Long Beach Living

Hey Lovelies!

It's been awhile since I've posted. I got a job at UCLA and had to scramble to move to California a week sooner than anticipated. It's my fifth day in beautiful sunny Southern California and I am loving it! I'm currently staying in Long Beach (which I LOVE) and commuting to work (8 hours a day....it's awful) by bus and metro until I get a car. But I'm moving within walking distance of work this week!!!

Since I've had the longest busiest work week, I decided to revel in the weekends. Yesterday my friends and I went to a pirate/mermaid festival at the Belmont Pier. So I threw on this bandeau bikini top from Victoria's Secret and my favorite maxi skirt. I added these vintage earrings to emphasize the mermaid inspired look. I had the best time, and I feel really lucky to be living right next to the ocean.

I hope you're all enjoying the summer and having new adventures! I'm hoping to post more often now that things feel less chaotic. Thanks for checking in!
xo,
Maddie

Outfit Details:
bikini top: Victoria's Secret
maxi skirt: H&M
earrings: Vintage

Grey Day, Grey Dress

Hey Folks!

It's pretty grey in Pittsburgh today so I feel like it's appropriate for me to post these photos from a dreary day last week. I went out to this new wine bar and tap room called Allegheny Wine Mixer in my neighborhood with my dear friends Jade and Todd. Jade and I are always looking for an excuse to put on a dress and heels and get "fancy." I decided to wear my favorite dress. I love that it has this high neckline, it's sleeveless, has a beautiful cutout detail on the chest, and fits perfectly. Since the dress is a solid color I felt like I could get away with wearing these floral patterned heels from Forever 21 that Jade gave me a couple weeks ago (she is the greatest). For accessories, I wore these chandelier earrings (also from Forever 21) and I felt like they're bold enough to be the only jewelry for this outfit.

What are some of your favorite "fancy" pieces?

Thank you for checking in!
xo,
Maddie

Outfit Details:
Dress: H&M
Heels: Forever 21
Earrings: Forever 21 

Brick House

Hey lovelies!!!

So do you ever just have those days where you're feeling so good and you want the way you dress to reflect just how damn amazing you're feeling? This is that look for me. Just give me a body hugging pencil skirt, high heeled sandal, and a casual top and I feel like I can conquer anything. I've been experiencing a lot of changes recently and they're all for the better...they've given me a new found confidence.

I've been wearing heels a LOT lately, especially this pretty pair by GUESS? because they're sexy, comfortable, and go with just about everything! I bought them while I was in Florida at Burlington Coat Factory (only $20!!!). I love how well they go with this floral printed pencil skirt I got last year from H&M's sale rack. I wanted to keep the top simple and casual since there's so much going on with the skirt so I went with this gray t-shirt from H&M (also the sale rack). I finished off the look with a pair of blue earrings to match the skirt and some of my new favorite accessories: this vintage red Coach bag and a silver cicada ring (both of which I bought while thrifting in Florida). I love bargains! Everything in this outfit was either on the sale rack or something I picked up at a thrift store....but I feel like a million bucks when I'm wearing it.

Thanks for checking in!
xo,
Maddie

Outfit Details:
Heels: GUESS?
Skirt: H&M
Shirt: H&M
Purse: Vintage Coach | MISRED Outfitters
Ring: Vintage

NYC Weekend Adventure (Part I)

Happy Monday Everyone!
I'm back in Pittsburgh and at the office today after having an incredible weekend in NYC! It's always a little weird to be back to the routine but the weather is gorgeous and I can really feel Spring coming finally! I had so much fun with my best friend this weekend. I arrived on Friday and met her at her office in Williamsburg. Then we spent the rest of the night in Manhattan hitting up all the major tourist spots. On Saturday we had brunch at the Whitney Museum of American Art, checked out the exhibits (by far my favorite museum I've visited) and spent the rest of the day/night in Brooklyn. These photos were taken on Saturday. It was a nice 50 degrees out and I decided to wear this denim shirt with this pair of blue jeans....I'm actually becoming a big fan of "denim on denim" and I never ever thought I would admit it. Since the weather was milder I went with these amazing Deena and Ozzy cut out boots from Urban Outfitters which I've been wearing a lot lately. I also wore a cardigan and green parka (not pictured) in case it got colder during the night.

I have so many photos from this trip so I'm going to make a "Part II" soon. I hope you all had a lovely weekend as well!

Outfit Details:
Shirt: H&M
Jeans: H&M
Boots: Urban Outfitters
Moon Earrings: Brandy Melville
Blue Earrings and Rings: Secondhand

It's Beret Cold Outside

Hello Lovelies!

