Spring Awakening

Spring is in full force now, as apparent from the multitude of flowers blooming on every corner and the rather unfortunate appearance of allergies in the past few weeks. We apologize for our recent absence on this blog, as Mindy and I have been terribly busy with our senior year and various activities. Fortunately, both of us have heard back from all our universities and are in the current process of making our final decisions. Spring is indeed here, as we feel the need to tidy up loose ends and focus on the upcoming events of our future.

With this shift in season comes an awareness in the changes of the season. From bucket bags and flair to platform shoes and the transparent panel, the trends for this season are yet again beautiful in their own respective ways. Here are a few of my favorite trends in action and like always, all images found on tumblr.com.

-- K

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Go!

It's that time of the year again. And by "that time" I mean no other time than the holiday season. With the overflowing shopping malls, vibrant-red-meets-forest-green decor, and insanely brisk winter wind, this time of the year is a favorite for many, including myself. 

The title of today's post is - what I like to think- a relatively clever play-on on the spirits of the holiday season. Along with the cold weather and holiday grandeur, this time is the perfect opportunity to make amends with the past and let bygones be bygones, aptly nicknamed as "letting it go" in today's age ( a reference to the Disney movie, "Frozen"). As 2014 dwindles down to its final days, one cannot help but reminisce about the past and all the significant events that occurred during the year.

However- albeit unsurprising- the holiday season is my favorite not only because of this opportunity for nostalgia (although who doesn't love a good 'ol flashback moment), but because of the new styles and trends that emerge in the fashion world during this time. Pieces such as pea coats, tights, and the occasional muffler and scarf (depending on the region in which you reside) always make their yearly appearance during this season, which leads me to the question I find myself asking almost every day: what is the signature piece that everyone needs for this current season?

My answer? The perfect scarf.

Scarves serve multiple purposes; they provide warmth and add a chic touch to one's outfit. Patterns express the feelings of the individuals, personalization is feasible with monogramed options and personal prints, and the act of giving a scarf as a gift implies a sense of care and love from the gifter to the giftee.

Below are a few of my favorite scarf ootd's, all found on tumblr.com

What is your staple winter piece? And how do you plan on letting go this holiday season? Let us know in the comments below.

2014 has been a crazy year for Mindy and I. The growth and development in the past year that has occurred due to this blog have been an incredible experience for both of us as writers, bloggers, and individuals. It is truly encouraging to see the hundreds of page views we've accumulated and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for reading our blog. Mindy and I would like to wish all of you the best this holiday season. May your days be merry and bright!

--K

Handbag HTML : #000000

#000000, also known as Hex 000000 in RGB terms, or more simply the color black is yet again making waves in this new chilly season. Black handbags are a timeless classic, and can be traced back to multiple decades. Rather than questioning the color, this season is questioning the style of the timeless jewel. Clutch or Crossbody? Duffel Bag or Shoulder Tote? These styles are appearing everywhere on the market, thus leaving the final decision in the hands of the buyer.

Although I'll never be able to choose a sole winner, here are a few of my favorite #000000 handbags i've seen thus far. 

Note: All images found on tumblr.com

-- K

A(DRESS) THE MESS

Overall, my relationship with dresses has been in full force since I can remember. They're perfect for throwing on when you're running late, or for getting snazzed up for that party you've been looking forward to all week. 

Going into the endless bowels of dress styles to choose from, I'm going to target t-shirt dresses today. T-shirt dresses, like most, can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the occasion. They're perfect for that effortless look that says you tried, when in reality you spent a solid 12 seconds into your outfit that day.

I'm currently on the hunt for these one-piece wonders, so I wanted to show you guys some of my favorites that I've found so far:

Left: Stripe Knit T-Shirt Dress // Nordstrom
The classic striped t-shirt dress that you've probably seen every girl wear. Regardless of its increasing popularity (and slight mundanity), you can easily put your own flair on it by adding a statement necklace with a jean jacket and/or some bright, colorful flats.

Middle: Silence + Noise Blanc T-Shirt Dress // Urban Outfitters
Still staying on the casual side of the spectrum, this dress is the most lenient with all styles. It's easily customizable (and comes in various colors), whether you're pairing it with a simple waist belt or dressing it up with some ankle booties and a vast assortment of necklaces.

Right: Tweedweave Shiftdress // Madewell
For the people who lean towards the more business casual/mature style, this dress probably fits you best. I personally tried this dress on in the dressing room and I instantly felt like a businesswoman in my 20s. The simple lining creates a nice, neat border that frames around the dress, ultimately helping the design flow together.

--M

*Insert Red Heart Eye Emoji Here*

Recently, I've been fascinated with the combination of classic concepts with modern looks. Comme des Garçons- a revolutionary brand known for its signature logo (a red heart with eyes)- epitomizes the idea of mixing timeless structures with current patterns and prints.

Meaning "Like Boys" in French, Comme des Garçons was founded by Rei Kawakubo in 1969. According to Wikipedia, this Japanese-based clothing line grosses approximately $180 million/year and has expanded worldwide in recent years. It's out-of-the-ordinary artistic concepts crossed with monochromatic pairings have created a distinct look for the brand, a look that is exceptionally unique in our time. Below are two of my favorite runway concepts from Kawakubo's brand. 

image source: vogue.com

image source: redcarpet-fashionawards.com

--K

Black is the New Black

Fall is officially here, although those of us in SoCal have yet to feel that autumnal vibe. However, that hasn't stopped us from (attempting to) emulate what seems to be an eternal trend : black on black. This timeless pairing of colors has transformed from a color of mourning to a color of elegance, mystique, and power. Below are some of my favorite black on black inspirations for the upcoming season. 

Note: all pictures found on tumblr.com

--K

Wang X H&M

H&M is back with yet another designer collaboration: Alexander Wang.

Alexander Wang is a force to be reckoned with; his unique blend of brooding color schemes and chic street vibes have brought a new and innovative look to the high fashion industry.

At 30 years old, Wang is the youngest designer to collaborate with H&M and is following in the footsteps of iconic designers such as Donatella Versace, Stella McCartney, and Karl Lagerfeld.

Wang's collaboration is scheduled to appear in stores on November 6th, 2014. 

Here's a sneak peak of the collection, as seen on the @AlexanderWangNY Instagram:

--K