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

Desert Darling for Matchbook Magazine

The September issue of Matchbook Magazine has recently debued and it is as stunning and aesthetically pleasing as usual. Note: On page fifty of the publication, you will find the feature “Desert Darling” styled by yours truly. I must say that I am extra excited about this spread. Bringing the unique elements of the southwest style found in my native hometown desert and making them incredibly #desertchic (as I would say...) is something I have wanted to do for a long time.

These are a few of my personal favorite images, but head over to view the entire spread at www.matchbookmag.com!

credits: creative director + stylist, sydney ballesteros | photography, stacia lugo | assistant, katie hagan | model, rose gerin/ford rba | makeup, tangie duffey | hair, raul mendoza {fringe studios} | location, degrazia gallery {tucson, az}

wardrobe: black cat vintage | razzle dazzle vintage | desert vintage | nordstroms | zappos

xo~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

Classic Kate Moss

Seriously, what could be a better formula than a pair of chic black knee high boots, a black turtleneck sweater and Kate Moss in black + white photo? Stuart Weitzman had the right idea again for his fall 2013 campaign. Sometimes just a simple backdrop paired with the timeless essentials are best. Turtlenecks are one of my favorite f/w staples (especially in black), so yeah that’s pretty much what my fall uniform looks like all season. Well...minus running around in my underwear of course!

Chic, chic, chic.

images via: fashiongonerogue

xo~syd

Emilia Wickstead

After watching some of the shows unfold on style.com in London yesterday. I have to say that I am quite fond of the Fall RTW collection at Emilia Wickstead. Chic and polished sixties-inspired simplicity at its finest.

Bravo!

photos via: style.com

who are you watching?

xo~syd