House of Alice

the warm winter coat i need to have.

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 14:51:00 -0500

A good winter coat is hard to find — and a good winter coat that’s super stylish is even harder to get your hands on. Up until now, I’ve depended on countless North Face coats (recent college grad, give me a break!) or layers on layers on layers when I’m not going for the puffy look.

This weekend, I experienced love at first sight — or touch, since I couldn’t get my hands off this super-luxe piece — with the Muubaa Isabela shearling coat. With such buttery leather sleeves and sheepskin so soft I’ll never want to drape myself in anything else, I can’t wait to be the proud owner of the most amazing jacket, ever — that is, if anybody’s feel generous this holiday season!

don't be late to the watch party

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 15:11:00 -0500

I’m kind of obsessed with watches, and one of the hardest outfit choices I have to make every morning is which watch to wear. The solution? A watch party. Mix your metals and strap on the wrap bracelets for an edgy look that’ll have passersby double-taking to see double. And with two watches, being early is the new fashionably late.

From left to right: La Mer Emerald Gold Simple Wrap, $92; Bauble Bar Skull Bracelets, $26 each; Chan Luu Wrap Bracelet, $220; Michael Kors Oversized Runway Watch, $250

engagement rings for the not-engaged

Sun, 25 Nov 2012 13:12:00 -0500

Proposal season is right around the corner, which means that those of us who obsess about our future weddings year round (relationship or not) will be joined on Pinterest by those of you who are, you know, actually to-be brides. But until that happens, let’s take a moment to round up engagement rings even the non-engaged can wear — boys, take notes.

Nora Kogan “Rapture” ring, $4,767

Snakes on a ring! From afar, this beauty may look like your average engagement ring, but a closer look tells a different story — it’s all in the detail. It’s pretty on its own, or if you’re trying to avoid the false congratulations, invite it to a finger party. Plus, rose gold.

Digby + Iona “Fighting Bear” ring with diamond, $880

This ring may be under Catbird’s “Wedding and Engagement” section, but it’s probably a bit more fitting for the single ladies. I mean, how would you feel if your engagement ring was of two bears fighting over a diamond? Talk about materialism…which is all the more reason, of course, to buy yourself an early Christmas present.

Anna Sheffield Hazeline Bridal Set, $11,375

Thus far, most of us have probably stuck with designer Anna Sheffield’s more affordable, girly-meets-edgy Bing Bang line. Her fine jewelry holds the same uniqueness, but without losing the classic look we expect of our engagement rings. This stacking set is the perfect example — can we discuss the mixed-metal look? Wear each of the three rings on its own or put them together for a rock even your married friends will envy. And the black diamonds? The daring touch you’re looking for.

halloween? i'm preparing for the holidayz

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 15:04:00 -0400

I’ve never been a fan of peplum (do I really need more hip action??) until New York Fashion Week happened and I saw the chicest woman of all time in a bedazzled peplum top that I knew I had to have. Asos.com obviously never disappoints, so I snagged this sparkling number. If you’re going to do peplum, might as well do it with a bang, right?

comfortable in another skin

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 20:16:00 -0400

Ob. Sessed. With the leather trend. But while everyone’s wearing leather skirts and leather-armed military jackets (ugh, yes), is it possible to wear — wait for it — full-bodied leather? We’ll just call it a work in progress.

Since it’s not Halloween yet, avoid the Catwoman look by staying away from all-black leather. You’ve been wearing that fuchsia purple skirt as a statement piece thus far — and there’s not reason to change that now, even when you’re pairing it with other leather pieces! A creamy white top makes for a good match, as it doesn’t look overwhelmingly leathery. And since you already own that quintessential leather jacket? Go ahead, throw it on, because hey — it’s the closest you’ve ever gotten to wearing Lady Gaga’s meat dress, so might as well go all out. My pick: this utterly amazing Veda jacket (the newest addition to my wardrobe)!

Vena Leather Shell in Ivory, Patterson J. Kincaid; Purple Pleated Lambskin Leather Skirt, Viparo; Vivian Jacket, Veda.

it's a trend.

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:04:36 -0400

Apparently I was obsessed with foxes before I even knew it, because I just about DIED when I saw this on Asos.com.

Excuse me while I look up cute baby fox videos to feed this newfound love.

foxy foxy.

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 12:19:00 -0400

Never thought I’d say this, but Charlotte Olympia’s got nothing on Tory Burch. I’ve searched long and hard for the perfect smoking slipper, and this is the one: equal parts sophistication and humor, all with a bow on top. It’s like MBMJ’s mouse flats all over again — put a cute animal on it, and I can’t resist.

don't photoshop the models?

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 12:53:00 -0400

Earlier this month, Seventeen magazine took a pledge not to Photoshop its models after 14-year-old Julia Bluhm collected more than 80,000 signatures from readers asking the magazine to feature girls as they are.

Though affecting large-scale change isn’t something most people have accomplished by the time they hit middle school, this kind of a move requires a lot more than just blaming the magazines. I’m not claiming to know where widespread insecurity and obsession with weight and peripheral beauty comes from, but I can be confident in saying that magazines and the fashion industry do not drive the problem.

