article remix: bundle up

I finally got the new laptop I've mentioned a few times--though I'm still trying to work out the kinks [like, why is the battery draining when it's not even open? Why are these keys so damn stiff?]. But anyway, the idea was to get a new, light weight, all-mine laptop and I'd be able to go to cafes and blog my little heart away....clearly this has not gone exactly according to plan.

via facehunter

However, I'm trying to change that! So today, as I set up all my fashionable bookmarks, I saw this front-page headline on Style.com: A NEW START: ten ways to freshen up your wardrobe come spring

I'm sorry, but it's the beginning of FALL! Glorious, leaf-changing, layer-worthy fall. We've been waiting and waiting for it and [though the weather continues to be a little nutty] it's kind of finally here! So excuse me if I want to dismiss the latest spring shows and instead think about bundling up, and all the wonderful ways in which we can do it. So, here is what I'd like to replace that post with:

BUNDLE UP: ten items you need to stay cozy for fall

1. a totally impractical outerwear piece, like the cape

via allen company

2. maxi dressing -- skirts, dresses.. 

via wild young heart

3. a little bit of [faux]fur

via jcrew

4. polka dots please!

via facehunter

5. wear-with-anything-anywhere desert boot wedges

via zara

6. a touch of velvet 

via jcrew

7. a slouchy cozy scarf

via madewell

8. almost-unsuitable for work sweatpant trousers

via mango

9. a killer sock & stocking collection to continue skirts and shorts through fall

via mr newton

10. chunky sweaters to be worn with casual & sleek bottoms

via mango

What's on your wish list for the colder months?

urban, you're ruining my vintage high

A lot of you tweeters have said Urban's latest catalog looks very blogger-inspired. Well, I haven't seen it--all the copies at the store were gone!--but I did find an example of what you meant first hand.

EXHIBIT A: THE THRIFTED

You might remember from an earlier post how proud I was to find these babies after a winter of hunting for boyish booties. I was thrilled that, after all the hard work, my pair had the extra perk of cute fringe.

EXHIBIT B: THE MASS-PRODUCED

We Who See Fringe Boots

[$78 on the web; I swear the pair I saw in store were $58]

These fringed beauties were just chilling in the shoe section of Urban last week. Don't these look familiar....damn!

What's better, you think? Hunting and spending an extra $20-40 for mine [that's NYC "vintage" prices for you, but they are real leather, at least] or strolling into UO and getting the PVC pair anyone can have?

monday funday: happy memorial day!

I'm very sad to see the weekend end. It was a great having my parents here--we walked around the city a ton, ate lots of good food, and drank just enough good wine.

Today we celebrated Memorial Day by heading to the USS Iwo Jima [above] that was docked on the Hudson River off 47th street for Fleet Week. Standing in the blazing sun for an hour waiting to get on was pretty brutal, but then my dad was like a kid again.

Here's a quick glance at other things we ended up doing this weekend:

The Eco-Fashion exhibit at the FIT museum

A surprise piano player in Washington Sq. Park

Brunch at Cafe Gitane in the Jane Hotel

Shopping at the new Anthropologie in Chelsea Market

Of course, the problem with fun weekends is they aren't terribly relaxing!! Luckily, though, it's only a 4-day week. Phew.

WTF thursday: why is it so hard...

...to find the perfect striped shirt?

I went on a mission today, and failed.

American Apparel's was too stiff and heavy...

Gap's too missy and blousy...

and J.Crew's too in-demand.

Any tips? I'm losing hope.

happy mother's day!

Happy Mother's Day to my favorite person...and shopping buddy!

Hope everyone had a great weekend :)

weekend recap: florida lounging

So I'm on my first official real-life vacation--and I'm taking advantage of my week off work by spending it at my parents' house in Florida. There are a few reasons why I love vacationing here. Some of them are...

• I get to indulge my old-lady tendancies by catching up on all of my mom's magazines: More, Real Simple, etc..
• I don't feel the need to wear much make-up or straighten my hair. It's like a beauty detox!
• I also don't feel guilty about eating whatever the hell I want. So I guess it's the opposite of a detox, there...
• I can wear a tank top and leggings and somehow still look presentable..

Well, I thought it'd be nice to do my usual weekend recap [though I've slacked a bit], but Florida-style. Here's what you, too, can enjoy if you ever make it down here!


Saturday: Melbourne Art Festival

Whenever there's a craft show or art show while I'm home, my mom and I head over to stroll around the booths [again, indulging my old lady tendencies]. I always take business cards for people I think are really cool, to file away in my "when I become a millionaire" cabinet. My favorites were:

Derek Gores -- I actually found this artist last year. He makes awesome collages, but I bought a print of his abstract art for the boy's Christmas gift the year before last.

Jim Goshorn -- I have a thing for people-scuplture. His tall, thin people ranged from a foot high to 4-feet-high! They reminded me of this clay woman I got in the Dominican Republic, except much more haunting and intricate.

Brandy Renee -- I love her huge heart paintings. I've been looking for something like it ever since Samantha "gave her heart" to Richard on S&TC and I saw an awesome splatter heart-painting on a street in Soho. This might need to be my next investment!

The art show took several hours to walk through. We also stopped in 905 Cafe for lunch and at Yapa, an awesome Anthropologie-esque clothing store with home goods and accessories. I was really excited to see that Yapa had a lot of up-cycling! The clothes are one-of-a-kind, made from vintage and deadstock fabric. Love that.

Sunday

Sunday was a lazy day, nearer to home. I became the millionth person to purchase the Cynthia Vincent for Target wedges [so cute and comfy!] and thought seriously about getting one of the Eugenia Kim hats... but I'm not sure I can pull it off.

I also went to Macy's..and somehow when the day was done, realized I'd ended up purchasing 4 dresses! Whoops. This is what happens when I'm with mom!

Today's another mother/daughter day. About to head out for lunch, possibly a mani/pedi, and checking out more retailers that don't exist in NYC! [I know, who would think that's possible?]

Hope you're all having a lovely week!

HOW TO: fight the recession

with multiple excuses, of course! such as:

but, it's my birthday!

but, i can wear it tucked in, or out!

but...it's vera wang!

& if all else fails, blame it on me.

Go forth.. and shop.

shoe mission = fail

Everywhere I looked, the heels were too pointy and the uppers too synthetic...

Still, all was not lost. Look above!

on the lookout: summer footwear

I feel like I spend every summer looking for the same two types of footwear: teeteringly tall nude sandals (a la Vanessa Hudgens here) and everyday flat, mostly-black sandals (like those Gryson ones above).

Last summer, I found those awesomely versatile to-die-for flat sandals on Gilt.com by Gryson for cheap. Sadly, my laziness in taking them on and off (ie: stretching the straps rather than unclasping them each time) has resulted in the beautiful little straps tearing.

I'm off to find replacements (or maybe just new straps?) and happy-birthday-to-me tall nude ones. Wish me luck! I'll post pictures as I hunt...