Cute Summer Wares

I’ve just planted 6 pots of red geraniums and am in full summer mode.  Here are some of my favorite things in the stores right now.

ALC watercolor print skirt:  I want to sashay through the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens wearing this.  It’s rose season, so I imagine looking quite the vision as I view the latest blooms there.

Antik Batik cotton top:  Perfect for a summer BBQ, this top screams summer fun.

Pachacuti Panama fedora: forget the stingy brim fedoras, this Panama hat is the ultimate. And if you love to wear “Cancun Cowboy” hats, well then, no comment.

Etro printed silk-twill pants:  Gosh I love these pants. These would be my summer evening pants, lounging around with flat sandals and a white tank.

Isabel Marant linen jacket:  This is the kind of  jacket that works for spring, summer, and fall.  Super versatile, this jacket is your friend.

Roberto Cavalli elephant ring: This ring is so charming, it feels like it would bring me good luck.

Marni cami and shorts: Why do I need Marni pajamas? Because, I’m not sure why, but I think I’d feel like Brigitte Bardot when wearing them. And I might be able to get away with watering the garden in them too.

Camisoles by Marni
Intimates by Marni

Ahoy Matey!

I styled a nautical-inspired summer catalog last week for a tween company called Little Miss Matched.  It was very cute, and super fun to shop for.  Nautical is a recurring theme in fashion, and so it’s not that difficult to find adorable sailboats, stripes, and anchors galore when the spring and summer clothing starts hitting the stores.  I love the Jean Harlow image.  She’s so sexy, but she looks so fresh in her crisp sailor dress.  And who could forget Jean Seberg in her impossibly cool striped Breton shirt in Breathless.

Here are some of my favorite nautical fashion items out there right now.  As always, click on the photos for shopping info:

This anchor pin by Madewell is inspired by a 1930′s bakelite pin.  It’s $28 and also comes in ivory.  The size is substantial, which I like, and looks good pinned on a lapel of a boyfriend jacket, or hung on a necklace.  Madewell is making lots of cool nautical jewelry this season, which you can see at their online store.

I love this red striped bikini from Quiksilver. It’s $88, and I could totally see myself wearing the top in the South of France paired with a white wide leg sailor pants, and some espadrilles.

I used this Alloy tank recently on a Seventeen Magazine shoot and it was adorable.  I may not be 17, but I would wear this in an instant…and did I mention that it is only $24.50?

This Lands End rope belt is really cool…

And I love their classic double-breasted striped sweater:

Nothing says summer like a boater! This one from TopShop is $40:

I love these $39 twisted bangles from Banana Republic.

I have a passion for  Giles & Brother jewelry, and I would wear this anchor necklace forever:

I could see myself living in this tie dye boat shoe from Sperry this summer. Must be paired with T by Alexander Wang t shirt and Current/Elliott shorts to dispel any preppyness:

I’m going to end with this great Betsey Johnson ring. It’s $45, and it’s pretty noteworthy:

Dive Into Spring, part 2

Spring 2011 NY Fashion Week is over, and now I can give you the rest of my favorites for the week.

First up is Proenza Schouler.  These boys have really nailed it this season, and their inventiveness is truly inspirational.  How do you make “lady” modern?  You take fabrics like lace, tweed and chiffon and turn them into something cool, that’s how.  I am a bit of a tomboy, and their crazy mixed up version of “lady-like” really spoke to me because it was soooo not fussy. It was easy, relaxed and very very cool.

One of the many innovative techniques they used was taking a computer drawing and having it embroidered on tulle.  The tulle was then burned away with acid, and what is left is something resembling lace, but oh so much more modern. They also added some bright colors (trend!) to the mix and some large hook and eyes (trend!) and touches of lingerie to work under the sheers (trend!), which all make you feel like how in the world did they know exactly what you want to wear this spring?  Bravo Lazaro and Jack, you win the prize.

This is definitely the time for Francisco Costa at Calvin Klein.  He produced a concise collection devoted to minimalism that will make everyone stand up and take notice. He used some color, but I have chosen to show you mostly white, as I think the purity of form is best displayed in these very strong looks.

Phillip Lim is always a great go to designer for well made clothes at contemporary prices.  This season he played with layering sheers over solids, and made a lovely geometric clean statement.  Every girl needs a light weight trench for spring and his organza version piped in black is a perfect update to the same old camel topper.  He included a lot of textures in his looks, which added interest, while still looking effortless, chic and modern.

Michael Kors picked up a lifetime achievement award this summer from the CFDA, and showed a really confident collection for spring.  Easy and relaxed in luxury fabrics seemed to be his vibe, and his love of sportswear really shined.  I am kind of nuts for the pink jersey dress as it looks sexy, but comfortable, and oh so very effortless.

Lastly I have to throw a little love out there for designer Prabal Gurung. His attention to detail and clean looks are so very perfect for spring and I know he will be a force to be reckoned with the more he creates.

all photos via style.com

Summer Love

With a lot of people taking extended holidays in August, I thought I would feature some great summer clothing items that are on sale right now.  No need to feel guilty about wanting a few new things for your holiday!  Calypso is a great place to shop for summer dresses and tops that you will covet each and every summer, and they are having a sale!  Here are my favorites from their online store right now:

Bandana dress: originally $350, now $199

Belted tunic: originally $225, now $149

Cherie tank: originally $195, now $99

They have tons of other beautiful dresses, shorts, tops, etc, so shop away!  Visit the Calypso online store here.

