Admiral and Tea

Military for Autumn

Here are some military inspired pieces, perfect for fall. I really love olive green lately, as it surprisingly can function as a neutral and pairs really well with other colours. 

1. Military shirt jacket from American Eagle: $49.50 
2. Military leggings from American Eagle: $29.95 
3. Backpack from Urban Outfitters: $68
4. Timex watch from J.Crew: $150
5. Military cardigan from American Eagle: $39.50 
6. Cross-body bag from Urban Outfitters: $38
7. Anorak from American Eagle: $59.95
8. Cargos from American Eagle: $59.50 

Here's how I would wear military cargos. A great way to get use out of your denim jacket through the fall is to wear it with cargos, boots, and a thick scarf. 

1. Top from Old Navy: $12.50
2. Cargos from American Eagle: $59.50
3. Jacket from American Eagle: $49.50
4. Necklace from Forever 21: $7.80
5. Bracelet from J.Crew: $12.50
6. Boots from Urban Outfitters: $68
7. Scarf from Old Navy: $12.50
8. Purse from Old Navy: $12.50 

Have a great weekend! 

Autumn Leopard Print + How to Wear It

 It's pretty obvious that leopard is back in a huge way. I am usually a solids girl myself, but I've found that adding in a bit of leopard print in small doses can really pull together an outfit and make it better. I love these accessories because they can easily be incorporated with other pieces. 

1.  Belt from J.Crew: $39.50 
2. Flats from American Eagle: $29.50 
3. Purse from Urban Outfitters: $48
4. Leggings from Old Navy: $14.50 
5. Scarf from Aldo: $18 

Leopard print looks great with any neutrals, and I love it with olive green, as it pairs really well with a military look.

1. Pants from American Eagle: $34.95 
2. T-shirt from Old Navy: $12.50 
3. Scarf from Aldo: $18 
4. Boots from Steve Madden: $99 (These are my fall boots and they are amazing!)
5. Purse from Kipling: $60

My friend Taryn has leopard print flats that always look amazing and have inspired me here. :)

1. Bracelet from Urban Outfitters: $14
2. Top from American Eagle: $19.50 
3. Dress from ModCloth: $59.99 
4. Leggings from Old Navy: $8 (their leggings are the best) 
5. Flats from American Eagle: $29.50 

 Here the leopard print purse dresses up an otherwise very casual outfit.

1. Jeans from American Eagle: $39.50 
2. Shirt dress from ModCloth: $49.99 
3. Purse from Urban Outfitters: $48
4. Flats from Old Navy: $19.50 

Do you think you would try animal print? 

Happy back to school! 

Goodbye Winter Blues... Hello Spring Blues?

 

I have before never noticed one colour to be so prevalent for one season the way that blue is this spring. It is the colour. I have even seen tons of outfits combining denim with denim- something that was always a major faux pas, but apparently is now okay! While that is maybe just too ingrained of a fashion rule for me to break, I do love all of the blues I am seeing in stores! Here are some pieces to inject a bit of blue into your wardrobe:

• Dress from ModCloth: $64.99 
• Chambray shirt from Old Navy: $26.50 
• Headband from Urban Outfitters: $14 
• Skirt from Old Navy: $15 
• Cardigan from Forever 21: $10.99 
• Flats from American Eagle: $29.50
• Ring from Forever 21: $5.80
• Belt from Forever 21: $4.80 
• T-strap shoes from Urban Outfitters: $28
• Denim skirt from Forever 21: $15.80
• Purse from Urban Outfitters: $58
• Scarf from Urban Outfitters: $18 
• Denim jacket from Old Navy: $29.50 

Spring is finally here...I hope that it has arrived wherever you are as well . Oh no I just realized I should have done a green post today! I am part Irish and everything... oh well Happy St. Patrick's Day anyways. And if you are celebrating, I hope that green beer is not involved in any way. :)

Spring Favourites

 

Here are my top must-have items for spring. Luckily I already own most of them, but am still searching around for the perfect floral dress and lace tank top...

