The Paris Experience.

Photography by Sam Manzella

(Photo #7 by Natalya Jean)
Tights: T.J. Maxx

Boots: Borrowed from Sam

Shirt: Borrowed from Sam

Skirt: H&M

Necklace: Borrowed from Sam

Hat: Borrowed from Sam

Bag: H&M

When it comes to skirts and dresses, I tend towards A-line cuts as they're such a classic design and flatter pretty much everyone. So, if I go thrifting/shopping, I'm always on the lookout for a great a-line skirt, which meant that I found this gorgeous black little number over the weekend. I can't wait to start wearing the hell out of this! Most likely, over and over and over again, if I know myself.

Oh, and this outfit really reminds me of a Parisian sort of look, hence the title. The black and white stripes, the red bag, the floppy hat. It feels so French to me.

P.S. Quick thanks to Sam for lending me half of my outfit!

The Perfect Dress.

All Photography by Sam Manzella

Dress: H&M

Tights: T.J. Maxx

T-shirt: T.K. Maxx

Boots: Tesco

Bag: H&M

Blazer: T.J. Maxx

I actually only picked up this dress on a whim, while browsing in H&M. It was one of those moments where you look at it, think this is kind of nice, then put it on in the dressing room, have an HOLYGODILOVELOVELOVETHIS moment, and lose the ability to talk without jumping up and down for the next half hour. I love that feeling you get when you stumble across something and it turns out to be surprisingly perfect. This dress is now one of my favourites! The dots, the material, colours, the length, the fit, and the full skirt just combine to make it so completely unique in my eyes. 

I like the idea of layering a shirt over a dress, but in hindsight, I think I'd change the t-shirt. It's not quite the right length. However, I'm glad I experimented and I'm definitely going to reuse this. I'm trying to venture out of my comfort zone. What's your adventurous look?

Stylin' Skirts

I thought I'd share some of my favourite new skirt designs that I've been seeing over the past few weeks. During the spring, I generally lean towards pairing a simple skirt with a nice top, maybe some light tights, and heels. I'm drooling over all of these for this season. Must guilt friends and family into loans.

Leather and Lace.

Shirt: Vintage

Jeans: T.K. Maxx

Hat: Mandee

Boots: T.J. Maxx

Necklace: Gifted

Jacket: T.K. Maxx

The Spring of Spring.

Dress: Modcloth

Shoes: Payless

Tights: Modcloth

Necklace: Handmade in Canada

Cardigan: Thrifted

Why is it so hot? What is wrong with the world? It's March, for God's sake. It should be cold- or at the least, a little chilly. Not this overbearing, humid, mosquito-boasting heat wave. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind it being warmer than usual, especially as going out at six in the morning is far more comfortable now. But I miss the in between stage- the spring of spring. Cool rain showers, mild weather, crisp air, green things just beginning to poke out, tentative sunlight, etc. All that good stuff.

I have British genes. I am meant for mild climates. But not this. Definitely not this. Generally, I can handle the weather here just fine. Right now, though, it's too hot! It's in the seventies. In New York. In the middle of winter...Why?!

A Pocket of Rocks.

Split Skirt: Vintage

Shirt: T.J. Maxx

Tights: Vintage

Boots: Tesco's

Photography by Samantha Manzella

Photo # 10 by Natalya Jean

When I was younger, I was that girl who would fill her pockets with a plethora of rocks, whenever she went anywhere. Before any of my clothes could be washed, every single pocket would have to be checked for rocks, pebbles, and even the occasional (mini) boulder. I would leave the house and return hours later with my clothes loaded down with stone after stone. Quartz, granite, slate, agate...you name it, they've all been in the pockets of my old clothes at one time or another. I'm still not sure why I was so obsessed with rocks. Magpie-like tendencies, I guess?

Even now, I'm still a little quirky about these things- meaning that if I find some strange or fascinating item, I'll pick it up and keep it. Most of the surfaces in my room display such curiosities, which may soon be added to by the queer disk (see above) I found while walking with Sam. The disk has been dubbed the Rusty Monocle. It's probably a good thing I've gotten my tetanus shot, right?

A Saturday Screening.

Apparently, this is going to be the week for introducing new segments on Stylish and Snappy! Every Saturday, I'm going to assemble an outfit for anything you might get up to on a such a Saturday and title it using alliteration (yes, every time; ie. A Saturday Stroll, A Saturday Screening). I'll write a little blurb to go along with the set, maybe list some prices. From time to time, I might feature a certain site- Modcloth, in this case- by only choosing items from their store, a new trend, some sort of theme, etc. Feel free to make suggestions in the comments below.

Biography:
You decide to spend the day at the cinema and delve into your haphazard closet for something to wear. You dig through last night's discarded out-and-about in the city dress, your crumpled work-appropriate skirt, and pair after pair of tights, before your hands meet silky material- what's this? The perfect outfit for an afternoon matinee at the local, slightly more upscale theater where you can laze away a Saturday, enjoying back to back screenings of all your favourite black-and-white classics.

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Ides of Instagram.

I'm thinking of bringing a new segment (Is it called a segment if it's on a blog? Or is that just for Youtube videos?) to Stylish and Snappy: The Ides of Instagram. The idea is that around the middle of each month, I'll share some photos with you from my Instagram. It'll be like a mini peek into my life- what I've been doing, the places I've been, etc.

I have to confess Instagram is pure genius. As a person without Photoshop or other photo-editing devices, I love being able to use filters on my photos and follow some of my favourite people, not to mention actually take decent photos with my phone. Gahh. Brilliance.

By the way, you can follow me on Instagram as natalyajean.

Too. Much. Work.

All Photography by Natalya Jean

Dress: H&M

Shirt: Vintage

Boots: T.J. Maxx

Tights: H&M

Leather Jacket: T.K. Maxx

This week has been so hectic- and I'm not even finished with it yet. Intimidating tests, on demand essays, strange tests, an abundance of quizzes, buckets of homework... It's only Wednesday and it already feels like the whole week has passed. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to that coveted, blissful moment on Friday afternoon when I can finally relax. 

P.S. Sorry for the lack of posts. I promise to make it up to you.
P.S.S. That gorgeous boy in the photographs is Monty, in case I haven't mentioned him before.