JUST BLACK

Good morning, Everyone! How is your weekend going so far? Just wanted to say a quick hello and share a few images of my new favorite skirt:) You see, I've been on a hunt for a perfect lace trim skirt for ages now. In my mind, this elusive lace trim skirt was elegant and sophisticated, dressy yet a bit edgy, in other words, something I could dress up with a peplum blazer for night or dress down with a chunky knit for day. Sounds simple enough, right? I mean with the abundance of lace trim skirts out there, it should be easy to find just the right one! Well, apparently not:) 

Most of the ones I came across where simply too dressy, or quite frankly, not dressy enough, and the lace trim was either very scarce (which fails to create the same impact in my opinion) or was of the cotton variety, which immediately evoked a slight boho vibe, basically not at all the dressy feel I was going for! After searching for what seems like ages, I finally came across this perfection from Nicholas and knew in an instant I found what I was looking for. Dressy and edgy, sophisticated and elegant, I already have a million outfits planed out featuring my new obsession! Not being dramatic here, at least a million, seriously! So, I hope you don't mind seeing quite a bit of it in the near future:)

NICHOLAS lace trim skirt | Banana Republic turtleneck sweater { similar on sale here } | Jimmy Choo Anouk suede pumps | Amber Sceats crystal palm bracelet | Bauble Bar Play By Ear gift set earrings 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE, 

Annabelle 

BRILLIANT BLUE

Good morning, Everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

I just wanted to say a quick hello and share a few images from a recent trip to Getty Center. A few of my girlfriends are visiting me from Toronto this week, so whenever they're in town, we make a point of exploring LA as much as possible. In the past, they always came to LA Summertime, so most of our activities ended up being beach-related:) So this time around, since Getty Center happens to be one of my favorite places, and I haven't had the chance to show them around yet, we decided to spend the day exploring the grounds. Though I love Getty any time a year, I honestly think the best time to come here is in the Fall. There is something so magical about the Fall foliage in contrast to the stark white architecture! 

P. S. If you planning on visiting LA, I definitely recommend spending a day at the Getty Center! You won't be disappointed! I promise:) 

Lafayette 148 New York Cocoon coat { in a very pretty pink here, similar option here } | Level99 stretch leather Janice ultra skinny pants in black | Ash Jodie quilted slip on sneakers | Chanel Boy flap bag in perforated leather | Wanderlust & Co numeral silver ring | ASOS flat top cat eye sunglasses | Sarina Suriano Stella Crinita dark grey pearl & crystal ear cuff 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle 

ON THIN ICE

Good morning, Everyone! How is your week going so far? Guess ice skating is really not unlike riding a bike, once you learn how you never really forget:) I used to go ice skating quite a bit in Toronto, but after moving to California, I haven't gone as much. I can't really explain why because I honestly enjoy skating tremendously! Yet, on countless occasions Emil and I made plans to stop by a skating ring and never followed through. 

Well, that all changed on Monday! We finally went and actually skated! Though, I suppose I should say, Emil skated and I tried to keep up with him:) He used to play hockey, so skating is like second nature to him. So once we got on the ice, he looked like he never took a break, while I desperately worked on keeping an upright position:) Yet, I have to say, I was pretty surprised how quickly I stared feeling comfortable on the ice again. I mean, I definitely will not be joining a Figure skating team anytime soon, but at least I didn't fall... much! :) 

Rag & Bone The Skinny jeans | Equipment Lucien stripe zip hem wool blend sweater | Hilfiger Collection modern bomber { in olive here } | BCBG Winter Veil beanie | Wanderlust & Co double-bar & chain silver rings 

Thank you for reading 

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE, 

Annabelle

IN THE MOOD TO CELEBRATE...

Good morning, Everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Well, it's here! The Holiday Party season has officially began! Kinda sneaks up on you, doesn't it! At least it did for me and Emil when we received our invite to a Holiday bash thrown by one of our best friends this weekend. 

Personally, I love the Winter Holidays! There is something absolutely magical in the air, somehow everyone seems just a little happier, the lights shine brighter, music fills the air and I feel as if I am walking on air most of the time. Oh, and the Holiday parties! Honestly, the parties have got to be the best part of this magical season! I guess I am a big kid at heart, but nothing puts me in the mood to celebrate quite like Christmas trees and music, mistletoes and those striped candy canes:) 

 

Of course, as I mentioned before, the Holiday Season tends to sneak up on me, party invites arrive last minute, which usually results in sheer panic about what to wear. Usually, but not this year! Kind of proud moment for me:) This year, I decided to stock up on a few Holiday Party must-haves well in advance. 

