March 23, 2016

Winter White

There's just that "je ne sais quoi" about a full winter white outfit. The crisp lines, fresh glow and stand out appearance has always been a favorite in my book. When other parts of the globe may be in full spring mode, London still has that winter chill. So I decided to bring out my sample sale steal that I purchased last year and retire my trusty Burberry black coat for awhile.

Before I moved to London, I owned one coat - a black Zara parka that I only bought before I went traveling through Patagonia's glaciers. It's safe to say I went coat crazy at sample sales last March and found this Reiss Archive beaut. I fell in love with this coat not just because of the exceptional quality, but the divine colour truly caught my eye. Darker than a fresh snow white, lighter than a camel - this colour was one of kind and I knew it would be the perfect addition to brighten up my winter wardrobe. It's hard to imagine yourself wearing a coat this bright when the masses on the morning rush hour tube are in their standard head-to-toe black attires. But who cares, right? I never wear all black and know myself enough that even a big city like London certainly won't change that. I always say if I like what I'm wearing, I feel good and that's the most important part of styling yourself. Confidence is key and you'll never know who you'll meet on that morning tube ride..

Thanks for stopping by!

Christie xx

October 3, 2015

Transitioning into Fall

by Christie Nowels

Autumn is one of my absolute favorite times of the year! The leaves begin to fall, the evenings chill down, and college football is back on the television screens. You can wake up early for a glorious morning walk through the park before meeting up with some girl friends for a hot tea and scone date. But with every change in season comes a transition in your closet. Being a true Floridian, as soon as the temperature drops below 70 degrees, I immediately begin to unpack my jackets and scarfs anticipating the chillier months to come. Bye bye bathing suits, hello sweaters!

With the weather in London being absolutely perfect, I've been trying to get out as much as possible to enjoy the crisp city air. Recently, VOGUE Magazine hosted Fashion's Night Out in London to kick off the upcoming fashion month and shopping season. With discounts at almost every store, I couldn't help myself but restock on some basic fall "necessities." When I checked out Miss Selfridge, the young, trendy boutique of the mega department store, Selfridges, I fell in love with this season's suede skirts, chunky sweaters, and adorable hats.

First on my list was this black, cable knit turtleneck that I instantly knew would go with every piece of my fall wardrobe. As much as I love J. Crew and Ralph Lauren's cashmere staples, the price tag isn't always worth it when you can find a great dupe on the high street. Next, I laid eyes on this to die for suede, wrap skirt. The style of this silhouette is truly a universal winner and can even add that wow factor to spice up a day at work. I also love to mix high and low brands, so I decided to style my go-to Gucci's and Chanel bag to include a little bit of European elegance into my look. These heels may be open toed, but sometimes fashion rules over the weather ;) When it gets really cold, I'll add a pair of leather boots like these Tory Burch 'Devon' boots or booties.

Like I've always said, some people may be against mixing black & brown, but I say give me more!

xx Christie

September 30, 2015

London Calling

by Christie Nowels

Even though I've been living in London for over a year now, I still get this sense of awe every time I step outside my flat and take in the beauty of its everyday moments. Between the adorable mews and colorful row houses, flower stands at every corner, breakfast spots like the Kensington Muffin Man, and the gigantic palaces that sit parallel to the everyday traveler, I seriously can't get enough of London.

Living in the Royal Borough, there's more perks than simply seeing Kate at your local Zara Home. (which actually does happen) This post code opens your eyes to the glamorous life of the regal and the historic charm that has made expats like myself crave to call London their home. More than Big Ben, Shakespeare, and Prince Harry's "royal nights out," London exceeds all expectations with its captivating aura and dreamy lifestyle that compels visitors to cross the pond. New York and Los Angeles may have better weather, but London's European flare gives every art aficionado a beautiful canvas to fantasize day after day. Architecture continues to suffice my daily inspiration and walking past King Albert's memorial brings me back into an era of majesty. London has maintained its pride in showcasing the royal history of kings and queens for centuries, but this glorious monument may not show its true meaning behind the naked eye. Queen Victoria, now the second longest reigning monarch after the current, Queen Elizabeth II, built this statue as a memorial for her true love and husband, King Albert. Queen Victoria's reign continues to be talked about in the history books, but her love and fond admiration towards her husband can sometimes be lost in translation. This is the true London - the London that has depth and meaning behind every corner, brick laid, and embellishment adorned. The London that rejects the contemporary and cherishes the rich history that lies in its very heart and soul. This is the London that produces serenity and thought; this is the part of London that I love.

There's no doubt in my mind that London will continue to change as modernity creeps up with the cutting edges of technology. After all, London is a global city. But London's history of royalty, rock n' roll, literature, and art will continue to be there throughout the ages, waiting for any lucky individual yearning to call London home.

Dress | H&M
Hat | Urban Outfitters
Ring | Brandy Melville
Booties | H&M

xx Christie

September 24, 2015

Back on Track

by Christie Nowels

After a wonderful and spontaneous trip back to the states, it feels good to be back in London and back on track!

The sporty chic look has been seriously on trend lately and I decided that it was time for me to put my own flare on the track pant style. As much as I love dresses and a good pair of jeans, I loved finding these J. Crew loose fitting pants that are not only flattering, but perfect for traveling and a casual option for everyday wear. This revolution of the sophisticated trouser mixed with an upgrade from the harem pant maintains this cool sense of ease. I would even go as far to nickname this style, "the cool girl pants" as that's exactly how I felt wearing them. Show off a little skin with a low cut leotard like this classic one from American Apparel or layer a chunky knit for those colder nights. Looking sleek and sporty can be chic too and these pants prove it all.

xx Christie

September 9, 2015

Heading East

by Christie Nowels

Creativity can grow in the most curious of spaces. As a West London resident, there's something about heading east that simply excites my inner spirit. Heading east is more than just a couple tube stops away; it's more than the vintage stores and food festivals, and even more than the hipster young professionals sprawling from one cool bar to the next. For me, heading east is imagining a new world full of color, opportunity, and where creativity flourishes in its natural, spontaneous environment. Just walking off the tube at Liverpool Street, I instantly feel a sense of the bustling roads and lanes of restaurants full of friends' laughter. As I walk further down Brick Lane, I see one curry shop after the next and a lineup of vintage stores covering their shop windows with cut off Levi's and leather jackets. These are just the normal sightings on a Sunday afternoon when the streets are full all the way down from the Truman Brewery to the infamous bagel shops. The aspect that catches my eye the most is something so visible, yet discrete, and casts itself around a sense of mystery - the East London Street Art.

From Banksy to Sticks and many local London artists, East London is covered head to toe with imaginative designs and pops of color. Just like a fashionista emerging from a show at fashion week, these creative aspirations come to life at the hands of their artistic visionaries that cause you to turn your head at every corner and sight. As I aimlessly walk around, I find inspiration with my every move as the colors become more vibrant and the originality continues to thrive. When I was an art student, the question at the start of every term would remain the same, "what is art?" To this day, I don't think we can define what lies in the walls of these creative endeavors, but rather embrace the free-flowing nature that keeps evolving as the decades pass and cultures begin to merge. Whenever I imagine street art, I always think of the quote, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." Just because we live in a traditional city with historic charm doesn't mean we shouldn't embrace the progression of modernity in all forms of artistic expression. Sometimes traveling outside your comfort zones (and tube zones) allows you to embrace a sense of individualism that you may never knew you had.

xx Christie

Thank you Ryan Carlson from Coast 2 Coast Photography for the amazing portraits! If you're in the San Diego area and looking for a fantastic photographer, make sure to look him up!