style – Page 8 – tide & bloom

be your own icon

Do you ever see or meet women who make you think to yourself “man, she is so cool; I want to be her when I grow up.” Well, today I aspire to be one of those women, to serve as my own inspiration.

Yesterday I added this jacket to my wardrobe and I couldn’t be more excited about it! I see women pull off these moto-slash-army (aka anorak) jackets all the time and I’ve never been able to envision myself being able to, until now. It’s fitted yet casual, classic yet edgy and it will be the perfect layering bridge moving into the fall.

Instead of living in comparison to others, I’ve decided that my future self is the person I’m trying to live up to.

the days are melting away

August is almost over and I can hardly believe it. We are well past half-done with 2014 and I feel like there’s still so much to do. And so much to sort out. Since I’ve embarked on this working full-time journey, it’s been difficult to get in all the local adventures I’ve become so accustomed to enjoying. When I’m not at work I’ve got just enough time to relax and recharge – and maybe paint and cook a bit – before I have to get right back into the thick of it. So I’m gonna go ahead and cheat by stealing pics from my instagram to share with you all the little things I’m loving lately. It’s these little things that keep me going. The little moments of everyday comfort, wonder, and beauty.

This has been by far my favorite outfit of the past two weeks. I don’t typically buy, let alone wear, so much Free People, but this over sized tee and this stretchy pair of pants fits me just so. I wore it to work on a Sunday and it couldn’t have been better; so casual yet confident, almost as if #iwokeuplikedis. I highly recommend you go into your nearest FP and try on both of these things. I’d be surprised if you didn’t want them in your closet immediately.

I gotta hand it to myself. Though I’m often dead tired on my off hours, I’m still managing to get some good pattern painting in there. The main driving force behind it is a surprise I will be revealing very very soon! I’m doing my best to get a variety of organic motifs for a cohesive colorful collection. Stay tuned to see why..

Yes, guilty, another picture with coffee in hand. Working a lot means consuming a lot more caffeine. It’s just too difficult not to have this everyday indulgence. I’m an addict. At least every now and then I can manage to get a really nice cup, like this one from Octane Grant Park.

Okay, I lied. I do still manage to have my fair share of fun and discovery. I can’t help it! It’s just part of who I am. It’s just more difficult to capture everything the way I used to, hence the insta-overshare. This awesome Danish wooden salad bowl set (you can’t tell by this picture, but it’s pretty big) was one of many things I loved on a recent browse through Highland Row Antiques. The shop is a secondhand staple in Atlanta and their booths are always being refreshed by the vendors so it’s the perfect place to wander and lust over random objects I don’t need in my life.

Welp, that’s all I got for ya now. Hope it’s enough to keep you entertained and maybe a little inspired? I promise, exciting updates are coming soon. Just hold onto the edge of your seat. I know I am!

hello warby parker

I’ve been wearing contacts on the regular for more than a decade, but you’d never know it unless you’ve seen me on one of my off days. I only pull out the good ole trusty specs when I’m having allergy issues with my eyes or if I’m traveling long distances. Unfortunately this means I’ve been using the same pair (with an out of date prescription) for as long as I can remember. Needless to say, I was way overdue for a refresh. I decided this was the perfect opportunity for me to try out that uber cool hipster Netflix of glasses, Warby Parker.

Have you heard of Warby Parker? Tell me you have. Well, if you haven’t, here’s their manifesto. I had known about them for a while so I was actually pretty excited that I could experience their home try-on process firsthand. Basically what you do is shop their collections online, use their handy dandy virtual try-on using a picture of yourself, and then select five frames to be sent directly to you for test driving. Here’s what I got:

I selected a variety of colors because I decided if I’m gonna get brand spanking new frames, then I’m gonna get ones that are going to entice me to actually choose glasses over contacts. It’s pretty contradictory to my whole getting-ready process to factor in glasses on my face, but I mean, how can I miss out on a chance to have a great accessory? It’s time that I embrace my inner nerd and turn it into outfitting plus instead of a style obstacle. Here’s what they all look like on…

treat yourself

Every now and then, you just gotta treat yourself. Some days, it will be with a doughnut and a vanilla latte. Other days, it’s a great new outfit to make you feel shiny and new. I made the decision to buy this top and pencil skirt because they of how multi-functional and bold they both are; equal parts feminine and strong, contemporary and classic. [ sidenote: this post has made me realize I tend to like pictures of me facing to the left! ]

I’m a huge fan of the crop top trend, but it can be next to impossible to dress it up or take it into the workplace. As I slipped this one over my head, it took me less than a heartbeat to decide that I really couldn’t live without adding it to my wardrobe. It’s so much better than your average shell; the silhouette is structured yet unexpected and keeps you looking fashion-forward, graceful, and confident.

ladycrush: elizabeth

I’ve known Elizabeth for less than a year, but she and I clicked pretty immediately. We both love a good cup of joe, shopping in vintage boutiques, and festival dallying. But more than common interests, she’s got a seriously kind heart and has been one of my biggest supporters this year. She’s definitely a keeper. <3

Name: Elizabeth T.
Neighborhood: Old Fourth Ward
Day Job: E-Commerce Merchandiser

What motivates you as a creative professional?

