4.15.2014

Must Have Shoes for Spring 2014

Derek Lam, Tod's, J.Crew, Sam Edelman, TheWellSet.com, Must have shoes for spring 2014


4.11.2014

TheWellSet.com Dream Birthday | Wish List Edition

1 // 2 // 3 // 4
Why hello there,

 I am excitedly planning my wardrobe for our annual birthday celebration in Las Vegas, Nevada (aka my favorite place ever). Plus it is our first trip back since our wedding last September. While I flip through all of April's fashion magazines I slowly but surely amassed a list of gorgeous items that I would love to receive any of which for my birthday. Hint hint. Any who, seeing as all of these delectable items are also very much new to the market and would look good on the likes of any of my faithful readers I wanted to share the love. So, happy shopping!

Via
One of the non-tangible things I hope for on this day of birth is the strength and character to grow old with grace. As luck would have it this month's Harper's was the Age Issue and there was fabulous Charlotte Rampling looking more elegant and timeless as ever in her 60s (recognize her from Dexter?). So here is to a fabulous 27 and an even more fabulous 28! Don't worry friends my actually birthday is not until April 24th - you've not forgotten a thing. Over and out!

4.07.2014

TheWellSet's Spring 2014 Must Haves

Spring 2014 Must Haves on thewellset.com - Chanel pearl choker, normcore sandals, pastels and red orange polish

Spring 2014 is here! For many of you up north this could not have happened any sooner. With as many as six snow days in north Texas and two ice days in Houston this winter has been brutal for us normally spoiled Texans. Especially for Brad and I living in our 100+ year old-new house with little to no insulation... Hello heating bills! It's been rough. But as the days get longer and warmer (of course, as I type this I am huddled in Wichita Falls with a wet 50 degree outside temp - curse you cold front!) our propensity for that seasonal wardrobe update grows.

I have pulled together a few of my faves for you to try out with your regular staples. I love to get a few things and wear them all season. These four items are no different. Some I spent money on and some I simply scooped up at Zara figuring that next year they won't be in and therefore do not merit the investment. 

1. Large pearl necklace collar: Chanel RTW 2014 hit the runway with their chunky version of this. I love the more dainty version at Zara (buy here) and the Delfina Delettrez bracelet (buy here). Easy add on to any outfit for an instant style update.

2. #Uglypretty, normcore sandals: What is not to love about a trend that puts the comfort of the wearer first? Don't get me wrong I love heels, wedges, gladiators... You name it and I have a pair in my closet. BUT these bad boys - as unflattering and ordinary as they are - are easy slip on wonders of summer time joy. Not familiar with normcore? Read this article and laugh along with me as we dissect the overthinking of the fashion world. Har had har. My two fave pairs of normcore sandals are these by Gucci (buy here) and these by Isabel Marant (buy here).

Revlon's adorable Perfumerie polishes on thewellset.com 3. Orange red, Rihanna nails: How fun (and impractical) would it be to go get some of these tallon-esque nails affixed to your digits? I'll tell you: really fun. Like role playing for your fingers. While I will probably never do this (too many bad memories of square acrylic nightmares in high school) I am still obsessed with the orange red polish perfect for the spring and summer. I especially love Revlon's Perfumerie China Flower polish. Not because of the scent (really cannot distinguish any scent from the smell of the polish?) but because of the adorable retro bottles. So amazing! And affordable. Basically the best combo. Buy them at your local pharmacy or if you a hermit order them online here.

4. Pastels: Last but not least the obvious selection for Spring (like florals) - pastels! Only these are more pale of sorts than their sibling 90s pastels of yore. I like the minty pastels the best. Especially the above blouse from Zara (buy it here). It looks great with wide leg trouser too, just saying. 

Grand Budapest Hotel on thewellset.com

custom Prada luggage from the Grand Budapest Hotel on thewellset.comI couldn't help but draw a parallel between this spring's pastel hues and the amazingly gorgeous pallet of Wes Anderson's latest cinematic feat the Grand Budapest Hotel. If you have not seen it then please GO NOW. You will love it and your brain will thank you for all of the symmetrical stimulation. Please join me in a moment of respect and admiration for the custom Prada luggage created for the film. Ahhh. Love. Speaking of symmetry, have you ever noticed how amazingly symmetrical Wes Anderson's films are? It's a wonder!

Check out this video featuring a compilation of the most symmetrical scenes in Wes Anderson's films. Very good stuff.


Wes Anderson // Centered from kogonada on Vimeo.

That's all I have for now friends. Sorry for the month+ hiatus. I am in the middle of working something out in myself that is both tremendously exciting and tremendously frightening. How those two things can be simultaneous I am not sure, but I know that when they are combined it is exhausting. Let's just say that A Brand Strategy Consulting (check it out here) is going to go from a part time gig to help friends to a full time gig (well my new definition of full time, more on that later) to help loads of new friends that I've not met yet (please introduce me?). I've filed my LLC, requested a tax ID, downloaded Quickbooks, have a graphic designer getting my logo straight and a handful of clients I am praying stay happy. So, thanks for cutting me some slack as I do the business equivalent of giving birth. It's rough, but great. Fingers crossed for an official launch later this month,

Over and out!






2.20.2014

Fall 2014 Ready to Wear + Pharrell Williams + Life News = Happy

You can thank Pinterest for this gem.

Big life changes coming down the pike. For reals this time too. Not ready just yet to divulge, but let's just say it is BIG. NO, no, no, I am not pregnant, but it feels like it because I am so full of joy and excitement I could nearly BURST (but not literally). 

