CURATING CLASSIC STYLE

Daniel Wellington watch

Your wardrobe is a silent reflection of who you are to those around you. It goes far beyond the simple question of "what should I wear today?" and choosing between the three clean skirts in your closet. Style choices can have real implications on first impressions and truly do impact how others see you. With its far-reaching significance, it's not hard to see why personal style should be calculated and wardrobes chosen with care.

While I'm still creating and altering the nuances of my personal style everyday, I've established the foundation. Before I share my tips for curating classic style, it's important to note a few things:

+ On establishing personal style 
Developing a personal style is something that can take years. There's no hard-and-fast advice about how to refine your style. For me, comfort is queen. I never thought I'd outgrow the college days of wearing leggings and sweatshirts to class. Thankfully...that ship has sailed! I'm not willing to sacrifice comfort for aesthetic, and so I don't. Your wants and needs can work together.

+ On building a wardrobe 
Curating the perfect wardrobe can be a daunting task. Be sure to only include pieces that truly reflect your personal style. For me, if a piece doesn't fit 'just right' or is too far out of my comfort zone, I won't wear it, and it'll sit at the back of my closet for seasons. Don't make a trendy purchase just because the price is right. If you try a piece on and you don't love it, don't buy it. If you're unsure of how you feel, you don't need it. A mediocre piece won't add anything substantial to your style foundation. Unless you absolutely can't leave without it, think twice.

THE BASICS

The basics are arguably the most important part of a style foundation. Basics can be dressed up, dressed down, layered or worn alone — appropriate for nearly every occasion. Find some simple tanks and tees that fit you well. And buy them. In multiple colors. Pick up a few cardigans and relentlessly hunt for that pair of jeans you've been searching years for. I promise, a pair of jeans that is comfortable and fits your body right does exist! Shop my favorite basic pieces (that I can't live without!) by scrolling through the widget above.

THE NEUTRALS 
At the center of a functional closet is a flexible color scheme. A versatile color pallet is key. That pink sequin top is fun for a night out celebrating your best friends' birthday, but is hard to pull off the other 364 days of the year. Sticking to a neutral color scheme is a great way to maximize the utility of your pieces. My closet is full of my neutrals of choice — white, grey, camel and black. It's incredibly easy to mix + match pieces if most of your wardrobe works together.

THE STAPLES
Wardrobe staples can take a variety of forms, but they've all got one thing in common — they're pieces you'll reach for season after season. Whether it's a great structured bag or a pair of mid-height almond toe pumps, staples are relatively timeless and serve as a welcome addition to nearly any outfit. The 'little black dress' is a quintessential example of a classic wardrobe staple. It's season-less and is suitable for almost any occasion. My most-worn staples pieces are my Vince Camuto riding boots and J.Crew Chateau Parka.

THE SPLURGES
Splurge items are my favorite pieces to wear (and shop for) in my wardrobe. Often, these are designer items that tie together a wardrobe and provide a unique finishing touch to an outfit. I tend to splurge on accessories like jewelry, shoes and bags because their versatile nature provides the most 'bang' for your buck. Classic holy grail splurges — like the Chanel flap bag, David Yurman cable cuff bracelet, Cartier Tank watch and Valentino bow pumps — are worthwhile picks because they've proven to be pieces that never go out of style. Hands down most-worn splurge item is my David Yurman Petite Albion Ring.

Personal style can (and should!) be a calculated choice. Curating your perfect twist on classic style ensures your wardrobe is a reflection that you're proud to share.

Thank you to Lawrence Cheng Photography for shooting this post

POP-UP CHRISTMAS BAR

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I stumbled upon this article in the Washingtonian the other day about a "pop-up" Christmas bar in the Shaw neighborhood of D.C. The bar, called Miracle on Seventh Street, is a temporary installment running through the month of December. Essentially, it's just an ultra-festive bar that caters to all of the fun surrounding the holiday season. The bar's ornate decor, paired with a constant stream of holiday music and a festive cocktail menu make this a great destination bar. 

I stopped by on Saturday night with a few friends to see what all of the hype was about. It opens at 5pm daily, so the group of us arrived promptly at 5:15pm. As soon as we arrived it was clear that the entire City of Washington was also eager to check it out, because the line to get in spanned two blocks. The bouncer told us it would be about five hours to get in... ugh. 

