rock solid
Tuesday, July 24
Years ago when I was living and working in New York as a magazine editor I attended a press luncheon and all the big-time editors at the time were there, dressed to the nines in their designer showstoppers, all brazenly trendy. There was, however, one woman, a beauty editor, who stood out, because she was not wearing anything high-voltage and recognizable. She had on a plush grey cashmere crewneck sweater and crisp white jeans, and to me, she looked the chicest of them all. Like she wasn't trying too hard. For some reason, this sweater reminds me of her--something she might wear to a press luncheon come this fall and stand out. Wear it with...
1. Topshop embellished sweater, $84, topshop.com
2. Dita sunglasses, $350, shopbop.com
3. Forever 21 bag, $32, forever21.com
4. Manolo Blahnik suede pumps, $595, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. Victoria Beckham jeans, $395, netaporter.com
drawing up inspiration
Monday, July 23
I came across the blog My Closet in Sketches last summer, and have been a devout reader ever since, and wanted to share it with you in case you haven't seen it. Washington DC-based illustrator and Lucky contributor Lauren Friedman draws her favorite outfits--effectively setting herself apart from a sea of style bloggers--and then hand writes clever and often humorous descriptions of the stylish elements that compose them, often including vibrant vintage pieces culled from her mother and grandmother's closets. It is an amazing and inspiring site. Below are some of my most favorite illustrations--two super cute outfits I could easily see myself wearing.
my feathered friend
Monday, July 23
Moda Operandi co-founder and fashion icon Lauren Santo Domingo once said that her two favorite food groups are "sequins and feathers." I am inclined to agree, and since on Friday I featured one of these foods, I figured I should balance the meal today. This festive LBD by Theory, majorly reduced from $455, is irresistibly tempting. Wear it with...
1. Theory dress,* $159, theoutnet.com
2. Barneys New York double breasted blazer, $1150, barneys.com
3. Asos beaded clutch, $58, asos.com
4. Miu Miu crystal embellished sandals, $990, netaporter.com
weekend warrior
Friday, July 20
TGIF! I am so ready for the weekend, mostly because, apart from a few children's birthday parties, we have nothing planned. I look forward to weekends like these, because they allow me to address all the odds and ends that I've been meaning/wanting to deal with. Like, for example, start reading this book, because I've heard nothing but great things about it. And I want to make this divine tasting gazpacho, which I first sampled with my friend/chef Lulu Powers. Speaking of food, I also want to check out Cerveteca on Rose Avenue (AKA Venice's next Abbot Kinney). I heard the brunch is insanely delicious. Lastly, I am seriously contemplating cutting my hair short, like the woman's length above. I should tell you that I always wear my just-longer-than-shoulder-length hair up in a bun, mostly because I can't be bothered with blowing it out everyday, but also because I have the most unruly yet lifeless yet wavy hair. So, ultimately the length of my hair is irrelevant, since it's almost always up, but if I get some revolutionary haircut, I might want to wear it down. Don't know if this particular decision will get made over the next 48 hours, but I am going to begin the mulling process. Hope you enjoy your weekend as well!
shimmery shirt
Friday, July 20
All-over sequins elevate this slim-fitting t-shirt, which might just be perfect for a Hamptons holiday--and beyond. I'd buy a size up for a looser, slouchier fit and wear it with...
1. J. Crew sequin chevron t-shirt, $138, jcrew.com
2. Bing Bang silver plated brass metal studs, $82, asos.com
3. Sophie Hulme leather tote, $742, my-wardrobe.com
4. Belle by Sigerson Morrison metallic flats, $195, shopbop.com
5. Diane Von Furstenberg leather shorts, $495, netaporter.com
vacation-bound
Thursday, July 19
I am looking forward to my family's upcoming annual summertime trip to the Hamptons, where we will spend a great deal of time on the beach with my parents and childhood friends (and their children!). Already, I am starting to think about what I am going to pack, because for the last few years, I've packed clothes more suitable to LA than New York--i.e., chunky sweaters appropriate for California's cool summer nights, too many jeans, and an overly ambitious amount of yoga wear. Not this year. So far, my working East Coast-ready, humidity-friendly packing list includes a pretty embroidered apres beach tunic, throw-it-on-and-go striped dress, and these new round Ray Ban sunnies, inspired by the ones worn by Moscow-born and New York-based blogger and fashion consultant Miroslava Duma, pictured above. In fact, if I can personify this whole breezy-chic look, it will make what will already be an enjoyable trip that much more satisfying.
Photo: Buro247
boot camp
Thursday, July 19
It's the middle of summer and I am already contemplating my go-to fall boots. (I have started rounding up some of my favorites and will share them all in a post soon.) My criteria for the perfect pair goes something like this: I want my boots to be ankle height, go-with-everything neutral, walking-friendly, around-the-clock versatile, and, of course, seriously fetching. I think that these boots have all those attributes, and incredibly, they cost $115. Wear them with...
1. Mulberry angora sweater, $564, mytheresa.com
2. Ray Ban New Wayfarer sunglasses, $139, shopbop.com
3. Zara bag, $19, zara.com
4. Oasis boots, $115, oasis-stores.com
5. Isabel Marant Etoile corduroy pants, $259, matchesfashion.com
H&M's up and comers
Wednesday, July 18
I went to H&M's LA showroom yesterday to get a closer look at the upcoming Fall 2012 collection, and simply looking at the racks elicited a Pavlovian drool response. There were gem-studded sweaters, chunky chokers, faux fur jackets, and the most amazing cropped, butter-soft leather leggings, two of which I nabbed in oxblood and black. The leggings are perfectly stretchy and, therefore, super pliable. They will be in stores sometime next week, and put it this way: if I didn't already have them, I would stalk the store everyday till they came in, they are that good. Also on my wishlist of things that are imminently shoppable are below, with captions telling you when exactly they will be in stores. Good luck getting them!
This striking cobalt blue peplum blouse and coordinating pant will be in stores the week of July 30. I love them together and separately.
This gem-studded sweater, which encapsuates Fall's big embellishment trend, will hit H&M's racks during the week of August 13.
Here's a more subtle take on the embellishment trend. It's very Marni-esque-meets-fashion insider's new favorite Vika Gazinskaya. This sweater will debut during the last week of September.
sparkly shorts
Wednesday, July 18
I didn't think I had the guts to pull off sequin-trimmed shorts like these--until I actually did, and I was even rewarded with multiple compliments. To avoid looking too, um, outré, I recommend wearing a blazer or a long sleeve button down on top (to compensate for the lack of coverage down below)--and going out somewhere really fun. Sparkle in an outfit like this...
1. River Island tank top, $46, riverisland.com
2. Mango smoking blazer, $109, mango.com
3. Pierre Hardy suede bag, $700, netaporter.com
4. Givenchy leopard print sandals, $850, bergdorfgoodman.com
5. All Saints sequined shorts, $195, allsaints.com