I'm Baaaaack!

Although I've been back from vacation for over a month, getting back into the groove of things have kept me from my blog. Well that and the fact that I broke my camera in Paris  :(   so taking pictures for outfit posts have been impossible. On a side note, I'm still researching what camera to get next so recommendations are greatly appreciated.

As promised in my last post in August, I still want to share some of my pics from Paris so please bear with me, they're coming lol. Below is the outfit I wore on a day trip to Palace of Versailles. I can't stress enough how this place should be a 'Must Visit' if the opportunity is ever presented to you. It was one of the top 5 highlights of my vacation. 

Romper and belt: American Apparel; Hat: H&M; Sleeveless coverup: A/X; Watch: Michael Kors

Please excuse the quality of the photos, my camera actually broke in the hall of mirrors {pictured above} so I had to substitute with my iPhone camera.

The garden of Versailles.....utterly breathtaking

There is so much to do there other than the palace and the gardens. I'm still kicking myself for not getting to try the row boats and one of the restaurant in the garden. Each place you turned there was just something new to discover. And if your not a fan of walking the massive maze garden, which I think is impossible, they do rent bikes and trolleys to take you around.

One of the many chandeliers in the Hall of Mirrors.

Above one of the statues that lined the walkway below to the Apollo Fountain.

 The Apollo fountain. Apollo the sun god emerging from the water. My camera definitely failed to capture all the amazing details of this fountain. 

The statue of Louis XIV at the entrance of the Palace.

Mulit-colored Robe

On Day 2 of sightseeing in Paris, our agenda included making a couple of museum visits. The most anticipated was the Louvre. This robe reminded me a bit of water color paintings when I first spotted it at H&M, and I thought it would pair well with some of the artwork we would see that day. I added a few other color accents in the skirt, belt and shoes to finish off the artsy look.

Robe & Camisole: H&M;  Skirt: Brooklyn Industries;  Ring: Gifted;  Belt: Old Navy;  Sandals: 2010 purchase from store in Madrid 

Added a hat to protect the tresses from sun damage; this one from H&M

Posing on the Seine River right outside of Notre Dam

Trying Escargot (cooked with garlic & parsley butter) for the first time....AND LOVING IT! 

More highlights of my trip to London & Paris to come in a later post.

M.I.A

Oh blogging, how I miss thee! So sorry I've been missing in action. The down time & wifi on vacation have been very scant. I'm currently sitting outside early morning in Paris, smelling the air after what looks like rain while I was asleep. I love Paris! only 3 more days here but I hope to show you guys in a later post all the different things I've seen. And if anyone here is thinking of a vacation spot to visit, think of visiting Versailles. The Garden of Versailles is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! Totally breath taking and a must see in your lifetime. 

But first, my decision to visit Paris was because I had to attend my cousins wedding in London. I figured why not do two-for-one and Eurostar it over to Paris as well!  The wedding was beautiful and emotional,  so much love was in that room.  And if you learn one thing about me other than I love fashion, it's that I love, LOVE. I love seeing people in love! 

I didn't want to purchase anything expensive since I was saving for spending money on vacation, so I picked up this light maxi dress from H&M the week before I left New York for London. Overall, I was very pleased with my look! Here a few solo shots I manage to take during wedding cocktail hour.

Dress: H&M,  Shoes:  Michael Kors,  Earrings: Express, Clutch: West Fever  Bracelet: Ann Taylor Loft

Au Revoir!

4-inch love

First off, my apologies for being such a bad blogger. I've been a little under the weather and just not fit to take pics. Also, I leave for vacation to London & Paris tomorrow and have been frantically running around preparing for that.

Having said that, I had to do a post about the new love in my life. These 4-inch Maison Martin Margiela cutout booties. They are not the most comfortable things to wear (because of the restriction from the inset tan strap) but I tried them on in Barneys and fell in love with the way they looked. These will certainly be a conversation piece every time I wear them. Seriously influenced by the deep discounted price, the fact that these are my first Margielas, and coupled with a very persuading sales associate, helped to sway my decision to -- 'YES BUY'! 

I mean come on wouldn't you fall in love too???!

I promise to be a better blogger in the near future, so hope you guys tag along and check-in on my adventures in London & Paris!

