Holiday Sparkle

After several days of no Internet, I'm back! If you follow me on Twitter, you know I left NYC on Thursday evening to head back home with my family for two weeks. I got in late Thursday...to discover that there was no Internet at my parents' place. Normally, I'd enjoy the break from technology, but when there's work to do, blog posts to write and TV shows to watch (current binge: The Wire), it's a little bit disconcerting, to say the least.

Anyways, I mentioned before that I attended a few holiday parties while I was in NYC, and to me the holidays aren't complete without a little sparkle (blame it on the dancer in me—I grew up around a lot of glitter and sequins). I always hit up the Parker sample sale each season, which used to be downright dangerous when I worked in the same building. They have the most amazing silk beaded pieces, and always at a steal even when they're full price (hand beaded silk can be disgustingly expensive!). During the spring sale, I found this turquoise beaded jacket hiding in the racks between party dresses and silk prints, and I knew I had to have it. After a warm, dressed-down summer, I finally have a chance to put it to good use for a friend's dressier holiday celebration! Thankfully, it was warm enough in NYC for me to snap pics of the look before I left, too. 

Parker New York Beaded Jacket || H&M Dress

Hue Tights || Steve Madden Pumps || Ray-Ban Sunglasses

Get the Look

Photos: Joey DeBenedetto

NYFW: It's Like You're my Mirror

Finally sharing my last post from NYFW with you today! I've had this H&M dress for almost a year, but since it's just a tad ridiculous, I'd never gotten the guts to wear it (seriously, sitting at my desk in it all day would just be weird). Thankfully, NYFW is all about being a little ridiculous, so I did a little night-before planning. Normally, a statement dress like this wouldn't work with a statement necklace, but something about the Supernova necklace from Sequin works perfectly with the slightly galactic-themed print of the dress. The mirrored sunnies were entirely unintentional, but when you're wearing a mirror-print dress...

 

Dress, H&M || Necklace, Sequin Jewelry || Sunglasses, Ray-Ban || Bag, Zara || Boots, Jeffrey Campbell

*Ed. note: I am aware my bag looks like I'm carrying everything but the kitchen sink that day, and that's because I basically was.

P.S.-did you catch this look on the NastyGal blog & Pinterest?? I'm a little giddy-excited at having been included!

Photos: Katelyn Herlein

NYFW: Flirty Florals

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I kicked off NYFW last Wednesday, then didn't attend anything for three days (which included sleeping through a few things Saturday morning, oops!). I decided to pull myself together Sunday for one of my roommates' birthday breakfasts, then headed uptown to hit a few events, including the RewardStyle NYFW party at the Empire Hotel (I was pretty terrible about taking pics with anyone, but met some great bloggers-some who I knew of already & some I didn't!). I also used the gorgeous weather as the perfect excuse for a flouncy, floral dress one last time.

Sunglasses, Ray-Ban || Dress, Free People (old) || Blazer, H&M (similar, similar)

Shoes, Zara || All jewelry except rings, Sequin || Nails, Butter London in Blagger

Photos: Hallie Wilson

Weekend Casual + Inside My Bag

The weather in NYC has been beyond perfect over the last week or so, with warm, breezy temps during the day-but you can feel that touch of coolness on the underside of the air, whispering that fall is coming. While I'm admittedly not the biggest fan of fall (not helped by the fact that winter follows), I do love the crisp feeling in the air slowly ushered in by the change of season. Since we're still a bit off from sweater weather, though, I took full advantage of the weekend weather with a brunch date and a day in Central Park basking in the warm afternoon sunshine-and playing around with my film camera, which is making a reappearance in my life.

The people at Hobo International were kind enough to send over this Mariella bag, which is the perfect size to carry all my essentials for a day in the city. I'm also linking up with four other bloggers-Jessica, Laura, Lydia and Fran-to show you what those essentials are! Scroll down for a peek inside my bag.

Tee, Joana Avillez for Refinery29 || Pants, H&M (thanks, Jessica!) || Bag, Hobo Bags c/o

Sunglasses, Ray-Ban || Sandals, Kelsi Dagger (on sale!)

The great thing about the Mariella is it helps me to be a little bit more organized-if I'm carrying a tote, I just toss everything in, which can leave me digging for my keys in the dark (story of my life most nights!). I never leave home without my wallet, keys & phone, and during the day I usually toss in my planner (I know, I'm a nerd for still carrying one!), a notebook (Muji's are cheap and easy to carry) to jot down blog ideas and keep track of finances and other essentials, and a good book to read for the subway ride home. The Mariella fits my style perfectly, with a shoulder strap to keep me hands free when I'm lugging bags through the city and plenty of storage for the rest of my essentials.

I'm all over the place when it comes to beauty products, but I have a handful of essentials I can't leave home without. I've been carrying C. O. Bigelow's Rose Salve daily for almost ten years (!) and have been known to leave tins all over the place, from work to home to my parents' house, in case I need a quick fix-I kept so many at my college boyfriend's that he started buying them for me. I'm pretty minimal in my daily makeup routine, but I'm a huge fan of lip color and a little flush to the cheeks, so I keep a few options on hand for touch-ups. Having long hair requires some type of hair management on hand at all times, and a nail file is a must (these ones are $1 for a pack of three-I keep one tucked in my wallet and at my desk at work, too). All the little things tuck up nicely into a leather pouch so I'm not scrambling for them when I really need them!

