Leather Flounce

I’m not a heavy metal chick. I’m not punk, I’m not goth, hardly a rebel without a cause. Thus, when I wear leather, I feel a bit like an imposter—the material seems meant for rockers, groupies, Marlon Brando, aviation pilots, The Fonz: cool people. And as much as I’d like to convince myself otherwise, I am incontrovertibly nerdy: a girl who would much rather curl up to a book at 11pm than set out for a night on the town. I prefer tea to lattes, enjoy unwinding my day over a Vogue Paris and a lit Baies candle, feel a jolt of excitement when I hear about the latest skincare miracle, make a trip to Pierre Hermé for a box of macarons on every visit to Paris, and schedule early morning yoga classes every Sunday: in today’s vocabulary I am quintessentially basic.

How to Look Sleek in Pajamas

When it comes to pants, I always rely on my skinny jeans: somehow the tight-on-the-bottom, slouchy-on-top silhouette always appealed to me because it seemed to tuck, conceal and emphasize all the right places. But who can escape the pervasive pajama pants and wide-legged trousers that have been filling up the racks since spring / summer began? If Resort 2015 is any indication, these billowy fellows will be around for a while, so I’ll attempt to prepare myself for the onslaught, starting off with this slimming, striped, silky pair.

Style Mixology: Turquoise Trail

Sometimes you see a dress and no matter how impractical it seems, no matter how frivolous it seems, no matter how limited in use it could possibly be… you absolutely just have to have it. When I first saw this bright neon yellow-green number, I knew I needed to have it. While I often gravitate towards neutrals, there are times when I absolutely can’t resist a colorful, bold color. After all, they say that fashion is about experimentation and having fun, right?

Sopapillas & Honey

One of my favorite treats in New Mexico? The sopapilla—a plain fried bread served at your table at most restaurants. When you add honey to it (usually that’s why the honey is at your table!) it tastes just like a donut. A decadent, delicious, dessert treat. Not exactly healthy, but definitely one of the most delicious delights you can imagine. I wish I had taken a picture! If you do visit Santa Fe, however, my favorite ones were at The Pantry restaurant, a delicious place to try for brunch (get the enchiladas with 'Christmas-style' chile. You won't regret it).

Desert Lavender

Santa Fe, NM must be one of the most underrated cities in the US. It’s challenging to get there—the biggest airport is an hour away in Albuquerque and few places will have direct flights. However, it is worth the hike. Vibrant art galleries, delicious New Mexican food, wide open spaces and magical mesas are just some of the things that I fell in love with while I was there. We were lucky enough to do a hike in Bandolier National Park, do a first Friday tour of the art galleries on Canyon Road, indulge in cheesy flavorful enchiladas at the Pantry Restaurant, and drive down the quirky towns dotting the Turquoise trail. We came here for a wedding, but it was a perfect opportunity to explore America’s Southwest.

Pineapple Express

Apologies for the break, everyone! I’ve been out on the wedding circuit, this time attending one in Santa Fe, NM which is far more difficult to reach than I would have ever expected. I’ll have pictures from that trip later this week, but for now—here are some shots of a simple outfit from the other day to roam around Miami.

Urban Frontier

If you haven't already started a daily shoulder press routine, now's the time to begin. Not like we're trailblazing new frontiers here, but off-shoulder pieces have really caught my eye because of the different, sophisticated ways you can wear the trend. While the billowy boho-chic versions of this trend look excellent on the beach or at a music festival, I adore when this style is rendered in more structured, form-fitting fabrics, like this gorgeous Issa top. The sleeves here are perfect for accessorizing with some gold bangles, but make it really modern & edgy by sporting an asymmetrical pair of earrings and donning some skins.

ISSA Esther off-the-shoulder top, similar here
FRAME Le Rip Skinny, similar here & here
SERGIO ROSSI Meccano elaphe printed stiletto sandals, similar here & here
VALENTINO Glam Lock shoulder bag, similar here & here
LOREN STEWART Diamond & gold arrowhead & pin earrings, similar here & here
JENNIFER FISHER ball cuff, similar here
MICHAEL KORS slim runway watch
MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN Amyris for women eau de parfum
YVES SAINT LAURENT 'Baby Doll' kiss & blush in 05 rouge effrontée

Haze

Black & white. I’ve been leaning towards monochromatic and minimalist looks that have an understated glamour. Think rich fabrics and textures, polished & clean silhouettes, and unexpected yet artful combinations that emphasize strong architectural qualities rather than other fashion flourishes such as embellishment, prints and colors. However, this aesthetic can sometimes lean too austere for my personality and lifestyle, so I try to find ways to add feminine elements—typically accessories—that reflect my personality, such as pretty jewelry a dazzling pair of shoes.

