TO A TEE

As far as current obsessions go, we recently covered my full-blown addiction to hats. I am still working on getting hats out of my system, as you can see, but I did manage to go out without a hat a few times this  week, so I guess we have progress:) 

In other news, I've officially abandoned all pretense that it's not Summer in LA ( acceptance settled in somewhere around 90 degrees ), and switched to my Summer wardrobe. This of course got me thinking I should probably mention a few of my Summer obsessions/addictions/must-haves, starting with t-shirts! 

T-SHIRTS: Love them, can't live without them, wear them obsessively. Of all my Summer favorites ( and there are quite a few, believe me) t-shirts are the one thing I can never get enough of. What makes a t-shirt great in my opinion? A combination of slouchy/sexy cut, great fabric ( supper-soft ones are always appreciated ) and of course, color! The one I am wearing in today's post is from the new EXPRESS One Eleven collection and certainly represents all of the above. The not so great news is that apparently I am not the only one who appreciates super-soft fabrics and sexy cuts, because the collection is selling out really quickly. So, if you a t-shirt fan like me, check it out HERE, and check back in June for more styles. 

Next, on my list of Summer staples and must-haves are cropped jeans and especially cropped white distressed jeans. Why white? Well, can you seriously imagine Summer without a pair of white jeans? Personally  I can't!!! And of course as far as cropped length goes, I feel that it's much more versatile and works well with anything from boots and flats to pumps and ankle wrap sandals ( in other words, I don't have to commit to wearing a particular type of shoe, which is always appreciated ). The ones I am sporting in today's post are also from Express and are one of my favorite pairs at the moment. Aside from color and length, I am partial to a bit of distressing on my jeans and these happen to have a perfect amount of ripping and distressing. 

Now, what about you guys? What are your Summer cravings and staples?

EXPRESS One Eleven Nep trapeze tank, EXPRESS mid rise cropped destroyed jean leggings & black wool felt fedora hat | Chanel Boy flap bag in perforated leather | Isabel Marant Aleen Ankle boots { in brown here & here } | DYLANLEX Falkor necklace 

Thank you for reading

& keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle 

SPLASHY FLORAL

So, I'll be the first to admit that head-to-toe floral print ( well almost heat-to-toe ) is probably a bit of a bold choice and surely, if this print was in color, I probably wouldn't have worn these two together. But, and call me crazy here, but I think the black and white color combo, actually makes this floral very wearable. To tone down this look a bit, I kept the rest of the outfit achromatic by adding black and white platforms and my go-to-black-bag for every occasion ( I am sure you are sick of seeing my Boy, but I love him and cannot bear to be without him ). Finally, I just couldn't resist the urge to introduce a little color to this look and since bright nails seemed like the right way to go, I painted my digits in the brightest, prettiest teal ever, or as I like to call it, the best nail color butter LONDON ever created!

Rebecca Taylor Splashy Flower culotte & top | Chanel Boy flap bag in perforated leather | Stella McCartney black Britt shoes | DVF Haley studded sunglasses | Eddie Borgo cone earrings { in silver here } | butter LONDON nail polish in Slapper 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle 

NOT SO SUBTLE STRIPES

I've always been one of those people who wear things they like to the point of obsession. Case in point, hats! At some point, having realized full benefits of wearing hats, I've developed a massive hat addiction. All of a sudden, bad hair days are but a distant memory, no outfit seems complete without it and my late-night online shopping inevitably leads to browsing accessory sections, looking for more hats in all imaginable and unimaginable colors. 

Of course like all my obsessions, bright colors or preoccupation with black for example, this too will pass. But for now, I remain completely and utterly addicted to wearing hats... Hope you can bear with me while I get it out of my system!:)

Marc by Marc Jacobs PAM stripe jersey long sleeve tee - sold out { similar option here & here } | Nasty Gal Denim The Ex Boyfriend shorts | Rag & Bone leather-trimmed wool-felt fedora | Chanel Boy flap bag in perforated leather | Movado Bold crystal accent watch | Isabel Marant Aleen Ankle boots { in brown here & here } 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE, 

Annabelle

FRINGE

I realize the absurdity of going bare-legged in February and yet such is the nature of the weather in California. Though it does get cold enough to wear a coat from time to time, for the most part, it tends to be pretty warm, even in the middle of Winter. 

I am of course not complaining at all! I am especially not complaining in lieu of a phone conversation I had with my mom yesterday regarding all the marvels of Canadian winters, i.e. black ice, heavy snow fall and my personal favorite, gusting wind! Though, I left Toronto almost 10 years ago, the memories of Canadian winters are still fresh in my mind which is probably one of the reasons why I will never be able to take going bare-legged in February for granted:) 

Shoshanna Nicoletta sweater dress { also love this long-sleeve version } | IRO Paris Magic sweater { wearing a size M for a more relaxed fit } | Proenza Schouler patchwork medium bucket bag { also love this all white version here } | Isabel Marant Royston boots { 50% OFF here } | Rag & Bone leather-trimmed wool-felt fedora | Rue Gembon rings | OPI nail polish in Birthday Babe  { 3 coats } 

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle 

JUST PEACHY

Just between us, of all the things I was supposed to wear to Fashion Week, this peachy perfection from Chloe was the one I was excited about the most. Mostly because I am some what familiar with New York weather in February and fur, even if it's faux, would offer the most protection from the cold (  I was very naive!!! Given what I know now, five layered fur coats wouldn't have been enough to keep me warm ) but also because well..., it's peach fur, and if that doesn't say Fashion Week, I really don't know what does:) 

Alas, United States Post Service, or as I like to call it, a company with a perfect track record for delivering things late or not at all, put an end to my dream of braving New York weather in my peachy fur. 

