Friday Favorites: From Harem Pants to Chelsea Boots

I'm really excited to share my favorites with you guys this week, because they're really different and they all have a special place in my heart. Also, I'm hopping on a plane to Pittsburg tomorrow to visit my best friend and we have an exciting weekend planned that I can't wait to share with you guys when I get back! There will be another spotlight on Sunday as well, so get pumped up for that!

Now... I present to you my Friday Favorites!!

Number 10: Socks: Patterned socks, Frilly socks, socks, socks, SOCKS.

I love socks! I mean, who doesn't?! I love socks so much that once I dropped $45 on socks at Tommy Hilfiger... that was two years ago and I still wear the socks, so I would consider that a successful shopping excursion. Socks are so cool these days and you can get socks with pretty much anything on them! Also, jellies are really big right now and the trend of wearing socks with jellies is getting more and more popular. This fall I implore you to be bold with your sock choices, regardless of whether or not they're seen. I have five pairs of Christmas socks that I wear when the weather gets cold and I feel empowered just knowing they're there! On the other hand, if I had Rosie the Riveter socks I would wear them everyday for the world to see.

Number 9: The Caprese Panini 

To. Die. For. I would take a bullet for a caprese panini... that's no joke. I have never tasted something so close to heaven in my life and I am truly happy when I'm consuming this delicious combination. This masterpiece consists of mozzarella, tomato, basil / lettuce, and/or balsamic vinaigrette / pesto. Pair this delicious panini with a Panera iced green tea and you are hooked for life. The innards of the sandwich are also delicious between ciabatta or focaccia bread. I can't even express the importance of this sandwich and the necessary action that must be taken by every person in the world.. you must consume this sandwich once in your lifetime. Put it on your bucket list, scribble it on your palm, tattoo it on your forehead; whatever you need to do in order to remember to eat this sandwich. I leave you to your journey. 

Number 8: Masquerade Balls

First, I've never been to one... but I want to go SO badly. Ever since I saw Phantom of the Opera for the first time I've wanted to dress up in a mask and go unknown for a night. I planned on having a big sweet sixteen and have it be a masquerade ball, but things fell through and I ended up having a small get-together with close friends... which I definitely appreciate more, looking back now. The thing is... it's on my bucket list, so A Cinderella Story with Hillary Duff in her beautiful white dress and mask didn't exactly help in suppressing my desire to attend a masquerade ball. My big dream would be to attend a Vogue masquerade ball because from what I've seen of it, it's the most magical party you'll ever attend. So let me know if you're throwing a masquerade ball... I will be in attendance.

Number 7: Harem Pants

Yes, harem pants. The big new craze in pants and the comfiest pants ever. This fact cannot be argued. Apart from the moomoo my nana gave me for my birthday, these glorious pants are the comfiest item in my closet. They are loose; there is nothing tight about them and that’s only half the reason why they’re life-changing. Not only do you feel like you’re wearing PJs but you’re basically wearing socially acceptable PJs. I’m wearing mine right now with some jellies and a crop top and I got complimented on my “beautiful outfit” by the woman working the metal detector at the airport. These pants also make you feel like a celebrity, for some reason; you put them on and you’re thinking “damn, I look fabulous...where are my paparazzi?!” They are functional, they’re diverse, and they come in so many exciting patterns that one simply cannot get sick of harem pants. I also had a dream last night that I wore my harem pants with suede pointed toe pumps, a sassy crop top, and a clutch to the MET gala. These pants will take you to extraordinary places!

Number 6: Oscar de la Renta; Spring / Summer 2014

Who doesn’t LOVE Oscar de la Renta... seriously?! His clothes are beautiful and this collection was literally breathtaking. He and Elie Saab are my favorite designers, in my eyes, they can do no wrong. What I love about Oscar’s Spring / Summer 2014 collection was his use of layering and fabrics that would create an etherial and whimsical look. He mixed dresses with tulle and volume with dresses that were constructed with clean lines and embroidery. It all fit together so well and you could obviously see why he is such a famous and renowned designer. The color scheme was impeccable and I’m sure that everyone at that show had their jaws on the floor the entire time. 

I’m a strong believer that a good outfit starts with the right shoes and he created these beautiful pearl studded boots along with satin pumps that added that extra element to his designs. To say I’m OBSESSED would be an understatement; I know that if I ever attend a red carpet event, I will be wearing one of his designs (if he’ll let me) and cry tears of joy. 

Number 5: How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother has to be my favorite television show. I got hooked three or four years ago from just watching one episode... that day on I’ve been hooked like I was with Friends and Seinfeld (I still watch reruns daily). The show is so smart and witty; I find myself laughing out loud when I’m watching; I think it’s physically impossible not to. 

I’m overwhelmingly in love with Jason Segal who plays Marshall on the show and stars in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Freaks and Geeks. He’s just so cute and funny and I just want to cuddle with him because he’s a legitimately a big teddy bear. The other stand-out actor on the show is obviously Mr. Neil Patrick Harris, who ironically plays a womanizer who coined the saying “LEGEND - wait for it - DARY.” 

