Winter Casual

I'm trying to have a little more fun with my winter wardrobe while I have the liberty of having ALL of my coats at my fingertips ( I wasn't able to do so last winter due to traveling). I love this faux fur coat because of its grey/purple color which looks great with all of my black pieces.

Overall, just a simple look. However, I thought the patterned scarf (I almost never go without a scarf from September-March) flowed nicely with the color of the jacket and my black Rag & Bone Jeggings, down to my little prized possessions.. my Chanel sneakers.

I just want to thank everyone for the kind and very thoughtful notes, comments, and emails I have received since I've been back to posting. I try to reply to every one I read. It means a lot to me to know many of you have experienced the same pitfalls, and your support is incredibly meaningful - so Thank you all very kindly! This will likely be my last outfit post until January, as I will be traveling to visit friends and family to enjoy the holidays (Plus, I hate traveling with my laptop, it makes me very nervous). I will still be taking new photos and will have updates for my readers after the holidays!

Happy Holidays to all of my readers from around the world!

~ 

Coat: Nordstrom

Jeans: Rag & Bone

Bag: Gucci

Shoes: Chanel

Scarf: TJ Maxx 

XO,

Olivia

Photos: Emily Petterson

That Perfect Jacket

I really love this set of photos because of the snow. I've never been a big fan of winter, but I do appreciate the small and individual beauty of a snowflake.

Even with a certain dislike for freezing temperatures, I do love the aspect of layering clothing which these temperatures afford ! After searching for years, I have finally found the PERFECT military green jacket from Anthropologie.. I love it so much I gave away the three other military green jackets that I owned (I was trying REALLY hard to make them "the one," but to no avail). This one is truly perfectly detailed and perfectly fitted. I paired the jacket with a fun printed knit dress from Francesca's Collection, sheer black tights (duh) , a warm furry scarf from TJ Maxx (I love Tj Maxx), and my favorite leather Minelli booties from Paris, and my pebbled leather Gucci Bag.

This was one of those outfits that I looked back on and was thought to myself, 'ugh I wish I would've worn some cute jewelry or a belt,' but it's ok. I've always disliked the fussiness of over-accesorizing. Besides, I don't think "simple" should have such a negative conniption in fashion.

Jacket: 'Hei Hei' from Anthropologie 

Dress: Francesca's

Boots: Minelli

Faux Fur Scarf: TJ Maxx

Bag: Gucci

Photo Credits: Emily Petterson

Poppy

As promised!! New photos, a different look, and of course new clothes!

It's winter in the Midwest and has been for several weeks now! My cousin Emily is a wonderful photographer and I recently got to spend some time with her wandering around Pittsburgh, one of my favorite cities in the Midwest. We were on our way to have lunch with family when we stopped by this lovely park right near the river so snap a few photos. I know it's not a New York City street, but it's still special to me because this is where I grew up. This is where I became inspired by colors, textures, patterns... in nature. 

I have always had an affinity for turquoise/mint (blues) and oranges/reds together. I remember in my AP studio art class my senior year of high school I was ALWAYS picking that general color scheme. I feel it might have something to do with the way the warm sun interacts with the cool sky. Anyway, Winter can be boring and harsh in so many ways which is why I like to play with fun patterns like this fuzzy plaid and poppy-patterned dress. 

Of course the Hunter Boots are practical and necessary in the snowy midwest. Heels may look more polished, but I'm not sure I know anyone who can tackle black ice in 4-inch stilettos. Overall, I just wanted to bring something fun and carefree for my first look back on the blog. 

I hope you like it!

Coat: Nordstrom

Dress: Kate Moss for Topshop

Scarf: H&M

Boots: Hunter

XO 

Olivia

Photo credits: Emily Lynn Petterson 

Explanations and New Beginnings

Hello Everyone!

I surely would like to believe that many of you are still following, and haven't lost interest in my blog. However, if it were the case that you perhaps have lost interest, I would entirely understand.

I have not blogged since January. Although I could waste some of your time explaining every reason that I have not been updating, I will not do such a thing. However, I do feel that I owe my very loyal readers a little explanation.

