Blues clues

So adorable! Theory's 'Renata' blue sundress, available at Net-a-Porter.

*Photo courtesy of Net-a-Porter

Smooth as silk

Despite my inner protestations against celebrity-turned-fashion-designers (something so cheesy about it!), I have to admit to loving Elizabeth & James' pieces, which are sleek, chic, and work great on a petite figure. Seeing as this line's progenitors are the Olsen twins, no surprises there!

Love this E & J nude silk ruffle dress, also available in a fantastic, rich purple. At Shopbop, on sale!

*Photo courtesy of Shopbop

Mystery toppers

Though usually not a tremendous hats fan -- aside from the beret, which is a classic -- I have to admit to loving this hat from designer Claudia Schulz. Would be a great finishing touch to any urban dweller's contemporary & sleek look of the day.

*Photos courtesy of Claudia Scultz

Pour La Victoire

Beautiful, intricate detailing on this white leather platform pump sandal from Pour La Victoire, who consistently pumps out style both edgy and elegant. Would love to find a way to where these, as white shoes are difficult to coordinate -- a clean, denim trouser with a silk, summery sleeveless top?

Available at ShopBop.

*photo by shopbop

Derek Lam, silky smooth

Love this Derek Lam 'Mock Silk wrap' dress; plus, it's on sale! Available at the Outnet.

*Photos courtesy of the Outnet

Razor slim sneaks

Loving these sleek Adidas 'Smith Slim' sneaks for the boys. Clean, cool, modern, and eye-catching all at the same time.

*Photoc ourtesy of hypebeast

AliBaubles

UK designer AliBaubles' lovely silver geometric cuff.

*Photo courtesy of AliBaubles & Etsy

Going vertical

I love this cool vertical garden, recently featured in the showroom of interior design team Valcucine for Surface Magazine. Takes the idea of making the most of limited NYC apartment space to a whole new level -- even our gardens are going upwards!

Blazers all around

Blazers are serious wardrobe staples for me, and a secret source I love regularly scoping out is Yesstyle.com, a somewhat bizarre yet supremely lovable purveyor of styles from Korea, Japan and China. The looks are often excellent renditions of the original runway-inspired styles, at a fraction of the price.

I really liked the above pictured 'One Button Blazer'; I'd throw it on over a tee or top, jeans and heels, and be ready for an evening out whether it's casual or dressy.

*Photo courtesy of Yes Style

Report Raffia

I'm usually not a fan of straw items, even though I know they're the mainstays of building that boho-girl-hippie-chic look, i.e. adorning yourself with a big, floppy straw hat, cute mini-floral print dress, straw tote, gladiators, and so on.

That being said, I'm finding these Report Raffia Platform Sandals totally adorable, and surprisingly, sold at Victoria's Secret. Everyone can change, right?





*Photo courtesy of Victoria's Secret

Chloe @ Gilt

I've posted before about my dangerous addiction to Gilt Groupe, and the recent online Chloe sale had my blood pressure skyrocketing. So cute! I'm proud to say, I kept my wallet IN my bag and snapped shut, but the willpower involved was substantial indeed.

*Photos courtesy of Gilt Groupe

Clear & present: the men got it

A sleek rendition of the classic aviator -- for Dan & all the aviator lovers out there! Available at Solstice.



Oliver Peoples' retro shades, available at Bergdorf Goodman.


*Photos courtesy of Men's style.com

Good as gold

It's past 1 a.m. and I am sick and delirious; flu, be thy name. Actually, its name is my significant other, who I think is guilty of passing it on to me, and coincidentally, is currently sleeping like a baby. The flu is one of those mysterious things whose misery you forget all about the second you don't have it anymore. However, there's always retail therapy to soothe when the cold medicine won't kick in.

Gold watches have been featured by quite a few trendsetting boutiques and purveyors to the fashion-conscious. As usual, my consistently fashion-forward sister was first to spot this new trend and mentioned wanting a gold watch several months ago.


I like this version by Swatch; it's somehow feminine and sporty at the same time. Nixon watches are still my favorite, but this version ranks fairly high up there. What do you think?

*Photo courtesy of Swatch

Cherry red

The last two days has had me so knocked out by the flu that my daily routine looks something like this: awake. sleep. awake. post incoherently on blog. lapse back into unconsciousness.

Luckily, retail therapy can be a cure, albeit a very TEMPORARY one, for the flu-blues and I liked these peppy red 'Stanton' flats from Dolce Vita -- with a a sleek pair of jeans and a basic white tee, it would be the perfect, Audrey-Hepburn style getup for a picnic-filled day at the park.

*Photo courtesy of Dolce Vita

Seventies' summer lovin'

Growing up, I'd rifle through old snapshots of my mom looking impossibly stylish, in that undone, bohemian-cool sort of way -- a pair of denim shorts, and interesting print blouse, flat sandals, were pretty much her summer uniform.

