[Inspiration] Magic Eye Design

via Magic Eye Design

My awesome friend Sarah (who is kind enough to occasionally take my outfit pictures) has just started her first interior design blog. She's a fabulous graphic designer, dj, and decorating enthusiast and is collecting some pretty incredible images to spark your designing senses so head on over and check it out. Plus, if you're looking for some extra guidance, she is offering up some consulting services to help make your place the space of your dreams. You know I'll be stalking her to help me with my new place when I manage to find it.

Happy browsing, friends!

[Everyday Ensemble] Black and Brown

zara jacket, gap blouse, h&m shorts, express tights, matisse boots via dsw,

f21 earrings & sunglasses

I was in a silly mood today when taking outfit pictures, so I jumped. That was pretty much the highlight of my Monday; just another typical Monday. Next Monday is my birthday and this jacket is an early birthday present from my mom. (Thanks, mom!) A cute leather jacket is always a wardrobe must have, no? And who says you can't mix black and brown together in outfits? Honestly, this outfit reminds me of two of my favorite things: chocolate and caramel. I'm off to scour for chocolate and finish this episode of Seinfeld. Short and sweet today. Sayonara!

[Weekend Wanderings] Disneyland

photo via

Guess what I did yesterday? Boyfriend and I took a semi impromptu journey to Disneyland and met up with some friends there for the evening. It was my first time at Disneyland (though I had been to Disneyworld) and beyond the hoards of tourists, I enjoyed taking in all the disney magic around every corner.

Other than that, the weekend was spent recuperating from a very intense work week. I had some super tasty brunch on Saturday whipped up by Chef Julia of the Goodmakers crew and scored a vintage betsey johnson dress at my fave thrift store. Sadly, my camera wasn't around to capture the good times.

How was your weekend?

[Everyday Ensemble] The Boyfriend Flannel

wearing: ralph lauren flannel, forever 21 sweatshirt, target jacket, gap trousers,

thrifted belt, matisse boots via dsw, bgbgeneration hoop earrings

Hi there and happy Thursday, friends. Meet my bike, the Free Spirit and my boyfriend flannel or rather, boyfriend's flannel. We've been hit with some unpleasant cold and very wet weather recently and it's to continue so all I can think about is being warm and cozy and on such occasions, I live in this flannel. It turns out to be the perfect security blanket.

Yesterday was a fairly eventful day. We found out that Elizabeth Taylor passed and I was really saddened. She was such a fabulous and wonderful talent. I was reading about her throughout the day and came across this quote I was particularly fond of.

"Everything makes me nervous - except making films. "

You see, last night was also the last night of my first acting class here in LA and we had a little performance for friends and family. It felt really great to perform in front of an audience again and it really wrapped up the class well. I had been really nervous throughout the class every time we would work on our scenes and yet magically, last night I managed to conquer my nerves and went into the performance feeling rather peaceful. Now, that's what I call exhilarating. It was great to dip my feet into the waters of performance again and I think I'm ready to start some swimming.

[Everyday Ensemble] Kolorowe Jarmarki

wearing: calvin klein sweater, tank dress worn as skirt via akira chicago,

f21 tights, bp boots, f21 earrings

My dad is a goofy guy and I kept thinking about him all day today because of this outfit. That may sound odd but I kept thinking of all the times my sister, mom, or I wore something that my father felt the need to joke about and he would always say in Polish that we look like, Kolorowe Jarmarki, which translates to colorful bohemian fairs or markets. My dad would definitely have something to say about the colorful pattern and my rusty tights and he would giggle his goofy laugh and I, in my stubborn nature, would just say whatever, dad, and take off for the day; that's how it would be.

I guess I've been craving a bit of home lately. It's hard to live so far from your family, but c'est la vie, tis the journeys we choose. Note to self, find cheap weekend flights home.

{Ensemble} At Dusk & A Tasty Treat

{express blazer, h&m sweater, francesca's collections skirt (seen before here), zara leggings,

american eagle tank, matisse boots, vintage coach bag, necklace: gift from my aunt in Poland}

You guys, I took my own outfit pictures today and though they may not be perfect, it's a step to getting there. Forgot to bring my tripod so they're a bit blurrier than I'd like and it was getting rather dark but I think the backgrounds came out quite interesting in these pictures.

Anyway, beyond that I also managed to cook a meal tonight. One of my go-to quick meals is this rosemary lemon garlic chicken. I'm not quite sure how I got this recipe. It's definitely a personal rework of other recipes I've done but it's definitely a simple staple. (I'll bring you a written recipe another day.) Paired with roasted fingerling potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms.

Followed that with a brownie I cooked last night when it was pouring. I cheated and used the mix from the box but I trusted Ghirardelli and made the turtle brownies; so tasty.

{coffe table wares: thrifted brass candleholder, seven grand matchbox, paris matchbook via hazel chicago}

monday down, happy tuesday.

