wanted: cold weather cool

After a nice long holiday weekend in Miami, I arrived back to New York on Monday night to a rude awakening of cold, gloomy weather. Clearly I'm not in South Florida, anymore.

I've gotten some great stuff over the past few weeks (mostly sweaters like this one and this one) but my outerwear selection is still kind of slim. As soon as I saw the outwear sale over at J.Crew though, I knew I'd be picking something up. I've had my eye on this vest for weeks so it's already in my cart but these coats are also shooting to the top of my list.

 {love the print on this light puffer vest}

 {perfect pop of color in a classic-cut coat}

{a subdued color brought to life with a unique shape}

What are your cold weather must-haves?

wanted: mind the GAP

Now that I live in a place with real seasons, I've become fascinated with the idea of dressing for the occassion. Sure, I probably owned more pairs of boots than any Miamian should before I even moved to New York but when it comes to sweaters and outerwear, my wardrobe is a bit lacking.

You can check out some of my fall and winter outfit inspirations on this pinboard but I must say, I took a peek at the GAP look book the other day and would love to add virtually every one of these outfits to my wardrobe. I love the idea of basics paired with a bright pop of color to really liven things up, especially when it's dark and dreary outside. 

I love all of these looks but the striped sweater dress, red vest and coral-colored skinnys are at the top of my list!

What are your favorite fall/winter pieces this year?



Shop the looks here:

wanted: frugal-ista finds

Being a fashionista on a budget isn't always easy, especially when you tend to have expensive taste like I do. With sites like ideeli, Gilt and Rue La La, I can always find great designer deals but I've stumbled on some great sales on some of my favorite sites recently and couldn't help but share.

This week, Madewell's sale section is loaded with great pieces that are just begging to be added to my wardrobe. On top of the already great deals, you can get an additional 25% off with the code "YIPPEE".  Here are some of the piece I have my eye on.

{Safari Print Dress $128 $89 $67*}

 {If you're not a fan of an all-over print, this skirt has just enough pop. Safari Print Skirt $68 $44 $33*}

 {Contrast Cardigan $80 $65 $49*}

{Sidewalk Skimmer Flats  $98 $79 $59*}



*Please note, this price includes the 25% off from the coupon code and is not guaranteed.

style envy: something like olivia

I'm not exactly sure why Olivia Palermo is famous, aside from her brief stint on The Hills spin off, The City. Regardless of why paparazzi seem to be snapping pictures of her all of New York though, she. is. fabulous. No question, the girl has style. She strikes the perfect balance of classic with a splash of trendy and nails it every time.

Here are some of my favorite looks of hers, along with a few tips on how replicate her impeccable style.

1. Build on Basics. Pair a simple dress, like in looks 2 and 4, with trendy accessories like layered necklaces or gladiator heels.

2. Suit up. A tailored blazer or peacoat can dress up anything from floral jeans to high-waisted shorts.

3. Shine On. Add some interest to a classic look with a glamorous blouse or leather jacket that really sparkles when the light hits it.

insta-life

I know my official return has been long overdue but this new New York life is turning out to be even more hectic than I could have imagined. Fortunately, it's in a good way. Here's a peek at what I've been up to these past few weeks. 

{first signs of fall: pumpkins and fresh maple syrup}

      

{visits from two of my favorite people: what better way to spend it than over great food and fabulous drinks?}

   

{sprucing up the apartment with some new decor: a rug, pillows and wall art for the living room along with a gorgeous decorative towel draped over the stove from anthropologie}

    

{a few of the latest additions to my fall wardrobe: I've practically worn these ASOS boots every day since I got them and these Kelsey Dagger booties were a total score on sale at TJ Maxx for just $30!}

More fun stuff on Monday, including a new Style Envy Post (you can check out the last one here) but until then, enjoy your weekend!

emmy's wrap-up

Truth be told, I rarely watch award shows for the actual awards. While I'm happy to hear some of my favorite shows like Modern Family won some much deserved Emmy's, I'm much to easily distracted by what everyone is wearing. As far as award shows go though, most seemed to have played it pretty safe last night but I still had a few favorite looks.

