the big apple gets windy.

Happy Monday, everyone! If you have the presidents to thank for a day away from work or school, here's a special treat for you from the lovely Deanna from Mellow Fever!


She's a current Chicagoan with New York City roots, so I asked her to compare the styles of the two cities closest to her heart :) You'll see her inspiration photo and then the fabulous outfits she created! She really has it down to an art. Thank you so much, Deanna!
{Don't forget to stop by Mellow Fever when you're done!}
I'll be back in action tomorrow! xoxo {av}

Without further ado, here's Deanna...


NEW YORK CITY

New York is kind of like my mom — definitely a lady, but a lady who wears the pants, doesn't take backtalk from anyone, and has a strong Brooklyn accent. There's a collective shift with the warmer weather: we shed coats and boots and replace them with light jackets and towering heels that would have never survived the ice and snow. I'm loving the look of rich jewel tones for spring, but I can't deny the need for the most beloved NYC neutral, black. Most of my closet at home is just a collection of various shades of black, and no matter how many New Year's Resolutions I make to branch out and try a bit of color, my efforts usually fail.

With this ensemble, though, black is the perfect way to ground the unapologetically bright flashes of color and make them easier to incorporate. I'm a sucker for skinny denim, and there's no better way to add a dash of edge than with a simple black leather jacket. The electric blue pumps? I could go on and on about how much I love these — the classic shape makes the vivid shade a little easier to pull off, and the color makes them a statement piece. As spring rolls around, I'm definitely pulling out my own leather jacket and walking around with such an attitude that no one will mistake me for a tourist.

NYC Components:

• Confetti Sleeve Top, Loeffler Randall 25park.com
• • Leather Jacket, Kaito allsaints.com
  • • Misfit Mid-rise Skinny Jeans, Goldsign net-a-porter.com
    • • Blue Vanden Stilettos, Sergio Rossi selfridges.com
      • • Cobble Hill "Leslie" Satchel, Kate Spade New York, bloomingdales.com
        • • Gold Oval Earrings, Alexis Bittar charmandchain.com
          • Patent Skinny Waist Belt, ASOS asos.com

CHICAGO

Chicago is like New York's smaller, cleaner, and sweeter little sister. There's a perceptible difference between the two — strangers strike up cheerful conversation and 25-degree weather is considered "a little chilly." Once the thermometer rises above the freezing point, the North Faces and long camel coats fly off and everyone runs around naked. Just kidding! Although really, getting dressed becomes a lot more enjoyable and creative once you know that people are going to see what you look like beneath the eight pounds of down in your jacket. Nevertheless, layers are essential even in the spring, because you never know when a cool breeze is going to roll in from Lake Michigan.

The spring look here, as a result, is more feminine and ladylike, with the delicate touches of ruffles, bows, and a cameo necklace. The cardigan is longer and falls past the tee; when worn belted, it looks put-together and elegant. And it's always a good idea to slip a pretty scarf in your purse, because you never realize just how cold you are until you're shivering on the station platform, having missed your el train and the next being twenty minutes late. And the shoes? I just added them because they're the most adorable things I've ever seen. Ever. Now that it's about forty degrees here in the Windy City, it's time to get reacquainted with my ballet flat collection and remember to shave my legs (TMI? Sorry!).

Chicago Components:

• Cardigan, Madewell madewell.com
• • Long-sleeved tee, James Perse brownsfashion.com
  • • Scalloped skirt, Rare Opulence topshop.com
    • • Mesh Cross-body Bag, BCBGMAXAZRIA bcbg.com
      • • Cameo Necklace, Lori McLean lorimclean.com
        • • Silk Chiffon Scarf, Gucci pret-a-beaute.com
          • • Ruffle Stretch Belt, Betsey Johnson betseyjohnson.com
            • Maryjane Bow Beige, Marais USA maraisusa.com