The One Accessory You Need This Fall

Fall has announced itself again, my favorite of all the seasons.  The leaves crackling and crunching underfoot, horror movies, pumpkin beer, and that smell in the air - you know which one I mean.  That crisp, promising scent of all that the upcoming months have to offer as the year winds down with a festive bang.  And it's also a time to ponder our wardrobes - what do we have?  What do we need?  And, most importantly, how can we update our look without spending an arm and a leg?

The single most important piece during these chillier months is a coat.  Not only does it keep you toasty as you trek from Union Square's Christmas market to Max Brenner for some revitalizing hot cocoa, it is also the one item absolutely everyone sees.

I am fortunate enough through a little thrift shopping luck, some lovely gifts, and a few splurges to have a bunch of different coats for varied occasions.  Upcoming wedding?  I have a sleek, sophisticated number right at hand.  A museum foray?  Let's throw on a belted, plaid, fur collared dream.  While I don't really have one 'classic,' amazing piece that will last me throughout the years (mainly because I can never see spending $500 and up on a coat, no matter the longevity), most people do, investing in a great trench or a deliciously warm peacoat to see them through the years.  But who says they can't stand to use a little updating?

Well, this year, I decided to snazz things up by selecting a fun, faux fur collar for some instant vintage nostalgia.  Because I want fur collars.  On ALL my jackets.

There are a number of different collars available at all kinds of price points on the Internet.  After much perusal, I ended up choosing one I thought was super affordable, but that I hoped didn't feel coarse or, well, look cheap.

Pieces Fane Faux Fur Collar  fit the bill perfectly.  I love how large it is compared to some of the other options out there.  It also looked so plush and soft, not like other inexpensive alternatives that end up making you itch all day long.

 

I selected the black, as I've found in the past that black faux fur always looks a bit more high-end than colored varieties, and hoped for the best!

At $17.25, I most certainly did not go wrong.  The collar goes with virtually every coat in my closet.  It looks fantastic with a loose fitting utility jacket I have, as shown on the model above.  That perfect red trench from an earlier post?  Equally smashing.  And a grey leather jacket?  Instant update!

And for someone looking to walk on the wild side just a wee bit more?

This oversized lapel design would certainly do the trick.

With a white/grey/brown finish, it is incredibly versatile, and I adore how voluminous it is.  At $37.94, it's twice the price of my treasured acquisition, but so completely worth it.

So be daring, be adventurous, and don't be afraid to mix things up this season - the smallest switch-up can completely change a beloved coat to a fresh piece you're really excited about wearing again.

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Pieces Fane faux fur collar, Asos.com
Faux Fur lapel collar, Asos.com

Miami Fashion, Redefined

I am a city girl. Instead of lounging on a beach, my trips are most often marked by hours spent at a local Impressionist museum. And I pack accordingly – pretty dresses, flats for tons of walking, chic jewelry, a unique bag, and a scarf or two. Identical to my normal New York City style, really.

As such, I didn’t quite know what to expect of Miami, a trip planned with a bunch of fun ladies to celebrate one’s impending nuptials. What initially came to mind? Lots of gold. Of course skin baring outfits. And BRIGHT colors. So bright, it hurts your eyes, bright. Fluorescent bright. Crazy neon bright.

And I so can’t do neon.

So what to pack? I was flummoxed. My lovely friend came over, God bless her, to help edit my existing wardrobe a bit (or, as I like to call it, dress-up time with a glass of wine).

And what we came up with WORKED.

A lot of pieces I already owned – a tight black Victoria’s Secret dress with a bombshell bra handily built in (see me, third from the left - accessorized with a ModCloth gold and pink sequin bag and gold Payless wedges). A festive peplum halter dress, also from Victoria’s Secret. And anything and everything paired with a sweet pair of Seychelle’s gold glitter kitten heels, previously acquired from Ideeli.com - they go with IT ALL.

To fill in some gaps, I did acquire a few new pieces that proved perfect.

A Forever 21 pink peacock print dress was mailed to me post-haste - swingy and flirty, I paired it with a lacy black F21 bra and Mia's Orchestra tie-up gladiator sandals in stone.  With hot pink lips and nails to boot (Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm in Sweetheart is my new very favorite lipstain), I was up for anything.  And a moment I'll never forget in said dress?  Dancing on a table (sober, I might add!) with confetti raining down from the heavens and sparklers everywhere, outrunning the night with my loves.

