manish arora fall 2012.

fluorescent, graffiti-inspired designs by manish arora.

warby parker.

i've been looking for new prescription glasses frames for ages, but i've had a hard time finding a pair that is stylish and affordable.

enter warby parker... they offer classic, vintage-inspired frames with a modern twist at $95 a pop (including rx lenses). because they mostly sell online, they also have an awesome and totally free home try-on program. they send you your top five frames so you can try them out and get your friends' opinions... after five days you send them back and place an order for your fave.

the best part of all? for every pair they sell, warby parker makes sure a person in need gets their own pair of prescription glasses. that's what i call a win-win!

cute spring jewelry on the cheap.

looking to update your look with on-trend jewelry for spring... but don't have a huge budget? look no further than forever 21, my go-to spot for inexpensive, super cute accessories.

i'm really digging their spring jewelry collection this year, and - ready for this? - none of these pieces are over $10. score!

clockwise from top left:

colorful pyramid bracelets, $5.80 each

geometric gem studs, $4.80

fringe statement necklace, $8.80

floral knuckle ring, $4.80

neon pink tribal choker, $5.80

painted bangles, $6.80

floral stud earring set, $4.80

geo crescent necklace, $5.80

lacquer triangle cuff, $7.80

coco rocha x senhoa

i am blown away by coco rocha's new jewelry collection for senhoa. all the pieces are absolutely gorgeous... totally glamorous with just the right amount of punky edge.

if the pieces themselves aren't enough to make you fall in love, check this out... senhoa uses 100% of its profits to help victims of human trafficking by creating income-generating opportunities, social reintegration, and self-empowerment programs for women and children. read senhoa's mission statement here.

treat yourself to a beautiful new piece of jewelry and support a worthy cause... truly a win-win.

milan street style.

these girls spotted on the streets of milan aren't afraid to take fashion risks. color blocking, glitter, extreme patterns, sky-high stilettos, and head-to-toe leather... just a few of the bold, fabulous trends for fall! fashion is supposed to be fun, so go big or go home!

photos via refinery 29.

my favorite fall accessory . . . tights!

clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

missoni for target.

the missoni for target launch was so huge it crashed the target website for most of the day tuesday, leaving many eager shoppers in the dark. luckily, i went to my local tar-jay at 8 a.m. and was able to score some amazing designer loot! and don't tell my husband, but i may have also ordered a couple more irresistible pieces once the site recovered from the rush of traffic. here's what i picked up...

clockwise from top left:

tote bag; glass jar candle; black and white patterned blouse; silk scarf; one-piece bathing suit; silk pajama shorts; black and white ottoman pouf; men's chevron socks

je ne sais quoi.

i'm back from portland, and now i've got paris on the brain... we leave in just over a week! i feel like such a jetsetter... but it'll be so nice to just relax in my favorite city and not worry about all the craziness that's been going on stateside.

one of the most fun (and sometimes challenging) parts of travelling abroad is planning your wardrobe! when visiting paris, the fashion capital of the world, it's essential to look chic and put together. this time around i'm going for classic pieces that i can mix-and-match seamlessly. here's what i'm packing... my top 10 pieces to help you achieve that certain je ne sais quoi no matter where life takes you!

1. oversized sunglasses.

perfect for dodging the paparazzi or hiding jet-lagged eyes. i am forever losing sunglasses when i travel, so here's a tip... forever 21 has tons of stylish frames at rock-bottom prices, so if they don't make it home with you, it's no big deal. from forever 21, $5.80

2. a boldly-colored clutch.

in a city where most of the residents wear head-to-toe black nearly every day, it's nice to mix things up with a jolt of color. i love a boldly-colored envelope clutch to finish off an evening look. from endless, $78

3. sleek black booties.

if you don't already own a pair of black high-heeled booties, run to your nearest retail outfit and pick yourself up a pair. trust me. they make any outfit infinitely more chic, and paired with opaque black tights, they make your legs look like they go on forever. from nordstrom, $138.95

4. a motorcycle jacket.

most of the pieces here are classic and understated, but every now and then you need a little bit of edge. an on-trend leather motorcycle jacket is the perfect way to rough-up an otherwise demure look. from nordstrom, $398

5. skinny black pants.

a pair of skinny black pants is one of my wardrobe staples, at home and abroad. look for a fabric that has some stretch to it, so they'll be just as comfy on a 12-hour flight as they are lounging around the house. also look for details like exposed zippers or decorative seaming to make them a little more special. from revolve clothing, $74

