{weekend essentials} the jersey shore...

Don't get too excited, I'm not off to Seaside to join the cast of a certain MTV reality TV show. Aren't those fools off to Italy this summer, anyway?

Actually, about 10 of us (roommates, friends, neighbors, et al) are off to Ocean City, New Jersey for the weekend. It's the same house, and nearly the exact same weekend I went last year, when I had only been in New York about five days. This year proves to be quite a different story, with many more friends and (insert immature excitement here) no parents.

I plan to adhere to a strict selection of activities while in Ocean City, which should help keep my packing list rather short:

1. Frolicking in the ocean
2. Laying around on the beach
3. Eating hoagie sandwiches and popsicles, exclusively
4. Drinking spiked Arnold Palmers
5. Playing lawn games

So what does one pack for such an occasion? Here's the gist of what I'm planning to tote with me on the Greyhound...

ocean city
I'll let you know right now that I am one of those unreasonable people who packs more pairs of sunglasses than days in the vacation. So clearly, each scenario I may find myself in will require a different pair. Aside from that, I think a couple of swim suits, a pair of jean shorts, a shirt dress and a romper are just about all I will need. Pepper those basics with a wide-brim sun hat, rubber flip flops, leather sandals and a beach bag and I'll still have room for my SPF 30.

i am ready i am ready for the fall...

ready for the fall 

Just some things I'm thinking about...

More on this later.

First week on the job though, and I must focus!

I shall return with a vengeance very soon.

{what a girl wants} biker buckles...

biker buckles

Let's be real for a second: biker boots and buckles are not a new trend. They're hardly a trend at all. I just love them, and have yet to add any to my closet. There are so many elements of some of these boots that perfectly represent my personal style. The flat-soled riding boots have that classic, timeless shape I crave in a good shoe, and the buckles add a tough, sort-of masculine edge that I like to incorporate into my looks. I am envisioning them being perfect for work with skinny jeans and a feminine long-sleeved blouse, but also great for a more casual outting with black leggings and an oversize cashmere sweater.

My stand out favorites are the Enzo Angiolini taupe boots (third from the left, bottom), both for their price and overall look. I also adore the Steve Madden "Lindley" (second from the right, bottom). I am most in need of some brown boots this year, but as you can see, there are quite a few black models tempting my wallet this season. Oh, and red, apparently. Can you imagine how divine those red Frye boots would be with dark denim and a camel sweater?

What boots are you guys craving for fall?

{summer staple} navy, white & neutral

Untitled

Some of you are probably reading this post going, "Duh, Taylor, duh," because navy is such an eternally good move. It will always be such. Perhaps it's so obvious you barely notice the choice anymore. I'll admit though, it took me a while to come around to this dark blue hue, because I most often default to black. The kicker is that navy is just as easy, simple and chic, but has even more versatility. Navy can be tailored, structured and professional, but it can also be sun-bleached, worn-in and soft. No matter what you might be purchasing - pants, a sweater, a dress a necklace - you cannot, I repeat cannot go wrong with navy. This summer, I'm feeling a pretty nautical-meets-collegiate-meets-I-think-I'm-getting-the-hang-of-this-East-Coast-thing color palette. Navy, white and neutrals; with pops of bright, fresh hues like coral and minty green.

Alright, that concludes this post from Captain Obvious. Hopefully I haven't lost you over this one, next time I'll try and spice it up a bit. A post devoted to versatility of the little black dress, perhaps?

*Also, if you ever want to shop out one of my Polyvore collages, clicking on the little title below, in this case "untitled" will take you to a link.

{summer style tip} shorts x Old Navy...

Sometimes I fear that my blog sends very mixed messages when it comes to fashion budgeting. Sometimes I'm all, "I really need these $420 sunglasses," and sometimes it's more like, "Hey, these $28 shoes are amazing." I think that's just the nature of everyone's personal style, though. It's up to you to decide when to splurge and when to cap yourself at $50 for a cotton shirt.

One thing I know for sure though, is summer is a season I rarely, rarely splurge on. I find that the pieces I wear most during these hot and humid months are ones that I don't want to send out to the dry cleaner after each wearing. H&M and Forever 21 have us covered for the trend-of-the-month items, but my other dirty little summer budgeting secret is none other than Old Navy. You guys, they have the best shorts. The sizing is spot on, they're never too short, and you can stock up on an array of colors and fabrics to get you through every occasion of the season.

