Must Shop: Hot Trash Vintage

Some of you may know that I was once a print (and very shaky runway) model, but alas those days were over... OR SO I THOUGHT! Recently, I've been asked to become one of Hot Trash Vintage's faces; of course after giving the inventory a look through I had to say yes. 

For those of you who love owning one of a kind pieces and extending your personal style, this is a great shop packed to the brim with fashionable and unique pieces you can't get elsewhere. 

Alison, the owner, scours the nation looking high and low to supply her etsy store with only the best. Same goes for deconstructing pieces to make them fresh. And with 10 years (and counting) as a vintage collector, you're in exceptional hands.

I implore you to check out the etsy shop without adding anything to your favorites' list. 

Here are some of my favorite snaps (& pieces) from the shoot.

Check out the rest of the amazing goodies at Hot Trash Vintage!

And I'd love to hear about your favorite vintage finds as well.

Livening up Winter Layers + Year of Yes.

Photos by Lydia Hudgens.

Happy new year everyone! 2014 brings a fresh year with fresh goals and 365 days to better ourselves and our community. It's kind of exciting, especially with a new planner in tow to help achieve all my new (well they're always the same) resolutions. Last year I decided against resolutions and decided to live each moment to the fullest.

This year, I'm changing resolutions to life goals. And if you're curious about what they are then you're out of luck. Just kidding, I'll tell you a few. This year I hope to run my first marathon and keep the title of an endurance athlete for another year. I also want to travel more within my city and of course outside of it. I want to declutter my home and start having guests over. And finally I want to be successful in my work, and that includes my job, my blog, my volunteer efforts and in all my creative outlets. Here's to our year of YES!

Now let's speak fashion shall we. It is freaking freezing as ushe in NYC. The only way to combat the winter gods and their fury is to layer and invest in winter must-have basics. So how does one wear layers without looking frumpy you ask? Everyone is different but for me, I stick with winter (read: THICK) leggings, funky sweaters, and in this instance a floral frock from my favorite season: summer. Completely covered head to toe, but I got the chance to play with length and mix different patterns and textures. How fun and might I add an easy way to layer for this chilly season. So I implore you to try the same, you might even find your new winter uniform. 

Share your secrets on how you layer up for winter in the comments. I'd love to know.

Rings: House of Harlow 1960/Found/Capwell  Necklaces: Bauble Bar  Sweater: Charles Henry (ON SALE!!)  Dress: Talula via Aritzia (old but love this)  Coat: Andrew Marc via T.J. Maxx  Hat: Street Vendor in NYC  Leggings: American Apparel  Purse: Rebecca Minkoff  Boots: Jessica Simpson via DSW (but love these)  Lipbalm: C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint

New York Stories + Cheap Monday Beanie Giveaway

Photos by Lydia Hudgens.

Can't believe we are two weeks (and counting) away from a brand new year. And to celebrate an entire year of focused-on-fashion posting I'm hosting a giveaway for this amazing Cheap Monday (as seen above) to add flair to all your winter #ootd's. 

But first, let's talk fashion. If you read my last #ootd post then you'll know that I'm a huge fan of beanies in the winter time. Even if at times there's too much hair to handle under such a tiny beanie. One thing that you guys probably didn't know is that I love the silhouette of a big coat, stockings and shoes (whether they are heels or platforms). It just adds this element of mystery and makes the entire look so feminine. So it's no surprise that I am huge into skirts and dresses once the temps drop. Hey, as long as my hands and head are covered I'm good to go. Another reason why I don le dresses and skirts... TIGHTS! There is so much fun to be had with them during these colder months so take advantage. 

Now for the giveaway, good luck!!

You don't have to do all the steps, just by doing one of the below you can enter!

Easy Peasy :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Necklace: c/o Charming Charlie  Dress: Wink  Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (old but love these)  Purse: c/o Cambridge Satchel  Beanie: Cheap Monday  Scarf: Steve Madden Infinity Scarf  Coat: Old (but love this)  Stockings: Calvin Klein (but these are great too)