Guest Post: Marisa of The Shades of Monet Chronicles

For today's post, I'm so excited to have Marisa from The Shades of Monet Chronicles. Marisa is one of those bloggers who leaves me in complete awe every time I visit her blog. She is the master at interesting color and print combinations and I'll never get over how completely unique her style is. In a sea of endless vintage-loving fashion bloggers, it's not easy to stand out from the crowd, but I always find something new and exciting I had never thought of when I visit Marisa's blog. Enjoy!

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Hello there Room 334 readers, 

My name is Marisa and I blog over at The Shades of Monet Chronicles.  How very loverly to meet you all here today at Elana's darling blog while she is off off and away at a journalism conference.  Speaking of journalism, Elana asked if I could share an item or outfit of mine that has a story behind it,  so I bring you this coat laced with denim, leopard, and faux fur...yes, the whole shebang.  Though it's  definitely not the most "in vogue" looking coat in the world, I'm rather fond of it even in all it's big, gaudy, Jersey Shore-ridden glory.

Outfit Details: Coat: Express (2003) // Dress: Topshop // Scarf & Bow Tie: Vintage // Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Anyhow, I've held on tightly to it for the past 9 years because it brings me back to the beginning.  The beginning of my relationship with the dapper fellow that later became my husband, that is.  After sitting next to each other my junior year of college, in an evening class and pretty much so being smitten off my feet by his big blue eyes, this perfect gentleman of a guy so sweetly asked me out afterwards.   So on to a night of hot caramel apple ciders we did go.  We talked and talked and we took a very long walk - over a bridge and underneath a snowy sky.  This night has gone down in the books as "Starbucks in the Snow".  We watched the stars, listened to Jeff Buckley, and talked some more.  I knew he was the one.  He was wearing Candies cologne and I was wearing this big furry coat.  

 Ok, so that is the really condensed version of our story, but you get the point :)  The coat is truly near and dear to my heart.

 

And we lived happily ever after....

Thanks for reading along with me today darlings!

Love bunches, 

Marisa Noelle

The Shades of Monet Chronicles

Guest Post: Katherine of Of Corgis & Cocktails

While I'm in Chicago for a journalism conference, I'm so excited to have some of my favorite bloggers and Flock Together girls guest posting for me. First up is Katherine, who I've made no secret about my undying love for. She often refers to us as "soul sisters in style" and I couldn't agree more. I can safely say that I would wear everything she owns. As I mentioned before, I'm having my guest bloggers share an item or an outfit with a story behind it and Katherine's gorgeous aqua flats are the perfect way to start it off. Enjoy!

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Hi all! I'm Katherine and I blog over at Of Corgis & Cocktails and am excited to be posting for Elana while she is away at a journalism conference. I wanted to write about a treasured piece of my wardrobe and the story behind these shoes that I revere so much.

The first time I went to France, I was 16. I saved up a few hundred dollars for my trip, and within the first few hours in Paris, I found a beautiful pair of 100 euro ballet flats. A teacher who was attending with our school suggested I wait until Nice because the shopping there was better. Someone should have slapped 16 year old me who apparently didn't know any better and left that pair of flats sitting in Printemps. It's been 8 years guys and I still regret it.

Fast forward to 2006. Due to regretting that moment for 2 years, I saved up more money and set a date for my mom and I to spend at Printemps during our vacation. 18 year old me was more determined, about to start college, and really wanted to buy the first pair of designer flats. Our first stop was the fifth floor of the women's department, where I found a pair of Marc Jacobs flats I loved. Aqua suede with a beautiful blue gem and just adorable beyond belief. They are the nicest pair of shoes I own to this day.

They have been everywhere with me. They have been to the Caribbean on the first vacation I ever took with my husband. They have been across the US - from California to Virgnia to Florida. I keep them in a special place in the closet and never leave them on the floor just in the small off chance Teemo decides to take up chewing shoes. I don't own many things that I truly view as such a special thing, but these are a representation of becoming more independent, finding my style, and memories I love. Plus, not many things last 6 years of styling and counting, especially shoes.

Is there something in your closet you love beyond anything else? Or am I the crazy one with my 'Jasmine shoes' as my husband calls them?

Storytelling and lockets

Before I get to what I really want to talk about in this post, I want to quickly mention how much I love this top. I bought it over the summer and, because of the surprising thickness of it, I completely forgot about it until now. Now that heat is no longer an issue, you can expect to much more often. I do realize that finding old garments and wearing them to death is a common theme with me.

