review: the trio crossbody bag

triple threat: the perfect trio crossbody bag.

form + function, found. 

stylehacker: en pointe

via

i'm really, really glad that we're swinging back around to the realm of 'single-sole' heels, though i've always loved this classic style. i see platform-fronted skyscraper heels and can't help but immediately think "anklebreaker/Real Housewife/cab-to-curb-only", in that order.

foundations: simplicity and habit

the beautiful Fei Fei Sun via

the simplest foundations are often the hardest to find. 

lookbook: denim on denim

lately i've been really feeling Canadian le smoking with my favorite denim madewell shirt // vintage belt // current/elliott jeans // a chunky statement necklace and trusty Marant boots.

your thoughts re: denim on denim? and what have been your go-tos this month?

stylehacker: the handbag/purse hook

the  nifty handbag hook saves the day with my PS1 satchel

confession: i never put my handbags on the floor or ground if i'm out and about. in NYC, sitting in crowded restaurants or cafes often means that there's no space to sit comfortably and still stash my bag on a not-gross surface. to the rescue: the simple yet super practical handbag hook. 

wardrobe planning: spring/summer 2013 [update]

via la mariniere

i'm about halfway through s/s wardrobe building this season.

road tested: the sleek and chic sandals

my go-tos this spring/summer: 
fave Tkees slim leather flip-flops + my Sam Edelman supersandals 
(super chic + super affordable + super comfy)

this new blog series is brought to you by years of trial and error in shoe shopping.

inspiration diary: April // francophile cowgirl edition

via national geographic

i found this photo the other day and it kind of took my breath away for a moment. it's the perfect inspiration image for the season – leather jackets and denim and chambray and ankle boots are all i want to wear this spring. 

lookbook: leopard is a neutral (spring edition)

my lookbook postcard for spring: vintage leopard print jacket, uniqlo tank, favorite black skinnies, SE sandals (see my review), and mini Celine-esque crossbody bag.

what are you wearing this week?

stylehacker: the luxe mini crossbody bag

new season, new blog feature. starting this month, i will be doing a regular stylehacker series that will feature stylish + functional tips and cool alternatives to those splurgey wishlist items that are always tempting you to spend more than you should. 

first up: the luxe yet nicely priced mini crossbody alternative to the infamous Celine trio. i think i like this version even better than my SA mini bag; like the Celine original, it has three detachable compartments. i also love the muted hardware and sophisticated, neutral colorway. (and with the current 20% off promo, it clocks in at a very nice price!)

             

what do you think? let me know if you get one, or anything else from the sale!

essentials: the oversized sunnies

WANT: these tort (camo?)/slightly kooky-cool sunnies have been on my wishlist for seasons now.
and they never go on sale.
and i'm very, very tempted by the 20% off (WEAREFAMILY13) promo.

what do you think? do you have any essentials that never go on sale?

foundations: chic + comfy budget sandals

ladies and gentlewomen, the sandals of the season.

if you're like me, and prefer to spend less on sandals but still want them to be stylishly versatile and designed with all-day-walkable comfort in mind, then these babies will be your go-tos this spring and summer. 

style notes: the small things

via

 "The small things of life were often so much bigger than the great things. 

The trivial pleasures like cooking, one's home, little poems especially sad ones, 

solitary walks, funny things seen and overheard."

–Barbara Pym

recently i've been thinking about habits. 

foundations: spring uniform

everlane silk blouse // favorite jeans (on sale!) // everyday necklace // vintage belt // longchamp tote // dandy flats

"Blue jeans are the most beautiful things since the gondola."

–Diana Vreeland

a proclamation from the one and only DV, just the thing to take us into spring.

inspiration diary: March

work: after the better part of a month, i've finally completed the long-overdue cleanout and re-design of my home workspace. a stylishly simple pen cube and stacking in/out trays have made all the (inexpensive) difference. 

on luxury: what's in a name?

vintage H Kelly // favorite chambray shirt // jeans // dandy flats 

back in 2011, after a lengthy period of saving and research, i purchased a dream item: a vintage 1990s Hermès Kelly. it was beautiful and unique in every way, down to the fact that the original owner had her initials discreetly stamped onto the flap.

on film: Tom Ford // Visionaires

"Style, for me, is someone who figures out who they are, what works on them, what they feel good in, and develops that, develops their character, and the outer expression of their character is what is style."
                                                                                                                                                 –Tom Ford

one of the most insightful fashion documentaries i've seen in a long time. the man is insanely talented, sure, but what really inspires in this film is the depth of his intelligent mind, and his clarity of perspective on life, culture, and the things that really matter.

have you seen this? what do you think?

lookbook: grey cashmere and suede

we're not out of the winter woods yet, so today i'm staying cozy with my grey cashmere pullover, everyday necklace, favorite jeans, trusty suede satchel, and neutral pumps. comfortable, but still pulled-together enough. (i'm wearing the men's XS, you could size up to an S even and it wouldn't be too big.)

what are you wearing today?

wardrobe planning: spring 2013

via

>> updated post!

spring wardrobe planning for me this year is all about foundations with a twist. 

inspiration diary: February

my current uniform of marant boots, indigo skinnies, PS1, everyday necklace, everlane sweatshirt, marant coat 

"You've got to invest in the world, you've got to read, you've got to go to art galleries, you've got to find out the names of plants. You've got to start to love the world and know about the whole genius of the human race. We're amazing people."  –Vivienne Westwood