Say No 2 Ugly

Hipster Hasidic in Manhattan ft. Christina Bryza

2013-04-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Forever 21 hat, striped scarf, Liberty denim vest, GAP button-up shirt, Gap Jeans, black flats
Christina Bryza on The Highline in New York, NY

Yes it's been awhile. Mostly due to the terrible weather, me changing jobs and a myriad of other excuses. I've been incredibly busy and haven't had the time to take pictures of my daily ensembles.

Enter Christina Bryza, a good friend of mine from college. This spunky and fun woman is going to be publishing a children's book for adults and needed some author photos. I happily obliged, but in exchange I put her in an outfit of my choice and forced her to frolic on the Highline during a busy Saturday afternoon.

She had recently purchased two staple items from the Gap earlier that week: the blue jeans and a white, linen button up shirt. With a staple outfit the execution is all in the details. I French-cuffed the jeans to add a more slender and playful line to the Saturday outing look. Then we borrowed her roommate's scarf to add a bit of color around her face. I will say though, I think the scarf looks a little Rabbi-friendly, but that kind of Hasidic chic is getting popular since the hipsters and Hasidic Jews are neighbors in Williamsburg.

Actually I have a big theory on why they're so many more big-rimmed hats in the fall/winter collections this year, including Rag & Bone due to this neighborhood situation. But no one is really interested in my fashion conspiracy theories.

Maybe it's just because people look good in hats.

Regardless, I thought it was a fun and casual outfit. The hat plus vest combination was necessary to push the outfit through to "purposeful-Annie-Hall" inspiration. Otherwise with just either the vest or the hat it was pretty lackluster. Besides, it's always more fun to add some spice to a white button-up and blue jeans.

The hat actually took the most convincing for Christina to wear. But i think it worked well, and is functionally helpful on a sunny yet cool spring day in April. I hope she sports this look more often.

And for the finale....

Maybe this won't make it to her book jacket, but maybe at least to a reading or two?

Lovely Layla Rafael (Part 3) - Upper East Side Shopping

2012-10-21T17:47:00.000-07:00

Vintage jacket, Indian necklace, Young Fabulous and Broke Dress, Black Steve Madden Flats
Upper East Side, New York

What leisurely Sunday in New York would be complete without a little shopping? Layla and I finished brunch, and we got her dolled up to go into the city.

We decided to meet our friend Harriet Williams for the afternoon to scope out some of the store experiences of some new flagship stores in the neighborhood.

Doing research for Harriet is so hard. :-)

Layla showed me the jacket almost as soon as I started rifling through her closet, and I hearted it. It's got a fun quilt-like pattern on the front with gold beads embellishments on each point of the pattern.

I could have been a little bit more boring and put a solid color as a pairing, but with Layla's rocking wardrobe and body, I opted for the zig-zag print of her Young, Fabulous and Broke dress.

Since we were walking a bit, and it was Sunday afternoon, I thought flats were best by far.

And there you have a nice, casual outfit for the fun of the afternoon. It was a perfect little ensemble to strut around Madison Avenue. Harriet looks quite fetching herself, so we had quite a fun trio.

Smile Layla and Harriet!

Layla's papparazzi moment

Gangnam style whuaaat?

Looking lovely

It was a nice classy ensemble to ease into the fall weather with a light jacket. I adore layers, especially when they are so easy. I'm sure I'll be seeing so much more embellishment + patterns. The loud styles are back, and they're not going to go anywhere anytime soon.

Lovely Layla Rafael (Part 4) - Rocking Casual Workwear

2012-10-14T17:51:00.000-07:00

White House/Black Market blazer, Forever 21 Plaid Shirt, Citizens of Humanity Ingrid Jeans (Low-rise flare), Tom Shoes Wedges,
East Harlem, New York

Office attire doesn't always have to be dull --at least that's my opinion. By raiding Layla's closet, I was able to prove it.

Here are some additional shots of the details of the outfit. The contrast of fabrics and the nice rouche in the back of her flannel shirt to accentuate her shape and remove bulk underneath the jacket.

This White House - Black Market blazer has been sitting in Layla's closet unworn for the past year. She has fabulous closet space in order to hold all of this stuff, of course. She told me that she found it a little too formal at times.

I decided to fix that by putting it with a plaid flannel shirt to contrast with the weave of the jacket. I think it ended up pretty well. To keep up the informal but formal mix, I asked her to take her Tom Wedges and rock out in them.

She looks like she's having fun, which is the most important.

I cuffed her jeans to keep in informal. But I'm sure she could rock this with simple skinny jeans as well.

I told Layla that these shots would be perfect for whatever professional pictures she would need. Not to mention, I think we can all attest that if our home offices were this pleasant, we would be much more productive at home.

Thanks Layla for an amazing day and a collection of fun photos and outfits. Until the next guest star opportunity.

Roppongi Hills Style in Tokyo

2012-10-07T15:29:00.000-07:00

Willow and Clay color-blocked top, Leifsdottir High-Wiasted pants, Celine Platform Red Suede Pumps,
Roppongi Hills, Tokyo, Japan

Jet-lag has it's advantages. I get to wake up before the rest of the city does when I'm traveling in Asia. I started out my morning at 4 a.m. running down the streets of Roppongi Hills, and inexplicably I scouted a location for this color-blocked outfit.

