air. The mornings and nights are a little crisper, and the shelves are stocked with September issues. This week’s Links a la Mode shows a wide range of emotions about the transition to fall. While some are welcoming the season with open arms, others are squeezing every little bit out of their summer wardrobe. The conversation around body image is still strong, as well as that over copyright and content ownership. We have all that and more in this week’s roundup, and next week at IFBcon! Hope to see you all there.

LINKS À LA MODE: THE IFB WEEKLY ROUND UP: AUGUST 30TH

 

• Anthony & Elle: 60s Inspiration for Fall
• Best of Bklyn: Men’s Essentials: A Timeless Collection
• Can You Come Home?: How to Faux Bois Your Life
• Elembee: Better Together
• Just Pandipippo: DIY Rainbow Tie-Dye Shorts
• Laura Valuta: Give Me Back Summer
• Lush to Blush: Transition From Summer to Fall with Ease
• Ma Dernière Addiction: Coral Me Happy
• Marie Lle: Copyright 101
• Mes Belle Amis: Pleat It
• Moi Minnie: Shredded
• My Vintage Curves: Turn Up Your Trousers
• Pretty Ugly: Bringing Sexy Back
• Second Hand Couture: DIY Hairbows
• Style Chain: Wardrobe Fix
• The Closet Coach: Sample Sale Sites Decoded
• The Curvy Elle: Fashion Trends for Plus Size: Bodycon
• The Taxonomy of My Wardrobe: Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Leopard D&G Bikini
• Thank Fifi: Blending in Khaki
• Travelling Fashion: Leopard Print: My New Neutral

  SPONSOR: Shopbop : Koral, Ete, Vince, Costume National, Auden, APC, Max Kibardin, Clu, Acquaverde, Smythe & True Royal If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode widget on the right side of the blog, and will be published later today. ~ Jennine

DIY Shirt In Action

Remember the DIY shirt that I did a few posts ago? If not check it out here. This is the shirt in action! I am really pleased with how it turned out and it has given me the confidence to try out some more DIY projects. I originally made this shirt to wear under sweaters in the colder months, but after a request to see what the shirt looked like on I styled it for the warmer weather! What do you think? Will you be making your own DIY stud collar?

Shirt DIY/ Pants Reiss/ Kate Spade Bag Old similar here/ ASOS Bracelets here and here/ Zara Sandals Old similar here

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The 8 Weeks That Turned Into 7 Years

This is the story of how my eight-week fling turned into a seven-year relationship and a marriage. Seven years ago today I met my husband in Heidelberg, Germany. I will never forget the first time I saw him in the hallway of our dormitory in the old villa on Bergstrasse. He was standing by his room with another new arrival. He had grown-out brown curly hair, beautiful hazel eyes and was wearing a Radiohead t-shirt – I thought he was the cutest thing I had ever seen! I am not going to lie, it was not love at first sight; I don't know if I even believe in that. The cute curly-haired boy was only in Germany for eight weeks before heading back to the US, so we decided that our relationship would only last that long. I don't think either of us was looking for a relationship and we both had come with the intention of dating Europeans. The weeks passed and as time went on we slowly fell in love. My ‘light bulb moment’ occurred during a trip to Berlin with a group of people. There I realized that I loved him and if it was only going to last a little while it was worth it. Around Christmas time he went back to the US and I stayed in Germany for my second semester of school. We talked every day. Towards the end of the year the curly-haired boy told me he was applying to MA programs in London. My school had a campus in London so I applied for a transfer. We ended up in London for six amazing years. Now that our UK adventure has come to an end I look forward to the future adventures we will have, and will always remember the day that changed my life seven years ago!

The Colors of Fall

There are three colors that are on my radar for this fall: Burgundy, Hunter Green and Gold. Which one will you be wearing this season?

Burgundy: H&M Peplum Top/Top Shop Stud Slippers/ Dorothy Perkins Collar Dress/ ASOS Stud Clutch/ Helmut Gloss Skinny Jeans
Green:Tory Burch Bow Blouse/ Brahmin Phoebe Flap Satchel/ Reiss Marcia Dress/ Hunter Wellington Boots/ H&M Pants
Gold:  Top Shop Draped Lame Trench / ASOS Jacquard Gold Clutch/ Reiss Gold Pleat Skirt Tory Burch Leather Reva Flat/Top Shop Gold Jacquard Trousers

Leopard Print: My New Neutral

Leopard is one of those prints that transcends seasonal fashion; it is also my belief that this print is a neutral and can be paired in so many different ways. I can see myself wearing these beauties with a striped shirt, floral top, or beautiful white blouse. If the above did not convince you, when I wear these I feel like I'm wearing PJ bottoms, they are super comfy.

