Urban Landscapes

Typically, I tend to wear dresses with a twirl factor. You know when you were a kid and put on a dress that would fly out around you if you spun around….I still think that’s a good “test" for a dress.  Dresses that flutter and float are fun to wear…even if you no longer twirl around (in public, anyways…).  This shift dress is somewhat of a change of pace for me. I’ve had it for a long time and only occasionally pull it out to wear but I really love its graphic city print and for a form fitting dress it’s pretty comfortable to wear.  My only quibble of this side zip (hooray!) dress is that the button at the nape of the neck is square and the loop for it is tiny….it’s always a bit of struggle doing that up. One day I might change out the black square button for a red heart one.

Anyways, this felt like the perfect thing to wear on day 1 of  the heat advisory in NYC with its cooling cotton fabric, crisp colors and urban edge.   At work, I paired it with a fair of flats featuring zippered rosettes and a soft striped cardigan (it was too hot outside today to even consider putting the cardi on for a photo). The bow on the cropped back is my favorite part of this cardigan;  I like that it softens up the hard lines of the dress and the jagged zipper rosettes on the flats.

P.S. Sorry for the slightly grainy indoor shot.

Outfit Details:

Shift Dress (old) - Great Heights Shift Dress by We Love Vera, Anthropologie (doesn’t show up on Anthropologie’s website anymore but you can sometimes find it on ebay or etsy in one or two sizes, and there’s a review of it here) 

Flats (old) - Halogen (purchased at Nordstrom) (similar here)

Cardigan - Knotted Stripes Cardigan, Anthropologie

Purse necklace - My mom’s

Gold belt - Thrifted

Jeweled heart earrings - My nana’s

Fashion is More Than Clothes

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street. Fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." - Coco Chanel, 1883-1971

 
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Summer Nights in the City

June 21 came and went, and now it’s truly summer….just like that.  Funny how we come to a point on the calendar and suddenly it feels as though someone has turned on the heat and collapsed all the air so it hangs thick and heavy.  We had a few hot days earlier this spring, but the nights remained fairly brisk and cool…and then we turn a page, and the air stays warm at night and city seems hazy even when the sun has gone in. I love summer days and nights, even when it feels unbearably hot. And in NYC, there’s something even more delicious about this season…maybe it’s just that the city feels a little more electric, like the very humidity in the air is coursing through every living creature. It’s almost as if there’s an urgency to enjoy each day to the fullest, make every bit of sunshine count, stay up a little later…even the sun doesn’t want to go in. It’s summer after all, and we know how quickly these days fade into fall, into winter….

Outfit Details:

Wrap Dress (old) - Zara

Leggings (old) - Kensie

Tote Bag - Eloise at The Plaza, The Plaza Hotel NYC

Hoboken Adventure

Hoboken, here I come!

Ready to explore! 

So many wonderful cafes, grocers, delis, bakeries, flower shops, boutiques….and each with their own personality.  Storefronts with awnings never fail to charm!

Frank Sinatra’s star at 415 Monroe Street! This star marks where his birth home once stood…sadly it was torn down in 1970. Wish I would have had a cloth or something with me….the star could really use a good cleaning.

Beautiful architectural detailing everywhere I looked in Hoboken! Fretwork, figurative cornices, colonnades, brick molding, painted facades….heaven!

So tempted! 

The view over to Manhattan is stunning. It’s wonderful being able to walk along the way less crowded walkways along the water or relax on a bench just enjoying the view.  Why did I not come over here sooner?  I’m seriously considering a month’s pass for the ferry so I can spend more of the summer on the other side of the Hudson!

Nautical detailing…yeah, I sometimes dress thematically if it suits the occasion…

Up close of the jewelry I paired with my outfit today

Outfit Details:

Dress - Pleated Skipper Dress by Leifnotes, Anthropologie

Shirt - Here and There Tee, Anthropologie

Bag - Kate Spade Wild Flower Harmony Bag

Shoes - Suprega Classic Sneakers

Sunglasses - Kate Spade New York

Happy First Day of Summer!

I don’t know about you, but I’m planning to soak up every last bit of sunshine and warmth this summer! Summer always goes by too fast and this year the warmer temps. seemed to take longer to arrive.  It’s at this time of year that I always feel like every meal should be a picnic, every late night should be on a patio or rooftop, and that we should aim for a more leisurely pace than we normally keep the rest of the year.  

I love that everywhere I look this time of year I see splashes of color.  It’s as though everyone mutually agreed to embrace these sun-washed days by enveloping themselves in colors as seen through a prism on a sunny windowsill.  Today on the way to work I looked at Brook’s Brothers window and saw men’s pastel shirts with cuffs turned inside out to expose multi-colored pastel plaids, Fossil had handbags in every shade strategically arranged as though a garden, the smallest convenience store had pails of colorful fresh cut flowers along the sidewalk and carts selling shaved ice offered syrups in every hue.  This is the magic of summer…you start to slow down and notice all these things a little more.  