I spotted this red sculpture on my way back to the Grand Hyatt hotel, and it couldn't have been more perfect. Maybe it was the One Direction song blasting in my headphones, but I thought nothing could be better for my crazy Celine red platform pumps.

These are from the S/S2012 season, but I still adore them. I scored them at a Nordstrom Rack in California for a deal considering their original retail price. I even liked these more than their ankle-strapped counterparts, though they're probably not as easy to walk in.

The sun was coming up over the buildings in Roppongi, and there is no better light than early morning or early evening light as my photography professors taught me at Northwestern. I have to agree.

The fun shape of the bench let me play with it as well, and I bet it's a nice comfy chair. Most of it was still wet from the pouring rain from the day before, but I still couldn't resist to lounge around a bit.

The pants are Leifsdottir pants that I've had for years. I like to think I bought them before high-waisted was back in, but that's probably why I was able to get them for $30 at the time. The top is from a great and affordable brand called Willow and Clay. I picked up the top from Riley in Chicago last time I was there visiting in July. It's blocked color is what drew me to it.

Bringing it back now...

I knew I had to class it up a bit for my Roppongi shoots this week. This neighborhood is like the Ex-patriot/rich area of town. The streets are littered with designer shops, but it is right next to a big going out area as well so I wouldn't quite liken it to Beverly Hills. It's ex-pat friendly because it's full of new construction. Apparently this area used to be the playground of the Japanese mafia. I guess gentrification happens everywhere.

But back to the outfit. I've been in love with the brand lately, especially with everything that Pheobe Philo is bringing to the brand. Half of my handbags are from when she was designing for Chloe, and I it's going to be such a strain on my wallet now that she's back in another magnificent French brand. But judging by some of the photos I'm getting, it may be all worth it.

My Captain Morgan stance

A last look up

Lovely Layla Rafael (Part 2) - A Dream-like Abode

2012-10-03T16:43:00.000-07:00

Steven Alan Dress, Amita Singh turquoise bead necklace, purple belt from another dress, Mango shoes
East Harlem, NY

So I had some fun with pixlr.com to put together the wispy sight above. However, Layla's great bedroom didn't need much to make it look fantastic.

As soon as I walked into her true one bedroom in East Harlem I said, "You live like a real person." And Layla definitely does. She has more than enough room to work, play and read in her apartment. Who know that this was a possibility in Manhattan?

So I had to take pictures of it. It didn't hurt that Layla's great Steven Alan dress with a purple belt went really well with it all.

Here's the ensemble from the back, including a great purple zipper accent. I had actually bought this dress with Layla a few years ago in LA when she was interviewing for PR jobs when she got out of the navy. It was a fantastic choice, in my humble opinion.

Sigh. You have to love a great business casual number. Though she also looks like a serious WASP in training, minus the "W" part.

Though I'm sure she would fit in at any Upper East Side party in this. In fact, this could be a nice preview to one of the other outfits she was wearing that day, but you'll get to see that soon.

Thanks again Layla!

Lovely Layla Rafael (Part 1) - Street Style in East Harlem

2012-09-30T17:42:00.000-07:00

Forever 21 Striped blouse, Blue sash, Black Bandeau, Anne Taylor Loft shorts, Clare Vivier bag, Stuart Weitzman booties,
East Harlem, New York

I convinced my friend Layla Rafael to be my doll for a day. I took a bike ride up to East Harlem and raided her closet and her apartment to put together some fun outfits for her.

This was probably my favorite look out of the bunch.

The blouse is Forever 21 and just reminds me that there is no reason for my to blow $100+ on Equipment blouses when Forever has tops like this. The tan color plus the stripes made me smile a bit.

The blue sash actually goes to a dress that is the same electric blue shade that she got from a store in Venice Beach, Calif. I thought it would add a nice accent of color.

To go under, I thought a black bandeau would be best, which she also had in her possession. I finished it off with a pair of her khaki shorts with silver threading through them from Ann Taylor loft.

Finally, I wanted her to have some heels. I felt that sandals and pumps wouldn't be right. She grabbed her black suede booties from Stuart Weitzman, which she claimed were super comfortable. Good thing because we did some walking on her streets.

She definitely got some looks, but I mean can you blame her adoring public?

The shots were taken up near 106th street near her place in East Harlem. We found this lovely wall, decorated from the ground to the ceiling. It was a fantastic backdrop to highlight Layla and the lovely blue in her outfit.

But enough gushing, you can see for yourself how fun it was. Enjoy these additional shots. There will be more of Layla to come in the following weeks. Thanks again Layla!

Oh Heeeeeeeeyyyyyyy...

Buttoned up to keep it more classy for the daytime.

Bringing it in the back as well.

Hot pants in Williamsburg

2012-09-23T08:34:00.000-07:00

Alexander Wang white asymmetrical sweater, Alexander Wang weave hot pants, Gucci flats, Oliver People's Sunglasses

Hello hot pants. I was on the fence to wear these babies in public, but I convinced myself by the circumstances of the day.

