The Skort Suit

This summer, I'm skirting, no skorting the rules! It's far to hot for a full suit, so I switched things up with a skorted suit. If that wasn't enough, I'm also adding a pop of pink to brighten everything up!

Little Boy Blue

I've been borrowing from the boys more than I would care to admit lately. This act of rebellion is a bit out of character for me, seeing as I've been twirling since age two - well despite my tragic tom-boy phase, read all about my youthful lapse of judgement here. So for today's inspiration, I paired boyish charm with menswear silhouette and the essence of Queen B (Blaire Waldorf) for a classic look that straddles gender lines.

Booties: C.wonder (similar here or splurge on these) // Skort: Zara (similar under $25) // Top&Bow: Asos (similar top here or just the bow here) Bag: Coach (with silver hardware here) // Coat: Zara // Sunnies: Karen Walker (similar here) // Lips: Ruby Woo by Mac // Rings: H&M

I don't know what I did before the Zara skort. I thought this obsession would die when summer ended, but I have just found myself wearing it more and more... and more. It's the middle of February, yet I still wore my white one over black tights this weekend.... what's wrong with me? The only reasonable explanation is love, I am head-over-heels for the sassy skort - in black, white or blue. But since I was sick of feeling sporty, (my boyfriend does a cheer & makes fun of me when I wear it) I married my skirt-obsession with tailored pieces and a tuxedo vest to dress it up! What do you think, menswear-chic? Images by Claire Eliza

We also teamed up for NYFW, See all of the NYFW X Claire Eliza posts

Loving the location? These photos were taken next door to my "sitcom hangout", Tea & Sympathy! Read all about it here.

XO Courtney

Stripes & Snow

Well, I'm not in Arizona anymore! New york has turned into Snow York with all the Polar Vortex nonsense.... and I'm actually loving it!

My Boyfriend's Sweater: Tommy Hilfiger (This is becoming a habit, I did it again here)

Skort: zara (similar on sale!) // Hat: Marc by Marc Jacobs // Scarf: Gap // Bag: Coach // Coat: Zara // Sunnies: Karen Walker (also here) // Rings: H&M // Tiffany's // Lips: Wet & Wild // Necklace: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Girls Weekend! These pictures were taken on a special day, because some of my favorite gal pals were in town! The two on either side of me have been my best friends since basically birth (okay, more like age 10 ... but still) and since one served on a mission for a year and a half and the other performs on a cruise, this was the first time the three of us were together since May 2011! Crazy! As always, the weekend went by too fast, I miss the ladies more than anything. 

Until Next Time, Bundle Up Butter Cups!

Cobalt

January is so boring and grey, the holidays have ended and everyone's in mourning. All I see walking around the city is black, black, black. And I get it, it's hard to resist the urge to darken up, but you can by inserting one simple color pop into your back to black look, like I did with cobalt!

Skort: zara (similar) // Turtleneck: Forever 21 // Boots: White Mountain // Hat: Forever 21 (similar) // Bag: Coach // Coat: Zara (similar) // Necklace: Marc by Marc Jacobs // Bracelets: Taylor Morgan // Sunnies: Karen Walker (also here)

I used to be a gold only girl, but I've started mixing my metals. So when I needed a new silver bracelet to mix into my arm party, I turned to my talented friend, Taylor Morgan (shop here). Plus for this look I dusted out my summer go-to, the Zara skort! See how I wore it all season long here.

I dare you to ditch your usual black/neutrals and try a bold pop of color this week, it might amaze you what it does to your mood! For more colbalt/skort action and January Blues outfit-inspiration, check out black & blue:

// Full Post Here //

White Stripes

Summer has pretty much come and gone, so I had to squeeze in a few more summer styles before the seasons change!

I made a love connection this summer: My white skort from zara! I'll be sad to put it away for awhile , but will definitely pull it out next spring! It might even make a winter white appearance with tights and booties... stay tuned!

I love love LOVE to layer, but on a hot and sticky NYC summer day, lathering up in layers was the last think I wanted to do! This outfit provided a simple solution: I layered with a short sleeve top to help beat the heat! So I was still able to get the layering look without sweating to death.

If you're short like me (I'm 5 foot nothing!) an all white look can sometimes shrink you, and no one wants that! So if you are choosing to do white on white, make sure you 1) define your waist at it's smallest and highest point (like I did with my knotted top), this will make you look longer and 2) Go with a nude shoe, they always help elongate! Even a strappy sandal (like mine) that might usually chop you up and make you look shorter, can help lengthen legs when it's the right nude!

white top: j.crew // stripe top: ralph lauren // skort: zara // handbag: francescas // shoes: nine west // arm party: sequin // vintage // kate spade // j crew // button: vintage // sunnies: karen walker 

J.Crew Longsleeve Shirts · J.Crew Factory Bracelets · Dolce Vita Sandals

white out

in honor of labor day, i'm stepping out in head to toe bright white!

so the rule is, no white pants or shoes after labor day, but i don't necessarily believe in or follow that rule for a few reasons 1) i grew up in Arizona, where "summer" lasts until November, so I saw nothing wrong with rocking a white until the temp dropped to double digits. 2) i love all white for winter!