{Home Decor} Inspiration

{all images via}

Well, thanks to the downpour of rain we got on Sunday I wasn't able to get out of the house and explore new neighborhoods. With our lease almost up, I'm excited to start looking for a new place that I can make all my own so, instead of actually seeing what's out there, I began dreaming of decor and gathering inspirational images. A few of the current pieces that I already have in my apartment give off a modern bohemian feel so I'm definitely going with that for inspiration. I love these images for their combination of modern and rustic with boho accents. It may be too soon but I'm already getting excited to scour the flea markets and do some of my own projects to make my future place fabulous on a budget.

Exciting things to come, friends! Happy Monday.

Do you Fancy? Terracotta Dreams

Equipment silk blouse $190

Stella McCartney straw hat $225

Kyler by Joy O hoop earrings $68

Proenza Schouler PS1 Bag $1,995

Topshop suede shorts $140

Rebecca Minkoff chain & leather bracelet $95

Coliac Martina Grasselli cuff $285

Alexander Wang Dakota booties $650

I've been mentioning shoes a lot lately; I can't help it, my feet need new vessels.

Naturally then, this week's Friday Fancy started with the shoes. I saw these booties a little while back over at Shevah's Style Diary and they immediately ingrained themselves in my mind. Everything about them makes me giddy but the color is especially inspiring. The shades of terracotta mixed with grounding neutrals make me want to head on a getaway to the dessert.

Palm Springs, anyone? I wish. Instead, I plan on spending the weekend scouting possible locations for my next move and heading out to explore some new neighborhoods with maybe a bit of thrifting peppered in. I think the outfit would translate well for that too, no?

Remember to stop by Long Distance Loving and check out more Friday Fancies. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Step into Spring

{marc by marc jacobs $265} {blowfish garren $50} {jeffrey campbell foxy espadrille $129}

{modern vintage wedge $250} {dknyc margaret $140} {miu miu wedge $365}

{fioni kiki cutout $27} {seychelles best of $90} {boutique 9 uziri $112}

{rebecca minkoff brooke $250} {seychelles semi precious $85} {deena & ozzy lace up $39}

This spring, I'm definitely in need of upgrading my shoe wardrobe. As I've browsed the web for affordable options, I couldn't help but fall for all wedge and platform options that are out there. From a flat with a mini-wedge to a 6 inch espadrille platform, I'm dying to add these 70's inspired sandals to my footwear rotation.

Any suggestions on where you guys find cute, comfy, and affordable footwear? Let me know & happy Wednesday!

Inspired by: (Gleek Alert) Rachel Berry

{uo blouse, h&m skirt, elliott lucca handbag, sunnies via flock shop la,

pearl necklace worn as bracelet, coach bangle watch, miu miu shoes }

Those of you who know me personally probably already know that I'm rather a huge Gleek. I grew up as a choir and theatre gal myself, so how could I not completely eat this show up? Catchy songs, an incredibly talented cast, and a well-written, witty script keeps me tuning in every Tuesday. A few weeks ago, I was thrilled to spot Rachel Berry sporting a skirt I myself had stored in my closet and I knew I had to give my Glee diva idol a shout out with this outfit.

I thought it would be fun to mix prints with this look and the print of lips on the blouse makes it a little more cheeky. Add in some classic accessories, like a patent bag and mary-jane peep-toes and all I'm missing is the lung capacity. Luckily, we have Lea Michelle for that.

I leave you with one of my favorite Rachel Berry quotes from the Comeback episode. Get excited Gleeks, regionals tonight and then a four week hiatus. :(

Weekend Wanderings: Lazy Leisure

{the view from the house}

I spent this past weekend on a rather relaxing retreat with a couple of furry friends. Nothing notable occurred and, to be honest, I spent most of it nestled comfortably on the couch watching a plethora of cooking shows, including top chef all stars and bobby flay's throwdown. Lucky for me, the home which I was house-sitting houses some very avid cooking enthusiasts as well as a huge bookshelf stocked with many cookbooks and so I got to play around in the kitchen as I pleased. All in all, it was a much needed relaxing break from reality. Here are a few photos I managed to capture despite my leisureliness.

{nugget #1: trapper}

{nugget #2: lucy}

{plenty of inspiration}

{i love a great spanish-style mosaic}

how was everyone else's weekend?

Do you Fancy? Spring Sophisticate

Vintage Umbrella $125 via Barneys New York

Matthew Williamson Dress $775 via Net-a-Porter

Oscar de la Renta Necklace $318 via Bergdorf Goodman

Oscar de la Renta Earrings $290 via Net-a-Porter

Shiseido Lipstick in Cerise $25 via Sephora

House of Harlow Stackable Rings $138 via The Trend Boutique

Mulberry Alexa bag via Net-a-Porter (N/A)

Yellow Patent Belt $32 via Topshop

Oasis Bangle Watch $54 via Asos

Manolo Blahnik Campy $645 via Barneys New York

Diane von Furstenberg Laptop Case $165 via my-wardrobe

Burberry Trench $1,095 via Net-a-Porter

Today we had a beautiful day reminiscent of summer so I feel like it's safe territory to start dreaming up spring outfits for today's friday fancy. I've always liked navy as a neutral and was immediately drawn to this dress for it not only had a navy base but also an awesome geometric pattern. The navy Manolo mary janes, with their classic cut and patent leather, seemed like the perfect spring base to a sophisticated look. Why do I feel like these shoes would go with everything in my closet?

