A Pink Swan Barrette Makes the World Go Round

On the High Line

Checking out some art in Chelsea

If you are going to wear some bright bold patterns you might as well go all out. 

Outfit Details:

Dress: Hello by Karen Walker, Anthropologie
Belt: Bettie Page Clothing
Necklace: The Art Institute of Chicago
T-shirt: Airism from Uniqlo
Tote: Frieze Art Fair
Socks: Hue
Hat: Lord and Taylor
Sneakers: Kate Spade for Keds
Barrette: Vintage (purchased at Jazz Age Lawn Party
 2014)
Nail Polish: Urban Outfitters

Happy 4th of July!

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

Despite the rain (which was not nearly as bad as the storms we have been having the last few days) I think it was still a really great day. I had a fun time roaming the city and checking out a few exhibitions including Madeline in New York: The Art of Ludwig Bemelmans at The New York Historical Society and Jeff Koons: A Retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art. I also found these shoes in my size at Anthropologie (now with an extra 20% off!) which I thought were perfect for July 4th (and everyday wear too) but sadly had to be worn only inside yesterday due to the drizzly conditions outside.

I can't wait to be outside more today! Enjoy the beautiful weather forecast for today and tomorrow!

Outfit Details:
Dress: Anthropologie
Denim polka-dot cropped leggings: Hue
Shirt: Anthropologie:
Hat: Lord and Taylor
Shoes: Suprega
Cardigan: Forever 21
Tote: Uniqlo MoMA collaboration

Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival 2014

Like many people, I grew up watching Easter Parade with Judy Garland, Fred Astaire and Peter Lawford so being able to actually see the Easter Parade in person these last few years has been amazing. Obviously, a lot has changed since those days. The Easter finery on parade along Fifth Avenue now is a lot less demure, definitely more colorful, and often over-the-top. As much as I really love all the old photographs from Easter parades gone by, I really appreciate all the unique stylings represented in the more recent parades.  The crowds are a little intense, and professional photographers are a bit reckless (um, dangerous...) with their equipment, but getting into the fray to see all the outfits and hats up close is part of the experience (warning: you may want to wear some extra padding....just saying....). Happy Easter!

Outfit Details:

Skirt: Anthropologie

Coat: Nanette Lepore (from Archival Sample Sale 2014)

Sweater: Kensie

Purse: Nine West

Bonnet: Lord and Taylor

Boots: Steve Madden Girl

Scarf: Textile Museum of Canada

Tights: Hue

Polka Dot Socks: Hue

Inspired by Piet Mondrian (or a box of crayons or a Disney character)

Image Source




Maybe it's the milder weather, but I've really been gravitating toward bright hues and bold patterns lately. It's so nice to not have to wear a million layers of clothing and to enjoy strolling around outside. And this outfit that I wore earlier this week is definitely bright. I'd like to say I was inspired by the Piet Mondrian postcard I have on my dresser, but in truth some days I'm just as inspired by a box of crayons or a jellybean display. There are so many color combinations I really love but there's something so comforting and satisfying about primary colors. 

Outfit Details:
Dress: Anthropologie
Long Sleeve Shirt: Uniqlo
Cardigan: Anthropologie
Tights: Hue
Jacket: BB Dakoka
Tote bag: conference swag

Little House on the Prairie Re-Mixed for the City

This brown dress is covered in tiny pink flowers that remind me of the subtle pattern you'd see on dresses in Little House in the Prairie. But with its bell-like sleeves, pull on styling and twirlable skirt it's probably more comfortable than any prairie dress was (and the hem length is a little high for those days).  I paired the dress with ballet pink tights to bring out the color of the flowers and then pulled on a pair of my trusty brown boots to bring everything together. A little old fashioned country-living style made urban. 

Dress: Think Closet
Jacket: BB Dakota
Tights: Hue
Boots: John Fluevog

Macy's 40th Annual Flower Show: The Secret Garden

Macy's 40th Annual Show Show, with this year's theme as The Secret Garden, opened to the public on March 23rd. Even though it's up until April 6, I went on its opening day because it seemed like the perfect way to celebrate the first weekend of Spring. Despite the lingering chill in the air, I really felt like spring was a little nearer after wandering around all the floral displays. Plus I really needed a cheerful dose of bright colors and fresh scents that flowers never fail to provide, especially when in such an abundance.  The in-progress chalk drawing of a fanciful garden outside the store was an extra bonus and I definitely went home with an extra spring in my step afterwards. 

How do you like to welcome spring? 

Outfit Details:
Dress: Tracy Reese, via Anthropologie (found on super sale!)
Coat: Steve Madden Girl
Cardigan: Lord and Taylor
Hat: Anthropologie
Gloves: Anthropologie
Leg warmers: Hue
Scarf: Handmade by family (Ashley)

So much art to see

A couple weeks ago I saw so much great art over the course of 3 days that it only made me want to see more. Between the Independent Art Fair and the Armory Show I also checked out several shows in Chelsea that had been on my list of 'must see' for awhile.  What a great weekend! Looking forward to more art filled weekends!

