Style File: Associate Buyer

This week’s style file is our one of our adorable associate buyers. I was attracted toward her style because of its effortlessness. Emanating from her attitude and seeping into her style, she walks around exuding an aura that’s casual and full of happiness. It’s never over the top, but always perfectly put together and relaxed. From a rolled up cuff, to a stellar combination of delicate and funky jewelry, it’s evident that there’s a good eye at work here.

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She’s a pro at rocking the Joe Lace Up Over the Knee Boot proving that there are so many ways to wear them and that they always look great.

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These Karen Walker sunnies are so Audrey Hepburn.  The tortoise is amazing!

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Free People’s Zodiac Cuff! I’m thinking this may be a great gift for the holidays.

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Falling for our Facebook Fans

A beautiful batch of facebook fan photos rocking some great looks for Fall!

Checking out the view in the we the free lou flannel cuff thermal and a floppy hat.

Keepin’ cozy in the cropped fairisle pullover and beanie.

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Taking a leap in the embroidered mesh crop top (love the new colors of this!)

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What a perfect fall look – a cozy tunic, colorful opaque tights, chunky scarf, jacket and boots.

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The Gypsy Lace Dress looks great with a scarf and waist belt!

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The pretty vintage lace long sleeve dress.

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The Floral Lace Fit and Flare Dress looks great with the burgundy opaque tights!

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Love this shot of two friends hanging at the Magnolia Festival wearing fun patterned and floral tights!

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Lastly, I love this photo and its endless summer vibe :)

Free People Through the Decades: The 1950s

It was a cheerful time – the war was over, the bad guys were gone, and America truly was the world’s last best hope. Corn on the cob and apple pie. Drive-in movies and long summer nights. High school heroes and soda-fountain romance. And that exciting, exciting new music, coming up north from somewhere down south.

When I think of the 50s I think of a period of change.  I imagine a world of color emerging from black and white… young people opening up their eyes to new music, new fashion and new ideas that their parents would have shunned.  Icons like Marylin Monroe and Audrey Hepburn taught girls to embrace their individuality and personal style and bad boys like Marlon Brando and James Dean replaced the clean-cut ideal. It was a time of awakening and transition from the rigid 40s to the free-spirited 60s.

Pictured, clockwise from top left:
Drive-in Movie Theaters were a popular hangout in the 50s
A 1950s Ford Thunderbird
Marilyn Monroe
Audrey Hepburn

1950s juke box – have you seen our Vintage Loves Wurlitzer?!
Elvis Presley helped popularize the new blues-infused rock ‘n’ roll of the 50s
A 1950s scene
Elsa Hosk in our Holiday Catalog
Marlon Brando
James Dean

Shop the Holiday Catalog.

Spicy Four Bean Soup

I love crock pots. There’s something magical about them. It’s like the modern day witch’s cauldron that you throw a bunch of stuff into, and poof, it turns into a delicious meal. It’s great for when I’m feeling lazy, or just plain don’t have the time to prep dinners all week. I’ll put together a concoction, turn the temperature to low, and go to bed for the night. When I wake up in the morning I’ll put aside enough for lunch. Then stick about half of the remains into the freezer, the other half in the fridge, and I’m set for a go-to healthy meal all week.

This Four Bean Soup recipe as is, is definitely not for wimps. The spice is strong, but burn is good. If you’re not into it, leave out the jalapeno peppers, or cut down on the amount of red pepper. You can also try removing the jalapeno pepper seeds before you add them into the pot as this is where they contain most of their spice. However you like it, it’s simple, good for you, and will make your week much more convenient. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

1 Can Kidney Beans

1 Can Cannellini Beans

1 Can Black Beans

1 Can Pinto Beans

1 28oz Can of Whole Peeled Tomatoes

4 Cups of Vegetable Broth

2 Carrots

2 Celery Stalks

1 Red Onion

2 Jalapeno Peppers

1 Tbsp Chili Powder

1 Tbsp Cumin

1 Tsp Turmeric

1 Tsp Salt

3 Garlic Cloves

Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes

Directions:

Drain and toss all of your beans into the crock pot.

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Pour in tomatoes and then cut each one into smaller pieces.

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Peel and chop carrots

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Peel and slice onion

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Chop celery, jalapenos, and garlic

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Throw all chopped ingredients into the crock pot along with vegetable broth and seasonings. Stir

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Turn crock pot to “low” if you’d like the soup to cook for 6-8 hours. If you want you want to speed the process up to 3-4 hours, you can turn it to “high.”

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Turn off and you’re done!

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Trend Spotting: 1920’s Je t’aime Pari

If I had a time machine I would go back to the Birth of Bohemian Paris Just like Gil (Owen Wilson) did in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris.
Reeling from the folly of World War I, Paris was the centre of the artistic universe then. Bohemians were exquisite and romantic – it was an elegant soiree, with artists and writers holding a passion that was so intense it created magic. 1920’s Paris is my era of love. I would trade anything to go back and spend some time with Surrealists in Montparnasse!

Who wants to come?

 

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 New Romantics Embellished Romper New Romantics Tailored Dress

Paris in the 1920s: Behind the Scenes

The second batch of behind the scenes images from our 1920s shoot in Paris!

Photos by Thomas Northcut.

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I *love* this look of a fancy dress toned down with a plaid shirt – definitely something I’ll try this holiday season…

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Oh what I would give to spend this weekend dancing down cobblestone streets in the moonlight,  spinning on carousels and hanging out in dimly lit Parisian cafes…