the home and garden pants.

WINTER BREAK IS SO CLOSE I CAN TASTE IT! I'm so excited to finally have some freedom to enjoy myself and the holidays once all the final exam craziness is over, though I do have art projects a-plenty to do over break. (Procrastinator problems I guess?) I'll be perfectly honest, during finals week, I completely give up fashion-wise. This is my last "nice" day before I give in to the comfy sweatpants and yoga pants, as it's just too damn hard to focus on a 2 hour written test in heels and a leather jacket. I will, however, be repeat-wearing this new sweater like you wouldn't even believe. (I know, I know, "Lizzie McGuire, you are an outfit REPEATER!") But in all seriousness, I do believe I have found the holy grail of all comfy, oversized wintertime sweaters. It's delightfully comfy with simple black leggings and my oxblood infinity scarf for the long exam days ahead too.

Sweater- H&M (get yourself one here! new favorite. http://www.hm.com/us/product/01429?article=01429-A)
Pants- Urban Outfitters (I have a friend who calls these the "home and garden pants." Fitting name I'd say."
Bag- H&M
Shoes- Topshop
....And I honestly can't remember for the life of me where I acquired these sunglasses.

xo, Caroline

Shenanigans and Antics.

Or, my life in a nutshell during the exciting and busy holiday season...

Decking the halls! Just a few strands of the most colorful lights you can find and mass scotch tape to add holiday cheer to your room.

Oh, and our Christmas tree, finally decked out!

Grace Coddington's new book-so much for studying for midterms.

Sweater Weather, Grace, The Virgin Suicides.... 

Holiday beauty haul!- I turn into some kind of rabid Sephora addict during the holidays. I go in to buy holiday gifts and end up buying double for myself. This is a problem.

From left: Stila All is Bright Lipgloss Set (Sephora-$25) Philosophy Cinnamon Buns Shower Gel (Sephora-$16) Bumble and Bumble Grooming Creme (Sephora-$12)

The magazine essentials for the month! If you haven't picked up the print issue of Style.com, do it, I can confirm it's worth the $15 price tag. Makes a great small gift for a fashion loving friend too!

Oh! And TVFU graduation pictures are up! Not sure how I feel about the up-close-oily-skin look in this, but it makes me too happy to care. If you attended, make sure to find yours!

Hope everyone is well, and having a great holiday season so far!

xo, Caroline

you're no good for me, but baby I want you.

 

The perfect "OH CRAP I'M SO SO SO SO LATE" hairstyle

I don't know why, but lately I've been really into the sleek, minimalist look of an all black ensemble. I think it has something to do with my addiction to over-pinning pictures of Sofia Coppola on Pinterest... (I really need a life, or a boyfriend, or something.) In all seriousness though, I'm obsessed with the way she does the minimalist black and white, she's so classy and elegant!

A sampling of her fabulousness:

(not my photo, found via Pinterest)

In other news and whatnot, it's been a long and exhausting week, but I'm hanging in there! I've been having to work longer hours, and we have exams the week after next, and then finally a much-needed Christmas break. I'm so ready, winter break is my favorite break, even more than summer! Anyways, hope everyone is well and having a lovely holiday season so far!

Jacket- H&M
Pants- H&M
Bag- H&M (Holy god, it's an H&M kind of day...)
Shoes- Topshop
Necklace- Topshop

The Week in Pictures: December 4, 2012

     GUYS I'M SORRY I PROMISE I'M ALIVE AND WELL. It just occurred to me today how long it's been since I've last posted, and I'm so sorry about leaving y'all hanging for so long! If you follow me on Twitter, you'll already know I was quite sick most of last week (pneumonia, eek!) and have been really busy working my new holiday job at Barnes and Noble! But alas, I am back, so sorry for the sudden silence!

     I'm excited that it's finally time for the holiday party season, so keep an eye out for some pretty fancy outfit posts, as well as some fun holiday party style and gift ideas!

     Last but not least, OMG GRACE CODDINGTON'S BOOK IS OUT!!! I finally got my hands on it about a week ago and haven't been able to put it down. Plenty of fashion fan-girling up in here, so be watching for a post about that, as well as some other good reads and magazines!

And of course, a playlist for the week:

Amsterdam- Coldplay

Kiss Me- Ed Sheeran

Never Think- Robert Pattinson (okay yes, I know he's Twilight, and I know you want to slap me in the face, but really, give this song a try. Its beautiful. Guilty Addiction.)

Gravity- Embrace

Kiss the Sky- Shawn Lee

What I'm Loving- Skull Ring, Alexander McQueen, $475.

xo, Caroline

My oh my...

And of course, the day's essentials!:

You guys, I think I may marry my new H&M bag... It has all the characteristics of the most amazing bag ever: small, compact, yet holds everything, black with gold hardware, chic, goes with everything... GAH! And it was only $17... Perfect for the holiday party season when I don't want to be carrying around a giant bag! Speaking of which, let me just say that I am so so so SO excited for Christmas. It's my favorite time of year; even the drinks at Starbucks taste better! (Caramel Brûlée Latte, how I love you so...) 

Also, Black Friday is right around the corner, and I'm so excited to be going midnight shopping with some friends to snatch up all the deals and be a part of the general insane economy-boosting madness, so be watching for a black friday haul post!

Top- Forever 21

Pants- Tory Burch

Bag- H&M

Shoes- Topshop

Hat- Urban Outfitters

Oh and the lipstick (my fall essential!) is Captive by MAC

Inspiration Board: Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

When it comes to the Tim Burton remake of the classic Lewis Carroll book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland I feel a bit late to the party, but I finally had the chance to watch it with a friend of mine on our little girls-night-in a while back, and I just fell in love! I loved Mr. Burton's take on the classic story; he gave it the "Tim Burton treatment" making it creepier, more mysterious, and just a bit more grown up. 

On a more side note, some of the editorial pictures you see here are actually from a gorgeous iconic Grace Coddington Vogue spread from several years back; and if you haven't ever seen it, definitely give it a look! I found the whole spread here! Fashion really loves Alice in Wonderland...

For the look: lots of whimsical florals, but mixed with darker, more edgy items. Lots of ornate details, vintage accessories, and pops of pastels!
Key stores: Anthropologie, Modcloth, Etsy, Topshop

Float down, like autumn leaves

I think I have a problem when it comes to oxblood, I really do. Everything I buy these days, I have to have it in oxblood! (Certainly doesn't help that it's EVERYWHERE right now.) It's just such a unique and deep shade, perfect for fall. Fall is actually my favorite season, and not just for clothes. (Tea, hot chocolate, bonfires, blankets, cuddling, party season, GAHHH!) Layering is the best way to not only make an outfit more interesting, but also accommodate the various temperature changes on a crisp fall day. It's also a good way to transition what would normally be summer pieces, like a pair of high waisted shorts or tank top, into fall.

Cardigan- H&M
Tank Top- Nordstrom
Shorts- Vintage Levis
Tights- Forever 21
Necklaces- Topshop
Shoes- Topshop

...oh and MAC's Florabundance on my lips- such an amazing color, perfect nude-pink combo!