The look was never overdone, yet somehow, always noticeable. These great pieces pictured below from Wow & Flutter, with their easy, effortless cool and general adorable-ness, strike me as just the sort of ensemble my mom would have thrown together,

All available at Wow & Flutter.

http://wowandflutterclothing.com/artwork/607152.html

*photos courtesy of Wow & Flutter

There's nothing like a crisp, classic trench to help a girl get into the spring/summer wardrobe mood, and I'm loving this Marc New York version, a contemporary twist on the classic trench, at Bloomingdale's. I also love that the color of this style is closer to a pale cream than to tan -- as someone with a complexion that leans more toward proceleain, darker, brown-toned hues don't really work on me so paler trenches are perfect.



*Photo courtesy of Bloomingdale's

Party flats

Adorable 'Party Bow' flats from Free People, equally fetching in black and nude patent.





*Photos courtesy of Free People

Just beachy

Beach time is almost here, and for those of us who are stuck in a bikini-rut, some more risqué options offered by Swimwear by Insight provide a much-needed jolt to beach wardrobes. 

Feather Rainbow Bikini -- as is well known by anyone who reads this blog, I usually shy away from colors/patterns, but I really like the playful print on this suit.

The Aura Bikini -- so pretty! Looks more like lingerie than a two-piece. 

Jellyfish Monokini -- great, unusual one-piece that toes the line between being outré and sexy.

Available at Karma Loop.

*Photos courtesy of Karma Loop

Pretty in pink

I absolutely love this 'Wishful Thinking' frock by Quail -- perfect summer wear! Available at Buy Definition.

*Photo courtesy of Buy Definition

Animal urges

I'm usually not a fan of animal prints, but I really like this silk Simone animal-print tank; it feels much sleeker and more understated than such prints usually are. Would be terrific with shorts and gladiators in the summer for an urban, summer-girl look. Available at Rare Chic.

*Photo courtesy of Rarechic

Fantasy land: Missoni Home

Though when it comes to my own home design preferences I'm strictly into clean, simple, almost stark styles, I love looking at whimsical, colorful patterns and prints. Missoni's genius new home design line makes me feel like I've fallen into a giant bowl of delicious pastel, Easter-bunny candies!

*Photos courtesy of design boom

Going in circles

Ben Branagan's lovely watercolors.

*Photos courtesy of Ben Branagan

Susie Wright

Artist Susie Wright does striking, intricate work involving landscapes, animals and natural elements.

*Photo courtesy of My Love for You is a Stampede of Horses 

Totokaelo

A perfect, crisp summer canvas tote -- great for lugging blankets & being picnic-ready at all times!

Work of art

Acne's amazing pumps, available at Net a Porter.

*Photo courtesy of Net a Porter.

Shockingly cute

This surprisingly cute bag is from Kohl's, of all places! Paraphrasing Lewis Carroll's beloved Alice in Wonderland, "curiouser and curiouser" -- recessions mean inventive, eye-catching fashions from the most unexpected, and affordable, of places.

*Photo courtesy of Kohl's.

Ooh la la!

Lily Donaldson in Narcisco Rodriguez at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala.

*Photo courtesy of Who What Wear.

All geometry

Lately, I've become increasingly intrigued by geometric-inspired jewelry. I'm continually drawn to necklaces, rings and bracelets offset with triangles, rectangles, squares and so on. I love this Beau And Stella silver necklace for its angular, trapezoid-like charm, and at $26, it's a steal!

*Photo courtesy of Beau And Stella & Etsy.

Sumptuous silvers

Etsy, though overwhelming at times, can be a bonanza of hidden treasures. It's rapidly become one of my go-to spots to find jewelry and accessories that are on-trend and often more affordable than renditions being sold in the stores. Also, since many of their wares are handmade and direct from the designer, I get a nice little thrill from knowing that I'm getting something unique and one-of-a-kind. One of my newest Etsy faves: the above pictured silver necklace by seller metalnat, which has a vaguely futuristic feel.

*Photo courtesy of metalnat & Etsy

All tied up

S&M-influenced styles have been having their way with fashion for several seasons now, and though I'm starting to get over the trend, I still have to admit there's something incredibly sexy about the whole bondage thing. I'm loving the above pictured Dolce Vita 'Viola' Bonded heel, at Oak. It's even on sale! Help!

*Photo courtesy of Oak

Spindle & Canister

For whatever reason, Oak consistently offers absolutely genius menswear.

This blue shawl pullover collar shirt by Spindle & Canister looks incredibly cozy, and the shawl collar adds for a nice twist. Budget allowing, this is exactly the sort of shirt I'd peer-pressure my significant other into wearing, despite all his vehement protestations which would inevitably follow.

Rough & ragged

Like Shipley & Halmos, Rag & Bone does extraordinary menswear; tough, yet boyish and adorable all at the same time. While these looks would probably only translate well onto certain types of men (translation: very, very skinny ones) out on the street, they're certainly fun to look at.

*Photos courtesy of Demicouture and Rag & Bone.

Let's hear it for the boys

In an effort at egalitarianism -- after all, retail therapy is far from being an activity just for us girls -- I've decided to post up a storm of male-centric fashion. There are plenty of male "Couturiette"s out there, and they need their fix too.

The above pictured Julian Red 'Matador' sweater, available at Oak, is just one example of some of the fantastic merch out there for the boys nowadays.

*Photo courtesy of Oak