Reliving Our Teeny Bopper Days

My younger sister Brooke was ecstatic when she found out that New Kids on the Block were reuniting and going on tour. I, on the other hand, could really have cared less. However, when I was 12 and 13 I was completely obsessed with the band and was certain I was destined to marry Joey, the youngest of the band members. After much hemming and hawing, she finally convinced me to go with her last week. I mean, I couldn’t say no to my little sister. She drove up from Baltimore and off to the concert we went.

Needless to say, we had a friggin’ BLAST! Thanks Brookie!

Brooke and I at the concert

Ain’t she cute?! My sister is the best!

Now here’s what I wore:

Clu grey heather cotton jersey tee with white contrast silk bias trim. J.Crew medium grey heather wool vest. Black Club Monaco wool jacket. Indigo Madewell straight leg jeans.

detail of neckline

Clu makes incredible luxury knits. This top has the comfort of a t-shirt but the fit is much better because it’s cut on the bias. The contrast white silk trim at the neckline and the armhole add an elevated touch to an otherwise simple top.

detail of the jacket

This Club Monaco black wool jacket combines great military details like the double pockets and the shoulder epaulettes with beautiful feminine seaming. Jackets and blazers are the best way to finish a look. The vest was worn under the blazer to add another layer so that when I removed the jacket later in the evening I still looked “finished” or in other words, so I didn’t just have a tee on. Layers are key.

detail of the necklace

I love Target just as much as everyone else. Mostly because you can buy designer pieces like this one from Subversive for Target at insanely inexpensive prices. Subversive has incredible pieces that I have long been obsessed with but have always been slightly out of my price range. When I found out they were doing a line for Target I bought it out. The mixture of metal finishes and the different sizes and shapes in the cluster of beads on this waist-length necklace makes it a super modern piece that adds of layer of cool to this outfit.

detail of bag and ring

Onyx and brass locket ring, a gift from two of my best friends many years ago. Hayden Harnett black leather bag with adjustable shoulder strap which gives this bag versatility. The mixture of metal hardware finishes such as the black oxide studs at either side of the front flap, the gold closure, and the brass studs above the closure give this bag a sophisticated punky vibe.

I searched for years to find the perfect pair of black flats and of course I found them at Sigerson Morrison, one of my favorite shoe designers. These classic patent leather flats have a beautiful shape and a little asymmetrical knot detail that makes them special. The wide cuff on the jean is my way of playing with the proportion of the total look of my outfit. Once you’re dressed always fuss a little in your full-length mirror with proportion. You can do this by pushing up sleeves, unbuttoning or buttoning a shirt or jacket, cuffing up pants, etc. Nothing has to remain the way it is on the hanger. It’s about the whole look.

Here are some fun shots from the concert:

my boy Joey belting it out

Brooke and I belt it out too

Brooke posing with the boys

Backyard Birthday B.B.Q.

Papa Mike with Ella

This is the birthday boy, Mike with his adorable little daughter Ella. She has the most incredible blue eyes and the sweetest little smile punctuated with two brand-new bottom teeth.

Today was a fun, super casual day with great friends, delicious barbecue, horse shoes, and my little “niece” and “nephew”. As a proud auntie I think we should discuss their little outfits which just so happened to be gifts from you know who. I mean what are aunties for if not to keep their nieces and nephews outfitted in style?

Bella Ella

Hudson steadied by mama Shelly

Alright, so I’m not a Mom, but since A LOT of my friends have recently had babies I’ve been spending a lot of time happily buying baby clothing. Here’s the thing baby clothes are expensive. It’s like, what the eff?! These kids are growing so fast, is it really a good idea to spend tons of money on clothes that they may wear for a few months before they outgrow them? I think not. That’s why sales are my best friends. I just happened into a Janie and Jack store recently, and what do you know they were having a sale. So, I bought Hudson this adorable short sleeve madras shirt and Ella got this beautiful embroidered top and cargo pants with brass buttons. Notice how Mom Jen paired a pink plaid Converse sneaker with Ella’s look. Nice. Janie and Jack has beautiful, well-made clothing that when full price are a little more than I want to spend, but on sale and we’re talking. My trick for buying kids clothes is to buy clothing that I’d want to wear or I could imagine their parents wearing. Then it’s easy.