The beauty and my love for the final product. Having experienced many aspects of the fashion industry, I know the amount of work it takes to both create new products and also have it be successful. From the stages of consumer demands influencing the product development, to buying into the samples displayed at market, and finally seeing the full-formed assortment come into completion at the retail stores – each piece of merchandise has had so much thought and energy poured into it. It’s exciting to see the final masterpieces, work them into displays, try them on, and share my giddiness with others that love it too!

henry & june

Coffee and clothing. Espresso and style. Caffeine and design. They are simple things that permeate my daily life and they nourish my soul as much as they are just my everyday fuel. I might sound like a narcissistic hipster when I say these kinds of things, but it’s really the truth. Sipping a smooth latte is like zipping up a well-tailored dress; you stand a little straighter, you hold your chin up, and you are ready to face the day. Jim Chambers and Camryn Park (with the support of veteran barista Daniel Mueller) have tapped into this poetic alignment and presented this pairing at Henry & June, their brand-spanking-new coffee and clothing gallery in the Virginia Highland neighborhood.

I’ve been on the edge of my seat for months waiting for this dreamy duo to bring their cafe boutique hybrid to life, and I must say that they definitely did not disappoint. When you step into the space, it’s evident that you’re stepping into something special. Their collection of curated goods is an obvious representation of their personal style; modern, playful, at times retro, and always with a strong and elegant sense of self.

Combing through their products becomes a series of finding one treasure right after the other. There are no filler tees and tanks here, no random tchotchkes to divert your attention. With a well-brewed Crema drink in hand (for those hot summer days, be sure to try the new arabica palmer!), it’s really quite easy to stay a while.

tennessee blues and greens

ladycrush: suzanne of scarlett hill

As you may or may not know, I can get reeeally snap-happy. When I have a willing and lovely subject to shoot, I can really go to town with the portraits. Case in point, today’s ladycrush: Suzanne, my talented and infectiously-positive colleague. Her awesomeness translated so well into the camera, that I just couldn’t stop. She’s one of those girls who you just know is cool, from the moment you meet her. I took advantage and asked her for three different looks that exemplify her sense of style.

Name: Suzanne Dennis
Neighborhood: Roswell
Day Job: Personal Stylist at Anthropologie
Night Job: Singer and Songwriter in Scarlett Hill

Describe your style in 5 words or less.

Modern Western Bohemian

Who and what inspires your style?

I’m inspired mostly by my music; dressing in an inspiring way can help my creativity when writing songs and helps me feel confident when performing. I usually ask myself – would I wear this onstage? If the answer is no, I pass. I aspire for continuity between my personality, style, and music.

What is your favorite fashion trend for the summer and why?

I honestly don’t keep up with trends anymore. I know it seems counter-intuitive for a stylist to not be into trends, but what I’ve found is once you’ve settled into a style that feels you, you stick with it. Great style to me is more about being genuine than the most current.

What do you love most about Atlanta? Where are some of your favorite Atlanta spots?

I’m an outdoorsy person, so I love that Atlanta has so many trees and places to enjoy nature! I love running along the Chattahoochee and hiking at Arabia Mountain. I also love Decatur for grabbing coffee or dinner and drinks, and Scott’s Antique Market for fun finds.

Best style advice you’ve ever heard/given?

Listen to your intuition! Style reflects who you are so go with your gut and be confident and you’ll always look great!

More pics and outfit details after the jump!

kimono cover-ups

Look, I’m gonna be honest here. I don’t feel comfortable with a lot of the terms used in the fashion world to describe ethnic-inspired clothing – kimonos, aztec, tribal, et cetera. It’s typically not accurate and while imitation can be a form of flattery, it can also really minimize cultural and ceremonial significance. That being said, I also know it’s damn near impossible to avoid such vocabulary when it’s so pervasive in clothing descriptions, media, and the like. So unfortunately here I am, reduced to using “kimono cover-ups” for convenience instead of easy-breezy-lightweight-open-robes. Please forgive me the terminology and focus on how awesome it is that these are back in style!

shop these kimonos below!

guest post: not so southern belle

Everyone’s journey to building a strong and healthy self-image is a unique one. Figuring out how to project that self-image is even more difficult; style is not just clothing or accessory, it is self-expression. Self declaration. We all go through times of confusion, struggle, and enlightenment, in order to figure all of that out. Today I’m excited to turn over the mic to my friend Victoria of The Not-So-Southern Belle, as she shares her own personal journey to a sense of style. She’s a saucy lil’ lady whose talent is as evident as her beauty and I’m so happy to have her words gracing these pages. So with no further ado…

When Christina so graciously asked me to contribute to Tide and Bloom, I was extremely flattered and said yes without hesitation. Then, I immediately went into a panic thinking what the hell am I going to write about? I’m no fashion/creative/lifestyle authority. But here’s the thing: I don’t have to be. I guess you could say I have my own sense of style, and I own it. That’s all that really matters, right?

I could sit here and say I’ve always had body confidence, that I’ve always known what works for me, that I’m just naturally stylish—but it would all be total bullshit. As the always-sort-of-chubby-yet-cute-girl growing up, I went through a lot of phases. Freshman and sophomore year of high school I wore a lot of t-shirts. My mother used to beg me not to buy yet another “stupid [insert Hollister, Abercrombie, etc.] t-shirt.” Something clicked junior year and I decided to expand beyond my comfort zone. Well, sort of. I have this very distinct memory of the first time I was really proud of any outfit I put together. I used to actually spend a lot of time doing my hair (now, I’m lucky if I even wash it more than twice a week), and I’d just figured out the whole ponytail-with-a pouf thing. I paired it with a red Viva La Bam (oh, the days I actually used to watch MTV) t-shirt, a mini-skirt and these killer white, sporty heels. Yes, I wore heels to high school; quite often, actually.

Now, it may not have been the most stylish thing to wear, but I loved that outfit and it showed. I got so many compliments that day. After that, I started having more fun just wearing whatever the hell I wanted. I think that’s the biggest thing: confidence.