On the Waterfront

 Ahh, sunshine! It *seems* like spring is finally starting to poke its head from the bunker it's been stashed away in, but I'd rather not gush too much for fear of jinxing any hope we have of ever putting our coats and jackets into storage.

A recent sunny weekend and a friend in town called for a walk along the riverfront in DUMBO...after brunch at Joseph Leonard, puppy playtime with some fuzzy friends across the street and a stop by my favorite hat shop in the West Village. This was naturally followed up by a tour of several of my favorite croissant stops, including Balthazar for almond and Bottega Falai for cream-filled (both around NoLIta) 

Definitely earning my#croissantconnoisseur status.

Jacket (similar) || Express (Minus the) Leather Top || Acne Skin 5 Jeans

Loeffler Randall Boots || Sequin Collar || Ray-Ban Sunglasses || NARS Lipstick in Niagara

Catbird and WWAKE rings (in ring finger stack)

Get the Look

Customizable Fashion: Bow & Drape

Today's post might need a brief preface—most who know me, or if you've been following along here for a while, are aware that "prep" and "pink" aren't choice adjectives to describe my style (my friends might say "lazy" and "addicted to the color blue"), however I MUST make an exception for Bow & Drape. 

During dinner with my cousin about a year ago, she mentioned her roommate was working at a start-up fashion company that specialized in customized dresses by shape, length, fabric and details by the name of Bow & Drape. I bookmarked the site, but time got away from me and I never really got back to it. Fast forward to this February, and I was reading an article on WWD one morning when NYC-based Bow & Drape popped up! I immediately hopped over to the site and was amazed at how much they've grown. Some of my favorites are the additions to their customizable line in the form of sweatshirts, tees and even the pretty pouches you see above.

*All images via Bow and Drape

Get the Look

Pre-Holiday Dressing

Midi skirts are truly the perfect all-season piece—I've been working various versions of this look all year. A great, just-below-the-knee skirt works with a silky tank & heeled sandals in the summer and a few more layers, like tights and a jacket, in colder months.  The slight sparkle in this jacket makes it a pre-holiday look, don't you think? (During the actual holidays, it's really a miracle if I get dressed—last Christmas, it was so cold in Iowa that I wore the same sweater for over 48 hours. Oops).

Dolan Clothing Jacket || Charlotte Ronson Top || Skirt (similar, on sale!)
Hue Tights || Ecco Sculptured 75 Booties

Photos: Joey DeBenedetto

Polka Dots

If I were to truly evaluate my wardrobe, I think I'd find that I'm mostly attracted to a variety of solid colors, sometimes with embellishments, and the occasional crazy, bright print. Rarely anything in between (let's not spend too much time on what this says about me, OK?). Apparently, despite its usually girl-ier nature, polka dots are kinda becoming my thing (remember this post?). Next to conquer—colored polka dots, duh! 

And, just for fun...this is what happens when you keep trying to photo-bomb my shoot! (There are several teenage boys just outside the frame.)

Jacket (old, similar) || Otte Pullover || Acne Jeans || Sole Society Giuliana Boots

Street Vendor Scarf (from Italy!) || Lionette Necklace || Steve Madden Bag

Photos: Joey DeBenedetto

Mad for Plaid

When I was 13, I had this really great pair of pants I'd picked up at some mall chain store-they were the perfect red plaid, tapered and flattering. Of course, 13-year-old me knew absolutely nothing about style (confession: I was a grunge/punk kid, more often in flannel & concert tees than not!), but my fashion sense matured with age and now-adult me wishes I still had/could still fit into those perfect red plaid pants. Alas, I'm sure they found their way to Goodwill, and hopefully to someone who knew how to style them, so adult me is on the hunt for a new perfect plaid. I think any of the above would do, don't you?

Clockwise from top left: Alice & Olivia Plaid Skirt || Nike Dunk Sky Hi London || Marc by Marc Jacobs Plaid Bag || Sea Combo Pullover || DSquared Plaid Coat || Stella McCartney Tartan Sweater || PJK Plaid Sweatshirt || Loft Plaid Ankle Pants || Alice & Olivia Plaid Pump || J. Crew Wool Scarf || Club Monaco Utility Tote

Line to Love: Zara Fall Shoes

After a brief (unplanned) hiatus, I'm back! I thought things would settle down post-fashion week, so I naturally was lazy and planned zero content, but then things got crazier than I ever imagined they would. Of course, I'm not letting my currently hectic life stop me from daydreaming about new shoes, so I picked some of my favorites from the Zara fall collection-and, if I were to make a guess based on previous Zara habits, at least three of these beauties will end up in my wardrobe by season end. 

