October 27, 2015

A Tea to Go

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

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