On the Boardwalk: Old Time Fun at Coney Island

Old roller coaster car...whoa!

Strolling the boardwalk

I wonder if the people in those apartments ever getting tired of view? I doubt it.

Legendary.

Treats and more treats.

Neon and pastel carousel. Perfection.

Bird's eye view from atop a burger.

Grandmothers always know best.

After three summers in NYC I am embarrassed to admit this was the first summer I went to Coney Island. I know, I know. No excuses, especially as it is so easy to get to.  Well, I made it there this summer at least and it was a beautiful day to be there too.  Even though I had seen a lot of photos and video of Coney Island and the boardwalk I didn't really have a good idea of what the place looked like. Oh sure, I knew there'd be rides, concession stands, old signage,  and a shoreline that seems to go on forever but you can't really know until you visit a place. I liked Coney Island far more than I thought I would...I guess I wasn't expecting the boardwalk and the beach to be so vast, nor the amusement park landscape to be so vibrant (and clean)!  There were moments that afternoon when I actually did feel I had stepped back in time. So even though amusement park rides, fried foods and sun bathing aren't really my things, I had a wonderful time! And now I'll resume singing Bette Midler's 'Under the Boardwalk' in my head...

Outfit Details:

Dress - Fateful Timing Dress, Modcloth (out of stock but they have plenty more options if looking for something nautical)

Hat - Lord and TaylorTote - World's Fair Tote, New York Historical Society

Shoes - Keds

Sunnies - Kate Spade

Summer should be one great big picnic (or many little picnics all strung together)

Some of the amazing people I work with! Headed to House No. 17 to meet with folks from Third Rail Projects. Photo by Francis Estrada.

We had a picnic of course. You can't go to Governor's Island in the summer on what would normally be an afternoon in the office and not have a picnic! I made these little cornbread sammies (store bought mini corn muffins stuffed with guacamole and topped with jalapeno Havarti  and red pepper.

Inside House No. 17 we got to get a little preview into Third Rail Projects next production. We loved all the finds they acquired from Materials for the Arts. Can't wait to see how it all comes together.

Each object tells a story, creates a mood and sheds light on a particular character.

My colleagues are the best! Fun, smart, kind, funny and stylish! Happy people. Photo by Francis Estrada

I am a bit of a nerd and really love a good theme. If I am going to wear a watermelon dress and watermelon earrings why not paint my nails to look like watermelon too? This is an abstract watermelon design...painting one's own nails is hard.

Picnic. Theme. 

I want to wear this dress all year long.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Picnic Person dress by Bea and Dot, Modcloth

Watermelon Earrings: MoMA Staff Sale 2014

Necklace: Kate Spade Picnic Basket

Socks: Foot Traffic, Beacon's Closet (also were available here)

Tote: Little Women, Out of Print Books

Hat: Lord and Taylor

Heart Sunnies: Beacon's Closet

Sneakers: Suprega

Coney Island is Summer: Aaron Rose's Photographs

I don't think there's any exhibition that could put you in a more summertime fun mood than In a World of their Own: Coney Island Photographs by Aaron Rose, 1961-1963 at the Museum of the City of New York.  Sun, sand, water, fresh air and lots of smiles...that's what summer is all about.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Tracy Reese via Modcloth
T-shirt: Pilcro, Anthropologie
Bag: Anthropologie
Shoes: Suprega
Hat: Lord and Taylor

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

Saturday Strolling

Aside from getting cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping done, the main priority on my list yesterday was to stop by The Strand bookstore to get some reading material for an upcoming trip. But since I was in a mood for wandering (as is usually the case), that's exactly what I did. And my wandering led me to the Lower East Side so of course I stopped at the New Museum.  I was very impressed with the new exhibition Here and Elsewhere and highly recommend you check it out. It's poignant, informative, and beautifully installed.

Outfit Details:

Jumper: Angie, from Macy's
Hat: Lord and Taylor
Necklace: American Eagle Outfitters
Earrings: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Tote: MoMA for Uniqlo
T-shirt: Anthropologie

When A Giant Topiary Invades...

When a giant topiary invades and you are not quite sure how you feel about it there's only one thing you can do....try to match it and get your photo by it.  If you let yourself give into the ridiculousness you might see the topiary (in this case, a sculpture by Jeff Koons called Split-Rocker) in a whole new way...or maybe you won't. 

Outfit Details:
Dress: ABS by Allen Schwartz
T-shirt: Uniqlo
Belt: Pinkyotto
Bag: Dooney and Burke
Shoes: Suprega
Ruffled socks: Hue
Heart sunglasses: Urban Outfitters
Hat: Lord and Taylor
Necklace: Anthropologie

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