It was a lovely day in Williamsburg. I biked over to Harriet's hotel from my place and we spent the morning lounging by this lovely pool at the King and Grove Hotel. The bright sun was perfect for a lounge day, but the chill of September had settled in. I thought it would be the perfect day to wear my sweater and hot pants. Gotta have the right temperature mix so you don't freeze your butt off (literally) but can still wear a sweater. Plus, I always feel like skimpy clothing is always acceptable in the context of a pool and hipsters.

After the pool day, I took my bike for a little ride down the waterfront of Kent Avenue.

The warehouses of Williamsburg are my favorite. The big loft like spaces are why artists flocked here during the 90s, and sadly they're all fleeing for Greenpoint.

But it was great to pedal around, even though I could hear the pounding music of a Heineken event down the block.

Oh Williamsburg.

I cycled around in a pair of sweet Gucci flats that I got shopping with my friend Harriet.

What an idyllic day. I finished it out at a roof party in Chelsea where I froze my little legs off. Next time I'll plan better for going day to night.

Burning Man fashion 2012 - Men's creativity thrives in the desert

2012-09-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be brutally honest. The men at Burning Man brought bold fashion so much more than the women of the playa. I saw a ton of costumes, and some women had some fantastic styles, but nothing could beat the men. Maybe because the streets of New York have made me immune to the garish outfits of females, or maybe because women feel like that have to push the envelope to the point of shock to pull things together. Maybe it's because wearing heels in the desert is like asking for death.

Or maybe it's the type of costume that gains attention and attraction at Burning Man isn't usually "beautiful," but opulent and bright. Regardless, I loved the color, the patterns and the daring of the men of Burning Man.

This gentlemen, who I caught in center camp was mesmerizing.

The pops of colors make me smile, even down to the socks popping out from inside of his Tom's. He was journaling when I snapped his picture, and I'm sure it was something profound and creative.

I caught these two gentlemen dancing at Distrikt, a fantastic day party at the edge of the camp. They sure look like they're ready to rumble, and in style.

These guys were happily perusing a maze in the middle of the playa, and celebrating solving it. The Mad Max style of bundles and lack of clothing was always amazing to spot. These guys were just normal dudes running around the playa and having a blast.

Again, the men, were just taking everything, including fantastic hats and bracelets up a notch.

They even took the time to match with their mistresses with bolder colors than their partners. Daring, fabulous and yet manly. The men on the playa really knew how to push the limits with a tongue against their cheek.

The matching of accessories really shocked me as well. Headscarves coordinated with sunglasses are just one of the many instances of awe for these macho outfits.

But even when they were all stripped down to nothing but jean shorts, there is something peaceful and strong about it. As if to say, "what, I wear what I want," and they look oh so comfortable.

But no one could rock the levi jean shorts like my French friend Vianney with a beret, scarf, camelbak and cigarette. I had cut the jorts for him earlier that day. Tell me who could wear this better?

Vianney in Levi's Skinny Jeans (Google Affiliate Ad) cut by me.

Summer summary - my hiatus from Sayno2Ugly

2012-09-09T23:00:00.002-07:00

So I haven't published in months. Mostly due to a wide array of activities ranging from bachelorette parties, weddings, festivals and WORK.

To sum up a summer in one post isn't easy, but has to be done to catch you all up on the fantastic summer that I've had. Here are some of my favorite looks, and it will give you a taste of all of the comings and goings that I've had to do this summer.

The Green Garden Wedding

Photo courtesy of Michelle Pagnotta at the Bronx Botanical Gardens

Dress: Bridemaid dresses by Lula Kate (mix and match line)
Shoes: Kelly & Katie Michele Sandal - Silver (Google Affiliate Ad)

We all ordered different tops with the full party skirt from Bella Bridesmaid in NYC from the designer Lula Kate, which allowed to mix and match for the different body types that we had within the group.

I had a full skirt like my fellow lovely bridesmaids in the photo, but when I first tried it on it didn't look as good as the other adorable dolls in the party. It had too much volume for my curvy body. So I fixed the bottom by taking a 2-inch hem hand-sewn by my mom and looping through an elastic string in the botom. I tied it taut and created a bubble skirt with them.

I threw some vintage purple flower earrings with the number to go with the beautiful garden environment. On all of our feet are Kelly and Katie, a inexpensive brand courtesy of the DSW store in the Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn. Corey (the bride) and I found them one afternoon when she was free from planning and studying. (She's going to be a doctor!)

Her two sister are to her left and right, Nichole and Michelle, respectively. Lauren Defeo is on the far left and the bride, the now Mrs. Corey Corwin is in the middle.

We're all doing our best to be pouty mean girls....I don't think we're succeeding at anything but looking good.

The Perfect Playful Beach Wedding

Photo courtesy of http://www.socal-weddingphotography.com/ in La Jolla Beach, San Diego

Dress Bride: J. Crew
Necklace Bride: Anthropology
Dress: Parker, strapless
Shoes: Miu Miu Wedges

The lovely Erin Virdone Kats. All I could do was keep up with her. On the other end of the country, I had the pleasure of going to the wedding of Erin Virdone and Dmitriy Kats.

