Insta-crush: Stone Fox Bride

Every time Stone Fox Bride's Instagram photos appear in my news feed, I am overcome with happiness. The undeniably cool bridal shop based in Manhattan is my guilty pleasure. My favorite posts of theirs are when they photograph a client's engagement ring, and caption the photo with a quippy story about that client's proposal or the ring's ancestry. Check out some of my favorite captions below, and prepare to fall in love with SFB's adventures here.  

-"Asked her in their friends restaurant in Brooklyn. They've been dating for fifteen years."

-“Proposed in the morning in pjs. I said today would be a good day to get engaged. He went upstairs and got the rings, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was like is this real??? I started crying and shaking and we hugged and drank champagne and danced to a Beach House record.”

-"Got down on one knee in the mist in December on top of the Empire State Building."

-"He planned a trip to Paris. After a long day of walking around and soaking in all the sights we stopped and bought cheese, bread and some wine. We went back to the apartment and he set up a picnic on the roof. I turned around and he was on one knee, holding a piece of baguette smeared with cheese, with the ring on top and asked me, "Will you marry me?" I laughed and said, "Are you sure?!!!!" and, "Yes!!!"

-"Proposed at the summer camp in California where they met."

Favorite find: The Cut's Paris Fashion Week

At Issey Miyake.

One of my favorite parts about each of the fashion weeks every year is the increasing amount of coverage on those that attend the shows. While fashion critics lament the rise of the attention-seeking street-style stars that cause nothing more than a circus outside the tents, I love being able to see what goes on behind the scenes at the shows and watching the "watchers" of the shows. 

Dina Litovsky captured many of these oddly beautiful moments at Paris Fashion Week for New York Magazine's The Cut. All of the photographs in the series are entrancing, and can be seen here. 

Here are a few of my most favorite photos: 

At Akris.

At Givenchy.

At Stella McCartney.

London Fashion Week: Erdem Spring 2014

I love New York Fashion Week. I've always felt that it sets the stage for all of the following fashion weeks--that it's the true test of what we can predict to see on the sidewalks in the coming seasons. New York Fashion Week also seems to produce the most wearable ready-to-wear clothing. From 3.1 Phillip Lim to Kate Spade to Alexander Wang, these are the clothes that will have some semblance of affordability and practicality. 

Yet there is something special about the London and Paris Fashion Weeks. London seems to have a mood all on its own--defined by a city that has been known for the most unique of trends like punk, the collections that emerge from its runways never fail to instill awe in its audiences. 

Erdem has been one of my favorite shows to anticipate during London Fashion Week since the beginning of high school, when my love for fashion began. Its original prints are some of the most unique to emerge from all of the shows at the different fashion weeks--but it seems as though this season was different. 

The focus was less on intricate prints, and instead on unique textures and fabrics. Defined by striking black and white, the details of the garments stood out with grandeur. 

Here are some of my favorite looks: 

//images via Style.com 

Kate Spade Spring 2014

Every year during New York Fashion Week, I look forward to the Kate Spade presentation. The Kate Spade woman has always been one that I have admired and aspire to be. Even though the photos of the collection that are posted on Style.com are not from the physical presentation, I love seeing photos that bloggers and fashion journalists post on Instagram and other outlets. 

Kate Spade never fails to disappoint. Every piece, including how it's styled, is on point.I always fall in love with the stories that the collections tell--chief creative officer Deborah Lloyd is a never-ending source of inspiration. For this collection, she was inspired by her travels to the gardens of Giverny. The presentation thus proceeded as though one was on a tour of Europe, with stops at Parisian cafes and garden parties. 

View the entire collection and how Deborah Lloyd was inspired to it on Kate Spade's blog, Behind the Curtain. Here are some looks I love:

//images via The College Prepster and Style.com

Favorite find: Dormify.com's new sorority line

I haven't mentioned this on the blog yet, but I am a sorority woman. I am a proud sister of Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority at the Delta Nu chapter. 

Joining a sorority completely transformed my college experience, and I still believe that's it's been one of the best unexpected decisions that I've made thus far. In high school, I believed every misconception that existed about sororities, and swore that I could never see myself in one. Yet here I am today. 

Every chapter is different at every school, so it's understandable why some are weary of Greek life. Sororities can be intimidating as a freshman, but there is so much more to them than their stereotypes. If found, sisterhood can be one of the most rewarding relationships that you have. These women become so much more than an acquaintance--they will do anything for you. 

On a lighter note, one of the best perks of being in a sorority is all the apparel and accessories that you can wear to display your pride. I love finding unique ways to represent my sorority through what I wear--which is why I was so excited when I was told that Dormify added Phi Sigma Sigma to the 17 other sororities that they create clothing and accessories for. 

Dormify's new Greek line is impeccable--it's full of unique accessories, clothing and other items that you can't find anywhere else. Their sorority clothing and jewelry is understated and actually wearable instead of tacky and cliched. 

Check out some of my favorite items below:

Phi Sigma Sigma Metallic Slouchy T-Shirt $25

I Heart My Sorority Cuff $25

Be sure to check out the new line if you're a sorority woman as well, and keep up with Dormify's blog about college lifestyle (which I also write for).