Now to what I wore.

bbq look

Steven Alan cotton plaid shirt. Madewell white ankle zip jeans. The same black satin Vans from before. Yup, I’m wearing white jeans to a bbq. Who cares if I spill barbecue sauce on them? Oxyclean is my friend. Besides, wearing a white jean with this dark saturated shirt is the perfect compliment. Don’t be afraid to wear white jeans year around. They look great with a dark top. There are no “after Labor Day” rules that you should worry yourself with.

plaid detail

Steven Alan makes some of the most amazing yarn-dye shirts. I love the royal blue and red of this plaid that give the whole shirt an over-all purpley look.

sunglasses detail

Oliver Peoples black sunglasses with rose-tinted lenses. These are slightly more retro than the classic Ray Ban shape and I love the pin detail. I wear these with everything. Do yourself a favor and invest in a good pair of sunglasses. They are one of the most important accessories. They say a lot about you and your style and you wear them every day, so why not buy a good pair?

detail of earrings

Urban Outfitters brass enameled hoop earrings. These earrings have a very Art Nouveau feel to them. The black and white graphic shapes can be worn with anything but I love how these bring out the black and white stripes in the shirt.

bracelet detail

I have a thing for dragons. I think it’s because I was born in the Year of the Dragon. I found this beautifully detailed red carved dragon bracelet at Dem Two Hands. I love how it pops the red stripe in the shirt.

the shoes

Hmm, do these look familiar? Yup, my black satin Vans topsiders again. I love these shoes.

Casual Dinner Party in the Burbs

Let the record show that I love to eat, therefore if you invite me to a dinner party I am coming.

Our newly-wed friends Mike and Sarit hosted a very casual, intimate dinner party last night. The food was wonderful, their new house is beautiful, and even the after-dinner musical entertainment was well, entertaining.

Now, to the clothes.

by the fireplace

A hand-me-down J.Crew striped cotton poplin top from my very fashionable friend Nina. J.Crew charcoal grey heather wool vest. My favorite Gap 1969 “boy” jeans, cuffed to add more attitude. Vans satin topsiders.

detail of necklaces

I love the intricately detailed glass beads of this vintage Miriam Haskell necklace I got on Ebay earlier this year. The white hearts of the necklace inspired me to pair it with my red leather heart pendant I got from Creatures Of Comfort.

detail of the belt and jeans

Oh how I miss Gap 1969. They created the coolest wearable casual clothing with vintage-inspired details. Check out the bartack stitching on the fly and the copper shanks at the hip which are reminiscent of a sailor’s pant. The denim is a slubby texture with a stripe on the reverse side of the fabric as you can see cuffed above. The belt is a Linea Pelle cognac brown leather with whip-stitching and braiding.

detail of the back of the jeans

More cool details at the back. A wider yoke and a lowered pocket that sits further down creating a more relaxed silhouette. F.Y.I. I didn’t upsize these jeans to get this slouchy fit, they are sized that way so they fit my hip and waist perfectly. They are genius and since I’ve owned them for 6-7 years and am still not sick of them, I will likely own them forever.

detail of shoes

Vans black satin topsiders I got from Swell recently. P.S. They come in more colors.

Off to Connecticut for the Afternoon

amazing early autumn color

Yesterday was such a gorgeous day. The weather was the perfect early autumn sunny with a slight chill. This is one of my favorite times of year. The time of year where it’s totally appropriate to wear a warm sweater but still wear sandals. It’s the perfect time to mix and match some of your favorite summer pieces with your new fall purchases.

hanging on the front stoop w/ a glass of vino

The inspiration for this outfit was this Cynthia Steffe skirt that I bought over the summer and wore a hand full of times. I love the fabric and the silhouette but it was a bright lime green which doesn’t work for fall. I overdyed it with a couple bottles of Rit navy dye and voila, it’s now this beautiful vegetabley green.