Old Navy

Here are my favorite styles at the moment. Classic, cuffed washed out navy shorts for $17? Please! A pair of belted olive shorts to wear with a tucked in silk blouse and espadrille wedges? White shorts and a gingham button down? Do you see where I'm going with this? It's all about the mix. Shorts are meant for running around; for wear and tear, and not to be fretted over. You can build an incredibly chic outfit to fit any style profile around a wildly basic and seriously inexpensive pair of shorts from this oft overlooked mass retailer. (Each of these pairs is $25 or under.)

I'll be trotting over to the Old Navy on 6th Avenue this weekend to pick up a few pairs, and perhaps some fill-in-the-gaps extras like a new bandeau top, a bright tee or some kick-around sandals.

As painful and tear-your-eyeballs-out awful as their television commercials are (remember the 'town gown!?'), I dare you to take a deep breath, bolster yourself with an iced coffee, and consider the delight you'll feel when fall rolls around and you didn't spend $155 on denim shorts you can't wear again for nine months.

inspired by Who What Wear: preppy pieces...

This is old hat by now on le blog, but summer on the East Coast (still) causes me to crave some seriously preppy elements for my wardrobe. I was recently on the phone with my mother (who is all the way in Seattle, mind you) having her tear through my closet full of not-quite-good-enough-for-New-York clothes, to find a particular white, cable knit Ralph Lauren sweater. I probably hadn't worn the sweater in years, but all the sudden I was possessed. I had visions of myself on a windswept beach, wearing my summer sweater and some crisp little shorts; hair everywhere. I had her mail it to me immediately.

Though they're based in Los Angeles, it seems the Who What Wear team shares my current affinity for a some ivy-inspired pieces.

I love their selections, especially the stripes and pops of bright, cheery color. The J. Crew striped sweater speaks to my heart, as does the cool vintage-inspired Casio watch. And what a bonus that their choices are all under $100. After seeing their lovely layout, I felt inspired to create my own. Here's an inspirational (and slightly aspirational) collection of my favorites, many, many of which are over $100. Ugh. Still, a West Coast girl can dream...

coastal prep

When taking in my spread, bare in mind that this is a fashion girl's take on prep. It can be intimidating to try and emulate an aesthetic steeped in so much rigid tradition, but it's also quite fun to add your own imaginative bit of whimsy and personal style to a culture you admire. I happen to find so many elements of that nautical, tailored, tucked-in and turned-out look extremely appealing. I certainly wouldn't trade in my leather jacket for Lily Pulitzer, but I don't think I'll ever be able to say no to some navy and white stripes.

{latest cravings} lets go glamping...

I was lucky enough to have my parents finally come visit me out here this past weekend. It was a trip almost two years coming - and I can't express how excited I was to show them around my New York and see them for the first time since Christmas.

We had a great weekend - a perfect balance of their uptown, upscale Manhattan of past visits, and my downtown day-to-day life. All the things we did piece together like a pretty great guide to wining and dining with a dash of culture and shopping from Soho to the Upper East Side:


{We dined.}

• Gotham Grill: White table clothes, amazing seafood and a very 90s New York vibe, like Gramercy Tavern and totally delicious (the seafood salad is unreal)
• The Modern: minimalist, fancy and contemporary - just like the museum (amazing duck confit)
• db Bistro Moderne: fancy and delicious
  
• The Standard Grill: great spot for an early breakfast al fresco
  
• Public: trendy, brunch-y, delicious lentil salad and great drinks
• La Piscine: on the roof of Hotel Americano; lots of delicious fried seafood with a side of DJ
  
• Brasserie Julienne: cute little french joint on 2nd Ave in the 80s, live jazz with your moules frites
  
• Morandi: loud, busy and seriously great Italian fare on Waverly and 7th Ave
  

{We drank.}

• La Piscine: Before dinner every night we had cocktails on the roof with an amazing view of the city
  
• Kingswood: After dinner at db, I brought my parents to meet up with friends and see one of my favorite West Village bars
  
• Public: a dirty martini for Mom, a bourbon iced tea for me and the Bloody Maria for Dad
  

{We saw.}

• The MoMA:the Cindy Sherman exhibit was cool and creepy, but the permanent exhibits are always refreshing and unmissable
  
• The East River Ferry: A fun and unique way to get between Manhattan and Brooklyn - especially on a warm day; we took it to and from 34th street to the flea market 
• Brooklyn Flea (Williamsburg): people watching, antique-ing and artisianal everything - of course
  
• The Met: My favorite museum in Manhattan, and the Steins Collection and Shiaparelli and Prada exhibit were crowded but truly wonderful (unfortunately the Cloud City exhibit on the roof was closed for weather)

{We shopped.}

• Uniqlo @ 53rd & 5th: picked up 4 shirts for my dad, but the crazy atmosphere and sheer amount of clothes is a little too much
  
• Treasure & Bond: cool, well-curated jewelry, gifts and apparel on lower West Broadway in Soho
  
• MoMA Design Store: so many unique and useful knick-knacks, and perfectly sized art prints for $10

{shoe crush} cap toe flats...

