Dream Home: Sicilian Design

My last few dream home Wednesdays have had a neutral, modern theme with hints of rich color (see here, here, here and here) but this week's home is full of rich detail from the patterned tiles to the ornate ceilings.

Homeowners Mehall Griffey and Jerry Maggi paid special attention the history of their apartment (those floor tiles date back to the mid-1800's, when the building was built). The gold tiles in the otherwise jade tiled master bath draw your eye up to the gold leaf ceiling and is easily my favorite room.

To view all the photos & read the rest of their story, click here

Happy Wednesday!

xx

Spring Shoe Cravings

I've been realizing more & more when I go to get dressed in the morning that part of the reason I feel so limited in my clothing options (which really, trust me, aren't that limited) is due to the fact I don't usually have the right kind of shoes to fit the look/mood/style.

Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of shoes, but I always collected pumps & various high heels, thinking I'd be working in a dressier office setting. Thankfully, mine is pretty casual, but I still like to kick it up a bit (pun intended!) and my shoe wardrobe needs a little re-vamping to fit my daily needs.

I'm honing it down to the basic styles that are easy to pair with my current wardrobe of skinny jeans, printed trousers & casual dresses, i.e flat sandals, heeled sandals (a thicker heel is a must when you're hoofing it in NYC), loafers and wedge sneakers.

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I really am thinking about jumping on the wedge-sneaker bandwagon. Go ahead & judge a bit if it's not your thing, but I like the mix of sport & fashion (and, ok, those blue Zara sneaks are calling my name). 

xx

NYFW Part 3: A Ballerina Moment

I'm going to apologize right now for all the photos you're about to see in this post, but I couldn't help myself! A bit of a backstory-I first viewed this tulle skirt from Anthropologie on their website early last fall, but had trouble talking myself into the slightly steep price tag. Then, while browsing blogs at work one morning for jewelry inspiration, I came across the skirt on Damsel in Dior. 

I knew I had to have it, but there weren't many left...so, naturally, I called three Anthro's in NYC til the one in SoHo told me they had my size, had them hold it, and fell in love the second I put it on. Once I divulged its existence in my (non-existent) closet to my coworkers, they made me promise to wear it to fashion week, and here we are!

Pre-end-of-fashion-week mani, cab ride details on the way to Badgley Mischka

(yes, I really was on my phone-Jessica was playing paparazzi!)

Coat, Plenty by Tracy Reese | Sweater, Von Maur | Skirt, Alexandra Grecco for Anthrpologie

Tights, Hue | Boots, Steve Madden | Necklace, Sequin

Lipstick, Nars in Funny Face | Nails, Zoya in Midori

...and, a slightly surreal moment. Having my picture taken by Humans of New York for Vogue.com!

Thank you for taking my pictures, Jessica! Definitely one of the most fun outfits I've worn in a long, long time-and I love that we shot it outside the New York City Ballet.

Happy Friday!!

xx

Dream Home: Remodelista's Brooklyn Townhouse

This week's dream home comes from the founder of one of my favorite sites to frequent, Remodelista's Francesca Connolly. If you're not familiar with Remodelista yet, you're missing out. Filled with home tours, design tips, DIY's and shopping advice (along with its own shop!), the site is an invaluable tool to anyone looking to renovate, remodel or decorate.

My favorite aspect of Connolly's home is the abundant use of natural light, and I'd also like to take a few minutes to drool at the glass wall & door combination leading out of the kitchen. Says Connolly about her home, "It's like the right white shirt. Timeless, crisp, respectful and it fits my family and my life perfectly." I couldn't agree more! 

images via

xx

No Parking

Some days, when I get dressed, I like what I'm wearing. Other days, I hate it. There are times I wish I tried harder, and put more thought into what I purchase, how I style it and the way I get dressed in the morning.

Then, there are days where I put something on and feel unequivocally me. That picture above (that is now the welcoming image to this blog)? That is my personality, in a nutshell. Brightly colored clothing, wacky (amazing) green nail polish, tons of rings and a bit of gold hardware all in front of NYC street art. Love, yours truly.

