Time for Tunics

By some insane stroke of luck I scored these DVF leggings at Century 21 last August. They've been hanging in my closet, patiently waiting for the weather to drop. And now that it's cool, I realize I have less than nothing (that would be zero) to wear with them. I'm thinking about a tunic. It's not my usual look, but it could work.

 

Mary Katrantzou

A.L.C.

Another option: a mini dress.

 McQ

On a side note, I'm really want this skirt. Maybe I'll find it on sale five seasons from now.

Rag & Bone

Old Dogs, New Tricks

It seems like just yesterday that I was shopping around Kiehl's for a new night cream (got some samples, no commitment). Well, Fashion Week to the rescue. I got a few Clinique samples from the Karen Walker show (extra credit reading: backstage coverage; collection review) and these two products are my new favorite things.

Remember, Chubby Sticks? I had a brown-ish one in college that I never sharpened, so I would just buy a new one when it dulled. Well, they're reincarnated as awesome tinted lip balms. Now, I'm using Mega Melon, which is a lot more flattering on pale skin. (Although I'd like to try Woppin' Watermelon next.) They're on the pricey side for a balm ($15), but they still beat Fresh Sugar lip treatment ($22.50).

Even better, the Moisture Surge hydrator also got a makeover. I liked the concept of the original (lightweight gel), but it wasn't thick enough for night, and I stopped using it after my first or second jar. After trying the new formula (Moisture Surge Intense), I have three words: magic potion lotion. I can't find it for sale on their site yet, but I'm definitely going to keep an eye out because I know I'll need to restock soon.

I can't claim to be a Tavi fan, but this video of her lip-syncing to Taylor Swift is amazing. Sometimes I forget she's basically a child.

Speaking of teen angst, I started watching My So Called Life again (first time since high school). For entire one-hour episodes I feel like it's freshman year all over again.

Quote of the Day

"As a writer, you should not judge, you should understand."

— Ernest Hemingway

Biker Chick

A few weekends ago we rented bikes and tooled around Central Park, the west side highway, down to Battery Park City. Of course, now all I can think about is buying this little baby. I have a need for speed!

Midnight in Paris

I know August just started, but I'm going to put this out there: Midnight in Paris is my favorite movie of the summer. It combines so many of my favorite things (Woody Allen, the French, literary and artistic icons) that I was completely enchanted the entire time. Plus, I liked that Rachel McAdams finally played a generally snotty, unlikeable person (possibly the first time since Mean Girls?)

The worst part was trying to pick my favorite character (F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Adrien Brody as Salvador Dali, Kathy Bates as Gertrude Stein, Marion Cotillard as Picasso's girlfriend Adriana). Mais c'est la vie.

Pest Control

Sometimes it might seem like I'm obsessed with pigeons. But on the contrary, my friends; I think they're obsessed with me!

Case in point: The other morning (like 4 a.m.) I woke up to loud cooing. I have a big ledge and pigeons like to roost on my neighbors window from time to time, but this was just too much. So I got up, raised the window shade, and there was a dirty city bird IN MY ROOM. (Admittedly, I had left my tiny window open without a screen, but I've never had an intruder problem – animal or human – this whole year.) Now it seems like every time I look outside there's a creepy pigeon hovering around my sill just waiting for me to crack my window so they can sneak in.

Never again, bird. Never again.

Dog Days Are Over

This week has been tough. It's one thing after the next at work, plus we've been packing the apartment all week, so I come home to a disaster zone every night. This cover of Florence + The Machine's Dog Days is one of the only things that'll get me through the next three days of heavy lifting and sweltering heat. She is that good – WATCH IT!

Fancy Vans

Basic, slip-on vans customized with Hermes silk scarves. Gorgeous.

(via Refinery29)

If Only I Had an Extra $600...

...this would be the perfect dress to wear to my cousin's wedding.

Hello, My Pretty

A work friend gave me this Cle de Peau Art Deco-inspired compact last week. I did a little Google search, and it's a limited edition palette from the 2010 holidays.

Supposedly the sparkly powder "gives you a warm, delicate glow...like precious jewels." But it might be the most beautiful thing I own, so I just keep it on my desk and stare at it from time to time. Soon I'm going to need to get get a bronzer I can actually use though – it's practically shorts weather and my legs are as pasty as they come.

A Sandal Story

You know how I had been obsessed (OBSESSED) with finding a new pair of sandals. Well, as the weathermen say, when it rains, it pours. A couple weeks ago I bought not one – but TWO – pairs of perfect-for-summer-and-work sandals.

The blue pair I found for 80% (!) off at a Jil Sander sample sale that I had sworn off attending (lesson learned). And the red ones came a few days later from the H&M + Swedish Hasbeens collaboration.

A Royal Obsession

I swear I wasn't going to wake up to watch The Royal Wedding. But then I just got so excited that when I miraculously awoke at 6:01am, I had to get up.

P.S. It was totally worth it.

 

See more official photos on The British Monarchy's flickr page (not a joke).

Questions with No Answers

Hypothetical situation: A girl is undergoing grueling oral surgery the morning of The Royal Wedding. She plans on DVR-ing the whole thing, having her surgery, and then coming home (highly medicated) to lay around and watch it the rest of the day. Should this fictitious creature watch the marriage of a prince and PRINCESS while wearing this genius Henry Holland T-shirt? If we were talking in terms of dollars, would $66 be too much for her to spend on it?

Just throwing it out there – for a friend, of course.

Bill Cunningham New York

Even though every fashion blog and their mother (ie. The Sartorialist) has written about the Bill Cunningham documentary, I just saw it tonight, so I feel compelled to say: GO. SEE. IT.

