October Puchases....Off the Wagon

This is what happens when I stop using my iphone budgeting app...I lose track and go overboard. Here's what I got last month from left to right:






Grey Blanket Sweater: $195, Laurie B
Purple Cotton Romper: $10, Bali Street Vendor
White lace dress: $110 in Bali at Uluwatu
Striped sweater: $42, at Urban Outfitters
Thin white tunic: $54, at Urban Outfitters
Tweed Bow Skirt: $160, Anthropologie
Green Silk Shirt: $70, at Express
Sequin clutch: $25, at Express
Black Wedges: $79, Nine West
Black Beret: $24, at Urban Outfitters
Brown wrap sweater: $56, at Express

Total for the Month: $825 Over Budget by: $75.00

While I hate to be over budget, I'm really just more disappointed that I ended up with only basics. Maybe next year I'll only buy one designer item a month and leave it at that. I certainly have the basics covered.

Third Chino Attempt...maybe the last???

I have been trying to make these chinos work but I'm not sure I ever will. So far I think this is my best attempt, but don't know if it's a chic as I want to be. My first attempt was too layered and my second attempt was just sloppy and unflatterning.

Kim, who photographed me today, likes this look. What do you think?








Skinny chinos (Banana Republic, $60)
White Tee (Ann Taylor, $35)
Cashmere Cardigan ($175), gold sandals ($79), Gold necklace ($60) all Banana Republic.
Hermes belt ($585)
Kate Spade bag ($495)

So let me know if these chinos are working, or if they need to go to June's Donation pile.

I feel good today!

I was going to be lazy dressing today - it was damp and overcast, I was late - but at the last minute I rallied and pulled together something that I thought was really New Yorky and cute!

The top is a black silk tunic that I usually wear over skinny jeans to go out, today I tucked it in to a Banana Republic slate blue skirt. Put on my grey structured heels and threw on a mixed metals necklace that I got at The Limited a year or so ago. Finished it off with a side braid. I rarely try anything with my hair but today it was too humid not to put it up and the outfit felt like it called for something more than a ponytail.

BR Skirt, $59
Kimichi Blue Silk Tunic, $80
Limited Necklace, $30
Nine West Shoes, $120
Kate Spade Purse, $450

What do you think?

Weekend Looks

Two looks for Saturday. The day look I thought was cute and fun for running around SOHO. I took the photo with my coat on since that's how I'd be looking. Still too cool to take the jacket off.

Black Cords (BR, $80)
Turquoise Silk Tunic (Kimichi Blue, $60)
Black Ballet Flats (Cole Haan, $138)
Grey Twill Pea Coat (Victoria's Secret, $60)
Black Leather Bag (Kate Spade, $455)

For a party that evening, I had planned to wear a dress. As I was getting ready, I was stressed about running late and in the middle of drying my hair I thought, "fu*k it, I'm going to scrunch it up wet and let it go". It felt a little Debbie Harry so I totally flipped my look and ended up getting a TON of compliments at the party.

Black Silk Tunic (Silence + Noise, $80)
Skinny Jeans (BR, $80)
Gold Necklace (BR, $60)
Teal Suede Platforms (Seychelles, $95)

I was really pleased with this look. The hair is what gave it the attitude, but I think the whole thing worked. I will def do this again.

Busy week

This week I'm shooting so It's going to be busy and comfort is key, but I'm going to make an effort not to be a slouch.

Today's outfit is a Banana Republic tiered silk top (?? maybe $75), BR skinny cords ($90) that I just had hemmed to the perfect length, Cole Haan Air Bacara ballet flats ($140 and so comfy I bought them in 3 colors).

Purse is from Michael Kors ($198) and I know this style has been one of their top sellers. I highly recommend it. It's lightweight, holds a ton, and the patent is indestructible. It comes in about 10 different colors, but I thought the purple was really fun and would go well with black or brown. I've already worn it enough in the last two months to justify it's price and I know I'll use it for a long time to come.

Speaking of Michael Kors. I'm loving this peasant dress for summer, but not sure I could pull it off. Any thoughts on this people?

Saturday Night Special

Catching up again today due to internet failure at home.
Saturday night was my first wearing of the Phillip Lim top and it went great. I felt confident in my look and got compliments galore. I'm not sure I've ever had that many compliments in one night, except that time I dressed up as a zombie prom queen.

This time I wore the top with a J. Crew turtleneck, BR Skinny jeans (light wash, $89) and Naturalizer boots($150. Yes, you read that right. Naturalizer. I'm not 70, but I need comfy shoes to trek around this city and they've been making cuter shoes lately. Check them out - your feet will thank you.

Later this week I'll be wearing the top in an entirely different, and somewhat age-inappropriate way, to go to the Lady Gaga show. I think I'm going to be proven right about this top. That it'll get lots of wear, lots of compliments and be worth the money spent.

PS - I bought the classic Chanel quilted purse for, wait for it.....$2500. BUT, It will never go out of style and will actually last me the rest of life so totally worth it. If I had to do it again though, I might have looked for a used one on ebay, but they are hard to find.

Casual Friday

It's Friday and I decided to try a casual/preppy look. Not loving it, but don't hate it. This is an outfit that a month ago I might have thought was really snazzy (yes, I talk like an old lady), but today, not so much. Surely I can be more imaginative than this! This is good though, I'm finding out what I like and don't like and that will keep me from buying more stuff I'll never wear. Plus I used to think these jeans were super flattering, but now I think they make my butt look big. Having pictures is a really valuable tool. Too bad I have 2 pairs of these.

I love this tweedy jacket though. ($80, Urban Outfitters) particularly with the turtle mother of pearl broach that was my late-grandmothers. Jeans are Hudson ($176), T-shirt is Ann Taylor ($?), and boots are Miz Mooz ($155).

The purse is an embarrassing story. It's LV and it's called "The Manhattan" and it cost a LOT ($1550 if I remember correctly) . I bought it when I decided to move here but have hardly ever carried it. I have to use it more - it's such a nice bag. And I spent a small fortune on it. Could have gotten a black market baby for $1550. And everyone knows babies are the hottest accessory.

Hello Gorgeous!!

This Tiled Teardrop Clutch by Tory Burch is stunning but, even on sale at $225, it's still a little more than I want to spend on an occasional bag.

Oh, but it's ever so pretty.

Damn You Phillip Lim!

After falling in love with that Phillip Lim top and not being able to find it anywhere, my closet looked pretty boring this morning. It's stacked with neutral basics - no wonder I'm bored with my wardrobe. Today I broke down and pulled out the BR skinny jeans - it's just too cold. The top Is by 12th St Cynthia Vincent, and I got it on sale at Barney's a couple of years ago for $100 and I do wear it quite a bit. Still seems fashionable to me, so I think it's worth it if it lasts a few seasons.

I brought my purse into the photo because I think it's a good example of what I'm trying to do here. It's a Kate Spade, and was $500, but I got it on sale at 20% off. Finding a good black purse has been like a unicorn hunt for me. I've spent money on several less expensive ones, and just not loved the quality of the leather. This one, I fell in love with and I have used it a ton already. I feel like it will last a few seasons and is worth the cost since I don't need to buy another black purse until this wears out or gets stolen.