We decided to head over to the (almost) neighboring Dacha Beer Garden for a bit while we waited out the line. Dacha is one of my favorite open-air bars in the city — mainly because they allow dogs. I never thought I'd be at an outdoor bar in December! It was about 65 degrees that evening, so we just had to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather. 

We returned to Miracle on Seventh Street around 9pm, and waited just over an hour to get a peek inside. My thoughts? Well worth the wait. The photo doesn't do it justice! The festive ambiance of the bar really stood out against other bars that get sort-of jazzed up for the season. My favorite cocktail off their menu was "Gretchen, Stop Trying To Make Fetch Happen," aptly named after the movie Mean Girls. Because how can you not like a Mean Girls-esque cocktail?! 

The bar also boasts a daily lineup of festive activities, from holiday movie nights to photos with Santa. It's the perfect adult playground for anyone looking to enjoy an evening a little out of the ordinary!

THE CROWN BRAID

I wake up at 5:00 A.M. most mornings to hit the gym before work, so quick + easy hairstyles are a weekday must. After I shower, I don't have much time left to get ready before I need to leave for work. My solution? The crown braid. I usually throw my bangs up in a halo-style braid and head out the door. With a good amount of practice under my belt, I have this style down in five minutes flat! It's a great way to tame wild bangs sans heat or to disguise second day hair. Check out the tutorial below to see how it's done!

Thank you to Sanzero Photography for shooting this post 

LATELY - DECEMBER

Blanket Scarf || Chateau Parka || Boots (old, similar) || Leggings 

Wearing: I have a thing for cashmere scarves. There's just something so luxurious about them. I picked up this cashmere Club Monaco scarf (on sale!) and can't get enough. It's incredibly soft and a great size - big enough to use as a travel wrap - which I definitely intend on using it as. I've also been on a bit of a kick with heels lately, too.  Most recently, I picked up a pair (or two) of these Sam Eldelman Orella pumps. Obsessed. I had high expectations for these shoes and they did not disappoint. My only grievance is that they come to a point a little quickly, causing some toe discomfort. But they say beauty is pain, right? You can read more on my thoughts about the pumps here.

Watching: I've really been on a documentary binge lately. I find documentaries that revolve around social and political issues to be especially intriguing, so usually my curiosities gravitate me towards those types of films. I've watched quite a host recently - from Shenandoah, Into the Abyss, Jesus Camp, Tricked and The True Cost - to name a few. I'll admit, I didn't find any of them particularly riveting. I think my current favorite documentary has to be Cowspiracy - you can read my last post on that here.

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Listening: December is well underway, so you know what that means... Christmas music. I've been listening to Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé since Thanksgiving. Really, I listen to both year-round, but their holiday songs are truly the best. I use Spotify Premium and it's by far my favorite music streaming service. Also, Premium is well worth paying a monthly fee. If you have student email account, you can get the student discount, making Premium just $5/month... that's one latte. My only regret about Premium is that I didn't make the switch from the free version earlier! Also, public service announcement: Serial Season 2 is out! This season follows the story of Bowie Bergdahl, an American solider accused of deserting his post who was captured and held by the Taliban for five years. If you've never given Serial a shot, now is the perfect time! You can read more about my love for the podcast here.

Consuming: Indian cuisine. When I was younger, I used to be a super picky eater. I've definitely branched out since then, but still have a ways to go. I went out for lunch with some coworkers the other day to Masala Art, an Indian restaurant near the office. So. Good. How did I willingly survive the last 23 years without trying chicken makhani?!

Coveting: I've had my eye on a Canon Rebel-series DSLR camera for a while now. I've always been intrigued by how photographers can create aesthetic in a photograph. The Smithsonian Institute offers some relatively inexpensive photography classes and I'd love to take a few course. Also, Santa, if you're reading, you could totally drop off a Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM this year.

On My Radar: This is a busy travel month for me. I'll be going home mid-December for a week to celebrate Christmas with my family and can't wait. I never though I'd say this, but I hope there's snow on the ground! The weather in D.C. has been balmy and I'm not expecting to see snow anytime soon here. I mean, it was 70 degrees this weekend! After Christmas, I'm heading to Mexico for New Year's. I'm pretty stoked about that, for obvious reasons. Finally, a week or so after that, I'll be flying into Chicago for a "girl's weekend" and to celebrate my best friends' birthday. It's safe to say if I'm not already an expert at traveling with carry-on luggage only, I sure will be after all of this!