Life has been crazy-busy (I know, isn't it always?) but it has picked up in the kind of way that you hope it will. It is time to reclaim some much needed me time and reach out to people that inspire me. You've been warned people. Expect a call/email soon from yours truly.

Musical Musings time - yes, I have seen Despicable Me 2, don't judge me:

I have been enjoying the eye-soul-fashion-medicine that is the FW2014 RTW showcase on The Cut (all images via). Here's some of my TOP TOP TOP picks from the fancy pants runways of NYC, London, and Milan. Le sigh... That saying makes me cringe, but I know no other way to express how these clothes make me feel.

Prada
Prada FW2014 RTW on thewellset.com - red Big Bird!
It's like a red Big Bird coat/dress!

Miuccia Prada is my boo <3 on thewellset.com
Miuccia Prada! I love you. Will you be my best friend/mentor/personal style inspiration for life?
costume national on thewellset.com
She's a beautiful beige crayon!

FW 2014 RTW Costume National on thewellset.com
If I lived in a proper cold climate, this would be my go to goat coat.

FW 2014 RTW Costume National on thewellset.com
This is probably gray wool, but it looks like sweatshirt material and I like it.
Burberry Prorsum
FW2014 RTW Burberry Prorsum on thewellset.com
Oh Carla, those brows! That attitude. That monogram throw/blanket/shawl. Can I please get on with my initials?

FW2014 RTW Burberry Prorsum on thewellset.com
Scarf under belt action? Interesting... Not sure If I have it in me, but maybe worth trying. Easy enough wardrobe update.

FW2014 RTW Burberry Prorsum on thewellset.com
hey girl hey

Temperley London


Temperley London FW2014 RTW on thewellset.com
The one dimensional embellishment on this is really making me feel good. I also love the scarf layer - so regal.

2.11.2014

NYFW Street Style: Get the Look - Winter Military Chic

2014 NYFW Street Style Inspo - Sarah Rutson - Winter Military Chic
Image by YoungJun Koo/YoungJun Koo/I'M KOO via NYMag // Rick Owens Jacket // ASOS Skirt // Louboutin Boots // Fendi Bag 
Who is Sarah Rutson you ask? In addition to being a fashion forward, attractive woman she is also a total badass. Sarah Rutson is the Fashion Director for the Hong Kong-based retailer Lane Crawford. Here's what she said in her interview with Into the Gloss last August:
"I’m the Fashion Director at Lane Crawford and I live in Hong Kong. I came back to the company nine years ago, because it wanted to rebrand itself—fashion is about change and evolution, not about staying still, but it’s also about staying true to who you are. Lane Crawford was much more traditional before I came on board. But any business, to survive and stay relevant, needs to evolve. So my job has been about repositioning, and rebuilding—really, from scratch—a wonderful heritage brand, by making it relevant for who the customer is today and to be cognizant, enough, smart enough, and ahead of the curve to not rest on your laurels."
Pretty wise words. Wish she could be my fashion mentor! Sorry, nerded out there for a sec. 

2.06.2014

Style Guide: Peter Pilotto for Target

Peter Pilotto for Target on TheWellSet.com What to Buy <3 How to Wear <3
Peter Pilotto for Target Price info and pictures here
The Clothes
[left to right]




Outfit 3 aka Lunch with the Cool Mentor: Peter Pilotto for Target top, KJL cuff, Zara white pencil skirt, Louboutins, Kotur clutch

Outfit 4 aka Mimosa-Museum Brunch Date: Zara semi-see through polo, Peter Pilotto for Target skirt, Nike Air Max shoes 

Bonus Buy: Peter Pilotto for Target kicks (just like all the fancy, net-a-porter ones here)

Who's Peter Pilotto? Great question, here's a picture of his Spring 2013 line and according the his website:
Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos are the designers behind the PETER PILOTTO label. Pilotto is half-Austrian, half-Italian and De Vos is half-Belgian, half-Peruvian. They met whilst studying at Antwerp’s prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the year 2000.

PETER PILOTTO’s vision of womenswear embraces both new and classic perspectives on elegance. Otherworldly prints combine with soft sculptural shapes to form the handwriting of the design duo, something which evolves and is explored each season as opposed to being reactionary.
Peter Pilotto Spring 2013 Collection on thewellset.com <3
image via
Anyway, I've put together the above looks to get you all jazzed about the affordable line coming out this Sunday, February 9th at a Target near you. 

My favorite part of this collection is the items that are black and white focused. This trend is really hot right now but also incredibly timeless. I also really covet that structured, color block blazer. What a great staple. It reminds me a lot of old school Alexander Wang. 

Things have been crazy here. Life used to throw me one or two major, pivotal moments a year. Now I feel like I get one or two a month... Not sure how to describe it, but I think the Universe is trying to tell me something? Time to start listening. I will share more when I can. Please send me some vibes. XO. Over and out.


image via
Rest in Peace Phil Hoffman. You will be missed. Honestly, if your name was in a movie I automatically gave that movie credibility and wanted to see it. You were one of a kind and your death is a reminder about the short time we have on earth. Plus it goes to show that even those of us that are deemed successes still struggle. 

His 'Uncool' scene in Almost Famous was one of the first scenes that resonated with me as a film discovering adolescent. His performance transcends the stereotypes in the film and taps into the collective consciousness. The need to be cool. To fit in. To be loved. 

We must remember to be good to one another. It's all there is in the end.



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