Slouchy + Femme

Outfit details: Isabel Marant jacket, J Crew vintage t-shirt, Isabel Marant Étoile Moore pants, Miu Miu platforms

Inspired by: Daphné Hezard

Daphné via SSG tumblr

Daphné Hezard, the editor-in-chief (writing) of French mag L'Officiel, is so chic, lovely and French! She always looks effortlessly pulled together in a nonchalant, cool way. 

We love her ensemble (above photo) and how she does the garçonne/tomboy thing combined with off beat accessories (the beanie, gold collar necklace and graphic quilted Chanel bag). A great example of prunk!

via into the gloss

Prunk Happens...When Preppy Meets Punk

Prunk: it's what we like to call it, a mix inspired by the magical Italian emporium Fiorucci, in its '80s heyday, and classic prep school and Ivy League attire -- with a twist and just the right dose of attitude. We like that subtle approach, and never get tired of spiking the energy of our favorite looks with a little prunk. How do you like to give your daily style a twist?

Blue Jean

untitled by armoiredekiki featuring isabel marant

Tomboy Denim - 2 Ways

Outfit 1 details: Steven Alan boyfriend shirt, Current/Elliott the roller jean in Daredevil, 
JP Tod's penny loafers, Saturdays baseball cap, Beth Orduna crystal necklace

Outfit 2 details: 360 sweater, Acne Pop jeans, Isabel Marant Dicker boots in Gris, my cat Jiji:)

Smile (It's Friday)

Untitled #411 by romys-hangups

Smile Like Shala!

via whowhatwear


As the song from the musical "Annie" proclaims, "you're never fully dressed without a smile." And we think no one proves that more convincingly than the charming Shala Monroque. In fact, it seems no fashion show is complete without her these days. As inspiring as her style is, that winning smile is likely what has made her a darling of street style photographers from NYC to Paris. And a terrific Prada handbag doesn't hurt her wow factor, either.

via citizen couture

via streetpeeper

Inspired by: Maud Lewis' painting

Three Black Cats by folk artist Maud Lewis

These kitties look a lot like Kristin's cat, Jiji - more about him soon...Happy Spring!

Color Pop, à la Aurora

Untitled #405 by romys-hangups featuring Aurora Sansone, stylist

Monday Mood Lifter: Stylist Aurora Sansone's Ensemble

via Street Peeper

It's a bit gloomy and it's Monday (and a bit too early to dress like this yet) so it's very inspiring to see how to conjure up a little sunshine in your outfit, as the chic Italian stylist Aurora Sansone does here! We love how she mixes her offbeat, kooky sensibility with femininity. She always looks like she's having fun! Love the layered mix of bright, candy-colored bracelets and neon sandals with the refreshing girly lace-trimmed dress -- and the mini Hermès Constance doesn't hurt either when it comes to chasing the clouds away. ;)

Playing It By Ear

Antique Georgian paste

Tom Binns "Faux Real"

Eddie Borgo rose gold cone with crystals

 There's nothing like an impeccable earring to finish a look and add some sparkle and femininity. We're so inspired by the girls on the Rochas runway whose ears were adorned with subtly swinging, diamond like danglers. Here are a few favorite picks from our collection that never fail to elevate an ensemble.

                   (magazine images from Lula, issue 15 photographed by Jessie Lily Adams)

Top it off

via Garance Doré

Hermès F/W 2012

Kristin's sketch

Vogue

A sly vintage fedora, a borrowed-from-the-boys baseball cap, or a fetching floppy-brimmed hat -- what a great way to add a little allure and charm to an everyday ensemble (not to mention the practical factor when a little rain falls). We've seen them everywhere on the streets and also on the runways (check out Hermes - sigh). What's your favorite topper?

Loafing Around

From left: Tod's penny loafer and Bass Weejun loafer

Today we're wearing loafers -- the comfortable collegiate classic and preppy icon. We love the Bass Weejun (pennies optional), seen off-campus on fashionable feet around the world, and also adore the sleek Tod's take that bumps up the ladylike factor. What's your favorite slip on shoe?

