Superior Style Between the Seasons- The Black and White Edition

I am freezing.

Literally, FREEZING when I walk outside the door in New York. Last winter, was a piece of cake compared to the below 20 degree weather that has been a usual occurrence on the East Coast. Many of times over the past few weeks I keep telling my friends, "This is not my cup of tea..." Even my most stylish studded gloves can't make me smile when the cold, arctic wind is blowing in my face. Sometimes I have to touch my frozen nose to make sure it's still there.

The only thing that might be able to help me get through the next two months left of this chilling weather, could be to focus on the bright and vivacious colors that spring will add to our wardrobes.

I don't want to get overly excited and "spring" right into spring. Instead I think what we all need is a little direction on how to stay chic and put-together during those in-between season days...

Over the next few weeks, I will add to this "Superior Style Between Seasons" category, but for now lets focus on the iconic style of pairing black with white.


Here are a few looks that have some major between season sophistication:

By adding a bold lip, or a striking accessory we can give this look an extra kick into the warmer seasons. I suggest maybe adding a neon necklace or clutch to a black and white look (Rebecca Minkoff has great accessories or go to H&M if you wanna watch your spending) or wearing an unexpected orange lipstick (Nars has my favorite selection if you are looking for a bold color that can last all day).

Do not worry, we will get through these last few weeks of winter together. In the meantime, stay chic.. stay warm... stay sophisticated.

The Era of Icons

I have talked a lot about my obsession with this city, but I think I really owe it to my mother. My mom passed down a lot to me. Not only her jet black hair and her lack of height, but most importantly she passed down her passion for New York.

My father accepted a job in California when I was just a baby, and all I heard growing up from my mother was how much she missed this city. I think a strong reason why I am so in love with it here is because it reminds me of her.

Having a mother who modeled in the 1960's in New York, I also grew up yearning for a time in fashion where icons were always the buzz. Fashion was truly at it's prime in the 1960's and in New York, anyone could be the next socialite, fashion icon, and super model just by strutting down the street. 

What happened to the years where we had icons who inspired us and influenced us to be creative with fashion and not take ourselves too seriously? With every step I take in my journey with fashion as an art, I try to think of my own personal icons: my mother, and all of the other fabulous women that experienced this city in a time of change, adventure, and most of all innovative fashion.

Besides my own mother, here are a few fashion icons I live by:

• Elizabeth Taylor: not sure if her "violet" eyes, or her alluring sex appeal make me want to live my life as if I am right out of one of her films. Seductive, alluring, and at the same time effortlessly chic. She reminds me to play up curves and never forget to use my femininity as an accessory.

• Jackie Kennedy: reminds us all to be natural and classic. Sometimes all you need is the right pair of jeans, and ribbed turtleneck to look sexy. And on those rough mornings, maybe a pair of reaallllllllll big sunnies.

• Edie Sedgwick: Although her life may have been short (and a bit tragic), this fashion icon lived her life to the fullest in a way some may not even be able to do in a lifetime. Edie reminds fashionistas to be adventurous and never take clothes seriously. Fashion is about showing off who you are in an unexpected way.

I know that the era of icons might be over. I mean, what can we really get from the inspiring works of Lady Gaga wearing raw meat as a dress (ew!) or Jennifer Lopez dressing in nothing (well not nothing, but almost nothing), and DO NOT get me started on what these Jersey Shore girls are doing to fashion (fyi: it will never be cute to wear giant fur Ugg boots with acrylic nails and a trucker hat...sorry).

My hope is that we can all remember our icons. Try and live our lives dressed from head to toe as if they were all still with us today. I know that when I step out of my apartment and off of my stoop, I try and live as though today will be the most glamourous day. That I can become an icon perhaps to my children one day. And just like my mom, tell the stories of New York during the era of icons...