Hobo Mariella Bag || Ray-Ban Sunglasses || Marc Jacobs Wallet || Quo Vadis Planner

Muji Notebook, Pen || Bill Bryson Book || C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve || Choward Mints

YSL Lip Color || Urban Decay Blush || NARS Multiple in Orgasm || Ms. Manicure Nail File

Goody Spin Pins || L'Occitane Hand Cream || Blotting Tissues

Pastels & Lace

I wore this pretty combo of pastels & lace sans jacket to the office for a day of meetings and easily moved to drinks that night, thanks to the metallic sleeves on the jacket. While my love of color is usually a little more saturated, this light touch of color got me through the cold days of early spring (yes, it's been a little while since these were taken-if you've seen recent pictures of the city, you know the flowers have been blooming & the trees have started leafing out). My favorite thing about this skirt, so obviously inspired by the Louis Vuitton Spring 2012 runway, is the way the lace extends just past the fabric underlay, giving an appearance of length & adding a sexy-but-work-appropriate touch. 

Jacket, Dolan Clothing (on sale!) | T-Shirt, Joe Fresh

Skirt, H&M (old, dress alternative, skirt alternative, skirt alternative)

Tights, Hue | Boots, Steve Madden (similar) | Pendant, vintage

Let's hope this spring weather we've been getting, ever so slowly, is here to stay! Looking forward to a bright & sunny week. 

Photos: Jessica

xx

Colorblock

Happy spring! I think, anyways. I'm pretty sure someone didn't let NYC (or Iowa, for that matter) know about its impending arrival as it's still far too cold out and the ten day is dashing any raised hopes I could have. This colorblocked pants & top duo came out for a day of meetings at the office, and look-I'm wearing real heels! (I own a lot but I never have much of a reason to wear them as my office is pretty casual.) This isn't the first time I've styled a mint & mustard color combo, either. Check out how I wore it last fall here.

 (side note-my hair looks so BLONDE! I can't wait for summer.)

Coat, Zara (last fall) | Top, Target | Pants, H&M | Necklace & Bangles, Sequin

Ring, Silpada | Shoes, Ellen Tracy (similar) | Lipstick, NARS in Funny Face

Here's hoping if I continue to dress in colors, spring will follow. Although, if the weather followed my dressing patterns, it would always be spring & summer.

Thanks for taking my pictures, Jessica!

xx

New York Fashion Week, Part 2

Saturday morning of NYFW always kicks off bright & (a little too) early for me, thanks to one of my favorite shows, Ruffian. This is my company's third straight runway collaboration with them and they never cease to impress (if you didn't catch their S/S 2013 runway, check it out here-it's likely what started my pastels obsession this season!). I took a little break in the afternoon before heading back to the tents to catch an up & coming Israeli designer, Alon Livne, show his post-apocalyptic inspired collection, followed by dinner & drinks with my brother.

Clockwise from top left: Mani change to Julep in Sally, Front Row at Ruffian, Alon Livne's presentation

Outfit detail, Lincoln Center at night, Ruffian F/W 2013 Final Walk

The "blizzard" made me change my mind about my outfit choices for the weekend at least half a dozen times (& change my shoes twice as many as that). I'd just received this whimsical T the day before and I couldn't think of a more appropriate place to wear it, along with one of my favorite Sequin necklaces from a collection aptly titled "Supernova". 

Coat, Zara | Blazer, H&M (old) | T-Shirt, Refinery29 (Sold out, similar)

Necklace, Sequin | Pants, Zara | Boots, Kensie

xx

P.S. I say "blizzard" because I'm from Iowa, and really, Nemo? That's all you got? I used to deal with that 3x a winter.

Lust vs. Must: Mint Blazers

I have a feeling my two big draws for spring are going to be florals & pastels (original, right?). I realize these aren't jaw-dropping new trends, but they are a fairly new addition to my wardrobe of bright colors and white v-necks.

My current obsession? Rebecca Minkoff's Becky Jacket in mint, but unfortunately the price tag & my bank account have yet to come to an agreement. Thankfully, H&M has an affordable alternative that doesn't lose on style and certainly wins on price!

Lust | Must

*the March issue of InStyle magazine calls this minty-green hue Pistachio...it's going to be très hot for spring!

xx

Party Feathers

I wore this blouse & skirt to work last week when we had a press event to show our latest collections. The whimsical feather pattern and vivid colors drew me to it immediately, even though it's not the type of top I normally go for. This is probably the most black I've worn at once in months! 

Blouse, Loft | Skirt, H&M (old)

Necklace, Sequin

Lipstick, NARS Matte in Carthage

Tights, DKNY | Shoes, Kensie

These lace tights are one of my favorite pairs; they hold out wind and they're just the right amount of skin for any occasion, whether it's work or the weekend. 

I was lucky enough to have Tracy shoot my photos for me (I still haven't had to screw around with a tripod, & I'm glad!) on the roof of Jen's new apartment in Manhattan this weekend! We were sipping mimosas, naturally-that's how everyone spends their Sundays, right? 

Jen, Me, Jessica & Tracy

I love our collection of glam looks-from lace to studs to fur. Cheers!

xx