legs { exposed }

i must have these exposed leggings by the australian company black milk clothing!!!!  their perfect for when i don't feel like getting dressed in the morning while also supplying an image when i need to look up the relationship of something in the leg come fall. ( win, win )

black milk clothing muscle leggings $81

you { animal }

they surround us.  they started in the wild, transported to the zoos, but have now worked their way into our home and wardrobe.  i already mentioned how animals have started to integrate into my life back in this post, however, here are a few critter-esque options i would love to also incorporate:

{ from left to right, top to bottom: }

forget see not glasses stand $30

anthropologie coiled creatures scarf $198

topshop knitted painted fox jumper $59

marc by marc jacobs glitter-covered leather mouse ballet flats $230

ugo cacciatori wolf ring $535

background deer christmas rehkitz-set

dwellstudio giraffe natural papier-mache head $76

know it owl mug in coffee $15 (down from $20)

maximo riera's octopus chair

{ dannijo }

{ cotillard $270 (down from $470) }

i was first introduced to dannijo statement pieces when reading up on the man repeller one day.  i quickly became obsessed to this piece as mentioned here.  but the obsession didn't stop there as i gazed upon the rest of the collection.  i wish i wasn't such a broke college student because i think i would own basically every single piece.  until making the big bucks, swooning from afar.

{ beatrix $245 }

{ stanton $270 }

{ bia $945 }

{ eishia $495 }

{ frances $645 }

{ marguerite $870 }

{ lucas $180 }

christmas { wish } list

sorry i have been so mia this week. i had my second to last anatomy exam monday and then i was trying to work on a paper for another class for my masters.  (ugh).  anywho, during my short breaks in between, i did a little online shopping in preparation for black friday.  i realized that i don't want much for christmas this year, but the few things i do want are must-haves.  (thankfully for my parents and boyfriend, my list only constitutes 8 things :) ).  here are the items i am coveting for christmas:

1. j crew wynter sweater in sequin stripe $118

2. j crew cafe capri in wool in sweet tangerine $118

3. j crew leopard scarf $60

4. elsa peretti diamonds by the yard pendant $415

5. rebecca minkoff mac clutch in black $330

6. dannijo hamish cuff $198

7. imogen belfield cubes of gold ring $418

8. steve madden pembrook booties $120 (down from $129)

cap { toe } diy

we have been seeing a lot of color blocking this season, especially in the feet accessories.  emily schuman from cupcakes and cashmere first introduced us to some from her selection here.  kelly framel from theglamourai also introduced us to zara's fall shoe collection with their fun and outrageous colorblocking combos here.  now, geri hirsch from because i'm addicted and sophie monet from stylehive have came up with a slight variation of the color blocking (more of a cap toe) that you can do on your own (and for a lot cheaper).  in their diy, they just color the toe of a pair of boots with white paint but why not add more color to the rest?  why not instead of white do a green or pink or even a stripe of gold above the cap toe detail?  get creative!

{ written instructions here }

{ images via because i'm addicted }

{ sequinly } awaiting

although it was a cloudy weekend down in east florida, we still got dressed up and enjoyed ourselves with a long lost russian friend and a few of his coworkers by grabbing a few fabulous dinners and drinks and ending the nights at a few of their favorite clubs.  even though the weather was slightly disappointing, i was still thankful for the 80 degrees (compared to the 24 and frost back home) that allowed me to wear one of my favorite skirts. however,  once we reached the clubs, i had discovered that i had dressed way too conservative for an all hallows eve down in those parts.  next time ill have to remember that clothing is optional rather than required.  another note to keep in mind: down there, people do not go out until after midnight... so getting ready at eight is not ideal.

{ forever 21 tank & necklace, j crew sequin bell mesh skirt, ash sandals, vintage gucci watch (i inherited from my grandmother) & clutch, essie in stitches & deborah lippmann boom boom pow (fingers), opi no spain no gain (toes) }

spread on the { heinz }

like i had said here, i am a sucker for mustard colors during the fall.  its bright enough to be noticed yet subtle enough to blend into any color combination for the season.  my favorite mustard color piece i own is a chunky v-neck sweater from j crew that i am anxiously awaiting to pull out (i just need the weather to fall from these indian summer temperatures).  however, i am totally coveting the dress seen below and debating if i should make a new purchase as, come to find out, its only $28!!! looks like ill be doing some online shopping now that my studying has calmed down for a week or two until the next exam. 

{ left to right, starting with the picture: }

cute japanese fashion mustard lace top $19

topshop mustard daisy print pyjama style jacket $110

oxygen boutique equipment brett mustard $325

ann harvey mustard cowl neck jumper $43

miss selfridge mustard crepe midi skirt $34

american vintage pants loose lea mustard $74 (down from $150)

dressrail pleated skater dress $28

dorothy perkins mustard flower corsage $13

miss selfridge mustard enamel bangle $13

brixton grace scarf $30

solid color band bowties $8

topshop kosy mustard suede slipper loafers $100

{ anatomy } addiction

{ skull printed cotton napkins - set of four $20 }

i use google a lot when studying for anatomy.  it is so much easier to enter in the term of what i am looking for and clicking the 'search' button than taking the twenty minutes to search through my collection of books for the answer.  this past few weeks we have been focusing our attention on the head and neck.  there is so much to cover as we need to know the different muscles, arteries, veins, nerves and bony structures of the skull and cervical (neck) spine.  when i was searching for one of the multiple holes in our skull (the foramen ovale to be exact... yea, that's one of the million medically correct names i need to know by wednesday), i came across these printed napkins.  i thought they were so adorable that i searched more anatomically correct, handmade items that were being sold on etsy and came across these fun ones that  i just had to share:

{ medium gold plated pewter anatomical rib necklace $14 }

{ anatomical painting teres major $250 }

{ anatomical inner ear cuff links $35 }

{ anatomical cervical vertebra necklace $45 } 

{ bone appetit dessert plate set $55 }

in all sincerity, i think adding some medical items throughout your wardrobe or interior decore adds a little edge and mystery to any design or outfit.  you don't have to go to the extreme with it, having a skull or bone around every corner (or turn completely goth).  instead, have it simply incorporated and sprinkled throughout your everyday life, as seen by many fashion bloggers such as the glamourai here (love that rex necklace) or emily schuman from cupcakes and cashmere here and here (although she was decorating for halloween more so... but you still get the idea).  it just goes to show how beautiful we are on the inside as well as the outside.

{ images via etsy }

{ snake } bite

as many individual's will begin to shed their summer tans, they may transition to obtaining a type of skin that will be more permanent if they allow.  hence the use of snake skin print items that can be added and removed when desired.  i've been seeing a lot more scaly textures this fall and i am really liking their additions to a wardrobe that would otherwise be so drab.  my favorite ensembles are when the snake is paired with  itself or layered among different patterns, such as leopard, floral or tribal to add dimension.  are you one that will be sporting this sssslithering trend this sssseason?  if so, just please don't over do it as the casting call for nagini in harry potter is over.

{ counter clockwise: }
magali pascal snake long pant $320
daneila swaebe snake wrap-around ring $1,265
zara snake print wallet $26
dries van norten snake printed ankle boots $695
allsaints embellished python skirt $270
malene birger snake print scarf $120
miss selfridge snake print knit cape top $24 (down from $54)

{ fur-tastic }

real or fake, i love the softness of furs.  i have always wanted a vest or jacket to wear around campus to keep me warm on those extra frigid mornings.  not only that, i absolutely adore their look with a pair of deep navy skinny jeans and knee high boots or booties.  this year during ny's fashion week for fall 2011, we saw a vast array of fur inspired concoctions.  although they are not the wild and crazy color combinations as seen by prada and diane von ferstenberg (who swept the popular neon and rich hues this summer right into fall ), i have came across a few inexpensive versions of fur pieces that have been noted as the adopted cool weather craze this year.  

{ from left to right, top to bottom: }

sancuary 'natalie' faux fur vest $138

asos fantasy fur earmuffs $22

topshop cream caux fur gilet $135

liberty green melissa fur and leather cross body bag jas mb $555

alice and olivia lourdes cropped faux fur jacket $440

french connection leopard love coat $99 (down from $128)

casselini sheep fur bootie in gray $120 (down from $398)

topshop taupe faux fur textured coat $178

topshop honey faux fur tuck stole $40

h&m fake fur jacket $65

surell rabbit fur cuff hat with knit crown $175

michael michael kors animal-print faux fur cropped jacket $175

zara fur heel ankle boot $159

sonia rykiel faux fur-trimmed cotton top $215 (down from $715)

fendi camo fur cropped jacket $21,600

supertrash waistcoat veather $170

fall color report { part II }

i was so happy to see mustard was one of the colors that was highlighted in fall fashion previews.  i always loved how the yellow really stood out with a white tank and deep navy jeans (such a pretty student look).  as i was scoping the scene for color samples, i came across these mustard polka dot trousers that are only $90 and would look fabulous with a gray tank while the weather transitions from scalding hot out to teeth chattering cold (gimme gimme!!).  along with these much desired trousers, here is the continuum of yesterdays color scheme:

 { from left to right along the color line, top to bottom: }

topshop knitted aran collar cardigan $96

dorothy perkins mustard short plastic collar £10

topshop mustard daisy print wide leg trousers $90

french connection pleated skirt $127

topshop knitted pale pink angora mix pointelle top $76

chloe lily mini shoulder bag $662

butter london in victoriana $14

eastex dark teal fleck fit and flare skirt £72

eastex dark teal cable edge to edge cardigan £65

ralph lauren olive harem trousers $110

moschino c&c olive polka dot silk top $445

kelsi dagger teya heels in olive $130

mint velvet mocha leather jacket £225

pachacuti wide brimmed wool-felt hat £45

biba seamed detail piped shorts £39 (down from £65)

however, since most of my time this semester (actually, about 85% of it) will be spent in the lab, this will be my attire that i will be modeling this fall (sigh):

{ from left to right: }

white lab coat

blue scrub bottoms

nike tennis shoes

fall color report { part I }

since fall is right around the corner, i figured i should start looking into the trending colors this year.  i came across a color spread that no one could resist.  as some of the brights that were popular this spring and summer remain unchanged (my favorite being the coral), a few earthy tones have been added to the palette.  here are a few examples of the color samples i am dying to get my hands onto.

{ from left to right through the color lines and top to bottom: }
anthony peto hats classic jade felt hat $185

surface to air car pants vegetale blue $100 (on sale from $200)

blue stitch placket top £30

diane von furstenberg new syrah blouse $137 (down from $274)

asos suede color block belt $36.59

miss selfridge coral zip suedette shorts £35

american apparel large leather carry-all pouch $68

roman pleat skirt $90

willow asymmetric leather jacket $995

3.1 phillip lim draped pocket trouser $375

topshop cream floral print snood $32

2nd day ginger crepe collarless top $190

miu miu matelasse leather clutch $470

sass & bide five minutes later magenta pant $190

ted baker purple jersey draped top £40