Earn Your Stripes

Sorry for taking a break from the blog - I made the decision to keep myself away from the internet for Memorial Day weekend. Has anyone purchased anything from Net-a-Porter's annual sale? I ordered a cropped Phillip Lim sweater I've been eyeing for quite some time. Today, I am wearing a 3/4 inch sleeve striped dress that falls at the knee. I already know that it will be difficult for me not to wear it every day, because it fits perfectly, the material breathes, and it looks so easy and chic. The more I grow in age, the more I realize the true benefits of the adage 'less is more' - Having less things and instead, accumulating things that are of the best quality and representative of your style, really makes for a better quality of life.

PS. I love the look Hanneli debuted on her blog today. I do urge you to check it out.

Vogue's 10 Best Dressed Choice - 05/23

I loved Kirsten Dunst's gown as much as Milla's shown here. However, I feel Milla's hair and make up lifted the Prada dress, whereas Kirsten's beauty-look did the opposite for her Chanel couture gown. So I'll have to give my kudos to Milla Jovovich.

: )

The No-nonsense Wedge

Delivered yesterday. Made in Italy. Supple leather and comfortable arch. Meet the No-nonsense Wedge.

Dishing It

Even though I assured myself that I wasn't going to buy a pair of new wedges this summer, I succumbed. My mind got carried away thinking about all the upcoming hot and sticky days where I'd end up cursing at the sky for not buying a comfortable shoe to walk around the city, that would also work on weekends outside the city - a no fuss shoe. 

I experienced difficulty finding a pair of wedges that fit my personal style for the low budget price I was after. Have you noticed that so many shoes these days are too ornate? I need my ornate shoes and then I need my basic shoes. Major shoe chains tend to think that if they add a buckle, a flower, or a cut-out here or there or everywhere, that will give the shoe high-fashion appeal. But it doesn't look good at all. When I want high fashion I buy high fashion. When I need a basic shoe, I don't want a sorry attempt at a designer's creation - no knock-offs! 

I found the best quality I could for under 200 dollars without all those heinous bells and whistles. They are simple and made in Italy. Now I just hope they fit.

PS. How gorgeous are the teacup and saucers above? They were featured yesterday on Vogue and are available for pre-order at wedgwood.com

Rounding Out My Summer Wardrobe

I love the idea of layering different textures during the summer when you are working with an all-light or neutral ensemble. What's essential to my summer doesn't necessarily speak to yours. Aside from the occasional trip to the Hamptons and upstate New York, I will be experiencing an urban summer (pavement, museums, restaurants, offices.. you get the idea). I need to work on this list over the weekend. What do you think of my last minute must-haves?

White Hot

Just in. Can you believe this is my first pair of crisp white denim? Eeeee!

From my iPad

I am pleased how with each day this closet feels more and more like me. It is sometimes difficult sharing a closet with a boyfriend - splitting half a closet may be fair, but it's not enough to make that space your own. Little by little I've been working with the space I do have, so that when I open the doors I can feel inspired again. All organic things take time...

Progress captured by the iPad.

...Things that shouldn't take too long however, include waiting for one's Celine sunglasses to clear security at the airport. See below.

Lady Marmalade

all photos via howtospendit.com

This editorial blows my sartorial-centered-mind. I need an orange skirt ASAP.

Twigs

I stopped by Saks yesterday afternoon and this Diane von Furstenberg dress was calling to me. I love green and white together. I wasn't as sure about the print, but after I finished wrapping the dress around me, I felt amazing. Such a simple throw-on piece for any event anywhere in the city during summer months. I plan on having a tailor attach a small fascinator at the top of the dress near the decolletage, which will allow me to control the plunging neckline. I can hook up for work and undo the hook as soon as I'm ready to leave the office. I would even play this dress down with neutral boots on the weekend.

Good Fortune

I just bought a pair of the highly covetable Celine sunglasses in black! All the stores state side have been out of them for months, let alone in black. They are coming from France, so the shipping and tax is pretty hefty, but I didn't think twice. To say that I am ecstatic is an understatement. Have a great spring weekend all!

: )!!!!

Black Stripe

I picked this top up from Zara on my way home. The length of the sleeves have a very Celine-esque quality to them. Will go perfectly with Palazzo pants in white, a belt, colorful bag, and some nice hardware around the neck.

In the News

Catching up on old news from FT Weekend and browsing new news like this month's J.Crew catalog. Wearing an orangey-red shade by Revlon - Chili #430.

Vogue's 10 Best Dressed Choice - 04/25

via vogue.com

I love this flirty Tory Burch dress on Michelle Monaghan. Looks great with her fringe! Though, I would have accessorized it differently. Check out the other contenders.

A Toe Thing

I have been really attracted to shoes that place greater emphasis on the toe of the shoe. Remember that Giambattista Valli boot I shared last week? (See below for photo, plus a Spinelli pump with metal tip) Well, the other day when I said I took a departure from my normal style aesthetic, I had done so by purchasing these Chloe acetate pumps, yes, acetate. Suede black toe: Count me in!

New Beginnings

net-a-porter online magazine

Today I had to get a haircut for work reasons. I cut off 3-inches and it was really terrifying because I look best in long, long hair. I guess it was the beginning of a larger change occurring, because after I left the salon, I went home, went online, and bought a pair of shoes I wouldn't normally ever purchase. Will share when they arrive. I want more crisp and clean in my life.

