Leather & Suede

Wearing suede in the summer may not seem like the most logical thing to do, but nor does wearing leather. However, both have suddenly seemed to gain acceptance in the fashion community. Regardless, I love this dress far too much not to wear it year-round. 

We went to dinner at the Rabbit Hole in Colorado Springs to celebrate my birthday this past weekend. The place is completely underground, filled with paintings and portraits Lewis Carroll would certainly approve of, and boasts an appropriately themed menu to boot. I certainly recommend it if you're ever in the area! This shot was taken outside the entrance--I definitely approve of any location luring customers in with a chandelier. 

Wearing a Vince leather dress (similar, on sale!), Steve Madden platforms, Nordstrom purse, Tiffany's necklace, and bracelets by Prada and from Costa Rica.

"All mimsy were the borogoves, 

And the mome raths outgrabe."

Ombre Homage

I haven't taken the plunge yet on the ombre hair trend, but I love it in my clothing. This shirt, by Elizabeth & James, is an excellent example of just how awesome ombre can be. I picked it up during Nordstrom's Anniversary sale, and couldn't be happier with it. Clearly, as I decided it wasn't too hot to wear it in nearly 90 degree temperatures. The sale is on until August 6th. I definitely recommend checking it out, here!

Ray Ban aviators, Elizabeth & James shirt, J.Brand cut offs, Marc by Marc Jacobs necklace, J. Crew belt, Tory Burch sandals, Louis Vuitton Speedy. 

Happy Monday!

Over exposed outfits, anyone?

Birthday Baby

On top of the wedding and everything else going on last weekend, I also celebrated my birthday in the Twin Cities. Having gone to school there for a number of years, I have quite a few friends still in the area. It was great to be able to catch up with some of them, even if only for a few hours. I really miss my Minneapolis sometimes.  

These shots were taken by Lake Calhoun, with a view of downtown Minneapolis in the background. I really amped up the outfit with the necklace here. It was my birthday, after all! Jump shot ftw.

J. Crew necklace, Vince tank, Current/Elliott legging jean, Balenciaga sandals, Raymond Weil watch, and Ray Ban aviator.

Sundressing for a Wedding

I bought the dress, and then, unsure about the shoes, asked my mother what she thought of wearing wedges with it. "They're showing $5,000 dresses with wedges, you can do whatever you want," is essentially what she responded. And she was so right. 

I wore this for one of my best friend's weddings in Minneapolis, and loved how the look came together. The wedding was a blast, and generally way too much fun. Congrats to the happy couple!  

What do you think? Do wedged dress it down too much? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Wearing 3.1 Phillip Lim dress (on sale!), Chloé wedges, Badgley Mischka earrings, and a clutch from American Apparel. 

A Collaboration

As a Gatsby fan forever, and generally obsessed with all things Fitzgerald, naturally my blog name is an allusion to that mythical summer as experienced by Nick Carraway. To say I am excited about the upcoming movie release would be an understatement. Check out the trailer.

My good friend Brent, creator of the beautiful less-is-more banner now gracing the blog, whipped this up in his spare time, and I couldn't be more grateful. I love it! This is the first of many collaborations with his talented mind.

Check him out at: brenthenderson.me

and email him at: iambrenthenderson@gmail.com

Thanks again, Brent!

At the Ball

 

Last Thursday I attended a military ball, which was also a great excuse to dress up and get my hair done. My amazing friend, Evangelina Fernandez, of Denver Hair Design created the perfect updo for the occasion. I had a wonderful evening!

Nicole Miller dress, Chanel pumps, Prada clutch, earrings from Security Jewelers, and the mess of pearls and bracelets from too many places to remember, but mostly Security Jewelers also. 

Washed Out

This weekend was a whirlwind, starting with a Military Ball Thursday night, a wedding Saturday, and flights to and from Minneapolis in between. I'll share the formalwear later this week, but today I just wanted to send my heart out to those victims killed, injured, or otherwise affected by the shooting in Aurora Friday morning. Such things hardly seem possible, until they are. Though they will never be understandable. All my love, Aurora. 

Wearing an old James Perse tank, Pins & Needles shorts, Balenciaga sandals, Raymond Weil watch, and Elizabeth & James sunnies.

Dividing Continents

In the middle of May one of my best friends came to visit. Since she had never been, I brought her up Loveland Pass to check out the generally spectacular views. This, however, was what she got. 

Shielding myself from the hailstorm, wearing American Apparel hoodie, William Rast jacket from forever ago, Current/Elliott jeans, Rag & Bone boots, and my go-to Balenciaga. 

The weather is a bit treacherous up there, but on clear days, its absolutely gorgeous.