Mr. Cunningham is basically the nicest man living in New York City. And the movie reminded me why I love talking to old people: they have incredible stories and genius bits of life advice. It's really a gem.

Sandal Season

Summer's coming! I can feel it. My feet are pleading for some new shoes, so of course every day I leave work with about ten tabs open to variations on the brown leather sandal. They all look so similar, yet I stare at them repeatedly every day hoping one pair will just jump into a UPS box and mail itself to me.

Zara look book

J.Crew Deseree Leather Gladiator Sandal

3.1 Phillip Lim Sidibe Sandal

Ecote Wood Bottom Sandal

J.Crew Silvana Sandal

Swedish Hasbeens Braided Classic

No. 6 T-Strap Clog

Everyone's a Critic

Netflix was just down for at least 2 hours, and I almost died of boredom. Apparently, I watch movies on the internet ALL THE TIME. (I caught up on blog reading, if you're curious about how I spent that time.) Last weekend I watched three movies in one day (plus a couple TV shows). That has to be a record for me.

Here's how I viewed them (ha!):

The Lincoln Lawyer
Fast-paced courtroom drama featuring a lawyer who knows how to work the means streets of L.A. The plot was somewhat predictable, but it had enough surprises (and good actors) that I was completely entertained. The audience at AMC 34th St. left something to be desired (two snorers and women expressing their fear during tense scenes).
Letter Grade: B+

 Inception
I know, I know – everyone already saw this in theaters millions of years ago. But I refused to see it at the time (hype annoys me), and I swore it would be the perfect at-home movie. Well, I was right! Our TV measures up at 30-something inches, so I wasn't overwhelmed by any special effects or booming sound editing. I focused on the storyline, and it was pretty interesting (apart from the whole dead wife thing). Usually I do other things when I watch movies (read magazines, blog), but this one really held my attention.
Letter Grade: A-

The Buck List
This movie got terrible reviews, and I can see why. But on the other hand, I knew what I was getting into, and I actually enjoyed it. My favorite part was Jack Nicholson commenting on Morgan Freeman's freckles. It was cute. Old-person cute. And I love old people.
Letter Grade: B

Skinny Cargos

My favorite new pants: gray, skinny-fit cargos from Uniqlo. Best part: they were only $30 on special.

Yesterday I saw Susie Bubble wears them with a orange collar. I wear them with a big ol' sequin heart from Ban.do.

Open Spaces

Maybe I've just been living in cramped apartments for too long (5 consecutive years and counting), but this Eero Saarinen-design house in Indiana looks like an absolute dream.

(via miss moss)

Feather Brained

One of my biggest challenges since moving to NYC has been trying to avoid angry pigeons dive-bombing my head. It looks like this girl hasn't been as successful.

(via nobody knows marc)

The Milanese

When I saw this photo it was one of those moments like "Wow. I wish I was her." Know what I mean?

Complimentary Insults

When Vivienne Westwood was asked about designing Kate Middleton's wedding dress she said:

"I would have loved to have designed Kate Middleton's but I have to wait until she kind of catches up a bit somewhere with style."

Ouch. (Although, I agree. Love you, Kate!)

Almost Done

Tomorrow marks the end of the first of four fashion weeks, and I'm already so tired I could do nothing but eat Shin noodle bowls and read Percy Jackson novels (*cough* I mean my book club book *cough*) all weekend.

In another bit of runway angst, the fashion bloggers I follow have started to become quite monotonous. Does anyone have any new and sparkling finds? (I love Andrew Mukamal's blog, but I wish he would post more often.)

In the meantime, I started subscribing to Mormon mommy blogs after reading this Salon article. They should keep me interested for a month or so.

My FW recaps:
Thom Browne
Imitation by Tara Subkoff
Jill Stuart
Kaelen

(photo: backstage at imitation)

Rebecca Minkoff Fall 2011

 

 My first regret of the week: failing to snap a close-up of Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp-Muhl (and another musician friend) strumming away at Rebecca Minkoff. They opened the show with beautiful harmonies and played out the finale with an accordion-french horn duet that could make a grown Yoko cry.

The clothes looked like a East Village loll-about met a free-wheeling poet, and they combined their wardrobes into one perfect blend of leather-patched jeans, slouchy knits, and long, flowy skirts. The expected deep red bag and tweed jacket popped up, but the standout color of the collection was vibrant forest green.

photo: ny mag the cut

The Circus Comes to Town

I took the first day of Fashion Week off to go to a boot camp (and I swear I almost passed out several times). So tomorrow is my starting date for all the overcrowded shows, size double-zero models, snobby bloggers, snappy paparazzi – and I can't wait!

P.S. I'll be bringing along my new Holga 135 35mm camera that a nice guy got me for my birthday. See you in the back row. I'll be the one standing.

Now and Then

Now: Chanel 2011 couture

Then: Hussein Chalayan spring 2007

Fendi s/s 11

My favorite holiday is 4th of July. And my new favorite color combo is red + white + blue. Thanks, Karl.

A Wardrobe That Works

I never noticed her when I worked at the Hearst building, but Harper's Bazaar's senior fashion market editor Joanna Hillman looks seriously cute basically every day of the week. Or at least that's what it seems like in this photo gallery of her outfits over the last 30 days. I'm already more inspired to wear heels.

(via harpersbazaar.com)

Baby Fanning

After all my high hopes, Sophia Coppola's Somewhere left me feeling a little...empty. The only bright spot: Elle Fanning. She warmed up every dull and meaningless scene she was in. It was hard to remember she's only 12 years old!