BLACKTOP BALLERINA

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T.D.D. STYLE FILES | Inspired By The Ballerina Project

Sometimes being kidults (we are not quite ready to let go of being a kid, even though I suppose technically we are considered adults these days) can leave us feeling lackluster and gasping for inspiration while lost in the daily grind of grown-up life – work, eat, sleep, repeat. This is why we are so grateful for gems like the Ballerina Project, sources of creative stimulation, endless beauty, and motivation for the soul. If you are not familiar with this stunning photography project by photographer Dane Shitagi, take a look and fall in love with the incredible images just as we have over the years. 

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LOOK No. 1 «« Blacktop Ballerina »»

This outfit and parking lot adventure was inspired by the Ballerina Project. While we are not ballerinas, our aim was to highlight a little bit of the grace and poise from ballet culture, mixed with an urban flare – Converse and sporty Under Armour jacket – and all set against a concrete city backdrop (in west Los Angeles this meant a parking structure). While we cannot match the exquisiteness of the professional dancers featured in the Ballerina Project, this is our homage to them and the beauty they share with the world.

So the next time you come across unexpected inspiration, take a look in your closet through a new lens and see what you can create. Here we found a new way to use old ribbons (saved from an old birthday gift packaging) and played with the ballerina bun hairstyle by adding piecey volume and crossover braids. The lightweight, flowy dress has the silhouette of a leotard and ballerina skirt and we layered it over a baby pink lace bralette. And while we fell in love with the image of crisscrossed ribbons paired with heels for the traditional ballerina reference, we couldn't suppress the tomboy completely and also had to indulge in a more casual take on the look with folded hi-top Converse.

IN THIS LOOK
Dress | Brandy Melville | Similar Item (*Original item no longer available)
Bralette | Aerie | Similar Item (*Original item no longer available)
Jacket | Under Armour | Similar UA Jacket (*Original item no longer available)
Heels | Vintage | Similar Style (*Original style no longer available; ballerina inspired similar style)
Sneakers | Converse | Chuck Taylor Hi Tops (*Original color hard to find, but you can customize your hi tops to your liking)
Necklace | Ariella Collection for Nordstrom | Similar Item (*Original item no longer available)
Rings | Madewell | Similar Item (*Original item no longer available) 
Phone | Apple | iPhone 5s

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COLLEGIATE COUNTRY

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T.D.D. STYLE FILES | Old Favorites With A New Dress
We all have go-to favorite items in our closets that we have had for years and no matter how weathered or over-used they are you just can't go wrong adding them to your look for the day. Worn-in denim jacket, molded-to-your-feet leather boots, your grandma's fine jewelry... we can never get enough of these staples. The "Shop Your Closet' trend is popping up all around the Web, so we dove right in to pull our time-honored favorites. Here we combined the joy that is finding a darling new dress (because who doesn't love shopping for brand spankin' new clothes) with finishing a look by browsing our wardrobe and pulling unfailing items to layer on for a style that feels fresh and aged all at once.

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LOOK No. 1 «« Collegiate Country »»
As "part II" to our previous post (Collegiate Cool), we stayed in theme with a university setting and brought a little country chic to campus life. Denim jackets and leather boots boldly evoke country girl panache, which is always a comforting and naturally American style to fall into. We found this simple, white dress with distinctive beading detail that was a perfect complement to freshen up our well-worn go-to items – crisp and weathered, delicate and durable, elegant and modest, bohemian and all-American. You could be strolling from lab to lecture, on your way to hop in the car for a rural weekend getaway, or on your way to meet friends for lunch. Bringing a little country and boho-chic to your style never felt so familiar.

IN THIS LOOK
Dress | Kenji | Similar Item (*Original item no longer available)
Jacket | Vintage Abercrombie | Similar Denim Jacket (*Original item no longer available; vintage Abercrombie Kids denim jacket)
Boots | Frye | Similar Style (*Original style no longer available)
Bangles | Vintage | Similar Item (*Original item was hand-me-down from Dutch Grandma)
Watch | Vintage Certina | Similar Item (*Original item was hand-me-down from Dutch Grandma)
Belt | Vintage | Similar Item (*Original item unavailable, was a thrift store find)

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Don't forget to follow The Daily Dorothy (@TheDailyDorothy) on Instagram and Twitter! 

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COLLEGIATE COOL

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T.D.D. STYLE FILES | Trend Watch: Shirts Under Dresses
Working girls are always looking for quick and fun ways to mix up their professional style without always pulling out the plastic for new outfits. One easy and unique style trend that has been catching our attention – as seen by trendsetters such as Victoria Beckham, Princess Kate, Pippa Middleton, Emma Stone, and many others, – is layering a collared blouse/button-up with a tailored dress, two basic wardrobe items that most women already have in their closets.

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LOOK No. 1  «« Collegiate Cool »»
To play around with the collared shirt under a dress trend we chose a structured, classic lines dress over a lightweight blouse using the contrast between the fabric weights to allow each to still stand out. We stuck with the white and black and neutrals color scheme to keep the overall look professional and classy. The nude pumps, light turquoise gem ring, and diamond stud earrings were selected to dress up the look and pull away from the uniform undertones. One of our favorite details is the stitching on the collar of the shirt – it adds nice definition to the layered collar trend being highlighted and nostalgically draws out thoughts of school uniform in the 1930s. 