Erin had just one request for her girls: wear a dress in the purple/grey family, and have it look good. I thankfully chose this Parker dress that I bought from Saks Fifth Avenue, courtesy of the lovely Megan Weiner. The hem had a nice rise and fall, so in the front it was much higher than in the back. This hemline has been everywhere, and I love it because it shoes off shoes so well. Of course I went with my favorite Miu Miu wedges due to the terrain of the sand and grass, and because they look great. But compared to the bride, I'm just trying to keep up.

But most importantly, the bride looked gorgeous. In a simple J.Crew dress with gorgeous texture, she was stunning in a very intimate beach wedding.

Governor's Ball Day of Music

Me and Layla at the Governor's Ball Music Festival in New York, NY

With my Monster Thread Straw Hat, white sunnies that I got from a competitor at an Interactive Advertising Conference, my skull necklace and my polka dot shirt, I was very festival ready. Nothing is better than a thin, see-through shirt for a festival with a nice bikini top underneath.

It's always summer perfection.

Pitchfork Music Festival

This is a repeat outfit, almost. This Dylan Alexa top is a staple of mine for the summer. It's cool and easy, and with a bandeau bra, just covers everything that I need to have covered. On the bottom I have a James Perse cotton pencil skirt that I've had for about 4 years. It's amazing that the cotton has held it's shape so well, and it's a staple of mine for when I travel.

But my favorite part of the outfit is this great little fanny pack or bum bag as the Brits call it. I actually bought it from the Marc Jacobs store, but I still find it pretty hilarious.

On my feet, though you can barely see them are a fun pair of slippers I bought from City Soles in Chicago by a brand called Vialis. They're made with a sickly soft leather, and I bought another pair of shoes by the same brand from the store.

The store is my addiction, and you will see many more of my purchases from the sweet establishment in the future.

The Burning Man Look

That's me in the sun hat taking a picture. I spent the whole week in Lululemon gear, except for my footwear. I'm actually surprised the brand hasn't ventured into that yet. I have my favorite cowboy boots that I'm still shaking the playa dust off of.

I blogged a bit about the experience on www.notesbyspark.com, and I'll have a follow-up post shortly about the amazing outfits that the experience brings. If you look at the women on the right, you'll get a taste.

I had countless more outfits and experiences this summer, but as you can see it was a freaking marvelous one. But now fall has returned, and it's time to bring out the REAL fashion highlights. Bring on the layers of luxury.

I'll try to post at least one look a week through the fall, if my work schedule permits. Here's to saying no to ugly, no matter what the occasion or schedule.

#Madewell brights in Columbus, Ohio

2012-07-08T21:00:00.000-07:00

Madewell crocheted sweater, Orange Lululemon Racerback Tank, Madewell pink pleated skirt
Columbus, Ohio

Nothing is like going shopping at a mall, especially a mall in middle America. I was out in Columbus, Ohio for a wedding of the fabulous Rachel Carpenter, one of my friends from college, and couldn't resist taking a stop at the Easton mall. Wonderfully, they had a Madewell there, a great chain store that I don't get into enough.

More fantastic, they were slashing through all of their spring merchandise, including a ton of wonderfully colorful things. The pleated skirt and the crochet sweater were scores and combined they were $70. Sigh, I love malls. The tank is a Lululemon racer tank that was given to me for my birthday by my lovely friend, Lauren Defeo.

She said she could see me rocking it in dress rather than just working out, and I have to agree with her. When I saw myself walking down the street in it, I realized I looked a little like a crazy creamsicle, and a little F.O.B.-y. But I love it. Bring on the color!

Fashion color in Buenos Aires - Bright pinks in BA

2012-06-24T13:21:00.000-07:00

Walter Tammy Blazer, Ping Lululemon Tank Top, Hudson Nico Skinny Jeans,
Kate Kanzier booties
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Photo by Julia Ramsey

I found a wall that I matched with. It was a nice little coincidence noticed by my friend Julia, my partner in crime for my trip to Argentina.

This is a loooot overdue. But it just shows how a pop of color, courtesy of a Lululemon tank can jazz up an outfit. It even matches the landscape. :-)

The Argentine male - surprising fashion choices abound

2012-06-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Oh the men of Argentina. Overall they had some very bold and pulled-together fashion choices, but I do think a lot of them just abided by the rules of the Honey Badger. "Honey Badger don't give a shit."

Especially when it comes to hair choice. I don't know if I've every seen such a diverse culture of long, shaggy hair, and rocking it. Apparently the men in Argentina employ hair stylists as often as women do. I will also say, that the apparel choices for the men were also quite impressive. But who doesn't love classic menswear?

Regardless, these examples of the men's shag are nothing compared to what we saw rocked on the hipster streets of Palermo at night. But this will give a good illustration.

Regardless, the long shag seems to be embraced by men and women alike. As long as it gets them action, I say again, who gives a shit?

