a loveable feast

Lucky me, I was in New York over the weekend to celebrate my mother's birthday. Though we were staying downtown, she really wanted to do lunch at an old favorite Upper East side French restaurant, so we battled our way there through the rain and traffic. I was secretly wishing we could have stayed closer to home (or Balthazar)--until we sat down to eat. Everything about lunch was grand, from the glass (and a half!) of champagne to the creme brulee to the basket of bread and salted butter in between. And, of course: elegantly-attired diners everywhere. Men and women, young and old, decked out in sophisticated Upper East Side-meets-Euro classics: cashmere sweaters, generously oversize coats, tailored blazers, delicate silk blouses, etc. The glamorous scene made me want to add more of these refined, always-chic pieces to my wardrobe, wear-again-and-again staples like this feminine lace-trimmed Valentino sweater (40% off), this sleek and neutral Alexander Wang coat (40% off) this glinty (Chanel-ish) crochet metallic cardigan by Topshop (which I bought post-lunch!), this classic Chloe leather tote (40% off), this tweed Isabel Marant jacket (40% off), this lavish parfait of a Jimmy Choo clutch (35% off), this dashing Zara cape, and this polished Elizabeth and James button-down blouse (60% off).