My number one goal as a mother is to encourage my girls to feel confident. I want them to know that while there is no easy path to success, the end goal is still possible. The world can be cruel, and the people in it will inevitably try to tear us down. The challenges and failures we face can strengthen character, which is beneficial, as long as the trials don't paralyze us from pushing forward.
Read MoreLike most little girls, I always loved to dress up in gowns and tiaras. I never really outgrew my passion for princess play. Part of the reason I wanted to compete in the Miss Teen Texas pageant was so I would have an excuse to wear 50 pounds of pale pink tulle. I felt like a queen on my wedding day and I only wish I could get married again every year so I could choose a new gown each time (I'll stick with the same groom). Now that I have two daughters, I am reliving my childhood adoration of dress up with them. I even had tutu envy, so I got an adult-size one made for me so we could all play together. We love to have tutu pajama parties! Needless to say, you can imagine my enthusiasm when Melissa Lovy told me one of the looks for the spring/summer jewelry campaign we shot was Met Gala inspired. I relish any opportunity to get all dolled up. My life calls for lots of stylish outfits, but it's not often that I get to embrace full-blown, red carpet glamour. In spite of the chilly 35-degree weather, shooting these images felt like a real-life fairytale moment. Putting on this unbelievably gorgeous dress and jewels, getting the royal hair and make up treatment from Shlomit B., and working with photographer, Anthony Vazquez, who shot both this campaign and my wedding nearly seven years ago, was enough to make me feel like a bride all over again! And then everything comes full-circle when my daughter Stella says, "Mommy, you look just like Elsa!"
Use the promo code EE15 for 15% off your purchase from Melissa Lovy, now through Wednesday.
Photography by Anthony Vazquez
Hair and Makeup by Shlomit B. Artistry
Wearing Patricia Bonaldi dress and Melissa Lovy jewelry
The bomber jacket is unquestionably one of the must-have items of the season and will be the perfect transition piece for spring. You may be wondering how to wear this lightweight layer with temperatures plummeting to arctic degrees. Take a cue from Gucci, and wear the bomber jacket as a shirt. Zip it all the way up and layer your parka or fur on top. I love a matchy-matchy metallic moment, but it's fun to experiment with a modern way of wearing metallics by mixing them up. I love that this look includes silver, gold, and rose gold. How rebellious.
P.S. This winter, I encourage you all to have fun with your socks. Show a little ankle by rolling up your jeans or embracing the culottes trend. This is an unexpected way to show a pop of personality. I stole this argyle pair from my husband. Sorry, babe.
I spoke about upgraded denim last summer, but the trend continues to grace the streets and the runways. There’s something so enticing about the contrast of the iconically laid-back fabric constructed into a stylish garment with luxurious, thoughtful details. From lengthy patchwork jean jackets (Saint Laurent) to heavily embellished Victorian-style suiting (Alexander McQueen), the latest designer collections have inspired me to rework my favorite lace-up dress of last summer for winter weather by adding chill-preventing pairings. Denim is seasonless, after all. Shop some of my favorite done-up denim pieces below.
Dress: Pixie Market, Hat: RK Knits, Bag: Hammitt, Sunglasses: Vintage, Boots: Zara
In New York City your bag is basically equivalent to your car. It can't take you from A to B, but it has to hold everything you need for the day. People outside city-life may struggle to comprehend this concept. When I leave my apartment in the morning, my day can take me any number of places throughout the city and I often do not return home until late in the evening. For example, yesterday, I went from preschool drop-off, to a meeting in Chelsea, to a construction site tour at 1 World Trade Center, to another meeting on the Upper East Side, to a cocktail event in Union Square. City girls may need a change of shoes, an umbrella, gym clothes, a warm hat and gloves, a change of jewelry and a clutch to take a look from day-to-night, makeup, skincare products, and if you are a blogger, you must always have a camera on you. If we are with our children at any point during the day, we need extra diapers, wipes, snacks, and any number of other kiddie essenitals. For these marathon days, we need a bag with amazing storage that is lightweight, weatherproof, and spill-proof. But it also has to be chic.
Meet Save My Bag. Born from the motto "be cool beyond the rules," Save My Bag was initially founded to act as an "ironic and iconic" protecting cover for luxury bags, but quickly became a desirable bag to wear on its own. The spacious bags have the appearance of high-end luxury (iconic), but are manufactured with poly-fabric with LYCRA fiber (ironic). Each bag weighs less than a bottle of water, is rainproof, and can even be thrown in the washing machine! Save My Bag offers multiple sizes, styles, and colors, all at an amazingly accessible price point with nothing over $170. The Hippy Joy is my personal favorite--you all know I can't resist a fabulous fringe moment!
Bag: Save My Bag, Cape: Anna Sui (now on TheRealReal and SnobSwap!), Hat: NastyGal, Pants: Blank NYC, Boots: Giuseppe Zanotti (similar), Bracelet: Erickson Beamon (contact dee@showroomseven.com to order)
Photography: Geremy Dubensky