Hello 2013

2012 was a year of big changes for me. I graduated college in March and moved to New York for my first real job at the end of April. I bought my first pair of designer shoes (Manolo Blahniks from the sample sale when my bosses urged me out the door on my third day of work) and attended fashion week for the first time (and then bought more designer shoes). I reconnected with old friends, made a few new ones, got in touch with my social side and went on a few dates. I found my way around my new neighborhood and my new city and survived a superstorm. I went to Indiana and California and back home and always came back to New York feeling like it really was becoming my city. I spent my first New Year's Eve away from home and celebrated the end of 2012 with some of my best friends in the city.

2013 has a lot to live up to, but right now I'm looking forward to getting better acquainted with New York, spending time with my friends (and hopefully making some new ones along the way) and making my apartment feel more like a home. I've got more than a few goals for the new year - which I put off for a week while suffering/recovering from a cold - and with those I'm looking forward to bettering myself both inside and out (2013 is the year I really embrace my vanity). I'm going to make a real effort to get back in touch with the part of myself that sits down at the end of the day and does something productive - aka the creative part of me that writes and takes pictures, which hopefully means more here, more there, more everywhere. In 2013, I'm going to make progress. 

Pick Three: Metallic Loafers

With the onset of fall, shopping is constantly on my mind. Of course, it doesn't help that I spend all day looking at clothes, both on my computer screen and in the hallways of the office. One thing I've noticed since starting work at Lucky is that my shoe collection has grown considerably (which is a little tough in such a tiny bedroom). But that doesn't mean that I've stopped looking at shoes. One of the things on my list, besides a pair of classic leather loafers, a new pair of leopard flats and some high-heeled knee-high boots is a pair of metallic loafers. I've been eying the Coach pair since they debuted their Legacy collection and I couldn't be happier that there are so many options for shiny, preppy feet (nor could I be happier that the Bass pair have joined my wardrobe). Obviously I picked three options in gold, silver and bronze (which also reflect their prices from highest to lowest) because even after a couple months I'm still not quite over Olympics fever.

1. Coach "Haydee" loafers, $188 2. Bass "Wayfarer" loafers, $139 3. C. Wonder penny loafers, $128

Here's to Fall

"American Elm" via lostmanproject.com

 It's hard to describe how I feel about the changing of the seasons from summer to fall. After so many steamy, sticky, sweltering days, waking up to a brisk little bite in the air feels as good as sinking into a lavender-scented bubble bath after a long day. I'm enjoying the onset of fall in New York, quoting You've Got Mail every chance I get ("Don't you just love New York in the fall?") and planning weekend strolls in Central Park with steaming cups of coffee in hand. As cliche as it sounds, fall seems to signal a new beginning for me every year. I may not be packing my books into a tote on the way to class, but I feel like fall brings me closer to the person I strive to be. After a summer spent whining about the heat, sitting directly in front of air-conditioning units, cooking as little as possible (who wants to stand in front of a stove after walking home in soaring temperatures?) and wearing whatever would get me through the day with as little sweat as possible, I'm back in action. This week I've already cooked two real dishes (penne alla vodka and a cheddar, bacon and spinach quiche) and I couldn't be happier about being able to wear real clothes (even pants!) without the threat of arriving at work sweat-soaked. I feel like fall has so much to look forward to: friends visiting from out of town, my first trip to California, Thanksgiving, crisp fall nights out in the city and cozy mornings spent sipping coffee, cable knit sweaters, riding boots...I could go on and on.The beginning of this fall has been amazingly busy and after a couple of vaguely depressing years spent finishing my undergraduate career, I feel like I'm right where I'm supposed to be and that my life is taking me where I'm supposed to go. So here's to fall and everything it brings; I'm so ready.

Fashion Week redux

Nonoo S/S 2013

 Now that I've finally got some proper rest I feel like I can look back on the beginning of this month with some clarity (though not a whole lot - things are a blur). For me, fashion week started Wednesday, September 5 with four presentations, one show and a few quick visits to Lucky's Fashion and Beauty Blogger conference (aka FABB). It ended Wednesday, September 12 when I exited Lincoln Center after the Vivienne Tam show, took a detour to Magnolia Bakery for cupcakes, went home, at the cupcakes and went to sleep around 10 p.m. Fashion week was...fun, exhilarating, stressful, tiring and beautiful. I went to more than 30 events over the course of that seven days. It might as well be the beginning of field hockey season for the number of blisters and band-aids my feet and ankles have been sporting. I got my picture taken a few times and saw other people get their picture taken a million times (the first time I arrived at Milk I was taken aback by the clamoring crowd of photographers out front. Peering into the crowd, I spotted Leandra Medine posing amid the din. I took more pictures with my iPhone than I thought possible. I spotted a lot of well-known editors and even more bloggers and even a few celebrities. I felt like I was stalking Linda Fargo for awhile. I saw a lot of creativity and a lot of beauty.

