michael kors

Sportif

Fresh out of fashion week, it seems like clothes were continuing with casually baggy elegance. In my opinion, it’s Katherine Hepburn meets the modern era– the longer look, casually sporty, nearly androgynous (just short of Stockholm). To set the mood, I picked “Victory Bar” this 1940’s-esque once-hangout to denizens of sweaty football lovers (or so I imagine) in downtown South Bend. It’s not my most confident pairing, as there’s only so long and flowing you can look at 5’5 without beginning to look like a set of drapes. Then again, with the Sound of Music celebrating its 50th, that might not be so bad?

Spanish Influence

Isn’t it funny how some of the most accidental discoveries can end up being your favorite things? That’s the way I feel about this cape, and this lovely old town. As for the forner, my friend Elizabeth and I both enjoy a thrift store joke about as much as a thrift store gem. This being the case, she texted me a picture of the “ridiculous cape” she saw while out one day. My only response besides replacing my gaping jaw, was “It’s perfect.” And the economical birthday present was “in the bag.” Subsequently, this (maybe Aztec-inspired) article has become one of my favorite accessories. Paired with what I would consider, “conquistador” boots, I was ready to traipse through (and match the peacocks in) America’s first Spanish colony, St. Augustine.

I really love this city. It’s definitely had its ups and downs (something I will discuss more tomorrow), but it has retained a local flair and eccentric warmth, so that I can’t help but want to be a part of. It’s large enough to be interesting, but small enough to be walkable, and I spent this morning going to a few of the more historic sites for pictures. Hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed making them!

Photos by: Madeline Arnall

Shared to Visible Monday

Souk Central

When I arrived in Marrakech, I was so overwhelmed by the souks, language difference, and sleep deprivation after our 6 AM Ryanair flight and my recent exams, I spent the majority of the day wandering aimlessly through the souks, attempting to haggle and marvelling at the low costs. One of the grandest sights in Marrakech is the Koutoubia Mosque, which dominates the skyline in several directions thanks to its height. Next to it is the main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa. During the day the place is covered with orange juice salesmen (who will sell you fresh-squeezed orange juice for a standard 4 Moroccan dirham= roughly 40 cents.. unless you flirt a little). At night, the square stays open very late, dinner spots open up, storytellers attract crowds with their stories, and someone is bound to try to (if you look like a tourist) get you to take a picture with a snake. This square backs up into a spiderweb of souks (or markets), selling everything from brass to baby clothes. Among my purchases I counted: a small kettle (to make mint tea, of course), placemats, a fez (you know me), a 2 sets of Berber earrings and a ring (authenticity lacking), and Ras El Hanout (a blend of spices only to be found in Morocco). I saved the sites for the following day

Babouches! The neon yellow pointy ones are the traditional Moroccan wear.

Did someone say dinner?

National Gallery

Remember I told you about visiting the Sandro Sample Sale? While there I couldn’t help but splurge on a (you guessed it) drop waist dress. Navy and black has been so sleek and minimal this Winter, so I thought I’d try it myself. To do so, I wore it to a place equally sleek but certainly not minimalistic- the National Gallery. My school is about two streets away, so I passed by here every morning and payed homage to old Nelson. I think he’d be fine if he could just column–down. Wow… ok on to pictures.

The woman security guard started cracking up when I took this picture, so I feel like I won the National Gallery. If they watch people take stupid selfies all day and you make them laugh with your stupidity, then you must be doing something right…

Outfit Details: Dress: Sandro | Bag: Kate Spade | Shoes: Michael Kors | Earrings: Portabello Road

P.S. A few weeks ago on my instagram I asked what building has a mosaic of the word “Curiosity.” Well, this is the place! It’s up the stairway at the top of the landing when you walk in.

Beachy Cliff: A Romance

The British Romantic poets and writers were profoundly affected by the vision of the Swiss Alps. After the dreary slopes of the English countryside, the towering edifices were the embodiment of mystery, the promise of adventure and peril, and the unspeakably delicious thrill of the unknown. Now, their radical break from the orderly and structure-loving conventions exemplified in the Enlightenment is commonly interpreted to be the stuff of surprise flower deliveries. But rather than humming “your song” (if you’re with someone) or daydreaming about their sense of humor (if you’re not), as we stare into the abyss of uncertainty buzzing around a new year, I have chosen to resurrect the true Romantic meaning.

