The Perfect Tan

No, not the tan you worked on all summer. (And failed at, if you're me.) I'm talking about the perfect tan accessories for fall. A little leather shoulder patch action, a darling vintage-inspired bag, and an everyday wedge that's as chic as it is comfortable. Accent it with a well-placed pop of pink or — my go-to favorite — navy.

Photo / Topshop faux leather patch sweater, $56

J.Crew purse, $240 / Steve Madden suede wedge, $99

What are your favorite ways to wear tan this fall?

No, not the tan you worked on all summer. (And failed at, if you're me.) I'm talking about the perfect tan accessories for fall. A little leather shoulder patch action, a darling vintage-inspired bag, and an everyday wedge that's as chic as it is comfortable. Accent it with a well-placed pop of pink or — my go-to favorite — navy.

Photo / Topshop faux leather patch sweater, $56

J.Crew purse, $240 / Steve Madden suede wedge, $99

What are your favorite ways to wear tan this fall?

The Design Dialogues {Emily Maynard}

If you're anything like me, you're utterly infatuated with Elva Fields' darling jewelry. The designer, Emily Maynard, incorporates vintage baubles into each new design and the results are nothing short of extraordinary. I'm excited to have Emily here today to answer the Design Dialogues questionnaire about how she got her start in design, how she'd advise aspiring creatives, and what's next for her budding business!

Emily wearing one of her beautiful designs!

Who you are:

Emily Wheat Maynard

What you do:

Unofficially: a million things at once. Officially: founder and designer, Elva Fields.

Where you do it:

Taylorsville, Kentucky.

{"Lady at the Ready" necklace, $226}

Five words to describe yourself...

Interested, busy, happy, driven, particular.

How do you define your aesthetic?

Colorful, whimsical, vintage.

Who are your style icons?

My grandmother, Tory Burch, Lauren Hutton, and Grace Kelly.

A peek into Emily's vintage collection from her feature in Matchbook Magazine.

Favorite quote:

"Count it all joy."

Favorite site:

Weather.com. Kentucky is infamous for 70 degrees and snow all in the same week so I always like to know what's in the forecast!

Favorite store:

Any and every flea market, antique mall, or vintage shop.

{"Escape and Respite" necklace, $238}

How did you decide that you wanted to design jewelry?

After spending years in the library during graduate school researching the history of jewelry, I realized how much I missed making things. So I combined a love of research with a love for creating — et voilà, Elva Fields was born! 

What is the best advice you've ever received?

"If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting" — in support of change and innovation from my business advisor Jerry.

And the advice you'd offer aspiring creatives?

Cultivate your creative skills every single day. It takes both talent and discipline to make it a business.

Where the magic happens!

Three items on your to do list... 

Finish writing long-overdue thank-you notes, frame that artwork, be a better person each day.

Three items on your wishlist...  

A fireplace, more time, a French easel.

Three items on your bucket list...

Taking my daughters on a girls trip each year, a two-week trek in Peru, surf camp.

- - - 

I love her style icons and her favorite quote, "If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting." Thank you so much for joining us, Emily!

If you're anything like me, you're utterly infatuated with Elva Fields' darling jewelry. The designer, Emily Maynard, incorporates vintage baubles into each new design and the results are nothing short of extraordinary. I'm excited to have Emily here today to answer the Design Dialogues questionnaire about how she got her start in design, how she'd advise aspiring creatives, and what's next for her budding business!

Emily wearing one of her beautiful designs!

Who you are:

Emily Wheat Maynard

What you do:

Unofficially: a million things at once. Officially: founder and designer, Elva Fields.

Where you do it:

Taylorsville, Kentucky.

{"Lady at the Ready" necklace, $226}

Five words to describe yourself...

Interested, busy, happy, driven, particular.

How do you define your aesthetic?

Colorful, whimsical, vintage.

Who are your style icons?

My grandmother, Tory Burch, Lauren Hutton, and Grace Kelly.

A peek into Emily's vintage collection from her feature in Matchbook Magazine.

Favorite quote:

"Count it all joy."

Favorite site:

Weather.com. Kentucky is infamous for 70 degrees and snow all in the same week so I always like to know what's in the forecast!

Favorite store:

Any and every flea market, antique mall, or vintage shop.

{"Escape and Respite" necklace, $238}

How did you decide that you wanted to design jewelry?

After spending years in the library during graduate school researching the history of jewelry, I realized how much I missed making things. So I combined a love of research with a love for creating — et voilà, Elva Fields was born! 

What is the best advice you've ever received?

"If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting" — in support of change and innovation from my business advisor Jerry.

And the advice you'd offer aspiring creatives?

Cultivate your creative skills every single day. It takes both talent and discipline to make it a business.