Coat, Plenty by Tracy Reese | Scarf, street vendor in Italy | Purse, Francesca's Collections (similar)

Blazer, Charlotte Russe | T-shirt, Target | Jeans, Hudson | Shoes, Steve Madden

Rings, unique/vintage finds | Nails, Butter London in Trustafarian | Lipstick, NARS Matte in Carthage

Thanks for taking my pictures Jen!

xx

Mexico Dreaming

I made myself a big, long fat to-do list of everything I wanted to accomplish this weekend on Friday before I left work. Naturally, I'm only going to be able to check off a couple of things, but a big one was booking my trip to Mexico for my cousin's wedding this summer! The trip might still be a full four months away, but that doesn't mean I can't daydream about what I want to pack now that I'm officially booked.

Beach vacations make me think of oversize sunnies, bright colors, fun prints, breezy fabrics & LOTS of sunscreen (the Shiseido one above is my go-to). The only makeup you need is a bright colored lip & you can top everything off with sunglasses and a floppy hat. If you're a hat person, that is. I look ridiculous in them.

Stella McCartney Square-Frame Sunglasses | YSL Volupté Sheer Candy in Pomegranate

Norma Kamali Ruched Bikini Top & Bottom | Joie Rubina Top | Just Cavalli Printed Shorts

Etro Printed Beach Dress | MICHAEL Michael Kors Tote | Rachel Roy Pleated Dress

Jeffrey Campbell Skull Studded Sandals | Tibi Daisies Dress | Shiseido SPF 50+ for Face

Tibi Linen Pant | Vince Camuto Nedra Sandal | Clover Canyon Drawstring Pant

I've been crushing hardcore on those Vince Camuto Sandals since a friend tipped me off to them. They're high on my shopping list for the spring & summer!

xx

New York Fashion Week, Part 2

Saturday morning of NYFW always kicks off bright & (a little too) early for me, thanks to one of my favorite shows, Ruffian. This is my company's third straight runway collaboration with them and they never cease to impress (if you didn't catch their S/S 2013 runway, check it out here-it's likely what started my pastels obsession this season!). I took a little break in the afternoon before heading back to the tents to catch an up & coming Israeli designer, Alon Livne, show his post-apocalyptic inspired collection, followed by dinner & drinks with my brother.

Clockwise from top left: Mani change to Julep in Sally, Front Row at Ruffian, Alon Livne's presentation

Outfit detail, Lincoln Center at night, Ruffian F/W 2013 Final Walk

The "blizzard" made me change my mind about my outfit choices for the weekend at least half a dozen times (& change my shoes twice as many as that). I'd just received this whimsical T the day before and I couldn't think of a more appropriate place to wear it, along with one of my favorite Sequin necklaces from a collection aptly titled "Supernova". 

Coat, Zara | Blazer, H&M (old) | T-Shirt, Refinery29 (Sold out, similar)

Necklace, Sequin | Pants, Zara | Boots, Kensie

xx

P.S. I say "blizzard" because I'm from Iowa, and really, Nemo? That's all you got? I used to deal with that 3x a winter.

Lust vs. Must: Mint Blazers

I have a feeling my two big draws for spring are going to be florals & pastels (original, right?). I realize these aren't jaw-dropping new trends, but they are a fairly new addition to my wardrobe of bright colors and white v-necks.

My current obsession? Rebecca Minkoff's Becky Jacket in mint, but unfortunately the price tag & my bank account have yet to come to an agreement. Thankfully, H&M has an affordable alternative that doesn't lose on style and certainly wins on price!

Lust | Must

*the March issue of InStyle magazine calls this minty-green hue Pistachio...it's going to be très hot for spring!

xx

Dream Home: Eclectic Layers

This week's dream home features one of my favorite things, in abundance-turquoise! Lots & lots of turquoise. Layered with other shades of blue, layered with chalkboard walls, on top of which sit rustic details and solid, modern neutrals. Each item tells a story, grounded by a unifying color palette.

Go here to view the entire home tour, along with the story behind the adorable couple who lives here.

all images via Apartment Therapy

xx