Black: Transitioning to Fall

In the mood for a black uniform, as we transition to a slow fall in the old pueblo....

 

"Women who wear black, lead colorful lives."

~Neiman Marcus

 

skirt: vintage | boat neck top: gap | shoes: loeffler randall | jewelry: vintage

 

Plain White T | Casual Chic

I’m not entirely sure if it’s the heat that is getting to me, or just the lazy vibe of summer itself. Most likely it’s a combination of both, but all I want to wear these days is a white t-shirt and jeans (preferably a loved pair of vintage 501 button down levi’s). This casual chic ensemble is perfect for a Sunday brunch outing, followed by some treasure hunting plans and a little adventurous wandering perhaps?Black leather converse and leather ray ban wayfarer frame sunglasses! I am definitely swooning over the chic spin on these classic pieces. The black leather backpack might even come in handy as a stylish shopping or camera bag. Boom.

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xx~Syd

Black Tank

Just dressing up a basic black tank with a cool cotton vintage Harwood Steiger print skirt, and some silver accessories, the usual happenings in the summertime around these parts….

styling: sydney ballesteros
photos: puspa lohmeyer

wardrobe:

black tank: target | skirt: vintage : belt: vintage | silver mexican jewelry: vintage | straw tote: target
 black lace up espadrilles: nordstrom, a few years old (similar here)

xx~syd

Paint it Black

We all know how valuable a basic black shoe is. It's needed for almost any occasion and it complements almost any ensemble. I like to think of it as a commodity in the wardrobe dept. A black shoe (or black anything for that matter) just gives that dose of classic and refined bit of polish, that makes things feel sophisticated and exude panache.  Here are eleven of my top picks for the a basic everyday black summer shoe, ranging from sandal and slip-on to classic and comfortable.

1. Franco Sart | 2. Madewell | 3. Soludos | 4. Need Supply Co. | 5. Birkenstocks | 6. Sam Edelman  

7. Micheal Kors | 8. Loeffler Randall | 9. Stuart Weitzman | 10. Repetto Ballet Flats | 11.  Joie Espadrilles

Vibrant Desert

Five of my favorite things: This graphic painterly vintage midi skirt with a sweet sombrero pattern on it, in pops of vibrant red. A black turtleneck. This enormous Zuni turquoise squash blossom. The beautiful spirit of the De Grazia gallery. The ground of the desert under my feet.

creative director + stylist: sydney ballesteros 
photography: puspa lohmeyer
location: de grazia gallery in the sun

wardrobe:

vintage navajo turquoise + silver indian jewelry: razzle dazzle vintage | belt: vintage | skirt: vintage | red booties: nordstrom | gray tooled leather handbag: vintage brahmin

xo~syd

Desert Chic No. 2

The second part of my hometown series, Desert Chic. If you missed the first part, you can see it here.

styling: sydney ballesteros

photography: puspa lohmeyer

location: barrio viejo, tucson az

wardrobe:

quilted midi skirt: vintage | tooled leather clutch: vintage | copper accessories: vintage | silver + turquoise necklace: handmade by my father in the 1970s | silver rings + earrings: vintage

xx~syd

Transition to Fall

As we make the transition towards fall, all I can think about is the crisp air, cozy sweaters, and a warm cup of coffee in hand (preferably while perusing a bookstore or antique shop). 

These are the classic essentials that are on my radar for fall: 

a cozy cable knit sweater, a favorite pair of jeans, a chic hat to hide the lazy hair days (we all have them!), a comfortable pair of boots, and a classic black leather strap timepiece and handbag. Can we just talk about this manhattan zip code scarf? And don’t you just love the juxtaposition of these fabulous earrings with said leather baseball cap? Certainly tomboy chic, no?

shop: boots | handbag | sweater | denim | baseball cap | watch | scarf | earrings

xx~syd

The Black Turtleneck

I am just counting the days until the fall weather comes around to Arizona, and I can wear my staple piece- the black turtleneck! Looking through some old instagram photos from last season, apparently I have a thing for it.

Just so we are clear though, I've had an obsession with the turtleneck long before it was ever conceived to be documented on instagram.

(an old photo of me in high school circa 1997, rocking the black turtleneck + the "Rachel" haircut)

What is your favorite staple piece for fall?


xo~syd

Military Mix

Touches of gold and leopard, on a military inspired coat.

photos: puspa lohmeyer

jacket: vintage sixties | belt: target | purse: zac posen (old) from BCV | booties: dillards (old)

xo~syd