happy holidays!

The semester finally came to an end last week after my last final on the 21st (yes, on a Saturday), and since then I've been partaking in the finest things that winter break has to offer: catching up on sleep, eating delicious food, spending time with friends, and eyeing some post-holiday sales. Here are some photos from the past few days:

Brownie sundae from Ghirardelli Chocolate down on Montgomery.

Some cute macarons from my sister!

Bathroom graffiti from Cafe Mediterraneum in Berkeley.

And last night's dinner!

Anyway, I'm excited for the rest of my break (I'm off for an entire month!) and what next year has to offer. I'm especially looking forward to writing for College Fashion starting in January. And I know winter break has barely started, but I'm already daydreaming about what I should do for summer 2014. Summer 2013 was spent in New York -- where will I go this upcoming year?

I'm planning to write a post about 2013 as New Years approaches, either here or over at Tumblr. Until then, I hope your holidays are well and you got everything you've been wishing for! Stay warm and stay safe!

xxxv.

xxxv. by roanneq featuring a black skirt

So last night I finished reading Alexa Chung's new book, It. If you're an Alexa fan (and if you aren't slow on the uptake like me and haven't read it already), it makes for a nice, (very) quick read. It read a lot like a blog to me, which isn't necessarily a bad thing per se, though it was a lot more photos and a lot less writing than I was expecting and hoping for. But who am I to talk? After all, I've just spent the past two hours scrolling through [several] [Alexa] [blogs] on Tumblr to help cook up ideas of what I should wear tomorrow. (Which reminds me, I've yet to own a perfect, affordable pair of Chelsea boots.)

Anyway, I recalled the fabulous outfit she wore during her book signing and I wanted to recreate it in a Polyvore set. Pictured below are candid shots of Alexa wearing said outfit:

I have yet to find a sequined pencil skirt with vertical stripes like that of Alexa's Marc Jacobs skirt, but I quite like the one I've included in the set above. An eye-catching piece such as this looks great dressed down with knit sweater (one of the five wardrobe essentials Alexa discusses in her book), or dressed up with a peplum blouse (which helps a lot if you're looking for dimension, as it contrasts with the straight shape of the pencil skirt). 

From the pictures of Alexa above I can't make out the shape or thickness of her heels, but I'm a huge fan of chunky heels, so I opted for those as opposed to stilettos. Plus I think they'd look great with the skirt! (And not once have I gracefully walked in stilettos anyway, so that might have a lot to do with my preference for a heavier heel.) As for the bag, there are those who don't like the idea of matching your shoes with your bag, and there are those who do -- I'm definitely one of those who do! (And in this case -- or any case, really -- black is a safe yet stylish choice.) Take it a step further by matching your nails to them as well, as Alexa does with the dark varnish.

Pinning the hair to the side with a simple hair clip is effortlessly sleek, and if there's someone who knows how to do effortless, it's Alexa -- whether that means a tamer mane or that elegantly disheveled hairstyle of hers. There are countless people out there lusting after her hairstyle, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't look to her for inspiration when I decided to get bangs last month.

Makeup: As it tends to be with Alexa, and as addressed in It re: her discovery and exploration in makeup, you can do no wrong with the classic cat eye. She's also sporting a red lip with a satin or matte finish: another timeless look, and one more or less destined to be worn with the cat eye. (It's because of this fatally flawless combination that I have trouble exploring other makeup looks. It's almost too perfect.) I have yet to get the hang of super shiny, glossier lipsticks -- most of mine are matte and, as you've probably guessed, variants of the classic red. It's been over a year since I've purchased it and I'm still trying to figure out how to wear my matte wine lipstick, Revlon's Wine Not. However, I'm definitely willing to play around with other shades like this or this to help orient me towards expanding my collection!

I can always rely on Alexa for a straightforward, city-chic take on wardrobe staples, and I have her to thank for all the hours I've spent gazing at those Charlotte Olypmia Kitty Flats. (Don't even get me started on Chanel's Classic Flap bag.) One day, one day...

Fat Face sweater
$78 - fatface.com

Black skirt
$130 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Via Spiga kohl shoes
zappos.com

H M black handbag
$25 - hm.com

France Luxe hair accessory
nordstrom.com

Topshop lip pencil
$15 - colette.fr

Essie nail polish
beauty.com

xxxiv.

xxxiv. by roanneq featuring short skirts

This Polyvore set was inspired by some pieces I have in my wardrobe (similar, cheaper versions -- but if you'd like to volunteer to make this set a reality and gift me that Marc Jacobs bag, be my guest). Unfortunately it's already far too cold out to wear the skirt and top alone as I'd originally envisioned the ensemble in my head, but with some black tights and a dark crimson/burgundy coat, I was pleased to see the colours cooperate. Haven't experimented with tights in other colours yet since black tights are all I own (and probably the safest choice in an already vibrant outfit).

Makeup: Play up the eyes with some liquid eyeliner (you can never go wrong with cateye!). I'd skip the eyeshadow with this one -- add some more colour instead with a matte coral lip. The dramatic combo works well paired with a natural face, as it'll draw attention to your eyes and lips without competing with blush or eyeshadow. The pop of colour on the lips against a bare face compliment the already colourful outfit without being too over-the-top. 

Crop top
$20 - thehut.com

Courréges red coat
1stdibs.com

Sass Bide short skirt
sassandbide.com

Gerbe tight
$53 - pret-a-beaute.com

MARC BY MARC JACOBS leather handbag
nordstrom.com

black friday

via instagram

I actually decided to wait till Cyber Monday to pursue some of what's pictured above, though after braving the crowds and lines on Black Friday, I found some great deals and managed to find some nice gifts for friends as well. After hours and hours of going through racks and being bombarded with strangers and sales signs, I definitely came home happy. 

1st image: Sweater and skirt from Banana Republic, wallet and crossbody from Forever21. 

2nd image: Smoking slippers/loafers from JcPenney.

3rd image: Clinique's More Than Moisture gift set (which came with freebies!), and Alexa Chung's new book, It.