Chic-spiration: Change it Up

When I saw this photo browsing through Tommy Ton's street style shots, the first thing that flashed in my mind was Jenny from the Block circa the risque Versace dress era.  Which, when you consider the rest of the photos in this series of Anna Dello Russo, and the fact that she was wearing a watermelon on her head not to long ago, seems a little out of character.

But, for today's Chic-spiration,  she is the perfect role model. There are always styles, materials, colors, and textures that we gravitate towards. I will always zone in on watermelon pink, something with sparkle, a stacked heel, and avoid khaki like the plague. However, stepping out of this comfort zone is what helps us avoid a style rut, and missteps are part of the learning process.  Just because you define your style as "preppy" does not mean you have to spend years on end in nautical stripes and box pleats, and working to define a personal style should be an expansion process rather than a limitation.

Have a wonderful weekend!

via

A Plea for Glossy Print

Yesterday, I arrived to my office with no internet service, and as I wrote this three hours later, on standard college rule loose leaf, we were still waiting for the green light of connectivity. Two of us plus the actual serviceman were squinting bleary eyed at our phones searching for some sort of time killer/ entertainment. However, one lucky lady found a two month old copy of Cosmo in her desk. This got me thinking about the power of glossy, page flicking, magazine spine smelling print. I've long been a vocal fan of why magazines must survive, and today my Twitter feed is alive with talk of new technology, social streams, and data feeds. Here are a few ways in which the glass screen clearly can not compete with the printed magazine.

Bookmarking vs Tear out: It seems everyone today is touting the power of Pinterest. The future is curated content for when you want to browse, coupled with the suggestions of your friends. I too have gone on frenzies pinning every outfit, faux fur throw, sock shoe pairing, and two toned sofa I want to replicate. It's helpful since my bookmarks were about to bulge out of their virtual folder. But, I also have a real paper folder that holds a fully dogearred picture of a kitchen I one day plan to somewhat recreate. It is a mixture of Alice and Olivia and Alice in Wonderland courtesy of a back issue of House Beautiful. I have no idea what issue it is from, but it is a reminder scrap for the day I decide to redo a house, as a grown up.

By the Glow of the Night Light: There are a number of studies and articles (printed and digital alike) aimed at helping our sleep deprived society, which say: a glowing screen signals your mind to wake up; hence, you won't fall asleep anytime soon. However, nothing gets me excited for bed time like a new monthly issue. I'll curl up and start reading the editor's letter like the start of a novel. The editorial spreads have often influenced what I wear in that night's dreams (no joke!) and subscription cards make the perfect bookmark.

The Secret Source: What was your first real magazine subscirption? Mine was Girls' Life (sorry Scholastic you don't count). I even got the subscription carried over when we moved to Australia! Some issues were fun frivolous hair ideas and Lip Smacker samples. But once every year there was the issue that held all of the secrets, that you stored in my bedside table and was knowingly folded and bent. It explained why you wanted to scream at your BFF, how to secretly shave your legs, acne treatments from toothpaste, and how long exactly this new "situation" ws going to last. I'm not up to date on what the new tween/teen magazine is, but for the sake of the Bieber fan base I hope there is one. Sneaking off to the computer late at night is not nearly as comforting as flipping to familiar p. 23.

Inspiration Boards: Thanks to every fashion blog and website, I know you make beautifully inspiring spreads for the digital screen. But what about when you don't want to copy, right click, crop, resize, and rotate. To me this is never as satisfying, but is more like the conclusion, to going to town on a stack of issues with scissors and a glue stick.

With the rise of cable news and online immediacy, the newspaper has to get creative to stay current, and a magazine will never beat Style.com for rapid runway coverage, but do you still believe there is a place for  glossy, thumb flicking, corner turning, magazine print?

Images via Pinterest, we heart it, and google

The First Snow

This weekend New York received the first snow fall of the season. It came considerably later than last year, but after last year's massive snow storms and long recovery, I didn't particularly mind the delay.

Roxy hat, Calvin Klein coat, CC Skyne bag, Hue Tweed Boucle Sweater Leggings

Saturday morning we woke up to cloudy skies and a solid dusting of untouched powder. Late in the afternoon, feeling less groggy from my cold, we wandered to the west side which was a virtual white ghost town.  The river was choppy, and there were a few very brave joggers, but otherwise the paths were smooth, slushy, and empty.

It is hard to feel particularly stylish when completely bundled up against the elements. However, I am pleasantly surprised by these thick knit Hue leggings. I loved the look of these immediately, but doubted how they would hold up in truly chilly temperatures. Thankfully, the sweater knit is entirely opaque, very warm, and a great change up from standard cotton leggings and skinny jeans to tuck into your snow boots.

Chic-spiration: You Can Do It!

