Baby, Pull Me Closer

A personal photoshoot inspired by The Chainsmokers' hit, Closer

If you haven't been able to tell from past blog posts, I don't focus on my personal style and outfitting.

Why?

Because I don't have a dream budget to hire a team or a live-in photographer boyfriend with a DSLR to take all sorts of stylish pictures necessary for running a proper style blog.

Most of my blog content relies on a set of core topics, more compelling copy and basic flat-lays or travel pictures, edited so perfectly with my iPhone 6 plus—but it is finally time to embrace the occasional photoshoot for the blog.

Inspired by the pop anthem of 2016, these photos are part-fashion diary, part-love letter and part-portfolio update (in that order).

I had the pleasure of working with Maaike Bernstrom for this shoot in Newport, Rhode Island—we've worked together on projects for Laura Jean and The Newport Blast and I couldn't trust anyone else to help bring this vision to life. After Maaike and I booked the date, I made sure to schedule my hair salon at JF3 Salon for earlier the same day.

So yes. This is it. This is me. Trying to be casual. Yet also trying not to be too casual.

But definitely trying to have nice pictures for my inevitable blog revamp.

Please be kind. I know I'm not a model. I'm barely five feet tall, sell clothing as my day job and write as my passion and side-hustle...

Closer by The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey

Hey

I was doing just fine before I met you

I drink too much and that's an issue
But I'm okay

Hey
You tell your friends it was nice to meet them
But I hope I never see them again

I know it breaks your heart
Moved to the city in a broke-down car

And four years, no calls

Now you're looking pretty in a hotel bar

And I can't stop

No I can't stop

So, baby, pull me closer

In the back seat of your Rover

That I know you can't afford

Bite that tattoo on your shoulder

Pull the sheets right off the corner

Of that mattress that you stole

From your roommate back in Boulder

We ain't ever getting older

We ain't ever getting older

We ain't ever getting older

You look as good as the day I met you

I forget just why I left you,
I was insane

Stay 

And play that Blink-182 song
That we beat to death in Tucson,
Okay

I know it breaks your heart
Moved to the city in a broke-down car

And four years, no call
Now I'm looking pretty in a hotel bar

And I can't stop
No, I can't stop

So, baby, pull me closer

In the back seat of your Rover
That I know you can't afford

Bite that tattoo on your shoulder

Pull the sheets right off the corner

Of that mattress that you stole

From your roommate back in Boulder

We ain't ever getting older

We ain't ever getting older

No, we ain't ever getting older

Photography: Maaike Bernstrom

Hair: JF3 Salon

Location: Newport, Rhode Island

Plaid Shirt Outfit: Top, Jach's Girlfriend (available at Crosswynds Traders); Jeans, FRAME Le High Rise Skinny; Shoes, Frye Sacha Moto Shootie in Cognac

Black Shirt Outfit: Top, Theory; Jeans, AG Jeans Tomboy

Silk Cami Outfit: Top, Free People Intimates; Sweater, Theory Open Cardigan

The Ultimate List of Fall Wardrobe Essentials

Now that it's October, I'm finally ready to embrace autumn.

It's not that I don't like fall. Going apple picking, strolling through harvest fairs and drinking at cider tastings is a lot of fun. Not to mention layering up in your favorite denim and flannels releases all sorts of endorphins...

... But shopping for colder weather takes effort. 

If you like to think of yourself as a stylish individual with discerning taste, you know what effort means. Effort typically means not having enough time and spending more money than you had intended—but in the end, you're not sorry about it. 

I've put together a comprehensive list of staple pieces for fall—a great list to help you keep track of what you'll need every fall, regardless of the year's trends. 

What are your fall wardrobe essentials? Feel free to share and comment below!

How to Wear Your One-Piece Swimsuit off the Beach

Just because the summer is almost over doesn't mean you have to put away your one-piece!