Speaking of Holiday Party must-haves, if I had to name my top 5, a little black dress would be at the top of this list. Classic and timeless, a little black dress never goes out of style, but rather transforms according to current trends to feel fresh and new again. The sexy midi dress from Express I am wearing in today's post is one of my current favorites. I love the neckline and especially the fact that I can wear it off or on the shoulder. I also really like the midi length, which in my opinion gives this dress a much more sophisticated and polished vibe. Another positive aspect of the midi length is the fact that it makes this dress mush more versatile. I can wear it to a day time event paired with a sleek leather jacket and booties or dress it up with strappy heels and a cute clutch for night. And I don't know about you guys, but I definitely appreciate getting the most out of my Holiday staples:) 

What about you guys, what's on your Holiday must-have list? 

EXPRESS black surplice wrap ruched jersey midi dress | TOPSHOP Ghillie pumps - sold out { similar option here } | Emporio Armani messenger bag { similar here, also love this red option } | Movado Bold crystal accent watch | Coordinates Legend bracelet | Vita Fede rings  

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,
Annabelle 

ASYMMETRY

Good morning, Everyone! Hope you are all enjoying your weekend! 

Wanted to share yet another outfit comprised entirely of my current favorites. You've seen most of the items I'm wearing in today's post before, some more than others:) Sorry, I am so obsessed with this bag and boots, I am having a pretty difficult time wearing anything else! But the dress is brand new, yet already well on its way to becoming an all time favorite. 

Generally speaking, I am not a huge fan of body-hugging dresses. Fit-and-flare? Definitely! A-line? Count me in! But bodycon dresses seldom make their way into my wardrobe. Yet, thanks to this asymmetric number I've got a new appreciation for this particular shape. Pretty versatile, you can wear them with a leather jacket for an edgier look, or layer with an oversized knit or soft trench and sneakers for a cute day time look, in reality, the possibilities of wearing bodycon dresses are pretty limitless. 

Aside from the fabric and color, what attracted me to the dress I'm wearing in today's post is of course the hemline. I think the over-exaggerated asymmetrical hemline makes this dress a great combination of sexy and edgy and creates a really strong visual impact. 

What about you guys, how do you feel about body con dresses? 

Necessary Clothing Karina asymmetrical dress | Dawn Levy Kristine leather jacket in Clover |  Isabel Marant Royston leather ankle boots | Chanel Boy flap bag | Movado Bold crystal accent watch | Wanderlust & Co numeral silver ring 

Thank you for reading 

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE, 

Annabelle 

BLUE JEAN BABY

Good morning and happy almost weekend, Everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful week! 

I just wanted to say a quick hello and share a few images of my new favorite sweater. Aside from the fact that I love a good knit for Fall in general, this one just happens to be one of those perfectly oversized, cozy-as-a blanked perfections of a sweater in the most wonderful shade of soft pink. Since the weather finally cooled down a bit in LA this past week, I've been pretty much wearing it non stop, dressing it up or down depending on occasion. Today's look is super relaxed and casual, but I've worn it with more tailored pieces like slim-cut slacks and midi coats and it worked just as well. In fact, I have a more tailored look ft this sweater coming up soon, so let me know which way of wearing is your favorite!

ASOS cable sweater with turtleneck | EXPRESS mid rise destroyed ankle jean legging | Dolce & Gabbana Kate patent leather pumps | Chanel Boy flap bag | DVF Haley studded sunglasses | Sarina Suriano Sagittarius Astris dark grey pearl cocktail ring, Lustrous Oculous white pearl palm bracelet & Sparkling Caelum white pearl & crystal palm bracelet 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE, 

Annabelle 

OXFORD OBSESSED :: BEST STYLES TO WEAR THIS FALL

COAT CRUSH

Good morning, Everyone! Hope you all had a lovely weekend! If I had to name 5 favorite things in my closet, the coat I am wearing in today's post would be right at the top of that list. Aside from the fact that I am really attracted to coats in general, reason why this happens to be a favorite is really a combination of fit, print and color. Perfectly slouchy and cozy, the black and white pairing creates such a bold yet timeless statement. I've had it since last year and wore it religiously, but I feel it is just as current today and will continue to be even years from now. 

 

I have searched the web trying to find it, but unfortunately it is sold out everywhere! Guess I wasn't the only one who saw the full potential of this coat:) But I managed to find a few similar options you guys might enjoy. 

What about you, what are your favorite items of clothing of all time? 

Ralph Lauren Polo wool-cashmere turtleneck { in other colors here, similar option here } | Level99 stretch leather Janice ultra skinny pants in black | Trina Turk Houndstooth coat { similar options here, here & here } | Jimmy Choo Anouk suede pumps | Movado Bold crystal accent watch | Tiffany & Co Peyton satchel | Wanderlust & Co numeral silver ring 

Thank you for reading 

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE, 

Annabelle