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Bonjour!

I was feeling very festive the other day because I just got accepted to do a Spring Break study-abroad program in Paris!! I can't wait to spend the week exploring museums, twirling through gardens, and eating adorable macaroons. While I was studying in Italy, I took a long weekend to explore Paris with my friend Rob and we had an amazing time. We managed to cover a lot of ground, but I knew all along that I'd have to go back.

I decided to celebrate by wearing bright red lipstick and a striped skirt that I thrifted in Paris over summer. J'adore themed outfits! Here is my Parisian-inspired look:

My Adrienne Landau fur neck-warmer is one my few "fancy" treasures. I splurged on it over winter break with the fantasy of one day passing it along to my stylish, vintage-obsessed adopted daughter. It is absolutely precious and keeps me so warm during these chilly winter days.

What I'm Wearing: Adrienne Landau fur neck-warmer, Delias coat, Vintage skirt , clutch, and reptile belt, Juicy Couture maillot worn as a top, Target cardigan, Frye riding boots, Forever21 headband, Urban Outfitters butterfly ring, bangles from Italy, bow necklace.

Au revior, lovelies!

-Flavia

Fare Una Bella Figura:

As some of you may know, I studied in Italy last summer. I took away so much from that experience and it really influenced my love for fashion. Italians have a beautiful sense of confidence with the way they wear clothes, and perhaps the most significant thing I learned from Italian style is "fare una bella figura". The people around me lived by this romantic theory of sorts. The "bella figura" is the impression you give off with your personal style. You want to look naturally beautiful and confident, but with ease. I remember just falling for men and women I saw on the streets checking their watches or putting on their sunglasses, every move they made seemed so graceful. Every "Ciao" melted my heart. The bella figura doesn't really have an exact definition, but more of an emotion associated with it, and it has everything to do with fashion and a sense of self.

I had to put my study of the "bella figura" to work on the day of my Urban Outfitters interview! I put together an outfit that I felt represented my style: a love of new and old, gentle femininity, and gioielli (jewels). Here are a few fuzzy pictures of what I wore to my UO interview:

What I'm Wearing: Urban Outfitters lace dress and doll shoes, American Apparel blush backseam tights, Forever21 bow headband, Betsey Johnson bow watch and love ring, bangles from Italy, pink pearl bracelet, "Flavia" name necklace.

I had an amazing experience in Philadelphia and at the URBN complex. Let's hope that they loved me! Now it's back to school, so much to do already! Look forward to more outfit posts, street style, and vintage finds!

Bacci (kisses),

Flavia

Skipping Through The Streets of Philly:

I suppose I should fill you in on the big news before diving into this post...

I'm in Philadelphia right now because I have an interview with Urban Outfitters tomorrow for a buying internship!!!!

When I got the email saying that I'd been chosen for an interview my heart started racing so fast! This really is my dream come true!! I've always fantasized about being a buyer for a company that I love, and this is my chance! Tomorrow is the big day, I'll let you all know how it goes. (I have the perfect outfit picked out)

Anyways, I flew to Philly a day early because I've never been here and I was longing to explore. In conclusion, I am madly in love with this place. I spent most of my day on South Street, a cute stretch of town packed with vintage shops and restaurants and a magical garden. I'm so smitten with the spots I visited today that I'm putting together a little shopping guide of South Street for a future post. Here are some shots of my wonderful day:

My Adventure Outfit: AA bodysuit, Forever21 belt & tights, my favorite necklace, and a vintage ruffle skirt that I altered to my liking (it used to be floor length).

Me jumping on my big bed, getting bundled up for the long chilly day.

Wearing: Urban Outfitters beret, Betsey Johnson cashmere scarf, Vintage ruffle purse and faux-fur coat.

Now the sights (be jealous):

Oh Philadelphia, my heart belongs to you!

Urban Outfitters, please love me too!!

Wish me luck tomorrow! I think I'm so excited that I won't be able to sleep!

Love,

Flavia

Dazzled:

I'm sorry that I didn't post over winter break, I was taking a much needed vacation from all of my responsibilities. I did get really lucky at one of my local thrift stores over the break, and this necklace is one of my many treasures. My MacBook camera doesn't do the sparkle justice, but this is a beauty. A vintage gemstone necklace in the form of a drapey bow? My dream come true...