Here are my three favorite one-pieces to wear with shorts or jeans:

Silk screen prints

Floral prints are fun, but keep your one-piece look sophisticated with a minimalist urban print. I love how fashionista Cheralee Lyle modeled her swimsuit for Miami Swim Week—all that's missing is a pair of light wash, high rise denim and strappy black mules!

Get Graphic

Speak your mind and don't hold back! The best place to buy one-pieces with graphics is Private Party, but FLY NATION does the job if you only plan on wearing your swimsuit once. 

All black everything

Choose a black one-piece with an elegant neckline for a classic look or edgy cutouts for a sexier style—pair it with black Levi's shorts or distressed black jeans and you're ready to go! Adore Me's black one-pieces—the Krista and the Becky—are perfect for poolside fun day or night.

Bodysuits are projected to trend through this season, so who's going to know the difference?

Find of the Week | 40

Because effort is sexy

I had an hour to find a graphic tank top or t-shirt that was either champagne-related or incredibly nautical for a date the following evening. I quickly circled the Danbury Fair Mall several times before it closed—walked in and out of ten stores—only to choose a tank top that's completely unrelated to bubbly.

After all of hustle, I ended up wearing the long, white knit cardigan I bought somewhat impulsively during my search. It's just as well I didn't wear the tank top on a date, but it's still cute to have around.

And who needs an airplane when you can watch the sunset on a yacht...

Start the Semester in Style with Alegre Westport

Even though summer isn't over yet, it's time to start thinking about how to start the fall semester in style!

Alegre, one of the new women's clothing stores in downtown Westport, regularly receives new merchandise that is perfect for going to class during the week, relaxing in the dorm, or heading out on weekends.

The store will be offering an exclusive 20% off discount to college students starting on Monday, Aug. 8 through Sunday, Aug. 14. Students must present a valid college ID in order to redeem the discount.

Take a look at some of the hottest essentials to wear on campus...

Alegre is located on 180 Post Road East in Westport, CT on the corner of Bay Street and Post Road East. Learn more about Alegre by following the store on Facebook, Instagram or signing up for their email newsletter. 

What to Pack for a Weekend in San Francisco

I'm heading to the West Coast for the first time to visit my friend Steph in San Francisco, CA!

Not only are we checking out The City by the Bay, but we're also aiming to hike Big Sur, explore Monterey and see the vineyards in Napa Valley.

I've packed a few different things in one carry-on bag to prepare for the weekend ahead.

 

Weekend Getaway Packing List

• Denim jacket
• Pair of jeans
• Pair of shorts
• Three casual tank tops
• An "athleisure" top
• Romper
• Maxi dress
• Swimsuit
• Pair of sneakers
• Pair of sandals
• Nightgown
• Underwear/socks
• Toiletries

I feel like I'm still going to throw in a few more things—a cozy sweatshirt for the wind is definitely missing from my original list—but I can probably pick up anything else I may need once I land.

Ready or not, here I come, Cali...

Find of the Week | 37

It's a rare occasion that I ever buy myself any jewelry, so most of my bracelets, necklaces and earrings are from friends and family.

My boyfriend's sister, who recently graduated from SCAD, picked out this awesome 3D printed statement necklace before heading back home to Connecticut—it's the perfect accessory to wear with my jeans and t-shirts while I'm at work or grabbing bottomless brunch around Washington Square Park.

I actually have a skeptical stance on 3D printing because of the impact it may have on traditional craftsmanship, but I am happy to see how jewelry making can benefit from innovative technology.

Let's just hope that things like 3D printers don't put graduates from SCAD or RISD or elsewhere out of building their careers.

Find of the Week | 34

It took organizing my entire closet with slim-line hangers for me to realize that most of my clothes are dark. 

With the exception of a few camel cashmere sweaters, a vintage yellow cardigan and a pair of Petit Bateau red graphic print pants, everything else is either black or grey. I've made it mission to stick to buying light denim, light neutrals and above all, white.

Shopping is much easier when you're lucky enough to work at great clothing stores...

And that much more dangerou$.

