everybody wants to be a cat

everybody wants to be a cat by topazdavis featuring black skinny jeans

Wallis cat sweater / Old Navy black skinny jeans / Red high heels / Canvas handbag / Wildfox Couture cat ring, $62 / C. Wonder cateye sunglasses / Miss Selfridge

teal me about it

teal me about it by topazdavis featuring stud earrings

Polka dot dress / Seychelles shoes / Melie Bianco / Kate Spade stud earrings

A lady-like outfit for a Monday.  Girly-girl meets the 80's here with mary-jane peep toes and bow earrings, and purple polka dots and a skinny neon belt.  True autumn has yet to descend on Charleston yet, but in other parts of the country, tights may be necessary.  Perhaps in grey?

urbana

urbana by topazdavis featuring a floppy hat

Knit dress / H&M , $56 / Seychelles boots / Modalu shoulder bag, $315 / Forever 21 / Forever 21 / A|X Armani Exchange floppy hat

I love stripes.  Especially dark stripes.  Emerald & black stripes with black accessories really bring out this beautiful green.  I recently found a pair of booties v similar to these & have not taken them off since. Also, I have been coveting this "Pippa" Modalu bag for months.  The only thing holding my back from purchasing is my wallet. sigh.  Here's to the retail future!  

MEOW

MEOW by topazdavis featuring opaque stockings

Crew neck tee / Green pencil skirt / Opaque stocking / Seychelles oxford high heels / Cat handbag / Forever 21 tribal earrings / Forever 21 ring / Grey shawl

While it's not technically winter here in Charleston yet (80 degrees - what?!), I just returned from my great trip to the north & experienced true winter.  Here is what I would've loved to wear while in D.C. this past week.  Only now I would add a huge coat to go with this!  Oh how I must learn things the hard way!

for the smithsonian

for the smithsonian by topazdavis featuring a stripe sweater

Stripe sweater / Pleated skirt / Seychelles bootie boots / Shoulder bag / Clear earrings / Forever 21 bow jewelry / Dorothy Perkins tan belt

In a few weeks time, I will be journeying to Washington D.C. to do a little research.  But while I'm there, I must make some time for that which I worship, the Smithsonian Institution.  And to make a pilgrimage to mecca, I must look fabulous.  With the new staple green, pleated skirt, stripes, some camel, and my favorite booties, I feel certain that it will be marvelous day.

witchy-poo

witchy-poo by topazdavis featuring seychelles

Little black dress / Seychelles / Modalu shoulder bag, $315 / Forever 21 / Forever 21 / Cotton scarve

Now I will be the first one to admit that I am not the biggest fan of Fall (you mean summer is OVER & winter is COMING?!), but I also can't deny that these booties are fabulous.  With simple, dark accessories and a pop of mustard yellow, I am completely in love with this ensemble.

oxford

oxford by topazdavis featuring zip bags

Sheath dress / Blazer / Nine West shoes / Zip bag / Stainless steel jewelry / Warehouse , $8.10 / Sheer scarve / Cat eye glasses


Fall always makes me think of school - just like everyone else, right?  I love & miss packing a bag & getting ready for class & conquering the library.  While all-nighters studying for astronomy aren't the most glorious scenarios, for a morning course & coffee meeting, this ensemble will do the trick.

western neutrals

western neutrals by topazdavis featuring cowgirl boots

H&M long sleeve dress, $16 / Cowgirl boots / Shoulder bag / Wallis brown jewelry / Gold jewelry / Max & Chloe chain necklace

Lately, I have really been favoring cowboy boots {Or should I call them cowgirl boots as an ode to feminism? hmm.}.  And with big boots, the rest of the outfit must be somewhat understand so as not to take away from their fabulousness.  A few gold baubles and the perfect cognac handbag are a felicitous pairing with this ensemble.  Happy Monday!

anchored into fall

anchored into fall by topazdavis featuring wedge heels

Dress / J.Crew j crew / Nine West wedge heels / River Island navy bag, $56 / Long necklace / Nautical jewelry / Waist belt

It's strange living at the beach in fall - how am I supposed to embrace cooler weather & changing seasons when it's still 80 degrees here??  Fortunately, the color palate is still a great option.  Muted stripes and lady-like accessories easily translate from late summer to early fall.  

Interview

Interview by topazdavis featuring essie nail polish

Dorothy Perkins / Trench coat, $94 / Forever 21 / Nine West high heels / H&M , $32 / Dorothy Perkins gold jewelry / Kate Spade jewelry / Essie nail polish, $22

This fall I will be applying to graduate school for the, ahem... second time.  For this round of application torture, I will be traveling to each school and doing interviews.  Of course, a first impression is key, and therefore, so is a wonderful ensemble.  It will be much cooler up NORTH (where it actually snows), and I must prepare for this.  Opaque black tights, and black patent Mary Jane's are a must, with a colorful, yet understated shift, tied in with a beautiful green trench coat.  Black bowler bag for folders and emergency scarf, gold jewelry, and neutral nails complete the look.  

anchored

anchored by topazdavis featuring anchor earrings

Mango tee dress, $54 / Giuseppe Zanotti leather high heels / Modalu genuine leather bag, $290 / Anchor earrings / Nautical necklace / Polka dot sunglasses

beach day

beach day by topazdavis featuring summer hats

J.Crew bikini swimwear / J.Crew bikini swimwear / Sandals / Felix Rey straw tote bag, $335 / J.Crew summer hat / Dive In Beach Towel

Lately, life here has fortunately been filled with a lot of this:

view of the marsh from Bowen's Island restaurant patio

and this:

at the pool

and some of this:

Summer means tourists, which also means new exhibits so I guess this could count as research, but it's almost too fun to get paid to read it.  

