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Heat index of 115 in New York City today.

This picture says a lot about both how I feel and where I want to be.

If you're sweatin' it out in one of these heat advisory states this weekend, I hope you find a body of water, or at least a cold shower.

(image via Etc...)

what about this picture isn't perfect?

Ryan Gosling.

His dog, George, with a canine mohawk.

Jimmy Fallon.

You're welcome, on this most sweltering, feels like 110 degrees Thursday.

Via Thought Catalog: Screw New York!

This post from Thought Catalog just made me laugh out loud multiple times in a very populated Starbucks. It's so true it hurts a little.

Screw New York!

I could add a couple things:

Screw New York for getting me to a place where I feel pretty indifferent about the mouse that lives under my stove.

Screw New York for rendering me most likely incapable of ever wanting to do my own laundry, let alone anyone else's, ever again.

Screw New York for having so many incredibly ambitious and talented people living on one island that I'm simultaneously impressed and annoyed with almost everyone I meet.

Screw New York for convincing me that Central Park might be all the nature I really need in my life to survive here for many years without going insane.

Any of you readers out there have any great love/hate New York emotions?

Vent! It feels good, I promise.

{inspired by} Marge Sherwood in the Talented Mr. Ripley...

I will just come out and say it right now: if it weren't for that crazy world called Tumblr, I would have totally forgotten about The Talented Mr. Ripley. It's one of the most stylish film ever, both in location and wardrobe, and rather perfectly suited for a summer movie night. After being reminded of it's merits by HTTTGAP and That Kind of Woman (among many, many others) I revisited it on a weeknight recently.

Then, last week while waiting for the Jitney in East Hampton, I was idly browsing Hamptons magazine (yes, that's a real thing) and sipping an Arnold Palmer. Amongst the crazy expensive monogrammed towels and Lilly Pulitzer advertisements, I spied these adorable Cynthia Rowley bikinis that immediately reminded me of Gweneth Paltrow's character in the film. Behold:

Try to overt your eyes from the wildly tanned and handsome Dickie Greenleaf (a very young Jude Law), and look at Gwen's high-waisted, printed suit.

I mean, right? These darling suits (available here, on the Cynthia Rowley site) are $225 each, and perfectly capture that holiday on the Italian Riviera circa 1958 vibe.

mid-summer must: j. crew hot pink shorts

J. Crew 3" chino short - $42.50

I've seen at least three or four girls sporting these electric little shorts around New York City since returning from South Carolina. My instinct tells me they would be much more appropriate down south, but seeing these stylish city-dwellers jaunting around in them - paired with everything from a plain white tee to a chambray button down - has me totally jonesing for a touch of summer neon. Additionally, they're currently on sale in a slue of other hues, my favorite (and potential immediate purchase) is the GTH red:

For me, three inches is a pretty substantial inseam, so I'll be cuffing them up once for a more youthful and less conservative length. It's summer after all - and my legs are tan. I will not apologize for letting them get out on the town and say hello. You shouldn't either!

I'm already having a great time in my mental closet, pairing these shorts with any of my button downs, some dainty sandals, shades and a giant iced tea. The iced tea isn't in my closet, but you get the idea.

overnight jaunt to East Hampton...

East Hampton Overnight

One small perk of being a part-time nanny?

I get to escape the city in the middle of the week and spend a night in East Hampton.

I'm taking off today and returning tomorrow, so my Longchamp shopper should be all I need.

And since I'll mostly just be playing with a rowdy toddler, I'm packing preppy, run-around basics and just a little mascara. 

See you back here on Friday!

mid-week music moment...

Thanks to a borrowed ipod from Joseph, Tully discovered this really great Hot Chip song, Alley Cats. It's just a fun, sort of chilled out song for a ridiculously sweltering July week in New York City.

Here's hoping you're keeping cool, wherever you are.

it's hot. so are they.

Blake & Ed look gorgeous and dapper, respectively, in LA at an event involving royals.

Actually, I don't know what is going on with Mr. Westwick's neck-wear, but as long as he's Chuck Bass, he's alright with me.

{outfit post} the nylite project...

About a month ago, I was invited to participate in a collaborative project with Swedish brand Tretorn. Myself and 34 other style bloggers were asked to take a pair of their classic Nylite sneakers and style them up our way.

I've always been a fan of a clean white tennis shoe, from the Rod Lavers I wore in middle school to the Converse All Stars I replaced year after year in high school and college. I had never worn Nylites before, and since moving to New York I've all but abandoned the casual ease of sneakers. When I started dreaming up ideas for how to style these sneaks with an intensely preppy heritage, I wanted to find a way to mix their traditional and sporty look with an outfit that fits into the life of a busy city girl.

The look I ended up with was highly influenced by a recent purchase (and a total steal) from Gap. After seeing Sonia on her blog in this phenomenal floor-length white skirt, I was a woman possessed. I bee-lined for the Gap on 5th Avenue the next day, and to my delight found the object of my affections - at an additional 40% off! I love the weight of the fabric and it's simple cut. Need I mention that it has pockets?

 Banana Republic tee; Gap skirt; Tretorn sneakers; Ray Ban aviators; vintage necklace.

The black and white striped shirt is one you've seen before (here) and the necklace is a vintage chain of coins and pearls that's very special to me. I think the canvas sneakers take away some of the stiffness of such a dramatic skirt, while maintaining some playful elegance. This is something I'd wear for an afternoon beer at The Standard or a barbecue with friends in Brooklyn (yes, I sometimes dress borough-specific). (It also came in handy for the ultra-southern-prep oyster bake I attended in Kiawah.)

 

Until I put this whole ensemble together, I never would have dreamed of pairing a maxi skirt with tennies. However, I think the heaviness of this particular skirt grounds the look enough so I don't look off balance. Truthfully it's probably more practical to pair them with shorts and mini dresses in the future, but it was fun to play with proportions and imagination for this project.

 (all photos thanks to Gina)

let's get caught up, shall we?

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind over here, which has caused my posting to reach a seriously sporadic pace! There's been travel, work, play and visits from friends, not to mention that summer siren call of Central Park, beckoning me away from the computer and into the grass.

Anyway, let's get down to business with a little round up of things that have been tickling my fancy over the past week or two. Starting with a couple of couples that really please me:

Those darn royals, they make even 10-gallon hats look chic.

These two, along with Diane Kruger and Josh Jackson are in the running for best dressed couple in recent history. This is Olivia P. and Johannes H. at Paris Haute Couture week, and you can see more great street style from the shows at STREETFSN. 

I'm currently obsessed with these Charles Philip slipper / loafers. They're dainty and preppy and a great late summer to early fall transitional shoe. You can find them at Bloomingdale's for around $100. Oh, and they come in leopard print. 

I'm having a serious moment for summer sweaters, even though it's mostly much too hot to wear them. This one with a golden lobster (found via Matchbookmag.com) is particularly wonderful.

Just, this. Definitely need to revisit this movie as soon as possible.

(via Sart Inc / HTTGAP, who's abroad right now and having a serious Italian moment.)

Speaking of Tumblr blogs I love, That Kind of Woman posted this song recently, and I just adore it. I'm that kind of obsessed, actually.

 Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Michael Kors. So hot right now.

 And finally, the darling Inslee, who illustrates the way we all wish we lived (see above, le sigh), has moved up to NYC! Too bad for you, D.C., we take all the good ones for ourselves.