Zara Blue Peplum Top Old/ Zara Leopard Pants Recent no Longer Online/ Coach Shoes Old/ Necklace DIY (I took apart a whole necklace just to have the chain)/ Bracelets Right arm: both from ASOS / Left Arm: Coach , Whistles and assortment of bangles borrowed from my mother

For a similar look check out the bottom of this post 

A special thanks to my beautiful and equally as stylish sister Mickey for being my photographer. 

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This OR That

Leather is really big this season, but it can get a bit pricey. I have been doing my research and found that there are some great faux leather pieces out there. This is good news if you are of the anti fur, anti leather set, or you just cant afford the real thing, "aka me". I am loving leather sleeves, its easy to work into your wardrobe without going over the top. 

Holy Tee Jersey and Leather Top /ASOS Leather Look Sleeves

More Great Faux Leather Pieces 

DIY: Embellished Collar

I love DIY blogs and DIY shows; it amazes me that people have the imagination and creativity to think of these things. I always think of some amazingly cool and creative project and either give up when it does not work out or just never get around to it. This time I actually did it! I was inspired by Alicia from Cheetah is the New Black. Check out her post here.

What you will need.

You can pick these knives up at any craft store. I got mine from Michaels.

These screw back studs are great, no sewing required. I got these on 7th ave in NYC. You can also get them from Etsy here.

I would suggest using a shirt you already have or picking up one from a discount store. I got this really good quality one from Marshalls for $24. 

First line up your studs in the pattern you would like them to be in. I originally started with a pyramid but decided to go with a row. Poke a tiny hole with the knife and stick the back of the stud through the hole. Secure the top of the stud and repeat. Make sure you pay attention and space your studs evenly. 

Weekend Wants

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A Bit Dotty

After a summer full of stripes, my new pattern obsession lately has been polka dots. Seriously, I own about 12 striped tops, a striped dress, striped skirt and a pair of striped flats. Now that fall is creeping in on us I want to buy everything polka dot - small ones, big ones, and some the size of your head! This sweater  from Old Navy , I have to admit, was a compromise after I fell in love with the J.Crew  version here. A pretty darn good compromise if you ask me!

Mango skirt old, similar one on Shop The look at the bottom of the post/ Zara shoes old but similar at the bottom of the post

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Green and Gingham

Coach Shoes Bought on Sale but similar here

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Fall Boot Guide

I thought I would kick off the start of the week with a fall shopping guide on my favourite fall accessory, boots! I specifically love ankle boots because they are so versatile and can be worn with anything from jeans to a dress. I also try to buy a great equestrian inspired boot for weekend walks and shopping trips. I pair mine with a tweed blazer and jeans for an updated English country look. 

Ankle Boots Top Row: Alexander McQueen Two Tone Leather Boots/ ASOS Treat Suede Shoe Boots/ Top Shop Western Chelsea Boots/ Valentino 100MM Rock Studs Bow Boots/ Pierre Hardy Color Block Suede Ankle Boots

Knee High Boots: Top Shop Percival Cut Out Riding Boot/Tory Burch Amanda Riding Boot/ Michael Kors Fulton Harness Boot/ ASOS Clash Suede Boot/ Coach Monique Boot

$100 or Less: Michael Antonio Morea Boot/ ASOS Awake Wedge Boot/ Report Waldron Wedge Boot/ Dorothy Perkins Black Diamanté Detail Boot/ Zara Basic Ankle Boot

Weekend Wants

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Cool Girls

Cool Girls Rock Skulls 

Other cool skull acessories here, here and here

Cool Girls Wear Spikes 

ASOS Spike Bracelet / Old Bracelet but Similar here

Cool Girls Wear Oversized Sunglasses and Pink Lipstick

Mango Cat Eye sunglasses old but similar here/ Lipstick Revlon Colour Stay

Cool Girls Mix Their Colours 

Top COS Old/ Skirt Banana Republic/ J.Crew Belt Old but Similar here

Cool Girls Wear Sparkly Collar Necklaces 

Forever 21 Necklace

Cool Girls Support their Local Shops 

( Maria makes a great iced caramel latte)

Maria also makes bread. I thought the entrance to her bakery was just adorable.

Check out Maria's here

Floral and Stripes

I love mixing my prints, it's a great way to make an outfit unique, and I love experimenting. Floral and stripes were made for each other. Check out my stripes and dots pattern mixing here!

J.Crew Skirt old but dress version is still being sold here/ H&M Top Old but similar here/ Zara shoes old but similar here/ Necklace stolen from my Mom's collection, but love this one too/ Gap Belt

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