Happy Friday! Unfortunately the rampant changes in weather and pushing myself to the brink has caught up with me in a big messy, sore throat, mucus filled kind of way (too much?) So as I'm huddled up with some blankets and a cup of tea, I found this print from Julia's online store. Wouldn't this be fun to have in your house? Sure it's not an outfit inspiration, but the holidays are over, the weather has turned arctic, and the reality of fulfilling New Year's resolutions is daunting- so a pep talk on your wall seems like a smart idea. Have a wonderful weekend and stock up on the vitamin C!

Happy Birthday Charlie

Today I would like to introduce you to a very special little man in my life. He has been my longest running roommate in New York,  has lived with me in five apartments, one epic snowstorm, and countless late work nights. Please meet Mr. Charles Dickens aka Charlie.

Charlie was a birthday present not long after my arrival in New York, and I can confidently say my parents were less than thrilled- how was I supposed to take care of small puppy when I was unemployed and living on the balcony of my boyfriend’s apartment with his two roommates? But this little guy is a trooper.

Together we mastered potty training from a 4^th floor apartment. I would tuck his tail, wait for the elevator, and coach him nicely as we wandered between the bankers and garbage bags on Park Ave (later cleaning up any puddles in the elevator). Thankfully he was a quick learner. Next we moved into our very own apartment, with three unknown roommates, and no window. Charlie was still a trooper, if less enthusiastic. I cried the day I came home to find he was far too hot in my room and feeling ill. We spent a lot of time with the very large bulldog across the street on St. Mark’s because a.) it was cooler b.) we were living with insane people. This bulldog was also unneutered and gave Charlie an abrupt lesson in standing up for himself.

Charlie took a small vacation with my parents while I attended night school and got a taste of a large Kentucky yard, and living with a large female lab. He came home to me via Delta to our very own apartment. He promptly chewed through two pairs of shoes, but we bonded over late night eats when he was thrilled I was home from the gym, and quietly avoidedthe hoarder across the hall. However, friendly to a fault, Charlie would not quickly walk by our neighbor as she sorted her newspapers from 1993, and became a favorite of old ladies and gents on every floor.

Next Charlie and I moved to the East Village. We loved our morning walks when it was completely silent except for a random late night partier wandering home. He befriended every superintendent who hung out in front of their building, I feel watching out for me as the sun came up.   This is where Charlie became very comfortable sleeping on my bed to avoid the mice running around the floor.

Finally Charlie and I have moved in with the boy. Charlie is very comfortable with our new full time roommate. He enjoys late night wrestling matches, naps on someone else’s stomach, multiple sneaky treats, and sleeping on the foot of the bed. He hesitantly enjoys baths in a full size bathtub and a duo of hairdressers trimming his coat with clippers and a comb on the kitchen floor. Charlie is an up for anything buddy, be it a four mile run in the freezing cold (he bops along with the tunes I hum),  a long car trip to the beach, or even being  unexpectedly thrown into the waves.  

He may only be turning 3 years old today, but we have had a wonderful journey of adventures so far. Happy Birthday Mr. Dickens!

The Girly Girl Revival Guide

There are certain outfits from my younger years that  I hope never again see the light of day. I'm thinking specifically of a neon green sweater resembling astro turf.  However, have you noticed recently, pieces dubbed juvenile are making a comeback? This could be the reason why I wish the majority of the the "Crew Cuts" collection was made in adult sizes.

My wheels started turning a few days ago when I saw these glittery toe caps on Louis Vuitton's pumps (amazing!!) I lusted after glittery Mary Jane's when my feet barely touched the ground, and weren't these the original source of all the Suri Cruise controversy?

Colored Corduroy: These I know I wore many days in grade school- I hated the whistling noise! The boy's first reaction to my dandelion yellow Gap chords? "Those look like little kid pants." But now you can hardly get down the street without tripping over cobalt and cherry red pants...and I adore them for a jolt of color.

Tulle Skirts: This is the little girl party staple, and I will proudly admit that I wore this one on New Year's Eve. It is still an ultimate party piece.

Hair Ornaments: What little girl isn't wearing bows and ribbons in her silky un-highlighted locks? Now, (I'm blaming Gossip Girl) grown girls sport everything from glittered headbands to bouquets in their buns.

I'm not going to complain about any of these resurgences...with the exception of the aforementioned afro turf sweater. I love channeling these little girl styles in a grown up combination. Just don't pair them all together as you likely did for a third grade birthday party. Are you reviving any of your favorite girly styles?

Arctic Mix & Match

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely long, if chilly, weekend! Since I was feeling a little under the weather on Saturday night, we pushed our date night until Sunday. Unfortunately, on Sunday the weather dropped to absolutely arctic temperatures. I still wanted to look flirty and girly, so I doubled up on top layers, turned up the shearling collar under my thick wool coat and hustled through the crisp wind.  Minus the flaming red nose upon our arrival at the restaurant, I think this outfit worked perfectly.

MICHAEL Michael Kors vest, Rubbish via Nordstrom sweater, Peppermint skirt, Hue tights, Born boots (three years old and sooo comfortable), J Crew bracelet, SJP for Bitten necklace, Poppy for J Crew lipstick