Going Medieval

(close up of skirt)

I've always been drawn to Medieval and/or Renaissance Festivals; in fact any chance to "travel back in time" or become lost in another time/place is alright with me.  When I found out about the Medieval Festival in Fort Tryon Park last year I was pretty excited to check it out. Fort Tryon Park, setting for The Cloisters, feels pretty timeless to begin with but pepper it was tents full of fanciful items, costumed characters, and the sounds and smells of another time, and it takes on a life of its own. The Medieval Festival only takes place for one day so I'm happy that I was able to make it back for a second year. The weather was perfect, unlike last year when I ended up getting completely drenched.  Rain or shine, it's always fun to leave the modern world behind for a little while and get swept up in an idealized version of the age of chivalry. I have to say that one of the highlights for me is the train ride to The Cloisters....hilarious seeing the cars packed with knights, princesses, magicians, and all sorts of nobility, mythical creatures and medieval townsfolk. 

The "one minute it's warm and the next it's cool" weather this time of year always makes getting dressed a little complicated in my opinion as I mentioned yesterday's post so again I found myself wearing a bunch of light layers. I may not have wore a medieval costume but I felt like my outfit fit the setting, and I was probably a lot more comfortable than anyone who was in full costume.  Speaking of costumes, I was very tempted by some of the lovely costumes, headdresses and jewelry at the festival; Medieval and Renaissance Festivals always have the best artisans but from past experiences a Merlin necklace, flower chain hairpiece or a long flowing cloak doesn't seem so practical the next day.

Outfit Details:

Pants (old): Dex

Blouse (old): thrifted/vintage

Grey T-shirt: Perfect Fit Tee, J Crew

Skirt (old):  thrifted/vintage

Jacket: Nanette Lepore via Ebay

Bag (old): Betsy Johnson

Summer/Fall Outfit Mashup

I've been a terrible blogger this past week...I mean you kind of need to blog to be a good blogger. The last post I wrote was a week ago today. The week just got away from me I guess. I'm also finding the extra layer of clothing (necessary for cooler mornings) makes stopping for outfit photos a little challenging since taking a coat/sweater off (and then putting it back on again) is a bit of production on NYC's busy sidewalks. Summer's leisurely pace has also been replaced with 'full speed ahead' fervor. Excuses, excuses...I'll try to do better this week.

Yesterday I went over to Dumbo to check out the Dumbo Arts Festival. It turned out to be a beautiful, sunny and warm day. Visiting Dumbo is always fun but even better when everywhere you look there's some art either installed or being performed.  I loved all the colorful balloon people roaming the streets, and the different vistas all the mobile art presented.  It's funny how an inflatable pink pony completely changes the way you view a graffiti lined street or an empty parking lot.

After Dumbo, I stopped in at Bryant Park to check out the Taste of France Festival that was happening.  My favorite part was seeing all the adorable French Bulldogs! So cute and such great personalities!

As far as outfits go, yesterday's was a complete mash-up. This time of year getting dressed is always a bit complicated because you can be cold one minute and hot the next.  Saturday morning I put most of my 'only for summer' dresses away but I left out some of my lighter dresses that I consider almost seasonless if layered properly. The blue swissdot sundress I'm wearing in these photos will probably be packed away in a couple more weeks but with the weather still on the warm side I'm keeping it in circulation for now. This dress is a little subdued/can be a little boring so accessories are key. I added a pair of  patterned tights and a fun scarf to give this dress a more urban vibe, and I think the combination of colors worked out well. By the sounds of it, we are in for several more warm days so there'll be plenty more opportunities to experiment with combining lighter summer layers with some fall accessories. 

Outfit Details:

Dress (old): Esmee Dress by Moulinette Soeurs, Anthropologie

Tights (old): Blue and Green Space Dye Tights, Anthropologie

Scarf: Runway We Go Scarf, Modcloth

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

A Well Placed Bow: Fun and Functional

The thing about Fall is that it's often too chilly to wear a single layer and yet sometimes when you add another layer you feel too warm. Fall, like Spring, can be difficult to dress for since the weather can (and often does) change several times in one day.  It's not unusual to start off the day freezing and wishing you had packed a pair of gloves, only to have it sunny and warm mid day, and then have the end of the day erupt into a windy and rainy mess.  So, yes dressing for this season can be frustrating but it's also an opportunity to stretch your styling skills.  Plus, when you are given a beautifully sunny and crisp autumn day it truly feels like a gift.

The outfit I'm wearing in the photos above is a pretty typical weekend Fall look for me. A simple dropwaist dress with a fun print, a pair of leggings and a light coat.  I love 3/4 length sleeve coats for this time of year. It's also easy to change the look slightly by wearing a longer sleeve so that it peeks out of the coat sleeve, or even adding a pair of gloves.  This bell shaped coat pairs well with slim cut pants, denim and leggings as well as with pencil skirts, but my favorite part is the simple black bow at the collar. This well placed bow keeps my neck warm and negates the addition of a scarf, but it's also just cute without being "too" cute. Bows are often just added to clothing for fun but I think this one is pretty functional too.

P.S. Yeah, I haven't yet retired my straw hat for the season. Soon.