I bought a cute cardigan and a pair of light, distressed FRAME Denim at Havana Jeans. Located in Stamford and Rye, it's the place to go in Fairfield County and Westchester County for premium denim!

Behind the Lens at NYFW '16 [PART I]

A first-hand account of street style hunting in the New York's fashionable tundra 

I stood frozen on the corner of West 33rd and 8th Avenue for over an hour and a half. Forget trying to stay out of the way of the cameras, I was literally frozen in place from the numbing cold.

I wasn’t the only one shivering on the street—several photographers stood nearby waiting for the next wave of New York Fashion Week attendees to emerge from the exit.

The photographers are assassins for the getting the perfect picture. If the first show began at Moynihan Station at 11:00 AM, chances are that they had been standing there for hours. The photographers waited for the Herve Leger runway show to let out. 

Two things were keeping me warm—the disproportionately large Banana Republic faux fur trapper hat my mother insisted on buying during our last shopping trip to the Danbury Fair Mall and the exciting possibility of seeing a favorite fashion blogger, editor, or celebrity. 

There was one moment when everyone held their breath looking at one particularly beautiful woman. With her long, tan legs, bright smile and sexy, slightly irreverent outfit (a sweatshirt, fur coat and high heeled boots couldn’t have looked hotter), she shared a striking resemblance to Rihanna.

When it comes down to it, I thought I saw a major celebrity and fashion icon and almost died.

The most exciting thing about standing on the street corner wasn’t so much the seeing the outfits, but observing the whole process— I could cross-reference several Instagram accounts for NYFW street style from the comfort of my own (warm) home and have more time to see all of the garment and accessory details.

I enjoyed watching how the photographers waited for the candid moments more than anything—asking subjects to pose for the full-length outfit is essential for editorial, but capturing fashion in its “natural state” is the heart of street style photography. 

At one point, a group of fashionistas crossed 8th Avenue towards Madison Square Garden looking for a taxi. Then they turned around and crossed back towards Moynihan Station. After a quick fashionable huddle over cigarettes and some heated conversation in Italian, instead of waiting for one to pull to the curb, they ran into traffic—in their heels, holding their round sunglasses in place and putting out their cigarettes—towards one of the taxi vans sitting at the red light.

The lucky photographer who paid attention to this scene shot the fashionistas dashing up 8th Avenue and piling into the taxi in a blur of black leather, blonde hair and fur coats.

I walked towards the official NYFW entrance up the street for a change of scenery. More photographers waited on the street alongside the motorcade of NYFW SUVs. A few more fashionistas (and a poor, shivering Chihuahua at the mercy of her glamorous owner) strutted out of the building before I decided to seek shelter in a Starbucks I spotted on 34th Street. 

Still thawing from the five-minute walk, I happened to grab a seat next to a man editing street style photos on his Mac. After some polite pestering conversation, Matt told me he was a photographer on assignment for Getty Images. He came to New York City by way of doing concert photography in Chicago, as well as runway, but admitted that he found street style infinitely more interesting than the traditional fashion show. 

As our exchange continued and my nosy pestering curiosity grew, I asked him which shows he was planning to head to next—I envied the lineup on his iCal. I hope he considered my input and made it in time for Banana Republic.

After Matt left, I recognized a few of the well-dressed people at the counter from standing on the street corner—we were the smart ones who decided to take the time to relax and get caffeinated before getting back to work.

@classisinternal #sonyaesman #classinternal NYFW AW16 Street Style Fashion 🇺🇸 New York, New York USA 📷 Matthew Sperzel @sperzphoto ⌨ www.matthewsperzel.photography #fashion #streetstyle #style #fashionweek #nyfw #AW16 #FW16 #ootd #outfit #moda #mode #ootd #outfit #fashionblog #nyc #newyork #newyorkcity #street #model #models #modeloffduty

A photo posted by StreetStyle by Matthew Sperzel (@sperzphoto) on Feb 14, 2016 at 3:12pm PST