Sparkle Motion

Daytime sparkles and sequins bring a bit of fun flare to an everyday, ordinary ensemble don'tcha think {I don't know, are you supposed to throw the apostrophe in there}? And for me, the key to keeping this look daytime appropriate is to tone down the sparkles with some casual classics. I opted for neutral tones today, but there's nothing wrong with adding a splash of color to the combination if you're feeling extra sassy! HEYO!

photos by jenny

{Outfit}

J.Crew tank

Maggie Ward pants

Rag & Bone Classic Newbury boots

J.Crew Necklace

Wish List: Weekend Wear

Mara Hoffman side tie bikini, Clover Canyon Tropical Diamond dress,

 Miguel Ases Pink Jade & Crystal Drop earrings, Alexander Wang Carmen Sandals,

 Alexander Wang Soft Clutch, CC Skye Trifecta Bangles, Deborah Lippmann "Swagga Like Us"

We're heading to Miami for the weekend to soak in some sunshine and salty sea air! Our impending trip to this colorful city has had me jonesing to wear bright, bold prints all week. This Mara Hoffman bikini and this fab Clover Canyon dress are just what the doctor ordered for a day in the sun and a night on the town. With the print being the main event, I'd keep it simple but cool with a buttery soft black leather clutch, and some strappy black heel with a touch of deep plum, some mixed metal bangles and bright pink earrings to bring out the fuschia in the print. Fun, fun, fun!

Have a great weekend!!

Creamsicle Dreamsicle

photos by jenny

{Outfit}

Catherine Malandrino

Free People cut offs

Dieppa Restrepo oxfords

Dolce & Gabana bag

Black & White, Denim & Red - Repeat

My stripe loving self couldn't get over my affair with that polka dot top yesterday. Totally and completely guilt stricken I couldn't eat, I couldn't drink, I couldn't sleep. Well, I might be fibbing a smidge about the eating, drinking, sleeping part, but I promise you this, that each time I opened a drawer or closet my striped garments practically leapt out and slapped me in the face in protest. Alas, I am in stripes today and feeling pretty dang good about it!

photos by jenny

{Outfit}

Torn by Ronny Kobo striped dress {similar here}

Swedish Hasbeens peep toe clogs

Homemade denim vest

Belt from Albertine, NYC

Polka Dots

photos by jenny

{Outfit}

Polka dot blouse {similar here}

Citizen of Humanity boyfriend jeans

Manolo Blahnik "Campari" pump

Louis Vuitton "Sofia" bag

Manicure Monday

The beauty of the chevron patterned, two toned {or in this case, three toned} mani is that it cuts out the hemming and hawing over what color to use. Go with your two favorites, or three or four! This one is feeling a little rainbow bright meets open flame to me... 

Hmm, that probably sounded bad, but you know what I meant. 

{Nail polish}

Deborah Lippmann "Supermodel"

 Priti NYC "Gatsby Dahlia

Deborah Lippmann "Yellow Brick Road"

Bang-bivalence

I've been ambivalent about bangs for as long as I can remember. I, like most tots, began with bangs and my Mom, who cut my hair up until I was 13, kept me with a blunt cut and bangs for most, if not all, of my childhood. Once she left me to my own devices I began the annoying and super awkward process of growing them out {as if being 13 wasn't awkward enough, right?!}, but lo and behold just as they were fully grown out and no trace of them remained, I had the urge to make the chop.
This back and forth between bangs and no bangs has been going on FOR-EV-ER {said like Squints from The Sandlot}, and here is why:  I love, love, loooove bangs on other girls, like the lovely ladies pictured above, but every single time I get them I feel like they don't look nearly as good on me, and I pretty much immediately begin to grow them out, vowing never to cut them again.
After nearly a year without them, a few months ago I started to feel a hankering for bangs again. I tried to reason with myself, "They don't look right with my face", "I'd rather take a hot poker in the eyeball than deal with growing them out again", "Remember when you asked your friends to accost you if you told them you were thinking of cutting them again - That must mean you hated them something fierce!", etc. - You know the drill.
I had just read about Emily Weiss' impromptu 1AM self-done haircut on Into The Gloss, and I was like, "Dude, what's my deal?! It's just hair - It'll grow back. Be spontaneous!" Yadda, yadda, yadda, and now I have bangs.
I'm 2 days in, and in true ambivalent form I'm still oscillating back and forth between loving them and hating them. I suppose this is how it will always be?? Anyone else have a love hate relationship with bangs? Ahhh... Bangs. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.