Similarly, Forever 21's Triangle Drawstring Dress in black was an exceptional travel piece.

Paired with the same gladiators, I felt comfortable without having to resort to dull sweatpants.  And, although I wouldn't normally wear it with this outfit, my red tasselled Melie Bianco satchel was a great, upscale beach bag alternative in a more wearable color for me.

Another revelation?  Anything that seemed too ‘tame’ was instantly updated by gold. Lots and lots of gold. A big, gold necklace draped over a Victoria’s Secret bikini with a chunky gold ring. Or over a cover up with gold wedge sandals. Accompanying the Victoria’s Secret little black dress. It was instantly classic, chic, fun – MIAMI.

So, the best things I took away from this trip?  Well, for starters, always look in your own closet first before going on a vacation outfit rampage.  When you actually analyze the things you do have, you invariably realize you don't need to scoop up as many pieces after all (and side note, ladies: why do we feel this burning ache, anyway, to buy a ton of new clothes for trips to cities where people have never even seen our everyday outfits?  Hmmm.). 

Secondly - Bling.Updates.Everything.  Seriously.  Put a crazy pendant on with any plain old thing, and you've got yourself an outfit.

Also notable: you can't judge a town by it's purported fashion.  All the notions we had pre-trip of everyone in hot pink minis?  Yeah, no one dresses like that.

And most importantly?  Fashion is fleeting and ever changing - but time spent with wonderful, lifelong friends?  Well, it's just indispensable.

(Special thanks to my dear friend, Jen, for letting me use oodles of pics.  And yay to my friend, Christine, the soon-to-be special bride!).


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Black bombshell dress, Victoriassecret.com
Gold  + pink sequin bag, Modcloth.com
Gold wedges, Payless.com
Peplum halter dress, Victoriassecret.com
Seychelles gold glitter kitten heels, Seychellesfootwear.com
Peacock print dress, Forever21.com
Black lace bra, Forever21.com
Gladiator shoes, Miashoes.com
Triangle drawstring dress, Forever21.com
Melie Bianco bag, Meliebianco.com
Coverup, Victoriassecret.com
Necklace, gift

Summer Eye Candy: Focus on Eye Shadow

I am a thrifty lady.  We all know this.  But the one purchase I tend not to scrimp on is makeup.  Drugstore finds in the past just haven't really floated my boat; yeah, they 'work' - but the eyeshadow invariably fades faster, the mascara tends to lengthen just a little bit less, the lipstain wears out just a smidge sooner.

In that spirit of reluctance, I went to my friendly neighborhood drugstore yesterday to try to scoop up a cheap mascara for an impending trip to Miami (the last time I tried to carry on a bag, airport security snatched away my pricier makeup, and didn't even acknowledge my "But they're expensive!" pleas).  While I ended up selecting Maybelline Falsies Flared (not yet tried; it's staying in the packaging until I get to Florida to avoid said makeup plundering), I did find an amazing eye shadow quad - Maybelline's Eye Studio Eyeshadow in Irresistibly Ivy.

I couldn't resist the gorgeous colors - a shimmery champagne, copper, teal and bronze - and at just over $9, I thought, well, why not?

Although I'm not too big on makeup for work, I gleefully pulled out my new purchase this morning to give it a whirl.  And I wasn't disappointed.



The shadow is so rich, with a deepness I don't usually associate with drugstore finds.  There's just the right amount of glitter; it shines without being garish.  And, ever a fan of teal + orange lately, I swooned over the color pairings.

Eight hours later, the look is still vivid (I used just a dab of Benefit's Stay Don't Stray primer first).  I don't need to reapply before my lady dinner date tonight, and, since the pigments are so intense, I only needed to dab a small amount on, with a little finger blending for that perfect smudge.

The verdict:  The colors are on point for all the fun we're sure to have in Miami.  And the application is so quick and easy that it'll be a blessing for my ever-frenzied pre-commuting morning ritual. 

So, off to a lovely bachelorette this week!  And, hopefully, more frequent posts upon my return!  This summer has been a flurry of trip planning, weddings, summer shenanigans and 30th birthday chaos (that's right - the Big 3-0!), but I'm bursting with shopping + present finds.  And be sure to check back for an exciting venture that's been in the works the past few months that you're sure to adore!  I'm really thrilled about it, and I know you will be too.