Street Style: PFW 2013

via romys-hangups on polyvore

Monday Mood Lifter: Hot Pink

Reed Krakoff mini standard shoulder bag

Dries Van Noten S/S 2013

We think hot pink visually triggers serotonin, that feel-good brain chemical. How else to explain why the pretty, punchy hue energizes and elevates the mood and makes our outlook a little rosier? And so, it is a worthy mood lifter to kick off the week!

(images top to bottom:  farfetch, chanel, jak and jil and vogue)

We heart DVN: Spring 2013

Dries Van Noten has always been one of our favorite designers and his collection for spring is another one to love. Moody florals set against plaids and paired with slouchy yet sharp blazers, cool Linda Farrow (for DVN) sunglasses, clutches and a fuschia lip...What more could we ask for? Lady grunge:  works for us.

Style Salute: The Army Jacket

An "army" of girls via jak and jil

The army jacket  (either surplus or inspired) is a cool, slouchy alternative to the classic jean jacket, and it definitely gets a lot of play in our (especially Kristin's) wardrobe. Although it is essentially a tomboy-ish/garçonne look, you can 'femme' it up with the right accessories and clothes -- including a bright red or orange lip!

Here, we present a few options:

Future's So Bright: Illesteva Shades

Lee Ann strolling the grounds of La Quinta, Palm Springs in her Illesteva Leonard sunglasses 
(lovely matte pink frame)

Kristin in her Illesteva Leonard 2s (interesting greenish grey clear frame)

It's almost time for spring (!) and so, time to dream about road trips, longer days...and sunglasses! We both enjoy a nice frame and one of our favorite lines is Illesteva.

Pronounced "ill-est ev-a" (haha), this super cool sunglass company started in 2009 and was a 2012 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist which makes them no longer a best kept secret. We still love them though! Handmade in France, Italy and Germany, the styles are timeless and classic but with a chic twist that's hard to put your finger on. 

How do you like to frame your face?

Style Staple: The Blazer

(From left to right: Martin Margiela, Isabel Marant, Ann Demeulemeester)

Speaking of Patti Smith, you'll seldom see her without a blazer (that goes double for Lee Ann). We've read that Patti favors those from Ann Demeulemeester – the coveted prototypes for that borrowed-from-the-boys look. They are slouchy but flattering = perfect! Kristin found one on eBay. Also check out Yoox.


As much as we love blazers, here in California, people don't wear them much (and regard them as ‘office wear’). However, one photo of Vogue Paris editor Emmanuelle Alt will snap anyone out of that misconception. Voilà! She shows you how it's done, without looking uptight or conservative (it's no secret that Parisian girls always get it right).

Cool with a t-shirt, white button down, or cashmere sweater – and we think best with jeans – a blazer can make you look effortlessly chic and perpetually pulled together.

Emmanuelle again via stockholm street style

Emmanuelle via jak and jil

Monday Mood Lifter: Layer like Patti

  

  Robert Mapplethorpe, 70s

Annie Leibovitz, 00s

Patti Smith is not only the high priestess of punk, she is also an inspiring style icon. 

Patti has remained true to her aesthetic over the years, masterfully layering t-shirts, white button downs, blazers and 'garconne' coats -- without fussiness, with an ease we aspire to recreate for ourselves.

Let's Layer

Look 1
Kristin is wearing an Isabel Marant coat, Demylee cardigan, J. Crew vintage cotton t-shirt, Current/Elliott roller  in Daybreak, Isabel Marant Dicker boots in Gris

Look 2
(minus the coat, of course)

Look 3
Everything is the same as above except for the scarf which is by Épice.

Living in California, where the weather goes from winter to summer in the same week, wearing layers is key. And it just so happens that we both like to dress this way! These are looks that you can build to take you from season to season or from morning to night, where the weather is unpredictable as it is here.