style crush: blake lively

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So two weeks ago my husband and I went on a little date to see Age of Adaline. I think my crush on the star of that film, Blake Lively, began somewhere around the time she married Ryan Reynolds. I think they're adorable. I have little to no experience with Blake as an actress, because I never really watched Gossip Girl and I was a much bigger fan of Lena in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants saga. I think the majority of Blake's career has kind of slipped past my radar. But there was something about the Adaline story and character arc that I couldn't wait to see. I knew Blake would rock it, because she has this natural knack for ethereal beauty and transcendent style. While watching the movie, I totally believed that she had been living eternally youthful for decades. I could hear it in her voice and sense it in the way she carried herself. I thought the movie was stunning and I honestly can't wait to see it again. Granted, it has its flaws - a hefty handful of them. But the clothes, the timelines, the love stories. I'm all about them and am now all about Blake Lively.

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As much as I love the style of the titular Adaline in Age of Adaline, Blake Lively's real life red carpet and street styles are always gorgeous as well. Last year she created the website Preserve, which is a digital magazine and one of a kind shop filled with handmade items all chosen by Blake. I'm personally obsessed with these hand-painted vintage boyfriend jeans after seeing them on her Instagram (here and here), and it's pretty fun to dare my future self to spend the $500 necessary to buy a pair of them. (Spoiler alert: my future self never does). I'm starting to wonder if I could find a way to DIY them...

While the site has high-priced clothes for men, women and children alike, it also has a whole "under $50" section and a pretty wide variety of price points. Either way, it's a site that's full of inspiration and I love her more for it.

Blake also had the most fantastic maternity style of anyone I've ever seen.

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So without any further ado, proceed to swoon over Blake's beautiful clothes and have a very happy Monday. And if you haven't already, indulge in a weeknight viewing of Age of Adaline, because it's fun and sweet and quite sincerely lovely.

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source / shop the coat

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*see all style crush posts*

style crush: lily james

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Unfortunately, Lily James and I got off on the wrong foot. She entered Downton Abbey at a time when the show had cruelly devastated me, and her arrival as the new flirty and rebellious Lady Rose did not aid in fixing my shattered heart. Through no fault of her own, I broke up with Downton and we went our separate ways.

Lucky for Lily and I, we've been granted a second chance. Spring is full of her lovely face, because the arrival of Disney's star March movie means the arrival of Lily James as Cinderella. 

Of course I am wholeheartedly committed to a certain other Cinderella adaptation, ahem Ever After, but let's remember that love doesn't deplete - it multiplies. There is always more room for more love and magic in the world. 

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Here are a few of my favorite details about Lily James:

She was born the exact same day as my husband. April 5th, 1989. Fantastic people unite. 

She is British. Extra points for everyone who is British.

Her name is the same as Harry Potter's parents. R.I.P. Lily and James.

She began her acting career in 2010! She is the Bambi of Hollywood.

She smiles and laughs with her mouth open a lot, and it's really endearing.

She looks completely fantastic and natural in both blonde and brunette hair, which I find as rare a quality as being a unicorn. 

She is a unicorn.

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I suppose I would call her style classic exquisite. She exudes royal femininity with the long, sweeping gowns and classic silhouettes while also embracing some fantastic lace and embroidery (give it up for that chameleon-covered dress above - I want it). It's easy to forget that she's my age (younger, actually), but that girlish charm certainly serves her well. I think she'll make an excellent Cinderella. I cannot wait. 

I know she's dating Matt Smith from Dr. Who, but I quite enthusiastically wish she was actually in love with her Prince Charming co-star Richard Madden. I have a problem separating fantasy from reality. 

But really, lookit.

If this isn't actually Cinderella and Prince Charming, then I really don't know a dang thing. And I might be okay with that. Delusions, continue. 

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See Cinderella March 13th! I'll see you there.

style crush: elle fanning

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Where did she come from, and how did she get so darn cute?

Elle Fanning. Probably one of the most adorable girls in Hollywood.

She's more than just a pretty face, though, and it runs in the family -- her sister Dakota was one of the most beloved child actors, known for her maturity as well as her raw talent. Now both she and Elle are fashionista powerhouses, as well as Hollywood A-listers.

They've even done some similar modeling work, occasionally even working together (for brands such as Marc Jacobs and the Korean jewelry brand J.Estina). 

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Elle is definitely paving her own way, creating an energetic image full of color and smiles.

She also started acting at a very young age, often in roles where she played Dakota Fanning's character at a younger age (her first role was in I Am Sam). 

While "adorable" is often the word to describe the starlet, she has been getting a lot of attention for her risk-taking high fashion choices over the last few years, which are aided by her incredibly long legs. Her modeling career is currently getting a lot of buzz due to her upcoming spot in Miu Miu's 2014 spring campaign, one of her favorite brands. She's quite a force to be reckoned with!

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Sometimes it's hard to believe she's only 15, when she has done so much in both her acting and modeling careers, but she's such a breath of fresh air in both industries. I don't think I've ever seen her without a smile and a giggle.

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Her style is a mixture of her youthful innocence and her intensity! As I said, she's often a risk-taker and I have to admit it's one of my favorite things about her. I try to imagine myself at 13, 14, 15...having no idea what to wear and still in the throes of my tomboyiest of years, still learning about makeup and beginning to crush on boys. 

I adore Elle's bold choices and always love seeing her on the red carpet. 

She's the perfect balance of poise and boldness.

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I couldn't be more pleased with her upcoming role as the first real-life Aurora in Hollywood. The upcoming Sleeping Beauty remake, Maleficent, will only be improved by her presence as the doomed princess. 

There's something about her that's luminous and sincere, and I hope she continues to do great things! I have no doubt that she will.

In the mean time, I'll continue to be inspired by her and her brilliant style. 

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