Soulful Style
It's hard not to compare ourselves and our lives to the people around us. Everyone falls into assimilation to some degree--it's human nature.
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Easy Breezy
Photography: Geremy Dubensky
I put this outfit on in anticipation of a long day at work and with my kids and really wasn't planning to shoot it. But, as the day went on, I fell more and more in love with how equally comfy and chic I felt and thought it was worth a share. The transition from winter to spring can feel awkward in terms of dressing. We may find ourselves asking questions like, "Is it too late to wear fur?" or "Is it too soon to wear open toe sandals?" It can be hard to find an everyday outfit that feels seasonally appropriate for a 55-65 degree day. Each of the items I'm wearing here is pretty basic and laid-back, but the look as a whole is easy without being sloppy. It's elevated-casual.
Let's break down the ensemble. Many would agree that gingham is the quintessential pattern of the season. It is to the spring what tartan flannel is to the fall. It doesn't get more comfortable than this babydoll silhouette--you can even eat a burger without being self-conscious. It's not bikini season just yet! The spacious Daniella Lehavi tote adds an element of interest in coordinating colors but a contrasting pattern, which is the key to proper print-mixing. I always suggest pairing a voluminous top with a slim-fitting bottom like these jeggings. A little concealed wedge doesn't hurt for the petite gals like me! I adore these Converse high tops and I even put my hidden heels in for an extra 3/4 on a inch. Every little bit helps! No outfit is complete without a touch on glamour, so I finished the look off with a few sparkling pieces from Galleria Armadoro. Shop the outfit below.
The Hero Bag
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)
Shop the Look
Photography: Geremy Dubensky
The Year of the Unicorn
As you're likely aware by now, I've never been one who aims to fit in. I love to have fun with fashion and home decor and I'm always on the hunt for exciting, whimsical add-ons. Playful pieces put me in a happy mood, but they also provide a chance to express my personality and start a conversation. For 2016, one of my goals is to suppress any self-conscious tendencies and fully and unapologetically embrace my inner unicorn. This goes for fashion, as well as the many other aspects of my life. We are each given the instincts and tastes we have for a reason and to deny those in order to fit into a certain mold is to deny the universe of the diverse beauty we are meant to bring to it. Sometimes we have to take a step back and reflect on the choices we've been making (fashion or otherwise) and ask ourselves if we are making them from the inside, out or the outside, in. I know I feel like the best version of myself and do my best work when I go with my gut and let the unicorn fly. Wow, that was incredibly corny. Hallmark, are you hiring?
Back to those whimsical essentials--also known as substance-free mood-enhancers. I recently discovered a one stop shop where you can find a gold unicorn faux taxidermy head, a pink balloon scarf, a Clueless Cher and Dionne pillow doll, a rainbow leather wallet, and the pom pom galore beanie I am wearing here. The place? Fab.com. These lively, eccentric selections are just the tip of the crystal iceberg wine-stopper from the fun offerings of Fab.com. Check it out. You'll thank me.
Hat: Fab.com, Sweater: ASOS (similar), Coat: Alice and Olivia, Brooches: Erickson Beamon, Jeans: H&M, Boots: ASH, Bag: Chanel (similar)