OOTD - Summer Style: Sandro 'Floral' Top and Citizens of Humanity 'White' Denim

From a fashion perspective, I have a hard time with summer/warm weather dressing. By the time the warmer temps arrive, my mind has already moved on with anticipation to all the great looks and trends coming up in the Fall.  

There are some beautiful and warm days, however, where I'm absolutely inspired to embrace the season and put on some lighter weight, warm weather clothing.  

Love the Sandro tropical print top shown in these pics, because the print is subtle and it's a way to incorporate the floral print trend without being "flowery".  As denim (love its versatility and durability) is a staple item in my every-day wardrobe, white cropped or cuffed denim pants in a looser fit is a necessity on the hotter days when shorts are not appropriate and/or a skirt is not practical.

Outfit details:
top- Sandro (similar here)
pants- Citizens of Humanity
bag- Proenza Schouler
shoes- Jimmy Choo
bracelet- BCBG (similar wrap style here), Julie Vos
sunglasses- Ray-Ban

Hope you're having a great start to your week!

In my [PS13] bag...

So today I'm showing you the contents of my bag.  My everyday bag.  Earth-shattering?  No.  Fascinating?  Probably not, unless you're incredibly nosy like I am.  The reason is simple.  I'm hoping it will prompt you to do the same (remember, I'm nosy).  So tweet me, instagram me, etc. etc.  I'd love to see your essentials that get you through your day!

Proenza Schouler PS13 Bag, LV wallet, iphone, Ray-Ban square aviators, notebook, pen

SOHO cosmetic bag: Kiehl's lip balm (only the tub for me which is far better than what comes in the tube), Laura Mercier translucent pressed powder, oil-blotting papers, Nars lipgloss(Greek Holiday), Trish McEvoy lipliner (iced nude), tissues

Happy Wednesday!

OOTD - J Brand Slit Hem Jeans & My Fave Sandro Jacket!

Love slit hem pants for the way they can elongate the legs and highlight the shoes (as a shoe lover, this is especially important!).  Also love this particular Sandro jacket (Vernis) for warmer weather, because it has a moto jacket style combined with lighter weight fabrics (mostly linen) and colors more suitable for warmer temps.  What you may love about these 2 wardrobe pieces is that they are now on sale!

Outfit details:

Jacket: Sandro (on sale!)

Top: Helmut Lang

Pants: J Brand (on sale!)

Bag: Elliott Lucca (from many, many years ago)

Shoes: Jimmy Choo (I'm wearing the lower heel version, but there is also a 4 3/4" heel which is on sale!)  Also, similar here.

Necklace: Maya Brenner

Earrings: thanks to Tacori

Bracelet: thanks to MissMe

Close-up of the Tacori earrings...

Obsessed with these metallic Jimmy Choos, especially with these pants...

Hope you had a great weekend!!

Altuzarra Resort 2014...A collection to look forward to!

More romantic and sensual than is typical for an Altuzarra collection, Resort 2014 for Joseph Altuzarra  was all about the woman who embodies effortless chic and casual sophistication.  The looks were reminiscent of the 70's in Paris with folksy motifs like Romanian embroidery prints and lingerie detail.  Lace insets were beautifully added to some pieces such as a tuxedo or blouse to create a look that is more delicate and feminine.

The looks above from Altuzarra Resort 2014 are my favorite of the collection.  Love how these looks include elements of romantic (via soft fabrics, lace, etc.) and the sophisticated-chic (via precise tailoring and jackets) for which Altuzarra is known.


Photos via Style.com

Obsession of the Week - Valentino Garavani Shoulder Bag

This week (and probably forever...), I'm obsessed with Valentino accessories.  I especially love this Garavani shoulder bag for its classic and structured flap bag silhouette contrasted with macro stud trim. It's a beautiful marriage of feminine, edgy and tough-chic.

On my wish list!!

Valentino 'Microstud' Sandals

 There are some shoes that are so beautiful, I want to display them like art as much as I want to wear them.  These Valentino 'Microstud' Sandals (similar here, here, and a more casual option here) definitely fall into this category.

Looking forward to wearing them with cropped boyfriend jeans or skinnies, a white tee, and a blazer.  Perfect for that dressed-down chic look!

p.s. In case you didn't already know...Valentino heels are amazingly comfortable!

