Fashion Inspiration: The Color of Camel

Merle Bergers photographed by Leo Krumbacher for Grazia Germany

I have always loved the color camel - especially for fall. Something about it just seems to scream pumpkin picking, corn mazes, apple cider, hay rides and kicking through crinkly piles of leaves. Plus, no matter what it is, when its done in the color camel, it seems to be effortlessly chic and classy. Lucky for me, its one of this fall's top trends, so I have plenty of camel colored options to choose from.

One of my favorite ways to wear camel is as a wool coat - it pulls an outfit together so seamlessly and takes it from something ordinary, to something so simply stylish in no time at all. Another great option is a plain wool crew-neck sweater or turtleneck - pair it with a rich deep teal or bright purple scarf or pants for a trendy look, or with skinny black pants or a pencil skirt for a timeless, elegant look.

First three images via Stockholm Street Style, last image via Vanessa Jackman

Check out some of my favorite pieces of the season in camel - the silk blouse from MIH Jeans is my number one pick by far. With dark skinny jeans and lots of gold jewelry - maybe even a leopard print clutch - it would be, as Rachel Zoe says, MAJOR.

Jacket - 3.1 Phillip Lim, Bootie - Christian Louboutin, Blouse - MIH Jeans, Clutch - Miu Miu, Boots - Belle Sigerson Morrison, Heels - Tory Burch, Watch - Michael Kors 

Which one is your favorite? Are you as crazy for camel as I am?

xoxo

Fashion Inspiration: Fur Vests

Source Unknown

Okay, so there are a lot of things on my wish list for fall - from boots and coats to dresses and jeans. But right at the top of that list is a fur vest. A few weeks ago at Fashion's Night Out, I saw them in nearly every store I went in and even though I've always thought fur (or faux fur) wasn't "my style", once I put one on just for fun, I realized I had been operating under the totally wrong assumption. It was fun, glamorous and edgy and clearly, I need to get one right away.

Now, I just need to decide if I want a black one - or a tan one...or both. Black is a great way to dress up an outfit in lieu of a coat, and a tan one would be the perfect accessory for a casual day outfit. I think that means I need one of each.

Vince, BB Dakota, BB Dakota, all images via ShopBop

Check out these style mavens below - they make the fur vest work with a whole host of different looks. With a skirt for ladylike chic, in all black for a glamorous uptown vibe, or with skinny jeans for a little bit of a rocker feel. I have to say, before this season, I didn't realize how versatile a fur vest could be!

The Simply Luxurious Life, Olivia Palermo via Marcus Design Inc, Rachel Zoe via Vmac and Cheese, Rebel Attitudes, Source Unknown

So, I have yet to find my perfect black faux fur vest, but I think these two below are my favorites I have seen so far. One short and cropped, one fluffy, luxe and cozy.

Michael by Michael Kors and Alice by Temperley, via Net-a-Porter

Are you sold on this trend for fall?

xoxo

Quote of the Day

Via Design Crush

Traveling in Style: Hotel Missoni, Kuwait

I got bit hard by the travel bug recently. Well, actually, scratch that. I got bit a while ago - its just been kicked into high gear recently. Maybe its my reluctance to give up the carefree feeling of summer and avoid the coming winter doldrums here in Seattle, but I'm more than ready to jet off to some far away locale.

It doesn't help that I happen to be addicted to the weekly updates from Tablet - home to a collection featuring some of the most gorgeous boutique hotels in the world. Last week, they featured the new Hotel Missoni in Kuwait City, Kuwait. And I died. So. Amazing.

Images courtesy of Hotel Missoni

The iconic Italian fashion house has put together a hotel that is insanely bright, glossy, and luxurious. In true Missoni style, there are plenty of crazy prints and patterns, and vibrant color schemes in every room -  not to mention fabulous modern chic furniture and fixtures.

Check out the bathroom style - even the complimentary products are fashionable and colorful. It looks like absolutely everything was carefully designed down to the last detail.

Have you ever seen a hotel with the much color and personality? Loving the crazy colored stripes especially!

And then there's my favorite room - the suites look beyond incredible. I am always wowed by how Missoni manages to put so many colors and prints together into their designs and not have it look like a messy, clashing jumble.

Now, who's coming with me?

xoxo

Stylish Living: A Beautiful Bar Cart

Via the Glitter Guide

I have been wanting to redecorate my place for a while now. Unfortunately, all the money seems to find its way into my closet instead of into home decor. However, someday soon I plan on having an incredibly stylish bar cart that will help me in becoming the perfect party hostess.

First, to pick to the bar cart - something elegant, a little girly and antique looking. My favorites are these gilded ones with two shelves that look totally dainty and refined.

