Love is in the Air: One Day, Two Ways

Valentine's Day…

Cue the cheesy movies about love stories, romantic dinner date reservations, plethora of Hallmark cards and boxed chocolates, and general love-themed galore. I can't lie… I'm a total sucker for it all.

In anticipation for Valentine's Day, I threw together two outfits with the common theme of one vegan leather jacket.

Free People vegan leather jacket  |  Free People crop tee  |  Free People skirt  |  Rag & Bone Harrow Boot

Daytime outing. My type of outfit for a daytime date consists of your comfiest, coziest tee paired with a girly skirt and awesome black boots. The vegan leather jacket adds a tough edge and keeps your ensemble from looking too feminine and cliche. 

Shop Ruche dress (similar and similar)  |  vintage strappy heels  |  Free People necklace  |  JewelMint earrings (similar)

Date night. If there's any night that gives girls a right to don a playfully fancy dress to dinner, it's Valentine's Day. That being said, I tried to counter the classic cliche with the same vegan leather jacket to mellow out the femininity. It's a great way to take the leather piece from day to night with ease. 

Of All the Fish in the Sea

Free People Fisherman Cap  |  Forever21 sweater (similar)  |  Zara fluted skirt (similar)  |  Deena & Ozzy platforms (similar)

Of all the fish in the sea, you're the one for me.

As an obvious hat addict (very evident if you follow my instagram), I adore coordinating my outfits around hats. I'm a firm believer that it's honestly all in the details, particular with the gorgeous braided and ribbon detailing in this fisherman cap. Bring me coffee & a good black hat and baby, I'm yours (I swear I'm easy to please).

Also, Valentine's Day is in exactly one week! Whether you're taken, single, or ready for a night with the girls, check out this fun and fabulous video I did with my good friend Amy of Vagabond Youth!

Print Party

Zara blazer (similar)  |  Banana Republic fluted skirt and shoes  |  Free People smocked crop top

One of my favorite match ups is print on print. It's an easy and exciting way to spice up any outfit. With pairing prints together, it's essential to keep in mind that the color palettes of the different prints should be similar in tone so the prints still compliment each other and don't clash. To add more dimension and interest to my striped, fluted skirt, I threw on a dark green and navy blue plaid blazer – both different prints yet in the same dark color family. Voila, a easy way to rock some print on print!

Classically Striped

Banana Republic striped fit-and-flare dress  |  Jeffrey Campbell Tardy Lo's  |  H&M hat (similar)

How gorgeous are these Autumn colors?? This is my favorite tree because it's bursting with all the rich colors of my favorite season. Even when the leaves fall, it leaves the ground scattered with a brilliant array of color. 

As much as I love black on black with a splash of another dark color topped off with a black hat, sometimes I just feel more preppy and classic. That's exactly what this dress is –  classically striped with a touch of prep and great construction. 

Give me a gloomy day & a cafe latte and I'm in love.

Victorian Gloom

Express lace top  |  |  Banana Republic fur vest  |   Free People Spanish court skirt  |  Jeffrey Campbell boots

I really believe I should have been born in the Victorian era, or possibly even Britain. Albeit a touch extravagant and luxurious, lace, fur, and a hat, the perfect outfit recipe for a gloomy weekend. Give me a hat, some boots, and a little something special and I'm good to go.

Falling Back

Banana Republic leopard coat (similar)  |  Free People smocked crop  |  Lucca Couture leather shorts (similar)  |  Pretty Polly mesh faux suspender tights  |  Dolce Vita OTK suede boots (similar here and here) 

I give a little, into the moment like I'm standing at the edge (I know)
But no one's gonna turn me around 
Just one more step, I could let go 
Oh and in the middle, I hear the voices 
And they're calling for me now (I know)
But nothing's gonna wake me now 
Cause I'm a slave to the sound

Falling, falling, falling, falling 
Falling, falling, falling, falling 
Falling, falling, falling, falling 
Falling, falling
Oh and now I'm falling 

(Haim)

I love me some Haim, and their song 'Falling' is perfect for when we turn our clocks back – marking the official start of the entire holiday season. Get ready for Starbucks red holiday cups, brisk weather, sumptuous amounts of baked goods, and holiday cheer.

California Autumn

Zara sweater  |  Madewell dress (similar)  |  Jeffrey Campbell Litas  |  Free People Patton Porkpie hat

We're neck deep into October and still averaging 70 degrees on the daily. As much as I love Autumn, I must admit that California does not reflect the true essence and weather of my favorite season. However, as a Cali native I must stay true to what is my California Autumn. Besides, it allows me to continue wearing my favorite dresses and layer up with winter white sweaters (and of course… a hat).

: @jessicaswu

: @jemappellemoi