Styled by Kristie | Texas Style & Substance

Some women are blessed with skills that set them apart from the pack.  If you’re Kristie Ramirez, your blessed with these talents a few times over…  Kristie is a local Dallas wonder – she’s the writer-at-large at Texas Monthly where she takes care of all the style coverage and she is also a contributing editor at FD Luxe.  She freelances for national magazines like Departures and National Geographic Traveler and has contributed to other big name publications in the past.  When not busy writing, Kristie teaches fashion journalism at Southern Methodist University.  Professional writer, teacher – and a wife and mother to two children.  And a style maven.  A mom that has never sacrificed her love of fashion, Kristie is the type of hot mama you see and wonder how she can walk in heels so high and look so cool in whatever she is wearing (even if it is just a chambray shirt and layers of jewelry).  She is someone who starts trends and doesn’t follow them.  Somehow (um really, how?) Kristie finds time to pen her own blog, Texas Style & Substance.  My most favorite blog name ever because it so defines how she looks at life, style, people, and places from the perspective of substance and not just appearances.  And of course, Sally and I love that it’s like a personal diary of all the things Kristie finds and shares from all around the state…  Without further adieu, I’ll let Kristie and her She Wishes She Was Wearing ensemble do the rest of the talking:

QUESTIONS of STYLE:

.Describe your personal style in five words or less:  Unaffected, sexy tomboy.

.Who/What inspires your personal style, influencing what you’re drawn to and what you end up wearing?  My friends and traveling. I have a really great group of interesting, smart women as my dear friends and they all have distinct points of view that come across in how they dress. I think bits and pieces from them and traveling have formed my particular sense of style. I also have an 8 and 5 year old who are constant and welcome reminders that I need to dress somewhat practical nowadays.

.What is an item you cannot live without or what are some of your wardrobe essentials?  Silk button down shirts from Madewell, a black blazer, La Perla bras, which I always buy at the La Perla outlet in San Marcos. I wear my Bobby suede Isabel sneakers just about everyday along with Koch sweaters and J Brand or Rag and Bone jeans. My black 35 Birkin is my absolute favorite thing in my closet. And I’m guilty of wearing Madewell and J Crew chambray shirts a little too often. Seriously, I need to hang up the denim shirts, but I love them so much I can’t bring myself to do it quite yet.

.What is your most recent purchase?  A pair of blue suede Manolos and a black Celine Nano.

.Where have you found some of your most treasured style items?  Traveling. I think that’s what sets people apart, the meaningful little details that aren’t ubiquitous, things that are special because of the personal story they tell.

.What is your go-to jewelry routine?  I wear three designers everyday and never stray from this: A Cartier Love bracelet my husband gave me two years ago for our 10 year anniversary that I’ve never taken off. Sue Gragg diamond hoop earrings and the most delicate diamond gold bracelet, again both gifts from my husband. No one does diamond jewelry like Sue Gragg.  And then my Dezso necklace, gold cuff, and shark tooth pinkie ring from my girlfriend Sara Beltran.

.What are some of your make-up must haves?  I just bought all the Aerin lip glosses and lipsticks a few weeks ago and I’m obsessed with her Sunday Morning lipstick. Obsessed. And I’ve been wearing – don’t laugh – Coty Wild Musk since I was 13 years old.

.If you could meet any designer who would it be and why?  Alive would be Mr. Tom Ford. I want to ride horses with him in New Mexico, talk about Texas, and have Carine Roitfeld meet us for sunset cocktails. Then we could all shop for turquoise jewelry and he would tell me set secrets from A Single Man. I think he’s extraordinarily talented. I’m taken with his vision of beauty and style and how he translated that to film. Deceased would be Yves Saint Laurent. Because of Le Smoking, Marjorelle Gardens, and how he elevated ready to wear.

.What’s the best style advice you’ve ever given or received?  I’m not one to really give or take style advice. Someone can recommend something or point you in a direction, but unless it’s really a part of your style DNA then why do this or do that? Be yourself. That’s my advice.

So much adoration for this lady…  Thank goodness her intimidating cool factor is matched with her kind and sweet personality.  Thank you so much, Kristie!  xx

(01. Cartier Love Bracelet (similar) // 02. Dezso Petite Shark Tooth Earrings // 03. Rick Owens Tailored Blazer // 04. Warby Parker Clyde Specks // 05. Isabel Marant Blackson Boot // 06. Hermes Birkin Bag (substitute) // 07. AERIN Sweet Pea Lipgloss // 08. Lancer Dermatology Eye Treatment // 09. J Brand Zoey Triple Zip Skinny Jeans (on sale!) // 10. AERIN Sunday Morning Lipstick // 11. Brooks Brothers Fitted French Cuff Shirt)