The coat arrived a few days after I came back from New York, on what was a particularly sunny and warm day. I mean of course it did, I always said that the universe has quite a sense of humor! And so I circled the box a few times, tried my new coat on, got a complement from Emil followed by a very pertinent question. The question of course was whether I would still be able to wear it or would I have to put it away until next year. Ha! Shows how much boys know about girls and fashion. Because quite frankly, the answer to the question is always yes! Yes, you can absolutely wear fur coats in LA if you really want to! And I really, really wanted to!

And so, I waited for a cold day! After a week or so, just as I was about ready to give up, my patience was rewarded and the cold day finally came! I mean, sure 60s probably doesn't quite qualify as fur coat weather per se but given that I am in LA, it was the closest thing to cold I was going to get:) 

After weeks and weeks of waiting, I finally got to take my peachy perfection out for a walk and... it was fantastic! Now, I find myself hoping for more cold days just so that my peachy friend and I can spend more time together! :) Of course, the temperatures seem to be climbing up, so now I am thinking that perhaps 70s could also qualify as peachy fur weather... 

See by Chloe faux fur coat via Coggles { also here } | Current/Elliot The Prospect leather pants | Chanel Boy flap bag in perforated leather | Stella McCartney black Britt shoes | Crap Eyewear TV Eye shades via Nasty Gal

Thank you for reading

& Keep On Smiling,

LOVE,

Annabelle 

NEW IN: MICHAEL KORS GREENWICH SATCHEL

Just couldn't resist the urge to share a few things that are making me very happy at the moment! By  a few things I am of course referring to bags, shoes and jewelry, but you already knew that, given my profound accessory obsession:) 

The thing that is not making me very happy at the moment is the weather. Yes, I know, considering that February in California tends to be warmer than pretty much everywhere else, I can hardly complain. And yet, .... here I am complaining:) After freezing in New York, I was kinda hoping LA would greet me with some warmth and sunshine, but instead it's been gloomy, rainy and cold. Essentially, we've been enjoying the kind of weather that in no way signifies that Spring is around the corner and I am oh so very ready for Spring! 

So, in an effort to chase away my February blues, I've been indulging in some serious Spring shopping and I have to say that the results have been most satisfying:)

This year, my Spring shopping started with an item that is always at the top of my Spring/Summer must have list, i.e. the white bag. Aside from color, what attracted me to this MICHAEL by Michael Kors Greenwich satchel is the contrast black interior and of course the shape! I love structured bags, but when they also happen to be a perfect combination of polish and laid back ease, I find them completely irresistible! In fact, I find them so irresistible, I am considering getting another one, since it comes in a few different colors... The only problem is that I can't decide between the raspberry and blue. What do you guys think? Raspberry, blue or both? :) 

MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Greenwich large saffiano leather satchel in optic white & black, Edison leather brogue, pave gold-tone knuckle ring, gold-tone trip-stack ring, pave gold-tone arrow open cuff, pave gold-tone bangle & pave and logo gold-tone bracelet set 

Special thank you to my bfs at MK! Love, love, love my new Michael Kors swag! :)

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,
Annabelle

THE 70s FLARE

I love skinny jeans! I love them a lot in fact, but after wearing skinnies pretty much non stop for the past few years, I am ready to add something different to my denim repertoire. 

Why flares, you ask? Why not straight leg or boyfriend, for example? Well, mainly because I think flare is probably one of the most flattering jean-shapes there is, provided of course they fit properly. Like any other girl who is 5.8 and has a penchant for sky-high heels, when I talk about the proper fit, it's all about the length!

I have a few pet peeves when it comes to clothing, but all of them pale in comparison to my hatred of short jeans and pants. When flares are long enough ( go all the way to the ground and cover your footwear completely), you look like you're 20 feet tall and the have the longest pair of legs in the universe, but when they're too short, well, let's just say the results aren't pretty :) 

So, after trying a million different pairs on, here is what I found :

Most jeans come in 32 or 34 length. I tried 34 on, and though they look alright at first ( not all the way to the floor but pretty darn close ), they tend to ride up as you walk and eventually end up looking way too short. 

35 length was definitely good but 36 was even better:) Unfortunately, I found only a few denim labels that make jeans this long. If I had to choose two favorites, I would go with Stella McCartney and FRAME Denim, the later being my particular obsession at the moment due to a few amazing styles and washes! 

What about you guys, how do you feel about the flare? 

Stella McCartney The 70th Flare jeans | Sandro sweater & Vega jacket { in cobalt blue here } | Free People school boy hat | Chanel Boy flap bag in perforated leather | Wanderlust & Co chevron double silver ring 

Thank you for reading
& Keep On Smiling,
LOVE,

Annabelle