Recent Finds:

I scored these Free People beauts from Urban Thread. They're furry inside, so I have a feeling they'll be a staple of mine for fall.

I got these Jeffrey Campbells from Urban Thread as well. I look like a kook in them, and I love them for that reason.

These Sam Edelman's were on super sale at Bloomingdale's recently, so I snagged them. It's hard to tell from the picture, but they cuff high up the ankle.

These little treasures are from Loop de Loop, one of mine and Flavia's favorite stores in Gainesville. Flavs got the sister to the butterfly on the right. Just some more bubberflies to add to our collection. Oh and that little creature is a Triceratops, my favorite dino. One of the kids I nanny for bought it from The Dollar Tree for me =)

I bought this beauty at Community Thrift Store in Orlando when I was there for a day trip this week. It was like $20 but totally worth it. I can't wait to hang her on my wall.

xoxox

Leah

Books I've Read This Month

So I know this is a fashion blog, but recently, I've been too obsessed with reading to blog about fashion. For this reason, I wanted to share some books that I've read over the past month and really enjoyed.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

This book made me happy to be young and alive. Wilde is particularly insightful about these two subjects. He was a playwright and this is his only novel. He was imprisoned for being an open homosexual in a time when it was not accepted, and this book is sprinkled with hints of that nature.

My Uncle Oswald by Roald Dahl

This book is a fucking riot. If you were obsessed with R.D. as a kid like I was, you'll love his only adult novel. He's insanely provocative and wildly funny.

Downtown Owl by Chuck Klosterman

Klosterman is typically a pop culture writer, so his novels are rich in references of the kind. That's what I especially enjoyed about this book, which was set in the small town in North Dakota in the '80s.

I'm currently reading The Best of Roald Dahl, which is a collection of his short stories. Once again, Roald Dahl is one of my literary heroes. I enjoy his snipey, quick-witted and sinister writing style. His short stories are especially evil, which I am loving.

I JUST started reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I bought a book with the entire series in one book, which is convenient, although it's massive and won't be fun to ride my bike with. Still figuring this one out: anyone read it?

If you have any suggestions, let me know. I'm always looking for new books to read and I like recommendations very much.

-Leah

Little Beauties:

School has started back up and my obnoxiously hectic lifestyle is back in action. However, I've been re-inspired by the "back to school" attitude and have tried to show that in my outfits. I've been sporting my vintage leather backpack, jumpers, and mini-dresses for the past few days now and it makes my school days slightly more serene. If you see the crazy girl on a hot pink and purple bike, thats me.

So, the latest adorable accessory that has just been stealing my heart is these teeny little clutch/wallets that I have been accumulating this summer. My regular sized wallets usually die on me and it's a real hassle when I am trying to squeeze my lipstick, iPhone, digital camera, keys and wallet all into a vintage clutch. So these palm sized change purses are my new obsession.

Here's my current collection:

Ive managed to steal both of the brown leather ones from my mom's collection, they are from her college days! The white one is Dooney & Bourke. The gold leather one is vintage and it travelled all over Italy with me. It fold out into an actual wallet.

Here's a close-up of my personal fav. One of my besties, Zaira, bought this for my while exploring thrift stores in Amsterdam. Check out that diamond encrusted bow clasp....so cute!

Despite my dwindling bank account balance, I have been managing to acquire quite a few beautiful new treasures. Thus, I'll have plenty to blog about in the upcoming days. Look forward to seeing precious vintage treasures that I found on a recent romantic thrifting expedition, as well as some incredible Urban Thread finds!

Un Bacio (a kiss),

Flavia

New Loves:

It goes without saying that I've been really inspired by my adventures in Italy. Living out of my suitcase full of high-waisted skirts, leotards, ruffled tops, and dresses was so much easier than I ever thought it would be. Italian girls had really flirty style, but the main thing that I was lusting over while I was there was the way that they accessorize! All I do now is pile on the jewels, and I am on the hunt for the craziest gladiators under the sun. I found a lot of great treasures while in Europe, and continued my search as soon as I hit the motherland. Here are some of my latest obsessions:

I bought these black gladiators upon my return because I wore my favorite pair of black Sam Edelmans throughout my trip. Needless to say, they had a rough trip. I figured these beauties from Aldo were fit to replace them.

These are my new heart and soul. I have been lusting over these long before I went on my trip, and after I got back I just knew that I couldn't go on without them! Leah says that these were basically made for me, and I think she's right. Every strap is a different color and texture. Be still, my heart!

I love my new fingershield. It makes me feel like part robot, part medieval princess. I bought it at a random street market in Rome. I'm wearing it here with my Forever21 bib necklace.

My new Swatch watch is my favorite piece of new arm-candy. It's huge but still really girly with rhinestone insets and a clear face frame. The best part is that I bought it in Paris, how exciting! I love piling bangles onto my arm with this piece. I can't live without these leather Florentine bangles.

There are still plenty of Italian-inspired posts to come, such as these dresses I snagged on my last day in the Eternal City. (Hint: one of them is a maxi-dress)

Of course, since I'm back in Gainesville I will be out and about on the lookout for more fashion inspiration, so be prepared. Leah and I have some big projects in mind! I hope that you've enjoyed the latest posts!

Love,

Flavia

My Favorite Italian Accessory:

One of the beautiful places that I visited during my trip was the island of Ischia. This little paradise is a volcanic island, and the water here is very cherished for its healing and beautifying properties. This is why it is a law here that everyone taking a dip in these precious waters MUST wear a swim cap. I was elated when I heard this, and took it as an opportunity to buy my dream swim cap:

Honestly, who doesn't secretly love 3-d floral swim caps?! This was one of the fashion highlights of my trip, hehee. Wearing: Silicone floral swim cap, UO vintage inspired one-piece, and Diesel sunnies.

Here are some other snapshots of this lovely island:

Don't be surprised if you see a silly girl wearing a swim cap at your local gainesville pool.

With Love,

Flavia

Hello Kitty Heaven:

I'm back!!

My trip in Rome was absolutely amazing. I think it really changed me and it was so exciting to be able to explore such a beautiful country over 6 weeks. Oh, and I also got to make a weekend trip to Paris! I have lots of photos of my adventures to come. You wouldn't believe how beautiful everything is in Rome and Paris. The fashion is absolutely amazing! One thing I really enjoyed doing was visiting stores and admiring the merchandising. Stores in Rome were so beautiful, equipped with chandeliers and giant paintings and couches and columns, everything was breathtaking. One of the most beautiful stores that I visited was a boutique on Via Del Corso, called Camomilla. I stopped by on the opening day and couldn't believe my eyes. This store was Hello Kitty themed, so obvi I died the instant that I walked in. Hopefully my pictures do it some justice, I hope you all are as enamored with this little slice of heaven as I am.

Hello Kitty scooter helmets, salt and pepper shakers, champagne, and purses?! Camomilla really stole a little piece of my heart. Let me know what you guys think! I really wish our stores paid as much attention to detail in terms of beautiful merchandising as some of the boutiques in Italy did. It really adds such a wonderful sense of whimsy and fantasy to the shopping experience.

Love,

Flavia