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Thank you to Ormi Malul Photography for shooting this post

WINTER WHITES + BEAN BOOTS

Denim || Top || Cardigan (old, similar) || Vest (similar) || Socks || Boots || Watch || Purse 

White is one of my favorite colors to wear. It's versatile, goes with everything and can play both roles of being bold and understated – the ultimate neutral. I love an all-white ensemble, it's one my go-to looks during warmer months. 

Wearing white in the winter can be a little tricky. What's up with that "don't wear white after Labor Day" myth, anyways? It's got to be like, some type of urban legend at this point. Whatever that saying is, it's nonsense. You can totally pull off white in the winter if you style it the right way. 

I wanted to go all-out with white, so I paired a white top with some white denim to create a monochromatic base. Sometimes, winter whites can be harsh and stark – to combat this issue, I styled the base with softer neutrals. It's a great way to achieve a (somewhat) monochromatic look without going overboard. 

From previous posts, you may have noticed I'm pretty fond of this J.Crew Excursion vest. It's the perfect layering piece and the versatile color can be styled with just about anything. The color is 'warm bisque' and I picked it up a few seasons ago from J.Crew retail. Since then, retail has updated their Excursion vest and bumped this version to J.Crew Factory (note: the Factory version is on major, major sale!). Personally, I prefer the flat-lay front pockets over the updated version's utility-style pockets... but retail has an identical color (called 'bleached sand') whereas Factory's closest color is a bit more of an off-white. 

And... on to the shoes! Duck boots have become somewhat "trendy" recently, but really, they're pretty timeless. L.L. Bean Boots have been around for over 100 years! Let me start out by saying I love L.L. Bean. They've got fabulous customer service and use quality materials in their products. Personally, I love that their Bean Boots are hand-crafted in Maine. Bean Boots are really popular and often sell out quickly... When I popped on over to the website, I saw that they're already backordered into March! When I went to buy mine a few years ago in November, I was bummed to find out they were backordered for months. I ended up waiting until April to snag a pair and scored them for an extra 25% off! If you have the patience to wait until the off-season, you could definitely end up scoring a pair for less!

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Thank you to Lawrence Cheng Photography for shooting this post

HOLIDAY LOOK: STATEMENT SKIRT

Skirt || Blouse (old, similar) || Pumps || Purse 

I love getting dressed up for the holidays. In college, it was a bit tougher to strike a balance between wanting to pull together a"fancier" festive look but also dressing to the occasion. In the past, I've mainly had a series of low-key family Christmas events to attend; more casual and comfortable than fancy and flashy. However, a lot has changed for me in the past year. Since last Christmas, I've graduated to the "real world" and started working an "adult job" in a big city. 

The best thing about being a young professional in a vibrant city during the Christmas season? Holiday parties. Lots of them. All month long. From casual, midday parties at the office to extravagant, ballroom style celebrations, variety is easy to come by.  It's not hard to find a reason to break out that bright red dress or justify a new pair of sparkly pumps. 

I picked up this festive red skirt recently at Banana Republic. I'll be honest - it's not something I'd usually gravitate towards. It's a little bold for my style, but it was on major sale, so I just couldn't pass it up. Right?  While quality is often a hit or miss at Banana, this skirt passes the mark... and the lady-like silhouette is just great for perfecting a wonderful holiday look.

I kept the rest of my outfit pretty simple to showcase the statement skirt. I paired it with a tie-neck blouse (similar) and my goes-with-everything Rebecca Minkoff Mini Quilted Affair bag. I finished off the look with a pair of classic, Cole Haan almond-toe pumps. This look is dressy (but not too dressy),  a great solution for that"I'm not really sure how to dress for this" holiday event. 

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Thank you to Sanzero Photography for shooting this post 

LOCAL'S GUIDE: MADISON, WISCONSIN

Image via Maxwell Thomas Haning, 2012

I miss Madison. Truly. A lot. It's funny how one word can bring so many fond memories to mind. I wanted to find a way to share with others some of my favorite parts about Madison, so I created a sort-of guide from a local's perspective on the best things to see, do and consume in the city. So, I'm officially introducing my Local's Guide: Madison, Wisconsin. I had such a great time curating a list of my favorites in the city and looking back on my not-so-distant memories. Check it out - I hope you consider some of my suggestions if you're in the area! 

On another note, I hope to start a sort-of local's guide to Washington, D.C. 

Keep an eye out for that coming in the future!