*Outfit details below.

IN THIS LOOK 
Dress | Madewell | The Anywhere Dress
Blouse | Vintage | Similar Item (Original item no longer available)
Shoes | Steve Madden | Proto Pump (Nude)
Sunglasses | Ray Bans | Original Wayfarer
Purse | Marc Jacobs | Too Hot To Handle Hobo
Tablet Case | West Elm | Leather Zipper Pouch
Nail Polish | O.P.I. | Lincoln Park After Dark

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INSPIRATION FOR THE LOOK

Victoria Beckham

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (aka, Princess Kate, Kate Middleton)

Pippa Middleton

Emma Stone

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Don't forget to follow The Daily Dorothy (@TheDailyDorothy) on Instagram and Twitter! 

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IT'S BEEN A WHILE... WE MISSED YOU ALL!

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T.D.D. STYLE FILES | Fall Fashion Frenzy

Like most fashionistas we rejoice in the onset of fall. Seasonal winds bring an onslaught of many little things that make us grin: PSLs, denim anything and everything, leather boots, apple-picking season, autumn hues, chunky knits, and the list goes on...

On the fashion side of things, we have always loved fall styles best. The seasonal colors that accent our wardrobes make us feel warm and comfy: burnt orange, candy apple red, mustard yellow, brown rust, poppy gold. We get to dig into the depths of our closets and bring front and center once again old favorites (Frye boots, Polo sweaters). And of course it means layers. Lots of them. 

Unfortunately, fall has eluded L.A., as of yet, leaving us in a seasonal purgatory somewhere between summer and the promise of fall. Some days we are in denial that it is still 82 degrees and sundress-weather and we will wear our boots and flannels and scarves anyways – because it's mid-October and we should be allowed to do so (even if it means being uncomfortably warm and impractical all day).

In an effort to navigate dressing for this unseasonable weather, we've compiled a little impromptu style guide for our fellow SoCal gals - inclusive of special occasions and everyday wear. We've coupled the comforts of fall styles with the ease and informality of end-of-summer to create two unique looks sure to help you stand out at your next get together.

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SPRING IS IN THE AIR!

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Happy Springtime, all! It's the first day of Spring so smile and prepare yourself to be" twitterpated."

How great is this flower arrangement?? My new favorite bouquet tip: throw in a few sprigs of fresh mint from the garden (or potted herb trio from Trader Joe's) for a fresh and unique beauty to add to the room. Not only does the bright green mint look gorgeous next to the hot pink roses, the entire things smells amazing too!

This season is always so delightful, truly a favorite; green popping up everywhere, flowers blooming, beautiful days, crisp weather while still being sunny.  Everything just feels fresh, like each day has the potential to be that new beginning we have all been waiting for.  And that's the beauty of it... it can be the perfect excuse to kick your butt in gear.  Get your spring cleaning done... because it's Spring and time to refresh yourself with clean air and scrubbed floors.  Start your marathon training and make those morning runs happen... because it's Spring and you can't say no to the lovely weather and charged energy everywhere. Make your Farmer's Market fresh meals at least twice a week... because it's Spring and time to eat healthily and only put the good stuff in your body to prepare for summer bikini season.

FLOWERS AND FARMER'S MARKETS

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We took advantage of this weekend: its sun, its splendor and all that LA has to offer on a gorgeous day in March. We started off the weekend with a trip to IKEA. That massive Swedish store with instruction booklets that look like coloring books. It's a store that serves as a catalyst for couples fighting; if they don't get you at the store, they'll get you when you're trying to assemble the dresser you purchased. But by some miracle, Thira (who I will now refer to as T) and I explored and imagined our future homes with the help of the pre-designed kitchens and bedroom sets, without the use of profanity or angry gestures. We had no intention of buying any large items, like a bed frame - although we do have matching bed frames from IKEA- but instead vowed to purchase little additions for the apartment. Small things that make life easier, but nothing too noticeable or fancy. Simply little somethings to make Mondays a bit brighter.

LOOKS WE LIKE: T.D.D. STYLE FILES

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Trending.

LA is a city of trends. Trends that come and go as quickly as the busloads of aspiring starlets seeking fame. For example, one minute a club with a "sexy, fresh" angle, like no lights or electric eel aquariums, will be the hottest thing on the nightclub circuit. Then the following month no one can remember its name. LA lives and breathes "the next big thing" as the city that has carved its own global footprint as the place where dreamers come to flourish and everyone is clamoring to be part of the famous elite, those who set the trends and don't have to follow them.

Fashion offers one of the most prominent platforms for trends to be showcased and encouraged, as everyone wears clothes every day (or so we hope). What you wear can say a lot about who you are, want to be, or aspire to become.  As fashion observers, we are not strangers to spotting new trends. Spring trends are currently upon us with the season right around the corner. We've picked out two trends we've been seeing a lot of recently and given them our own flavoring.

*And keep in mind that not all trends will be flattering to your body type, so pick the ones that make you say, "Shoot, I'm looking pretty darn good in that!" and not "Whaaaattt am I thinking?!"  :)

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