What I really want to talk about, however, is this week. On Wednesday, I'll be leaving for a four-day trip to Chicago for a journalism conference and I couldn't be more excited. Starting tomorrow (when I'll be busy putting a newspaper together and packing), I'll be having guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers and Flock Together girls. Since I'll be spending the week discussing stories, I thought it would be fun for the girls to share an outfit or item with a story behind it and figured I'd start the week off by doing the same.

I've spoken briefly about this necklace before, but never in-depth. My freshman year, I started a short virtual internship with an online fashion magazine that never really took off. I submitted leads each week and was assigned stories with a fashion-focus. The very first story I was assigned was on a small designer, Alyson Fox, who I had found and was asked to interview her. I conducted a phone interview with her which marked my very first interview- ever. I had just declared a journalism minor that semester and had yet to learn anything about interviewing, quotes, story structure, etc. Surprisingly, the interview went well and the story turned out better than expected. I was giddy with excitement to not only interview someone, but to talk to someone whose work I so admired. That Christmas, my parents surprised me with a locket I had mentioned loving from Fox's collaboration with Varabel. Not only do I still love the locket, but every time I wear it, it reminds me of my start in journalism.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and enjoys the guest posts I have line up! I'll be back on Sunday or Monday with stories of seminars, shopping, and Starbucks. If you aren't already, make sure to follow me on Instagram (@room334) to feel like you're there with me!

Shirt: H&M, via Buffalo Exchange

Skirt: Vena Cava for Aqua, via Ebay

Boots: Target

Jacket: Old Navy

Necklace: Alyson Fox + Verabel

Things that caught my eye this week # 18

I can't get enough of vintage-inspired dresses this week (or ever) like this one from SHiliconfETTI

When it comes to Soho Made dresses, I have a hard time choosing a favorite

I have the same problem when it comes to Mrs. Pomeranz dresses 

These patterned tights from Zohara Tights are awesome

I think this floral cardigan would be a great way to liven up a fall wardrobe

I love this 1960's wool coat from Allen Company

This floral sailor blouse from Let's Backtrack is a must-have

Lastly, I think every man needs one of Fox & Brie's ties and bow ties

Fall uniform and bad photos

Lately, I've been feeling a little bit uninspired in my outfits. Whenever I'm too lazy to put too much thought into it, I've been sticking to a uniform of sweaters, scarves, and boots. Nothing I've been wearing has been too exciting (and I'm back to not-so-great photos), so I thought I'd share what I've been wearing lately.

Skirt: vintage; Sweater: consignment; Dress (worn as top): T.J. Maxx; Scarf: ASOS; Boots:  Target

Dress: F21, via swap; Cardigan: Target, via Katherine; Scarf: souvenir from Venice; Bracelet: local boutique

Dress: Thrifted; Sweater: Francesca's Collections; Scarf: UO; Boots: Endless.com

Also, when did my skirts get so short? Oh well, happy Friday everyone!

Flock Together and too-cute dresses

Hey guys, I know I've been a little absent from here this week, but that's only because I've been having so much fun collaborating with other bloggers. Today you can find me on Flock Together where I style Ashley of Southern (California) Belle's adorable dress. I'm absolutely in love with this dress, head on over to check out the full post!

Gray lace and small lakes

The ratio of how many clothes I own versus how many I actually wear regularly is a little sad. I got this dress in a swap earlier this year and wore it all the time in the spring. Unfortunately, the slip shrank in the wash and I decided that it was too short to wear and shoved it back in my closet where it hung for months. Now that's cooler, I figured I would have no problem getting away with it with tights. I was right and now I don't want to hang it back up. I should probably start pulling other things out I haven't worn in awhile and see if I get the same result...

As for these photos, how picturesque is this setting? This little lake is on campus and I've been wanting to take photos here for awhile now, but finally got the chance to when Jennifer and I wandered around campus for the perfect spot after a (very short) thrifting trip. There's one thrift store in town that is impossible for me to walk out empty handed from. All of the clothes are $3 or less so I always end up with things I don't need becuase they're so cheap. I did pick up a great wine-colored cardigan I can't wait to wear. Though I'm beginning to think I need to slow down on the cardigans, it's becoming a problem.

Dress: Swapped

Shirt: Papaya

Cardigan: Target

Shoes: UO

Ring: Jewelmint

Belt: Thrifte