Bastille Day in NYC 2014

Since moving to NYC, it has become a tradition of mine to attend the Bastille Day festivities along East 60th Street.  There is always a lot to see and though the crowds often mean I don't linger as long as I might like too, summer wouldn't feel complete without this event.  Every year I also try to add some French flair to my outfit on Bastille Day. I think this year I did pretty well, non?

Outfit Details:

Skirt: French Connection
T-Shirt: Laduree for Uniqlo
Bag: Anthropologie

Ruffles and Polka Dots for a Sunday Stroll

Weekends always go by so fast probably because I always try to cram so much in. I probably should spend more time relaxing on weekends but it seems like such a waste. In fact, on the couple of weekends where I didn't do much of anything I ended up feeling more tired, annoyed that the weekend had came and went.

Today I walked up to The Whitney to check out "American Legends: From Calder to O'Keeffe" and "Hopper Drawing." It was a cool but sunny morning so the walk there was really pleasant. There's generally less people up and about on Sunday mornings so that definitely adds to the tranquil vibe.

All of Calder's works are so playful  Isn't this fish mobile great?!





I really like when museums have plenty of benches. Not only are they great spots to soak up the atmosphere and study particular works but also for seeking what catches the attention of other visitors.

More of Calder's works. So clever and fun!

On the way home, I popped into Laduree to snap a few photos. Their window display is always so charming. Beautifully delicate and colorful macaroons spread out like little jewels.

And of course, I couldn't walk by my favorite Kate Spade store without stopping in. Their Madison Avenue store is truly beautiful.  A couple of weeks ago I noticed these darling cat flats online and was curious to see them in person. They don't seem to be getting them in the store, but the helpful staff ordered a pair to be delivered to my address and waived the shipping cost.  I can't wait till they arrive!

Best ending to this weekend? The Perseid meteor shower is supposed to begin tonight! Hopefully the sky stays clear for viewing.

Outfit Details:

Dress - Sunny Soiree Dress by Girls of Savoy, Anthropologie

Shoes - Keds for Kate Spade New York Champion

Bastille Day in NYC

Today I checked out the Bastille Day Celebration on 60th Avenue presented by French Institute: Alliance Francaise. FIAF’s Bastille Day on 60th Street takes place between 5th Avenue and Lexington Ave. and only runs from noon to 5pm.  I got there right at noon and the area in and around it was packed; I could barely get down the street through the throngs of people.  Despite the heat, humidity and crowds, it was great fun seeing the booths running along the street. Beautiful jewel-like pastries, pastel macaroons, musicians, and lots of festive balloons and banners everywhere I looked. Every few booths there was either a lemonade, ice tea or smoothie stand which is definitely appreciated on hot and steamy days like this.  

I also entered their Twitter Challenge, so in between taking in all the sights and sounds, I was following the rules for that. FIAF’s Twitter Challenge consists of visiting certain booths, following the rules at each one (e.g. for the Financier Patisserie booth, I had to give Chef Eric the address of one of their locations and then pose for a photo with him), and then tweeting out the photo along with a specific hashtag.  Fingers crossed I win something! Last year I entered the contest as well but unfortunately didn’t win anything.  Anyways, I’m glad I had a chance to attend this event for a second year. If you’ve never been, you should definitely mark it on next year’s calendar!

Outfit Details:

Eiffel Tower Dress - The Jenny Hart Dress, Modcloth (similar here)

T-shirt - Laduree Graphic T-shirt, Uniqlo

Fashion Bucket List

I don’t know when/where the term “fashion bucket list" was coined but over the years I definitely have put a few items on my radar/wishlist that would qualify to be on that sort of list.

Marc Jacobs Mouse Flats were on that list for a long time and I was thrilled when I finally added a pair to my collection last fall. Every season I would look at the latest versions of these flats and inevitably they would sell out before I could make a decision about whether to buy a pair and/or choose a color/type from the ones available.  I remember one time in Toronto being really close to buying a pair and visiting all the stores carrying them only to discover my size was sold out. I suppose I could have purchased a pair online but unless I know a brand really well I really don’t like buying a pair of shoes without trying them on first.  

After a few years of this I was thinking that perhaps me + mouse flats was not meant to be. But then these rosy metallic gold stud adorned mouse flats showed up and I knew these were the ones I had been *really* waiting for.  I ended up finding them at Lord and Taylor and with one of the store coupons received 25% off. The shoes I had been dreaming of at a discount…I was sold! Even after many wears, I have to confess that I still smile and am amused when I happen to look down at my feet and see these little mouse faces looking back at me. 

One thing I should point about these shoes is that they run wide and sizing down doesn’t really help. I don’t think all of the Marc Jacobs Mouse Flats are like this (e.g. probably not the ones with elasticized trim) but these ones are.  When I first started wearing them my feet would flip out of the shoe which was really annoying. I tried stuffing a bit of tissue paper in the toe to keep my feet from moving around but that was pretty uncomfortable. I ended up trying some of the Dr. Scholl’s For Her Ball of Foot Cushions (thanks to my mom for recommending!) and the difference is amazing; not only do my feet stay in the shoe but the shoes remain comfortable after 9+ hours of wear.  Genius product…I actually didn’t think the Dr. Scholl’s cushions would help much but WOW!

In terms of styling, what I love about these shoes are the possibilities to play with a mix of sweet and edgy designs. Yesterday, for example, I wore them with black metallic gold flecked tights, a pleated partially sheer shirtdress, macaroon emblazoned t-shirt, and a punchy cardigan (black mesh, punchy colors, bold floral print and oversized buttons? Yes!).  For me, the shoes tie all these seemingly disconnected pieces together. It’s nice when something you’ve waited for turns out to be well worth the wait….one of the fun things about crossing something off the fashion bucket list.

Do you have a fashion bucket list? If you do, what’s on your list?

Dress (old) - Quiet Blush Dress by Moulinette Soeurs, Anthropologie

T-shirt - Laduree Graphic T-shirt from Uniqlo

Cardigan (old) - Bluebells Awaken Cardigan, Plenty by Tracy Reese, Anthropologie (found on a pop back on the website for around $30…love when that happens)

Tights (old) - DKNY Metallic tights

Shoes (old) - Marc Jacobs Mouse Flats (sampling of current options here)

Dr. Scholl’s Cushions