I was lucky enough to have my parents finally come visit me out here this past weekend. It was a trip almost two years coming - and I can't express how excited I was to show them around my New York and see them for the first time since Christmas.

We had a great weekend - a perfect balance of their uptown, upscale Manhattan of past visits, and my downtown day-to-day life. All the things we did piece together like a pretty great guide to wining and dining with a dash of culture and shopping from Soho to the Upper East Side:


{We dined.}

• Gotham Grill: White table clothes, amazing seafood and a very 90s New York vibe, like Gramercy Tavern and totally delicious (the seafood salad is unreal)
• The Modern: minimalist, fancy and contemporary - just like the museum (amazing duck confit)
• db Bistro Moderne: fancy and delicious
  
• The Standard Grill: great spot for an early breakfast al fresco
  
• Public: trendy, brunch-y, delicious lentil salad and great drinks
• La Piscine: on the roof of Hotel Americano; lots of delicious fried seafood with a side of DJ
  
• Brasserie Julienne: cute little french joint on 2nd Ave in the 80s, live jazz with your moules frites
  
• Morandi: loud, busy and seriously great Italian fare on Waverly and 7th Ave
  

{We drank.}

• La Piscine: Before dinner every night we had cocktails on the roof with an amazing view of the city
  
• Kingswood: After dinner at db, I brought my parents to meet up with friends and see one of my favorite West Village bars
  
• Public: a dirty martini for Mom, a bourbon iced tea for me and the Bloody Maria for Dad
  

{We saw.}

• The MoMA:the Cindy Sherman exhibit was cool and creepy, but the permanent exhibits are always refreshing and unmissable
  
• The East River Ferry: A fun and unique way to get between Manhattan and Brooklyn - especially on a warm day; we took it to and from 34th street to the flea market 
• Brooklyn Flea (Williamsburg): people watching, antique-ing and artisianal everything - of course
  
• The Met: My favorite museum in Manhattan, and the Steins Collection and Shiaparelli and Prada exhibit were crowded but truly wonderful (unfortunately the Cloud City exhibit on the roof was closed for weather)

{We shopped.}

• Uniqlo @ 53rd & 5th: picked up 4 shirts for my dad, but the crazy atmosphere and sheer amount of clothes is a little too much
  
• Treasure & Bond: cool, well-curated jewelry, gifts and apparel on lower West Broadway in Soho
  
• MoMA Design Store: so many unique and useful knick-knacks, and perfectly sized art prints for $10

tgif: the hurricane edition

I'm sure you've already heard, but that unstoppable category 3 terror they're calling Irene is threatening to make her way towards New York City. I can't even begin to tell you what a pain this is, especially now. Come on, Irene, it's the weekend! One of only two left in the whole damn summer! So. Rude.

Anyway, if we must ride out this tropical storm, we might as well do it stylishly. Here's what I'm thinking...

To wear:

Hurricane Chic 

I mean truthfully, I'm probably not going to spend too much time outside when Irene decides to make her whirlwind tour of New York City. If it's necessary though, I'll pretend a small umbrella won't get turned completely inside out, throw on a borrowed Barbour jacket, some jorts and Hunters, and make a run for it. Where could I possibly need to go? That's yet to be seen, but Duane Reade, and Spice seem like the only realistic places. For staying indoors all weekend, even though it's not particularly chilly, I'll still cozy up in a soft sweater, PJ pants and moccasins, and give myself a manicure while drooling over Kate Moss' wedding photos.

To watch:

I mean, right? I don't know why you wouldn't watch an epic natural disaster movie based in New York City while an actual natural disaster approaches our fair city. It's Jake Gyllenhaal and Dennis Quaid vs. Mother Nature. It's awesome.

To drink:

Mix these things together...

And you get the perfect Hurricane Irene cocktail - a Dark 'N' Stormy!

I'm pretty sure that a themed cocktail (or three) is exactly what's in order to ride out this crazy weather.

Seriously though, all my East Coast friends, pay attention to the news, stay safe, and find a floatation device.

See you on the other side!