Mineral Wonder

Lately, I’ve been favoring delicate pieces of jewelry — wispy gold chains and dainty pearls — over large statement pieces in an effort to achieve a minimalist, yet feminine wardrobe. But there are moments when I pull out a t-shirt or a blouse that just begs to be paired with something more substantial, something that can anchor the look when none of the other elements of the outfit are quite powerful. This is what makes me absolutely crave Regina Dabdab’s collections.

The Lace-Up Pump

The most ubiquitous shoe this season must have been the lace up sandal. So many variations, from the Schutz Erlene to the Aquazzura Amazon, have been spotted on well-heeled fashionistas and street-style stars around the globe. It’s no wonder: they are full of sex appeal and add enough pizzazz to elevate any outfit—from your casual boyfriend-jeans-and-a-white-t-shirt look to that little black dress you’ve been meaning to update—to easily become a focal point and emblem of your style.

The Lust List | No. 2

This week I'm inspired by all things celestial: I'm loving the combination of inky blues with glittering gold tones and metallics. With fall right around the corner, these gorgeous pieces will easy take you into the new season and add a little pizzazz to your look. To keep it relevant for summer, combine these piece with a neutral white palette.

1. JOIE Yveline blouse
2. TAI pave large stone open cuff
3. TAI Stardust cuff bracelet
4. MAJE Gelee metallic silk mini skirt
5. AMY ZERNER astrology necklace (Scorpio!)
6. EDIE PARKER Edie Stars glitter acrylic clutch
7. AVIVA STANOFF decorative ceremony pillow
8. TOPSHOP Richer strappy sandals
9. ANTHROPOLOGIE Celestial coaster set
10. DIOR 5-Couleurs eyeshadow palette in Carré Bleu (#276)
11. ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE by Anthony Doerr
12. CHANEL nail polish in Magic & Cosmic, similar here

Starland

On the second day of in Savannah, we decided to check off two key highlights of Savannah — the cemetery and iconic Jones Street. Funnily enough, all of Savannah is built on top of an old cemetery, which explains why the city is supposed to be the most haunted place in the US. I hoped to find a ghost, but alas, I was out of luck and didn’t encounter any specters. That didn’t stop us from goofing around in the cemetery, having seen it last night during our ghost tour of the city (I know, I can’t help being cheesy like that).

Savannah Breeze

A couple weeks ago I visited Atlanta to spend time with the boy and his family. I had been to Atlanta once (not counting flight connections) for a wedding and loved the vibe of the city. This time, though, I was excited to explore the South — the graceful antebellum homes, the genial hospitality, the rich food. Of course, Atlanta retains some of that character, but we decided to take a road trip to see what is arguably the cultural center of the Southern Low Country, Savannah. We booked a room at the modern and sophisticated Andaz Hotel and off we went...

Riptide

Été en Provence (or, new beginnings)

Almost exactly two years ago (on July 6, 2014 to be precise) I quit my job and promised myself that over the next couple of years I would "figure myself out." I think most mid-twenty-year olds, having worked for a couple years at some miserable post-undergrad corporate desk job, can relate to this feeling: that the life they had envisioned in that incredible fantasy world we call college (where, literally, the world is your oyster) is not quite what they had thought it would be. I had followed my dreams, hadn't I? Gotten the job everyone else would have killed for? Why didn't it feel right?

The Lust List | No. 1

While I am getting excited about the dark neutrals coming out for pre-fall, I can't help but lust over those sheer watercolor florals that have punctuated this summer. Many of my summer purchases have been brights (like that orange Jimmy Choo clutch in yesterday's post, but I'm hoping to incorporate some of these florals and pastel colors into my wardrobe and beauty cabinet before August is over!

Kotur Margo Floral-Embroidered Minaudiere
Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Tiny Pink
Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist Intense
Joie Martine C Top in Porcelaine
Madewell Silk Gardengate Dress
Zimmermann Hydra Embroidered Cotton Playsuit
Club Monaco Fleurise Skirt
Dannijo Everly Earrings
Chanel Le Vernis in Atmosphère
Chanel Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow in Tissé Vénitien
Equipment Floral Lace Silk Pullover (now on sale!)
JBRAND Carly High-Rise Denim Shorts
Chloé Elsie Small Chain Shoulder Bag
Stella McCartney Knickers of the Week

Top-left photograph by me, in Les Cevennes, France, 2012.

Learning to survive the humidity

Summer Sales

In the Navy