Heidi Klum in her breezy Alexandre Vauthier Couture mint gown

Ginnifer Goodwin in her embellished Monique Lhuillier dress

Padma Lakshmi in more Monique Lhuiller

What were your favorite looks of the night?

wanted: baublebar

Have you ladies ever shopped at BaubleBar? Well if you haven't, you don't know what you're missing! They have a ton of great jewelry that's on-trend and affordable. I can't get enough!

These are some of the pieces I'm lusting after for Fall. Right now, I'm all about finding a chunky necklace to dress up some basic t-shirts and simple dresses.
You can sign up here (did I mention that you get a $10 credit just for signing up?)

 {Ocean Cascade Collar - $38}

 {Tangerine Teardrop Bib - $34}

{Emerald Triple Strand - $28 on sale for $22!}

versatile blogger award

I'm so excited to have been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by Edel of Bel et Bien! This is the first time I've ever been nominated for an award so thank you so much, Edel! 

Here are the rules of the award:

*Thank the blogger(s) that have nominated you

*Share 7 random facts about yourself

*Nominate 15 fellow bloggers that you recently discovered or follow regularly

*Let them know you have nominated them

*Add the versatile blogger award to your blog

So here are my random facts:

1. Orchids and sunflowers are my favorite flowers, but I also have a new found obsession with hydrangeas.

2. I overdress for everything.

3. I'm the queen of doggie bags when I go out to eat, seeing as I can never finish a meal but if you give me an hour or two, I'll be eating the leftovers out of the box, on my couch, while watching something I TiVoed.

4. I have always wanted to give a random, unfortunate girl a makeover like in Clueless.

5. I'm have a slight fear of the dark.

6. I have to end every meal on a sweet note, even if it's just a little square of dark chocolate.

7. I can't leave my nails undone for more than a day. They at least need a nice clear coat.

And here are some of my favorite blogs, in no particular order, along with an extra for good measure:

1. Gal Meets Glam

2. Cupcakes and Cashmere

3. Kendi Everyday

4. Nany's Kloset

5. Saucy Glossie

6. Pretty Shiny Sparkly

7. I Spy DIY

8. Ashley Sixto

9. Luella & June

10. Shamelessly Overdressed

11. Piece of Cake, Piece of Mind

12. The Fashion Poet

13. Running on Happiness

14. Sincerely, Jules

15. The Sparkly Life
16. Broke City Chick

cupcake tour: georgetown cupcake soho

And the cupcake tour is back! Well, not really but I just had some of the best cupcakes of my life and I had to share it with you guys.

Yesterday I hit Soho with my friend Clarissa for a little shopping and catching up. Though I wanted to stop by Baked by Melissa for their fabulous mini cupcakes, Clarissa wouldn't stop raving about Georgetown Cupcake.

I'd heard of them via their TLC show, DC Cupcakes, but didn't know they had opened a New York location. Tucked in Soho on Mercer Street, just off Spring, these cupcakes are definitely a must-try.

We picked up a few cupcakes (I went for Red Velvet, Caramel Apple and Salted Caramel) but decided to take them to go to avoid the impending late afternoon rain.

By the time I got home, this New York heat had partially melted the beautiful icing on my cupcakes so I apologize for the lack of actual cupcake photos. I promise, they are as beautiful as the box they came in though. And based on how good the cupcakes were, I'll definitely be back so I'll share pictures next time.

They were all to-die-for but the Caramel Apple was simply divine! I highly recommend it.

Have you tried Georgetown Cupcake? Do you have any favorite flavors I should try?

back in the new york groove

I'm sure you've all been wondering what my long hiatus from my beloved blog has been about. Well, as some of you already know, I moved to New York City a few weeks ago!

I started work at one of my dream advertising agencies and have been trying to settle in to my new Brooklyn Heights abode so things have been pretty insane (hence such little time to blog). It's been a long process setting everything up in the new place (my first ever, actually) but here's a sneak peek at what's been taking up most of my time.

I'll warn you, it's small but this is New York after all so what do you expect? To me it's perfect and more importantly, it's finally starting to feel like home. Now for some decorating to really cozy this place up. More pictures to come soon!

Happy September!

 {the brooklyn bridge, less than a 10 minute walk from our new place}

{the entry way, currently missing a much-needed decorative mirror above the console table} 

 {half of the living room, no our place isn't THIS small}

 {chalk board, perfect for grocery lists or cute little notes}

 {my adorable handy man}

Like I said, the apartment is pretty bare-bones right now as far as decor but here are some of my inspirations for what's to come next...

