Pump up the volume

Surprisingly, out of everything in my closet, I've recently realized that shoes are the things I have the least of. This is probably because I'll find one pair of boots or heels that I love, then wear that pair every single day until it breaks and I have to replace it. I'm looking to replenish my supply of pumps, as they're perfect for work, and good for times when boots don't look quite right, especially with summery, warm-weather wear. Two pairs I currently have my eye on:

Vince Camuto 'Ava' pump at Piperlime. I like the hidden platform, and of course, you can't go wrong with nude shades for spring and summer!

Kenneth Cole 'Perfect Day' patent pump. Patent leather is huge this year, and the double ankle-straps on this version is a great little touch.

Ports Possessed

I've already documented my love of Ports 1961 in a previous post, so you can imagine my reaction to the news that Ports 1961 has finally opened their long-delayed U.S. flagship store in the Meatpacking District. I'm already trying to figure out how to work some kind of 'Ports' section into my budget.

The good news is that Ports is actually having a sale on their website, featuring some fantastic items. I'm already lusting over this gray capelet, pictured. I love capelets and this one is absolutely adorable. Below, some of my other fave sale picks:

Fantastically cute Bib necklace.

Cherry-red 'Blouson' wool blend jersey dress. I became obsessed with Ports after buying two of their sweater dresses, and the above is an example of why. Their dresses are beautifully cut -- very understated, but sexy and elegant all the same. Must. Not. Reach. For. Credit Card.


'Corselet' sheath dress. The detailing on this is absolutely stunning, and the classic shape and knee-length makes it perfect for pretty much any occasion. This is exactly the sort of thing I'd wear to for any occassion that necessitates appearing polished yet conservative.

Bustier sheath dress with yarn embroidery. The deep blue on this is stunning, and the yarn embroidered detailing on the bust gives it a soft, romantic, princess-in-a-tower feel. Again, must not reach for credit card. Help!

So very Jackie O! Lovely little lemon draped back dress. As the name suggests, the best part is the fantastic back.

Singer22 Sale

Singer22 is having a sale with up to 75% off. I took a peek at their website and there are definitely good deals to be had. My picks below:

B. Chyll 'Haley' Cashmere Shawl. Looks so utterly cozy, and the charcoal stripe along the edges is a nice touch.

Young, Broke & Fabulous Leather Vest. This would be perfect for a crisp fall day over jeans and a long-sleeved, creamy cashmere sweater.

Madison Marcus 'Elusive' Short Sleeve silk top in Chili. Great with jeans, or tucked into a skirt for work.

Janet Sun Yellow Top with Black Stitching. Casual and comfortable, but the bright yellow keeps it fun.

Madison Marcus Solid Silk Dolan Top. The intense, blue-green hue would make it the perfect topper to a pair of skinny white jeans. Add some strappy gold gladiators and you have the perfect summer outfit.

Na Be Stitch Strap Dress. Good for a Friday date-night, or for a dressy-yet-casual dinner or evening out.

Kooba Edie Bag. Good, functional basic bag in a pretty mauve-y brown.

Botkier 'Sasha' small duffel. A good black bag is the tops when it comes to useful items every girl needs in her fashion arsenal. I like the double straps on this Botkier version, and that it's on sale makes it all more alluring!

*All photos courtesy of Singer22.

Feeling blue

Blah. It's Saturday and I'm at the office. However, office doldrums aside, these days I've been feeling blue -- literally. I'm loving turquoise and blue agate jewelry. A great example is this fantastic turquoise cuff by Citrine by the Stones.


Citrine by the Stones 'Sheba' Turquoise Cuff, at Shopbop.

Staple diet

These days, it's trendier to be a recessionista instead of a fashionista. Saving coinage being the It Girl Activity Du Jour, shopping becomes all about shopping wisely -- buying less, and buying items that I can get maximum mileage out of.

