A City Made for Walking and A Dress that Keeps Up

 

 New York City is such an amazing walkable city, especially when the weather is beautiful, and there are so many things to explore. I am still learning about this city everyday. Several weeks ago I finally went on one of the free walking tours of the Flatiron District. Focusing on a specific area of the city and having someone tell you facts and anecdotes about various locations is such a great way to stop and really appreciate all the places you might hurry past in the day-to-day rush of city living.

I wore one of the Nanette Lepore dresses I bought earlier in the year at Nanette Lepore's Archival Sample Sale. So even though I went on this walking tour weeks ago, this post still seems timely since Nanette Lepore just had her show last night as part of Fashion Week. She is one designer who really loves and understands how to use color! I love the cut of her designs....everything from the necklines, hemlines, draping, and thoughtful details work for me. And beautiful fabrics and patterns too! I watched the live stream of her show last night...I am loving the neon yellows and pinks and bright whites! Such a fantastic designer...who clearly respects women in all her design choices and wants all of us to have fun with our wardrobes!

Outfit Details:
Dress: Nanette Lepore
T-shirt: Airism by Uniqlo
Belt: Anthropologie
Tote: H&M
Hat: Lord and Taylor
Sunnies: Kate Spade

Here a Bunny, There a Bunny

I know I've been neglecting this blog (sorry!) but there have been so many other things going on that writing a styling post has been the last thing on my mind. Rest assured though, I have been keeping the spirit of 'Jackie's Stylings' going....I mean if you are going to get dressed each day why not make styling choices that express who you are. (However, I admit that some days this winter I cared more about keeping warm than looking stylish....hopefully I still managed even with all the additional layers).

Anyways, the last two days have been pretty mild for this time of year which makes me very happy. It has been great being able to wear lighter layers, not to mention actually enjoying being outside rather than trying to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible just to get inside.

Here's a look at what I wore this weekend. I guess I was feeling inspired by my bunny Crusader and the spring-like weather. I was also around 4 year olds at work this weekend so I felt my outfits were appropriate for that occasion as well.

Outfit details:

Top photo:

Sweater - Kensie

Pants - BB Dakota

Button-up Shirt - BCBG Generation

Hat - Anthropologie

Gloves - Uniqlo

Other photos:

Blouse - Collective Concepts

Jeans - Hudson

Cardigan - Mendocino (Queen St. West)

Gloves - Anthropologie

Hat - Echo

Scarf - Betsy Johnson

Belt - Anthropolgie

Both photos:

Coat - Steve Madden Girl

Bag - H&M

Boots - Ugg

***Crusader bunny as herself... No styling needed

I Heart Puffy Hearts

While the aesthetic of novelty purses is appealing to me, their price tags usually aren't. I'm okay with paying more for an investment piece but a bag in the shape of a tea cup, popcorn box, boat, heart  or flower (Gorgeous!) doesn't exactly qualify as that (unless I win the lotto, in which case that tea cup and flower purse will be mine). 

Speaking of novelty purses, I saw some darling clutches in a window along Fifth Avenue. I didn't catch the name of the store but you can't miss all the glittery objects in the window. I think the tiger and the pink rose clutches are my favorites of the ones I saw. 

Recently I popped into H&M, and came across this soft puffy heart purse. I looked at it and thought "I heart this heart purse."  There weren't many left and according to the cashier she was surprised any were left at all....apparently a lot of us really love these little purses. Mine has a slight crease on it but I'm sure that will come out with a little steam action.  Frankly, I can't put much in this purse but it's not intended to be a workhorse kind of purse anyways. I think the day these photos were taken I had some kleenex and some lip balm in it and there wasn't much room beyond that. There's something kind of decadent about carrying around a little purse that sort of looks like a Valentine's Day box of chocolates. A fun (and inexpensive) addition to my wardrobe, and one that I can't wait to style with other outfits.

Outfit Details:

Dress (old): thrifted

Denim Leggings (old): BCBG

Heart Purse: H&M

Orly Genger: Red, Yellow, and Blue

Seems like I arrived back in NYC just as the heat wave ended which I am definitely thankful for. My mom’s birthday is today and she happens to be in town visiting so we strolled around the city, played a game of checkers in Bryant Park, hung out in Madison Square Park, did some window shopping and enjoyed a nice lunch outside.   I love leisurely spent Sundays, where there’s nothing in particular that needs to be done (or at least ‘to do’ things I feel that can be temporarily ignored) except to enjoy some time outside.

Madison Square Park is an especially pleasant spot to enjoy a Sunday morning in the summer.  And I think of all the art installations I’ve seen in the park so far Orly Genger: Red, Yellow, and Blue is my favorite. I love seeing the woven primary colors winding through the park, peeking out from behind trees, meandering across the lawn in unexpected ways. The squirrels and birds in the park seem to get a kick out of this installation too.   

Outfit Details:

Midi Ballerina Skirt (old) - H&M (similar here, here and here)

Pastel Striped T-shirt (old) - Anthropologie

Lace Tunic (old) - I remember purchasing this at Square One in Mississauga long ago but I have no idea what store it came from (similar here)

Necklace (old) - Submerged Necklace from Anthropologie

Belt - random piece of ribbon I had in a jewelry box

Restyling an Old Sundress

I’ve had this navy/almost black sundress for about 15 years. I remember buying the dress in Athens following an archaeological excavation I was on with Brock University.  It was (is!) the perfect lightweight dress for travel….easily packed, wrinkle resistant and great for throwing on over a swimsuit. I still like the look of the dress but it’s pretty sheer and on its own doesn’t feel very appropriate for work.  Today I decided to turn this simple sundress into a more complete look by pulling on a blouse over top and wearing it with a pair of leggings. When the A/C kicked in, I pulled on a light cardigan. The neutral beige and navy coloring found in the dress and cardigan hold up well when paired with the splash of color from the blouse and the punchy colors of the embroidered flowers on the cardigan. It always feels good when you can find a new way to wear an older item in your closet.

P.S. If you are ever in Hell’s Kitchen, check out Schmackary’s at the corner of 9th Ave. and W 45!

Outfit Details:

Blouse (old) - Vermillion Flurry Blouse, Anthropologie

Cardigan (old) - Rainbow Trellis Cardigan by Sparrow, Anthropologie

Dress (old) - The tag on the dress says H&M but I didn’t even realize that store existed then…I guess well before store came to North America (similar idea here)

Leggings (old) - Kensie

Necklace - purchased at MoMA Staff Sale

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)