Happy Weekend!

rainy morning

No ensembles for this week - Things have been extremely busy and I'm trying to make sure every thing that needs to be taken care of is taken care of.  

rainy breakfast.

Some of these wonderful (& not so wonderful) things have included:

-sullivan's island

-sunburns

-home-cooked food

-shopping and getting this skirt, and a pair of bright green pants

-The Iron Lady

-new dining set found here perfect for porch dinners

-Ma

for a wedding

Wedding season is in full swing!  And while I don't have one coming up this weekend, they are certainly on the horizon.  I've never shopped at Mango myself, but I have heard amazing things about this company.  So when I saw Mango attached to this GORGEOUS blue and white cotton dress, I knew it had to be something special.  With coral accessories and gold accents, this ensemble easily switches from work-wear to wedding-wear.  

for a wedding by topazdavis featuring antique earrings

Mango cotton dress, £45, $69

Seychelles high heel shoes, $90

ASOS clutch handbag, $31

Forever 21 jewelry, $4.80

Forever 21 jewelry, $4.80

Forever 21 antique earrings, $3.80

TOTAL:~$203.40

Rutledge Avenue

To break from colors, patterns, and textures for a moment, I'd like to talk about something else for a moment.   Yesterday I was informed of some people and their opinions, who weren't necessarily very positive or constructive either.  Little moments like this just serve to remind me that first, I will never understand people (and that is okay), and secondly::

I will never make everyone happy and that is okay.  Besides, I'd much rather push the limits of my career than remain completely static.

On to today's ensemble!  I've been obsessing over these pink TOMS, but since they recently added a lavender version to the collection and cannot decide which ones I want!  Oh such trivial decisions.  Bright shoes need a bright outfit ;)

Rutledge Avenue by topazdavis featuring clutch handbags

Look From London sheer top, $35

Belted skirt, $18

TOMS flat shoes, $79

Clutch handbag, $20

Forever 21 jewelry, $4.80

Forever 21 jewelry, $3.80

Fedora hat, $13

Revlon makeup, $6

Opi nail polish, $8.50

TOTAL:~$188.10

Council Street

It's a little gloomy with some SUPER cloud coverage outside, so cool, but bright colors are in order.  A bow-tie blouse, polka dot high-waist skirt, (some bright pink nail polish!) and a few Indian accents are perfect for work, and make the day that much more fun. :)

Council Street by topazdavis featuring forever 21 rings

Jack BB Dakota lilac top, $43

Belted skirt, $18

Seychelles sandals, $81

Printed handbag, $17

Forever 21 ring, $3.80

Forever 21 earrings, $3.80

TOTAL:~$166.60

Limehouse Street

Stripes and Brights.  Is there really a better combination??  I'll tell you: NO.  This black and white striped skirt will go with ANYTHING, especially cobalt, emerald, canary yellow, peachy pink, cherry, maroon, periwinkle, etc. - I could go on forever.  With some light, yet classic, jewelry, this is a perfect ensemble for summer.

Limehouse Street by topazdavis featuring a sheer blouse

Sheer blouse, $38

LOFT striped skirt, $60

Toms flat, $79

Vintage style handbag, $20

Teardrop earrings ~$25

White jewelry ~$30

Christian dior sunglasses, $280

TOTAL:~$532.00

for the beach

While many of you will be enjoying the sun (and hopefully sand) on this Memorial Day, I will unfortunately be working :(  Oh the price of working in the tourism department!  But it will be a beautiful day nonetheless, and I am thrilled that I work in such a great city with such wonderful people.  So y'all make sure and enjoy the day - and will someone get a tan for me?

for the beach by topazdavis featuring a straw tote handbag

Old Navy string bikini swimwear, $13

Old Navy thong bikini, $13

Flat shoes, $15

Straw tote handbag, $40

Echo fedora hat, $48

Beauty product, $6

Devotion to the Ocean, Sand, Sea & Sky, 8" x 8" Fine Art Photograph,..., $21

TOTAL:~$156.00

for the beach

Oh the beach has been calling my name ALL week!  Unfortunately, I can't get there until Sunday, but it will be well worth the wait (you hear me weather gods!  I'll be getting a tan! No clouds!)  

This retro bikini is to die for.  Black bathing suits are my absolute favorite, and the high-cut and bandeau pieces with white accents gives it enough flair to be interesting, but not over-the-top, and wearable for multiple occasions (yes there are many bikini occasions!).  Basic accessories also jazz this this up even more, and make it so versatile.  

for the beach by topazdavis featuring yellow gold earrings

White bikini swimwear, $18

Old Navy flip flop shoes, $9.94

Straw handbag, $30

Nautical jewelry, $28

Dorothy Perkins yellow gold earrings, $9

Yellow straw hat, $13

Burt s Bees lip treatment, $4

[Keep Calm and BEACH ON (Seashell) 8x10 Print (Featured in Oceanic..., $11]

TOTAL~$111.94