Boppin' around in the Big Easy...

Recap to come next week...have a great weekend!

Team Krissy - spread the word!

Last week, with the help of my dear friends the Kelleys, I held a bone marrow registry drive at Cornell's business school for my bff Krissy. Krissy is half-asian/half-caucasian and 100% awesome. There is a huge need for people to join the bone marrow registry, especially minorities who are greatly underrepresented. We had a wonderful response at Cornell (70 people registered!!) and helped spread the word and hope to hold a similar drive in NYC soon.  Please visit the teamkrissy.com site to learn more and if you are interested in hosting a drive in your area let me know! Registering is super simple, it only requires a swab of the cheek, and could save a life so lend a hand any way that you can. xoxo

Great last minute finds

I was running around like a mad woman today trying to scoop up a few last minute essentials for my trip. I always forget about James Perse, but this tank top is amazing. It is super soft, and as always available in great neutrals. It looks a lot like the T by Alexander Wang tanks, but you don't have to wear another tank under this one as it hugs closer to the body. 

Everyone always talks about how horrible fashion was in the 80's and I agree, but that doesn't stop me from loving the electric yellow neon fashion out there right now. J.Crew has an awesome color they are calling bright kiwi that I have scooped up in a pair of shorts and a soft, worn-in tee. I'll be sporting these shorts in New Orleans for sure...added bonus, it should be easy to find me in a crowd!

Great, basic sandal for summertime from Belle by Sigerson Morrison (I do think it is a tad pricey, but it was super cute).  The metallic makes it easy to transition from day to night. 

Closet case

I am having serious closet envy - I have been looking at different closet layouts for a drafting project and the only thing I can focus on is how much my closet sucks! There is no walking in, and in fact there is no walking around it when the door is open...but such is apt living in NYC. A girl can dream, so I have compiled some images of my favorite closets and hopefully inspiration pieces for my future dream-boat of a closet.

Nothing can fill the void that is publishing without Domino Mag - a goody from their archive. Chandelier and mirrored dresser, fabulous.

If there weren't enough reasons to turn green at the mention of Kelly Wearstler, check out where she lays her digs to rest. A-mazing.

I can only imagine the yummy clothes and accessories you would find in Tory Burch's closet. The bright and cheery orange would start every day the right way.

I really appreciate the closet that was featured in House Beautiful's May issue. Just because it's a closet, doesn't mean you can't accessorize with a little wall art. And Jackie O. photos...style inspiration every time you get dressed. Making the most out of your space.

p.s. it is Spring time so get your Spring cleaning going! I recently sent off a ton of old pieces to a friend of mine with a booming Ebay business. If you're interested in making some $$ on your discards let me know and I can put you in touch with her. Cleaner closet, bigger wallet = win, win. 

Decorating on a dime

I was helping my brother plan an event in Sonoma, CA last weekend that was taking place in the middle of a vineyard. Gorgeous setting, but we were left with the task of bringing in everything else to create a special and enchanting atmosphere for the guests. Lighting was going to be the main issue to tackle and I was tipped off that Pier 1 carried some great lanterns. I was very impressed by some of their offerings and most importantly the price points! You have to search around as some items can be a little too obviously "cheap", but it is worth it when looking for some great finds!


Lanterns galore! The fun colored lanterns are great for a beach setting ($30), I would love to hang the outdoor metal pagoda from a tree- gorg! ($18), the black lanterns are classic and chic - perfect for inside or out ($15-$50).

    

If you are more of a hurricane fan, I am a big fan of the branch wrapped hurricane

Super fun lamp...($99)

Some small things that can spice up any space...

Genius! Never forget which glass is yours again - write it in with chalk ($3/each)...

Price Wars

One dress...3 prices. I have been contemplating buying the below Of Two Minds zebra print dress for a week now and was shocked to see that it is being sold for 3 different prices at 3 different stores. I have noticed before that certain boutiques consistently sell products for $5-$10 more than others, but this dress is being sold for $42 more at the West Village boutique, Castor & Pollux, than it is on shopbop.com and $28 more than Intermix. While Castor & Pollux is not a chain and may need to raise prices to stay in business I find this to be kind of crazy and slightly shady. Obviously, shopbop will be receiving my business. Remember it is good to shop around!

$306 on shopbop.com

$320 at Intermix

3 days to NOLA!

With 3 days to go until Jazz Fest - the countdown to NOLA is on! I am pulling out clothes for the trip and looking into what may need to be some last minute purchases. A few good tips: keep it comfy and keep it light, the heat can be insane! But of course you still want to keep it fun...some ideas of what I am bringing are below. NOLA here I come!

