Moody Autumn #OOTD

I'm sorry I left without saying. The cracks in the pavement lead back to me baby.

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

So it's been awhile again. I've been meeting and learning some more about social media and web design from some really amazing people in marketing the last couple months though. A combination of their inspiration, it being my favourite type of weather out, and having a morning off has motivated me to get back to work here at Bows&Beau-ties. 

A quick rundown of the FW15 trends- interior design influence, touches of fur, neo Victorian, lingerie, the 80s, the 70s patchwork and fringe, velvet, capes, athleisure, pleats, statement shoes- especially with pom poms, gypsy, exaggerated silhouettes, ribbed knitwear (like my sweater! :)) dark/gothic, monochromatic.

Vogue. NOWFASHION, Hazine

.

Channeling Alexander Wang and Fendi's collections I went with a darker/gothic monochromatic look. It seemed fitting for the overcast day and mood (to say the last couple weeks have been rough would be an understatement).

Stay Fabulous,

xoxo Aimee ♥

Ps. Here's what I've been listening to lately. The quote in the cover photo is from "Dug my Heart."

Strawberry Festival | OOTD

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

Here in Wisconsin we have a ton of street festivals sandwiched between our county fairs, state fair, and world's largest music festival-- Summerfest (yes bigger than Coachella and Bonaroo). This past weekend I went to one of my favourite festivals, Strawberry Fest in Cedarburg. I look forward to this one every year because the historic part of Cedarburg is so pretty, which of course was a great opportunity for #OOTD.

I kept my outfit really simple because it was actually really hot out and festivals are just really hot and crowded in general. So I coincidentally put together a red, white, and blue look for the pre-4th of July weekend. I wore my white shorts with blue Late Night California muscle tank, and red Ralph Lauren flats. 

I also had my Michael Kors bag of course since I am in love with it. :)

And since this is a Wisconsin festival I had to add this.

Stay Fabulous,

xoxo Aimee ♥

Anniversary in Millennium Park | #OOTD

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

This Sunday I celebrated my anniversary with Josh! ♥ He had gotten tickets to Damien Rice and Iron&Wine at the Jay Pritzker pavilion (which is gorgeous) in Millennium Park- right by the Bean- so we got to spend the day in beautiful Chicago. :)

right against the stage

The concert was so amazing. Both Iron&Wine and Damien Rice (pictured)'s set were beautiful. I posted a few videos over on my Instagram (@BowsandBeau_ties). They're both really chill so definitely not a loud EDM concert lol. Damien Rice kind of reminds me of Ed Sheeran- one of his songs totally started like "Give me Love" and Iron&Wine is a really cool indie folk artist.

Our seats were just a couple rows from the stage and at the end we got to go stand literally right next to the stage.

I paired my high rise distressed shorts with my L.A Dream crop top to keep it pretty casual for an outdoor summer concert. I put my hair in a high bun and sparkly headband. 

Josh got me this beautiful Michael Kors bag which I'm in Love with. ♥ I also wore these suede flats with sparkly lips from JustFab.

The Faces

Stay Fabulous,

xoxo Aimee ♥

#OOTD | Autumn in June

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

It was a little cooler in the morning doing errands so I layered for early spring or autumn (it started getting a little too warm for the button down by the time we shot these photos though).

Button-down: Hollister

Top: Pac Sun

Jeans: Abercrombie

Shoes: Vera Wang

should have brought sunnies!

I love this "Killing it" shirt that's slightly cropped. It's adorable layered over my new light wash skinny jeans. I'm excited that the summer seems pretty mild so far. I love being able to wear my autumn pieces as often as possible.

What I've been up to lately...

1. I've been reading I Was Here by Gayle Forman which is amazing. It's a pretty sad story at first, but I'm obsessed. Forman also wrote If I Stay. I usually prefer books over movies, but in the case of If I Stay I think they were equally dramatic. So I would totally love to see I Was Here in theatres.

2. I've been watching Pretty Little Liars--- which is getting so intense and thrilling this season! Even though the mystery of A has been going for a few seasons I'm still not bored of it.

3. I've been really into International Delight's iced coffees. I usually don't even order iced coffees, but at  home when it does get hot out they're pretty good. I even like the Vanilla- which I never order as a flavour at coffeehouses.

Stay Fabulous,

xoxo Aimee ♥

OOTD | Boho Romper

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

I had late lunch plans with family so this loose bohemian romper was perfect for lounging around watching PLL beforehand (will we ever know exactly who A is...?). Then I accessorized with a long flowy white scarf, four-finger ring, and brown oxfords. 

I really liked this outfit because I'm typically super lazy putting together an outfit when its hot out. LOL. So this romper and scarf looked much more polished than a pair of shorts and a tank top. This bandana type print has also been making its way into my closet more and more in the form of rompers and dresses.