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!

can you tell i'm having a thing for tassels?

tassel me softly

I mean, is it obvious? I find tassels to be such a whimsical but rather classic detail on everything from bags to blouses. If your look is more tailored, the DV Dolce Vita tassel flats or Ralph Lauren heels would be a great infusion of attitude in your laced-up wardrobe. If you lean more towards a free-spirited style, well, the rest of it should be right up your alley. Can you imagine those dangling tassel earrings with a top-knot? Crazytown amazing.

The Sunglasses by House of Harlow 1960 are a little much, but still too fun not to post. I would absolutely wear any other of these colorful treats, just probably not all together.

Bean Town bound...

You guys, I'm so excited. This Friday I'm off to Boston for the weekend. Two of my cousins live there, and I'm long overdue for a visit. It's my first time heading up there, and I've heard wonderful things about the city. I don't know much about it beyond that tea party, lots of colleges and fanatical baseball fans (like my cousins).

In preparation for my little jaunt up north, I've created some looks on Polyvore that represent my aspirational dream outfits for things like sitting on the Bolt Bus for four hours and attending a game at Fenway Park. Hope you enjoy...

I call this "Bolt Bus Chic:"

bolt bus chic by TDavies

This is quite close to what I will most likely really be wearing, just without the Ralph Lauren Black Label, The Row and T by Alexander Wang business. Longchamp, Minnetonka, ipad, The Virgin Suicides? That's all real. The general idea of course is just to be cozy without being sloppy. Layers that can double as pillows and lots of entertainment are musts, as is an extra large pair of sunglasses to hide behind.

If the weather is great, here's how I'd love to dress for the ol' ball game:

take me out to the ballgame by TDavies

Again, this is a mix of the dream and the reality. I personally do not think of sporting events as big, raucous theme parties meant for face paint and giant emblems, but to each their own. I'd like to support my home team with a Mariners-appropriate and on-trend pop of electric blue and a nautical scarf, and keep the rest of my look rather understated.

For exploring and shopping, perhaps something like this:

the town by TDavies

As you guys know, I like to treat each occasion as a chance to dress the part - no more so than when I travel. So for exploring and hanging out around Boston, I feel like I'll be tapping into my collegiate/prepster/uber East Coast-y side. Simple, tailored layers, my beloved tassel flats (again), J Brands and Ray Bans. I put this Foley + Corinna Mid-City bag in a previous post, clearly it's on my mind these days, and I can't help but think it would be perfect for toting around the town.

Stay tuned next week to see what I actually end up wearing on my little adventure!

color me, J brand...

(Rachel Comey sheer silk blouse, $345, Winter Kate vintage blouse, $309, Tucker print blouse, 115 GBP, J Brand mid rise skinny jeans, 229 EUR, J brand jeans, 205 GBP, J brand jeans, $175, Lanvin ballet flat, $485, Gentle Souls ballerina flat, $236,

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent ballerina flat, 132 GBP, Mulberry leather handbag, $1,250, Snakeskin handbag, $766,
Proenza Schouler leather handbag, $895, Proenza Schouler leather handbag, $735, Foley Corinna vintage handbag, $477,
Foley Corinna leather tote bag, $485.)

So, a girl can dream, right? I am very into all these fun, punchy hues of J Brand skinnies. Though New York definitely has a reputation as a city where you can never wear enough black, these days everyone is incorporating that pop of color that keeps things from getting too drab. During these transitional months before the oppressing heat settles in, I basically live in a uniform of skinnies, a flowy blouse and ballet flats. Obviously that can get boring, so changing things up with some spicy denim and some print mixing is just the ticket for updating my spring wardrobe. The bags are covetable and versitile styles from my dream designers: Mulberry, Foley + Corinna, and Proenza Schouler.

Editor's note: My nifty Polyvore work above is meant to be a bit of a fashion Venn Diagram. For example, the electric blue pants would look great with either blouse closest to it, with the bag in between. In my mind, each pair of shoes would also work with any of the looks.


What do you guys think of this little creation? I rather enjoyed putting it together. Would you like to see more of this? Do me a favsies and leave a comment!

{reader request} lucky girl getaway...

My friend Michelle is taking a vacation to Costa Rica and asked me to dream up some ideas for what to wear while she's there. Needless to say, once I got over my jealousy I was more than happy to take a break from this pretty chilly New York spring and envision an escape to a more tropical location. For her look I tried to fuse classics, current cool and some beach-appropriate glamor.

Missoni Mare bandeau bathing suit, $465, Thom browne, $195, Sam edelman shoes, $60, By Malene Birger striped tote, $140,

Linda Lee Johnson beaded jewelry, $6,550, Layered necklace, $368, Stone ring, $50, BCBG Max Azria straw beach hat, $58,
Very vintage sunglasses accessories RED, 208 GBP.

