Ensemble du Jour

Thursday was the first day of really really hot weather for the summer.

The Outfit
I wore a new v-neck fitted tee from Gap in the loveliest shade of lavender. And, I don't wear a lot of pants, but I did just do the "seasonal switch" with the closets so I'd pulled these out and wore them. They the Proenza Schouler Target khaki and white striped tuxedo pants. They're very light so they were a good option for a very hot day.



The Focal Point
Well, I built the outfit around wearing lavender and so I wore these Marc Jacobs heels that I've had for about 5 years to so. I don't always like Marc's shoes. I sometimes think the front is good but the heel is to weird or chunky or conical. But the colors on these are so delicate that they offset the heel shape.





I bought these because of the polka-dots, of course, and the laveder leather edging and knots.





Not that the heels are a bad shape. They do taper down delicately.







They have that sassy retro Marc Jacobs shape too.

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
I really need to take a picture of the actual cardigan I wore in the outfit. It's from target and buttons up to a crew neck but it has two panels of black lace applied to the front and is just gorgeous. I bought it to wear with a short and shiny silver skirt during the holidays. I wear the top buttons open so it gives a close v-neck.

I paired this with my dark denim pencil skirt and for a bit of edge, my Paraphernalia Anatomica Arm bracelet. I've said it before, but I love the "weirdness" of their pieces.



The Focal Point
My new Louboutins called out for the slim pencil skirt and top. They are sharp!



They're high, yes, but amazingly comfortable and not as slim cut as other Louboutins. I totally could have worn these walking around New York.



And such a cute peep-toe, right?



I did do the stupidest thing while wearing them though. The floor in our office is concrete and near the base of the stairway, has a rather wide seam. Yes, I managed to step right in it and get my heel caught! Aack! It did mess up the patent a bit right near the heel tap. It isn't too bad and you can't really see it, but I know it's there and it just kills me that I was that dumb.

Poor little heels!

Dangerous Curves Ahead

Of course, the combination of red and black can be very sexy, especially when it's a pair of red-soled Louboutins but I think these Brian Atwood suede pumps are equally enticing.



They're a beautiful shape with a great slope on the side.



And such an amazing heel shape. Pair this with a tight pencil skirt and you're dangerous. I would definitely put these on my wish list.

Ensemble du Jour

The Outfit
A while back I stated how adorable I thought these Suley heels were from Manolo Blahnik. In person they are even more sweet.

I wore this on Tuesday and I kept it pretty neutral on the outfit. A khaki linen circle skirt and a v-neck 3/4 sleeve white top, both from Tar-get.



For jewelry I wore this two-tone vintage bangle in pink and green and a shiny pink diamond ring. It's starting to get very warm around here but in my office it's freezing. I actually had to put on the jacket that I keep in the office. Brrr!



The Focal Point
The shoesies, of course! The color combo is delicious but I love all the interesting details - the scalloping, the buckles and straps on the front and back, the pink stitching and edging. Here are tons of pictures for ya!

















Isn't it kind of funky how they look when viewed from the top?

All images enlarge huge!

Ensemble du Jour

This outfit is one of the (many) that I brought with me to New York and didn't end up wearing.

The Outfit
A v-neck grey tee with buttons bought on sale at the Gap with a green cardigan from Target. I'm wearing my cropped jeans and for jewelry I'm wearing my jade bracelet and necklace again. I'm just loving the pale translucent greens of the two pieces.



The Focal Point
But what inspired the color choices were my camo Manolo Blahnik Sedarabys. Yes, these are the same style worn in SATC ("the" silver heels in episode 83) but I think I prefer the fabric over the silver leather.









I especially like the dyed green stacked heel.



Sooo cute, right?



I know I've recently purchased a few new items. But I need to hold off on getting more new stuff and focus more on what I have. I'm going to hold off on the buying for a while (ohhh but the Pre-Fall stuff is coming. Must. Re-sist.) and see how I can mix up my current stuff in new ways.

Can we make it to the end of the year??? We'll see!

Wedding Bells and Belted Cows

We went to a friend's wedding on Saturday and it was just gorgeous (albeit a little warm). The wedding was hosted at a location I hadn't been to yet - Fearrington Village. The grounds were beautiful and there looked to be a number of shops and restaurants in addition to the Inn and the grounds.

The wedding was outside under a huge tree and the reception was held in The Barn and yes, it was as pretty as this.

Because the wedding started in the afternoon, I wanted to look nice but not be too formal. The setting didn't lend to being dressed to formally either. I did end up wearing the black portrait collar dress with the eyelet edges. I guessed that we would be on grass for the ceremony, and we were, so I did bring my little Old Navy sandals. I'm glad I did because I saw many a girl sink into the grass and I would not have been a happy camper if that was me.

But I can't be without heels so I used the opportunity to wear my Prada flower heels. And they were stunning! They also got a good amount of attention. And I didn't break them on any of the bricks or cobblestones so it was a good night all around.

The bride was gorgeous as was the setting and food. The music rocked and it seemed to be a very low key but fun wedding. Congratulations K & C!

New York, New York - Day 3

New York adventures - Day One

New York adventures - Day Two

After staying up way too late the previous night, it took some doing to get up the next day. As it was, we didn't get going until mid-day. I wanted to stroll through the park because the day, again, was unbelievably gorgeous.