Where the magic happens!

Three items on your to do list... 

Finish writing long-overdue thank-you notes, frame that artwork, be a better person each day.

Three items on your wishlist...  

A fireplace, more time, a French easel.

Three items on your bucket list...

Taking my daughters on a girls trip each year, a two-week trek in Peru, surf camp.

- - - 

I love her style icons and her favorite quote, "If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting." Thank you so much for joining us, Emily!

Pretty Little Things

Loving these pretty little matching sets in darling polka dots and gingham with bows. Wouldn't they make a darling stocking stuffer? 

{Madewell polka dot bra ($34) and underwear ($16)}

{ASOS gingham bra ($33) and underwear ($21)}


Is anyone else's brain slowly but surely drifting toward the holiday season?

Loving these pretty little matching sets in darling polka dots and gingham with bows. Wouldn't they make a darling stocking stuffer? 

{Madewell polka dot bra ($34) and underwear ($16)}

{ASOS gingham bra ($33) and underwear ($21)}


Is anyone else's brain slowly but surely drifting toward the holiday season?

Quick Question

In the past, you all have given me great recommendations for books, hair products, etc. so I figured I'd ask whether anyone has a favorite life-changing curling iron. My hair always looks more polished when I touch it up with a curling iron so I'm looking for something that heats up fast, has a strong clamp (none of these new clamp-less options), and does a great job that'll stay in tact for as long as possible. Mission impossible?

{image via Cup of Beautiful}

In the past, you all have given me great recommendations for books, hair products, etc. so I figured I'd ask whether anyone has a favorite life-changing curling iron. My hair always looks more polished when I touch it up with a curling iron so I'm looking for something that heats up fast, has a strong clamp (none of these new clamp-less options), and does a great job that'll stay in tact for as long as possible. Mission impossible?

{image via Cup of Beautiful}

Life According To My iPhone

The untimely death of Apple visionary Steve Jobs this week seems like an appropriate time to demonstrate the importance of technology in my life. Like many of you, I'm a once-you-go-Mac-you-never-go-back kind of girl. I work on a Macbook, blog on a Macbook Pro, and do just about everything else on an iPhone. Here are a few recent snaps taken with my iPhone and Instagram...

I'm trying to take a few on-the-go outfit pictures each week. Can you tell oxford shirts and skinny jeans are something of a uniform for me?

When I'm not racing to work or dashing to catch the next train, it's nice to take a moment to capture the city (even if it requires being that girl pausing on the sidewalk with iPhone in the air). The magic of Grand Central Station is never lost on me!

And lest you get the impression that I'm spending weekends in the wilderness (that was one time, I promise), here we have a sunset snapped from my front yard, a boulder field on last weekend's hike, the boat yard the train passes on my morning commute, and a tree in a friend's yard on a particularly beautiful day.

- - -

I hope you all have a moment to stop and smell the roses this weekend, even if it's through the lens of your beloved iPhone. It's rather fun to look back on! Have a good one and see you back here on Monday!

The untimely death of Apple visionary Steve Jobs this week seems like an appropriate time to demonstrate the importance of technology in my life. Like many of you, I'm a once-you-go-Mac-you-never-go-back kind of girl. I work on a Macbook, blog on a Macbook Pro, and do just about everything else on an iPhone. Here are a few recent snaps taken with my iPhone and Instagram...

I'm trying to take a few on-the-go outfit pictures each week. Can you tell oxford shirts and skinny jeans are something of a uniform for me?

When I'm not racing to work or dashing to catch the next train, it's nice to take a moment to capture the city (even if it requires being that girl pausing on the sidewalk with iPhone in the air). The magic of Grand Central Station is never lost on me!

And lest you get the impression that I'm spending weekends in the wilderness (that was one time, I promise), here we have a sunset snapped from my front yard, a boulder field on last weekend's hike, the boat yard the train passes on my morning commute, and a tree in a friend's yard on a particularly beautiful day.

- - -

I hope you all have a moment to stop and smell the roses this weekend, even if it's through the lens of your beloved iPhone. It's rather fun to look back on! Have a good one and see you back here on Monday!

Pretty Please

I mean, what more do you need to know? 

{J.Brand riding pants, $227}

I mean, what more do you need to know? 

{J.Brand riding pants, $227}

Black + Navy

Rules were made to be broken. For an easy twist on Tuesday's black on black, introduce a navy accent or two. The unexpected pairing offers a subtle contrast that's decidedly modern.

{Topshop colorblock dress, $95}

{Loren Hope necklace, $125}

{Topshop jacket, $130}

{Tory Burch wallet, $225}

{Topshop bow pumps, $116}

The dress is a steal and every Loren Hope piece is an instant staple. But basic pumps with a ladylike bow on top? Add to cart.