Is it wrong that I can't stop looking at it?

Nah.

Love,

Flavia

Vintage Layer Cake:

Lately I've been really intrigued by layering and experimenting with new textures. Today I felt like using really delicate, sheer fabrics in order to create a gentle, feminine layered look. I collect vintage nightgowns, and I decided to wear one of my favorites underneath this sheer pink pleated skirt that I bought at a vintage boutique in Atlanta. I figured it would work perfectly because the top of the nightie has an adorable lace collar and is very blouse-like.I love that the lace hemline of the nightgown peaks out from beneath the skirt! I figured that my huge Betsey Johnson belt would contrast perfectly with such sweet fabrics. Here is a look at my outfit:

I had a lot of fun skipping around campus in this frilly ensemble. My favorite colors lately have been pale pinks, golds, and nude. Wait til I show you my new Betsey Johnson tutu...

Well, tomorrow I have two language finals and then I may not update until saturday afternoon because my fate is riding on the accounting exam that I have on Saturday morning, wish me luck! Worry not, I have some really fun projects coming up! First off, I just gathered up some supplies to create a longer, more wearable version of my tutu from the tutu-torial (this time in lavender). I will also be sewing up some really nifty leg-wear accessories, but I don't want to spoil any surprises. You all should follow me on twitter because not only have I become addicted, but I also frequently tweet about my tonnish touch secrets.

Until next time!

Love,

Flavia

Playing Dress-Up:

At times, I'm so confused as to what exactly my "style" is. I love it all: granny-chic, baby-doll dresses, ruffles and bows, boy-meets-girl, trekkie, vintage vixen, senorita...

So many things inspire me. With the current chill, I've been really inspired to pile on furs, frocks and silk scarfs. I've been channeling old hollywood glamour and mixing it with my everyday basics. Yesterday on my treasure-hunting adventure, I stumbled upon a beautiful vintage turban that I simply couldn't pass up. Here are some photos of my new hat, and a few of me playing with it:

I absolutely love this piece! In person, it is so delicate and in perfect condition. The cap itself is made of a thick lace, and the overlay is a fine creme and gold tulle. Here I'm wearing it with a vintage mink capelet and my new Betsey Johnson crinoline tutu. Definitely expect to see me wearing it with my new black coat!

These are the things that keep my happy and calm during finals week...

Love,

Flavia

Fuzzy Flavita:

First and foremost: I am so sorry for the recent lack of updates! School has just become so hectic and now that finals are coming up I'm frantically preparing my color-coded index cards and highlighters for a week of studying. However, today was an absolutely fabulous Saturday, mainly because my boyfriend surprised me with a day of thrifting in Ocala, so I couldn't help but update about a few of my finds. Here's what I wore today:

Target ruffled cardigan, thrifted gold belt, Betsey Johnson heart tights, and DIY prepster shorts

Last night I was feeling crafty. I took a pair of vintage Levi's trousers that I thrifted a while back and decided to crop, hem, and cuff them into cute little prepster shorties. I have a feeling that shorts will be a key piece for winter layering. I love that they are part pin-up girl, part geek-chic, plus they're pleated! Let me know if you want any details on this fun make-over project. I would have posted a tutorial, but I pretty much improvised throughout.

As for today, I found a few amazing pieces while on my thrifting adventures, including a top reminiscent of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" days, a beautiful 1950's turban cap, and a great pair of vintage frames that I'll be turning into sunglasses. But those things will have their own posts. I wanted to post about my favorite find of the day, an amazing black, fuzzy, faux-fur coat! Please excuse the silly photos, I couldn't help but twirl around in this beauty.

What do you think? I absolutely love it! Faux-fur is my latest obsession. A while back I posted about my brown faux-fur coat from Urban Thread. Over the Thanksgiving vaca, I also acquired this adorable leopard printed cropped jacket. This black coat is so glamorous though, I think it stands out on its own among the collection. It makes me feel like an old Hollywood movie star! I cant wait to pair it with sequin tops and dresses. Like I said, expect quite a few more posts before my cramming frenzy begins!

P.S. Leah would be proud, I'm wearing all black!

Love,

Flavia