Michelle has fantastic style and taste - she rather seamlessly mixes her Arizona roots with her current West Coast address and a dash of New York sophistication. I see her in a sort of preppy-meets-retro-meets-California look. I imagine her in an classic Missoni print bandeau bikini, a men's oxford she can wear unbuttoned with a cool panama hat and some funky accessories and tortoise glasses. Her sandals would be simple and comfortable, ones she can wear in the sand and on quiet coastal streets. I love the idea of wearing a couple mixed chains to the beach, provided you take them off before you get lines.

(I'm not going to lie, if you guys know my taste at all, you can tell this is also exactly what I myself would hope to wear on such a fantastic trip.)

Have a blast Michelle, send me a some pictures!

an affair with flare...

I love skinny jeans. I could write a sonnet about how much I love them. I would use iambic pentameter and everything. I've been in a long-term, committed relationship with them for some time now. Years, in fact. We look excellent together, and until quite recently I thought I may have found The One. (That would be my J Brand 12" Pencil jeans.)

I don't want to leave skinny jeans. I don't think I'll ever be able to walk away from them for too long. However, I'm being bombarded by temptation from another style this season. The flare. The flare has been strutting around town - everywhere from The Sartorialist to Who What Wear Daily (and All The Pretty Birds, right) - looking chic all over the streets and the internet, and I am attracted. Repeat, very attracted.

I'm rather surprised that I'm considering cheating on my skinnies with a flare. They're so not my type! I experimented with them in high school, and briefly with a pair of trouser-cut jeans recently, but I always felt guilty and unflattered. When the skinny jean came along, it was love at first three-way mirror.

The flare is wooing me though, and wooing me hard. I'm imagining a wild, dark, rather high-waisted affair, one that cuts close to the thigh and then gets crazy wide at the toe. To complete the trist? Platform wedges and tucked-in blouses. Perhaps even a dalliance with a few belts.

Sinful? Hardly. Out of character? Absolutely. In the end, breaking away from the comfort zone and experimenting a little with fashion is what keeps things spicy.

Editors, models and the like in their flares, courtesy of WWWD

 Light & dark on Le Fashion

I definitely favor the dark look on the right, but one can't help but dig the easy ensemble with the faded bell-bottoms on the left.

 Saucy Glossie looks so phenomenal in her flared trousers here (left), and the woman on the right, shot by Mr. Newton makes a strong case for white denim. (Though I am definitely not totally sold.)

Jac and Anja Rubik work a classic, dark and sleek look for Gap.

 The Kates Holmes and Moss rocking flares in contrasting ways. 

Below, four of my favorite flared denim options. If I'm going to go through with this affair, it has to be on my terms - no funny business. Clearly, even when it comes to straying from my type, I have a type. I guess my next step is what - take an ad out in the Village Voice? 

"Leggy brunette seeks five-pocket dark denim flare for illicit springtime jaunts in NYC area."

(Citizens of Humanity flare jeans, $229, J brand, $187, Hudson Jeans flare jeans, $123,Mih jeans, $189.)

mid-week music moment... (modified!)

(Madewell racerback tank top, $22, Stella McCartney wool blazer, 1,175 GBP, Hudson jeans, $190, Hanky panky, $54, We Who See high heels, $88, D G animal print handbag, $347, Rolex watch Hermes bracelet, $485, House of Harlow 1960vintage bracelet, 100 GBP, Vintage bracelet, 240 GBP.)
Ok, so this is a little bit of a variation on my usual MWMM. As it happens, I was simultaneously listening to my fav French artist Yelle and spazzing around on Polyvore yesterday afternoon. I was imagining what it would be like to have my way with that Stella McCartney tuxedo jacket, trying this and that top under it, when I settled on an extra casual red Madewell tank. "Color pop!" I thought to myself. And I kid you not, the song I was listening to right then was Crookers ft. Yelle, "Cooler Couleur."
The tiny gears in my brain started swirling and twirling and then the light bulb moment happened. (In my mind's eye though, there's a chandelier above my head, instead of a crumby bare bulb.) Wouldn't it be fun to create a look inspired by each song for the mid-week music moment? I think it would be grand, and probably a bit challenging in some cases. Let's have this be a trial run, and you can let me know how you feel in the comments.
Before your gears start swirling and twirling in terrible directions - I will not do things like post a menswear look and then make you listen to Beyonce's "If I were A Boy," or some such way-too-literal nonsense. Or how about Vampire Weekend's "Oxford Comma," and then I'd post... can you guess... an oxford cloth shirt! Woof. Like I said, I would never put you through that.