It's rare to see me without a rainbow of colors.

So when I steer in the other direction, I go all-in. Case in point? White on white on white. Cream on white on winter white on beige on tan on khaki. However you want to label it.

I've always been a huge fan of monochromatic dressing. I've taken it to the extremes of tonal pinks, and then back to basics with creams. It works every.single.time. 

It's the easiest fashion tip for anyone trying to push the envelope. Take it tonal and don't turn back!

So, yeah, I like bling. I like when it blings in blue and yellow and green and gold. That's cue for sapphires, yellow diamonds, emeralds, and karats, oh my! And sometimes I want to treat myself... or steer a certain significant other over the rainbow into the pot of gold. {Wink, wink to husbands everywhere!}

Until recently, I've found it very difficult to shop the internet for fine jewelry. I've checked websites like ShopBop, Barneys, and Saks, but I find their fine jewelry selections to be stale, uninspiring, and absurdly expensive. Shopping for fine jewelry seemed to be an outdated process.

Until now.

Swoonery is a luxury e-commerce site that has innovated the fine jewelry shopping experience. It showcases unique pieces by both established brands and up-and-comers that you won't find at your neighborhood jeweler. Also, they pride themselves on their costumer service aspect, making it a priority to get to know you as a consumer to make tailored jewelry recommendations depending on your taste and desires.

They're basically like your family's new "go-to jewelry guy", except you don't have to buzz through two black gates to get inside. They're just a mouse click away...

Skirts. Skirts.

They're good for your ego.

The more you wear them,

The more your legs show.

The more your legs show,

The better you feel.

So wear more skirts,

They're the real deal!

It's not everyday that you find yourself along a dirt road, riding in a pickup truck, listening to Darius Rucker sing the sorrows of yesterday. Then again, maybe that's a constant for you. But not me, no way. So when I go, I go hard...

Like, totally... situation dressing at its finest. :)

Drop crotch leather pants and a white tee would be a natural staple for me, but adding the woven Tejas-inspired cape brought me right where I needed to be-- in the center of a deserted highway in west Texas.

It all just felt so right.

We're redefining casual fall attire here on Elshane's World.

A cozy gaucho pant, a semi cropped shirt (this is the true definition of a reverse mullet top, right? Party in the front, business in the back...), and this season's MUST... a fur slide!

I opted for these GORGEOUS Brother Vellies fur slides because they are luxurious but a lot more affordable than their Givenchy and Gucci counterparts. I've never been so inclined to slide my little bare toes into a fall flat until now. 

Also, finding new ways to wear heirloom pieces like my vintage Chanel brooch, as a bejeweled tie at the top of a crisp shirt, is my cue for instant glamour.

How glamorously comfortable is this vibe?!

There is so much history for me behind this Prada Marfa art installation. The full story is here, which goes into detail about a flea market, a sharpie, and a world renowned photographer and now friend. Worth the read (plus you get a mini house tour of my home so basically, you're welcome! Have a cocktail!)

But in short (because I know all of you have now read the full story), I completed the epic circle of love. Who knew then, at that time, doing all of those things, that I'd actually end up HERE. In good ol' Marfa, Texas.

The box is officially checked.

I recently visited Marfa, Texas for a friends wedding in mid September. For a town so small (literally...so small... population of 1,800), it does have its quirks. It's slowly rising up in the art world after artist (and near G-d-like figure in town) Donald Judd staked his claim as desert city artist hub nation for those looking for a cool art adventure (if you're down for the 12 hour journey from either coast). 

Here were my favorite Marfa moments, many of which you see in these photos.

1. Sunrise Tour at the Chinati Foundation (art exhibition): see Donald Judd in all his greatness-- 100 untitled works that are worth the early rise.

2. Freda (clothing store): Thankfully I visited this store sans husband. Spent 2 hours drooling over the Southwest vibes including fur sandals (bought), woven gold trousers (bought), and countless jewelry that resembled tiny pieces of artwork (swooned over). It's my favorite travel boutique I've visited in a long time. 

3. Food Shark (food truck): Any food joint is worth the visit if it induces an Instagram-worthy photo opp, right? If it's good enough for Beyonce, it's kinda good enough for me...

4. Moonlight Gemstones (gem shop): Yeah, you can get rose quartz just about anywhere, but walking into Moonlight Gemstone just feels right. A 360 degree box of glistening rocks excites at every turn. It was a feel good paradise.

5. Marfa Burrito (breakfast): So they weren't joking when they told me that you walk through town, into the Marfa residence neighborhood to Ramona's house (yup), to sit down at her kitchen table {or her dining room table, or her outdoor table-- your choice!}, and shout for a breakfast burrito. She serves it to you straight. It's big, spicy, and delicious. I recommend the chorizo! 

6. Hotel St. George (hotel accommodation): Call me old fashioned (or call me high maintenance), but I don't necessarily follow a "when in Rome" mentality if it calls for mother earthy adventures. Case in point? There are amazing places to stay in Marfa that are authentic to the "desert chic", "rustic" vibe of the city, like an incredibly chic camp ground called El Cosmico and a vintage-inspired motel called Thunderbird, but I preferred to stay at the brand sparkling new hotel that boasts silky sheets, a fabulous shower, contemporary art filled walls, cuter than cute authentic Marfa mini bar selections, and a chic museum-like hotel gift shop. If you are picking up what I'm throwing down, you'll want to stay here, too. ;)

7. Prada Marfa (art installation): Gray Malin has made this lonesome couture art installation along a dusty desert road the world's most covetable Instagram shot. At about 30 minutes outside of Marfa (that's considered a mere stone's throw away in Texas by the way), you too, can star in your very own Gray Malin photography series. (You'll see mine an upcoming blog post.)

***

Oh, and silk bomber jackets are really cool so you should definitely buy one for fall season in my Shop The Look section below! Mine is **true vintage** passed down from my husband's grandfather... Lucky me!

Photographs taken in Marfa, Texas

There's something about a trendy item that just never sits well with me. I picture walking into a restaurant towards a sea of twinning girls, my absolute worst nightmare.

But then again, to abandon trends all together is not my style either. Trendy girls can't just call "dibs" on certain looks-- not under my watch!

So I stand somewhere in the middle. Here's a case where I found a really trendy item-- the denim culotte, and made the most of it. For under $65, I scored not only something that has refreshed my closet in a major way, but also an item that flatters my body and is beyond baby-proof. {Shout out to never wear silk again, sadly. The spit-up game is real.}

These culottes from CottonOn were just what I needed last weekend during a routine trip to Rodeo Drive. And to be able to pair them back to my staple designer shoes and accessories made me feel at home where I'm most myself... on the streets of Beverly Hills, of course!!! :)