Favorites from Madewell Fall 2011 Look Book

Madewell released a preview of their Fall 2011 Look Book...and it is pretty enticing. Their separates are to die for.

Here are some of my faves...

They showcased a number of suspender looks, but I thought this was the best. I love the shoes and scarf, too. Just bought a pair of casual suspenders from UO that I am excited to transition into Fall. I'm digging the suspender revival..so school girl geeky sheek!

Flare legs are also having a moment. This high waisted version with the looser tucked shirt is a polished way to wear them.


I am lusting over these brown leather shorts, but something tells me they are something only a skinny mini like this model can pull them off. The shoes are so cute too & the paisley top! The camel jeacket is so clean and sophisticated... I want this whole outfit!

Skirts cut anwhere from ankle up to knee are all over the place coming into Fall. The maxi skirt doesn't seem to be going out of style any time soon. Anything that hides the majority of the legs is fine by me.

I am seriously drooling over these crisp brown oxfords she is wearing. I need some for fall!




I can never tell if I pull off the look of hiking your socks up past the top of the boots. I think part of the trick is cute socks so I might have to invest in some of those come August-end.

These animal print-blocked chunky heels are beauties! I love the way the coat falls - it's somehow reminding me of Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs at the same time, which is a feat. Lots of layering going on...

This long blouse looks like it can also be worn as a shirtdress. Versatility is always crucial.

I want everything!!

Images from Madewell

Candy Cane

Vintage dress, ALDO sandals, Kate Spade purse

If every dress tells a story, this one will always make me think of what happened the first time I wore it in Brooklyn. I got it at a small vintage boutique called Angela's Vintage in the east village the day before. I debated buying it because trying it on in the store, it seemed too short to wear as a dress... but for $25 and a great fit, I was willing to take a risk and hoped for some happy adjustments.

I was right that the dress was flexible...if I just make the right pulls during minutes alone in the restroom and stay aware of the teetering length while walking, I can control it not riding up too much. Other than that little trifle I love the dress! It's a great casual Sunday funday type of dress that will also work with leggings and skinnies in the fall. I think it flatters the shit out of my body too.. how it pulls in at the waist and ties in the back. The stripes are navy blue but the trim on the neckline and the sleeves are black, providing a nice little touch of contrast.

Anyway, back to the story...after nursing our exhausted hangovers with Brooklyn Flea food (lobster rolls & paninis & fried fish tacos...mmm been dreamin about those), we walked around forever trying to find an open tattoo parlor that also did piercing so my friend could get her cartilidge pierced. After we finally accomplished the mission at hand we walked some more to try to find a cab. I don't know where we were but we were nowhere near where we started.

Right after passing this bald man who was mounting a bike, he started trying to spit some game and yelling some mildly obscene things our way. I was hoping he was hollering at someone else, but then he spouted something along the lines of: "Mmmmm mmm mm goodness gracious you look like a Candy cane!"

So at that point I knew he was addressing no one else but me. I just started walking faster to act like I didn't hear him as my friends desperately tried to muffle their laughter. So now I will always think of this as the candy cane dress, for better or for worse. I guess getting a reaction like that has to be some sort of flattering, even if it is the humiliating kind!

And one last ode to my John Lennon sunnies (got them from LA boutique, Kapsoul). This was the last time I got to wear these before they broke. I am determined to have them fixed though and I hear that Sunglass Hut will fix some pairs for free...or I'm sure a jewelry store would fix them. Either way they're comin back!

And these sunglasses are so hot right now... Guess who else was sporting a pair!

Wait for it...

Rachel Zoe's baby that's who!

I miss you Brooklyn, I'll be back soon!

Destination: Brooklyn/Manhattan

Manhattan from Brooklyn

So a couple of weeks ago I took a weekend trip to New York and stayed with a friend in Brooklyn Heights. Some other friends came too and we all had an excellent time. I've always loved NYC and the surrounding areas (even though some of them are wack!) and love that it's so accessible to DC. The Friday evening bus ride can be looong sometimes with traffic (and getting back Sunday is usually no picnic either), but it's so cheap and easy it's hard to complain.