Spotty Layers

I've been feeling a little under the weather lately and when morning arrives find it really hard to drag myself out of bed. As I laid there yesterday I tried to visualize my closet and what I wanted to wear. I thought of this short, purple skirt with simple soft layers but had no idea what I was going to wear it with. I initially wanted to pair it with a simple, solid tank top, but as I was running late I just grabbed the closest thing that might pull the look together. An unexpected combination had I had more time, but overall satisfied with the look.

Top & Skirt: Zara  Wedges: H&M  Earrings: Vintage  Watch: ToyWatch

Summer Signature

If I had a signature summer look for work it would be this. A sleeveless, printed, knee length dress that I can throw a sweater or blazer over in the office and also on the too cold subways. The blazer makes them a little more office appropriate especially if I know I have meetings scheduled. This dress is silk, a natural fiber that's breathable and able to deal with the heat yet polished enough to lend to the overall look. I can wear something like this to work during the day and still run out to happy hour or other networking events at night. 

Dress: Cynthia Steffe  Wedges: H&M  Sunglasses: Michael Kors

If you're a follower you'll know that I am a Gilt Groupe junkie. This dress, like so many others I own, also came from the noon time shopping website. Cynthia Steffe, one of my favorite American designers, always manages to bring a youthful, feminine touch to her dresses. How can you not be a fan?

Bow Detail

Alexander McQueen you are amazing! 

I finally got to see the McQueen exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and it was totally worth the 1 hour in line waiting to view his work. I think everyone would appreciate something from his collections so if you live in NY do visit before the exhibit closes. His intellect, social and political influences as well as pop culture references from 'Friends' and 'Harry Potter' were evident in his work. As a designer he definitely pays attention to a woman's body which was distinct in the narrow waist and curves of many of his pieces. It's apparent why so many celebrities are fans of his work. And so am I.

Clearly I am still on a fashion high off the exhibit so I'll just stop here and tell you to visit the exhibit for yourself. Most importantly, I am happy to cross something else off my Summer 2011 to do list!

Top: Marc by Marc Jacobs  Skirt: Erdem  Shoes: Kathryn Amberleigh  Sunglasses: Michael Kors  Watch: Toywatch  Cuff: F21  Ring: UO

 Top and shoes are from my noon time addiction Gilt Group.

Bow detail in top and dangly earrings. Earrings purchased years ago from F21.

Industrial Use

Although summer is usually reserved for cotton and other light fabrics, denim tops have been making a significant appearance in many wardrobes lately. The trending look has been the denim/chambray button down shirt, which I took a different spin on and wore this structured sleeveless denim top instead. I've had this top for over a decade now so it made my day when I tried it on and it fit! I was too in love with the cutout at the shoulder and the asymmetrical cut at the hem to ever say goodbye to it. It was a great decision to never give it away. What was once old is new again and I can't wait to pair it with so many other things in my closet.

Top: Levis  Shorts: J Crew  Shoes: Sperry Topsiders  Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs

 

Fierce Shadow

I had such a wonderful holiday weekend and really wish it wasn't ending! Soooo not ready to head back to work. Most importantly who do I speak to in order to get 3 day weekends law?!?!

I wore this outfit to a birthday brunch and then onto a museum with the girlies on Saturday. I picked up these white sailor inspired shorts from Anthropologie last week in hopes of wearing them for the holiday. It took me forever to find a top to pair them with, but once I found this top packed away with my summer clothes from last year the rest of the outfit came together easily. 

My shadow was clearly the scene stealer in the 1st pic. I'd like to think that it is my fierce alter ego coming to light.

Top: Ali & Kris   Shorts: Level 99  Sandals: fr vacay in Madrid in '10  Bag: Louis Vuitton  Sunglasses: Marc Jacobs

 Note: Straps on my bag were just tucked in to get the look/feel of a clutch

Happy 4th of July!

Hope everyone is enjoying their 4th of July Holiday!

Converse store in Soho NYC

Now back to you regularly scheduled program.

Colorful Stripes

About to head out and get my long weekend started, but first a quick post. This colorfully striped dress is what I wore to the Jazz-Age Lawn Party last Saturday on Governor's Island. I love wearing dresses because its the easiest outfit to just throw together effortlessly in the summer time. When it's loose fitting it helps to deal with the overwhelming heat and comfortable enough to wear without having to tug on it all day long. Dress, necklace and bag are all Gilt purchases. That website has become a lunch time addiction everyday at noon.

Dress: Thread Social   Bag: Foley & Corinna   Gold Cuff: F21   Sandals: 3.1 Philip Lim

Hope everyone has a great start to their holiday weekend! Be safe!