Looking forward to many more sun-filled days and warm nights ahead!

Outfit Details:

Oxford gingham shirt in neon pink - Michael Kors (purchased at Lord and Taylor but I can’t for the life of me find it on their website…it’s available at many stores though)

Floral skirt (old) - Goldfield Skirt by Edme and Esyllte, from Anthropologie

Pink flamingo tote - H&M

Necklace (old) - from Town Shoes (similar Eiffel Tower necklaces here)

Bringing the Beach to the City Streets

When I first saw this dress it was love at first sight! First, turquoise and yellow are one of my favorite color combinations.  Second, I love the V shaped back with exposed zipper (which I really should of photographed too…sorry). Third, you can never go wrong with a fit and flare style. Fourth, a beach scene….on a dress…who doesn’t like the beach?!! And fifth, Tracy Reese is THE designer who consistently creates dresses that I not only think are beautiful but also which feel comfortable on.  Sometimes there are gorgeous dresses that feel too precious to wear or where you feel you have to be careful how you move either because of the shaping, materials, detailing, etc. Dresses should be more more than pretty, they should fun to wear.  Bright colors, playful patterns and great silhouettes, Reese’s dresses never lack in style or detail, but most importantly they make wearing them a complete joy. Basically, Tracy Reese dresses are magical.

P.S. Last Fall I got to meet Tracy Reese and she was as gracious as you might imagine. You can check out my post from that experience here.

Outfit Details:

Dress - Plenty by Tracy Reese Frock, Beach Print (purchased from Bloomingdales)

T-Shirt - Perfect Fit Tee from J Crew (can you tell I love these t-shirts?)

Shoes - Me Too Kailani Patent Embellished Flats in blue (purchased from Lord and Taylor)

Cardigan - Beaded Collar Cardigan in Rose Gold (purchased from Lord and Taylor)

Tights...Not Just for Winter

As you may have already guessed if you’ve read any of my other posts, especially this one, I love tights. They are a relatively inexpensive (generally speaking) way to add visual interest to any outfit, and can even help you see other possibilities for styling something. It’s amazing how one accessory/necessity can completely change a look.

There are a lot of great options available right now, something for everyone, but here are a few of my favorite pairs.

I think these ASOS Pattern Sheer Tights are really versatile. I could see these being a great way to transform the look of a little black dress or mix with a bright and bold floral motif.  

I’m usually not a fan of fishnet stockings but I love the retro vibe of these star patterned ones. Playful and sort of punk at the same time. I think their name, Starlet of the Show Tights, says it all.

These Butterfly Tights from Jessica Simpson are adorable, but their tattoo-like design keeps them from looking too sweet.

Although patterned and multi-colored, these Tiny Hearts Tights could work almost as a neutral, pairing well with many other colors and also playing well with other prints.

The vivid floral print on these tights is really beautiful.  I could imagine these being a favorite pair of Fall tights, easily blending with greys, greens, and neutral tones.  In the summer, I would probably pair these with a crisp white dress or a black lace dress.

Fun! These Eye Exam Chart Printed Tights are a great conversation starter. They are available in black with white font or as pictured above. Just be prepared for people shouting random letters at you all day….

Woolford tights are usually pretty pricey but there are some great pairs on sale at Bloomingdales right now that are worth considering. Of the ones available, these are my favorite. I think they would add an edge to a more conservative ensemble, e.g. pencil skirt and blazer, or you could go all out and pair these with brocade shorts and a peplum blouse. Lots of possibilities!

So pretty! These Flocked Rose Tights from ASOS are also available in black. I love the texture that the raised roses bring to these tights.

Bold geometric patterns can definitely be statement makers and these Checkerboard Tights fit that description. They also remind of Alice in Wonderland. Pairing with a delicate drop waist dress or vintage frock would really bring out the whimsical element of these tights. While wearing a color blocked ensemble would be a striking way to show off this bold print. Also, if you are looking for a particular color of tight and haven’t had any luck tracking it down, check out We Love Color - they have almost every shade and hue imaginable (50 in fact!).

And finally, here are some of my absolute favorite tights of all time…ones that I really need to track down!

Swan Tights. No need to say anything else. Adore.

Pacman and Ms. Pacman are still my favorite video games. True child of the 80s. I need these tights and one day I will find them.

I can’t think of a better way to show my love of maps in a very present way than wearing these tights. There are a few other map print tights out there but I love that these resemble the globes from my elementary school days.

Very cool! And so very steampunk!  These Pocketwatch and Keys Printed Tights could work as all-season tights, classic and quirky at the same time.

Tights are definitely not just for winter! Do you have any favorite pairs, either from the ones in this post or from somewhere else?