*Ed. note: it's also a safe bet that a full Zara wishlist may follow. Please tell me I'm not the only one who keeps a browser window open just for my current Zara wants!

L to R from top: High Heel Pointed Shoes || Silk Satin High Heel Court Shoe || Leather Sling Back with Ankle Strap || Leather Ankle Boot with Block Heel || Mid Height Suede Court Shoe || Ankle Boots with Elastic Panels || Basic High Heel Leather Ankle Boots || Patent Blucher || Leather Sneaker with Zip || Suede Court Shoe with Metallic Trim || Metal Heel Ankle Boot || Suede Flat Boot || Pointed Moccasin with Tassel || Block Heel Leather Ankle Boot

NYFW: Street Style Inspiration

It's hard to believe that September's here already and NYFW is upon us! I know to some, it barely registers on their radar, but because of my (non-blogging) job I've been at every NYFW that's taken place since I moved to NYC. This season, I'm making more of an effort to hit up some shows and events outside of those related to work, and *thankfully* the weather looks like it's going to cooperate pretty well! Although I've put a moratorium on my spending habits for the past few months, I'm still looking at some of my favorite stylish gals for outfit inspiration, both for the coming weeks and throughout the fall.

Hallie's look is currently featured on Visa's Facebook page as part of their 

#GoinSix campaign-check it out here!

Images: top, left, center, right; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Color Crush: Purple

It's been a bit since I've brought you a color crush, and the color purple seemed especially prudent this week due to its connotations with royalty and there being a royal baby and all (who, by the way, happens to be my 12th cousin or so a few times removed!). While my first color love seems to be rapidly turning into shades of turquoise & blue (evidenced here, here, here and here), purple pulls a close second. Not only does it look fantastic paired with rich shades of blue & green-peacock colors, anyone?-it makes a statement all on its own in everything from home decor to sartorial choices.

Yellow has long been a favorite of mine, clothing aside, simply because of its boldness. Purple is another one of those colors that you rarely see in rich, vibrant form, but I sincerely hope it makes a bit of a comeback because I wouldn't mind dressing in head to toe shades of purple (which I am convinced I can pull off without looking like a grape, since the blues went over quite well without making me look too much like a blueberry).

*all images via

How to Dress Like an Athlete

Even if you aren't really one ;)

Maybe it's that I've finally made it back to my gym after a very long lapse between visits, but I have been digging sporty-cool vibes everywhere lately (bonus: doubles as motivation to actually get your butt to the gym).

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The key is to look for the same kind of details you want out of fitness gear: vibrant colors (think lots of neon), racing stripes, geometric and graphic shapes, and a hint of cutout details. Sheer fabrics and mesh work great with this trend, as do crop tops-hey, if you're gonna sweat, you gotta show some skin! Top everything off with a bright, athletic jacket or parka, and don't be afraid to mix in actual workout pieces as long as you skip the running shoes at the bottom. Keep accessories simple, like a bright, rubber bracelet or some impossibly cool sunglasses (see below) and a swipe of bright lipstick.

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Leopard + Florals (& Friday Link Love)

I've had a bit of a crush on floral patterns this spring, which may be old news to everyone else in the world but crushing on them this hard is pretty new for me-I've always been more of one for bright, solid colors. I also happen to have a cute pair of leopard shoes that I have ended up rocking with my floral print pants not once but twice this past month. At first, it felt a little strange, since the pants are so bright & a leopard print is a bit darker, but I actually came to love the combo! 

I am so looking forward to this weekend-it'll be halfway decent weather, and I get to spend it in my city without traveling again anytime too soon. I hope you have a good weekend planned (weather not included-snow in the midwest?!) wherever you are, too! Here's a few links to give you something to look at this weekend if you're stuck inside or choose to spend half the day in bed (there's no shame in that, I'll probably be doing the same)!

This little Etsy shop is full of cute prints in fun sayings & bright colors.

These abandoned places are absolutely stunning, and as my friend said when I sent it to him-I want to visit all of them.

All Saints recently became my new favorite store in NYC, & I am crushing on this dress (& a few others) hard. 

Victoria at SF Girl by Bay wrote a great post about the frustrations of using social media.

There's something sweet & romantic about a nice set of pajama's, & I really want everything from Imogene and Willie.

Dying to visit this garden shop in Brooklyn-definitely taking my mom when she comes out for a visit next month! 

How cool does this talk from entrepreneurs on Monday at the FIAF sound? I think I'll be picking up a ticket! 

I've never shopped at Uniqlo, but this collab might be the thing to get me in there.

I'm about to start reading World War Z-this tank top made me laugh. Also, a tee for baseball fans & kids of the 90's.

And finally, something to make you laugh.

Happy Friday!

xx

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