Have a ball, and stay oh so cool in the meantime!

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Summer Eye Candy: Focus on Forever 21

I am a firm believer that accessories make an outfit.  A plain, old tee and jeans can be completely transformed by a statement necklace and fun shoes.  And what better way to update your seasonal look on a budget than scooping up some of-the-moment pieces for less?

My go-to is always Forever 21.  For every major jewelry trend, F21 has their own version - and it's guaranteed to be stupid cheap.  The online site is the only way to go, as their stores tend to be a disorganized hodgepodge reflecting only a fraction of their website's wares.

Some items I snagged to bring my 2012 summer wardrobe up to date?

I love, love, love the look of the tribal bib necklace - the level of detail on each charm is sick, and I'm really excited to try a shorter necklace since most of my pieces are 30+ inches.

I also love the shattered cuff since I still get very weird about wearing gold and silver together (it always seems like a faux pas to old-fashioned me, like the other now-appropriate fashion combination of black and brown).  I scooped up two that I plan to wear stacked on one wrist, and will mix metals, too, in my ring/earring choices.

One of my favorite pieces?  The chain necklace with pearls.  I debated this one for a bit due to the almost $13 price tag (still affordable, but, really, Forever 21?), and absolutely adore it in person.  I already got to try it out with a black, batwing Dries Van Noten tee (thank you, Beacon's Closet), fuchsia skinny jeans, and a moonstone Rings Eclectic piece, and it totally tied the look together - edgy + sweet.

And who doesn't love a cheery, yellow necklace?

Still on my radar? These two filigree clamper bracelets.  Rhinestone encrusted items can be hit or miss, but these seem just too perfect to pass up.

Forever 21 is just one of my many online haunts - where do you find the best accessory scores?


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Pointed tribal bib necklace, Forever21.com
Marbled bead necklace, Forever21.com
Shattered cuff, Forever 21.com
Chains & pearlescent necklace, Forever21.com
Filigree hinge bracelet, Forever21.com
Filigree pearlescent hinge bracelet, Forever21.com

Lip Stain: Miracle Product Or A Sham?

I have to wake up for work at 6:00 AM to make it to work by 8:45 AM.  Every morning.

My beauty routine as a result?  Virtually non-existent.

So when my friend mentioned finding success with a relatively new lip stain on the market, I was intrigued - will this perk up my look in a hurry?

Available in 10 shades, the stains are packaged like a marker, with a chunky balm on the opposite end for all day shine.  Inspired by Cameron Diaz's interview in this month's In Style magazine, I selected 'Passion,' a hot pink hue.



At first, Passion went on great.  The pink was just vibrant enough without making me feel clownish, and the color does truly last for hours on end.

The downfalls?  The balm fell off.  Real fast.  I had read reviews prior to my purchase that indicated this was an issue, but figured it wouldn't happen to mine if I was extra careful.  Wrong!

Also an issue?  I've been using it pretty regularly for 2 weeks and the color seems to be fading from the marker - I find I have to use more to get that pretty sheen I initially so adored.  At around $8.99 a stain, do I really want to have to replace my color so frequently?

The verdict: Although the color is smashing and it does last for ages, I suspect I will not continue on with this brand.

But so many other options to try!  Next up, Covergirls' Outlast?  Or dare I bypass all the drugstore fare and go lux with Benetint, an old standard?

Experiment time!

Seeing Red

Neon is hot this year.  Let's be honest, it's on trend almost every summer.  But something about neon brights positively unsettles me - they're almost a tad too bright, overly flashy,  a wee bit painful to look at, even.

So my go-to color this season?  Glorious, classic RED!

Maybe it's my complete adoration of all things Minnie Mouse, but red is a tried and true favorite.  It's romantic, a bit classic, whimsical at times, and always very exciting.  My one fantasy fashion item?  A red quilted Chanel bag; the time-honored style just so sigh-inducing in fire engine red. 

But back to reality?  What are the items I plan on picking up this summer?

Well, for starters, there is a fun version out there, and at a fraction of the cost.  Kate Spade's quilted leather shoulder bag has a very similar vibe - but with a punky twist thanks to her chunky metallic clasp.