A LITTLE EQUESTRIAN + MOTO JACKET

Moto Jacket || Oxford Button Down || Grey Denim || Belt || Boots (old, similar)

I've been searching high and low for a moto jacket for quite some time now. I'm really not a huge fan of leather moto-style jackets. They remind me too much of those tacky pleather "going out" jackets everyone had in college, and I just can't bring myself to wear something like that. So, with leather out of the question, 50% of the moto jackets out there are eliminated from my options. I prefer the look of cloth moto jackets, but they're hard to come by. And after factoring fit and details into the equation, it's not hard to see how difficult my search has been! I stumbled upon this jacket by mistake recently at Banana Republic. I'll admit, it's not the "perfect" moto jacket I had in mind, but at this point, I'm not sure that even exists... (the struggle is real). However, I do like that it's cotton, and that it's a good cropped length but not too short. 

I'm not one for trends. I generally prefer youthful updates on classic pieces... but this jacket is a bit "edgy" without straying too far. And it's at a great price-point for a trendy item (it's also 40% off right now!), because no one wants to break the bank for a piece that might go out of style. 

I paired the jacket with my favorite Ralph Lauren Oxford that I've slowly been collecting in every color (oops) and some grey denim. I added a bit of an equestrian edge by tucking in the oxford, adding a belt and riding boots (similar). It was the perfect balance of edge + classic style for an afternoon roaming around Georgetown.

In other news, I'm excited to share my first holiday style look of the season later this week! Stay tuned. As always, be sure to check out my Holiday Gift Guide if you need some gifting inspiration! 

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Thank you to Jon Soucy Photography for shooting this post

BLACK FRIDAY FINDS

I'll be honest, I didn't think the Black Friday sales were as great as they have been in the past. Or maybe it's because I've been a little underwhelmed with retail offerings this season. Whatever it may be, Black Friday shopping is a standing tradition in my family. Every year, my mother, grandmother and I head out Friday morning and make a day out of it. It's really quite fun. Often, we're not out scouting "great" deals (i.e. a 55" TV for $200...or some other ridiculous discount) but rather just enjoying a girl's day shopping. 

I didn't make a huge haul, but I did pick up a few items at a steep discount, and I'm happy about that. I'm also certain I found the absolute perfect (and my new favorite) pair of neutral heels. I'm definitely happy about that. I'm talking about these Sam Edelman pumps. I got them in "golden caramel" but also had my eye on the gold and bright red pair. They fit like a glove and are the most perfect heel height - not too high, but high enough to give the shoe a great silhouette. I also love that the heel is situated at the very back of the shoe, rather than curved inward. It makes for great balance and walkability. Can you tell I'm really into these shoes?

The shoes were my most "exciting" purchase. I also picked up this Ralph Lauren Oxford Shirt to add to my collection... really, my closet is accumulating way too many of these. But they're great for work, can be dressed down or dressed up. And they're just such a classic style, you really can't have too many. Not to mention, I scored this one for just over $20, which is honestly unbelievable, as they retail at just short of $100. Saavy shopping at its best!

I also picked up a few of my favorite, favorite basic t-shirts from H&M. They weren't on sale in-store, but even paying full price is a steal (note: they're included in H&M's cyber weekend sale online!). They also released a long-sleeve version this season, so I picked up one of those, too. The only piece I got from H&M that was on sale was this cardigan. It was only $9, so that makes up for the other items being full-price, right?

Shop the post and my other Black Friday finds by scrolling through the widget below!

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WEEKEND SALES

With Black Friday right around the corner, many retailers have been rolling out some good deals leading up to the big day. There are some great sales happening this weekend! J.Crew is having 30%-40% off of a select variety of newer styles in addition to 30% off of "regular" sale merchandise. Neiman Marcus is doing 40% off of select styles with many premium designers included. Bloomingdale's has 50% off select apparel and 30% off select handbags, also including an array of premium designers and brands. Banana Republic has 50% off select styles and 40% off everything else. Club Monaco is running an extra 30% off sale styles, a great deal that likely won't get much (if any) better for Black Friday. Scroll through the widget above to see some of my sale picks!

CONSERVATIVE BASICS WITH A TWIST

Top || Skirt || Shoes (old, similar)

I rarely have a difficult time picking out what to wear to work. I tend to favor wearing skirts, and I have an an abundance of neutral skirts and blouses. It's usually pretty easy for me to just throw together an outfit because all of my neutral pieces coordinate well with each other. But, often times, I have a bit more trouble deciding what to wear when I have something else going on after work. In these situations, I tend to lean towards a style that is perfect for those "office to happy-hour" days: conservative basics with a twist.