Summer Outfit, Summer Drink..

Fall clothing and accessories are hitting the stores this week, but I just can’t go there, it’s too hot!  So I will be devoting some time to great summer outfits (all with clothing available to buy now and some on sale!), paired with a delicious summer cocktail.  Neal and I are in Miami right now, where it is gorgeous and lush and sauna-like.  I am looking at a Plumeria tree and it has thousands of fragrant pink flowers pointed gallantly towards the sun.

Hoodies by Alexander Wang
Flats by Tory Burch

Tank: James Perse, earrings: House of Waris, tote: Rachel Comey, shorts: Current/Elliott

sandals: Tory Burch, sunglasses: Oliver Peoples, hoodie: Alexander Wang

Tangerine Ginger Caipirinhas from Bon Appetit

Ingredients

• Divide tangerines or small oranges among 6 tumblers. Add 2 teaspoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon grated peeled ginger to each glass. Crush the ingredients in the bottom of the glass with a muddler or handle of a wooden spoon. Top each drink with 2 tablespoons tangerine juice and 1/4 cup cachaça (Brazilian sugarcane liquor) or vodka. Fill glasses with ice cubes, stir, and serve.
  Enjoy and tell me what you think of the drink!

Work Me Out!

While I am on this crazy diet, I have also been exercising with my Wii fitness.  (Nothing like playing video games that also make you sweat!)  My workout gear is a bit old and sad, so I decided to look for something new.  Lo and behold, there are some great things out there that look like I could step outside post workout and look pretty cool.  Here are my favorites:

Shorts by 3.1 Phillip Lim
Sportswear Pants by adidas by Stella McCartney

Clockwise from top left:  Racerback top: T by Alexander Wang, cashmere and silk blend track pants: Stella McCartney

Track shorts: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Yoga cotton track pants: Adidas by Stella McCartney, V cut bra top: T by Alexander Wang

Cropped leggings: Adidas by Stella McCartney, stretch satin jersey tank: Adidas by Stella McCartney,

Sweat shorts: T by Alexander Wang

Summer Shorts

I have been on this crazy diet for a week now, and I am happy to say I am losing some pounds.  I will be doing this madness until mid July and while I anticipate dropping a size,  I am going to do a little shopping to keep my spirits up. First thing, I need new shorts…I started looking around and here are my favorites out there right now. I am really into boyish shapes, or really cute retro feminine skirt-like shorts.

Shorts by Nanette Lepore
Shorts by Vince

Clockwise from top left: Current Elliott, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Nanette Lepore, James Perse, Rachel Comey

Vince, Helmut Lang, Z Spoke by Zac Posen, Vena Cava

Osaka Food and Fun!

Still here in Japan exploring and having lots of adventures. Osaka has been fun, but we’ve been anxious to get to Tokyo to do some serious shopping.  Here are some photos from our last day in Osaka:
View from the hotel:

Fresh cold soba noodles and tempura vegetables.  This meal cost 650 yen which is about $7.

Wasabi root and grater.  You grate the root and put the paste on top of your soba noodles, so delicious!!

This is the logo for a Japanese overnight shipping company. Isn’t it such a great logo? So much cuter than Fedex!

Japanese pickles called “Oshinko” from a fantastic restaurant called Katachiku:

Local sake called “Asian Beauty” served in stoneware cone balanced in a holder:

My husband Neal outside a bar called “Down the Hatch”. He is holding a guitar that serves as the bar sign. This is our last night in Osaka so we are out to celebrate.

My friend Raina looking so cute in her outfit and her platform ankle strap wedges:

If you like her shoes, here are a pair from Rag & Bone that have a similar feel and are really cute:

The flame from the gross shot we all tried called “the backdraft”. It was burning hot absinthe with burnt cinnamon gas that you sucked out of a glass with a straw. Not for the faint of heart…or the easily nauseated.

My face after drinking said shot:

That’s it people, on to Tokyo!

Coachella Street Style Day 6

I hope you aren’t getting bored of these, because I am having such fun putting them together!  This outfit is definitely for the 16 year old in me.  I personally wouldn’t be caught dead in a romper, but I think they are really adorable on the right person. And if you are that person, then more power to you!  So I will instead get the classic Ray-Ban sunglasses, and the charming TopShop charm bracelet.

Flats by Christian Louboutin
Shoulder Bags by Matt & Nat

Romper: TopShop, headband: Jennifer Ouelette, bag: Max & Nat

Shoes: Christian Louboutin, bracelet: TopShop, sunglasses: Ray-Ban

If you love the Louboutin oxfords, you may like these shoes from F-Troupe, and they are only $90

Coachella Street Style Day 2

Day 2 dedicated to the the fantastic style of the Coachella festival goers.  Here we have a cute little outfit that I would wear in a second!  I love the Giles & Brother leather wrap bracelet with the hook, such a great piece to wear all summer long and dream of the Greek Isles.  I also love the uber cool Cynthia Vincent cutout booties, and the Banana Republic bag is really reasonable at $198.

Shorts by Alexander Wang
Boots by Cynthia Vincent

Top: Forever 21, sunglasses: Ray-Ban, bag: Banana Republic

Shorts: Alexander Wang, bracelet: Giles & Brother, Booties: Cynthia Vincent