It’s been a long season of low temperatures and crisp air—and my tendency to dress like a tomboy may have gone a little overboard. But as soon as the flowers bloom and the temperatures rise, I can’t help but let the gorgeous weather rub off on me—literally. The pretty weather calls for my ultra-feminine frocks and dainty fashion statements, a complete 180 from my boyish fall looks. The warm transition turns my scruffy chic into shabby chic—my feminine side that’s a sucker for rustic Victorian elegance and romantic country charm. 


The lovely weather reminds me so much of springtime at home, and this Easter weekend I managed to enjoy some downtime in Bucks County, Pa., where I find much of my style inspiration.

Thanks to my grandmother, I have a serious obsession with flowers, so it’s no wonder my wardrobe looks like a garden. From floral pants and blazers to shirts and countless dresses, my addiction never stops growing. With the floral trend being such a craze at the moment, it’s important to pick flowers—pun intended—that are well-printed. Be particular with prints because some can look unflattering, busy or tacky. Pay attention to color and arrangement, and don’t buy floral just for the heck of it—you’d be surprised how many floral prints out there look like weeds. As a kid, I followed my grandma around as she cultivated her amazing collection of lilies, Cattleyas, Dancing Ladies or pink and white Phalaenopsis orchids—I swear at one point I dreamed of being a botanist. Soon enough, a flower in my hair and my flea market-bought vintage petticoat became a daily uniform.

Rice’s Sale and Country Market is a popular tourist attraction in Bucks County. Weekly trips to the flea market were just an excuse for me to dress like Anne of Green Gables, clad in a straw hat and a breezy dress made of either linen or chambray. The flea market is a wonderful place to locate great fashion finds. Vendors sell a variety of hats, clothing and accessories—but my favorite aspect would have to be their collection of antiques. A vintage accessory has the ability to take your outfit to the next level—adding a few vintage pieces to a modern outfit can turn your look from boring to interesting. Don’t be afraid to cover your fingers with different rings or dress your wrists with arm candy. A flea market is the perfect place to find an assortment of low-priced, secondhand jewelry.

The natural scenery of historical upper Bucks County is a breathtaking sight, and driving through the farmland is inspiration in itself. Boring summer days consisted of hanging out at my best friend’s old farmhouse-turned-home, walking along parts of the Delaware River and wandering through the woods that held lovely cottages. The picturesque area looks so much like an illustration from an Americana storybook that wearing a darling dress seems obligatory. Last summer, I styled the music video “Montrose” for a pop-punk band called Man Overboard, which was shot in a field in Bucks County. I drew most of my inspiration from the tall grass and woods, and the beautiful weather and gorgeous scenery that surrounded us. I dressed the cast in vintage-inspired floral dresses, cardigans and chambray button-downs.


Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia was a bit of a tease. The city was this exciting place where art and culture thrived and a monotonous life in the suburbs seemed so uninteresting. But I’ve realized that part of developing my eye and creating my style was finding beauty in the mundane. Inspiration can be extracted from absolutely everywhere, and opening your eyes is only half the journey. So next time, take a bit of a closer look—because there’s no place like home.