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

A Reprieve from Winter and a Two Exhibition Kind of Day

I don't know about you but I am really ready for winter to be over. Here in NYC we were treated to a nice reprieve from winter today and expecting more of the same tomorrow. I couldn't be happier with the warmer weather and sunshine today and took full advantage of it. I wish it wasn't so short lived though...apparently more wintery weather coming this week. Ah well, enjoy it while you can.

While wandering around today basking in the spring-like weather (if you ignore the mounds of dirty snow everywhere) I stopped in to see two exhibitions: Ladies and Gentlemen...The Beatles at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and Folk Couture: Fashion and Folk at the American Folk Art Museum. I highly recommend checking out both even if you think neither is of interest. Both were a feast for the eyes and really informative.  

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! 

Outfit Details:

Pants: Dex
Sweater: Kensie
Lilac Scarf: Textile Museum of Canada
Knit Scarf: Melanie Lyne
Coat: Free People
Gloves: Anthropologie
Hat: American Eagle Outfitters
Boots: Ugg
Bag: Anthropologie

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

Island Hopping: Visiting Staten Island

I've been enjoying a bit of a staycation lately and one of my recent excursions was to Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on Staten Island.  Travelling by ferry always seems a bit like a holiday to me and I really enjoyed riding the Staten Island Ferry. The enormous orange ferries are such an iconic feature in NYC's harbor and of course the views of Manhattan and Lady Liberty are inspiring.  

Snug Harbor is only a 10 minute bus ride from the St. George Bus and Ferry Terminal on Staten Island. The grounds are beautiful for a leisurely stroll and there are so many paths and areas to explore that it felt like my own private garden. Visiting here is a real treat and the perfect place to visit if you need some time away from the craziness of Manhattan. The Chinese Scholar Garden was closed for a private party but there was plenty of other things to see, like hedge mazes, pebbled lined streams, rose gardens, massive verandas, sweeping lawns and even a little fortress. I'm already planning a visit in October! I imagine the leaves will be gorgeous at that time of year and this will be the perfect place to have one final picnic before the weather becomes too cold to allow for it.

Outfit Details:

Shirtdress - Franziska Shirtdress by Maeve, Anthropologie

Polka Dot Belt/Sash - from old Guess sundress

Leggings - Kensie

Purse - Le Sportsac

Feeling like an Easter Egg

Just a quick outfit post from last week....looking at this now I think I'm dressed like an Easter Egg. Anyways, I love the bright spring/summer colors in this dress, the fun chevron design and the smooth fabric. It's such an easy dress to wear and doesn't need much styling. Last time I featured it on this blog I wore it like this.

On this particular day, I decided to pair it with the necklace and earrings I purchased at the MoMA Staff Sale. I still can't believe I found a bunny necklace and earrings! And to think I wasn't even going to check out the sale. Meant To Be. I think adding these accessories to this dress may be why I now keeping thinking about Easter but I do think they go nicely with the whole outfit. It puts me in a happy mood, one of the great things about crafting personal style.

Dress - Steps, South Street Seaport

Leggings (old) - Kensie

Boots (old) - Town Shoes

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

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