Dress: Anthropologie
Cardigan: American Eagle Outfitters
Scarf: Anthropologie
Tights: Hue
Coat: Steve Madden Girl
Hat: Echo
Necklace: MoMA

Staying Warm: How to Layer Effectively (and pretty stylishly)

Whoa! It has been a long time since I've posted anything here. I can't promise I'll be posting any more regularly at this point but I thought I'd write a post about something I think I do pretty well: layering up to keep toasty warm! I've never been a fan of the cold which is funny given that it's not like I was born in a tropical place (Canada) and that I willingly chose to live in Newfoundland for several years (now that's a lot of snow!).  I blame my hatred of cold temps. on family vacations spent in warmer climes during the coldest part of the winter. My dad worked (still does) on ships so he would often have only 2 months off during the year, and my mom, him and I (and sometimes extended family like cousins, grandparents etc.) would take a vacation together. I'm grateful for winter days spent in sundresses and sandals, but it may have made me a little soft when it comes to dealing with cold weather :)  If I had my way, I'd happily live somewhere that was 85F all year long!

The other reason for this post, besides sharing my layering "skills", is to show off the charming knitted hood my cousin's girlfriend made for me (Go Ashley!). I love it so much!

Here's the hood with the buttons all added. I love the chunky knit, perfectly peaked hood, and of course, the color!  It fits great as a cowl or shawl, or pulled up over my head.

Ashley left this knitted beauty without buttons so I could find the perfect ones, and I think I did.  I scoured the internet and found some little wooden apple buttons I liked at M&J Trimmings on 6th Avenue in NYC. When I finally went to the store to take a look at them in person, I spotted some Little Red Riding Hood buttons too. I was pretty excited about my finds (and the Alice in Wonderland buttons I found...for a different project).

See how nicely this hood can be worn as a cowl. 

And here's what the hood looks like pulled up from the back. I feel like an urban Red Riding Cap!

Pro Tip: If you come in from the cold and are still froze, DO NOT immediately jump into a hot shower. Let your core temperature rise slowly, by taking off layers bit by bit, drinking hot beverages and warming up to the temperature indoors. I got this little electric fireplace when the heat in my building was off for a few days/nights and it's really great at warming up a space. On especially cold days, I like warming myself up in front of it when I first come in from outdoors.

Stay warm everyone and dress for the weather!

Outfit Details:
Coat: Plenty By Tracy Reese
Knitted Beanie: Anthropologie
Red Hood: Handmade by Ashley
Scarf: Melanie Lynne
Pants: BB Dakokta (fleece lined faux leather and they are pull on...Yes Please!)
Tights: Hue
Leg warmer/sparkle socks: Hue
Gloves: Uniqlo Heat Tech (I wear these under other knitted gloves and often add in a hand warmer between the layers)
Long sleeve undershirt: Uniqlo Heat Tech
Sweater with faux peterpan collar: Anthropologie
Striped cardigan with bow on back: Anthropologie
Long fringed cardigan: American Eagle
Boots: Ugg

Always Tea Time

Since moving to NYC almost two years ago I've tried to get a table at Alice's Tea Cup on the Upper West Side about four times but every time the wait was over an hour and for one reason or another I didn't end up waiting. (They only take reservations for groups of six or more).  Last time a friend and I attempted to stop in we decided to go some place else for lunch because it was too cold outside to be wandering around aimlessly while we waited for a table and there's not really enough room inside to wait. So I was pretty excited when a couple of friends and I made plans to finally go check this place out today.  We still had to wait but the weather is pretty perfect right now so passing the time was pleasant.

Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland has long been a favorite book of mine and I do love a good theme (I know, such a dork...) so I didn't hesitate to seize the opportunity to wear my teacup dress and don a few other Alice inspired items for this occasion. One of the newest additions to my Alice in Wonderland assemblage is a gorgeous book clutch I purchased from Novel Creations. I absolutely love it!  Even the way it came packaged was delightful, complete with a red seal heart and a lovely thank you note from the creator. Karen, the owner/creator of Novel Creations, is very responsive if you have any questions about ordering a book purse and when I asked about the antiqued handles she assured me that it would be the perfect choice....and they were! Going to Alice's Tea Cup was the perfect inaugural excursion for this little book purse.  

And tea at Alice's Tea Cup was worth the wait! Such a fun place and I had great company to share the experience with.  Also, I forgot how calming a cup of tea can be. I used to drink tea pretty regularly but only have it on rare occasions now, but I might start making it a part of my daily routine from now on or at least making time on the weekends to enjoy a leisurely cup. Now if only I could find a tea that was as tasty and as pink as what I enjoyed today :)

Outfit Details:

Dress (old): Sugar and Cream Dress, Anthropologie

Cardigan (old): Seashell Cardigan, Anthropologie

Tights (old): Hue Sheer Dot Tights (metal)

Boots (old): John Fluevog Adriana Nuni Boots

Purse: Novel Creations, Etsy

Hair Band: from Hefter Collection Luxe Hair Accessories, Hazelton Lanes, Toronto

Teacup Charm Necklace (old): Purchased from Etsy awhile ago and can't remember the exact store, but similar version here