NYFW Recap: Lulu Frost

I had the pleasure of kicking off my (fourth!) New York Fashion Week with sparkle and shine at Lulu Frost's #NeonBaroque Spring/Summer 2014 presentation last week-and then didn't attend anything NYFW for three days after, oops! Last week went by in a blur of time, bringing with it a huge, unplanned life change that threw me for a loop, but in the best kind of way. I took a few days to myself to adjust (and sleep), but I'm back in the swing of things just in time for a few great shows and events to round out the week. 

I've long been a fan of the Lulu Frost line, but was particularly excited to attend this presentation after reading about founder Lisa Salzer over on Tales of Endearment earlier this summer. The models were dripping in a mix of neon and clear jewels, with touches of the trademark art deco influence of the line. Having quite a bit of experience in the jewelry industry myself, it's refreshing to see a designer source vintage jewels into incredible new pieces. The neon tutus caught my eye, too (we all know I love a great tutu-a neon addition is so going to be my thing for SS14). 

P.S.-if you're looking to catch up on all the happenings of NYFW, Hallie is posting great daily recaps over at corals + cognacs!

 ...and below, a couple snaps I shared over on Instagram! Make sure to follow along for real(ish)-time updates the rest of the week :)

Sweetly Striped

I know we're in the midst of NYFW, but I'm taking it back a few weeks with this look. One of my guilty pleasures when home includes shopping at Von Maur, but every now and then my mom will surprise me with a package-or in the case of this dress, bring it along for my birthday when she visited this past May! It's been perfect for summer, with just the right amount of playfulness and a breezy texture for hot days. The muted coloring will help it transition perfectly to fall with a pair of tights & a blazer.

P.S.-can we take a minute to admire the gorgeous Coach wedges I scored at 80% off last month? Definitely one of my better sale finds, and they were practically made for this dress.

Dress, Von Maur || Shoes, Coach || Necklace, Sequin Jewelry

Lipstick, Revlon Strawberry Suede (discontinued, similar) || Nails, Butter London/All Hail the Queen

Photos: Jessica Sturdy

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

101 in 1001

In 20 years, you will be more disappointed by what you didn't do than by what you did. -Mark Twain

When I first saw Mackenzie's list of 101 in 1001, I thought it interesting but not for me. You see, I don't do well with making plans (like moving to NYC on a whim) and I can find setting a time restraint on things to be more stressful than motivating-which is why you'll never hear me set a goal age for marriage, kids or any of those other "milestones". I have, however, come to think that vocalizing your goals can be productive, like telling myself I was finally going to finish this list I started 6 months ago and share it with you all. Whether you follow along with me over the next 1,001 days is entirely up to you!