Home Decorators and Houzz

Next, a little inspiration to get the creative juices flowing - flowers, pops of color, vases, these bar carts and set ups are gorgeous.

That Kind of Woman, Shop Society Social, Name Five Things, Shop Society Social

And finally, you can't forget to stock the bar with the essentials. Not to mention pretty glasses, napkins, straws, decanters and more.

Utensils, Whisky Cubes, Champagne Glasses, Tray, Shaker, Decanter, Glasses

Let the redecorating begin!

Style Icon: Bianca Brandolini

Image courtesy of Vogue

Any girl that can wear a full length, long sleeve leopard print gown - with feathers, no less - and still look classy, is automatically going to become one of my style icons. It takes some serious daring and fashion chops to pull off a dress like this one from Giambattista Valli. Lovelies, meet Bianca Brandolini - my latest style icon.

Bianca Brandolini is the portrait of European nobility and high society with lineage from a few noble Italian families and even a French prince. Her style, however, isn't usually what one would expect to see on a sophisticated young lady of high society - and that's precisely why I like it. Don't get me wrong - I adore the ladylike look of ladies like the new Duchess of Cambridge, but its also refreshing to see Bianca's rocker-chic edgy style in a world usually so dominated by conservative, ladylike outfits. Her outfits almost always tow the line between bohemian and edgy rocker chic and I love that she can often be spotted in flats and gladiator-style sandals.

The Fashion Spot, Elements of Style, Fashion Drip, Source Unknown, Source Unknown

First, we have to talk about her always perfectly tousled beachy bohemian waves - how she manages to make that hairstyle look right with almost any outfit, is a wonder to me. I adore the sparkly short and suit combo she is rocking on the red carpet, above - even the shoes - and normally, I am not a fan of brogues on women. The fur vests are pretty amazing as well - I saw a ton of them at Fashion's Night Out last week, and between Bianca and the new fall lines, I am pretty sure I need to work one into my own wardrobe.

Caroline's Mode, Coco Kelley, Source Unknown, Elements of Style, Elements of Style  

There is the leopard print making an appearance again - although in this case, I am super impressed at the combination of the two prints she matched together. Somehow, it just seems to work! There's a lot of black and white in her wardrobe, but the way she wears it - as a sheer lace maxi or a white blouse open over a black bra, its always the right amount of daring.

My goal for fall - to add a little of Bianca's wild-child style into my closet.

Quote of the Day

Kathryn Elyse Rodgers via Paper Fashion

I'm about ready for my next adventure, please.

Fall Trend: A Little Love for Leopard

Via Carl Kleiner

I love seeing the new trends that come with each new season in the fashion industry. Beyond the jewel tones I featured earlier this week, one of the other trends I adore for fall is leopard print. Leopard has been around for ages, clearly, but its absolutely huge right now, and I am ready to add a touch or two to my own closet. I am thinking along the lines of a pair of amazing heels or a scarf.

There are so many ways to wear animal prints - it all depends on whether you want to go big, or keep things simple with just a hint of the wild. A skirt or sweater is a great option for something in the middle, if a shoe is too little or a maxi dress is too much.

Top to Bottom, Left to Right: Karla's Closet, The Glitter Guide, Caroline's Mode, Vanessa Jackman, The Sartorialist   

Again, maxi dresses are in for fall, so if you are feeling like a wild woman, go all out with a leopard print one. I don't know if a leopard print maxi is up my alley, but I do love the idea of an animal or leopard print coat - so fun!

The Red See, Source Unknown, The Simply Luxurious Life

I have to admit, I am kind of all about these leopard print tights - where have they been all my life?

Tights - ModCloth, Coat - TopShop, Pink Sweater - Crumpet, Gray Sweater - Rebecca Taylor, Dress - Dolce and Gabbana

Now, let's talk bags. I think a big, over-sized bag in leopard print can be a little hard to pull off, but a clutch is just the right amount of animal print for most outfits.

Like, Whatever, Source Unknown, Hook the Look

My personal favorite would be the little round Meli-Melo cross-body bag - perfect for a night out on the town!

Miu Miu, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Meli Melo

Finally, my personal favorite way to wear leopard print - shoes, shoes and more shoes! Give it to me in flats or heels - but, animal print on a pair of heels is undeniably sexy and bold, and I am all about it.

Privileged Bitch, The Simply Luxurious Life, Sterling Style

You know leopard print is truly "in" when you can see it on shoes from flats and heels to Tom's and rain boots. Can't avoid it this season!

Brian Atwood, Tory Burch, Dolce and Gabbana, Ivanka Trump, Toms

How are you going to wear the leopard print trend this fall?