Outfit Details:

Coat (old): Nanette Lepore, purchased on Ebay

Dress (old): MADE Fashion Week for Impulse, Sleeveless High Neck Galaxy Print, Macy's

Leggings (old): Forever 21 (lots of leggings here)

Pumpkins on (almost) every corner

 

Almost, but not quite, the official start of Fall and pumpkins seem to have appeared in the city overnight, stacked up outside against store walls, spilling out of bins, and arranged decoratively inside many stores. Pumpkins just might be the most cheerful of all vegetables, generally dressed in brilliant orange and more impressive in size than other vegetables. Each pumpkin seems to have its own personality, a certain discoloration here, an indentation there, taller than the pumpkin next to it, or with a stem slightly askew.....and that's before they become jack-o-lanterns.  To me pumpkins herald in a spirited season, full of mystery and delight. I want to add pumpkin spice to everything, and the air I breathe to smell like cinnamon and cloves. I start scanning the TV listings for my favorite classic Halloween shows and although I could probably recite it at this point, I read the Halloween Tree over again. It's a time to marvel as the leaves transform into canopies of color, like blazing sunsets above us.  And the air starts to bite a little more each day and our footsteps echo just a bit louder.  

Outfit Details:

Dress (old): Pins and Polkas Dress by Moulinette Soeurs, Anthropologie

Grey T-shirt (old): ?

Cardigan (old): Clipped Etymology Cardigan

Scarf (old): Textile Museum of Canada

Light Layers for Cooler Temperatures

Just a quick outfit post from the other day. Although Fall doesn't start officially until Sunday, the temperatures are already reflecting the season.  Last week we had a few days in the 90s and yesterday we had a high in the 60s! Needless to say I was freezing and have started to dread winter already.  This is all to say that I wasn't in any mood to linger outside, at least not take photos without a coat on.  I'm sure I'll start to enjoy the cooler temperatures soon but the abrupt change was a little much.  

One thing fun about cooler temperatures is all the options you suddenly have in terms of styling. Layering pieces in your wardrobe is one of the best ways to explore new looks.  Layering means playing with color, textures and prints and the smallest change can really make such an impact.

Yesterday, I wore some light layers that were just right for the seasonal shift.  I love the combination of stripes, polka dots and playing cards, plus the colors in this outfit work well for any season.  And the best part is I felt warm AND stylish!

How do you stay warm yet remain stylish when the temperatures begin to fall? 

Outfit Details:

Skirt (old): Pinochle Skirt, Anthropologie

Olive green t-shirt (old): can't remember where this is from, it's really really old

Striped tank (old): Anthropologie

Cardigan: Pattern Ponder Cardigan, Anthropologie

Necklace (old): I've had this Pied Piper necklace since I was a child and find it as charming now as I did then

Tale of a Pouffy Skirt

Tale of a Pouffy Skirt

As you may have already guessed by now Anthropologie is one of my favorite stores. I definitely shop at other places but I always return to Anthropologie. Not only do their classic/whimsical/vintage-like clothing appeal to my aesthetic but I love the variety of designers they feature. I can always rely on them for colorful fabrics, unique prints, and beautiful details. They also have excellent customer service and in general I've had great experiences whether shopping in their store or online. Something else I really appreciate about Anthropologie? Their amazing sales! Every piece in this outfit in fact, aside from the bag and hat (neither of which are from Anthropologie), was purchased on super sale. A complete outfit from Anthropologie for under $60? It can be done.

I have a confession to make though. As much as I like (sort of) this skirt now, it wasn't always the case. Sure I liked it when I saw it online and loved when I happened to find it in the sale room all by its lonesome and for only $10, but at home it was a different story. This skirt is all kinds of pouffy.  I mean if you want to add some extra padding to your frame then this is the skirt for you. Does anyone really want that look? Probably not. And yet, this skirt is still pretty cute. The color, the fabric, the embroidery...all things I like.  I was so conflicted.   That basically sums up my dilemma once this skirt was in my closet. I'd take it out and then put it back. I even listed it for sale on ebay once and then removed it a couple weeks later.  I clearly had (have?) a love/hate thing with this skirt.

But today I decided to wear it out, vowing to make it work. And you know what? I kind of like this skirt (again).  I may not always be in a mood to wear such a pouffy skirt, but at least I know I won't be ignoring it anymore. And as an extra bonus, I did learn that this skirt is perfect if you want to sit comfortably on an extra hard chair.

All kidding aside (not kidding actually...), the trick to wearing this shape of skirt is thinking about how to balance it out. A fitted shirt, a belt, and a chunky necklace really help to even things out so to speak.  If it wasn't for the fact that I was walking all over the place today, I probably would have slipped on a mid-size heel with this outfit to minimize the pouff factor a little more.  But all things considered, I don't think the boots look terrible with this, although a more fitted lace-up pair would definitely look better.

So really the question is: To pouff or not to pouff? 

Outfit Details:

Skirt (old): Alpine Dream by Odille, Anthropologie

Shirt (old): Here and There Tee, Anthropologie

Footless Tights (old): purchased on pop-back from Anthropologie but not sure of the brand

Belt (old): Triumvirate Belts, Anthropologie

Necklace: Starry Bib Necklace, Anthropologie (still available at $14.95, originally retailed for $58.00)

Bag: Purchased at work staff sale 2012, Lilah Bag Collection, Fernanda Cohen

Hat (old): Lord and Taylor