images via here, here, here, here, here and here

Cruel Summer

It's no secret that the summer heat and humidity have never been friends to those of us with oily skin. In fact, ever since the balmy weather began this year I've found myself battling congested skin on a more regular basis. It can be brutally irritating, but with a little skin care adjustment you can definitely keep the congestion at bay. 

I should start off by explaining that I was recently forced to change my skin care regimen in order to rid myself of some mysterious perioral dermatitis. The dermatologist gave me a number of options:

1. Take a course of low-grade antibiotics for 3 months;
2. Apply a topical cream to temporarily calm the irritation; 
3. Eliminate one product at a time to locate the offending product; 
4. Throw everything I've been using away and start fresh.

Well, the first two options didn't sound terribly appealing, and I didn't feel like Sherlock Holmes-ing my way to the answer either. Instead, I decided to start over with an entirely different regimen.

So there I was, biding farewell and abandoning my old "go-to" skin care products {a sad day indeed}, and stepping into the land of all that is bright, shiny, new and unknown with my fingers 

crossed that I would find the right products for my skin type and sensitivity. 

Anyone who's done this before knows that it's a daunting process.

I had heard wonderful things about Pai skincare, a line that is free from irritating chemicals and alcohol, and is formulated to be gentle yet effective for sensitive, allergy-prone skin. This seemed like a great place to start. I opted for the Geranium & Thistle Combination Skin Cream, a light, mild formula that leaves my face feeling velvety smooth and looking totally matte. For a girl who's t-zone becomes oily within 15 minutes of being outside or in any kind of heat whatsoever, this cream is miraculous! I was amazed that after a days outside in the crazy, ridiculous heat that I was coming home looking just slightly dewy  {and who doesn't love that fresh dewy look opposed to the oil slick you can become?!} BOOM. First cream I tried and it was FAB-U-LOUS! {Side note: I've also tried their Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream and it is equally as wonderful, but doesn't have the same mattifying effect.}

So, Pai to the rescue!

My next fabulous find is by Tammy Fender, but before I proceed let me just ask you one thing - Have you ever noticed that most {if not all} clarifying, acne treating skin care products are insanely drying? The Clarifying Dermagel, most certainly is NOT! The dermagel purifies, 

clears and corrects without turning your skin into an arid, peeling desert 

{okay, maybe that description was extreme, but the peeling, that actually happens to me!}.

Within 1 week I was able to see a notable difference in my skin - faded blemishes and significantly clearer skin - Who doesn't want that?!

Now, if you've used Tammy Fender before you know that it comes with a hefty price tag, but keep in mind that it's a highly concentrated formula and a little goes a very VERY long way!

Skin is a finicky thing, indeed, and there are certainly different strokes for different folks, but if you are like me and battle congested, oily/combination skin way more often than you'd like, 

these two products are definitely worth your time to try. 

You can get a sample of Pai from Spirit Beauty Lounge, and if you've got Tammy Fender in a store near you, ask for a sample of the dermagel {try it out for at least 1 week. You will definitely see a difference}

Good luck to all, and good riddance congestion!

Sheer Luxe

It was love at first sight when I saw this sheer, vintage inspired silk top by What Goes Around Comes Around. The print of gold chains and jewel tone beads and shells on the silky canvas of black are what give it a totally luxe look, while it's billowy fit is what makes it comfortable and relaxed - Perfect for a breezy summer night. I slipped it on and was in heaven; Like I was ready for an evening sipping bellinis on the Amalfi coast! 

photos by jenny

{Outfit}

What Goes Around Comes Around silk top

J.Crew perfect tank

J Brand shorts

Jimmy Choo heels

Persol sunglasses

Laid Back Boho

photos by jenny

{Outfit}

Antik Batik crochet tank

Theory pleated maxi skirt

Rag & Bone Classic Newbury boots

Volver A Volar earrings

Vintage cuff

Oblik Atelier necklace

July Favorites

Do you ever have those months when you find something you've been looking for or you rediscover something you've had, old or new, whether it was already in your closet or you found it out and about, and instantly you're in love? This happens to me constantly! This July I wanted to share a few:

Glitzy gold coasters and scented soy-wax rounds - After months of searching high and low for coasters that made some sense with our decor I had almost given up. I was meandering around ABC Home one afternoon and these round, porcelain beauties caught my eye. Having just the right amount of glitz and glamour, they remain feminine and delicate with an understated beauty. 