Argentina's Corina Fraga's fashion forward designs - featuring Julia Ramsey

2012-06-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

D&G Sunglasses, Corina Fraga sample tweed and leather top,
Joes Cut-Off jean shorts, Rag and Bone boots
Buenos Aires, Argentina

When in Buenos Aires, it's time to pick up some local designer flair. This top was found in a boutique in our first few days in Argentina, and I bullied Julia into buying it and allowing me to take pictures of it for my blog.

The streets of Buenos Aires were such a fun backdrop, and Julia definitely got some catcalls and whistles, especially since we were taking some shots near a construction site. I guess some male behaviors are universal.

I asked her to wear her jean shorts (that she cut herself from a pair of "terrible" boot cut jeans) and her Rag and Bone black boots. I loved both items, and thought it would be a surprising contrast to the formal top. The streets of Buenos Aires were quite casual in their looks, so I thought it would be fun to mix up such a stellar top, with an unexpected bottom.

I think it worked pretty well, if I don't say so myself. I'm sure she'll rock this look with black slacks or a skirt when she's back in NYC, where fancy dinners and drinks abound. But for now, I liked the rugged and formal contrast.

Above all else, the volume of the top is fantastic, and I think she looked wonderful in it. It was a fun hour following her around and seeing her take poses. Besides, her dark shag helped her swagger in it.

She just knows how to play it super cool. From construction site, to an area under a bridge, to some shots in front of some dark graffiti. She showed how New York cool meets the streets of Buenos Aires.

The designer of the top is Corina Fraga, and below is a picture of her beautiful boutique.

Designer, Corina Farga

A few days into being at Buenos Aires, and Julia and I decided to go shopping. We wandered throughout the Palermo Soho neighborhood combing through boutiques and possibilities for custom-made boots. We found the amazing top at this store, Corina Fraga. She's a local designer, and has a beautiful little space in Palermo. Julia is the one who discovered it.

She is pictured here, and was extremely sweet. Her English was lovely and she said she sets out to make designs that are beautiful and affordable. I almost bought a top for myself as well, and it was the only store that truly tempted me to purchase something the whole trip.

I forced Julia to try on the leather and tweed top, and it fit her like a glove. For 360 pesos or $80, the hand-made piece was an excellent choice. Corina said it was a one of a kind that was made for an event. There was a killer skirt that went with it too, but alas it didn't fit quite as well. I kind of talked Julia into buying the top, but look at the pictures. It's totally worth it!

Regardless, Julia is a devastatingly beautiful girl, and the top accents everything she has to offer.

Thanks Julia for being my model for the day! And if you're ever in Buenos Aires, look this wonderful designer up. Corina is incredibly talented and sweet!

Giminez Family Winery, Mendoza, Argentina

2012-06-06T06:22:00.002-07:00

My Outfit: Missoni Dress, Gold Belt, Lululemon Leggings, Miu Miu Sunglasses
Julia's Outfit: Maje leather jacket, Rag and Bone Jeggings, Rag and Bone Boots
Giminez Family Winery, Mendoza, Argentina

In the foothills of the Andes Mountains, anything looks good. Especially when you're wine-tasting. :-) These beautiful backgrounds make any outfit go well.

This is one of my favorite traveling outfits. I actually have worn it before in one of my first posts, but every girl can repeat. I was with my friend Julia Ramsey who took the rest of these photos of me. The outfit is okay, but the scenery is grand!

Rainy days don't have to be dreary days

2012-05-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

Post office outside Madison Square Garden

Oh rain rain rain. That's all NYC has been getting for the past few weeks. Instead of conforming to the masses, I like to go with bright accessories. These Tretorn boots have been my symbols of protest for rainy days for the past few years. Why get a drab color to wear on drab days?

For the whole outfit, I kind of went with a loose and fun outfit for the rest of the day. My favorite part of it was the back.

White puff-sleeved shirt, James Perse tank, Oila necklace,
JBrand Navy Twill pants, Tretorn boots,

Roxy Jacket, J Brand Navy Twill pants, Tretorn Boots,
outside Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

Black ruffles, bows and blazers in NYC

2012-05-22T21:28:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth and James black short blazer, Alice and Olivia ruffled tank,
William Rast cropped Jeans, Stuart Weitzman grey boy booties,
New York, NY

The French Cuff is back. Where did it go? Nowhere probably, but the cropped look is back in for the summer and I'm pumped for it. This pants usually have a straight leg. To have this jeans have a "skinnier look" I simply fold in the fabric, two ways. One way is initially grabbing the end of the pants and folding them to make the circumference of the leg opening smaller. The next steps is to fold the cuff upward, creating the skinny look.

The rest of the ensemble I've put together multiple times. Usually I put the Elizabeth and James blazer, the Alice and Olivia tank top with a pair of black pants. But I've found that this smothers the ruffles. So I grabbed the jeans instead.

On my feet are a pair of Stuart Weitzman bow booties that I bought in a Nordstrom Rack in Chicago. They barely fit my feet because the brand usually runs skinny in width, but these worked out really well.

The William Rast jeans are a purchase that I've had for 5 years. I really dig the back pockets. I bought these when Williams Rast were all of the rage. I think this line, even though it's affiliated with Justin Timberlake, is one of my favorites, especially for men.