1. Florals (dress from MocCloth: $49.99)
2. Denim shirt (shirt from Old Navy: $26.50)
3. Small long-strap purse (this one is from Urban Outfitters and is $38 but I found a great one at the thrift store for $4.99!)
4. Striped shirt (shirt from Forever 21: $12.80) 
5. Oxfords (these from Aldo: $49.98) 
6. Nautical-style skirt (skirt from Fred Flare: $28) 
7. Lace shirt (tank from Forever 21: $14.80) 
8. Military/utility jacket (jacket from Old Navy: $39.50)

What are your main spring essentials this year? And hope you are enjoying the extra sunlight...I know I am. :)

What to Wear with Oxfords

 

• Oxfords from Steve Madden: $49.95
• T-shirt from Forever 21: $10.80 
• Jeans from Old Navy: $17.99 
• Bag from Urban Outfitters: $48 
• Blazer from Forever 21: $26.90 
• Rings from Urban Outfitters: $18

Valerie from the great blog Bohemian Season left an intriguing comment on my Oxfords Love post. She said that she was struggling with the oxfords trend as she thought it might leave her looking "like an English schoolgirl." She also mentioned that she finds oxfords to not really be sexy or feminine. (I'm guessing that these feelings are probably shared by lots of other people.) I emailed Valerie with some suggestions for how to wear oxfords and look cool and feminine without any hint of schoolgirl. Following her advice, I'm going to post some of the ideas I shared with her (thanks Valerie)! 

The above outfit was inspired by this photo from The Sartorialist which I know has made the rounds on the internet, and I think it has been very influential in spreading the oxfords trend. Wearing oxfords with rolled-up, relaxed-fit boyfriend jeans is a really easy yet cool look. I think that the blazer from above, or any simple black or navy blazer, would look a million times better if the original buttons were replaced with gold ones, which would be really easy to do. You could wear a wide variety of tops with oxfords and rolled up jeans- a nice blouse would look great. I definitely recommend that you wear oxfords without socks- the same way you wear flats without socks. Actually, one exception to the no-sock rule: J.Crew makes oxfords look really good paired with ankle socks. 

 

• Oxfords from Steve Madden: $49.95 
• Dress from ModCloth: $47.99 
• Belt from Forever 21: $6.80 
• Jacket from Old Navy: $29.50 
• Bracelet from American Eagle: $12.50
• Purse from Fred Flare: $20 

I really love oxfords paired with something more feminine, like a dress or skirt, to downplay their boyishness. Again, don't wear socks with the oxfords, but tights are perfectly fine. 

For more ideas on how to wear oxfords, check out the J.Crew catalogues- they always have great inspiration. I hope that these ideas help! Make sure that you only wear shoes that you feel confident enough to pull off, and only follow trends that you actually like. 

We finally have some semi-spring weather here, and it is so exciting! I can't stop wearing skirts and dresses after having to be bundled up for so long. 

Military Jackets + Shirts

 

The most practical of all jackets is major for spring (no pun intended). Here are a few cool ways to wear cargo/utility/military style shirts and jackets.

Clockwise from top left:

• Shirt from The Gap: $44.50 
• Jacket from Old Navy: $39.50 
• Shirt from The Gap: $44.50 
• Jacket from American Eagle: $59.50 
• Shirt from The Gap: $49.50 
• Jacket from Old Navy: $39.50 

 

• Dress from Forever 21: $9.80 
• Shirt from The Gap: $44.50 
• Belt from American Eagle: $19.50 
• Necklace from Urban Outfitters: $28 
• Tote from Urban Outfitters: $58 
• Boots from Aldo: $89.98 or (weather permitting): 
• Sandals from American Eagle: $29.50 

 

•  Jeans from American Eagle: $39.50 
• Top from Forever 21: $14.80 
• Jacket from Old Navy: $39.50 
• Purse from Urban Outfitters: $48 
• Bracelet from American Eagle: $12.50 
• Boots from Aldo: $69.98 

I really love the military inspired look- it is so practical and versatile. I have a utility jacket from J.Crew that I wear all the time when the weather isn't too cold, and I am excited to bust it out again this spring! What spring trends are you intrigued by lately?