November 12, 2015

Furs & Flares

The two most important F's in every fashionista's closet: Furs & Flares.

Everybody loves a causal Friday at the office, but why wear the same pair of jeans and boots every week? For me, fashion should always be fun and that includes at the work place. A dark pair of flares are a retro chic way to recreate any denim look. I recently found these 7 For All Mankind flares and they have quickly moved to the top of my denim drawer. The slimming cut hugs my body at just the right spots and the visible buttons dazzle for a 70's-inspired flare. The darker hue could not be more ideal for transitioning from day to night for some after work drinks or meeting up with a special someone.

Season after season, the statement fur shows no sign of slowing down. As much as I'd love a "Look at me!" colorful Shrimps coat, my style is much more classic and this H&M faux fur vest ticks every box. Ideal for layering over a turtleneck like I did here or a long dress with an OTKB, my fall staple is a must-have for those cozy fall days. Comfortable and versatile, the combinations are endless.

As a true Florida girl at heart, I'm trying to wait as long as possible before throwing on my heavy parka every morning. (ugh) The cold weather may not be my best friend, but the fall and winter fashion styles most definitely are.

xx Christie

October 27, 2015

A Tea to Go

by Christie Nowels

The question of the hour - Tea or Coffee?

Almost every weekend, one of my favorite things to do is walk around Kensington running errands, admiring all the beautiful coloured houses, and of course, finding the cutest breakfast spots for the best scones. I'm a huge explorer, so no alley is small enough for me to find the quaintest British tearoom. For those lazy Sundays, you can leave the heels at home and throw on a casual outfit to get a tea to go.

Here's my top 3 style tips for casual weekends:

1. Hat - A hat is an easy way to cover that messy Sunday bed head, but an instant option to looking chic. The one I'm wearing is actually from my YiaYia's (grandmother's) 1950's wardrobe, which she kindly gave to me the last time I was home. Almost 60 years old and this felt-lined hat from Chicago has made its way to London in mint condition. When you find a good hat, it's ok to invest a little more for quality wool because like this one, it'll last you a half a century.
Other options- h ere, here, and here.

2. Scarf - As much as I love chunky jewelry, my best accessory lies within my scarf collection. My secret is finding them on a steal because all that truly matters is a great hue/pattern and a quality material. Forever 21 actually makes great, cozy scarves for a fraction of a Burberry or Cashmere price tag. For $12.90, I'll take one in every color. Here are my other favorites- here, here, and here.

3. Jeans - Every girl has her go-to pair of jeans and for me it's these J Brand skinnies. As much as I've wanted to make the boyfriend fit work, there's something about a tight pair of skinny jeans that go with everything. Sadly I've worn these pair so much that their color has faded a bit, but a great excuse to buy another exact pair. I've been eyeing these - here, here, and here.

xx Christie

October 7, 2015

Uptown Girl

by Christie Nowels

Kimora Lee Simmons says "You should always dress like you're going to see your worst enemy"... I wouldn't go that dramatic, but I do standby that you should always leave your house looking and feeling great. Whether for you that's gym clothes and sneakers or a daring pop of color. Whatever you choose to put on in the morning should have a personal touch to make you feel just as good on the inside.

My personal style has never been, let's say, grey. I'm a naturally bubbly, fast talking American living in the most thriving city in Europe - how could I blend in even if I tried? I don't and that's ok with me. So when I found this Ted Baker floral skirt, I knew it was bold, but it had 'Christie Alexandra' written all over it. I've never been a head-to-toe, all black kind-of girl anyways. Even Anna Wintour turns her head to this despite the large population of female New Yorkers swearing to this iconic look. My Uptown Girl style is fun and flirty, while mixing traditional, classic pieces with bold accessories. Think Olivia Palermo x J. Crew x Sandro x Alice & Olivia. Just fabulous, right?

My style has definitely evolved throughout the years with the help of inspiration from fashion week, mom's vintage pieces, and general lifestyle changes. But one thing has always stayed the same - my love for a good pair of shoes. And if shoes were the most powerful accessories, then these Aquazzura's would be the President. Aquazurra is a coveted designer label from Florence whose A-list clients reach across the globe. It's no surprise that fashion bloggers are rocking these designs daily and new styles sell out online before they can even reach a store. This pair rejects the traditional black pump and stands out with its translucent, mesh design that adds a new version of classic for the modern day working woman. I'll take one in every color, please.

xx Christie

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

August 17, 2015

Off Duty Chic

by Christie Nowels

Ready or not, it's time to take your pinstripes and work attire to a whole new level for the weekends...Off Duty Chic is here to stay!

For the past couple weeks, I've been working countless hours to finish writing my Dissertation for my Master's degree. With any job that you're working towards a deadline, there comes a time when you just have to turn off the laptop, put down your pen, and have a fun day outside the house to clear your head. The sunshine, crisp air, and maybe a cocktail or two can make a world of difference to your writing. But why shouldn't your work style transition into the weekend with you too?

This jumpsuit instantly takes you from the office to a world of glamour, yet simplicity with a simple step. The black and white, vertical pinstripes add that overall extra length, while the feminine sleeves gently slip off the shoulder to give you a glimpse of allure. Jumpsuits shouldn't only be confined to a night out on the town, as we have seen Hollywood's best stars bring this classic silhouette back into the limelight with shopping trips, brunches, and pool parties. Less is always more when styling jewelry with a patterned jumpsuit, so I accentuated with minimal gold pieces. And don't think you have to stick to the same base color when mixing in accessories, a brown belt can make a look instantly casual and trendy. My personal favorites are these tan wedges - who doesn't love a tall, comfortable heel anyways...

xx Christie

Photos by Angus Simpson