[New Series] Color Combos: Gray + Black + Denim

Yes, denim is a color. Actually, it is more than a color, it is in a category and a league of its own. I absolutly love denim, especially if its acid washed. I also love the classic levis styled jean. However, I think it is not the easiest material to incorporate with other colors and patterns, and this is what this new series will be about: unusual pairings that will give a specific outfit a distinct look.

There are some classic pairings that work with denim, such as dark wash skinnys with a lighter washed chambray shirt or denim with basically white anything. Another popular trend that rolled around these past couple of years was denim on denim, which.... I'm not such a big fan of.

             

I like these combinations, don't get me wrong. But I think wearing denim with gray brings the style of the outfit to another level. I really like the look 

I don't know, there's something about it. It looks casual, but put together. It's easy on the eye and suits every type of weather. You can wear it in the spring and summer with a chambray shirt and gray tank top, or you can rock it in the fall and winter by pairing a gray sweater along with a gray beanie. Various shade of gray and denim work well and they bring their own type of look, which is another reason why I love this combination so much. 

One inportant factor to consider: because both of these colors are intermediate in darkness (depending on the shade selection of denim and gray, of course), is that there needs to be a color that grounds the look. For me, that color is black. This creates a rather monochrome look, with a subtle pop of color with the bliue. Here are some ways in which these three colors (gray+denim+black) could be worked together.

Soft cotton t shirt / Boat neck tunic / Short sleeve shirt, $7.79 / Denim jacket, $200 / Topshop mini skirt / Sixtyseven black shoes / Vegan shoes, $120 / Yves Saint Laurent leather handbag / Herschel backpacks bag, $105 / Reason black hat / Clear wayfarer

I hope these color combos inspired you to try various looks using denim and gray. I will for sure keep posts like these coming!


Happy Thursday!

Grace

Sweatshirt Weather

I have always been a huge fan of fall and the transition between fall and winter. It is the time when the leaves fall, the temperature starts to be perfect for fall essential fashion, and of course, the holiday season. But let's be honest, it's mainly the fashion. There is nothing I love more than when I get the chance to wear my favorite sweater with a light jacket, a scarf, and some sturdy boots. Fall is my favorite seasons because you can look put together without trying too hard and still be comfortable. Even though I still love my chunky knit sweaters, I have come to find a new obsession this year -the sweatshirt-. This year, I have been especially into the street style trend that involves chunky heeled boots, studs, abstract prints, and of course, awesome sweatshirts.There are several trends that carried over from last year and there are some new trends that are just starting to peak through. Sweatshirts hide the feminine curve and make a look overall more casual and easier on the eye. The following outfits are inspired by those trends and they all utilize the sweatshirt. Hope these outfits could spark some styling ideas!

Street Chic:

Street Chic by gracemengdi featuring lightweight jackets

Object Collectors Item tie dye shirt, $20 / Velvet lightweight jacket / Warehouse skinny jeans, $77 / Dr. Martens lace-up boots / Sunday Somewhere leather bag / Reason black hat

I would say out of all the styles, this one is personally closest to my personal style. I really like that grungy look that is not overdone. I paired this tie dyed sweatshirt with a green militray style jacket which is pretty much still in style! Beanies are a must this season, and through on some statement boots and you are out the door!


Modern Day Skater Hipster:

random outfit by gracemengdi featuring skinny jeans

River Island crewneck sweatshirt, $40 / Koral skinny jeans, $295 / Underground black shoes / Genuine leather backpack / NY Balmain Inspired Snapback 40oz Van NYC Brand List

I really like the skater hipster look on guys, and hell, girls could rock it too! I thought the combination of the sweatshirt and the snapback really contrasted well with the acid wash jeans and the black leather creepers. This outfit is definitely unique and but captures the spirit well.


Sophisticated Rocker:

Rocker Chic by gracemengdi featuring skinny jeans

Pull&Bear sweat shirt, $32 / Leather jacket, $150 / Frame Denim skinny jeans / Jeffrey Campbell booties / Wet Seal beaded jewelry / NEFF Fold Beanie

Throw on this outfit and you are ready for a The Pretty Reckless concert. It has a rocker style, but it is still subtle enough to be out on the streets. I love black leather jackets and maroon beanies, I think the pairing just screams rocker chick. The cutout boots are awesome and they will for sure draw a lot of attention your way! The rips in the black skinnys just adds to the over effect!


Casual Girly:

Casually Girly by gracemengdi featuring a beaded dress

Vero Moda beaded dress, $55 / Hoodie sweat shirt / Robert Clergerie leather shoes / ASOS white purse / Astley Clarke jewelry, $215

The only outfit that I probably would not wear in this series, but it is still a wonderful look that many of you could rock! The peterpan collar could still be worked into this outfit by pulling a cute sweatshirt over the top to instantly change the style. The girly oxfords and the white bag will instantly pull this look together.


Preppy and Pretty:

Pretty and Pretty by gracemengdi featuring a white studded handbag

Pull&Bear shirt top, $32 / Monki polka dot denim shirt, $47 / Black circle skirt / Hollister Co. flexible shoes / BCBGMAXAZRIA white studded handbag / Johnny Loves Rosie wire headband

You can show off both your style and your school spirit with the same look! Pull your college sweatshirt over a chambray shirt; if you live in California, you could probably just wear a black skirt and get away with it, but if you live somewhere colder like me, don't be afraid to throw on some black tights, or over the knee socks. The preppy look is not complete without a pair of navy blue keds, and a nice structured bag.


