OOTD: A Little Drape Never Hurt Anyone

When it comes to department store shopping, I'm strictly a B-lister. Barney's, Bergdorf Goodman, Bendel's - THESE are the stores that I call my home away from home. But after a recent breakfast date at Lord & Taylor with my friends from Lucky Magazine, I feel forced to concede that I may need to expand my REACH to new letters of the alphabet - notably L&T.

At breakfast, I spent some quality time with editor and Lord & Taylor style expert Suze Yalof-Schwartz, who swooned convincingly when I eyeballed this Rick Owens-esque, draped faux suede vest from BCBG, found on the Contemporary floor of the NYC flagship.  So convincingly, in fact, that I simply couldn't RESIST taking it home with me (in part thanks to a lovely gift card given to me by the Lord & Taylor team.)

Here's how I rocked it for a Sunday afternoon stroll in my LES hood.

• Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Sunglasses
• BCBG Fabian Faux Suede Vest
• American Apparel Sheer Jersey Deep V Tee
• Seven for All Mankind The Skinny Second Skin Jegging in Rinsed Indigo
• Charles Jourdan Andes Platform Pump (alt color here)
• Assorted bangles, including Alexis Bittar, Kenneth Jay Lane

 

While I couldn't find this rockin' vest online, you can check out the full assortment of BCBG at Lord & Taylor here, and frankly, they've got lots of other great goodies these days too - take the time to explore!

Photo snapped by my hot brunch date, Sarah Conley of Style It Online.

OOTD: A Long Weekend Ahead

ZOMG, you guys. There's a long weekend ahead, and while I can't speak for y'all, I, for one, can't WAIT. While there's no Hamptons house, Nantucket getaway, or even Fire Island share in my *immediate* future (there's always the 4th of July, right? RIGHT?), I AM totally stoked for a relaxing weekend and some quality time spent with some quality friends.

Getting motivated for work prior to a long weekend is TOUGH. On one hand, things are a bit quieter than normal, which means it's easy to play catch up and oh, hey, accomplish things. On the OTHER hand, it's, you know, Tumbleweed City over here. Population: 0.

I digress. Here's the entirely Sunday look that I put on my body today (FRIDAY):

• Ray-Ban Wayfarers (assorted styles here)
• Old Navy Scarf (no longer available)
• Old Navy Perfect Rib-Knit Tank
• Daftbird Long Skirt
• Balenciaga Giant Day in Electric Turquoise (no longer available, other colors here)
• Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent Mason Buckle Wedge (no longer available, similar styles here)

Photo snapped by Felicia (she believes in COTTON) Sullivan

OOTD: A Thin Line Between Love and Hate

'A Thin Line Between Love and Hate' means many things to many people, but to me, it MOST aptly describes the pants I'm wearing today. Namely, the new Diesel Skinny Ankle Length Zivy Jean in Spearmint. These jeans are pretty much the most MINT GREEN things you've ever seen in your life, and frankly, they make me feel a wee bit like a Jordan Almond gone bad or more appropriately...naughty (in the best way possible, of course.)

These jeans are not, OBVIOUSLY, for the faint of heart. Frankly, they come close to STOPPING TRAFFIC on the street, much like an adorable French Bulldog puppy will. In fact, as you'll see above, a handsome young gentlemen couldn't help but stop and photobomb my OOTD today - that's how striking he found my pants.

I have to say that outfit photos are an amazingly valuable exercise for anyone that loves fashion, as you'll sometimes be immediately be struck by elements of your look that you'd have changed, and in retrospect today, I likely would have chosen a lighter shoe. Thankfully, I've got the Kyte from Sole Society in my office, and did a quick switcheroo for fresh take.

Head to toe:

• Ray-Ban Wayfarers
• J. Crew Cardigan (no longer available, similar here)
• American Apparel Deep V-Neck Tee
• Balinese silk scarf
• Diesel Skinny Ankle Length Zivy Jean in Spearmint (gift)
• Lia Sophia Cuff (gift)
• Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Speedy 30
• Cynthia Vincent Mason Platform Buckle Wedge (available on Swirl TODAY!)

Holiday, To Give and To Receive: The DKNY Cozy

While I clearly love to receive gifts, there's one gift that I really have no desire to see under my tree - this year or any year. CLOTHING.  Yes, I know it's surprising, but the reality is that style is so personal, and fit can be so fussy; clothing is close to impossible to give and receive.

The one imaginable exception in the free world is the DKNY Cozy. This miraculous sweater ACTUALLY does what most pieces of clothing only PURPORT to do - it suits any woman's style and can be dressed up (as seen here on the DKNY Facebook page...hit the "Like" button for my look while you're there!) or down (as seen above) in a snap. Head to toe, here's how I styled my Cozy on a recent Friday:

• Ray Ban Wayfarers
• Alexis Bittar earrings
• DKNY Cozy (gift)
• Hermes Medor watch
• Miraclebody Denim Leggings (gift)
• Rosegold Malo Bootie

 

If you've already got a DKNY Cozy, don't forget to download the iPhone app - it's chock full of magical styling tips!