White Hot

It's been super hot here. Unbearably so. I went camping for a bit this weekend, and the altitude gain gave me a bit of a break from the heat, but not enough. I've been listening to a lot of Washed Out lately, which is just ambient and trance-y enough for the weather. This outfit is probably a combination of that, and just really wanting to wear these shoes. 

James Perse top, Vince denim, Stuart Weitzman wedges, Ray Ban aviators.

The Fantastic Foxes, and YSL at Denver Art Museum

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Photos from the Denver Art Museum from sometime this May. They had a Yves Saint Laurent exhibit that was absolutely amazing, but has sadly drawn to a close. No photography was allowed in the exhibit, which was a shame because it was breathtaking, to say the least.

There was an entire wall of YSL tuxedos, and a room full of formal dresses, in all manner of dance. The photographs of Yves Saint Laurent himself in the original campaign for his menswear line were spectacularly bold, especially considering his socially shy demeanor. Following my review of the exhibit, I immediately changed into a tuxedo inspired outfit for the evening, and began plotting as to how best to go about acquiring YSL's Muse handbag. I'm still plotting.

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Sometimes Flower Child

I adore the soft, easy wearability of these flares. The unfinished hem requires sky-high shoes every time I wear them, but they're so worth it. TEXTILE Elizabeth & James was such a good idea. 

Wearing the TEXTILE Elizabeth & James Jimi jean, Vince tank, Urban Outfitters necklace, Ray Ban Wayfarer, Balenciaga bag, and some Tory Burch wedges. More on those later. 

Currently Craving

Love me some Lanvin. To go with all things awesome, but probably black on black first. A black silk tank and cotton shorts are the perfect palate to leave it all to the shoe, and these shoes deserve it. I tried them on a few months ago and still can't get them out of my head. Size 38 please, they ran a bit small.

I'll Show You the Sky

On a Sunday. I was going to wear a dress with these shoes, but it was freezing with the storm rolling in, so I went with some leggings and my favorite denim top. But the shoes stayed. At least until it rained. 

Sunglasses by Marc by Marc Jacobs, shirt from J.Crew, leggings by Rock & Republic, wedges by Chloé, bracelets by Prada and from some random shop in Costa Rica, mixed in with too many rubber bands. I have a lot of hair. 

The legging trend is definitely one I jumped onto quickly. They're my go-to for flying, and any time I just want to be comfortable. This particular pair I've had for quite some time, and still love them just as much as when I bought them. I'm not even sure if Rock & Republic is still making leggings, but I have two pairs of theirs and they are both amazing. 

Thanks, Colorado, for some wicked awesome weather lately. 

After the Rain

Today was a back to the basics kind of day. I've got two pairs of these jeans, in part because the second pair was ridiculously marked down, but mostly because I live in them. They're by Rich & Skinny, and while I always recommend most that you find jeans for your body type, if yours is anything like mine, I'd highly recommend them. 

It rained like crazy most of the weekend, and then for a while today as well, which was a welcome change from the 90 degree heat that had been stifling the front range. We took this photo between rain storms. 

While I appreciate high fashion, I am, at my essence, a jeans and tees kind of girl. Sometimes I'm jealous of the likes of James Dean and anyone else who can live in white tees and dark jeans and be absolutely fabulous all the time. There's something so perfect about such a simple look. This tee is BDG from Urban Outfitters, and the flats are Vera Wang Lavender, and were definitely one of my best purchases ever. So comfortable, and so classic. Ray Ban Wayfarers, Seiko watch, and a weird look on my face. Happy Monday.

Americana

Happy Birthday America! The Fourth of July is definitely my favorite holiday. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, Thanksgiving, and all those holidays where you get to spend tons of time with your family, too. But there's just something about fireworks, shortcake topped with every kind of berry in the store, and an all-american BBQ that makes for a pretty great holiday. This can only be improved upon with water, as fireworks are best observed over a lake, preferably after a day of wake boarding, swimming, and general fun in the sun. 

There was no lake on my Fourth of July this year, but there were fireworks, so it was still pretty great. I hope you had a good one too! 

Wearing a hat from J.Crew, jacket by Diesel, Vince tank, J.Brand denim, Vans sneaks, Marc by Marc Jacobs necklace, and the McQueen bracelet. 

Garden of the Gods

Hiking at the just reopened Garden of the Gods on Sunday in what may generally be called rather inappropriate footwear for hiking, but as the signs required you to stay on the path unless you registered as a climber, and as we hadn't, I didn't see the problem. And moccasins have been worn for centuries in just such circumstances, so I figured I'd be fine. And I was. 

Tank by Vince, shorts by J.Brand, moccasins by Minnetonka, bracelet by Alexander McQueen, and necklace and sunglasses from Urban Outfitters. 

I will say that I was glad the rain held off. Suede + water is not my favorite thing at all.