I've taken a bit of personal time this week that's kept me from bringing you more blog posts, but I'm going to work harder to have more outfit shots to share.

Some more exciting doggy sitting this weekend for me, this time in Calabasas. I'm going to use the weekend as a bit of a retreat to focus and between a hike and some lounging, perhaps I'll find the time to organize myself with my taxes. Shall be nice. Hope everyone else has a lovely weekend. And hey, if you wanna peep in on my weekend and doggy adventures, follow me on twitter @ms_syllybee.

P.S. Don't forget to head over the long distance loving for more friday fancies.

What Women Wear & What Women Strive For

{thrifted silk tee, old navy cardigan, urban outfitters scarf (from years ago), h&m shorts,

hue tights, bp boots, f21 sunnies, coach bangle watch, vintage coach bag}

Hey, don't you love technology? It tells you all this stuff that you probably wouldn't know, like how yesterday I learned it was international women's day via Facebook. Well, first of all, I think everyday is international women's day so I don't really see the point, but sometimes to stop and think about how far women have come is important so I started researching. When the very first international women's day was held 100 years ago, "More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination." So here's a giant thank you and cheers to the many women who have and continue to fight and work toward conscious empowerment of women.

Subconsciously, this seemed to inspire the photos for yesterday's outfit as we stumbled upon these faux-rustic statues outside a restaurant near work. I have a fascination for ancient Roman and Greek artwork, mostly because of the real physical depictions of the women in them. They are not rail thin and idealized, they have realistic body types. Perhaps as media is changing and we drift into a more democratic sense of communication where everyone can be seen and heard via the internet, even in outlets such as blogs, we can begin to sway the media to portray women in a less idealistic manner and lean, rather, towards helping women accept the realistic sense of who they are beyond physical appearances. I know that personally, having to see myself and scrutinize my own photos that I post for you guys is not always a piece of cake and with my perfectionist persona can actually be a bit of a struggle. But there's something to be said about overcoming insecurities and putting yourself out there, for your own sake and that of the overall community.

This morning, I heard yet another fabulous and powerful woman speak about business at a special work function and it was truly inspirational. To hear a woman talk about her career journey from successes to failures so eloquently really put me in a positive mindset and gave me some positive affirmation about being able to achieve my own career and personal goals. I hope you all get to interact and listen to successful women on a regular basis, whether they be your own mother or the CEO of a large and established business, they all have amazing things to teach us. If you're craving for some more inspiration after reading this post, I highly suggest taking a listen to the commencement speech J.K. Rowling gave at Harvard for some wise words on what women are capable of achieving. Enjoy, go forth, and spread the girl power.

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

M.I.A. Switches up her 'Do

Spotted: M.I.A. rocking a platinum hair do and kelly green dress and looking flawless at the Versace show in Milan with Donatella.

Can I say I'm obsessed?! I absolutely love this look on her. She looks absolutely fantastic and though I've always loved her, she has officially been promoted to girl crush status in my book.

Way to be fierce, sexy lady.

Happy weekend!

The Look for Less: Givenchy Pre-fall '11

images via style.com

It's been unusually cold here in southern California these past few weeks and I'm starting to get frustrated. I did not move away from Chicago to be cold like this! No sir, I was looking for at least 65 and sunny, but sadly that is not the case. You'd think my Chicago roots would have me easily layering my wardrobe in this weather but to be honest, I purged and "California'ed" my closet when I moved so I find myself struggling to put together warm outfits. I tend to throw on my comfiest jeans and warmest sweater, grab a scarf and blazer and head out for the day.

But last Sunday, thanks to one of my fabulous idols, Cate Blanchett, I found myself scouring the Givenchy collections on style.com and couldn't help but be inspired by what they had happening for pre-fall 2011. The mix of neutral tones with subtle prints and textures had me immediately craving for the look and especially the sheer maxi skirts. So, of course, I started online shopping and I've put together a collection of affordable peices that would emulate this collection and transcend seasons, so whether its 75 and sunny or 55 and cloudy, you could mix and match and layer to your delight.

(from left to right)

topshop web tee $70

modcloth cha-cha lessons top $80

jcrew turtleneck $20

modcloth loop vest $65

modcloth brown ground skirt $35

topshop cream bell sleeve blouse $90

miss selfridge midi skirt $36

modcloth global tunic $90

topshop stud blouse $90

topshop lottie blouse $104

american apparel 3d flower top $88

zara leather jacket $249

forever 21 silk maxi $28

modcloth lisbon top $45

modcloth white lace skirt $65

What do you guys think of these looks?