To Jewel-Up, or Jewel-Down...? That is the Question!

There is a particular art to accessorizing. Just like brushing the last blot of paint onto a painting, we all must be talented artists when putting the last-minute touches onto our ensembles.

I have accessories GALORE! Somehow, it is almost out of hand how much I have in my wardrobe; from hats to scarves, from statement necklaces to cocktail rings... but how do we put these accessories on without overdoing it or under-doing it? And when it comes to jewelry lately, are we supposed to stack a million knuckle rings on every hand or leave our outfit as minimal as possible? To Jewel-Up or Jewel-Down...? That is the Question!

Here are a few of my tips:

• Work 
-If you are having the urge to Jewel-Up: Unless you work in a creative industry, over accessorizing is never a professional way to go. Perhaps if your ensemble is simple like a LBD or black slacks and a simple top, a statement necklace could work perfectly. I would never recommend wearing any overly large and eccentric earrings to work (plus- you might get uncomfortable if you are on the phone for periods of time). And of course a classic cocktail ring is always appropriate.

-If you are having the urge to Jewel-Down: At work, there is never anything wrong with less accessories. If you happen to work in a professional environment that has a bit more of a strict dress code, it might be best to keep the jewels to a minimum to prevent looking too "flashy." Classic rings, necklaces, and studs will work best (Dont forget: Just because your accessorries are minimal, doesn't mean you cannot showcase your personal style!).

 







• The First Date
I think a lot of girls have the habit of over-thinking what to wear on a first date. We have all been there. We think what we wear on this date will eventually have an affect on if the person does or doesn't like us. I agree with this to an extent. Especially with accessorizing. My advice- Don't overdo it. These are totally acceptable jewels that can showcase your own style, without confusing your dude.. Long necklaces are always flattering and classic (and pair perfectly with a A-line dress or jeans and a cute blouse). Also- If your ensemble looks best with long earrings instead, opt for something sexy, yet simple.

 

 And last, but certainly not least...
• The Girls Night Out
My favorite time of the week is when I get to allow myself to get dolled up in an outfit that is totally "me" and my personal style and spend time with my girlfriends. I strongly believe that when girls go out, we get more dressed-up for each other than we do when we are trying to impress the opposite sex. This is the night to showcase to your friends your feminine, fashionable, and fun-loving side. Let yourself be experimental with fashion and let your closet loose!

 

In conclusion, my advice is always to stay true to whatever your personal style is. If you are always a simple jewel-down kinda gal... stick with it. Just no matter where you are and what you do, remember to stay chic and always fabulous.

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...

The VogueGasm

Everyday for the past month, my eyes light up when I take my steps by all of the newsstands on the streets of New York. Even when I pass by the bodega tucked in the bottom of the Queens Plaza station, my head turns in hopes that the new September issue of Vogue is sitting in the window...

I settled for "Lucky" or "In Style" but nothing says fall fashion like the enormously thick and yummy issue of Vogue.

As a young girl, my mother subscribed to Vogue. She got it in the mail every month for as long as I can remember.  The issue stocked full  of glamorous fashion stories from the makers of this fabulous industry sat on her sleek black desk until she took in with her to bed. She sat in bed with her black-framed Burberry glasses on and turned each page, folding down the pages with pictures of quilted lamb leather handbags, or chic, tailored tweed skirt suits. The air in her bedroom filled with the essence of fashion and perfume ads; these are images as a young girl I will never forget. My mother engraved a distinctly strong passion for this industry that lies within my heart forever. When I see the September issue of Vogue, it not only inspires my own sense of fashion, but also brings me back to that nostalgic, simple time in my life.

Well, today as I was going to the Duane Read on my way home from work to pick up some toothpaste, my eyes lit up with the same joy that lit in my mothers when she laid in her bed folding over those pages...

I like to call this look/feeling "The VogueGasm"... It happens every September and gives us hope for a whole next year.

As each leaf slowly starts to fall from the trees, and the weather gets a bit more chilly, I hope you have a VogueGasm of your own. Be inspired. And snuggle up in your bed and fold the pages....