There are several reasons why I originally stopped writing and photographing my outfits for my blog:

1. My blog began to stress me out! What began as a stress-reliever and a creative expression for me had completely flip-flopped. I began to obsess over silly things like my body image, how often I was posting, online negativity, and the pressure to perform. I know this blog seems menial to some (I admit, I am not solving world hunger here), but for me it was important to live as a positive example for my some 30,000 followers I have spread all over the internet.. and it all began to become a little too much for me. My blog blew up too fast and I wasn't very good at handling it.

2. My life became extremely "boring" to me. 2013 was an amazing year. I traveled around the world, worked for Seventeen Magazine, was published in said magazine, worked with amazing brands like Nasty Gal and Asos, lived in NYC  and Paris, and so on and so forth. Let's just say that 2014 fizzled. Hard. I worked hard to finish my 4 year degree, and prayed that I would acquire my dream job. This did not happen as I planned, and still has not happened. I'm living in Ohio right now, and I'm incredibly bored and uninspired.

3. I felt like I was becoming manufactured. Let me explain. I picked up the blogging game when it was fairly new, I was one of the original Lookbook "front-pagers." I was really proud of this ... but then I felt like it began to ruin the essence of who I was a person, and what my blog was all about. I am a real person, with real struggles, and real hopes and dreams. However, I began to take on the persona of the internet... worrying about how many instagram likes my new photo would have, or how in the world I was going to make some of my sponsored clothing look good... because in reality I actually hated it.  What was once an expression of creativity and individuality became all about popularity, and I couldn't stand to admit that to myself.  

4. My style has changed. Living in Paris taught me the essence of black.. simplicity..chicness. I now kind of dislike jumping on every trend, and I prefer beautiful basics and the essence of a well-constructed garment. Let's be honest, this isn't the most exciting to show off and photograph. I'm no Chiara Ferragni.

5. Personal issues.. and well.. everyone goes through these. But they are best left private and personal. You can take my word for it.

If you are still reading this, thanks, I appreciate it... if you're not then, well, you're not but I understand. Many times throughout the year I said I was going to pick up the blog again, but then I would get too nervous, too anxious, etc, and I would "chicken - out" . My job searching had become my life, and I was beginning to feel like I was going to be forced to take some sterile job and I would never be able to be creative again. Never show off my talents again. Never do what I love again.

Then it hit me. Why in the world was I self-loathing to the point that I felt like I had nothing in front of me that I enjoyed. I do have something that I worked SO hard on right in front of me.. and I can go back to a time when I really, truly, honestly enjoyed this blog. 

Thank you to everyone who wrote me emails, asked when I was going to start this up again... You all kept reminding me how much fun it was to inspire others, even over something as unsubstantial as your wardrobe. 

To keep a long story short, here's to a new year of blogging. I hope you all will stick around and see what's new, and will continue on this journey with me. Who knows where I'll be in a month... 6 months... I have no idea. But what I do know is that doing what I love has been missing from my life for entirely too long, and I can't wait to get started again. 

I hope you all like what I bring to my blog this time around... I'm sure some of you won't, and that's ok! It's not about popularity, but it is about creativity and personal expression (and you guys rule so I know I won't have any "haters" regardless.)

MUCH LOVE TO EVERYONE

Oh yeah, and the good news, I'm updating with new photos tomorrow. Then I have three more sets edited and ready to go after that. I won't flake again.. I promise.

XO,

Olivia  

It's All Black & White

If I had a quarter for every black & white striped top I own.. I could probably afford a new black & white striped top. It's one of my favorite "go-to" pieces because it's SO versatile. I think this outfit really emphasizes simple, chic, winter dressing.. of course you need to add a coat if you live in a Windy Northern city like me.

This is another outfit inspired by my time spent in France.. simple, feminine, with small details. I love the bow on this skirt because it adds a hint of fun to an otherwise simple staple piece. I paired it with my striped tee, shiny bag, and my favorite knitted cardigan ( I love the way the zig-zag knit pairs with the stripes on my shirt.. it's the inner painter coming out in me.. mixing textures and patterns).

Anyway, I hope you all are keeping chic (and warm) this holiday season! I have so many cute new pieces to put up so thank you all for following up every week!

Cardigan: Anthropologie

Tee: F21

Skirt: UO

Hat: H&M

XOXO

Bisous

Olivia