Whoever cast the show is an absolute genius who deserves all the Kit Kats in the world; the cast works so well together and I would be seriously surprised if they aren’t best friends outside the show. The show also provides this long running mystery of “who’s the mother?” I’ve been dying to know since the pilot episode and here we are at the final season and now that it’s here I don’t want to know. I just want them to film forever; I would give up knowing who the mother is if the show never ended. So go watch seasons 1-8 right now! They’re all on Netflix and I’m pretty sure you could watch all eight seasons in a week.... I did so I’m pretty sure anybody could! DO. IT. Then tune in on Monday nights and watch the beauty of season nine unfold.

Number 4: Ankle Strap Pumps

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I’ve been seeing these shoes more and more on tumblr and on the feet of celebrities and it’s obvious why. These closed toed shoes with the little ankle strap are beautiful and so flattering to your leg and foot. Many people worry that having a strap around their ankle will "cut their leg off", but the strap on these is so narrow that you don’t even have to worry about it! That is totally relevant with a pair of black ankle boots / thick strapped pumps but no need to fear with these shoes! The design is pretty basic but clearly designers have dressed up the design and made them of a work of art than a pair of shoes. I imagine wearing these shoes would make you feel like a supermodel, I mean, I get that feeling when I try on these types of shoes for two minutes at DSW, so I’m sure this style shoe will be liberating for women universally.  A pair of ankle strap pumps is on my list of “things to get when I’m an adult.” I currently have nowhere to wear a pair of shoes as beautiful as these, but as soon as I do, these little lovelies are mine. 

Number 3: Green Tea at Starbucks

Please just give me this helpless white girl moment and hear me out. Green tea, first off, is the best thing that has ever been discovered and I would live off only this stuff if I could. So what I’m talking about today are the green tea products offered by Starbucks. I’ve decided to go from least-healthy-for-you to most-healthy-for-you, so yes, we’re starting our journey with the Green Tea Frappaccino. Like all of Starbucks’ frappaccinos, it’s delicious and, naturally, horrible for you. I don’t get them often, but when I do, I get it made with soy milk and no whip (half because I’m lactose intolerant and a vegetarian and half because I feel like somehow that makes it less bad for me). The soy milk they use at Starbs has a vanilla flavoring and I prefer it to the regular frappaccino... plus it makes me feel healthier. Even if you’re not a vegetarian or lactose intolerant, my friends, who are normal, get it with soy milk because it’s a lot better tasting with the vanilla flavoring. Next, we have the slightly more healthy version of the frappaccino, the Green Tea Latte. It tastes the EXACT same as the frap, but it’s not heavy and doesn’t make you feel guilty for drinking it. These two taste the same because they’re both made with green tea matcha powder that, despite its color, is absolutely delectable.  Now we have the SUPER healthy and CHEAP option... I actually think it’s the cheapest thing you can get at Starbs. ICED GREEN TEA. It’s Tazo tea that you can add sweetener to... I recommend the raspberry sweetener; it's incredible. I usually have it without any sweetener but I’m the weird one in my group of friends... so maybe go with the sweetener. Go for it! Drink these delicious concoctions and bask in the glory of green tea. 

Number 2: "Teenage Dirtbag"

THIS. SONG. After hearing the original version of this song I was impressed; it’s catchy and I thought it was an adequate jam. Then I went to the One Direction concert and they did their version of the song and I seriously fell in love and I fell hard. I knew they were capable of covering songs after hearing “One Way or Another / Teenage Kicks” but everything about this song particular song is perfect. Listen to both and decide what you think of the song by both artists. The 1D version of the song below is the version that appeared in This Is Us and it's just an awesome representation of their talent. I know what you're thinking: "UGH, One Direction," but hear me out! 1. Harry opens the song and even if you don't like One Direction, you have to admit that his raspy voice gives you little goose bumps. You actually can't deny it... it's impossible not get them. 2. Zayn's voice is prime and his little embellishments add a polished touch to the song that the original doesn't offer. 3. LIAM IS THE STAR OF THIS SONG. I literally feel all of the chills, all of the tears, and all of the vocal envy when he hits his falsetto. Every male singer in the world should be envious of his falsetto, I mean, I am... and I'm a girl. Finally, you cannot deny the beauty of five male voices harmonizing. So listen and give it a chance. Give peace a chance. Even if you strongly dislike these boys, you can acknowledge their talent!

ORIGINAL SONG:

ONE DIRECTION COVER: 

Embrace it. No hate.

Number 1: Chelsea Boots

I've had a pair of chelsea boots for about a year now and I constantly receive compliments every single time I wear them. These boots were originally men's boots but they came into women's fashion and I could not be more grateful to the fashion gods. Let's get real, every woman has an obsession with men's shoes and the fact that it's socially acceptable for me to wear these is seriously a dream come true. These boots are usually made with leather with a wooden sole, so naturally they're super expensive.. which is a bummer... unless you have $200+ to randomly spend on shoes. Lucky for us ladies on a budget, we have stores like Forever 21, Topshop, and H&M that allow us to get trendy items at an affordable price. I got mine at the Forever 21 on Newbury Street in Boston for $16 when they were running a shoe sale. That's probably the best deal I've gotten in my entire life, but I would spend $50+ for Chelseas. Ideally, I would like to own these chelsea boots from Jack Wills but I can't justify spending $300 for these boots right now. Maybe if I start putting a dollar-a-day in my piggy bank I can get these in 300 days... I'll keep you posted!

I hope you liked the Friday Favorites this week! 

Follow this link to check out an awesome new song that just I can't get enough of!!

Much love! <3