Inspiration Junky - Styling A Chic Crop Top

The chic crop top is quickly becoming one of my favorite trends. The look is fun and a nice alternative to cutouts. They can be styled a lot of different wants so there is a definite science to pulling it off just the right way so it looks chic and classy. The good news is this trend can work for everyone if you know the rules, and they are pretty simple.

left || right

Whether you pair a crop top with pants, a skirt or shorts make sure they are high-waisted so they will cover up your belly button. The crop top and bottoms should then work together so that only a sliver of skin is showing. The ideal sliver to show is right above your hip bones which tends to be the smallest part of a women's figure (think empire waists). Pulling together a crop top outfit? Try pairing a tight crop top with a flowy skirt and low ankle strapped heel for a chic look in black and whites or juxtaposed colors.

Katrin cropped silk blouse - Elizabeth and James // Leather Crop Top - Tibi (on sale!) // Geo Stone Statement Necklace - Sole Society // JM Bag - Club Monaco // Kandyce Sandal - Badley Mischka (on sale- Nordstrom!) // Midi Skirt in Scuba - ASOS 

Inspiration Junky #12

Happy Friday Everyone! This weekend is one that I have been looking forward to for a while now. CT and I are spending back to back weekends together, which in long distance dating is pretty much unthinkable, AND one of my good friends from work is getting married!! She is also being featured in the Times this weekend - Congrats Tif!! 

This week, New York has gone from pretty much summer to the freaking dead of winter. It was 39 degrees outside this morning. What. Is. Up. With. That? Despite the ridiculously cold weather, I am not ready to give up on Fall. I am loving a chunky sweaters and blankets (the cold weather helps), pumpkin flavored food (who isn't, plus funnel cake is my fave) and am really into eucalytus in home decor. 

Link For Your Weekend - What State Matches Your Personality?

Turns out, I belong in Georgia...

Rennes Sweater | Bite-Sized Pumpkin Funnel Cake | Thanksgiving Table Setting

Mr. and Mrs. Cutting Board | Layers

Cable Knit Throw | Eucalyptus

Inspiration Junky #11 / Tartan, Oxford Shoes & Pumpkins!

I'm bringing Inspiration Junky back! There have been a lot of great trends going around for fall this season. If you couldn't tell from my influx of fall fashion posts, I am super into it. In Atlanta, we just didn't really have fall. You could get by most of September and October wearing summer clothes and a light jacket, no problem. Fall in NY is clearly different and I will be adding some much need fall shoes and patterns to my wardrobe. I love the oxford shoe look with casual jeans. Tartan looks great with a leather jacket that is also trending at the moment. 

Don't forget to check out my blog sale!! 

Top Left | Top Middle | Top Right

Tartan Shoe

Pumpkin Left | Pumpkin Middle 

Oxford Shoe Top

Oxford Shoe Bottom

White Pumpkins Bottom

inspiration junky #9 / chandeliers & baubles

This week I have to give a huge shout out to Waiting on Martha for introducing me to Coleen & Company chandeliers. I have been searching everywhere for boxy lantern-like chandeliers and just couldn't find any with the right twist of modern and traditional (seriously, EVERYWHERE - see). Coleen & Company's chandeliers are gorgeous, come in pretty much every color and have the perfect amount of flair.

Next up is Mimosa Lane who somehow managed to find stylish and adorable bauble jewelry for just $25!!

This week I'm loving all of the DIY projects you can do with palette boards! They are pretty much at every home improvement/hardware store laying around, so I love the idea of using something that is usually discarded to make a house beautiful.

I'm also obsessed with these wood veneer sunglasses I found at Bourbon & Boots, a new (?) site for original for unique handmade gifts. I just found the site this week, and am already a huge fan. On their about me they have a section called "This is who we think you might be," that says:

• You love high quality products (check)
• You are from the South or are a Southern Expat (livin’ up in yankeeland or maybe Texas) (...check)
• You might even be a Carpetbagger who realizes how awesome Southern culture is (strike one)
• You value small producers (check)
• You value quality craftsmanship (check)
• You like vintage and handmade things (check)
• You value family and hospitality (check)

Corbin - 1, Bourbon & Boots - 6. They have me pegged...I love a site with a sense of humor.

Happy weekend everyone!

coleen and company chandelier | wooden sunglasses |  triple links bauble necklace | blue and white bauble necklace | pearl bauble necklace | DIY wall shelves  | inhale, exhale journal (home goods charlottesville)

inspiration junky #8 / a guide to spring travel necessities

The past few weeks have been filled with a lot of travel to places, so this week's inspiration junky is a little collection of travel necessities (or nice to haves - see blueberry pancakes). On the top of my packing list this season are red ankle strapped heels with pointed toes. I also love these snack packs I discovered at LaGuardia. They are the ideal snack full of protein and low calories. My other travel staple is my Trish McEvoy makeup planner. It's a great way to organize, keep makeup in good condition and solve for little to no counter space.

What's your travel necessity? 

heels top right || heels middle left || heels middle right || snack pack bottom left || trish mcevoy makeup planner

inspiration junky #7 // style, decor, beauty

After last week's inspiration junky about bettering yourself through exercise and cooking, this week is due for a style and beauty update. I am loving that the leather trend is sticking around for Fall 2013. Two seasons gives me the justification I need to invest in a leather jacket or skirt. Unusual chandeliers and greek key accents made the top of my decor list this week.

Also, had to shout out to Blake Lively (despite our near break up when she married Ryan Reynolds at Boone Plantation). I am huge fan of the fuchsia lip color she wears. Finally a bright lip color I feel like I can pull off as a blonde!

