Holier than Now

Bright; Basic

Ann — Mon, 14 May 2012 02:26:21 +0000

Ok so let's flip the script and talk color intensity, because let's be honest ... I am not immune to it! Sometimes it's nice to rebel against ... yourself.

This Fall I invested in this Radenroro jacket in brown, and it's a total staple for me. When Spring came around I was the lucky recipient of the bright version, but as fun as it was to style it in keeping with this positively energy-infusing weather ... truth be told it is just as much of a basic as the brown version. See how I normally wear it when not walking across scalding roof tops after the jump.

Love Report: Black + Tan

Ann — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:01:26 +0000

Maybe it's strange that while everyone is going cray on the brights front, I spent the past few months working on a satisfying assortment of black + tan basics. It took some time, hard work, and saving but I think it was worth it.

I guess the goal was to have more no-brainer accessories for everyday - it's nice to not challenge my brain to a color matching game sometimes, you know?

^^ SHOP IT ^^

Clockwise: 1. Rachel Comey Lido Bag in Dressy | 2. Pedro Garcia wedges - purchased at Decades pop up, VERY similar linked | 3. Black envelope clutch - similar | 4. Vintage brown suede clutch - similar | 5. Vintage copper collar necklace from my mom - here's a modern one | 6. Rachel Comey Trace loafer | 7. Priceless dog | 8. Polkadot Sweater - F21, here's the cropped blazer version

Also, related - because you know I believe in with the new means out with the old - I'm selling my soft black leather Leonello Borghi Birkin-style bag. You literally can't get these any more ... I have one of his bags in gold that I will never part with, but I don't need two large black bags so have at it (here).

Anyway, what about you guys, do you match your accessories to your dog? Jk. Coincidence. I swear. I guess.

Cash.mirror (2 solutions for a cold Spring)

Ann — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:26:31 +0000

It's been so cold and dreary here in NY that it hurts me to look into my closet. I feel like I've been wearing the same pants for the past month; my dresses + skirts + platforms sandals are atrophying in there.

But then I realized:

1. I forgot about you, cashmere sweaters! And boyish cotton knits in a size too large. You know the type: baggy, wrappy, coat-like, over-sized, layerable, etc. I feel like I put some of my knits away too soon ... and also that I really need to invest in some better basic softies so I have a chance of making anything summery I own work through May.

2. Slightly more advanced, but cheaper ... big, soft, chunky socks with sandals. Can we? Shall we? Not sure.

Anyway, if you're in need, there's a whole realm of summer cashmere under $200 here, in neutrals and a zillion colors and shapes. Sidenote: my sister-in-law always makes fun of the trend in magazines to do copy like: "We are so obsessed with these lightweight cashmere knits, we bought them in every color." <- Seriously? I can't even imagine a Kardashian doing that.

But it's inspiring to think about.

Images (clockwise from top left): via The Fancy, Vogue, Vogue Paris, Vogue, via Knighttcat, The Blue Blog, Fashion Gone Rogue, Elle (scanned by me), June Palmer via Vintagegal

This post is brought to you by Pure Collection; editorial content & genuine love is my own.

Just One Thing: Floral Watch

Ann — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:40:22 +0000

I haven't worn a watch of this ilk since 6th grade but I'm opening to revisiting the vibe as of ... right now.

May28th floral watches - $38 here. (There are so many more designs!)

Love Report: Little Bit

Ann — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:38:24 +0000

I can't even believe I'm posting about this! You guys don't understand how much I hated a twee little shoulder bag - but something happened. It definitely does not involve a "pop of color" - and neither should any other piece of copywriting anywhere on this earth - but ... it is a little bit delicious?

The best thing about these bags, if I may be frank, is that you could *maybe* actually buy into a designer you worship ... for me, the full size bags are just WAY out of my budget and besides, I'd rather have half a' vintage Rolex for that kind of cash.

In any case, indulge like you would do in a pack of the fruit flavored Mentos <- so underrated!

