Minimalism

This weekend was all about housecleaning, both online and off…which is why I'm bringing you one last set of summer photos before we fully call it quits (RIP til next year, summer). 

Although we took these photos in late July—I know, I know, get it together, Rose—I wore variations on this look from the beginning of summer all the way through mid-September, breaking the whole white (on white) after Labor Day thing repeatedly. I found these bamboo (!) pants last summer in a Boerum Hill boutique. They've become a summer fave thanks to the slightly relaxed fit and breathable fabric, and I'm already sad I've had to pack them away for the year now that the temps seriously dipped this past week.

The blouse, on the other hand, is a four-season'er. I've already worn it this fall with dark jeans and a blazer; come winter, I'll layer it under sweaters thanks to the long, asymmetrical hem, and come spring pair it with skirts and light jackets. Just typing that sentence already has me excited for all this cold weather BS to pass, but alas there are still several more months to suffer through.

Zara Blouse || Dagg & Stacey Pant (in black!) || Zara Sandals || Shark tooth necklace

Michael Kors Watch (similar) || Ray-Ban Sunglasses || Essie polish in I'm Addicted

Photos: Ashley Manfred

Easy Denim

No matter how much I protest, it seems fall weather is pretty determined to swoop in on us. As I write this, I'm wearing a sweater (!) layered over a silk blouse with jeans, and this morning I even had on a jacket. Ugh. Let's take it easy, weather (pretty please).

I've become pretty comfortable with the fact I'm a jeans-girl. Sure, I love a great dress, printed pant or even a skirt, but when I'm lazy and, more often than not, running short on time, denim is easy. I have several pairs I can dress up with a nice boot and top as needed, but I'm usually pretty casual both on weekends and in the office. I've been picking out more and more pairs in recent years with distressing—something I avoided as a teenager, since I was pretty good at wearing my jeans til they got holes in them myself and didn't need assistance from a factory. Now that I'm able to invest in a little higher quality and spend most of my days at a desk, I don't mind a few frays and holes.

While boyfriend styles have become my go-to lately (I live in this pair from Gap; also love this wash and these Rag & Bone's), I wanted to get a patch-inspired pair after reading this interview with Eva Chen. I love the silhouette of these Greywire's (a high-quality and affordable denim line in collaboration with Elie Tahari!) and they're the perfect intro to the patchwork trend without looking too retro.

Zara Blouse || Greywire Patchwork Jeans || Sole Society Carla Satchel || Illesteva Sunglasses

Loeffler Randall Espadrilles || Michael Kors Watch

Photos: Ashley Manfred

Summer Stripes

It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm back in Iowa for the week, prepping for my sister's wedding (and also working from home, probably a little too much…but the week before NYFW isn't the best week to take off work when your job is in the fashion industry and you write a semi-fashion related blog!). To be honest, I probably could have gotten a post together for the last few days, but I've been enjoying stepping back from technology when I can…and apparently the outside world, since I realized this morning I hadn't put a stitch of makeup on since Saturday. 

It's weird to think once I get back to NYC, summer will essentially be over—September truly is a month of madness, and I don't have a weekend without something on the calendar until mid-October right now (don't worry, I'll be sharing some of the more fun trips & plans here!). Pinching myself because yes, I just wrote OCTOBER already. I vowed, as I always do, to make this summer a great one, and for one of the first times in recent memory I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out, but I wish (as I'm sure everyone does) we could tack a few extra weeks on the end…I need a couple more beach days, rooftop happy hours and summer picnics al fresco, please.

Lauren and I were strolling towards the park and came across a fresh-fruit stand with the most delicious smelling fresh pineapple. So, we bought one, and yes, I dressed it up a little…cliché but fun(ny), no?

Zara Dress || Sole Society Necklace || ECCO Tote || Illesteva Sunglasses || Loeffler Randall Espadrilles

Photos: Lauren Pruner

Summer Rain

A few weeks ago, my friends and I hatched a plan to drive out to Jones Beach for an entire day, which you may remember is on my summer to-do list…car was booked, work was requested off, sunscreen was stocked up and beach essentials were purchased. Mother Nature, that fickle creature, had other plans for that day. 

I got a text last Tuesday asking if I'd looked at the forecast…so I wincingly checked it to see a high of 75. And rain. Lots of rain from Friday til Sunday, so we cancelled the car and rescheduled everything for this coming weekend, and then guess what? It barely rained! Sure, the sun didn't come out much, but I don't mind when I'm dozing on the beach to the sound of gently crashing waves and chatter of happy people (this weekend: high of 85 and NO CLOUDS). Bring it, weekend. 

Since I had to figure out what the heck I was going to do with my weekend, I opted for the next most logical decision to beach: brunch (part of the three B's, the third of which is booze…a little different than the ones my sorority banned during initiation week: boys, booze and bars. I'm clearly a sucker for alliteration). I visited an old favorite in my neighborhood and a new place I'd been wanting to check out for ages in Manhattan—all accompanied by my new favorite summer accessory, the backpack (the fourth B in this equation). Can someone explain why it took so long for me to jump on this trend? I sure can't. 

Inside my bag for the weekend: camera (obvi), my latest summer book, a few magazines I haven't gotten around to, my external mophie charger, makeup bag, sunglasses, actual glasses, an apple and Organic Avenue grapefruit juice. Not only does the bag hide the exorbitant amount of sh*t I find myself carrying around on any given day, the straps equally distribute the weight and I barely notice I'm carrying 15 extra lbs around with me, which is usually split between an overstuffed bag on each shoulder. I'm thinking a classic leather one is next!