Lisa Perry S/S 2013

 I've been entranced by the fashion world for a while, starting in my teen years when I began to read fashion magazines in earnest. Then came the endless poring over runway images online and clicking constantly to the next page of street style blogs. So when I found myself in the middle of fashion week - at Lincoln Center or Milk or somewhere along the West Side Highway, it was more than a little surreal. I still did all the things I've done in the past - reading blogs and checking Tumblr and looking at street style - only this time I'd notice someone that I'd seen, or recognize where a picture was taken. Seeing runway or presentation shots from shows I had actually attended pop up on my Tumblr dashboard was both odd and enthralling. It seems strange to think that less than a year ago I was living (primarily) in the Chicago suburbs and going to school and now I'm living in New York, working full time and going to fashion week for work. And though fashion week was even more exhausting than any crazy finals week, I can't imagine anything that I would have rather been doing.

Tanya Taylor S/S 2013

Welcome Home

I used to cry every time I left home to go back to school. My eyes would slowly fill with tears that I tried to blink away as I pulled away from my house and then again when my dad would leave me in the security line at National Airport. Even though I loved Chicago and school and my friends the tears would always come, remnants of the child who once told her mother she would never leave home.

When I left for New York, now more than four months ago, I cried as well. A six-week stay at home had once again filled my heart with the love that surrounds me when I am there. I cried because I was leaving home for good, because I was terrified of what life in the city would hold for me, because it was the first time in my life where I was going off without a real plan.

Yesterday I left home again, after spending the long weekend thoroughly ensconced in home life. I like to say that each time I go home I revert to my teenage self - lying around the house, going to the mall, carrying a Vera Bradley bag on my arm. I spent time with my parents and my best friend who I've known since I was five and high school friends and I listened to the near silence of suburban nights and walked out onto the back deck in my bare feet. I got bitten by mosquitoes and ate way too much and relived old rituals with a cup of coffee and a copy of the Washington Post. And I wished the weekend were longer so that I could stay and give my parents longer hugs and sit around the dinner table for hours. I was sad to leave.

But I didn't cry. Instead of thinking of the things I was leaving, I was thinking about what I would be coming back to: the city that I love, friends I want to see, friends who want to see me, a job that I'm never sorry to wake up for (except maybe that one time when I was hungover on a Wednesday morning), a boy I have a crush on, the beginning of fashion week, my bed that is, admittedly, the one superior thing about my apartment as opposed to my house... Even though I was leaving home and my parents and that wonderful cocoon, I'm actually making a life here in New York and when I got back to my apartment, well, it felt just like home.

Fall Fashion Favorite: Shoshanna

There are a few things that will always get me, cute dresses, plaids and gorgeous greens among them. So of course, it was bad news for my wallet when I browsed Shoshanna's fall collection...and found all three.
My first love was this plaid dress:

But then I fell for this green dress:

And did I mention I have a wedding to attend in November in California?

And who can resist a beautiful green coat (not me!)

And how Spencer Hastings (one of my fall wardrobe inspirations - see here - don't judge) is this whole look?

Obviously on my salary not all of these pieces will make it into my closet this fall, but that won't stop me from daydreaming - or putting a few of those on my fall wishlist/budget.

All images via Shoshanna.com

Pigeon Babies

(Post title to be sung to the tune of the "Muppet Babies" theme song. You know you want to. I am. Pigeon babieeeees)
Here's a fun fact about me: I hate pigeons. And more than that - I not only hate pigeons, I'm scared of them. I can't remember the origin of my pigeon-phobia (and it's only of pigeons, not of all birds) but I do know that every time I get near them, which is quite often in this city, I move farther away, the corners of my mouth start to slowly turn down and I keep a watchful eye on my feathery foes for any sudden movements (a pigeon hit me in the face once. It was traumatic.) So of course I was a little unsettled when I noticed a couple of pigeons chillin' on the railing to my apartment's balcony. They'd just sit there. And watch me. A few days later I noticed something odd - an assortment of twigs on the balcony that hadn't been there before.