Feeling a little less adventurous?  A dash of this gorgeous color could be just the thing to pep up your wardrobe.

Joan Rivers makes a fabulous necklace, and clocking in at under $50 on Iqvc.com (and under $30 on Ebay.com), it's completely budget friendly.  Always a huge fan of her statement jewelry, her line is always a must-see for affordable, weighty dazzlers.

And let's not forget at the pool!  I got a taste for fun bathing suit attire last summer during a ladies-only trip to the Jersey Shore - my 1950's style halter bikini from Victoria's Secret adorned with a lovely set of white vintage beads can only be trumped by this Beach Ray perfect polka dot silliness.

While I'm in Miami this summer at a friend's bachelorette party with, of course, everyone in town donning the dreaded neon, I will be coquettish and delightful at the very height of Minnie-style.

But the piece I'm most excited about?  Well, I have been searching for the perfect red trench for eons.  Partly because I have a wicked Halloween costume idea every year that never seems to come to fruition.  Mostly, though, how oh so lovely would it be in the midst of a gloomy, grey rain shower to see a vision gliding down the street in rich red?

And, finally, I found it.  With puffed sleeves to boot.  Squee!

I absolutely adore the pleating in the back, and even better, a vertical line of buttons cascades down the back of the coat between pleats (not seen in photo).  Classy with surprising, fantastical extras, it is sure to be a wonderful closet addition.

So look out summer, I will certainly be making some statements this season. 

And this Halloween?  Oh yes - Carmen Sandiego costume, here I come!!!!

Chanel quilted bag, Chanel.com
Kate Spade NY quilted leather shoulder bag, Neimanmarcus.com
Joan Rivers 'Make a Statement' 28" necklace with 3" extender, Iqvc.com
Beach Rays one piece polka dot swimsuit, Ideeli.com
Kenneth Cole NY cotton trench in sangria, Ideeli.com

Doing it Yourself - My Attempt to Save $399

What would you do with bunches of money?  With Mega Millions fervor sweeping my little city all last week, I knew without hesitation what my first stop would be - Brocade Home, of course!

I have pined for virtually everything from their shop since the beginning of time - that glossy wooden chair for my computer desk?  Yes, please!  Those achingly gorgeous damask stools?  No doubt about it.

But the one item I've truly yearned for is their lace pattern wall art.  A laser cut, delicate dream, just perfect for a fanciful headboard.

The only catch?  $399 big ones.

Luckily, after hours spent sniffing out a thrifty alternative, my friend came upon an inventive solution - do-it-yourself rubber mat wall art!

We quickly took to the world wide web, and scored the perfect pieces to attempt to make our very own budget friendly versions.

I ended up with two sets - some rubber scroll doormats for the living room, and a set of three fleur-de-lis mats to liven up my bedroom.



Having an absolute dearth of arts and crafts projects since my school days (save adding some fun, vintage fabric to an Ikea frame for the hallway; well, if that can even be called 'crafty'), I was a little skeptical - could this really turn out as stylish and lux...but for less?

With some antique gold paint and a dollar store shower liner in tow, we began our great painting experiment!  I scooped up a can of Design Master Metallics quick drying goodness, so the mats really only needed a fast single coat, front and back, for that heirloom finish I so craved.  My friend, on the other hand, wanted hers to look more uniform, so she did a few coats to even out the color.

And the results?

Dazzling, unique pieces for the cost of a can of spray paint and a few bargain mats!

The fleur-de-lis pieces are now set up as a headboard in our master bedroom, while the scroll doormats found a home in our living room between two sconces.

For such minimal effort, and with a time clocking in at less than an hour (depending on amount of coats per mat), it's a total no-brainer. And such a rich look while saving hundreds to boot.  I couldn't be more over-the-moon giddy about our new decor, and the nostalgic fun I had getting back to my crafty roots makes me curious to go on ever more complex DIY adventures in the future.  Pinterest, look out!

Proving, as always, chic just doesn't have to be costly.

Lace pattern wall art, Brocadehome.com

Kempf rubber scroll doormat, Amazon.com

Fleur-de-lis recycled step mats, Overstock.com

Brocade picture frame, Ikea.com

Design Master Metallics antique gold spray paint, Amazon.com

Rubber door mat wall art, Salvagedior.blogspot.com