Like any other publication, magazines strive for perfection. What sets a magazine apart from a newspaper or a novel is that it tells its stories not just through words, but through images as well. Just like an article is passed through the hands of countless editors, photos are touched and retouched to represent the best version of itself. The vocabulary of an article may change through an extensive editing process, but the core of the article still exists. Likewise, though the colors, textures and other details of a photograph may be different, at its core, an edited photograph is the same as it was before it went through Photoshop - except now, it’s been honed to near perfection.

As readers, we know this - or should know this. Magazines are doing no more than what we do every day when spend ages getting dressed and sit in front of our mirrors doing our hair and makeup. We go out every day in what we hope is the best versions of ourselves, and magazines publish their pages month to month in what they hope is the best versions of themselves. And what is the best presentation for Vogue may not be the best presentation for Marie Claire, just like how I dress to impress is different from how everyone else dresses to impress.

Asking a magazine to stop Photoshopping its models, on the surface, seems to be a courageous move, but ultimately I believe that when you take away a magazine’s ability to edit its content, you are taking away its voice. If you’re looking for reality in its rawest sense, the only person you’ll get that from is yourself, because when you’re looking at me, you’re seeing me the way I want you to see me: cat-eyed eyeliner, bangled arms, cowhide booties and all.

let's get some shoes.

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 15:39:00 -0400

Can we discuss for a second how obsessed I am with Chelsea Market? It’s my one-stop shop for food and fashion (the two greatest things) and from cupcakes to independent designers, I can’t stay away from the place. This weekend, when I strolled over to pick up my usual week’s worth of fresh fruit, I stumbled upon the rag & bone sample sale to my utter delight. Needless to say, I couldn’t help myself. Say hello to my Newbury booties! They’re perfect for being dressed up or down, and can be worn with literally everything (really, I challenge you to find an outfit they won’t work with). And at a sample sale price…I just couldn’t say no!

armed with fashion.

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 22:48:22 -0400

Found: At the Independent Designer Pop-Up at Chelsea Market. Takes “if you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it” to the next level.

i'm on pinterest!

Fri, 25 May 2012 20:35:12 -0400

You’re my biggest fan, so follow me until I love you…

missing london

Tue, 08 May 2012 03:46:02 -0400

It rained today and I ran into some of my study abroad friends earlier which made me miss London. Being able to wear outfits like this to school without it looking out of place is what I loved most about it! (The rain I could do without.)

Here I am at the Victoria Embankment Gardens, on my way to London Fashion Weekend events. So pretty even on a dreary day!

‘Stam’ Bag, Marc Jacobs; Shoes, Trouve…and the rest, I can’t remember!

happy chic-o de mayo!

Sun, 06 May 2012 03:12:00 -0400

Tonight’s outfit is my excuse for a late night blog post!

Denim vest, Levis. Lace bra, Free People. Skirt, Urban Outfitters. Watch, MARC by Marc Jacobs. Wrap Bracelet & Earrings, gorjana. Ring, Urban Outfitters.

hello tangerine.

Fri, 04 May 2012 00:35:00 -0400

As spring is in full swing and we’re making our way into summer, I’m (finally) starting to introduce bright colors into my wardrobe! Step one: tangerine, this season’s hottest hue. I picked this lovely orange blazer up from the Gap over the weekend, and realized…

BOOM. Monochrome.

Forgot I had this dress, until I stepped into my color-coded closet and found another orange item to hang my blazer up with. Tada, monochrome fashion! Also featuring my new haircut. Thanks Key Lime Pie!

Blazer, Gap. Dress, Urban Outfitters. Wallet, Tory Burch. Shoes, Jessica Simpson.

i love my...

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:12:03 -0400

Tory Burch ‘Robinson’ Zip Continental Wallet!

I’m obsessed with the gold hardware (as always) and the crosshatch-textured leather makes the wallet a true investment, as it’ll hold up better against the inevitable scratches it’ll receive from being tossed around in my bags! There are enough pockets in this zip wallet to hold all my essentials and more, and it’s so cute I’ll probably double it as a going out clutch — if I dare expose it to easily-spilled cocktails, that is. After my extensive wallet search, I couldn’t be happier with my extraordinary find!

a spring in my step

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:26:00 -0400

As the stones fall off my favorite embellished Sam Edelmans and my gladiators have been progressively falling apart since that crazy night out in New York City last summer, it is very clearly time for new sandals that’ll go from spring to summer and beyond. Don’t opt for those strappy sandals just yet, though — thicker straps serve as a better transition piece between seasons. Here are some of my faves!

Steve Madden ‘Bethanyy’ Sandal, $59.95

This pair is on trend with the tangerine and the leather is oh-so-soft. The best part? They’re affordable, too!