Click above or ^^ SHOP HERE ^^

1. 3.1 Phillip Lim Abichi Shoulder Bag $475 | 2. See by Chloé Twirl Shoulder Bag $325 | 3. See by Chloé Twirl Shoulder Bag $375 | 4. Theyskens' Theory Anen Medium Shoulder Bag $325 | 5. Ralph Lauren Collection Mini Suede Shoulder Bag $795 | 6. Dooney & Bourke Happy Bag $198

Are you a little bit, a little bit, a little bit in luff with them too?

Ne Plus Ultra

Ann — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:32:08 +0000

I had so much fun last week at the Ultrabook/IFB show! What a chill group of people and a great night all around ... walking in ridiculously high heels down a white glossy football field has never been so relaxing.

Many thanks to Orla Kiely and Kamali Kulture by Norma Kamali for dressing us, BaubleBar for bejeweling us, Just Fab for shoeing us, and the Arrojo team for hair + laughs.

We have an Ultrabook (a Lenovo Ideapad) which I "gave" our family for Xmas and which has secretly been in my hot little hands ever since - I'm very happy that I'm now the owner of my very own Ideapad, above. The thing about these laptops is they start up in literally 3 seconds, the wireless connectivity is instant (assuming you have wireless around) and you're basically good to go before you can say I asked for a dry low fat latte this is a half caf cappucinno. The Acer Aspire I talked about for Lucky Magazine is also an Ultrabook! They really are a new generation of laptops - and fast, light, affordable - so if you're in the market check out the various brands here.

Thanks to all of the sponsors and the team at IFB! You can watch the show here : ) xo

Images 1, 3, 4 by Dustin Fenstermacher

Love Report: Early Spring Finds

Ann — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:47:27 +0000

A few happy things that happened this month in the wardrobe department:

- Rachel Comey launched her e-commerce site. A wonderful day in my life for personal and professional reasons. Got this amazing sheer, trompe l'oeil cable Midway Shirt in Emerald.

- Went to Texas Style Council where I talked about amped up writing ... and did some amped up shopping. I got this pre-loved dress from Hunt Gather Style and these two belts (adding to a collection) during our thrifting tour. So many bargains, I love Austin forever.

- Stopped by Opening Ceremy where I bumped into a Twitter friend (Rhamier Auguste) - I love that - and picked up these navy mesh Riveiras ... a great, affordable-but-super-nice summer sneaker.

- Added some brights to my life with this Ann Taylor coral clutch and these cheap-as-heck Old Navy canvas and neon flats.

- Met up with a friend at Urban Outfitters and unearthed this cropped navy and gold sweater and neon striped cotton sweater, both on sale. Can't find the latter online, but this is a really good bright cable sweater also on sale ... I wish I had seen this yesterday!

- Sold a ton of stuff on eBay. How else would I have justified all this?!

What's on your list for Spring? Recent purchases you love? Link me up below!

Chalk a Block, or How I Learned to Love the Pastel Trend

Ann — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:31:48 +0000

So like I said above, I really did not like the color blocking trend (with primaries/brights etc.) ... for me, it was just too strong and graphic. Then came pastels. I like these fine, but it's hard for me to imagine a pastel that would work for me without washing out.

Here is my suggested solution: pastel blocking. Making two not-so-great things awesome. Suggested building blocks below.

^^ SHOP IT ^^

Images: Massimo Dutti via Fashion Gone Rogue, Stockholm Street Style (both), Harper's Bazaar

Just One Thing: Happy Wedge

Ann — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 22:29:38 +0000

I'm not normally all about this brand, but this shoe just makes me happy. I want to buy it to wear with a black sundress for evening, and rolled up jeans for day, and white denim shorts for the beach ... etc.!

Steve Madden Winnona Wedge - $99.95. It's even better from the front!

Palette 013: A New Pink

Ann — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:42:01 +0000

OK, time to get excited for Spring and some fresh color! I have a very specific affection for this pink tone ... Maybe I'm splitting hairs here (but the finer points of color are my life!) because to me this isn't quite coral, and it's not bubblegum pink, there's a greyed-out, dusty quality to it that I can't explain (which I think it why it looks so perfect with grey).

Do you love/like/despise this shade? What's your favorite new color for Spring?

Image credits: Vanessa Jackman, Wayne Tippets, Stockholm Street Style, Jalouse, Style.com