And then one of the pigeons started to sit on the twigs

By this point I knew something was up - the pigeons were definitely nesting on our balcony. When I saw an egg, I knew for sure. My roommate and I were going to be foster parents. To a pigeon baby. Now every time I look out on to the balcony this is what I see.

The face of true evil parenthood

From my google searches of 'pigeon gestation' (and I really hope I start seeing adds based on that search) it shouldn't be too long until we have a little feathery bundle of joy...and until I start being scared of it

Pre-Fall Fashion Favorite: Milly

Back in February when I was planning this new blog, I made a list of posts that I would write. I had some pre-fall collections jangling in my mind, but late winter/early spring didn't seem the right time for them and so those items stayed on the list. Until now. Now that we're actually approaching, fall and, um, pre-fall (as I will now start calling the months of August and September) it seems like as good a time as any to take a look at one of my favorite pre-fall collections (even though I've already started in on my fall favorites. Whatever.).

One collection that's stuck in my mind all this time is Milly. Now, in my mind, designer Michelle Smith can do little wrong. I'm always in love with her collections that are full of bright colors and patterns paired with feminine silhouettes. Her pre-fall collection is just up my alley. My favorite part? The ladylike leather pieces. I've never been big on leather (unless it was a gorgeous pair of boots) because I'm just not cool enough (I'm super uncool). But with my favorite shapes redone in leather, I finally think I can wear it. I'll definitely be taking some inspiration from this collection as I start to make fall purchases.

Images via NY Mag

Fall Fashion Favorite: Tommy Hilfiger

It's no secret that I'm a huge Tommy Hilfiger fan. I'm all about stylish American sportswear and the brand always delivers it in spades. Past seasons have delivered some of my most lusted-after items (I'm still lamenting the fact that a pair of those high-heeled duck boots never made it into my closet) and this season is no different. But before I go into pieces though, let's talk the ad campaign.

click to enlarge

I've spent the last few seasons just about obsessed with the Tommy Hilfiger ad campaign. The "Hilfigers" (wouldn't it be nice if we could all create our own fictitious, ridiculously attractive families) tell a story each season, painting a picture of a sprawling upper crust family that does everything together - hanging out at the country club, taking camping trips or just celebrating the holidays in a massive Connecticut house covered in plaid. To me, the ad campaigns strike the right balance of aspirational and inclusive - sure, the family is dressed in the latest not-inexpensive Tommy, but, while the lifestyle screams 'wasp,' the mix of models, however genetically unfair they may be, doesn't.

There are so many things I love about this ad campaign. I'm not much of an outdoors person, but I have to admit that a glam, all-American foxhunt in a English country manor meets Fifth Avenue (home to the Tommy Hilfiger flagship, of course) vein is right up my alley. Especially if I could dress in the quilted jackets (and I'd like all of those quilted jackets, please) and tweeds showcased above. I'd like to spend my Autumn dressing like a private school refugee crossed with a former competitive show jumper crossed with Spencer Hastings, so my fantasy fall wardrobe is full of well-tailored tweed blazers with elbow patches, cable knits (or cable knit prints like the ones the Tommy team rendered on silk for this season) and knee-high boots in buttery leather. Another thing to love about this ad? The Craig McDean-shot campaign was snapped in Warrenton, Va. - right in my (proverbial) backyard! If you didn't know, Virginia is home to some prime horsey-set country which makes it the perfect setting for the old money meets modern sensibility feel of the Hilfigers.

I can't forget about my favorite looks from the runway show which hit all the right notes of preppy equestrian cool- I'll take all the coats and boots, thanks.

And doesn't that last look remind you of a modern, fashion-forward Samantha Parkington? Love.

Tommy Hilfiger ad courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger
Runway images via NY Mag

Pick Three: Little Black Booties

When I make a shopping list, just as often as there are specific items (like a Madewell sheep sweater, for instance) there are things that I know I want - but I'm just not sure where to get them. I'll write down "striped shirt" or "pencil skirt" on my list and hope that I come across the perfect one while out shopping or browsing the internet. A lot of times I'll come up with an expensive ideal and then work to find something that's actually in my price range. That's the premise behind this "pick three." I think of something I want - in this case, a pair of black high-heeled booties and then I find three that fit my desired description at a variety of prices. These range from $995 (at the top) to just $46 (at the bottom) - I think I'm going for the sweet spot in the middle.

1. Christian Louboutin"Vicky" ankle boots, $995 2. Topshop "Aristocrat" shoe boots, $170 3. Lulu's "Kailin" platform booties, $46