phantom menace

oh, celine.  why do you continue to haunt me?  is it because i held you on my arm?  pictured our life together.
oh, celine.  why aren't you mine?  could it be your $2500 price tag?  yes.  yes, i think that's it.

sigh.

real estate stalking: gwyneth paltrow (AGAIN)

it's the summer so my head is clearly out east.  at the beach.  in the hamptons.  with good ol' gwynnie.  on my list of loves:  the tord boontje blossom chandelier in the dining room, the tom dixon mirror ball pendants in the entry, schumacher's imperial trellis wallpaper in the powder room and every square inch of the kitchen.

real estate stalking: meg ryan

meg ryan calls it brutal elegance.  i would have to agree.  there is a severity in the lines, the materials, the colors (or lack thereof).  the stark contrast of white walls with ebony floors.  the delineation of space using windows of black steel casement.  sally albright's beach house this is not. 

safari chic

my favorite voguette, geraldine saglio, killing me softly with her interpretation of safari chic. is it me or have the french completely mastered this look?

african safari

when i picture african safari, the first image that pops in my head (after the giraffes, elephants, lions, zebras, et al.) is this iconic photograph circa 1968.

in my dream of dreams, i would look like verushka on safari, rifle-ready, knife tucked away by my waist. an accessory to the accessory.

alas, the reality of 5AM wake-up calls and chilly 40 degree mornings shattered my ysl aspirations and any goals i had outside of staying warm. well...that and the fact that i didn't pack the proper clothes.

lanvin resort 2012

little girls + high fashion. this formula never grows old.

for the newly launched lanvin petite, alber elbaz charms us with ridiculously sweet looks ranging from playful to pensive. bows, poufs, pearls and frothy tulle abound.

as someone who's been known to shop the kids section, i am not above dressing like a five year-old. at least, not in this case ;)

summer packing list

no matter the destination, there are some key items that always find their way into my suitcase.  tunics worn as dresses, multi-tasking scarves, natural materials like straw, raffia, cork, rope and wood, gauzy knits, tribal prints, stripes, braided and woven textures, totes for every occasion, shoes of varying heights, colors and shapes and a few sunnies for good measure. 

Golden Goose T-Shirt | Colorblock Hipster Bikini Bottom | Yves Saint Laurent Sandals | A Peace Treaty Scarf | Zero + Maria Cornejo Bikini | Marni Medium Bag | Karen Walker Sunglasses | J.Crew Linen Cardigan | Lara Bohinc Scarf | Yves Saint Laurent Cork Wedge | Madewell Bandeau Tops + Boy Briefs | Barneys New York Rope Tote | See by Chloe Dress | Chloe Wooden Wedge

Prada Bag | Mara Hoffman Bikini | Bodkin Tunic | Natalia Brilli Necklace | Fendi Sandals | Madewell Bikini | Bruno Grifoni Scarf | Mara Hoffman Kaftan | Opening Ceremony Sandal | Rebecca Minkoff Bag | Balenciaga Straw Bag | Jil Sander Canvas Bag

Cacharel Shirt | Cacharel Shorts | Pierre Hardy Wedge | Rebecca Minkoff Sunglasses Pouch | Sass & Bide Linen Sweater | Giles & Brother Braided Necklace | Mara Hoffman Bikini | Pierre Hardy Wedges | Lanvin Bracelet | Jas MB Canvas Bag | Proenza Schouler Tank | R13 Denim Skirt | Soludos Espadrilles | Diane Von Furstenberg Bikini | Balenciaga Raffia and Leather Basket Bag | R13 Sweat Shirt | Alice + Olivia Shorts | 3.1 Phillip Lim Necklace | Balenciaga Sandal | Karen Walker Sunglasses 

Hermes Bag | 3.1 Phillip Lim Top | Nicole Fahri Sandal | Marc Jacobs Scarf | Marc by Marc Jacobs Bikini | Marc by Marc Jacobs Cork Bangle | 3.1 Phillip Lim Blouse | Balenciaga Tote | Karen Walker Sunglasses | Marc Jacobs Scarf | Yves Saint Laurent Bag | Opening Ceremony Cork Platform Sandals | Acne Top | Emilio Pucci Bikini | Prada Sandals

take a bow

as if we need another reason to love j.crew...introducing prabal gurung's limited edition capsule collection.

part 2 in a series of collaborations with the recipients of the cfda fashion fund (j.crew is a sponsor this year), the collection hits stores next week but you can pre-order items online like the bow-dacious denim jacket right now.

ll bean boat and tote

may is the time when i start to get my summer on.  the weather starts cooperating, the spring wardrobe goes into full rotation, and i begin planning.  

my mission is clear:  find a way out of the city.  as much as i love ny (and i really do love you, N-Y), the summer is the one time of the year when all i want to do is leave it.  whether it’s for a weekend or a week, i am constantly in search of a new destination.

while the locale is ever-changing, one thing always remains...the ll bean boat and tote.  anyone who know me knows that i am never without a tote and what i am toting, more often that not, is of the ll bean variety.  

in the past, this has equated to a simple formula:  one customized large boat and tote.  regular handles.  black body.  black handles.  black bottom.  black front pocket.  (you can take the girl out of new york....)

but with this season bursting at the seams full of color, i was inspired to head in a different direction.

vintage kate

these pictures, taken by gene lemuel in 1988, are part of a larger exhibit at the danziger projects called the kate moss portfolio and other stories.

a glimpse at a fourteen-year old kate and you could see that she already had IT.  even then.  twenty-three years later...she continues to allure, captivate and mesmerize.  when she looks into the camera, it's hypnotic. 

it's hard to look away. 

stella tennant

 

i am clearly having a blue moment.

as is stella tennant.  the girl is so bad ass.  she can pull off any look and make it cool and elegant all at the same time.

real estate stalking: gwyneth paltrow

pristine, ethereal, slightly cold.  precisely what i would expect gwyneth's tribeca loft to look like. 

white, white, plus more white.  mixed with a muted pastel palette, some flokati rugs and a swing bench.  naturally, i am in love.