That being the case, I'm inspired to take stock of my closet and figure out which items are my staples -- those things I wear over and over, and that can be mixed and matched in millions, or at least dozens, of different ways. Below, six items I couldn't live without:



A basic tank sweater, in cashmere or a fine merino so that it's not bulky. I have the above BopBasics tank and wear it constantly. It's soft, comfortable, great for layering, and I love the pale, pearly gray hue. Plus, it's on sale!




Trisha Boots at Yes Style.

Black, knee-high boots. Boots are the perfect finish to any outfit -- they snazz up a tee and jeans, or toughen up a dress. I live in my boots so I'm very particular about them. I love these because have a great, almond-shaped toe, which I think is the most flattering shape. They also have a comfortable, mid-width, walkable heel. I'm a New York girl and I can pretty much do anything in my heels -- I once raced someone down the street in stilettos to prove it. However, I still like comfort like anyone else and I need to be able to stand in my boots all day. This type of heel guarantees both walkability and style.


Above: Mason by Michelle Mazon Peak Lapel Jacket at Shopbop.

A little black blazer. I would say I wear some permutation of a blazer three out of the seven days of the week. They're less grandma-ish than a cardigan (though I do love cardigan sweaters, I admit), and give your look some oomph as well as providing warmth and cover over a sleeveless blouse or top. I love this Mason blazer for its sharp lines and flattering mini shape. When you're as petite as I am, it's important for blazers and jackets to be as fitted as possible.


Above: J Brand Pencil Leg Stretch Jean at Shopbop.

Jeans. I wear jeans almost every day and J Brand is my Holy Grail. I switch back and forth between two different J Brand pairs pretty much 24/7.


Above: Ports 1961 Rib Knit dress at Shopbop.

A great sweater dress, like jeans, is ridiculously versatile. It's dressy enough for a dinner out, restrained enough for work, casual enough for coffee with friends. I have this Ports 1961 dress in light blue and it's one of my absolute favorite items in my closet -- if my wallet could handle it, I'd snap up this version in malt too, in a heartbeat.

Above: Myne 'Lauren' tank at Pink Mascara.

A silk blouse is another of my go-to items, and paired with jeans and boots, is pretty much my uniform. I've been building my collection of silk blouses and love ones that are feminine without being too frilly, like this version from Myne.

*Photos courtesy of Shopbop, Yes Style, and Pink Mascara.

Making a statement

It took a while for me to get into jewelry -- I'd only started getting into wearing bits and pieces here and there about three years ago. However, now that I've started, I can't stop! A great necklace or cuff is a fabulous way to add some kick to an otherwise understated outfit, and since I keep it pretty streamlined in terms of my wardrobe, jewelry is a great way for me to add some fun to my look for the day.

Fiona Paxton is Brit textile-designer-turned-jeweler-extraordinaire who designs gorgeously intricate showstoppers. Though some of them are way too ornate, and frankly, just big, for me to imagine wearing on a daily basis, most of her work seems absolutely perfect for adding some glam and drama on days when you're just wearing a simple cashmere sweater, or a tank and jeans.

*All photos courtesy of Nina and Lola.

'Sylvie' oxidized silver necklace. This is something I'd definitely buy (if I had a hundred or so extra bucks lying around, that is). Dramatic but not over the top, and so lovely with just a basic t-shirt.

'Bianca' silver gray chevron necklace. The chevron pattern peppered throughout the necklace adds extra interest, and really lets you see the craftsmanship that goes into it.



'Maisie' necklace. This is a bit over-the-top for me to imagine wearing myself, but it's absolutely stunning. The fringe hanging off the ends also gives the necklace the fun look and feel of a scarf.

'Harley' necklace -- like how it mimics the look/feel of a cuff, but only for your neck.

All available at Nina and Lola.

Pastel pleasures

Tobi has been one of my preferred web haunts for a while now. Like Shopbop, one of my other notorious online shopping weaknesses, it has great sales and is easy to navigate. Right now, it's featuring lovely, silky pastels, all I want to wear come spring.

*All photos courtesy of Tobi.

Above: Alexander Wang Silk Pocket Tank Top.







Alexander Wang Silk Wrap Dress.







Society for Rational Dress Racerback O Dress.









