"I am what I am" - Doc Marten 2002/03

According to just about every 'greatest of the 90's' list, Doc Martens were one of the most worn trends between 1989 and 2000. I was never older than 7 in that timespan, so I can't vouch for it personally, but looking at old photographs of celebrities and everyday trailblazers it seems to be the case. 

Back in the day, Doc Martens were known to be worn by people in a 'grunge' or 'punk mod' fashion. But before that, they were one of the first kind of boot with sole cushioning inside, making them durable and reliable for postmen, police officers and factory workers. So they're a fashion statement for the rebellious teenager in all of us while also being substantial enough to support any kind of hard treading done in them. Originally Docs were only made in a variety of solid colors, but they now print patterns and have an assortment of different styles as well. You can see why I'd be excited when my new pair of gems, seam-packed full of history and potential was finally dropped on my front porch.

shirt: piazzitalia

leggings: burlington coat factory

necklace: new york & co

hat: h&m

top: forever xxi

cardigan: abercrombie

pants: target

belt: wet seal

shirt (view of back): forever xxi

scarf: kohl's

pants: target

These boots can give a grungy look to any outfit and depending on what color you get, can also give you the option to stand out completely. Who else do you know with floral or neon colored shoes? Use them to accent or base an entire outfit around them. Go out and make even more history in these bad boys.

- nali xo

SamZARA of a denim shirt

First off, happy Halloween all you little ghosts and goblins! I hope you get enough candy today to rot all your teeth!


Samsara: (n) Buddhism  the transmigration or rebirth of a person.

All thrift stores have a Buddhist style to them don't you think? Each item of clothing that has some kind of story to tell is passed from person to person, each time being reborn and given new stories to tell from the people who wore them. Someone may have had the best night of their life in a pair of jeans that they eventually give away, one day becoming someone else's favorite pair of jeans. In my opinion it's quite magical all thrift shoppers are so closely connected without even realizing it.

For my thrift find of the week, I ventured into the men's section again and was lucky enough to stumble across an item of clothing from Zara. Not only is 10x cheaper than it would've been in the actual store, but it's something so simple that it can be worn many different ways, and yet so ornate in the casual design of it.

tank: forever xxi

pants: bdg @ urban outfitters

boots: de blossom collections

pants: target

belt: vintage

boots: sm @ sears

socks; christmas tree shop

 NOTE: Halloween 'trick or treat' socks should only be worn today and no other day. Side effects of wearing Halloween socks on days that are not Halloween may include, but are not limited to, pointing and laughing from strangers and a feeling of low self-esteem.

suspenders: macy's

pants: one clothing @ marshall's

boots: target

 Denim and corduroy, united in perfect harmony. Not too much corduroy that it overtakes the simple button-down denim design, but just enough to make it so the shirt isn't just another denim button-down design. How many more reasons do you need to start shopping for men's clothes?

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                              @@@                       H A P P Y
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                      @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@         H A L L O W E E N
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                  @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
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              @@@@@@@@@   @@@@@@@@@@@@@@   @@@@@@@@@
            @@@@@@@@@@     @@@@@@@@@@@@     @@@@@@@@@@
           @@@@@@@@@@       @@@@  @@@@       @@@@@@@@@@
           @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@    @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
           @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@        @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
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           @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
           @@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@
            @@@@@@@@  @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @  @@@@@@@@
              @@@@@@@                        @@@@@@@
                @@@@@@  @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @ @@@@@@
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(taken from http://www.chris.com/ascii/index.php?art=holiday/halloween)

- nali xo

I Get By With a Little Help From Polyvore

I'm happy to announce that for my second weekly #shoesdaytuesday I'll be centering a blog post entirely on shoes that I don't have.

Didn't see that coming did you? 

Combat boots are the easiest, most comfortable way to look stylish with almost any kind of fall outfit. Last fall/winter season they were the "thing" that everyone needed while they were still in the basic black/brown/solid color phase. This year everywhere I turn, there is a new, creative style of combat boot that makes it hard to want to wear any other kind of shoe. I found five pairs of combat boots that I instantly fell in love with on Pinterest and social media hopped over to Polyvore to create fashion-combat worthy outfits by using shoes that don't belong to me and the best clothes I never had.


STYLE #1: the platform combat

 YRU Raze black @ tiltedsole.com

 Nothing says 'grunge' quite like a platform shoe so I went for a more updated, girly-grunge look by pairing different patterns, a sassy beanie and gold/yellow jewelry.

STYLE #2: The maroon boot

forever xxi

Maroon is this year's black and I intend on taking full advantage of this season's generous use of one of my favorite colors. Any solid colored boot that isn't black or brown gives even the simplest outfit a sophisticated look and allows for a pop of color in the most subtle way.

STYLE #3: The jelly combat

chicwish.com

At the crossroads of combat boot, rain boot and 90's jelly shoe comes this eccentric shoe made only for the most daring feet. I love the style and idea but still wonder if it's necessary for them to be worn with tights because of the transparent rubber material? Either way I love them and this is how I would wear them.

STYLE #4: The floral combat

doc marten @ nordstrom

If you're still trying to decide what pattern is for you this fall, choose floral. It's flattering on everyone, can be worn with with an array of different styles and trends and looks good with so many different colors. Doc Marten did it right when they looked down and realized flowers grew from the ground and should continue to be used down there. Feel free to be expressive with floral print and go all out, or make an understated outfit more wild like I did.

STYLE #5: the cutout combat

We're all familiar with ripped jeans, cutoff shorts and fringed or shred sweaters, but not many people (excluding sandal experts) ever think what would happen if our shoes didn't provide full coverage. I personally love the idea and think cutout combat boots give for great edge while still being sophisticated and not trashy. Well done, Nasty Gal.

Nasty Gal

If I'm going to wear shoes with a slit in them, you better believe I am going to show that slit off. Colorful leg warmers or tights would do wonders with these babies because they show just enough to give a pop of skin or sock. Patterns could be fun too.

For links to all these wonderful items of clothing visit my Polyvore at http://annalisapetrucci.polyvore.com and make some sets of your own!

- nali xo

The Breakfast Wrap

"Eat. My. Shorts." 

If you don't recognize that quote off the top of your head please open a new tab immediately and google it so you can pretend you were in the club from the beginning.

Now that we're all on the same page I'd like to take a minute to appreciate the masterpiece that is The Breakfast Club in a collage that I found on google.

This movie has been and will always be timeless, not because of the fashion and trends seen in the movie but because of the underlying message that everyone leads their own secret life behind closed doors. As difficult as it is to see that in high school, kids should learn to give each other a break and remember we're all here for the same reason. 

On another note, the clothing in this movie, although perfect for the time period and specific group of people it is dressing, would not normally be worn out now on any other day. I took inspiration from this movie and mentally updated my favorite character's look for myself.

 John Bender Official Resume: 

- Able to light a match with his teeth

- Has a bad influence on anyone he speaks to

- The voice of reason of the breakfast club

- Acts as comic relief

- Certified badass

Anyone as enamored with this movie as me who says they didn't have a crush on old Bender is either delusional or lying. Here is my way of showing appreciation for the high school "criminal"

The easiest way to spin off a character's style for your own is to take main patterns or colors, (in this case, plaid and denim) match them with similar or neutral colors to the rest of the character's outfit and finish off your look with your own personal touches. I chose a bow :)

Lace shirt: monteau @marshall's

denim shirt: american eagle

leather shorts: divided @ forever xxi

necklace: ralph lauren @ buffalo exchange

plaid flannel: cpo @ buffalo exchange

bow: forever xxi

boots: sm @ sears

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to eat breakfast today (;

- nali xo