Falling Forward

As I turned the key of my tiny New York mailbox, a rush of excitement came over me as I saw the first fall fashion magazine had been delivered. Like a small school girl I jumped for joy in the lobby of my building... Finally we all get another chance. We all start over, and with the sweet scent of fashion in the air, we all begin to fall forward.

Here are some looks which I am most excited about for this fall:

Burgundy:

I cannot wait to get my hands on this lush color this season. The hue of this red brings out the best in almost anyone's skin tone and can go great with brown or black.

  

Houndstooth:

Lately, I have seen this print popping up in stores more often. This pattern can be seen on a pair of chef's pants, but when worn the right way, you can create a chic look instantly. I love this pattern on a skinny pant with a bright collared top. Where ever you can add a pop of this pattern, you are sure to seem on trend for fall.

Studs:

This embellishment has taken a new turn by becoming a primary staple to almost any ensemble. This trend first made its way to stores early this year and seems to be sticking around for fall. Embellished flats, tops, belts, and jackets can make a look become edgy and stylish. Be careful to not put in too much studs into an ensemble (you might start to get that "biker chick" look). Added carefully to a feminine look, studs add something special to an outfit and will always make you feel on trend.

Lace:

What woman doesn't want to dowse herself in a fabric so utterly feminine and chic. This fabric has been around for centuries and continues to make us feel special and chic. Adding lace to and item of clothing can make you feel dressed up even for a walk in the park.

 

Peplum:

We seem to be having peplum popping up everywhere these days! Peplum is not only flattering to any silhouette, but it adds an old fashion femininity to an outfit that we have not seen for a while. Whether you are curvy, or boy-ish figured, peplum looks great and will make you feel instantly girly. Whether the silhouette is worn to the office, or out on the town you will be on trend in any of these looks.

Stay tuned for more fall finds. I promise I will do my best to give you the latest on what I am falling forward for. In the meantime,  I don't know about you, but I am saving every paycheck so that I can start getting my wardrobe filled with the latest fall trends. Happy shopping!

Dear NYC, You Make the Best Boyfriend...

As a young single woman it's natural to want a companion or someone to have a giggle with every now and then, but since I have moved to this city, New York is the best boyfriend I have ever had...

We had a romantic bagel and coffee in the morning in Queens, followed by a classy mimosa at a fancy French bistro in the minst of the cobblestones off of Thompson Street. I felt the itch to discover something new (New York is always keeping me fresh on my toes). I decided to walk through Soho and browse the independent jewelry vendors on Prince St. as well as making a trip to the Young Designers Market (or The Market NYC) over on Bleeker. New York gave me the best day I had experienced in a really long time. We shared a wonderful hot summer afternoon under the sun exploring passion and fashion and he never complained he was missing the Yankee game...

Shopping on Prince St.


While walking in Soho, it's all about the shopping, and hardly anything else. Wherever you turn, there are new stores opening and more vendors to browse. My favorite vendors stay put on Prince St. (facing South). You might occasionally see repeated knock offs or cheap costume jewelry, but for the most part independent jewelry designers set up shop along the sidewalk and offer their one of a kind jewels at a decent price.

I did some browsing and came across a hilarious man by the name of Castro. He does not call himself a designer, rather an individual protesting against similarity and boredom. All of his designs are unique and custom made; all which also happen to offer an extremely edgy and unique look.

He was not pushy about buying anything, and I was only there to browse. His style stood out to me as being something truly original and noteworthy. Check out http://www.castronyc.com to learn more about his designs and style. He was truly something special and I picture very big things for his creative future.

The Young Designers Market (The Market NYC)

After I strolled on Prince St. I made my way over to The Young Designers Market. This indoor venue of independent, fresh, and friendly designers are all found in a single location. The Market NYC offers designers which are all completely different from one another. I was a little afraid of walking into this space and finding a bunch of "hipsters" selling the same kind of designs, but the range of originality varies vastly through this unique shopping experience.

The first designer I stopped by was Terry Ross Jewelry. She offers a simple and elegant stone necklaces, rings, and bracelets set in hand-dipped 18k gold. I was able to leave her booth after falling in LOVE with a simple black crystal necklace with a tiny, elegant gold link chain for only $40; something to wear everyday. She was friendly and extremely passionate about her designs which was a refreshing change from trying to find a necklace from a saleswoman at a department store. Visit her website at http://www.terryrossjewelry.com for more info. She really has something to offer for everyone.

The next designer I visted was selling gorgeous print scarves. Even though it was about 90 degrees out in New York this past Saturday, I couldn't help but find myself drawn to her unique knit scarves. I fell in love with a navy and grey horse and carriage print scarf. This design will look fabulous in the fall with just about any color with skinny jeans and a pair of fabulous boots.

As if the scarves don't simply just sell themselves, Agnes helped me try on the scarf and kindly showed me a few different and original ways I will be able to tie it for the fall. She was so helpful and friendly without being pushy or overly aggressive. View her designs at http://www.amagnes.com and fall for her prints as I easily did.

After my shopping adventure, I hopped into a cab to meet some friends for a sunset cruise around the island. It was a very special day for New York and I. We fell in love all over again and I feel as though we can wake up and do it all over again in the morning, perhaps for the rest of my life...

