Denim + Black + Tapestry

Denim jacket: Zara Kids; Scarf: UO; Wedges: DSW (exactly); Shorts: UO; Earrings: H&M

Happy Friday!  What a week!  Who else is ready for the weekend?

I go through color phases sometimes and looking back on the last few outfits I've posted, I guess I'm really feeling the color teal.

What color are you feeling lately?

Have a lovely weekend!

Currently reading: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Fall Basics

Blazer: Macy's, boy's section (similar); Jeans: Target (exactly); Shoes: Target; 

Necklace: F21 (similar); Clutch: It's Vintage Darling

Happy Friday!  On the fall days where it's too warm to wear think tights with a skirt or dress, skinny jeans and a blazer are my "uniform".  What's your favorite fall "uniform"?

Have a lovely weekend.

Style Profile: Streets and Stripes

This edition of Shen's Style Profiles is from Chaucee of Streets and Stripes.  Chaucee is a talented photographer with a unique sense of personal style.   She has a fabulous blog which covers topics such as photography, lifestyle, fashion, cool creative entrepreneurs, and the amazing city of Philadelphia (I'm a little biased because it's my hometown).  I haven't yet met  Chaucee in person, but I'm sure she is just as nice in person as she comes across on her blog.   Now on to the interview!

Shen Dove: What inspired you to start your blog and how did you come up with the title? 

Chaucee: Streets & Stripes originally started out as a duo in 2008. My friend Nicole actually came up with the name. There are two main focuses on the blog: lifestyle and fashion. “Streets” was for the lifestyle and “Stripes” was for the fashion. Nicole’s always had a way with words, and it just stuck!

Shen Dove: As a blogger who has been established for a few years, what inspires you to continue blogging? 

Chaucee: I'm inspired to blog because I actually really love it. Like a lot. Even if no one reads the posts, or if no one comments I still love doing it. Everything from editing the photos, to arranging posts, networking and community.  For some crazy reason it’s something I adore doing, and that’s why I make so much time for it in my day and my week. I genuinely loving what I’m doing.

Shen Dove:  How has the city you live in influenced your style and other creative endeavors? 

Chaucee: Some friends of mine have commented how the city has influenced my style. I originally come from Lancaster, PA, so moving to Philly was definitely a change. It’s given me more courage to try something new like leather pants or bold floral patterns. There’s also more access to fashion. Philly has some great boutiques and vintage shops to get lost in.

Shen Dove: What are your favorite local shopping spots in your city? 

Chaucee: Favorites include Once Worn Consignment, Buffalo Exchange, SWAG Boutique, Aoki Boutique, and Third Street Habit.

Shen Dove: If money, time, work, etc. weren't a factor, where in the world would you travel and what necessities would you wear/take on your trip? 

Chaucee: Oh boy. I would live, eat, and breathe the Middle East. I would take along all the classics. A good pair of skinny jeans, a Breton striped top, a cosy cardigan, a leather backpack, my good ‘ole camera, a picture of mia familia, a journal, and some moisturizer. Can’t live without that stuff!

Shen Dove: As bloggers we are constantly "connected" to others with the aid of gadgets and technology.  Do you have any low-tech or no-tech hobbies you enjoy? 

Chaucee: I absolutely ADORE reading. It’s the most relaxing past time. I enjoy getting outside of my world and thinking through different perspectives and cultures. I also just enjoy building community with my friends and investing in other people’s lives. It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever experienced. Events are also pretty awesome; getting out there and meeting people!

Shen Dove: Do you have any quotes, sayings or rules you live by? If so, what are they? 

Chaucee: I have several! And they’re good ones : ) 

"Read books by people you don't agree with."

 “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” -Mark Twain

 “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." -Mark Twain

Shen Dove: Thanks for the interview Chaucee!  Be sure to check out Chaucee's awesome blog.  You can also follow her on Twitter, Pinterest and Tumblr.

Stripes + Teal

Top: thrifted; skirt: F21 (dyed); Shoes: purchased w/a gift card c/oBurlington Coat Factory

A few weekends ago, I dyed (with RIT Dye) a summery skirt to give it a second life.
Have you give any clothing or accessory items a second life lately?

Faux peplum/Keeping it in neutral

Fuchsia + Gold

Jacket: thrifted; Top: Old Navy; Skirt: Gap; Shoes: Target; Necklace: H&M

 The days where I can get away with bare legs are happening less often now.  But now I have a reason to pull out some of my more colorful tights again. 

 

Happy Monday!

Currently Listening to...

Is Your Love Big Enough?

Food and Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album

Push and Shove

Rise Again

Vows

Channel Orange

Life is Good

The Best of N.E.R.D.

Master of My Make-Believe

I'm not much of a (non-Internet) radio listener, so I depend on social media and music sites like Spotify and Pandora to keep me in the music loop.  I'm also kind of old school in that I still love listening to albums in their entirety rather than picking and choosing songs I like.  Here are a few albums currently in heavy listening rotation.

What are you listening to lately?

Pajama-like

Blazer: Macy'c boy's section; Tank: Gap (old); Jumpsuit (worn as pants): Target; 
Necklace: F21; Clutch: Francesca's Collections

This jumpsuit worn as pants (last worn here) is about as close as I'll get to wearing pajamas in public...

Here's a petite girl secret about this jumpsuit: I just cut the bottom of this jumpsuit because they are a bit too long and my sewing skills are basically nonexistent (I hope to change that soon though).  

Denim + Snakeskin Print

Denim Jacket: Zara Kids; Skirt: swapped (similar); Clutch: Francesca's Collections; 
Jewelry: Target/Buffalo Exchange/H&M

Happy Monday! This maxi skirt is another example of the swap luck I experienced over the summer.  After seeing this maxi skirt which is entirely out of my budget, I resigned myself to not having a snakeskin printed skirt this season and resolved to buying some inexpensive snake skint printed jeans instead.  But then I found this maxi skirt at a swap at Black-Eyed Susie on 14th Street in Columbia Heights, so this outfit was clearly meant to be.

Here's to a positive and productive week!

Black + White with a Dash of Green

Shirt: Target; Jeans: J.Crew (Crewcuts); Shoes: purchased w/ giftcard from Burlington Coat Factory; 

Denim Jacket: Zara Kids

Hi folks!  As you can probably tell, I'm still on my green kick. I decided to wear my green button down shirt with printed jeans this time around. I look forward to styling these jeans in a few weeks with a sweater, boots and jacket.;

Here's to a great week!