P.S. That’s Oscar behind me, looking out the screen door. He’s such a sweetheart.

scoop back tee

One of my new fall purchases, I couldn’t resist buying this Club Monaco navy merino wool tee because of this sexy scoop back detail. Club Monaco always has amazing basics with unexpected details.

the belt

This Linea Pelle cognac leather belt was one of my best purchases from last fall. It’s extremely versatile so I wear it all the time with just about anything. It’s color warms up anything it’s paired with.

vintage silk scarf

This vintage printed silk scarf that I scored on Ebay earlier this year brings the whole outfit together with its’ color. It also brightens up the darkness of the other pieces with its’ creamy off white ground color.

copper hoops

I’ve always loved hoop earrings. These simple hammered copper hoops were from a shop called Dem Two Hands in my old neighborhood. They carry amazing ethnic jewelry.

antique ruby ring

Jewelry is very personal and that’s why I love antique jewelry. This triple stone raw ruby ring was a birthday gift from my Dad and Step-Mother last year. We were antiquing one day when I spotted this ring in a jewelry case and knew it was destined to be mine. My friends and family know I’m a hard one to shop for, so they often graciously let me choose my gift. Anyway, my point is that this ring looks beautiful with the navy of the top and the deep blue-green of the skirt and is tied in with the pink print of the scarf.

the sandals

These Gap European Collection leather sandals designed by renowned shoe designer Pierre Hardy were my favorite shoe of the summer. The simplicity of the design almost makes them appear hand-made. While it is not important to match the colors of your leathers, I love that these shoes actually do match the belt.

Back to Back Weddings

You know why I love weddings? I love weddings because they’re like an adult prom! I get to buy a new dress and get all gussied up. It’s all so much fun.

So, these last two weekends I had two weddings that were both amazing but both very different. One was the garden wedding of two of my close friends Cat and Carmine in New York State. Cat and Carmine are both very soulful, laid back, casual people so I knew their evening wedding was going to be a fun party surrounded by friends. The second very posh wedding was of my boyfriend’s sister Jen and her fiance Eric in downtown Los Angeles at the Frank Gehry designed Walt Disney Concert Hall. This wedding promised to be a stunningly glamorous, much more formal occasion. I knew that while both weddings would have totally different guest lists and there wasn’t any chance that anyone would notice if I wore the same outfit twice, I would look either too casual at one or too dressy at the other if I only had one dress for both. So, hooray! I got to get two new dresses and all the fun accessories that went along with them!

Garden Wedding Outfit

Tracy Reese blue cotton/nylon sateen strapless dress w/ scallop detail. J.Crew cayenne linen jacket. J.Crew ornate cuff, marigold metallic clutch, and leopard print peep-toe pumps.

The Color Story

The cuff brings together the whole outfit. The gold and yellow in the cuff ties in the yellow gold of the metallic bag. The pale blue of the cuff is in the same color family as the light turquoise of the dress. Don’t be afraid to wear a pop color such as this red jacket with an outfit. All of these colors work together. It’s not about matchy-matchy, it’s about adding something that’s unexpected.

Detail of the Cuff

Detail of Metallic Clutch

Could there be a more perfect metallic color? I think not.

Detail of the Shoes

I will own these shoes forever. They were the perfect unexpected little touch for this outfit… Remember that animal prints are a neutral and therefore will go with anything.

Formal Evening Wedding Outfit

Thakoon grape silk dress. Club Monaco black silk embroidered jacket. Shanghai Tang silk jacquard clutch. Dina Sutter white and yellow gold diamond cuff. Dina Sutter amethyst drop earrings. Nancy Geist black patent leather platforms.

The Color Story

This bag brings this whole outfit to life. The color of the dress is in the same color family as the bag. Also notice that the lines of the cuff mimic the leaf pattern on the bag.

Dress Detail

Detail of the Amethyst Earrings

Oh how I wish these were mine… These were on loan from the fabulous jewelry designer Dina Sutter as was the cuff.

Detail of the Shoes

I love the contrast of the black patent of these shoes against the cognac brown leather of the heal and platform.