That Face

Somehow, this week has gotten away from me and my first post of the week is going up on a Thursday. Also, can we talk about how it's already Thursday? I know discussing the quick passage of time isn't exactly a "new" thing, but I'm still amazed at where it goes when I sit down to think about it. Summer is going to be over before we even realize it…I'll be ending mine in Iowa, so I really only have a few short weeks left of summer in NYC! Better get moving on my mini-to-do list.

If you live in NYC and we mingle in some of the same areas, there's a really good chance you've passed me on the street in this dress lately. It's a Zara sale find that almost didn't happen…I'd been eyeing it (yes, there's a pun in there) online before the sale started, but didn't rush to make a purchase that night and it sold out in my size within a few hours. Fast forward a week and I found myself in the Fifth Avenue store before dinner with a friend,  and there's a handful left! But all in a size M (I think the entire store was left in a size M, which in hindsight probably saved me a lot of money). I bought it anyways, and the rest, as they say, is history. I actually favor the looser fit over something skintight, so "the face" and I have become fast friends.

Zara Dress || Illesteva Sunglasses || Sequin Bangles || Capwell + Co Necklace

Photos by Ashley Manfred

Big City, Quiet City

Happy Fourth of July! Let me just start this off and say I hope wherever you are, it's not raining—this whole Hurricane Arthur thing is killing my beach vibes, I had serious plans to be anything BUT serious, camped out on the beach. Oh, well...still dragging my butt out of bed for an early morning #ParkerParty, Party in the USA style!

 I mentioned in my last post that I really look forward to this weekend every summer, as it's one of the few holidays I don't travel (something to think about if you're moving cross-country…most, if not all, your vacation time goes to trips back home!). A lot of my NYC friends didn't originate here, either, and hopped planes back home or to vacations of their own for a few days, so I'm taking advantage of the quiet(er) city and hitting up some of my favorite spots and a few new ones this weekend, like when I wandered through some new streets in Brooklyn last weekend in a somewhat subtle red-white-and-blue.. Want to see where I go, or have suggestions for me? Follow me on Instagram, and leave a comment below! Hopefully this weather will clear up in time for me to catch some 

East River (!!! finally) fireworks from a Brooklyn rooftop tomorrow night ;)

Donna Morgan dress c/o Zappos || Illesteva sunglasses || Capwell & Co necklace c/o 

Michael Kors watch c/o Zappos || Twins for Peace Sneakers c/o || Zara Tote

Rainy Weekends // Link Love

Mother Nature seems to have recognized that I needed a break this weekend—the temps are a little warmer but it's been gray and rainy off and on since Friday afternoon. Between having a friend in town for five days recently and my brother in town on Friday night, I was in desperate need of a reason many reasons not to leave my apartment. Yesterday was spent recharging my batteries on the couch with the many magazines that have been piling up around me and a glass—okay, fine, bottle—of wine at night (and yeah, I did spend some time watching "Too Cute" on Animal Planet. I'm a living, breathing cliché).

I'll take one of everything from Anne V's closet, please.

Lusting after this gorgeous signet ring from Ariel Gordon.

Warby Parker's new store is absolutely stunning—and I really appreciate that they left so much of the building's heritage intact.

Stunning photos of Bondi Beach that make me want it to be my next vacation.

Can't get over how pretty this Capwell + Co necklace is.

Little Italy is disappearing.

My 30's are still a few years away, but that doesn't mean I can't aim to excel at this list now.

Spring sneaker want: these floral Supra kicks #sneakerhead.


As a professed film photography addict, I love this beautiful post from Ann Street Studio on what has been becoming a lost art.

Then-and-Now photos of NYC that make me afraid what this city will look like in another 30 years. We do NOT need banks, Starbucks and Duane Reade on every. single. block.

Is it too early to buy new beach towels? These ones from Anthropologie are so pretty.


Image by Rose Mayo, Blonde in this City.

Pattern Mixing

After seeing this scarf on at least six other bloggers in the last few weeks (although I really did see Jessica rocking it first, followed by 10 instagrams from other bloggers in the coming weeks), I feel like it should be on Sh*t Bloggers Wear, officially. Honestly, though, I picked it up because I love things that can double as blankets (no, seriously, wait til you see the other one I got the same day! Perfect for the plane home next week) and I'm also a fan of the mohair/plaid trend this season, so sue me for making you look at the same scarf one more time. 

Anyways, scarf stories aside, I've also been living in these Schutz boots I picked up on Black Friday (as mentioned in yesterday's post, I'm all about gifts for myself). Tall, black, flat and lined with faux-fur, they'll be getting me through this winter one cold, snowy day at a time—including the 12 I'm about to spend in even colder, snowier Iowa!

Zara Blazer (on sale!!) and Scarf || Otte Reverse Pullover in Polka || Capwell + Co Necklace c/o

Acne Skin 5 Jeans || Schutz Boots || OPI The One That Got Away Polish || Sole Society Carla Tote

Photos: Jessica Sturdy

Bring on the Bling: Crystal Clear

I never used to be much of a jewelry wearer or collector outside of my sterling silver rings (no reference needed as a variety of them show up in every outfit post/are part of the header to this very blog!), but then I worked for a few years for a high-end costume jewelry company and my appreciation for a great piece—statement or delicate—matured quickly. My favorite thing to do as of late is layer on a piece of clear, sparkly crystal to an otherwise simple look, especially since I can be pretty lazy about getting dressed when it's colder (read: cashmere sweaters, thick jeans and boots). A little bling & lipstick goes a loooong way on those days, you know what I'm sayin'?

L to R from top: Bijoux Heart Earrings || Tom Binns Crystal Bracelet || Capwell + Co Pave Bracelet
Lulu Frost Eclipse Ring || Dannijo Katie Earring || J. Crew Crystal Blooms Necklace || Sequin Arista Necklace
J. Crew Double-Row Crystal Necklace || Lulu Frost Stardust Necklace || Joomi Lim Baroque Punk Necklace
Baublebar Crystal Feather Pendant || J. Crew Crystal Triangles Necklace

Get the Look