New York City. Now that's a boyfriend worth keeping.

Move Over Christian Grey...This is the Summer for Women

While basking in the sun in Long Beach, Long Island this week, I turn to the next page of my slightly mangled copy of "Fifty Shades of Grey." I have been carrying this book around with me with me all summer. I have read it openly on the subway on my commute to work at 8 o'clock in the morning, or sitting in Central Park with a family with small children around; and as I approach another situation where Anastasia is "discovering herself," a thought comes pouring over me, "this really IS the summer for women."

We can have Christian Grey whenever, wherever and nobody can look down on us or frown upon our judgment. We can sit in a two hour movie and watch "Magic Mike" dance himself into our hearts and leave us fantasizing about it for the next two months of the warm, steamy summer. We can wear hi-top wedge sneakers with our Ann Taylor dress to work, and we can still enjoy drinking a cold glass of pinot grigio on ladies night with our girlfriends. We can have it all this summer and here are just a few ways (within art and fashion) to get in on this staple trend of the "powerful feline."

Art:

In New York, there is never a shortage of art. Everyday, we are exposed to culture written on the walls or dressed on someone's body. This summer, take advantage of the Met's exhibit of "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations," on view until August 19, 2012. I had the pleasure of viewing the exhibit during the first month of its opening, and it took my breath away.

The similarity between these two women and their artistic, and unique talent of making fashion something powerful and fun is something to truly think about. Both of these women are powerhouses. They take a step beyond making fashion for the consumer or for the retailers, but making it for the footprint it will leave in the culture of fashion itself. Both designers prove that fashion is not meant to be about being serious, but taking a step in a direction that goes unexpected. Its about surprising others and putting yourself in a place you never thought you could find yourself in.

Take part in viewing this exhibit, it might inspire you to try new things, and follow what is uniquely designed inside each and every one of us.

Fashion:
Trending now on the streets in New York, I see a variety of differences between the way one woman dresses to another. However, one trend lies beneath it all; the powerful feline.

I would like to think that we, as women, all wake up in the morning and dress to impress, but sometimes we run late and hit the snooze just a few too many times (I do it just about every morning Monday through Friday). Fashion today is making it easier for us to look powerful with less of the effort. Whether you are sporting hightop sneakers with your LBD, or a studded ensemble to be noticed at the board meeting, we are the ones who are taking the spotlight this summer.

Here are a few of the fashion trends I suggest that can make you feel effortlessly POWERFUL.

Hi-Top Wedge Sneakers- I spotted this image on Rebecca Minkoff's blog earlier this week and was instantly inspired to try this look out before the summer is over. This woman looks powerful, but not too serious. She is playful with her fashion sense and looks as though she can make just about anything work. For her look, I recommend browsing through http://www.asos.com for a great assortment that won't burn an unnecessary hole in your wallet.

Collared Shirts with Studded Hardware- I think this trend will stay for fall. Nothing will look better than a gold studded collar laying neatly over your new burgundy peacoat. These men's wear inspired silhouettes add instant power and edginess that all of us are looking for these days. Browse through http://www.zara.com/us for a great look at their collection. Every week more of this trend seems to be popping up in their designs. Here are a few of my favorites:

To put an end to this Sophisticated Sunday, I want to wish you all the summer of YOU. Whether you are hanging with friends in South Hampton, or enjoying your favorite book on the couch with the AC on full blast; remember to take a moment to embrace that of which is the true meaning of summer. New beginnings, new adventures, and a new sense of self. All which are powerful, and ever-so-possible. This is our time.  

The World of the Sophisticate

It has been said by many, that the term sophistication is to "become less natural, especially to make less naive and more worldly."

Life can get a bit routine. We all mostly work from nine to five, go to the gym, make dinner, and then do it all over again the very next day. However, on Sunday afternoon when the streets are a bit more quiet, perhaps we can all stop and take a moment to be sophisticated; be chic; and of course fabulous.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sarah, and I recently moved to New York City from Southern California. So many people I have come across in recent months have asked me "what in the world were you thinking?" Do not get me wrong, I know that roots are extremely important, and I was brought up in one of the most beautiful parts of this country, but it is New York City where I have found a true sense of sophistication in my day-to-day life and a passion of sharing it with others.

My mother and father were both originally from New York City. My father, a true musician and glorified "rock star" in the 1970's, and my mother a model during the fashionable "mod" era, I was brought up on the glamorous stories of "old New York" and what has been a dream to experience myself. Since embarking on the adventure (moving to NYC last April 2010), the inspiration I see on my commute to work, or walking through Central Park on the weekend, is practically overwhelming. New York is everything I always dreamed it was, and with each day I find it is more than I ever expected.

The purpose of this blog is to share with my fellow sophisticates what has inspired me within the past week. Whether I am on the streets of this crazy city, or finding out about the latest brunch spot, SundaySophistication will sum up New York City's finest moments all in a single posting.

I hope that this blog brings you the chic and fabulous-ness that is only New York City. I hope that I can calm down the week for you and bring you back to what is within all of us; that which is only the true heart of the sophisticate.