In like 2006 every girl on TV was wearing these jeans. However, they specialized in low-rise, and the trend has been the opposite of that lately. Maybe they'll come back.

Regardless here's a couple more shots of the items. I really like how the bows and the ruffles made a very boring, and slightly masculine look: black blazer and jeans, look updated and fun.

It's all about the details!

Bright blue biking pants on the Manhattan Bridge

2012-05-15T21:00:00.000-07:00

Grey James Perse V-neck, White Club Monaco Tank, Henry and Belle Jeans, Kate Kanzier booties,
Design Glut and Falling Whistles necklaces,
Manhattan Bridge, New York, NY

I match graffiti on the Manhattan Bridge. Once I saw it, I decided to stop and take some pictures of "The best biking outfit ever," as quoted by Matt Purcell who saw me earlier that day.

I had biked up to Central Park from my home in Brooklyn on the glorious perfect weekend day of celebrating the birthday of my dear friend Christina Bryza, and I decided to head back home over the edgier Manhattan Bridge.

I may have gotten some weird and snarky looks on the path for stopping to take pictures, but it's got such cool angles. This is the back of my little ensemble, where you can see I knotted the back of the white tank with a rubber band. An easy technique to add a bit more flavor to an outfit. You can also see that my jeans haven't gotten baggy yet, despite about 10 miles of biking through the city.

I'm telling you, premium denim...worth every penny.

On my feet are my Kate Kanzier booties that have travelled the world with me. They're getting haggard and worn like the streets of the bridge.

Stil, I think it gives them character.

Around my neck is a map of the world, designed by http://www.designglut.com/. This fabulous piece was purchased at a store in Cobble Hill in Brooklyn, and has gotten me more compliments than I can count. From flight attendants to dudes on the street, people love it. It's a nice little outline of the world.

Below it, hangs a "Falling Whistle," one of my staples of a necklace. The story is a beautiful one, and very sad. All proceeds go to eliminating poverty in the Congo. So if you have a moment watch the video, and maybe buy to spread the word.

It was a good day, a fun outfit and it was great to see the subway pass by. Enjoy a true taste of urban life in NYC.

Late nights bring more music moments in NYC

2012-05-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

Yes more music along with artwork.

This song, "This Head I Hold" was the inspiration for this look. I shot these pictures at about 10 p.m. at my office after pulling a 14-hour day. I had early calls with Europe in the morning and then late calls with Asia at night. My life isn't that hard, just sometimes it comes in spurts.

The last thing I could think about was looking pretty, so I proceeded to have lots of hair moments, soundtracked to this great song, "This head I hold," by Electric Guest. The lyrics really got to me that night. "This head I hold is so tired," and I wanted to commemorate the moment.

I took these photos at the back stairwell of my office building. In the end, when you have to work, make it fun. I sure did.

Kaylee Tankus Blouse, Phillip Lim 3.1 Necklace,
Markus Lupfer pants, Charles Jourdan Pumps,
New York, NY

Fierce vintage is modern in downtown New York featuring Megan Weiner

2012-05-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

Chanel sunglasses, Vintage Kimono Coat, Zara Black Dress,
Zara Black Ankle Strap Pumps and Lion Vintage Belt
Meatpacking District, New York, NY

When Megan pulled out this coat from her closet, I gasped. I loved it. I loved the shape of the jacket, but I wanted to belt it and give it a Kimono look. She usually drapes the coat over an outfit and leaves the front open. Then I asked if she had a skin tight, short black dress to wear underneath it, and she complied by pulling out a dress from Zara with a wonderful skirt fringe detail to layer underneath the coat.

When it came to the belt, Megan asked me what color, and I asked for a white belt. She pulled out a fantastic Lion Belt, that she bought from a vintage store in Philadelphia. The lion head usually goes in the front, but I asked her if we could flip it around and it added great detail to the back of the outfit.

As for her shoes, I saw these Zara ankle-strap wedges in her closet when I was raiding it for other outfits. I asked her if she liked them with the outfit. She agreed, and then we were on our way to walk around meatpacking district with her looking fabulous.

I adored the photos I took of her in the neighborhood. We even got some serious stares from the New Yorkers or tourists walking down the streets.

At one point a photographer pointed at us and said, "Now that's a fashion shoot," and I smiled. At least we looked like we were a little legit.

The ensemble is amazing, but as always, it's the accessories that take it up a notch. Say hello to Megan's "Lion Belt." It's been in her collection for awhile, and she wears it with a lot of cute dresses. The faux knocker is actually hollow and pretty light, but I bet it could double as a breast plate if she really needed it.

The sunglasses are fabulous and are a tortoise shell Chanel pair. The circular lenses were a great pairing the the square fabric of the jacket. I also asked Megan if she could wear some bright red lipstick for this look. I felt that this downtown number needed more "oomph" in color on the face to take it to the next level.

Her shoes are from Zara. Megan was a trooper to walk around the cobblestone streets of meatpacking in them. But they have to be easier than stilettos. I think they look great against the grey streets.