Phillip Lim for Target

Designer collaborations are among my favorite things. As a poor college student, these collaborations are often the closest I could ever dream of getting to wearing a designer label. 

Of course, designer collaborations are not new. If anything, they're getting rather old. Since the first groundbreaking cross of Isaac Mizrahi and Target in 2002, the rush to buy any and all items has quickly died down. The Neiman Marcus x Target collaboration last year was perhaps the biggest example of this--items lingered on the floor for so long that they were eventually placed on clearance for 70% off. 

Yet while designer collaborations don't have the same novelty that they used to, many of the fashion set and those attempting to join it still salivate over the prospect of a well-designed collaboration. Occasionally, a designer seems to pull through and put his or her aesthetic into the collection--making it worth it to participate in the race to buy the items. 

Phillip Lim has done this for Target. Preparing a collection that fits the needs of both the average Target customer and Phillip Lim devotees is no easy task, yet he's managed to do it. The collection is separated into three sections of lasting wardrobe staples for morning, noon, and night. 

Here are some of my favorites from the collection that will leave me desperately waiting for September 15 (view the whole collection here):

All images via Refinery29 and Target

Stuck in a style rut

I've always been a devout follower of the fashion industry. For as long as I can remember I've gawked at the editorials in Vogue and I've been tracking the rise of fashion blogs since I received my first laptop in middle school. 

via Jak & Jil

Yet as a college student, I often find myself simply longing over clothes rather than incorporating them into my closet. As many others can relate, I find it difficult to justify buying yet another pair of jeans simply because they are in a different wash, or a particularly unique pair of earrings when that money should be going to textbooks or rent. 

However, even in the rare months that I am home and my parents are feeling more generous than usual, I find myself stuck in a style rut. I leave store after store empty-handed, and I'm not sure if this is because I feel guilty spending my parents' money or if I simply don't know my own style anymore. 

I certainly have no loss for inspiration--Pinterest, magazines and blogs are constantly becoming more refined. Whenever I go shopping, though, I seem to never find anything that I love. I try pieces on, and I think, "Well, this is okay." But when building my wardrobe, I don't want to fill it with pieces that are merely "okay." 

This time of year is always particularly difficult for me in terms of style, as I tire of wearing the same shorts and tank tops every day (yet Fresno's heat in the summer is unbearable, so this is rather unavoidable). Fall and winter are much more inspiring for me as I love to layer and experiment with mixing different pieces in my closet. 

Perhaps I am simply just thinking about my style too much. I need to stop trying to force myself to like pieces just so I can purchase something new, and I need to let myself fall in love with styles on a whim. Summer is winding down, and I'll be unpacking my sweaters in New York in no time. A new season may be just what I need to spruce up my style and achieve a more focused vision. 

What do you do when you're stuck in a style rut? 

H&M Online

It's finally happened. As of yesterday, H&M's e-commerce website is live in all 50 states. The site includes women's, plus-size, men's, teens, and children, and exclusive "online-only" items in what seems like a dream come true. 

Since I don't have an H&M at home, I've never really had the time to have a true shopping experience there. I've been in and out of various H&Ms in New York City, but they have been largely unproductive shopping trips. Oftentimes, walking through some of their brick-and-mortar stores has overwhelmed me due to the sheer amount of items available. 

H&M is certainly known for their affordable prices and essential basics, but what I love most is their tendency to produce high fashion items that my wallet can rejoice at. The fact that H&M has finally made their wares available online excites me to no end. I will finally be able to find those coveted items with ease rather than searching through their endless racks. 

The brand has also launched a user-generated contest called the "50 States of Fashion" where you can upload your best look to Instagram with your state's hashtag for a chance to win a trip to NYC. Quite the perk for shopping, no? 

Check out my favorite online items below... and happy shopping!

Chiffon Dress $34.95

Clutch Bag $24.95

Beaded Sweatshirt $49.95

Favorite find: Vintage Bowles

In life, we come across many characters. We meet those that are quirky, type-A, eccentric and charming. There are those that never leave our lives and some that only stay for a moment, but leave an impression to last a lifetime.

Hamish Bowles is certainly a character that is not easy to forget. Formally known as Vogue magazine's editor-at-large, the man is known for his exquisite taste and talent. He has been an avid collector of vintage couture for years, and Vogue has recently made the excellent move to film the man doing what he does best for a new series entitled Vintage Bowles.

Stumbling across this series on Vogue's new video channel (which is quite amazing--I could spend the whole day watching videos from their various series. My other favorites: Vogue Weddings and Beauty Mark) was like stumbling across hidden treasure, or more appropriately a rare couture gown. 

The passion with which Hamish speaks of the clothing that he is searching for and his various expeditions is inspiring. The history that he covers in a mere three minutes, like in the video above that delves into designer Charles James' dresses, leaves me wanting more. 

Discovering things like this is what makes me love fashion and how the industry is evolving alongside technological advancements. This series in particular is unique in that it combines stories of fashion history with a platform where it can be appreciated today. 

Characters always have a story to tell. After all, they are part of the story themselves. I cannot wait to continue watching Hamish weave tales of his colorful past and present through this series. Until the next episode, however, I will satisfy my penchant for all things Hamish with these photos from his Gatsby-themed 50th birthday thrown by Anna Wintour herself. 

Oh, Hamish.