1. Write my 101 things
2. Join a master’s swim team
3. Be active at least 3 times a week for one month
4. Get my second tattoo (December 2013) 
5. Run a mile without getting winded (or having hip problems)
6. Run a 5k
7. Stay up all night & watch the sun rise over the city from a rooftop
8. Be in a parade in NYC
9. Upgrade to a newer dSLR camera
10. Start shooting black and white film again (September 2013)
11. Develop and print in a darkroom
12. Sell a photographic print (digital or film)
13. Pay off my credit card debt
14. Go to Paris before I turn 26
15. Learn how to meditate
16. Read 5 books in French
17. (Re) learn Spanish
18. Go hiking in the Appalachians
19. Regain my flexibility
20. Learn how to sail (or at least go sailing!)
21. Do five different DYI projects for the home (1/5, spice racks)
22. Volunteer at an animal shelter
23. Take an advanced photoshop class
24. Learn Adobe Illustrator 
25. Go to 10 different art exhibits (2/10, JP Gaultier in Brooklyn, Charles James at the Met)
26. Get up earlier than the latest possible time I have to for at least 1 week
27. Be at least 5 minutes early to work for at least 1 week (January 2014)
28. Do yoga in the morning for at least 1 week
29. Get back on pointe
30. Take classes in: hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, broadway, ballroom (1/5, hip-hop)
31. Learn to make cinnamon rolls (March 2014)
32. Get a photography image published by a magazine or major website
33. See 10 broadway plays (1/15, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder)
34. Participate in a dance performance
35. Go to five different ballets (2/5, JR performance, Young NYCB performance)
36. See a concert in Central Park
37. Go to all the major art museums in NYC (MoMA, Met, Guggenheim, Whitney, New Museum) twice a year
38. Get a membership to the NY Botanical Gardens
39. Visit the Cloisters
40. Go hiking in upstate New York
41. Spend a weekend on Fire Island/the Hamptons (October 2014)
42. Go to the beach 10 different times between during the warmer months
43. Do a boudoir photo shoot
44. Send Christmas cards to friends
45. Get a blowout (April 2014)
46. Spend a whole day pampering myself (sleeping in, massage, mani/pedi, etc.)
47. Get business cards (September 2013)
48. Take an art class
49. Wear something other than jeans for an entire week
50. Learn how to make a button down shirt work on me (Winter 2013)
51. Go to the NYC transit museum
52. Post on my blog every day for a week
53. Read at least five “classic” books (0/5)
54. Rent a car for a roadtrip (10/19/13-trip to Storm King)
55. Spend a weekend hitting up the best antique & flea markets
56. Redesign my blog to better reflect my style
57. Invest in a designer/everyday bag (Spring 2013, Botkier bag/resort 2015 Pashli)
58. Attend a NYFW show outside of work (September 2013)
59. Visit five new cities (0/5)
60. Maintain a comfortable emergency fund (at least 3 months of expenses + a little padding!)
61. Send snail mail to friends for birthdays, holidays and other events each month
62. Go for a bike ride in Central Park
63. Take lunch to work every day for a week at least 10 times a year
64. Visit 10 jazz & blues clubs for live music (1/10, Little Branch)
65. Invest in at least five designer-level, classic wardrobe pieces (5/5) (Alexander Wang Vest, Theory Sweater, Mary Katrantzou heels, Acne sweater, Suno Dress)
66. Clean out my wardrobe at least 3 times a year
67. See a Cubs game in Chicago
68. Have a picnic in the park (Summer 2014)
69. Have guests over for a meal on our (overly spacious) back porch
70. See 10 new classic films à la Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly etc. (0/10)
71. Get a facial
72. See a comedy show (Summer 2014)
73. Buy a pair of designer shoes (Choos, Louboutins or Blahniks, etc.) just because
74. In one week: go to a dance class, spin class, for a run and for a swim
75. Cut out sweets for one week
76. Continue my education with French classes (December 2013, Duolingo App!)
77. Re: #76, continue my education with photography courses
78. Purchase coffee for the person in line behind me
79. Go to yoga every week for two months
80. Make five vintage clothing purchases...bonus points if they’re under $50 each! (1/5) (Vintage blue dress)
81. Put up a gallery wall in my apartment
82. Invest in 2 new high-quality & original pieces of art for the wall (1/2) (Van Holmgren Original)
83. Go an entire month (eek!) without shopping for clothing/accessories etc.
84. Make a truly killer playlist (March 2014)
85. Take a day (or weekend) trip once a month for 6 months
86. Spend an entire day away from technology (phone calls with family not included)
87. Celebrate two years in NYC (10/12/13)
88. Make a noticeable change to my hair (December 2013, turquoise hair, May 2014, lavender hair)
89. Purchase something from Tiffany’s for myself, just because
90. Go to a multi-day music fest
91. Take someone’s portraits in film
92. Set and/or adjust my career goals each month
93. Smile for no reason every day
94. Learn to be nicer to strangers on the street (also known as don’t intentionally run into people in your way, even if they’re being an idiot stopped in the middle of the sidewalk on their cell phone)
95. Play a musical instrument again
96. Re-learn how to play the piano
97. Drink tea instead of coffee for one month
98. Swim before work three days a week for two weeks
99. Learn how to make sushi
100. Surprise my best friend for a weekend trip (Visited Phoenix, January 2014)
101. Let go of inhibitions and conventions

...and if we want to make this a nice, even number of 102, let's make that goal to run into Ryan Gosling on the street :)

*image via