She also has legs for days, so the high heels and short skirts really showed off her great stems. You can see the details of the skirt if you look really closely. It has a nice black hem that adds weight to the bottom of the skirt.

As for the jacket, she purchased it from Zachary's Smile vintage store in New York City. They're a high-end vintage store, so they tend to have high-priced, special pieces. I think we can all agree that this is a special piece. The woven detail is fantastic, and the weight of the fabric is great for a spring look.

To end the day, we did some candid moments of Megan in Meatpacking District. She's going to be moving to San Francisco in a couple of weeks, so this may be one of last opportunities to style it up in downtown New York.

She was a fantastic model, and she fit in so well. I could even imagine seeing paparazzi following her around one of these days.

Thanks again Megan for a wonderful week of looks! Have a blast in San Francisco, and I hope we can feature you again on www.sayno2ugly.com.

Seventies retro gear near the water, featuring Megan Weiner

2012-05-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

Hat from Anthropology, Vintage Giraffe Shirt, MIH Marakesh Kick Flare Jeans,
Report Signature Shoes, H&M Bracelets,
West Side Highway, New York, NY

This is one of Megan's favorite tops from Amarcord, a vintage store with locations in Soho and Williamsburg. I immediately loved it, and asked her if she wanted to go super retro with the outfit. I wanted to put the top with the Made In Heaven (MIH) Marrakesh Kick Flare jeans she purchased from Denim Habit with me a few weeks ago, and she said that she had done a similar look before.

Thus, she was definitely game. I thought a summer hat would go really well, and my sister said something floppy would go best. We agreed. Megan threw on a wire-brimmed hat from Anthropology. Then Megan grabbed her super high Report Signature sandals, and I grabbed a big string of gold bracelets off of her dresser.

Voila! Enter an amazing retro outfit for a day near the water.

We trudged over to the Hudson River Park off of the West Side Highway to find the right backdrop for these photos. There's nothing quite like a city skyline over water, even New Jersey can be lovely from the right angle.

The accessories of this outfit were great. The anthropology hat provided a nice frame to Megan's face. The bangles are a nice accent as well. And finally the uber-high sandals, though mostly covered by the pants, were necessary to finish off the retro vibe. Nothing says 70s like flare-legs and thick heels.

But back to the full look. The great design of the blouse extends to the back. Who doesn't love a mommy and baby giraffe? The color scheme of mint greens and patterns is really on trend for this spring.

Megan says she already gets a lot of use out of this shirt, and I can definitely see why. We had some fun with Megan frolicking in this for a bit.

In the end, it was a beautiful day paired with a beautiful outfit. Thanks Megan for another lovely set of photos.

Updating Pride and Prejudice in NYC featuring Megan Weiner

2012-04-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

White sun parasol, vintage gold coat, vintage white dress,
Madewell oxford sling-back shoes,
West Village, New York, NY

Welcome to the week of Megan Weiner. Megan is a friend of mine via my sister. Megan has exquisite taste when finding vintage items. She sent me a picture of this gawk-worthy gold coat that she bought from Starstruck Vintage on Greenwich Ave, and we set up a day to shoot it. I also raided her closet to help her put this ensemble together.

The white parasol is mine and I brought it because I wanted to create an Austen-era look with the coat. I bought it from a street market in Seoul. No matter the location purchased, I think it goes really well with the theme of the outfit.

The Austen period exuded femininity, so there needed to be a dress involved. I suggested a short white dress to contrast the length and austerity of the coat. Megan found this incredible white dress in a vintage store in Wisconsin with a beautiful collar. When she showed it to me, I said it was perfect. I think the little dress contrasted with the coat beautifully.

Last, but not least, I grabbed her oxford slingback Madewell Shoes from her closet and exclaimed that they were a perfect way to finish off the Austen-updated ensemble.

Don't you just love it? It seems so conservative, but the short white dress and open-toed shoes give such a flirty contrast to the severeness of the coat. After we had enough of the parasol, it was time to have some fun with the flowy fabric of the coat and dress. It was a beautiful day outside, with just enough wind to aid in adding volume to the outfit.

But then it was time to take the coat off as well, which we had a lot of fun with too. And the mixture of lengths really shows off the length of Megan's legs.

The white dress itself is quite a find on its own. The details of the white dress are exquisite. The back of the dress with the high collar is adorable. It's actually a perfect length for the shorter styles of today. I'm sure we would have had enough to photograph of just the lovely summer dress.

I really liked putting it with the lace-up Madewell booties. It has a pretty girl feel, and could be too much if we had chosen something too feminine. These practical Madewell shoes bring the outfit down to earth a bit, and I especially like the clunky heel.

And finally, we chose to put Megan's hair up in a high, messy up-do to show off the collar, and show off her curls. I was also glad to have very little make-up because it went well with the fresh-faced look of the time period. When I see her here, I see an updated Elizabeth Bennet.