All at Tobi.com.

Ladies who lunch

Exciting, ladylike fashion? An oxymoron? Definitely not.

The old fashion adage goes that in recessionary times like these, girls tend to go for the staples -- sweaters, a great black dress, the perfect-fitting jean. Below, three samples of dresses that prove demure and adorable don't have to mean boring.

Below, Rory Beca 'Peasant' Dress at Eluxury.com. Sweet and sexy -- perfect for a first date or a first day in the office.




Black Halo Keyhole Ruffle Dress at Revolveclothing.com below. Lady by day, siren by night; has Sophia Loren written all over it.



'Amanda' Wool Dress at French Connection, on sale! A minimalist, ruffled hem on this mini-length dress gives the dress a sexy-yet-flirty feel.

Prairie Chic

Western and prairie-inspired frills and furbelows are not styles I favor. In fact, I usually avoid them like the plague. Being a size zero without being six feet tall means that, about six ruffles later, and the dress is wearing me rather than the other way round.

However, hints of farm-girl-Midwestern-chic sneaking into dresses have inspired me to try to find my own version of Country Girl Cute.

The Pleated Belt Dress from Rory Beca, above, is something I could easily imagine wearing. The stripes and pleating on the front lend the dress a nice bit of the country-girl vibe, while the silk and sleek, clean lines keep the dress feeling modern. Paired with some flat gladiator sandals or open-toed wedges, I'd be ready for the county life, smack dab in the middle of the urban jungle.

Roy Beca Pleated Silk Dress, at Pink Mascara.







Another wearable rendition of Country Chic -- Wink's Blair Dress in Brainfreeze, at Shop She Boutique.

Urban Outfitters....for grownups?

I'd enjoyed Urban Outfitters throughout college for the affordable versions of edgy runway-wear it would pump out. However, I'd usually find everything there a bit over-the-top for my taste and thus was never a rabid fan, especially now, post student-hood, that I'd like to spend my time looking a bit MORE adult, not less.



The past year, Urban has been making some major changes and through collaborations with designers such as Geren Ford and Steven Alan, is pumping out fashions that are trendy, edgy, and dare I say...even sophisticated?

Above, Silence & Noise Ruffle dress.


Below, Lark & Wolff by Steven Alan Rope Halter Dress.

Above, Coincidence & Chance Tuxedo Cardigan.

Mellow Yellow

Yellow is everywhere for spring and I'm loving it. When you think about it, practically everything great is yellow! The sun, lemons. Oh. Just thought of something else that is too. Ew. OK, well proof that for better or for worse, we can't avoid yellow!

Some great takes on yellow for this season:
Above, shiny happy people: feel festive in this sparkly Jcrew merino sequin chiffon shell.

Anthropologie 'In-Between-Seasons' cardigan
Great, wearable basic in a sunny yellow.

Candie's chain satchel at Kohl's. Was frankly shocked when I discovered this -- this is the second, cute and affordable bag in as many weeks that I've seen featured from Kohl's. Beginning of a trend?


Feel sunny inside AND out with lemon-hued bras and panties. Above, Urban Outfitters 'All Over Triangle Bra'. Below, Charlotte Russe Striped 'Cheeky' Panties.






Even the boys get to play to with Beard Head's whimsical Viking Edition Beard Hat.

Forever 21 Cyprien Straight Leg Jeans.
Post-college, early twenties or not,
I now feel weird shopping at this
perennial teenybopper favorite.
That they continually produce dirt-cheap, spot-on variations of the trends keeps us all a comin' back -- age 21 or not. Case in point: these kicky lemon jeans.

Brighten up

New Yorkers are famously leery of color. I am a New Yorker in New York. You do the math.


However, even color-leery city dwellers may have to rethink their fears when they see the brightly hued bags bursting from shelves this spring. These delicious bonbon-esque satchels are all the fun, minus the calories.

All courtesy of Nordstrom:




Tory Burch 'Jill' with chain strap



Kate Spade Sullivan Street 'Sybelia'

Versace 'Venita' Bow Satchel