How is everyone's week so far? It's been snowy and slushy all week but life has still been exciting! I picked this BCBGeneration cardigan up at a consignment store in Pittsburgh called Avalon Exchange. It's one of my favorite thrift stores here and I always manage to find incredible items! The cardigan is sooooo warm and I love that it's long and it'll keep me warm when I decide to throw it over a dress. I bought the boots at Avalon as well. They're not very practical for these snowy frigid days but that hasn't stopped me haha. Besides, these babies are going to be perfect for Spring! I love that they don't have a tongue and lace up. The brand on the inside of the boot says Petra. Oh and the beret is to keep me warm but I also love how it goes with my striped turtleneck dress..I think it gives the whole look a Parisian vibe, oui? 

A lot of amazing brands and events have reached out to me this past week so stay tuned for some super fun things I'll be posting soon! 

Thanks for checking in!

xo,

maddie

Outfit Details:

Dress: Urvana

Cardigan: BCBGeneration (Thrifted)

Tights: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Petra (Thrifted)

Beret: H&M

For Elyse Sponsorship: Solemio Crop Top

Hello Lovelies!

I have the amazing opportunity of being sponsored by For Elyse. I can't express enough how much I simply adore their clothing site...I mean everything on there is amazing and I always have the most difficult time picking just one item. If you haven't checked out their website, you should do it now...they have such pretty pieces for Spring! A couple weeks ago they sent me this GORGEOUS crop top by Solemio. It's chiffon, cropped, black, lace, and bell sleeved. I mean this top is everything I could ever want all in one. The weather hasn't really permitted me to wear it out as much as I would like so Ian and I decided to do a impromptu photo shoot inside. (Special thanks to Ian for always being down to take pictures of me!)

I'm wearing my favorite patterned pants from H&M and these stunning rosegold flatforms from GoJane. They're my holy grail platforms for Summer because they're so comfortable and look amazing when they catch some light. I especially love how they're looking with this top. For accessories I just stuck to this gold choker from Forever 21 and a beautifully beaded vintage clutch I bought a few years back at Goodwill.

Thank you for checking in!!
xo,
maddie

Outfit Details:
Solemio Crop Top: c/o For Elyse
Paisley Pants: H&M
Rosegold Flatforms: GoJane
Necklace: Forever 21
Vintage Beaded Clutch: Goodwill

Some of My Favorites

Happy Weekend Friends!

I hope you're all having a fun weekend and staying warm! It's actually in the double digits today in Pittsburgh so I decided to get a little crazy and wear a dress (!!!) and these super cute Alice in Wonderland tights from StockingNoir. These tights were a gift from Elysia Purnell, the creator of this amazing legwear company based here in Pittsburgh, Pa. I did a shoot with her awhile back for her lookbook and fell in love with all of the stockings. 

I paired the look with my emerald suede booties that I'm obsessed with and a pair of sparkly wool socks my sister got me for Christmas. Sadly you can't see the sparkle in the photos but they helped with keeping me warm. I also wore this stunning infinity scarf Ian's mom knit me for Christmas! I'm absolutely in love with this scarf...it's so warm and the colors are GORGEOUS! It's definitely a new favorite of mine.

I wanted to keep my accessories pretty minimal since I have so much going on with this outfit already. I'm carrying my iridescent seashell clutch wallet and these birthstone earrings.

Of course it was too cold to wear this outfit by itself so I put my giant Calvin Klein jacket over it (not pictured).

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thanks for checking in!
xo,
maddie

Outfit Details:
Dress- H&M
Alice in Wonderland Stockings- StockingNoir
Infinity Scarf- Sherri Sulkowski
Sparkly Wool Socks- American Eagle
Emerald Booties- O'Neill
Birthstone Earrings- Kay
Clutch Wallet- Urban Outfitters

Cats and Crystals

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you're having a great start to your week! These photos are from a shoot I did last week with my friend Carl. Our friend Stephen let us use his studio space since it's been getting dark so early lately and we have hectic work schedules. I'm fortunate to know a lot of sweet and creative people who are willing to offer their space/time for me.

One of the best parts about this shoot was the delicious warm tea Stephen made us and the presence of his cat in the studio. I mean just look at this cat...he totally knows how to work it in front of the camera.

What I love most about the pieces I'm wearing is how well the details tie in together. The embellished collar, scalloped cardigan, and paisley pants give this look a fun vibe. I feel fancy and whimsical in this outfit but also put together. I'll never forget the first time I met my best friend (she lives in NYC now, but will be home in 19 days!) and I was wearing a big tee with a rabbit on it and floral leggings with blue boots. She said I looked like I was dressed as a "five year old" or like I was from Alice in Wonderland. I actually take that as a compliment now....I enjoy having a cute and playful style every once in awhile.

You should check out the rest of Carl's fashion photography here! 
I hope you're all having a great Monday!

xo,
maddie

Outfit Details:
Chiffon Button Up- Forever 21
Scalloped Sweater Cardigan- Goodwill
Paisley Pants- H&M
Heeled Booties- Rampage