A Night Out

top: Tibi; jeans: J Brand; shoes: Michael Michael Kors (old); belt: Hermes; fur collar: Alice + Olivia (old); pearl bracelet: vintage; pink enamel bracelet: Hermes; elephant bracelet: Kenneth Jay Lane; coat: J. Crew, old but similar here; nail polish: Essie Mint Candy Apple; clutch: Gucci, old

Drab to Fab

Sometimes there can be nothing more frustrating than an ugly, tired piece of furniture.  I know particularly as a 20-something year old that before you've "made it" you may think you have to compromise on furniture choices until you accumulate enough money to actually buy the pieces you like.  But with a little flexibility and creativity, you can get the furniture you've always wanted.

I have a very old bar tray in my apartment.  My puppy has chewed on the legs, things have been spilled on it.  It looks its age, to put it gently.  I was this close to throwing it out in a fit of spring cleaning when I actually stumbled on an epiphany.  Instead of focusing on what the cart lacked (expensive finishes, a sophisticated wood grain), I thought of what it embodied as an object.  The purpose of the bar tray is to facilitate good times!  That is what spurred me to paint it a cheerful, bright red.  I bought a quart of Sherwin-Williams "Real Red" in Semi-Gloss and got to work.  A couple coats of paint later, check out the complete transformation:

Albert Hadley, famed American Interior Design, loved symmetry.  However it's ok to not do things perfectly.  While the above set-up is linear, and focuses on the central part of the space, the items of varying shape, size, and category (flowers, bottles, framed crest) create a casual, relaxed vibe.  Add some fabulous PPD Silver Embossed Lace cocktail napkins and your bottle opener and you're ready for your party!

[Faux] Chicken Caesar

One of my favorite recipes of all time - the (faux) chicken caesar salad.  I call it 'faux' because there is no cream involved, and I use a French Mache mix instead of nutrient-devoid romaine lettuce.  The dressing is a Barefoot Contessa Mustard Vinaigrette.  The directions are as follows!

Arrange a fair amount of washed and spun-dried lettuce onto a plate.  I roast a chicken breast in an Oli + Ve French Walnut Olive Oil.  Bake one breast at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.  Slice thinly while still hot, arrange artfully over your lettuce, and drizzle your mustard vinaigrette over the top.  If you're feeling adventurous, grate some fresh parmesan over the top.  Bon appetit!

Back in Black (and brown, gray, and navy...)

Black is one of the easiest colors to use as an anchor to an outfit.  In times of wardrobe confusion, a no-fail outfit is always a black top, black pants, and black flats.  Throw some weighty, classic jewelry in the mix (think triple strand pearls, stacked and thick David Yurman bracelets, etc.) and you've got a guaranteed sharp and ladylike look.

While a pop of color can be a successful part of a look, one has to be very careful to do it correctly.  That is why I advocate for the use of other neutrals, like gray, navy, brown, and even some soft creams.

In writing this post I am reminded of an old friend of mine.  She used to dress in shades of black, navy, and brown every day regardless of temperature.  Occasionally she would wear gray, in the form of a cashmere scarf or tights.  I recall talking with her about how difficult pastels were to pull off for certain people.  It was then that she announced that gray IS her pastel and left me to absorb the sentiment.  At first I disagreed.  Pastels were supposed to be something that reminded you of cotton candy, or Lisa Frank stickers from the early 90s.

But then I thought, why CAN'T gray be a pastel?  Or any of these other colors, as a matter of fact?

Try a pair of slim black pants with a navy cashmere top.  Pair with a chunky, gold  J. Crew necklace, patent cream Salvatore Ferragamo bow heels, and a pair of retro Karen Walker tortoise sunglasses.  

Some of you reading are likely wrinkling your noses.  "Brown and black?  Hideous!" You may be saying to yourself.  But let's take a step back.  Think of when you wear a leopard accent with a black dress.  What is the other color besides black in the print?  Brown!  Why should it be any different for other parts of your outfit?  Consider how gorgeous an impeccable pair of Tory Burch brown equestrian inspired boots paired with the J. Crew Pixie Pant and a flowy caviar-colored silk Joie top.

It is great to incorporate brights and other trends - that is, if you want someone to notice your outfit.  If you want someone to notice you first and your outfit second, then stick with a more muted, classic look.

Grace Kelly

Pictures exist to capture a special moment in time.  They tell stories, and remind us of special moments in our lives.  However, what happens when we inadvertently date ourselves by a trend?  How awful is it to find a picture of ourselves during a happy time in our life, and have to cringe when we look at it because it belies our age?

It should be our goal to dress as cleanly as possible, every single day.  A slim pant, a silk shirt, and a pair of well-kept driving loafers or low heels topped with a handbag in a neutral color is an ideal everyday outfit.  By the way, red is now a neutral.

Consider Grace Kelly, below:



If I didn't know better, I would say that this might be a picture of a friend at a recent black tie ball (black and white photography notwithstanding).  Grace Kelly is considered an icon not only because of her beauty, but also because of her timeless fashion style.  As this picture reveals, she could be anyone, anywhere, in any decade.  The dress is cut cleanly, and she has accented with some feminine pearls and a broach.  She is nearly impossible to date.

Every day you should think after you get dressed, "will I look good in a photograph today?"  And no excuses!  If you don't have time to dry your hair, put it into a sleek bun.  No time for makeup?  One swipe of lip gloss and a great smile will get you anywhere.  Take care of your shoes, they are the part of you people focus on first after your face. You get the picture.  Excuses are the bars that keep us in prison.  Let go of them, and do your best every day.  Life (and an inadvertent photograph!) happens when you least expect it.