6. a striped shirt.

i know, i know... it's such a cliché when it comes to french fashion. but seriously, you will wear a shirt like this over and over and it will never, ever go out of style. i must own about 15 of them and they i reach for them constantly, whether i'm headed to the farmer's market or out for a date with my husband. from j. crew, $45

7. ballerina flats.

you can't walk around paris in sneakers if you want to blend in. a pair of classic ballerina flats are a million times more stylish, and just as comfy. don't be afraid to spend a little more for the right pair... your feet will thank you! from asos, $54.89

8. a chic scarf.

a patterned scarf is the perfect finishing touch to a casual outfit. i love infinity-style scarves... just loop them around your neck a couple times and they instantly look perfect and artfully draped. from loft, $34.50

9. a sharp blazer.

a tailored black blazer is the perfect travel companion. it layers nicely over almost any top in your closet, and adds a bit of polish to a t-shirt and jeans. the slight puffed-sleeve detail on this one lends a little extra dose of femininity. from piperlime, $69

10. a pleated miniskirt.

you have to have at least one flirty, whimsical piece in your suitcase when you're visiting the most romantic city on the planet. an accordion pleated mini is right on for fall, and the light blush color gives it an airy, ethereal appearance. pair it with your moto jacket for the perfect mix of hard and soft. from asos, $32.93

best beachwear . . . one-piece suits

if i've been absent from my blog lately, it's because i've got vacation on the brain... i'm leaving for a (much needed) two-week beach holiday with the fam this saturday. since i can't seem to focus on anything else, i decided to dedicate a few posts to beach fashion :)

as any woman who doesn't fall into the sports illustrated swimsuit model category knows, finding a bathing suit you actually want to wear in public can be torture. i've rounded up some of the chicest, most flattering one-piece suits on the web... hopefully you'll find one that works for you!

1. a graphic-print tank by we are handsome is softened a feminine ruffle at the neckline. from net-a-porter.

2. this ditsy floral print suit with side cutouts is the perfect balance of sweet and sexy. by free people.

3. ahoy! i love the retro styling and nautical details of this one-piece by red or dead. from asos.

4. tribal prints are super hot right now, and the bright color and flattering cut of this robin piccone suit will work on almost any figure. from nordstrom.

5. it doesn't get much more chic than a signature missoni-print swimsuit. even if you're vacationing on the jersey shore (like i am), you'll feel like you're in saint-tropez! from net-a-porter.

6. i love the sporty/sexy vibe of this striped, button-detailed monokini. by quiksilver.

7. this star-printed tank by river island is simple and whimsical. from asos.

8. a seersucker halter nails the breezy, summer-in-the-hamptons look. by j. crew.

signe vilstrup.

today i'm inspired by signe vilstrup's enchanting photography.

friday fave finds . . . aqua + gold

1. ring by rachel leigh jewelry, via shopbop

2. photograph via beach bungalow 8

3. mixed media artwork via rectangular objects

4. vintage grain sacks from online fabric store

5. soft aqua espadrilles by pour la victoire

6. gold sequined shift dress, via we heart it

7. bicycle photo via earthboundwinglessdream

8. embroidered pillow from anthropologie

friday fave finds.

1. prize ribbons from the curiosity shoppe

2. tassel-back wedges by dv dolce vita

3. layered tank from anthropologie

4. color angles brooch by lepidoptery

5. farmhouse lounge chair from yliving

6. vintage graphics from vintage me oh my

7. ladurée macarons poster via

8. geo scarf by echo design

1970s platforms... yes or no?

i'm definitely a high heel girl, and i've always been pretty adventurous with my shoe styles... but these sky-high platforms are pushing the limits, even for me.

what do you think? insane platforms... would you or wouldn't you?

{top to bottom: dear golden vintage, lori's shoes, lori's shoes (again), asos, steve madden}

p.s. the sparkly pair totally reminds me of 70s era jenny from forrest gump!

friday fave finds.

1. my dream bedroom, via mila keln

2. diy christmas light artwork! via apartment therapy

3. photograph via dress design decor

4. lovely floral platter from anthropologie

5. wish bracelets by ayofemi jewelry

6. watermelon mojitos, photo via bippity boppity boo

7. photograph via ein sommernachtstraum

8. missoni swimsuit, via net-a-porter

happy july and happy weekend!