this is a springtime dressing PSA...

Okay, as you may have noticed, spring is really here. We are in the throws of those glorious months where the temperatures hover around pleasant for days on end, and the sun is a little less choosy about when it shines.

I just feel like I need to remind some people about how wonderful transition seasons are. So many of you out there see that the temperature has reached 60 degrees, and all the sudden you're sleeveless, you're be-sandaled and you're wearing cut-off shorts. Slow down. Take a deep breath. Smile to yourself because it's not yet July, and not even a little bit humid. There's a light breeze out there just waiting to ruffle your hair and toss the hem of your trench around a little.

Spring and fall are the most fun seasons to dress in. Now is the time that all your clothes are meant to be worn. They are just dying to be taken out on the town in new and quirky ways. It's time for layers.

Celebrate open jackets and cardigans worn over blouses. Give thanks for cashmere sweaters and button downs. Treat your ankles to cropped pants and shoes with no socks. Rejoice that you can retire your tights, but appreciate that it's not yet nothing-but-short-shorts time. If you're going to wear shorts, layer up your tops. Wear a flowy, silk dress with a blazer. Pair your navy trousers with wedges and a waistcoat over your tee shirt. Play with short and long, mix them up. Try a hat. Give that socks-and-chunky-heels thing a whirl. There will be a time for mini skirts and flip flops, I promise.

Please, please take advantage of all the ways to work your wardrobe right now. Please understand the beauty of being completely comfortable outside, in your favorite jeans, a pair of ballet flats and an oxford cloth shirt. Please throw a light, floral scarf around your neck. It's the season for whimsy and creativity in your closet, my friends, and I just don't want it to pass you by.

J. Crew Spring 2011

Atlantic - Pacific

Gossip Girl season 2

dark skies & light nails...

Nothing brightens up a seemingly endless streak of grey days like a wildly spring-y manicure.

Actually, a lot of things do - like the sun - but you can't win 'em all.

thoughts on spring menswear...

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

rainy day DIY: neon & hex nuts

Ugh, we're in the middle of one of the realities of spring here in New York: rain. So. Much. Rain. We've been a bit spoiled with sunshine these past few weeks, so I probably shouldn't complain too much. One good thing that comes out of weather like this? Creativity!

Yesterday, one of those days where you could only see 15 blocks uptown instead of 70, Gina and I ventured out to run a couple errands, and I was aching to try a DIY jewelry project I saw on this blog. (The whole thing is so cute, by the way, lots of great projects and fashion inspiration.) We trudged up to Home Depot, and eventually found the aisle brimming with ropes, cords, lug nuts and nails. I didn't want to get too ahead of myself in case the results turned out to be sort of lame, so I selected a few bags of tiny gold hex nuts and a roll of neon pink cord. 

Once I got started braiding, looping and knotting, I couldn't stop. I tried and re-tried some different techniques (thank you, 10 years of summer camp friendship bracelets) and eventually created some bracelets I really love!

 

So for this first one, I just did a simple braid, but instead of using just three strands, I doubled up and used six. This created a thicker, stronger band, and held the hex nuts in place perfectly. I pulled two strings through each one, then just braided normally while pulling very tightly.

One thing to know about me is that when I feel crafty, I feel really crafty. Making one Valentine card becomes 50, and making one bracelet became four. I now feel an uncontrolable urge to go back to Home Depot and buy some more cord (Yellow! Orange!) and perhaps some silver hex nuts too, and just go to town. I have a feeling the hardware store cold become a wealth of inspiration! These little treats will make excellent gifts and be perfect to mix and match for some added zest in my summer wardrobe.

*I think you can find these supplies at any hardware store. The cord was about $5, and the bags of 8 hex nuts are about $1.20 each. (Keep in mind these could also be inflated NYC prices, so you might be able to try this for even less!

today's arm candy...

I got a few colorful new baubles from H&M yesterday that are perfect for livening up my super-stacked spring wrists.

The best part is that each one was $4.