This is an urban garden I came across in the East Village while walking around a little bit before brunch at PRUNE. It's an adorable garden, perfect for lounging and reading or just staring up at the sky. There are different types of artwork on display (paintings, mural, sculpture, etc.) and some poetry incorporated into the walls of the setting.



I took a little stroll around the area since the wait for brunch was long (but worth it!) The East Village has so much flavor and pizzazz and attiude, love it!





This is the outfit I wore for brunch/ shopping/exploring on Saturday. The dress is vintage and altered (also featured here), Aldo Aviators & the sandals are Forever 21.

There's so much awesome street art everywhere in New York, it's like every wall you pass by has something intriguing or crazy or erotic to look at. I thought this mural was interesting and funny and vaguely sexual the way the humanesque Koala bear is straddling the tree so fiercely.

The rose gold locket is borrowed and the purse is Italian leather, a brand called Veggio I got it at the U St. Shoefly store. That location has since closed down :( I know there is one in Arlington, but that was one of my go-to boutiques on U St & I was definitely sad to see it go. They always had great jewelry and accessories in addition to the shoes. And this little purse is perfect, I've worn it to death since I bought it about 2 years ago and know that I will wear it forever.

This is KATZ's deli where that one scene in When Harry Met Sally was filmed...the scene where she fakes an orgasm in the middle of a deli. Great movie!



Went into Topshop on Broadway and some of the other stores around the area...browsed some vintage and consignment shops & plenty of street vendors. My friend scored a pair of vintage DVF gold and black pumps in great condition for $90. NYC shopping is the best!



Those are my 3 friends directly ahead and the great city before us...

Brooklyn Bridge from the Pier

Manhattan Bridge from Brooklyn Bridge Park


These bridges are really stunning to look at. They are beautiful structures in and of themselves, but also set against the city skyline intensifies their effect. The stone Gothic aesthetic is sublime.


Brooklyn Bridge at Sunset

DC Sip & Swap

This past Thursday night I attended the DC Sip and Swap with the Swapaholics at the Clarendon Ballroom. It was a blast! It was a pretty large scale clothing swap event where you bring your "like-new or gently worn" clothing, jewelry, shoes and/or accessories (at least 5 items) to swap for whatever you can find/grab/snatch from the tables and racks once the swap begins. They screen the goods and set up while everyone arrives and has a few drinks or bites and then it was open sesame at 8:00 sharp.

Here are a few of the items I submitted from my closet:

This is a great piece, but I can never quite rock the awkward 3/4 length sleeves with a jacket.

I gave up the belt not the dress. It's an uber-cute belt, but too thick for my tastes anymore.

And this was my shopping list! I thought it would be smart to go in with goals and a strategy in mind so as not to waste any time dilly dallying when I got in there. Girls be fierce! The only things I managed to procure from this list were a thin red belt and a short sleeve brown cardigan. But part of the fun of it is finding a whole bunch of random stuff you weren't expecting to find, so I was happy to leave with 2 of the desired items and a sackfull of surprises.

My friend Laura and I sippin' and mingling, pre-swap

In the throws of it...

It was pretty chaotic, especially at the beginning, but everybody was really excited! It was fun! I didn't see any hair pulling or nail swatting, but snatching briskly was completely acceptable and in common practice.

Aaand the empty racks at the end. I was done at this point, but there were still people digging through the scraps left at the tables and trying things on right in the room there. I was mingling at the bar with one of my favorite DC style bloggers, District of Chic I was so excited to meet her! I also got to meet a marketing rep from DC Goodwill, who partnered for the event (all the residual items not taken or put out were donated to Goodwill) and a few other interesting bloggers and stylistas.

I took home some great finds, including 2 dresses, a belt, a cardigan & a long sleeve crop top. For a $20 ticket ($30 for 2), I think the return was well beyond what I paid for and would do it again in a heartbeat! More events like this around the DC area please!!