Stay Fabulous,

xoxo Aimee ♥♥

OOTD | Summer Lace

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

It was finally Summer weather which was a great chance to wear my high-waisted shorts! I love how the lace and pearls went with my bohemian high-waisted shorts. And I think these red flats will totally be a staple in my summer closet- the pop of colour is so chic and fun!

Shorts: American Eagle

Top: Abercrombie

Flats: Ralph Lauren

Necklace: Ann Taylor

Rings: JustFab

Stay Fabulous,

xoxo Aimee ♥

Festival OOTD

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

Coachella just came to a close meaning summer music festival season has officially started. See the full list over at MFJ. In my opinion though you only really need to go to the 'World's Largest Music Festival'- Summerfest in Wisconsin (yes larger than Coachella and Bonaroo). But I digress, the most important thing about the music festival season is the amazing bohemian and rock and roll fashions.

So I picked my first festival OOTD and am counting down the days til the long days that turn into late nights are filled with the sounds of Rock blending with EDM and Indie.

I live in short shorts all summer because if you're a little shorter like I am, they're great for elongating your legs. I think festivals are so carefree and cool that these cut off pair with distressing and visible pockets (they are not as short in front as picture suggests though!) are perfect. I went more edgy than some floral and feminine festival looks with this leather jacket with the quilted panels on the shoulders. Bringing a jacket means you won't have to leave after the sun goes down or freeze during the closing acts. The jacket adds just enough polish with all the fringe and distressing going on in the look too. 

I am totally in love with this new tank top I got with a Day of the Dead inspired graphic on it. The grey scheme I kept throughout with these adorable soft booties and scarf kept the look lighter than a harsh all black look, but not overly girly.The booties are great because they are a little unfinished at the seams and top, and not too heavy for the spring or summer. I'm not really a flip flop or sandal person and I would be nervous to wear them in the huge crowds of a festival so I think booties or sneakers are better anyways. Also comfort is key if you go for the whole day. 

To accessorize I went with my pink and rose gold aviator sunglasses, a dainty girly gold ring and an ear cuff with pink rose. These little details soften the look.

What're your go-to pieces for a festival ootd?

Stay fabulous,

xoxo Aimee ♥

ps. A music festival is nothing without beer so the fact that Summerfest shares the hometown with Miller, Blatz, Pabst, Schlitz, and Sprecher just makes sense. #JustPuttingThatOutThere

OOTD | Chic Basics

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

The snow started to melt a bit so we braved the cold wind and shot some OOTD photos while we took Lady for a walk.

The weather has been crazy unpredictable so coats and scarves haven't been put away yet, but I'm really looking forward to the spring now.

I'm heading back to NYC soon so some other things I'm excited for this Spring...

The Yves Saint Laurent + Halston: Fashioning the 1970s exhibit at The Museum at FIT //6 February- 18 April

Chelsea Nights: A Concert Series at Chelsea Market // Every month starting 6 February

TriBeCa Film Festival // 15-26 April

The Age of Adaline staring Blake Lively // 24 April


If you're in Manhattan this spring follow me on twitter and check out some of these events and more with me!

It was really overcast and Autumn-like so I just wore some of my favourite basic items: a chiffon collared tank top, a pair of skinny jeans, and my gold detailed heeled boots (love the gold detail above the heel). And I'm in love with this cozy knit infinity scarf.

Stay Fabulous,

xoxo Aimee ♥

Dog Approved

OOTD | Textures and Layering

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

It got above freezing for a few hours. Yayy... which felt super warm compared to the negative temperatures lol.. so I decided to take advantage of the warm-er weather and take some OOTD (outfit of the day) photos. While I didn't account for the snow still in the park where I wanted to shoot, my boyfriend still helped find a closer area so I think I owe him chai tea lattes now..

If you've been reading my blog or have been following my instagram for awhile you know I don't take a ton of OOTD photos, but after reading some other bloggers' tips about shooting in the winter despite its challenges I was really inspired to try something new on the blog.

I still needed to layer because it's nowhere near summer weather, so I picked my plaid flannel button down under my unbelievably cozy over-sized knit sweater and a faux leather jacket.

Then, I accessorized with my blue Tommy Hilfiger bag, a small gold ring, and my suede brown oxfords. My motorcycle ankle jeans (they're more dark blue like they seem above and in the shoe photo) with the zipper detail were the perfect length to show off my shoes and the slim fit was great with the over-sized sweater.

I really like how the colours went together even though blue, black, and brown are hard colours to mix sometimes. I also loved mixing so many textures- knit, flannel, faux leather, and suede. I think adding other textures while layering makes the look a bit more interesting. That's probably why I have such a fascination with mixed media jackets..

Lady kept trying to get in all my photos..

Sweater: Aerie
Flannel: Similar
Jacket: Similar in brown
Jeans: Similar
Oxfords: Similar in faux leather
Ring: Similar Arrow Ring
Bag: Similar Print and Shape


Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee ♥

The challenges of Winter OOTD and mental note
not to wear suede in the snow again. haha.