Vogue's Ten Best Dressed Choice - 04/18

An effortless evening look worn by Karolina Kurkova

Check out the other women here.

Silver and Gold

This beauty shot is so powerful. The silver and gold straight down her center of gravity, the embellished navy top and auburn hair. I've been gazing at it for the last 10 minutes.

Hats Galore

via modaoperandi.com

I am so into anything that keeps me dry. We get terrible cold wind and rain in NYC. And NOTHING is worse than feeling like a wet dog in your outfit with a matching damp head of hair. I had never heard of Sensi Studio before, but when I read the details regarding their hats, I knew I had to buy at least one. 100% felted wool, water repellent, and made in Ecuador by designer Stephany Sensi. Can I repeat - water repellent. I pre-ordered one of these earlier today. Can you guess which one? Will suit me perfect in the fall. 

Sleeveless Vest

I'm not a DIY kind of girl at all. But when you can't find something specific, you need to take matters into your own hands. I've been looking for the right structured sleeveless vest ev-ery-where. No luck. I've had this hanging in my room since my mother gifted it to me from her vintage side of the closet. My grandfather was in the knitting business and my mother designed lingerie before she had me, so I think I can muster up some sort of seamstress skill. I plan on removing the shoulder pads and then cutting off the sleeves. It really is the perfect summer outwear apparel. I can cinch it with a neon Burberry belt or even a Hermes clasp.

Park Avenue

The city has woken up from its slumber. Fresh flowers and fresh fashion everywhere you turn. 

Outfit: Day to Night in the West Village

After spending a hot day shopping, throw on a sweater when it gets chillier at night, because you're finally eating outdoors again

Spring Denim

Over my lunch break, I stopped by Zara and picked up two pairs of jeans. One cropped and folded in a pretty pink salmon hue with some faux tears here and there. The other, a cigarette skinny in regular denim. I need to get the regular jeans tailored to fall at my ankle, then I have the option of rolling them above my ankle if I feel like it. 

I plan on wearing them with these pointy-toe heels as well. I've had these shoes sitting in my closet for years, but hardly ever wear them, so they look brand new.

Now heading to the kitchen to relax with some early grey tea and my new May Vogue..

PS. The jeans I bought today are very Isabel Marant-inspired. But I'll put my own twist on them ; )

09.04.

I plan on picking up a bottle of Pêche Nacrée on my walk up Madison this afternoon. So lucky that I get to walk out my door and be near all the beautiful shops. Will stop by Chloe, Erdem, and Hermes as well to see what they are carrying inside. Maybe I'll get something..

Valli Two-Tone

I'm obsessing over the satin two-tone boot by Giambattista Valli on Moda Operandi. With all of these over-embellished, caged, multi-print heels that look like they are going to bite - these are by fair the chicest pair of shoes I've seen in quite a long time. Always a tough decision, purchasing something you won't see for months. But they're worth it?

Terminal B

via fashiongonerouge.com

Such a fun spread modeled by Isabeli Fontana for Mango. I say more photo shoots in airports!

Delivery!

My doorman just dropped this delivery off. The blouse photographs very light (online and in my photo). The color (lime sorbet) is much more neon than I thought. Might need to to return this for a mint green shade instead... decisions. On my 2nd week of going to the gym religiously. The only thing that keeps me on the elliptical is an hour of Ellen, which always makes me dream about California weather and whether it weren't for New York weather, I'd be going to the gym more. Le sigh.

Vogue's Ten Best Dressed Choice - 04/04

Hands down my vote goes to Natalie Massenet at Christie's, NYC

I love the way the length of her hair meets the dress to create a line, showing off the collar-line of the dress. The print is breathtaking, throw-back yet extremely contemporary. You got to love the way the dress EXACTLY mirrors and complements the shrubbery in the background. 

Spring Cleaning

Cleaning your closet can be a pretty daunting task. A lot of time and effort is required in order to do it properly. I've slowly begun reorganizing my closet for the season. Last week I started sifting through the things I plan on donating and putting winter accessories into boxes - where those boxes will go is something I don't want to deal with at the moment! I've managed to clear out 1/4th of my top shelf (as seen in the photo above). I think there's possibility for growth and development in my closet organization skills, but overall it's looking alright so far, don't you think?

I received a newsletter from GOOP last night sharing some closet tips that I want to pass onto you:

1. Match separates into like items: shirts with shirts, and dresses with dresses, etc. 
2. Define those categories further: long sleeve shirts with long sleeve shirts, 3/4 length dresses together, long dresses together and so on and so on. Or, if your mind works differently, evening as its own section. Whichever way you categorize the sections- or find it easy for yourself to stay organized-make sure to create subsections of these sections.
3. Another trick is to color code your clothes. Organize garments light to dark, left to right (a visual merchandising trick of the trade!)
4. Always use the same hanger! In the same color!

Note: I obviously haven't reached closet guru level because my hangers are not all the same :( Though the hangers in my walk-in closet in my family's home match... does that count? 

Sorbet

 I can't get enough Equipment. I just bought this blouse in Sorbet, which is such an amazing color almost because of its lack of color? Make any sense? The blouse radiates summer and will look super fresh paired with black and white separates and accessories. The anticipation is killing me!

Denim

I am totally a roll up/cropped jeans convent this spring. I am waiting for those Isabel Marant heels to come out already!

Outfit: Day in the Hamptons

*Don't forget to grab your iPad and chic case - that one-lane highway can be a killer on a sunny morning