Take Flare // cream neck-tie blouse + flared jeans

When it comes to trying new trends, I'm all about saying "yes!" Crazy wild prints? Totally! High-waisted jeans? Count me in! Menswear-inspired blouses? Duh! Which is what brings me to this look. And while there's no loud print here, I DID step out of my immediate comfort zone when I sprung for these flared jeans and tied a long piece of fabric around my neck. Here's what I discovered in the process: 

This top is pretty fabulous, right? I already have about a hundred looks planned with it, but what I REALLY love about it, is this neck tie it came with. The piece is detachable and thus can be worn (or not worn) in so many different ways. Here I separated the tie and simply tied it around my neck like a piece of jewelry. Sound kind of weird? Trust me, it's what all the cool kids are doing. I'm kind of digging it.  

Ah! I'm wearing flared jeans. Yes, I am just as surprised as some of you may be right now. I definitely thought I left my flares behind in 2007. But honestly, although I love my skinnies, flared jeans ARE super flattering so I just had to embrace them with open arms when they recently became cool again. Plus, this Ann Taylor pair is beyond sophisticated and chic. They're more like denim trousers (aka totally office-approved). 

Rejoice! We can finally wear open-toed heels again. It's about time I let my tootsies breathe a little. These ankle strap heels are not only timeless and extremely versatile (I have them in nude too because I'm that obsessed), but they're also - gasp - comfortable! Thanks to this genius block heel, I feel like I could walk blocks in them...and I have ;)

A good hat is hard to find. But when you find one, snatch it up! That's what I did with this beauty back in January 2015 when I found it in Anthropologie. You better believe I haven't looked back since. I've worn it in all seasons and it just seems to make my bad hair days infinitely better. 

Sometimes a simple black clutch is all you need. And although I'm not usually a simple person, this bag does the trick for me time and time again when I don't want to take away from my outfit yet I want a place to stash my (many) lip glosses. 

How fun are these bubbly earrings? Statement studs are kind of my thing and I LOVE having a delicate yet attention-grabbing pair like this in my collection. I mean, you know me, I'm always one for standing out! 

In my last post I mentioned my recent obsession with matte lipsticks and glosses due to our friend Kylie Jenner. Well this time around, instead of sporting a NUDE matte shade, I decided to go for something a bit more dramatic. Milk Makeup (which can be found at Sephora) is absolutely amazing, and their demi-matte lip pencils are incredibly easy to apply PLUS they last all day -- total score! 

 Although it was totally unintentional, I feel like this look has a Western vibe to it. Maybe it's the hat, or the tie around my neck -- heck maybe it's my jeans! But the combination of the three definitely makes me feel a bit wilder, in the Western sense of course. And although I'm very much a city gal, it was fun sporting a different look for the day! 

Photos by Ryan Kathleen Greene

[blouse: Ann Taylor // jeans: Ann Taylor // heels: Ann Taylor // hat: Anthropologie (I also like this one) // earrings: gift (I also like this pair) // clutch: Ann Taylor (similar here) // watch: Daniel Wellington // heart tag bracelet: Tiffany & Co. // lipstick: "Dip Out" by Milk Makeup]

I wore this number out to brunch with a friend on the Upper Eastside (aka my neighborhood). Unfortunately it was pretty chilly this day so I sadly had to cover up my ensemble for most of the day with a long black coat. But hey, at least I got some cute snaps in! Pictures or it didn't happen, right? ;) 

SHOP ::