Great daytime option for kicking around at the fairgrounds:

Perfect for a night out on the town and plenty of Pat O's hurricanes:

Good for transitioning from day to night:

Must Read!

I had the pleasure of meeting Wes Moore a couple years ago when his book was still in the works.  He will soon become a household name once his book launches next week, the same day that he appears on Oprah. As history has shown Oprah + books = magic. I can't wait for my copy to come in the mail and encourage you all to pre-order your copy here. When Wes gave me the background story for the book I was captivated and I know you will be too... check out his website here.

Two kids with the same name, liv ing in the same city. One grew up to be a Rhodes Scholar, dec o rated com bat vet eran, White House Fel low, and busi ness leader. The other is serv ing a life sen tence in prison for felony mur der. Here is the story of two boys and the jour ney of a generation.

Get it while it's hot!

Bloomingdale's and Saks are having promotions - let the shopping begin! A great time to buy those things you really want, but couldn't justify the price tag. With 20-30% off everything is looking very enticing. I'm interested in the Alexander Wang and Kain t-shirts, incredibly soft and light and tees I would never buy at full retail price. Everything is on sale, so check it out!

Mr. Ed becomes a trend...

I did not grow up riding horses. I can count on one hand the amount of times I have ever been on a horse. I avoid the carriage-heavy areas at Central Park because quite honestly the horses reek and yet I am one hundred percent in love with the horse photography out there today. Bizarre? Probably. Stunning? Absolutely!

Bob Tabor photography at Mecox Gardens

"Love Bites" by Roberto Dutesco. (Photos from Artnet and Elle Decor)

"Hold Your Horses" available on Etsy and featured in Lonny, issue 3. 

Bag Crush: Chloé

I think I have finally moved on from my Mulberry bag crush (maybe!). The Chloé Paraty Python bag is to die for...unfortunately, the price is insanity so this will also be a bag I lust after from afar.

Mix and Match

Check out a great article from the NYT Styles section on how to mix and match prints! One of my "go to" pairings is stripes with florals. For a little spice you can add a dash of animal print - everything looks better with a little leopard! A skinny belt, ballet flats, or a scarf..leopard goes a long way.

I will post some outfit ideas later, but check out the article when you have a chance. Print Mixology: http://nyti.ms/9t52CD

Crushing on Carey

I saw these images of Carey Mulligan online from her Interview magazine shoot and thought they were absolutely gorgeous.

Carey Mulligan has quickly become a style icon and is frequently compared to Audrey Hepburn, which seems very apropos as she is rumored to be playing Eliza Doolittle in Emma Thompson's remake of My Fair Lady. I first took notice of Carey in An Education, a truly great film. I would highly recommend it to anyone, it is full of strong performances (notably Carey and Peter Sarsgaard) and a story that will tug at the heartstrings. I plan on purchasing it soon to add to my stash of old standbys and you should too. Click here to buy, you will not be disappointed!

A+ for Anthro...

The Anthropologie catalogue is always very well done (just like their stores!) and I saw some great dining and serving pieces that can spice up any meal...

I am obsessed with the "From the Deep" dinnerware- the octopus and puffer salad plates are too adorable!

For the garden devotees, the "Backyard Rows" mugs and "Plucked Petals" measuring spoons are for you.

Totally unnecessary, but necessary at the same time - "beach find bottles."

Jersey Girl

I was out and about this weekend and decided to pop into Intermix to check out their new Spring duds. I had seen the below Torn by Ronny Kobo skirt in the window and had not been too impressed. I needed to grab something quick though to try on with a top so I decided to give it a whirl. I was proven wrong! This skirt is amazing- a must for everyone. It is jersey so right off the bat, it is extremely comfortable. Plus, the pleating is incredibly flattering and shapes you in all the right places. For once I admit that sometimes you just do have to try things on...The skirt is available at Intermix or online at shopbop.com.

Lonny Mag- Issue 4 Highlights

Issue 4 of Lonny Mag is now online!  I was blown away by all of the amazing art showcased throughout. Some of my faves are below:

One piece that I will definitely be purchasing is the faux snakeskin tray from Global Table. It is perfect for piling jewelry and knick knacks. (p.s. LOVE the photo of the yellow shoes behind it- I would love to take everything below as a set!)

Issue 4 focuses on environmentally sustainable products and companies - there is a great selection of organic fabrics. Don't just be chic, be eco-chic!

Check out the article on West Elm on pg. 61 and the work they are putting into their green product line. Great store, great product and great for the earth! Now back to Lonny Mag...can't wait for issue 5!