Luxury Rebel ‘Sasha Three Band’ Sandal, $100

Meet the minimalist’s version of color-blocking. The yellow accents add a spring-y feel to these otherwise neutral sandals. I’m loving the thick strap that off-sets the thinner ones, and the heel strap that extends from the middle of the shoe.

Dolce Vita ‘Marquez’ Laser Cut Sandal, $149

Okay, so these sandals don’t feature the thick straps I’ve been raving about, but the laser-cut leather is impeccable. Not to mention, hello gold hardware! Though patterned, these sandals can be dressed up or down and can adapt to all sorts of looks, whether you’re girly, artsy, casual…etc.

Stuart Weitzman ‘Bounceraf’ Sandal, $275

Go tribal with these beaded Stuarts! Half-shoe and half-sandal, this piece is a great transitional one for days when it’s both hot and cold out.

While you’re waiting for summer to officially arrive, what sandals are you sporting?

all of the brights.

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 02:49:00 -0400

As a fan of dark colors and neutrals, I wasn’t completely thrilled to discover neon on the Spring 2012 runways of Alexander Wang, Jason Wu, and Mugler (hello, lips!). With the onset of warm weather — finally —, brightly colored hues match the mood, so whether you love or hate the highlighter look, here are some blindingly fantastic ways to wear neon.

GREEN

Bright colors pop even more against white, so pair a basic tank with bleached skinnies. Acid wash may be one of those fashions we’d prefer to leave in the 80s, but an acid wash denim jacket looks great alongside the lime. Balance the look with another bright color (but not brighter than your neon piece) in your shoes and accessories.

Perfect Racerback Tank, $25, Madewell; Denim Moto Jacket, $50, H&M; GOLDSIGN Misfit Slim Leg, $178, Shopbop.com; BC Footwear ‘Limousine’ Suede Flat, $45, Nordstrom; Reversible Cleopatra Bib, $300, Amrita Singh.

YELLOW

I’ll admit it, I’ve gone back to my old ways with dark colors in this set, but not without reason. Highlighter yellow contrasts well against dark grey, and when showcasing neon in an accessory, it’s best to keep the rest of the outfit neutral — so pairing those two concepts, you get an outfit Kelly Cutrone could almost be proud of, with an accessory that’s totally spring.

Bob’s Memphis Two-Tone Leather Shoulder Bag, $300, Marc by Marc Jacobs; Drape Back Top, $50, Velvet; Denim Calgary Skinny Jeans, $205, Vince; Vera Wang Lavender ‘Lillian’ Flat, $97, Nordstrom.

PINK

Turns out, bright colors might just be work-appropriate. A statement skirt may not be easy to pull off, but matched with the right neutrals, you won’t be blinding onlookers until they’ve done their double take. But without any other accents of color, the eye is drawn to the skirt alone and not the outfit as a whole, so add a coral necklace in order to divide attention between multiple aspects of the look.

Amanda Uprichard Petal Skirt, $193, Revolve Clothing; Sleeveless Lace Insert Blouse, $64, Topshop; Tillary Tote, $328, J.Crew; Realize Heels, $90, Steve Madden; Dotz Bib Necklace, $148, Kate Spade.

lookin' sharp.

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 22:09:29 -0400

Who knew good shopping existed in Baltimore? I ran into this AMAZE white blazer at Madewell (get the red one online here!). It’s the perfect addition to any spring wardrobe and works for day or night: throw it on over work essentials, go minimal by pairing it with all black, or throw it on over a minidress and a pair of heels. Top each outfit off with a top knot — it’s my fave way to wear my hair when dressed in a blazer — so fresh, fun and profesh!

understated genius.

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:08:24 -0400

The mullet cut seemed to really take “try, try again” pretty seriously. It didn’t work on hair in the 80’s, 90’s, or the 2000’s, but the mullet wasn’t fazed — decades later, it’s back — this time in our skirts, shirts, and more (and this time, it’s business in the back, party in the front!).

Though we’ve seen the trend on the runways of Wes Gordon, Jason Wu, Diane von Furstenberg and more, it seems to be getting more attention on high street than in high fashion. For a style that’s so sartorial and universally flattering (really, how often does that happen anymore?), I’m disappointed — so to spread the word, here are some of my favorite dip hem items!

Parker Strapless Ruffle Dress, $286.00, Bloomingdales

Hello, graduation dress? It would look great with my fave pair of brown leather Stuart Weitzman wedges…so I think yes.

LOVE Berry Crinkle Asymmetrical Maxi, $75.30, In Love With Fashion

That flowy chiffon is gorgy. The wrap effect in the front (check out the link above) adds to the movement of the skirt, and the way fabric moves is what I’m most inspired by.

Sparkle & Fade High/Low Knit Midi Skirt, $49, Urban Outfitters

No midi skirt has ever looked good on me except for this one, which, on my 5 foot frame, is practically a max skirt. Oh well.

Meanwhile, I’m on the lookout for a high-low sleeveless chiffon button-up…let me know if you see one somewhere?

roygbiv.

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:05:00 -0500

THIS.

Is the result of working one too many years in retail/a Saturday night in. Need I say more?