I wore my favorite high-waisted J.Crew Skirt that I've worn far too many times to count. It's got fun visual texture and can easily be dressed up or down. Essentially, it's the perfect base to any outfit. I paired the skirt with a classic, crisp white Land's End Button Down: a true workwear staple. I finished off the neutral outfit with a fun "pop" of color in the form of magenta suede pumps.

On an unrelated note, I'm (embarrassingly) into Justin Bieber's new album. Let me set the record straight: I've always been somewhat of a Bieber fan. And I'm not even embarrassed to admit that! I am a little apprehensive to admit that today I might have listened to his new album, Purpose, three times... oops. 

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Thank you to Bob Cullen Photography for shooting this post 

LATELY - NOVEMBER

Wearing: I got this Daniel Wellington watch recently and have been wearing it nonstop. I'm really loving the classic, minimalist design. It's a great work week staple and I got it on sale - use code "YESMISSY" at checkout for 20% off! I've also been wearing my rain gear lately because the weather has been temperamental. I got these Hunter Rain Boots and this North Face Rain Jacket in college and couldn't imagine life without them! I really don't like umbrellas for a variety of reasons. A gust of wind can break one and I always worry walking down the sidewalk that I might accidentally bump my umbrella into someone. My solution? Eliminate the inconvenience and make an ensemble out of waterproof gear. I talked about my rain gear most recently in this post.

Watching: The Office. I've talked about how much I love the comedy series before and it's one of my favorites. It's bittersweet to say, but I'm halfway through the final season! I'm excited to find out what happens at the end of the show but am disappointed I have no more seasons to look forward to. Funny how a good show can really "reel" you in, right?

Listening: I've been listening to podcasts a good amount lately. My all-time favorite is Serial, a series that examines the 1999 real-life murder of a high school girl in Baltimore. It might sound gruesome, but it's truly captivating. I recently discovered Undisclosed, a sort-of predecessor series to Serial. Undisclosed largely examines the legal nuances of the case and exposes gaps in the prosecution's story. If you like crime shows like Law and Order or CSI, this is a great listen. If that's not so much your thing, Freakonomics is a good podcast that covers a wide variety of topics and is great for the curious mind.

Consuming: Chop't, a new-to-me salad chain. Chop't is a sort-of fast food concept and is basically the Chipotle of salads. You choose from a wide variety of ingredients and an employee assembles your salad. I'm not sure that description does it justice, but the place is good.

Coveting: I stumbled upon Plum Pretty Sugar, an online boutique that specializes in bridesmaid and bridal apparel. They sell the prettiest and most dainty robes and pajama sets I've ever seen! I'm head-over-heels for this beautiful robe and might have to add it to my wardrobe soon! I've been passively looking for a lightweight, kimono-style robe for a while now, and this one fits the bill perfectly. I'm also loving these Halogen Leopard Pumps, a print I would normally shy away from... but I love the half-d'Orsay silhouette and the print adds a fun "pop" to the shoe. I update my Pinterest board "Coveting" frequently, so check it out to see the full list of what I have my eye on!

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BLANKET SCARF + CHATEAU PARKA

Blanket Scarf || Chateau Parka || Leggings || Top || Boots (old, similar)

I love blanket scarves. Whoever decided it was acceptable to wear a blanket as an outfit as long as it's disguised as a "scarf" came up with a real win in my book. It serves as a truly effortless way to create an outfit that's casual and comfortable, but still looks put-together. I got this Oversized Geo Blanket Scarf last year and it's back again this season! The neutral color is great and seems to go with everything. I think the black is a really nice option though, too.  

Over the weekend I got a chance to break in my new J.Crew Chateau Parka that I'm loving. It's the perfect combination of classic and modern. Truth be told, the weather has been relatively mild and I really haven't needed to wear a jacket at all... but sometimes you get something new and you just have to wear it, right?  

Maybe a bit premature, but I'm getting anxious for Black Friday + Cyber Monday deals! I've got my eye on a few things and I'm hoping to pick up some Christmas gifts, too. I don't plan to shop any brick and mortar stores that Friday but I will definitely scope out the sales online. I have my fingers crossed for great deals from Nordstrom and J.Crew!

On another note, I've been continually adding to my Holiday Gift Guide, so be sure to check it out and see what's new! 

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Thank you to Omri Malul Photography for shooting this post