 {the annual "Big Style in Small Spaces" issue of House Beautiful with great ideas for extra storage and how to integrate bold patterns}

{aside from our black and white basics, I love the idea of adding a smokey grey-blue as an accent color}

wanted: anthropological study

Ever since I found an apartment, I've been shopping around for decorative items and furniture more than I have for clothes. Shopping at Anthopologie, however, makes it easy to get distracted by all of the pretty little outfits on the way to the home decor department.

Though I'm not wanting anything specific this week, I'm definitely obsessing over everything from bags to mirrors and everything in between.

Here are some of my favorite picks:

Linen Ladder Curtains | Ikat Loop Scarf | Moonstruck Shoulder Bag | Peplum Ponte Tank

Silvered Votive | Matchstick Brass Side Table | Patent Moiety Heels | Gather & Glean Pillow | Duchesse Pitcher | Crepe Tuxedo Pant | Pieced Geom Mirror

wanted: pump up the volume

As much as I love a good pencil skirt (trust me, I'm drooling over this beauty right now), I've been wanting to add a skirt with a little more volume to my wardrobe.

A pleated skirt seems like the perfect way to add just enough oomph. I love that it can be paired with everything from a simple t-shirt (like the ones I featured here) or a flowy blouse.

From bright colors and bold patterns to refreshingly simple but edgy details, these are some of the skirts I'm currently lusting after.

{Topshop $68}

 {ASOS $27}

 {Zara $79}

And thanks to this amazing new widget, you can also shop some of these pieces right down here too! I've also included the pencil skirt I mentioned and a few things that might work well with any of these skirts.

Check it out:

If you like those, take a look at some of the other pieces I'm loving right now over at my Currently Obsessed page. You can follow my picks and even create your own Currently Obsessed page too!

cupcake tour {week five} eleni's

This past weekend, I took a little trip over to the Chelsea Market for brunch. Aside from the fact that I absolutely fell in love with everything about this unique space, which was full of amazing foods and adorable shops, I knew I had to pick up some cupcakes when I walked by the window at Eleni's New York.

Their shop was full of precious little confections, especially in the cookie department. I'm on a cupcake mission though, so I skipped out on the cookies and went for a few of the minis they had on display instead.

Not the best cupcake I've had in New York, I will admit, but they definitely hit the spot after stuffing myself with an amazing omelet over at Friedman's Lunch.

I was obsessed with their adorable cookies though, which seem to be their specialty. From New York themed treats to thank you cookies in different languages, the cookies just looked too pretty to eat.

wanted: down to a tee

There are few things more satisfying than looking fabulous while wearing something as simple as a basic t-shirt. The right one can be dressed up so easily and can be paired with just about anything. The best ones are soft and ever-so-slouchy without being too baggy. Personally, I'm also a big fan of a v-neck.
On my search for the perfect tee, I found these amazing options.

 {Urban Outfitters $24}

 {Madewell $29}

{Revolve Clothing $30}

style envy: ashley madekwe

As if I wasn't already obsessed with Ashley Madekwe's style on Revenge, one of my favorite new shows this year, I was overjoyed when I discovered that she has her own style blog.
Her looks are impeccably chic but surprisingly accessible. I love the way she mixes patterns and textures. She also combines classics with trendy pieces flawlessly. Her looks have definitely given me a ton of inspiration for my own wardrobe.

You can find more of Ashley's amazing looks over at her blog, Ring My Bell.

Who are your style icons right now?

cupcake tour {week four} sweet revenge

As if I'm not already a sucker for clever names, I knew I had to make a trip to Sweet Revenge when I found out that they not only make amazing cupcakes but that they also have wine and beer pairings for each of their treats! Yes, seriously. This exists.

 

Seeing as it was only 1 in the afternoon, I decided to forgo the drinks on this first visit. Rest assured though, I'll be back for a glass of wine with my next cupcake.

Each day, Sweet Revenge features the classics along with a few of their artisan flavors. Just my luck, today's artisan flavor was a Fleur de Sel so of course I went for it.

I love the rustic parchment wrappers and the fact that they serve you your cupcake with a fork. They just know you're gonna need it.
The cupcake itself was decadent, moist and oh-so-good.