As we look towards the frightful and awesome unknown that is 2015, instead of approaching it with trepidation or even boredom, I will choose to see it for the huge opportunities (or obstacles) it can bring… even if the wind is an absolute torrent along the way. Make sure to take a moment to reflect on the romantic possibilities that lie ahead!

Ladies Who Lunch

“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” ~Anais Nin

While I love my friends in England (don’t get me wrong), I have to say, seeing a friendly face this side of the pond is an irreplaceable feeling. So when my friend said she’d be coming three days earlier than expected, I wiped out my Wednesday afternoon schedule, so we could have a less-crowded day to romp around London. As it was, we ended up getting ready for an hour, sitting at lunch for about two hours (at the marvelous Delaunay counter– by far my favorite cafe in London), before we finally got over to Covent Market and the British Museum. Lucky for us, without the hindrance of Thanksgiving, they had just begun putting Christmas decorations up (though they haven’t quite lit up the Rosetta Stone yet). So it got dark early on us, but it didn’t at all impede our afternoon. Such is the glow

Outfit Details: Hat: H&M | Scarf: Vintage | Sweater: Burberry Prorsum | Cape: Vintage | Bag and Phone Case: Ba&Sh (you can find similar here) | Leggings: The Row | Boots: Michael Kors
The moral of the outfit is that when you start with a black palette, you can really jazz things up with a few accessories (which I’ve included here, complete with phone case).

Shared to Visible Monday and Hat Attack.

Welsh Weekend

Greetings from Cardiff! I can now happily say that I have been to all the countries in the United Kingdom. Although from all the English people I’ve talked to who haven’t been to Wales, sometimes it doesn’t seem the most united a front. Still, regardless of all the cautionary messages I heard about Wales, I had a wonderful day in Cardiff, tromping around the castle, the old shipping coast (bay), and the market.

Cardiff Castle

The ceiling of the “Arab” room.

This building, on the side of the grounds, was added much later to the castle, and was not completed until 1881.

Downtown

The symbol of Wales is the dragon. Besides residing in the middle of the Welsh flag, you can spot them at random all around town.

Parliament and Cardiff Bay

Half Welsh, Half English: In These Stones Horizons Sing

This red building, known as the Pierhead Building, used to be the home of the administerial efforts of the Welsh coal shipping industry. Until the end of World War II, Wales was one of the most predominant coal shippers in the world (where they mined it in North Wales, and then exported it from Cardiff). However, the 1950s brought with it the decline of coal, and with it, the decline of the backbone of Cardiff’s economy. Thus, the city had to re-invent itself. Today this building features a museum on the Welsh coal industry(especially in regards to Cardiff’s role in it), and Cardiff has worked to become a wider convention and tourist destination.

Park

What I wore:
Hat: H&M
Glasses: Primark (1 pound!)
Tambourine Necklace: gift
Shirt: Helmut Lang
Gloves: Vintage find
Jacket: H&M
Leggings: H&M
Boots: Kors Michael Kors

Opposites Attract Fun

Two fun-filled weekends called for two different outfits on completely different ends of the spectrum. This is a pretty common dilemma in the college world. With the spring season containing a multitude of day parties, it offers a variety of options when it comes to theme.

For example:

Field Party

A field party calls for an easy, breezy look that guarantees that you will stay cool on a sunny day. Backless was the goal here so that less skin would be encumbered by fabric. I wore my hair down last year, which was extremely hot, so I looked for a trendy way to keep my hair up this year. The perfect pair of rocker boots rounded off the look so that it wouldn’t appear too sweet. Makeup was simple and I incorporated a bright, shimmery pink that complimented the flowers. I used a tutorial by Michelle Phan that I have used before multiple times to great effect.

Dress: American Threads (Athens), Floral Braid-Ins: Free People/Vida Kush, Boots: Target (past season), Infinity necklace: Agora (Athens), Sunglasses: Target

Carolina Cup

Carolina Cup is a derby held every year in Camden, SC and the look is classic and put-together. And two words: giant hats! Most girls are seen wearing Lilly Pulitzer, but to break the mold I wore an Ann Taylor dress that I honestly don’t often, except when I’m forced to for chapter. My mom had quite the collection of wide-brimmed hats and I chose the biggest she had, which still didn’t come close to most hats in Carolina. I originally planned to wear wedges with horse bits on the toes, but weather did not permit, so I had to opt for rain boots instead. I used OPI Big Apple Red and Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Red to compliment the navy and give it a pop of color.