Zara Linen Top and Classic Pants || J. Crew Maren Sandals || Steve Madden Backpack c/o Zappos

Italia Independent sunglasses c/o Zappos || Michael Kors Watch

C. Wonder Chain Bracelet || Essie in Play Date

Governor's Island

A few weeks ago I unexpectedly had a friend in town for the weekend, so my plans for laundry & cleaning quickly switched to beaches, brunch, a little shopping in Nolita (my favorite neighborhood for it!) and a ride across the ferry to Governor's Island in search of the mythical hammock grove. 

The trip over happened on a whim. We didn't feel like spending forever and a day on the subway to get somewhere quiet/relaxing (and where I'm not tempted to spend money...sorry, NoLIta/SoHo!), so I suggest hopping a train downtown to catch the ferry to the island for a few hours. Also, a catch to note—it's not free anymore! I was a little disappointed to have to pay, but at least it's only $2/roundtrip. 

Parts of the island were busy with kids, parents and lots o' tourists-on-bikes (I suggest walking on the grass to steer clear, as I don't entirely trust their pedaling skills), but there's still plenty of space to wander around, and various old buildings and houses are open on the weekends because of exhibits. They're mostly emptied of furniture now, but I like imagining how the rooms might have been filled and what it would have been like to live there. 

Some serious, long wandering (the island is WAY bigger than it looks) finally led us back to the mythical hammocks, but it was a little disappointing...the weather was near-90 degree, not a cloud in the sky. The trees were only planted in the last year, so I suggest slathering on some major SPF (which you should be doing anyways!) before you head out there. We finally found an open one to hop in for a little while right after taking these pics, but by that point the sun was getting to me and I was ready to head for the air-conditioned subway ride home...so of course we had to wait 15 minutes on the platform. Life in NYC, am I right?

P.S. I spent last night #GlamFamChat'ing with Hallie on the best tips & tricks for instagram. Check out the feed on Twitter here, or for a more condensed version head over to her blog!

Zara Silk Tank || Anthropologie Shorts || Zara Tote 

Illesteva Sunglasses || Joie Sandals via Zappos || Sequin Bracelets || Michael Kors Watch

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

Relaxed City Style

Normally by today, I'd be grumbling about how it's only Tuesday and thinking about how to make the weekend get here faster…no rushed thoughts necessary when there's a holiday weekend on the horizon, though! This week is a killer at work (we're having a really huge sale), but I'm like a high schooler anxiously awaiting the last bell of the year on Thursday so I can dive right into a three and a half-day weekend!

I'm not really big on holidays, but the Fourth of July is a little different to me. There's something about it that sweetly and supremely signals summer and it's no secret this season and I have a love affair every year. It's also one of the few holidays and long weekends I get where I'm not traveling (my birthday usually falls around Memorial Day and I'm often traveling to a friend's wedding; Labor Day will again be spent at home for my sister's wedding!) and there are a few added perks tied closely to it: beautiful, warm weather and a nearly-empty city.

I daydream about having a house in the Hamptons to escape to just like any other NY'er (and if you have a friend with one that you want to introduce me to, I wouldn't say no), but there's something magical about exploring the best parts of the city without all the usual people and masses of tourists crowding the sidewalks and museums and restaurants. I've got a little list of places I should hit up going already, but I'd love some additional suggestions! What's your favorite place to go in the city that's usually impossible to get in to?

Equipment Silk Blouse || Joe's Jeans Rolled Shorts c/o Zappos || Zara Tote || Illesteva Sunglasses

Joie Sandals c/o Zappos || Michael Kors Watch c/o Zappos || C. Wonder Leather and Chain Bracelet

Photos: Ashley Manfred

PS—If you're in the market for a hairstylist in NYC, I cannot recommend Hazuki Hair in Midtown East enough! I usually get my hair cut back home, but my travel schedule this year has thrown everything out of whack and I was sporting so many split ends I was starting to cut them off myself. The stylist took her time and I don't think my hair's looked this healthy in a few years!

Floral Art

Taking you on a mini-throwback Thursday to a few weeks ago when I was back home in Des Moines and to one of my favorite downtown locations, the Pappajohn Sculpture park (recently & newly beloved by Lucky's EIC Eva Chen, too!). But first, the story behind this dress!

I was wandering through Flatiron late last summer and found myself browsing the sale racks at Anthropologie looking for things I didn't need when this floral number with 3-D appliqués jumped out at me. I checked the tag and was crushed to see it was a size too big and there were no others in sight. I hustled it over to a sales girl who told me it was an online exclusive that had been returned in store; there were only a handful left in the entire company and the closest one in my size had ended up in a store in New Jersey. Since I'm car-less, I opted for the easier route and tried it on anyways—and it fit! The midsection is a bit on the billowy side, but given my recent habit of eating bagels every day I'm more than OK with that. 

It's the perfect summer travel dress because it doesn't wrinkle and calls for few accessories, so I tossed it in my suitcase last minute on my trip home a few weeks ago to wear out to dinner and a night of live jazz. I hadn't gotten to spend much time in the sculpture garden since I moved, and they've added some incredible new works, like the one I'm standing in front of and a Keith Haring piece (oh, hey again, Eva Chen!). Already planning to spend an afternoon wandering the area with my mom when I'm back again later this summer!

Anthropologie Dress || Zara Heels || Marc by Marc Jacobs Crossbody || Sequin Cuff (on sale!!)

NARS Satin Lip in Timanfaya || OPI Teal the Cows Come Home

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