{outfit post} signs of spring...

The official start of spring is just a few days away. Granted, we are probably still in for quite a few more dreary and chilly days, but New York City has already experienced it's fair share of gorgeous, spring-like days with warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. I sort of love this time of year, when you don't know what to expect from the weather. Transitional seasons (fall and spring) are often the most fun to dress for. Long pants with short sleeves, light-weight jackets over flouncy dresses, and finally, the return of acceptable open-toe shoe-wearing time. So on that note, here's a little spring look I put together using some recent (wildly on sale!) purchases...

Urban Outfitters blouse; Zara pants; We Who See wedges (from Urban Outfitters); Amanda Pearl Gobstopper pearl earrings c/o Blue Stripe PR; Michael Kors watch; various bracelets.

Clearly this is the work of a professional, and I have the darling and talented Ari of Arimophoto to thank for these lovely photographs!

So, my entire outfit here, aside from my accessories, cost less than $100! The shoes were on sale for about $50, the pants were $9.90 at Zara (excuse me, what?) and the top was on sale for $19.90 at Urban. Isn't that sort of crazy? I think this rather budget lifestyle in NYC has really brought out the bargain-hunter in me. Until I have a life a little more like a real person, I'm forced to majorly scale down my investment purchases, so little buys like these keep my spirits up and help me feel like there's something fresh to play around with, even if it wont last forever. I think high and low mixing is really the key to a wardrobe that's uniquely you and one that doesn't fall into the realm of 'trying too hard.'

{quick outfit post} Porter Grey presentation...

On Thursday morning before heading into my internship, I made a brief pit-stop at Lincoln Center to check out the Porter Grey presentation. It was a chilly morning so I opted for my super-indulgent go-to vintage fur, plus a few other new gems I have yet to post here on the ol' blog.

I didn't take any photos of the look myself, but I was stopped just outside the presentation and snapped by a really sweet girl from 80%20 shoes because I just happened to be wearing a pair at the moment. (I'm on their blog here! (That's where these images are from.))

[The full disclosure here is that when I attended the Blue Stripe PR party two weeks ago, part of our parting gifts was a pair of fabulous 80%20 shoes, as well as a bauble from Amanda Pearl, and some other really choice goodies. Porter Grey is also repped by Blue Stripe, so now you seen the connection. Ta da! How lucky am I?]

I  love all the elements of this outfit, but I don't know how I feel about the final outcome here. I was in a bit of a hurry that morning and making rash decisions. I wish I had a picture sans jacket, the top is a vintage Missoni tunic of my mom's, and it's perfection. Another time though, I promise.

Also, these little shoes are my new obsession. They've got a cool dessert boot look with toggle closures, but the best part is the hidden wedge that adds a little covert height and a more feminine feel. You will be seeing them again, I can guarantee it.

Vintage fur coat; vintage pashmina; vintage Missoni tunic; Paige Verdugo jegging; 80%20 Eliotte shoes; Amanda Pearl earrings; Les Petites handbag.

*Pictures from the Porter Grey presentation are forthcoming!

{outfit post} snow day lunch break...

One of the best parts of my new internship is that its only a few blocks from Tully's office (Time Square - hooray)! So once or twice a week we meet for lunch, usually at Guy & Gallard in the thick of the Garment District on 40th. We sip soup and Diet Coke, and talk about... Whatever we talk about. Usually the stressful and/or interesting things we've been doing all day.

Yesterday we changed it up - it was a snow day after all - and got a couple slices on Broadway then tromped over to Bryant Park to see the ice skaters, the snow-covered little tables and chairs, and snap a few pictures of our "above the knee chic" outfits.

 

Tully: Roxy hat; Tucker blouse; khaki military surplus store jacket (borrowed from moi); The North Face puffy duster jacket; Urban Outfitters skirt; Express tights; Sorel (mens) boots; Roxy bag.

Moi: Ray Ban aviators; Gap boyfriend shirt; random lace t-shirt from San Francsisco boutique; BDG black jeggings; vintage mink; vintage Missoni scarf; mom's equestrian-style rubber weillies; Prada handbag (circa early 2000's, hand-me-down from mom).

So brrr, but you get the idea.

Don't mind the tail... It's my scarf, tied to my bag. Special.

{quick outfit post} wednesday night out....

Vintage mink peacoat; Urban Outfitters blazer (borrowed from Tully); Zara blouse (Jessica's); consigned BCBG necklace; Paige Verdugo jeggings; Urban Outfitters grey suede boots.

Wednesday night I met up with my college friend Rishi and some of his friends for a mid-week night out. We started at Gaslight, a low-key pizza joint and bar on W 14th and 9th avenue, then walked over to the Standard Grill. It was a great mix of catching up and cocktails, and a perfect excuse to wear that vintage mink out on the town.

{outfit post} snowy stroll in the park...