Rules were made to be broken. For an easy twist on Tuesday's black on black, introduce a navy accent or two. The unexpected pairing offers a subtle contrast that's decidedly modern.

{Topshop colorblock dress, $95}

{Loren Hope necklace, $125}

{Topshop jacket, $130}

{Tory Burch wallet, $225}

{Topshop bow pumps, $116}

The dress is a steal and every Loren Hope piece is an instant staple. But basic pumps with a ladylike bow on top? Add to cart.

Healthy Habits {101 in 1001}

Today I'm sharing a few more of the goals from my 101 in 1001 list. For people who have asked to see the entire list at once, I decided at the beginning to share the list over time a) because it's so long and b) because it's fun to share both goals and progress! Some goals are professional in nature, others financial, others pure fun. The goals I'm sharing today have to do with health and fitness — admittedly not my forté.

19. Drink eight glasses of water a day every day for one week. This is probably easy and mindless for some of you but to me it feels insurmountable. So. Much. Water!

33. Hire a personal trainer.

42. Take a self-defense class.

- - - 

What do you do to stay healthy and in shape?

Today I'm sharing a few more of the goals from my 101 in 1001 list. For people who have asked to see the entire list at once, I decided at the beginning to share the list over time a) because it's so long and b) because it's fun to share both goals and progress! Some goals are professional in nature, others financial, others pure fun. The goals I'm sharing today have to do with health and fitness — admittedly not my forté.

19. Drink eight glasses of water a day every day for one week. This is probably easy and mindless for some of you but to me it feels insurmountable. So. Much. Water!

33. Hire a personal trainer.

42. Take a self-defense class.

- - - 

What do you do to stay healthy and in shape?

Fall Back on Black

On days when wardrobe inspiration escapes me (as it does many mornings now that I'm waking up earlier and getting dressed while I'm still half asleep), I find that there's no better fix than basic black on black. Here are a few pieces that have wound up in my Shopbop hearts of late...

{Rachel Zoe blouse, $295}

{BB Dakota blazer, $115}

I love the plunging pussybow blouse but it's the leather collar on the blazer that has my heart skipping a beat. That kind of detail for just $115? I think I know where my next paycheck is going!

{David Lerner skirt, $132}

{Elkin skirt, $300}

Tulip hem or maxi length? Take your pick!

{Club Monaco clutch, $149}

{Theyskens' Theory pumps, $325}

I'm kind of obsessed with this envelope clutch and gorgeous platform heel. They'd make even a t-shirt and jeans insanely chic!

{Susana Monaco, $248}

But of course I saved the best for last. You know I love a backless dress!

- - -

What's your go-to when getting dressed? I'd love to hear your tricks for dressing quickly and stylishly!

On days when wardrobe inspiration escapes me (as it does many mornings now that I'm waking up earlier and getting dressed while I'm still half asleep), I find that there's no better fix than basic black on black. Here are a few pieces that have wound up in my Shopbop hearts of late...

{Rachel Zoe blouse, $295}

{BB Dakota blazer, $115}

I love the plunging pussybow blouse but it's the leather collar on the blazer that has my heart skipping a beat. That kind of detail for just $115? I think I know where my next paycheck is going!

{David Lerner skirt, $132}

{Elkin skirt, $300}

Tulip hem or maxi length? Take your pick!

{Club Monaco clutch, $149}

{Theyskens' Theory pumps, $325}

I'm kind of obsessed with this envelope clutch and gorgeous platform heel. They'd make even a t-shirt and jeans insanely chic!

{Susana Monaco, $248}

But of course I saved the best for last. You know I love a backless dress!

- - -

What's your go-to when getting dressed? I'd love to hear your tricks for dressing quickly and stylishly!

Three Things

1. Loose waves, navy blazer, sequined clutch, tortoiseshell watch... I want it all.

2. Slowly and steadily building up my file of apartment inspiration. Don't you love the look of worn in leather? 

3. Bows belong on everything.

In other news, I spent the weekend at a cabin in the Poconos with friends from college and had the best time catching up with everyone. I love my friends. I might be playing catch-up on blogging, email, sleep, etc., but sometimes it's just nice to get away and unplug for a few days. How was your weekend?

1. Loose waves, navy blazer, sequined clutch, tortoiseshell watch... I want it all.

2. Slowly and steadily building up my file of apartment inspiration. Don't you love the look of worn in leather? 

3. Bows belong on everything.

In other news, I spent the weekend at a cabin in the Poconos with friends from college and had the best time catching up with everyone. I love my friends. I might be playing catch-up on blogging, email, sleep, etc., but sometimes it's just nice to get away and unplug for a few days. How was your weekend?