art of wore

TREND ALERT: Westward ho!

2012-05-24T03:58:24Z

I can't seem to satiate my burning desire for western-tinged clothes and accessories lately. I thrifted my first bolo tie last weekend. There's a sleeveless denim button-up in my closet right this very minute. I wear a vintage black leather fringe vest maaaaaybe a little too often. And dear god, what I wouldn't give for the low-heeled pointy-toed booties pictured above.

Okay, so maybe Wayfarer shades are a bit of a stretch, and cowboys wear leather chaps, not full-on pants, but this ain't Halloween. No, my friends, this is how the west was won.

Peace out — I'm about to trot off into the sunest.

Pictured (clockwide from top left)
Dooney & Burke saddle bag from Zappos
Vintage bolo tie from ModCloth
Sleeveless denim top from TopShop
Western hip belt from ASOS
Jean-Michel Cazbat low boots from Shopbop
Black Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses from AlexandAlexa
Acne cropped leather pants from Net-a-Porter

DV8 Dolce Vita Lookbook

2012-05-23T03:03:30Z

Last month I attended the lookbook photo shoot / launch party for Dolce Vita's new footwear line DV8. The collection's pretty wild, so naturally the photos followed suit. Below are my favorite shots from the lookbook and some outtakes featuring yours truly.

Check out the collection here and my photos from the party here.

A peek inside my place

2012-05-22T04:43:28Z

Kirby, from the delightful Seattle street fashion blog Dressed for Tea, was kind enough to feature me on his site today. We had so much fun sipping champagne, talking fashion and doing a little photo shoot. Be sure to check out the post and get a glimpse of my Seattle pad. He also included an interview on what I've been up to these days, along with some random questions ("If you could be anywhere, where would you be?"). Fun stuff!

Whirlwind Week

2012-05-18T05:37:44Z

I instagrammed my way from Seattle to Minneapolis and back again. Here's my weekend in a nutshell:

[left] The boyfriend and I at our friends' wedding in Minneapolis. [right] Wedding desserts!

[left] Flowers I picked up upon returning to Seattle. [right] Rooftop dining with pals in Minneapolis.

[left] Partying with friends in Minneapolis. It was like I'd never left. [right] Lovely Lake Calhoun. I miss it so.

[left] Downtown Seattle from my roof. [right] Beer occasionally turns my boyfriend turns into a cardboard robot.

[left] Vanessa and Georgia, two of my besties. [right] My pretty twin sister at her baby shower with Dad in the background.

[left] Mother's Day pedicure, an annual tradition. [right] Chillaxin' post drinks and dinner on the roof.

Homeward Bound

2012-05-11T04:24:19Z

Heading home to Minneapolis bright and early tomorrow morning. It'll be my first trip back since moving to Seattle in January. I'm so excited to see everyone. My weekend's already jam-packed with activities — a wedding, baby shower, Mother's Day, housewarming party, dinners, BBQs, etc. The weather's supposed to be gorgeous. I can't wait!!

image via self service magazine

OUTFIT POST: Hot Pink + Stonewashed

2012-05-09T05:03:17Z

Photos by Erik Simkins

I met my summer love affair at a thrift store in Renton the other day. This stonewashed denim skirt was originally ankle length and I hacked off about two feet. I thought about going even higher, but I want it to be work-appropriate and comfy — attributes that don't always coalesce with micro-minis.

This awsome magenta blouse hails from a thrift store in Boise. The print seems eerily modern in a vintage-inspired kind of way, but one look at the '80s font on the inside tag and it's clear — this sucker's old school.

Recreate this look: Stonewashed Denim skirt from Forever 21 // Hot Pink Equipment Blouse // Steve Madden Black Fringe Bag // Zara Wedge Sandals // ASOS Black Cat-Eye Sunglasses

TOP 10 BEST DRESSED: Met Gala 2012

2012-05-08T05:12:09Z

Well, this one's a no-brainer, considering I've had a girl crush on Florence Welch for some time. She's wearing the hell out of some Alexander McQueen (click here and scroll to image #9 to see this dress on the F/W 2012 runway). I can't think of a better look for Florence at the Met Gala. Bravo.