This is the first in a week-long series featuring the gorgeous Megan Weiner. Styling and photographing her was a blast, and I hope you all enjoy! Contact me if you want to schedule your appointment. :-)

Bright androgyny gets me confused comments in NYC

2012-04-27T08:20:00.003-07:00

Equipment Melon Green top, Gold chain, Nico Hudson Skinny Jeans,
New York, NY

It was interesting when I wore this outfit. It's a bright green silk equipment top, one of the new luxury staples of the people who shop at Intermix and Barneys. People kept commenting that they liked it, the nice color contrast, especially with my YSL lipstick.

Maybe putting this all with a gold chain, and my dark boots from Jeffrey Campbell through people more off. But I personally love the contrasts of make-up, manly and not so manly accessories.

Close-up of Jeffrey Campbell boots.

But overall I had a some fun with this little shoot. I found some great brick walls in the back stairways of Chelsea Market, and found a ridiculous prop thing. I thought it looked like someones bored project, so I thought I would give it some love.

The white brick was great for the equipment short, and it was just some fun. Maybe one day I can live in an edge apartment with these kinds of walls, but honestly it got a little more dusty than glamourous. Maybe I'll just stick to visiting these types of spaces for random photos.

Summer Styles: boyfriend jeans and straw hats in NYC

2012-04-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Monster Threads Straw Hat, Splendid White Button-Up Shirt,
AG Ex-Boyrfriend 9-year-aged, Espadrilles
New York, NY

For a week us New Yorkers got an amazing treat, an early taste of summer. The sky opened up with sunshine, and we were able to frolic in the green spaces of NYC.

I celebrated by kicking it up with some fashion standbys and mixed in modern and old timey fashions to battle the sun.

I bought this hat from Australia a few months ago, and boy have I gotten good use out of it. The Australians have amazing hats, and it's probably due to their elongated summer weather. Here are some shots.

I chose my AG boyfriend jeans to pair with the outfit and my comfy green espadrilles. I felt very summer ready, and nothing is more comfortable that these jeans. They've been distressed considerable, and are very light weight.

I may be rocking them during festival season this year.

Enjoy!

Whimisical dresses in Park Slope, Brooklyn

2012-04-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

Pixlr.com editor allows you to do amazing things, and that's how I created this pop art number. The original shot is below, but I prefer my "art-ed up" version. While I was editing it, I was getting ready for a concert with "The Drums," a great band based out of Brooklyn who are tearing up the world right now. The song is playable above. The wispy feel of this dress makes me think of the sweet melancholy and whimsical tune of this amazing song. I thought a quote from it would be a perfect title.

I edited the original photo in the first place because I wanted to take my big ass arm out of it. :-) I mean every girl can have her insecurities.

The original to "Broke my soul"

I shot this photo in a wonderful community park in between Boerum Hill and Park Slope. I found it as families were spending the days gardening, and no one seemed to mind me taking photos in the beautiful light. It was a great way to show off my sister's Missoni for Target Skirt/Dress that she scored from last year's collection. It's supposed to be a skirt, but I particularly like it as a dress. It shows off my shoes and the great wave pattern on the bottom of the hem.

To dress the look up I put my great Miu Miu wedges and a vintage gold necklace that I bought from a boutique called "Banquet," on Atlantic Ave. I get nothing but compliments when I wear it, and I adore how it matches the flow of the outfit.

Close up of the Miu Miu Wedges

Close up of the Vintage Necklace from Banquet in Boerum Hill

My last accessory is my True Religion leather jacket. This dress isn't work appropriate without something covering the shoulders and I love the "maxi dress look" with a leather jacket.

This look been reported by other fashion bloggers as trends (okay one), and I thought I'd take advantage. It looked great against the green ivy of the beautiful garden. Brooklyn has some amazing spaces. You just need to get out and explore!

Miu Miu Sunglasses, True Religion Leather Jacket,
Missoni for Target dress, Miu Miu Wedges, (Vintage Necklace)
Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY

YSL and Miu Miu make even boyfriend jeans look good in NYC

2012-04-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

YSL Montaig 105 Nero Sandals, Miu Miu Black Tote
New York, NY

What made this outfit work was the accessories. I bought my first pair of boyfriend jeans this past week, and they're the most comfortable pair of jeans that I've ever worn. They're the AG Ex-Boyfriend jeans aged for 9 years. I opted for these instead of the more distressed styles because I don't have a good track record with ripped jeans. I usually end up making the rips much bigger through carelessness, biking, and life. They feel like wearing pajama pants. Boys are so lucky that they get to wear jeans that feel like this.

I could have gone very country with these jeans, which I may do next. However, I wanted to imitate the queen of boyfriend jeans - no not Katie Holmes -- Janet Jackson. And she is known for her rocking urban looks.

I don't know how, but I actually think these things are a little flattering. I don't know if I'll wear them on a date, but I definitely think they can look great if you pull them off right. Though in terms of looking as good as Janet Jackson, my attempts were mostly in vain. The thing that looks the best is my bag, a wonderful purchase from Saks a few years ago. It can hold my laptop, camera and all of my gym gear. Here is my wonderful bag montage.

Facconable Black Blazer, Blondie Concert T, AG Ex-Boyfriend cropped jeans, YSL Montaig Sandals,
Miu Miu black bag

And one last close-up...