Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Heat Wave

The heat has descended upon us, at least for the time being, and on Saturday I was finally able to throw on a dress without layers and tights and jackets and worries.

For that first stretch of warmth, I pulled out a dark blue cotton dress that I bought at The Gap two years ago. The plan for the day was to wander the Brooklyn Flea with a friend. (A place where I, surprisingly, always end up eating and never shopping.) I took a window seat in a nearby coffee shop and waited for my friend to arrive. My iced coffee wasn't long for this world and The Village Voice that had been left by the seat's previous occupant only held my attention intermittently. I spent most of my time trying not to look at the cute boy who took the seat next to mine and watching everyone enjoy the warm weather on the sidewalk in front of me.

Everyone goes a bit crazy during that first warm weekend. Shorts and skirts and tanks are pulled from the recesses of closets and dressers and thrown together in eye-searing combinations. This is why I chose a dress. Simple. Easy. I didn't give myself the chance to throw on every warm weather piece of clothing I own in a hot weather frenzy. No walking shorts with espadrilles with tank top with cropped cardigan with brightly-colored purse with three bangles and a headband. It was time to feel out the warmth. To decide what could be salvaged from last Spring and Summer. To really get down to the business of cleaning out my closet.

Well I would eventually get down to the business of cleaning. I first had to attend to the eye-searing colors in the snow cone I bought from the ice cream truck parked outside of the Flea.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Homework

I'm in the midst of a task for a job that I'm interested in, and I find myself up to my ears in pictures of shoes and bags and dresses and distressed jeans. But through all of the muddle, I found the perfect Spring outfit for me.


It's perfect for brunch. For all of those wonderful dates that I go on. For a day of window shopping with a friend. I'm especially in love with the flats. They and I are meant to be together forever. Or at least until I find someone younger and a bit flashier.


Image via

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Finalement Paris

After weeks and weeks, I've gotten to this city at last. Though New York is my home, I've always wanted to attend the Paris shows. To finally use some of that French I spent nine years studying. To overindulge on pastries and drink a bit too much wine.

Though my pattern of only liking collections in pairs disappeared, the number of individual pieces from various collections that I found myself drawn to ballooned.

A belted blue Dries Van Noten coat.


And a zippered one from Roland Mouret.


An almost too sexy for me Nina Ricci minidress.


An easy day ensemble from the relaunched Rochas.


An one-shouldered Giambattista Valli gown.


A strapless Lanvin dress.


A voluminous Balenciaga skirt.


A printed Stella McCartney dress.


A pink Chanel quilted bag.


In terms of full collections, there was only one. I've always loved Martin Grant. The intricacy of the tailoring makes me dizzy in a way that reminds me of the days when I would spin far too fast on the tire swing. I was so overcome with giddiness that I could hardly stand or breathe when my feet finally made their way back to the sand below.

Many of the stand alone pieces that I like are on the trendier side. Items that I would wear for a year or two before possibly becoming bored with them. They would settle into the back of my closet with the business casual pants and the medical school interview suits. The collections, however, always lean toward the classic. Things I could wear forever with a bit of an adjustment here or there. Those are the types of pieces I always find myself coming back to. Visiting in various stores imagining the day when I might be able to take them home with me.

I wanted every item that Martin Grant had on offer for next Fall, but here's a small taste.

A gray belted coat.


A white halter dress.


A gray off the shoulder dress.


A black halter dress.


A Joan Holloway-esque pink dress.


An impossibly wide and high pair of pants.


And pure drama.



Photos via, via

Thursday, April 2, 2009

See No Evil

Blazers are everywhere right now, especially of the loosely fitting, boy variety. This one would nicely complement the more closely fitting pieces hanging in my closet. Let's all just ignore the fact that the price is more than one month's rent. Before tax.



La ti da, I don't even see that number.


Photos via