Sale Time...Time to stock up!

With all the sales going on for the Memorial Day weekend, now is a great time to buy that gift for a grad, Father's Day, a summer birthday, etc.  While you're at it, it's also a great time to update or replenish your wardrobe which is what I'm looking forward to do!

Below are some of my favorite sales going on right now:

Bergdorf Goodman: Save up to 40% off on Women's Contemporary Ready-to-Wear and Shoes

Gorjana: Through Monday, save an extra 40% off sale items when you use code SUMMERTIME at checkout

Intermix: Through Tuesday, offering an additional 30% off sale items

Nordstrom: HALF YEARLY SALE for women + kids through June 2nd. Shop select items for fall and save up to 40%

Piperlime: Get up to 40% off at their designer sale

Saks Fifth Avenue: Shop designer selections up to 40% off

Shopbop: New markdowns for Memorial Day

Xen-Tan: Get 35% of when you use code LUCKYFABB at checkout

Yoox: Up to 30% off spring & summer collections

Have a great weekend!!

Self Tanner - My New Summer Accessory...

I've always been skeptical of self-tanners, and the process of applying it seemed a little too tricky for me. First, you'd have to thoroughly exfoliate your skin, then apply a messy stain(the lotion) in patterns(circular or up and down) specific to the particular body part.  Once complete, you inadvertently stain your clothes and furniture, only to find out that you: 1. are orange-y, 2. are streaky/uneven in color, 3. have a weird smell, 4. are all of the above or 5. have no real color difference.

This skepticism changed to intrigue and hope when I met Dera Enochson owner/founder of Xen-Tan, a sunless tan product company.  Her "tan" looked perfectly golden and natural.  She assured me that not only was her sunless tan product easy to use, but it would also smell great and not look orange-y.  So I tried the self-tan lotion (c/o Xen-Tan) pictured above on my legs.  My legs, because they are always several shades lighter than the rest of my body, regardless of how much outdoor sun they get.  It's just always been that way!  Well, I am happy to report, that I am a self-tan convert!  I love it.  It was so easy.  I applied it in circular motions, and before I knew it my legs had the deep tan they get only after a long beach vacation or at the end of the summer.  The smell, a vanilla/sugary scent, while applying was absolutely delicious (maybe too delicious, since it made me really hungry), but the smell did change over time.  Not a bad smell, just distinctive and not so yummy. There were no color streaks even though I applied the sunless tan lotion quickly and impatiently(a personality flaw, I know) and definitely, no orange.

Now, with summer temps already here in NY, I can shed those cold weather layers and seamlessly transition into my more summer appropriate outfits without leaving my legs in the winter!




Disclaimer:
  This is not a sponsored post.  Although I received free product to sample, all opinions are entirely my own.

Obsession of the Week - A Moto Jacket for Spring/Summer

Obsessed with the moto jacket, I love all the moto style variations available that are more suitable for the warm weather of Spring/Summer.  Whether its less material (no sleeves), less leather or no leather (faux or alternate fabric), the tough chic look of the moto design prevails.

Some of my favorites...

Karl Lagerfeld - sleeveless with stretch-jersey and faux leather mix

MICHAEL Michael Kors - sleeveless

Karl Lagerfeld - stretch-denim

Mango - sequin

Mango - lace

Have a great weekend!!

OOTD - The Dressed Down Blazer

An easy way to inject chic and effortless cool into an outfit is to contrast traditional, conservative pieces with more edgy and/or casual pieces.

One of my favorite outfit "uniforms" of late is a tailored blazer worn with skinnies or distressed/cropped jeans.  

Outfit details:

Blazer- Theory (similar here and here)

Tank- Rag & Bone

Jeans- Hudson "Muse"

Shoes- Ash

Bag- Thursday Friday (gifted)

Sunglasses- Ray-Ban

Watch- Michael Kors "Runway"

Bracelet- Julie Vos (gifted)

Use bags, shoes, and jewelry to mix up the look or to make it more refined, or add some whimsical touches like my Thu/Fri tote (gifted) above and my Ash wedge sneakers.

Still in love with Ash wedge sneakers, especially these!!!