While the girls and I are absolutely loving our downtown address, we sometimes long for the other world that is the Upper East Side. It really does feel like a different city when you emerge from the subway at 77th & Lexington. Tully and I were feeling nostalgic this weekend, so we decided that a little trip down memory lane, also known as Madison Avenue, was in order. We window shopped our way from 60th to 72nd, then ducked into the park, unable to resist the snowcovered hills and bridges.

We strolled around for a while as snow flurried around us, past sledding children and cross country skiiers, marveling at how different Central Park looks when it's been blanketed, frozen and re-blanketed in snow. It was pretty gorgeous, and may I add, a perfect excuse to take my newly inherited vintage mink for a little outting...

Tully's Anthropologie knit headband; Ray Ban aviators; vintage Missoni scarf; Roxy zip-up; vintage fur coat; Kelsi bag c/o Kooba; Nordstrom leather gloves.

Tully is wearing my Marc by Marc aviators, an Express headband (it's perfection) and a Marc New York jacket.

Those same darn Corso Como boots...

{outfit post} catching up @ Oddfellows...

Alright, so you can chalk up my lack of personal style posts lately to the terrible fact that my trusty little Coolpix decided to commit suicide a few months back. Tragic, right? Well lucky for you I found my trusty vintage 2007 Lumix hidden away in a drawer in my room back in Seattle. It's held together with tape and has a strange spotting thing going on with the lens, but beggars can't be choosers, am I right?

Moving on... So on my last night at home, I requested the presence of some of my favorite people at one of my favorite bars - Oddfellows. Everyone gathered around a big picnic-style table, lit by candles and eventually littered with glasses of every shape and size. We sipped on wine, beer and of course, a bourbon and ginger for me. (They're the best at Oddfellows, I believe.) The night was casual but for me the occasion was special, so I mixed a little glamour into a sophisticated and comfortable look.

The reason I brought up the camera before is that the quality of pictures it takes is somewhat compromised, so bear with me.

Abercrombie & Fitch sweater (vintage circa 2002...); Zara blouse (borrowed from Jessica); thrifted necklace; BDG jeggings; Corso Como boots; H & M knit hat; BA&SH handbag.

I wore my amazing new leather jacket over this ensemble, but it didn't really translate into photographs very well, so I'll show it off in a later post. I'm also really obsessed with this blouse of Jessica's, and wish it was mine. It's sheer but sweet and I love the detailing in the drop waist and buttons, that also doesn't translate into these photos. I hate to admit it you guys, but I have at least three Abercrombie sweaters purchased in my high school days that have held strong in my winter wardrobe season after season. Judge away, but they fit great and keep me warm!

*Editor's note: I know it looks stupid that you can't see my eyes in any of these photos. This is not the kind of blogger I strive to be, but the other pictures were terrible & I promise not to make a habit of it. xoxo

{outfit post} Sun Valley, then & now...

Sometimes, I'm really thankful I didn't have a blog four years ago. Strange to think, but there are some sartorial choices I made then that I just absolutely wouldn't make now. That's just a product of the ebb and flow of fashion, but it's interesting to look back at from time to time. In this glorious winter wonderland of Sun Valley, there are certain pairings that have stood the test of time and trends; down jackets and designer sunglasses being one of them. So how different could my look really be this time around?

Roll with me on this, and lets just take a little stroll down memory lane (thanks, Facebook) and see what's changed from 2007 to 2010:

2007: no label vintage hat; Christian Dior sunglasses; Cashmere Wrappings pashmina; The North Face jacket; American Apparel deep V; Abercrombie & Fitch cardigan; J Brand black jeans; Ugg Ausralia boots; Louis Vuitton bag; Betsey Johnson scarf; faux pearls.

2010: Slouchy hat and infinity scarf c/o D&Y Accessories; Ray Ban aviators; Gap turtleneck sweater; American Apparel deep V; ski leggings; Kristen Blake down jacket; Ugg Austraila boots; Zoe the dog.

Oh hey 2007  girl, aren't you trendy! The thing that strikes me right away about look number one here is that I am actively trying to wear as many noticable labels at one time as I can. From the uber-trendy Uggs to my classic but obvious Louis Vuitton Speedy to the comically huge Dior shades, It's just too, too, you know? I still own all these things; I love them and I wear them. But my style now, comparitively, is like going from being a gluttonous eater to a normal, healthy person: it's all about moderation.

So at the core, my Sun Valley style hasn't really changed that much. Those are the same Ugg boots. I also know I'm wearing an American Apparel deep V in both outfits, and a sweater I bought on sale from (wince) Abercrombie and Gap, respectively. Clearly, I still really love layering and black skinny pants, as well as a good contrasting scarf-and-hat combo with my designer shades. In my outfit from yesterday though, the only brand that's easily distinguishable is - drum roll please - my new, polarized Ray Ban aviators.

Editor's note: I know, I know, the Ugg boots. I spoke so judgily of them here, and posted alternative options here. Yet I am there, wearing the darn things. With toasty warm and comfy feat, I hang my head in shame. I'm still planning on getting these, but bare with me (and my budget).