What items are you loving at the moment?

sources: leather skirt 1 | leather skirt 2 | chandelier - jonathan adler | herringbone | greek key pillow | blake lively | lip stain - sephora

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inspiration junky #6 // your well-being

I spent the past weekend in Atlanta and got to spend Saturday morning at my favorite power yoga class. I'm still looking for a studio I love in New York, but the class got me excited about getting back into a workout routine and eating healthy.

This week's inspiration junky is all about bettering yourself through exercise and heathly eating. The coolest thing I saw this week was how gyms are starting to pick up on the idea of turning the energy you exert during a workout into power for the grid. 

Have a great week!
Corbin

Trend Report: Gyms Using Your Power To Feed The Grid | Sweet & Spicy Citrus Tilapia Recipe - Cooking Light | Seafood Watch Sustainable Fish List - Montery Bay Aquarium | Fish Images - Take Me Fishing | Smoked Salmon, Horseradish & Cress Toasts Recipe - Jamie Oliver | Playa Dominical Costa Rica | Yoga 

IDEAS TO TRY:

Yoga At Home:
PopSugar Fitness - Yoga Sequence to Build Your Best Bikini Body
Women's Health - Yoga Moves For A Pick-Me-Up
Jillian Michael's - Yoga Meltdown

Healthy Recipes:
Decor-eat - Fuel Your New Years Resolution
Self Magazine - Spicy Chicken Burgers
Food & Wine - Healthy Fish Recipes

Inspiration Junky #5 // Fashion & Decor

Fashion Week's focus on Fall lines has rubbed off on me and this week I am surprisingly dreaming about not Spring weather, but Fall.  With the weekend's snow finally melting and a new snow storm on the way this weekend, I'll bargain for cool weather.

I'm loving Rag & Bone's leather coats, and hoping Tartan makes a come back at some point. And as always, I'm still loving gold glam and Jillian Michaels' DVDs. I'm a huge yoga fan, but love a faster paced Vinyasa to add some cardio in the mix.

Here's to a great week!

Corbin

gold chandelier - Zinc Door // tartan outfit - Seams for a Desire // crescent ring - Anthropologie // hunter boots - zappos // NYFW Rag & Bone // chanel print - etsy // yoga meltdown - jillian michaels 

Inspiration Junky #4 // Fashion Week + Tahoe

This week was a short work week for me since I'm off to Tahoe today for some quality time with friends and the ski slopes! In 3 days, I managed to obsess over my favorite dumpling restaurant in the city, Vanessa's (seriously amazing and cheapest meal in the city - 4 dumplings for $1!), and ogle over the beautiful fashion that will soon be on display for Fashion Week!

I've been really impressed with J.Crew's fashion week shows recently and am excited to see what comes next in the world of silky fabrics and tailored patterns.

Wishing everyone a happy weekend!
Corbin

Vanessas //  Rebecca Minkoff "Darcy" Satchell - Nordstrom Exclusive // DVF - Spring 2013 Fashion Week // J.Crew - Spring 2013 Fashion Week // Tahoe's New Glass House

Inspiration Junky #3 // Fashion, Design & DIY

So far this weekend, I have discovered there are 48 tissues in a tissue box . . .  the hard way. I am sick, but the good news is there's plenty of time for blogging and neglected TV shows.

In this week's Inspiration Junky, I am still stuck on DIY terrariums. I called six Urban's looking for my terrarium's new home today. No luck. Also this week, I found out that microbeads are made of plastic and are not biodegradable. Tossing that face wash and feeling good about it - I don't think it really did anything special in the first place. 

Hope everyone else is having a great weekend!

DIY Terrarium // Microbeads Article // Dress - Issa Spring 2013 Collection // Green Suede Shoe - Colette // Taupe Bootie - Sam Edelman, Perry // Studded Bootie - Jeffrey Campbell // Heart Shaped Toast - Martha  Stewart // Kitchen 

Inspiration Junky // Style & Design #2

Planetarium - all good things (NYC) | bohemian rug - Dash & Albert | Teal Purse | Creativity Quote | Zoe Pawlak Art Print | Vogue - Five Days, Five Looks, One Girl | Burnt Umber Coat

My favorite thing on this week's inspiration junky is definitely the creative plant holders. I have got to pull this off for my next DIY project. I love the life and vibe they bring to home decorations. The garden photos are from this awesome market around the corner from my office in Tribeca, All Good Things, so if anyone has seen this done as a DIY project I'd love the tips! 

Inspiration Junky // Style & Design #1

Olivia Palermo: I've been seeing Olivia Palermo's style influence pop up more and more in my daily web browsing or even shopping. After winning a giftcard from Piperlime the other month, I discovered Olivia's picks within their store. Turns out we have the same taste, because everything I liked happen to have a note that it was on her list.

Lamp: I am obsessed with the combination of white and gold. They are such a great complement to each other, and I love the mix of textures in this lamp. It's definitely made it to my wish list.

Shoes: I saw these shoes on Anthropologie's website the other day, and even though the thought of what these would look like after a few minutes on the NY sidewalk or subway, I had to share. The cutout heel detail is amazing.

Journal: This journal is my dream journal. For any of you journal writers, you will know what I'm talking about when I say this one of those journals that just feels good to write in (and if not, please refer to my earlier nerd reference).

Quote: I had to include this, because it's really something I always try to keep in mind and think to myself in any unpleasant situations.

Bag: Rag & Bone is my current favorite designer that I can't afford, but I had to share this bag because I love it's look and functionality. The fully open top makes it super easy to find things.

Matchstick Bangles: I've seen spoons, animal heads, snakes and more turned into bracelets, but I liked this clever idea of mixing gold and black to depict matchsticks.

Please feel free to share anything that inspires you in the comments!