We recently decided to add a new section to our website where we have a fabulous friend from the blogosphere style something from our shop. We are thrilled to unveil this little project with our first guest stylist, Sarah of Public Personae! We just adore Sarah. We discovered her a number of months ago when she was in the midst of her 30-day challenge. We were so impressed not only by her fantastic sense of style, but also by her sheer courage. She is a force to be reckoned with. She consistently brings new things - designers, trends, bloggers, artists, stores, and even cat photographers - to our attention. We love her smart, unique, yet practical take on fashion and are always interested to see what she’s into next. 

Here’s Sarah…

And here’s the item she styled for us…

One of Sarah’s takes…

See the rest of Sarah’s styles here. And don’t forget to check out her blog, Public Personae. She’s always up to something good! Thanks, Sarah!

Recently, I stumbled upon a blog called Public Personæ and I discovered the creative, stylish and gutsy Sarah X.

When I stumbled upon her, Sarah had just challenged herself — publicly — to come up with 30 days’ worth of original outfits (The 30 Day Challenge). She re-uses some basics, but the ensembles are all distinctly different. 

What I really love about Sarah — aside from the fact that she has the balls to put herself out there like that — is that she is a master at mixing high and low and at accessorizing. Her closet of accessories is, I’m sure, the size of King Tut’s tomb (packed with just as much finery). Sarah really knows how to dress and shop during a depressed economy without skimping on style. She frequently wears Topshop, Forever 21, H & M, Zara, American Apparel, Urban Outfitters. But paired with these items, she will throw in some pretty hot designers, like Boy by Band of Outsiders, Jeffrey Campbell, Bliss Lau, and DKNY. 

I think that Sarah’s 30-day challenge is the definition of “shopping your closet.” She is a master at maximizing her wardrobe and wearing what you love. If you love it, buy it, and WEAR IT. I think she reminds us that it’s okay to spend your hard-earned bucks on things that you love as long as you spend wisely. Why not take a page from her book and challenge yourself to break out of your own style rut? It’s always a good time to try and inject some creativity into your wardrobe. And when you can’t afford anything new, your closet is the only store you’ll be shopping!

Only 3 more days of the challenge left, but definitely tune in to see how she pulls it all off — publicpersonae.com/blog/

Queen Michelle, Kingdom of Style

So, I am not Susie Bubble or Jane Aldridge; I am not The Sartorialist or Garance Doré; I am not Carine Roitfeld or Giovanna Battaglia. I am just an aging party girl who has always loved to play dress-up.

It is exciting yet terrifying to me that blogging has become a part of my life. Terrifying because I am terrified of my own personal take on fashion and the things that inspire me. When I look at Sea of Shoes and I see this young, barely 17-year old confidently discussing — and wearing! — Ann Demeulemeester and Margiela, it just absolutely blows my mind. And then I flip over to the UK and I see the self-proclaimed Queens of Style, Marie and Michelle of Kingdom of Style, blogging about obscure lines like Mother of London and — again, confidently — wearing robin’s egg blue tights with feathered headdresses. I think to myself, what the HELL am I doing in company such as this? What do I know about fashion?

I guess the answer and the thing that keeps me going is that what I know about fashion is that I love it. I definitely know enough to know what I like, what looks good on me and what is age-appropriate. Susie Bubble always refers to herself as a “fashion outsider.” I guess you could probably say that about most, if not all, of us. Those of us who love fashion are willing to take risks, to be different, to draw attention to ourselves. I’m really not afraid to have people look at me a little cock-eyed. Scary, yes, but also intensely gratifying. 

These are just a few of my favorite fearless, blogging, trendsetting fashionistas…

Camille, Childhood Flames

Jane, Sea of Shoes

Alix, the cherry blossom girl

Susie Bubble, Style Bubble

Rumi, fashiontoast

Sarah X, Public Personae

Arabelle, Fashion Pirates

And I have to mention a new favorite of ours, Amanda of Sassafras.

A very special thanks to all these ladies for the images and for sharing themselves with us. Keep on rocking that fashion, y’all!