Beyonce in Givenchy comes in a close second. This woman had a baby like four months ago, you guys. She's not even human. I freaking love the violet feather train on this gown. It makes the dress — even more than Beyonce's bodaciousness.

I know, I know. Call me a weirdo, but I think MK Olsen is one of the best young fashion designers out there (along with her sis Ashley). She has such an interesting eye for shape and proportion and fabric. I think she looks lovely here — in a gown she designed — despite it not being typical attire for a 25-year-old. But hey, like we established with Beyonce, celebrities are only partially human.

You can't go wrong in Alexander McQueen—a fact Cate Blanchett long ago realized. She looks amazing in this sleek trumpet-skirted affair. I'm only slightly disappointed that she didn't pair it with the enormous tiered cape with which it appeared on the runway.

This Stella McCartney sheath is pretty standard fare for Cameron Diaz, but nevertheless, she pulls it off with aplomb. How much unicorn blood do I need to drink to get a body like that when I'm 39?

Kate Bosworth, vampin' it up in feathery Prada with matching plums lips and handbag. She looks incredibly polished, from the ice-hot bling on her ears and wrist to the death-grip bun atop her head. Bonus points for maintaining a healthy glow despite clearly never eating.

You don't always think "amazing, slinky ballgown" when you hear the words "Ralph Lauren," but the iconic American brand really turned it out for screen siren Camilla Bell. This dress could not fit her more perfectly. The plunge hits at just the right spot—as does her hemline. Great hair and makeup too. Bravo.

If anybody can pull off a skin-tight floor-length crocodile-skin dress, it's Rhianna. And she knows it. Not feelin' the hair, but otherwise, she looks blammin'.

Yes, every red-carpet dress Marchesa has done in the past five years has looked a little something like this. But they do it really well, and it looks chic on certain celebrities — Sophia Vergara included. She kind of looks like a trophy here, which I guess makes sense, considering she plays a trophy wife on Modern Family.

What do you think? Did I miss any favorites?

images via popsugar

TREND ALERT: Sports Authority

2012-05-03T05:29:35Z

I'm intrigued by the onslaught of sports-infused ready-to-wear coming out of so many top designers lately. They're making everyday clothes out of sweat-wicking fabrics like mesh and nylon, and adding athletic touches like drawstrings, racerbacks and jersey-like stripes. Even heels get their game face on with wedge sneakers and perforated pumps. I'm digging this trend. What do you guys think?

clockwise from top left
Alexander Wang Mesh-Paneled Zip-Up CARDIGAN
Giuseppe Zanotti High-Top Platform SNEAKERS
3.1 Phillip Lim Racerback TANK TOP
Mulberry Drawstring Eyelet SKIRT
3.1 Phillip Lim Leather Boxing SHORTS
TopShop Sporty Platform SANDALS
Nike Moto Destroyer Letterman's JACKET
Herve Leger Mesh-Paneled Bandage DRESS
3.1 Phillip Lim Knit Drawstring PANTS

GIRL CRUSH: Yasmin Sewell

2012-05-02T03:45:43Z

I'm completely enamoured with the personal style of Australian fashion retail consultant Yasmin Sewell. A fixture on all the top street fashion blogs, Sewell currently lives in London, maintains a blog at British Vogue and made the renowned department store Liberty of London what it is today. She has some of the coolest hair I've ever seen, and her wardrobe is beyond belief — tons of Burberry Prorsum, Balenciaga and Céline.

She always looks effortlessly cool, graceful and comfortable. Telegraph did an interesting interview with her a couple years ago that sheds some light on the mystery behind this industry icon.

Images via: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Lida Baday Spring 2012

2012-05-01T06:07:30Z

Loving the quiet simplicity of Toronto designer Lida Baday's spring campaign. The model, the movement and the cut of the clothes all work together to create an effortless feel.

I would wear all of these clothes. Please and thank you.

Did I mention that you can now pin photos directly to Pinterest using the button at the bottom of each entry? I also just got an account for Art of Wore a few weeks ago. Follow my pins!