Comfortably Stylish:

Comfy and Lazy by gracemengdi featuring Eastpak

Red sweat shirt / Vero Moda loose trousers, $55 / Converse flat shoes / Eastpak backpack, $66 / Topshop black fur hat

I would probably wear this outfit to a nearby coffee shop on a study break. The sweatshirt is fun and whimsical, paired with some dark harlem sweatpants and converse makes this a very casual while comfortable look.


Sporty but Classic:

Sporty but Chic by gracemengdi featuring backpacks bags

French Connection sweatshirt / Rag & Bone denim jacket / Frame Denim blue jeans, $360 / Converse shoes, $72 / Herschel backpacks bag, $105

I am a huge fan of this concept, whether if it is with a varsity jacket, or a denim jacket, either way it is simple and chic. I am a big fan of the simple, loose gray sweatshirt paired with a simple denim jacket. Dark wash skinnys and some white converse really pull this look together.

It is good to be back and blogging again! I would love for this to be a once or twice weekly thing again. I have been WAY too busy with course work and college, but hopefully I can get my act together! Hope your Novembers are great and stay warm! (if you live in Minnesota).


Grace

Lookbook Look 130426

Current Playlist

I thought it would be fun to share some of my playlist since Music is probably my favorite thing in the world besides food. I've been working out to some new songs recently, and I also got into this horrible habit of having to listen to music before I go to sleep. I hope you guys will check these songs out and maybe add them to your playlists!

My "Workout Playlist": (Usually on shuffle and repeat)

Thrift Shop (feat. Wanz) [Explicit] - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
I Got A Boy - Girls Generation 
Fly High (feat.BaBy Soul) - Infinite H
Special Girl -Infinite H
Bellas Regionals: The Sign/Eternal Flame/Turn The Beat Around - The Barden Bellas (Pitch Perfect Soundtrack)
Trebles Finals: Bright Lights Bigger City/Magic - Treblemakers (Pitch Perfect Soundtrack)
Bellas Finals: Price Tag/Don’t You (Forget About Me)/Give Me Everything/Just The Way You Are/Party In The U.S.A./Turn The Beat Around -  The Barden Bellas (Pitch Perfect Soundtrack)
Riff Off - Pitch Perfect Soundtrack
Crash - B.A.P
Stop It - B.A.P
Titanium - David Guetta 
Nothing Really Matters (Feat. Will.i.am) [Explicit] - David Guetta
I'm Sorry - CN BLUE


My "Before Sleep Playlist":

The Gambler - FUN.
Gone Gone Gone - Phillip Phillips
93 Million Miles - Jason Mraz
Details in the Fabric - Jason Mraz ft. James Morrison 
Rain Sound - B.A.P
What My Mind Says - B.A.P



Do you have a weird music habit? What are some of your favorite workout songs? please share!! 

Homesickness + FUN.+ FOTD

Well, I am back at college. I came back a couple of days ago and it has been really cold where I am. I have been rather sad recently because I was home for so long and I realized how blessed I was to have people that will be there for me no matter what, and having to leave them is very hard to do. Since I am still a first year student, this is only my second semester. I still don't have a sense of security and I still have not made friends that I feel like I could depend on 110%. I had to spend a lot of the past couple of days alone because my friend had classes during J-term and not a lot of people were back on campus. During that time, I felt so alone, not only because I was actually by myself basically coffee shop hopping all day, but because I think it finally hit me that I have to be on my own from now on, and that is very scary to me. On the outside, I normally show a side of me that is easygoing and happy, but on the inside I am actually very insecure, not only about myself but about everything. However, I know that this feeling is only temporary and I just have to try the hardest at everything and really make a difference in my life. I have been reading, blogging, and listening to music a lot to make myself feel better and it has been working. I am actually very excited now at this moment for the upcoming semester. I will see it as new opportunities and a chance for me to just be myself instead of a trap that will keep me from going anywhere in life.

Something else that made me feel a lot better was the FUN. concert I went to a couple of days ago. I am a huge fan of FUN. and I basically know all of their songs by heart. It was a great concert even though our seats were not great. FUN. made me realize that I should love life and all of its shit and pursue what I love despite what others say. They made be realize that music basically makes my world go round. I want to share some of the pictures I took, and this is a memory that I will definitely cherish forever.

 Opening

Edited pic

Hey look, Nate's waving at me ;)

 This is probably the coolest picture I took.Sometimes being further away has its ups too. :)

 The set on stage was super cool

 Changed into jerseys :)

Awesome lights!

Last but not least, my edited FUN. artsy pic:

(And Andrew, I was screaming "I LOVE YOU ANDREW" All night long even though you almost definitely did not hear me at all. I LOVE YOU and your piano playing, trumpet blowing, backup singing, your face and all of your awesomeness.)

Moving On, I took these Face of the Day pictures about a week ago, but I still wanted to share!

Face:
Hanskin Smart Total BB Cream in #2
MAC Skin-finish Natural in Medium
Tarte Blush in Exposed (Although the picture kind of washed me out)

Eyes:
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
Colors from the Smashbox Click You're It Palette (Thanks Julia <3)
Milani Eye-Tech Extreme Liquid Liner
Milani LiquidEye Pencil Liner
Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara

Lips: 
EOS Lip Balm (Lemon)

Thanks for checking this out!
Share your college experiences and your advice for coping with homesickness :) It will be much appreciated!

-HAPPY FRIDAY NIGHT-
(and yes I am actually blogging on a Friday night; yes I am that lame; and yes I am ok with that )

<3
Grace