In short -  They're parfait!

The scented soy-wax rounds by Munio Candela are an absolute delight. I really underestimated how much I'd love these little guys - I only got two boxes, but I fully intend on getting more as I've found myself carting them around the apartment with me because I can't get enough of the sensual, soft aroma that they have {it's like having mess-less potpourri!} And come on, take a look at them - Don't they look like delectable, little rounds of white chocolate with little bits and pieces of berry and orange peel in them?! Heck, I think they do!

Homemade charm bracelet and cute box o' matches - I've got a million little charms that don't get much action these days, and I had been wondering how I could reincorporate them into everyday use. Voila! My favorite friendship bracelet was feeling a bit bare, so I gave it a friend to "hang" out with! 

For those of you familiar with Fishs Eddy in NYC, it's probably the best and definitely my favorite place to find kitschy-cute kitchenware. They also happen to have some seriously cool knickknacks strategically placed around their store. Case in point - This super cute box 'o matches! Did I need them? No... Am I glad I got them? YES!

 Vintage owl necklace - This piece has a very special place in my heart. It happens to be the very first gift my Dad gave to my Mom. {Awe, Dad!} My Mom laughs about it now, remembering how silly looking she thought it was and that my Dad had {and apparently still has} terrible taste in jewelry. Um, Mom... I beg to differ! So when she was willing to part with this sweet little owl, who I've since named Ernesto, I was more than happy to take him off her hands and give him a home!

My wedding ring's new neighbor - It's no secret - I've got a ring obsession. It's a problem, I know. BUT I also mentioned that there was an end in sight and that I was waiting for one last {cough cough} piece. I'm not sure how everyone feels about the idea of wearing rings beside their wedding/engagement rings, but as I've said before I am of the opinion "the more the merrier". That being said, I don't have a wedding band that is super easy to pair things with, so seeking friends and neighbors for it has been a rocky road. I currently wear a ring that my husband gave me on my left index finger, so he's a distant neighbor to my wedding band {same zip code, but miles away}, and I've tried to wear rings right next to my band on my middle finger but have found that despite my efforts it never felt or looked quite right. Then, like lightening, the idea struck me - My pinky! Yes!  Something simple and sweet for my pinky. And here she is - A tiny, rose gold band with an N + P engraved on it. I love it. Love, love, love it. Needless to say, she has taken up permanent residence beside my wedding band and they are now BFFs. 

 Priti pink polish - Priti NYC nail polish is eco-friendly, non-toxic, glides on perfectly smooth and has tremendous wearing power. Seeing as I like to keep things as natural as I can this beautiful, bright pink named Hula Girl Rose is just what the doctor ordered!  

And then, of course, I am always dreaming of Paris {sigh}

Sundress Stripes

photos by jenny

{Outfit}

Corey Lynn Calter dress

Manolo Blahnik heels 

Pigtails and Petal Shorts

I found these adorable shorts by Funktional at one of my favorite boutiques, Albertine. 

I loved that they were a relaxed and loose fit, with layers of silk artfully designed to create a wrapped petal look, like the tops of tulips! Thankfully, over the last two days we've been experiencing some civilized summer weather {a.k.a. days without the kind of heat that will inspire thoughts of jumping a fence and leaping into your neighbors kiddie pool}, so wearing a lightweight Equipment blouse was actually very do-able and exceedingly comfortable. Ahhh, ya gotta love that light breeze!

photos by jenny

{Outfit}

Equipment blouse

Funktional shorts

Jimmy Choo heels

Panama Hat

Vintage Persol sunglasses