Wanting to be outside and maybe have a cocktail, we ended up at The Boathouse in Central Park.



It was the perfect place to be for the next few hours. We grabbed a tall table and ordered a plate of fruit and cheese. My friend had a vodka tonic while I had (quite a few) Kir Royales. Being that I don't drink all that often and somehow I got the idea that four (!!!) Kirs were somehow in order, I was a bit tipsy (hic!) as we left the restaurant.

I'm not going to say I was drunk but it may have been less than a great idea to try and figure out a new subway line while being tipsy AND late to meet up with Miss Gala Darling at Magnolia Bakery for an obligatory cupcake tasting.



It was early afternoon on a Thursday and yep, there was a line. But still, we were chatting and in no rush.

I have the Magnolia Bakery cookbook and have tried to make their cupcakes and icing before. It wasn't my favorite icing of all time, but I was game to try an original. We got in line and grabbed our box and each took two cupcakes. I got a chocolate chocolate and a red velvet. Don't they look tasty?

I started with my chocolate one and I have to say, the icing on it was pretty darn good! Very fluffy. If you want more images, check out Paris Breakfast's post here. We sat in a little park across the street and chatted as we enjoyed our treats.



After that we walked around a bit, saw Carrie's steps and stopped in a Batch for another cupcake sample. I got us both a cupcake - mine was lemon with a lemon curd center (I ate it later and it was delish!).




We went into a novelty store and looked masks and then went to a Marc Jacob sample store. After an hour or two we both had to run off to other appointments but it was really great to meet her in person. She's a sweetie!

During the day, I'd been wearing my red Gap v-neck light sweater with my denim skirt and my red snakeskin Manolo mary janes. I walked all over and I have to say, I think these were more comfortable to wear than my flats.



That night we went to dinner at Ruby Foo's - Uptown not Times Square. It wasn't bad. I'm not sure if it would have been my pick but this was sort of a "thank you for letting me stay" dinner so I didn't do the picking. The restaurant itself was nice but it kept playing really bad 80s music. Not sure what that was about.



To dinner I wore my sequin skirt from YOOX and a simple black v-neck. I had my black heels but ended up wearing flat more since we walked all around for a while. We stopped into a small clubby bar and had a final night cap. I got a St. Germain, which may now be my new favorite drink. I love champagne and I live elderflower presse. What could be a more perfect drink!



That night I was up super late. I was not scheduled to fly out until 7pm on Friday but when I woke up I was missing home a bit. Since I'd been able to see much of what I wanted, I decided to push up my flight. I got a flight home mid-day and am now back with all my new goodies.

I love New York, but I think next time I'd prefer to go with the hubby. New York is such a beautiful city filled with unique and romantic opportunities. It was a bit sad to be there with out him.

UPDATED: I forgot to mention that we did see a bunch of girls going to the midnight (?) showing of SATC movie. There was much shrieking and wearing of their best SATC outfits and shoes. I'm kind of glad that I wasn't a part of that group.

New York, New York - Day 2

Sooo, where did we leave off? Here's Day One to check out.

On Wednesday morning (Day Two) I was off for my main reason to come to New York - a conference for work. I figured it might be chilly in the Times Center all day so I wore a denim skirt, my JCrew tee with the sequined crest and a dark brown corduroy blazer. For shoes I wore my Franco Sarto heeled sandals.



They actually ended up being pretty comfortable because I walked for blocks in them and they didn't bother me. Plus I got quite a few compliments on them.



The conference ended at 5pm so I was able to hit a few other stores that I had not been able to the day before. One of the main places I wanted to go was to Town Shop. After reading reviews of the service there, I decided to see what advice they gave me. This place has been around since 1888 and many of the sales people have been there for decades.

Well, I walked in ready for anything and was helped by a lovely woman who made me feel instantly at ease with her professionalism. And she told me, like most women, I was wearing the totally wrong size. I'd always gone for a larger band size and a smaller cup. When I was the opposite, a bigger cup was needed and smaller back! Imagine that! I tried on one of the bras she brought me and then put my shirt over it to see. The change was amazing. I felt plumped in a good way! I was so happy I bought two bras on the spot. And they're elegant womanly bras, not saccharine pink Victoria's Secret garbage either. I've decided I'm totally done with them.



If you get the chance to go, I obviously recommend the store!

From there, I wasn't far from an actual Manolo Blahnik store. Now, granted, given the other day I should not have gone there. But I couldn't not go, even just to look.

Yeah, I'll admit it. That was a mistake.

The store is a tiny boutique and very simply designed. I saw a few shoes I knew but there were many not carried by the major department stores.



I tried on a few adorable pairs but ended up getting these brown linen Toluk mary janes with dark brown edges. Very very comfortable as well. And, seriously, I don't have a ton of brown shoes. These I did end up taking with me since I figured I could fit one shoe box into my bags somehow.











After that I took a cab through the park and went over to the Maison du Chocolat store on Madison.



I'd been dying to get some macarons and I succeeded. I got a big variety pack and am still eating them. I also got a bunch of dark chocolate pieces mainly with ingredients like ginger, tea and honey. They were also delish!



It was an absolutely gorgeous day so I walked from Maison all the way to the subway pick-up down by The Plaza. I then returned to the apartment to order an Indian feast to be delivered to my door.