Fashion obsession of the day

After catching the midnight screening of Twilight: Eclipse, I still have to be a big girl and go to work today - unlike 99 percent of the movie theater full of 14-year-olds on summer vacation. Don't you miss that? Waking up at 11 a.m. only to spend your day soaking up the sun, watching re-runs and running through the neighbor's sprinkler. Oh, that was the life! These floral print Bensimon sneakers remind me of the ones I would run around in all day when I was on summer vacation.

(Photo from Madewell)

Fashion obsession of the day

As a pigmentally challenged lady, I tend to stay away from hues that accent my paleness. But this sand hued silk dress from Rory Beca is too pretty to pass up. When I was younger I used to worship the sun, staying outside for hours on end with my bottle of oil and a glass of lemonade. Now I use SPF 45 and steer clear of the rays for extended periods of time. At least I know my skin won't look like a worn out leather handbag in 30 years. And there's always self-tanner, right?

(Photo from Shopbop)

Beautiful weekend

Happy Monday everyone (I only say happy to convince myself it will be). Friday I bought an ice cream maker and that pretty much monopolized my weekend. I had an old issue of Gourmet magazine (RIP) lying around with a bunch of ice cream recipes. I knew one day I would put those recipes to use. Strawberry, vanilla bean frozen yogurt and a taste of Paris - caramel au sel (salted caramel) - I made them all. As soon as I tasted the creamy, custardy, caramel-y heaven I was transported back to the city of lights. Saturday I was on a mission to find a vintage bike, and although I found one up against the side of someone's house in the middle of nowhere, I decided not to buy it. Sunday was super relaxing and, of course, True Blood.

Friday is beautiful

This morning I awoke to the sound of chirping birds and the sunlight shining on my face. I can't think of a better way to start a Friday morning. Except for a skinny vanilla latte, which is certainly in order. What are your plans for this weekend? Saturday I'm hitting up some garage sales in the country and have major plans to resurrect my grandmother's recipe for rhubarb pie. And I think I can squeeze in a couple bike rides and some vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles.

P.S. - Although my fashion obsession of the day is why I began this blog in the first place, I'm going to take this blog in a different direction on Fridays. Just a more reflective, personal post so you can get to know me a bit better.

(Photo via ffffound!)

Fashion obsession of the day

I am so into this jacket. Normally I am not a fan of super light denim, but combined with the fitted shape, asymmetrical hem, zippers and seaming, it totally works. Although I do have to say the styling on this look reminds me of a redneck tuxedo (wtf Shopbop). Instead, I would wear it over a floral summer dress for a chilly night - or pretty much anything besides denim on bottom.

(Photo from Shopbop)

Fashion obsession of the day

I know. I know. It's literally the first week of summer and I've got a cashmere sweater on here. But I just can't resist the chunky, oversized shape of it. And paired with the undeniably sexy thigh-high Louboutin boots, you've got yourself one heck of a fall outfit. Too bad they're both totally unaffordable.

(Photos from Net-a-Porter)

Fashion obsession of the day

Madewell, the cheaper, more casual cousin of J. Crew, recently launched their online shop. The pieces are the epitome of comfy chic, with slouchy shorts, menswear inspired blazers and flowy dresses. With July on the horizon, I need to place my summer order for those shorts and a new pair of Bensimon sneakers soon.

(Photos from Madewell)

Beautiful weekend

This weekend started with gazpacho and ended with True Blood and was perfect the whole way through. I can't remember the last time I felt like I had a fun, productive weekend like this. Buffalo was a great day trip and I also made a pit stop at Urban Outfitters for some cute finds. Sunday I cooked brunch and chocolate chunk cookies and took more than one bike ride on my pink cruiser. I only hope every weekend this summer will be just as lovely.

Friday love

This is pretty much my excuse for everything. That and not wanting to put makeup back on. But on that note, Happy Friday! This weekend I'm going on a mini road trip to Buffalo to pick up a vintage bike and visit some places I used to go to when I went to college there. And Father's Day will include loads of baking. Do you have anything special planned for dad? See you Monday!

(Photo via ffffound!)

Fashion obsession of the day

I spotted this new designer, Aubin and Wills, on Net-a-Porter yesterday, and I am officially in love. Their pieces are casual country meets uptown chic. And the price is quite reasonable. Check out more from the London design house on their website.

(Photos from Net-a-Porter)

Fashion obsession of the day

It's Wednesday and that can only mean one thing at Everything is Beautiful: gorgeous, unaffordable finds. I know it's not fall yet, but this tweed coat by Moschino Cheap and Chic is too chic to ignore. The ladylike shape, the bow, the bracelet sleeves - it's all very Audrey Hepburn.

(Photo from Net-a-Porter)

Fashion obsession of the day

Usually I have a deep hate of tie-dye, but for some reason I like this this kimono-esque frock. The oversized shape is comfy, yet chic, and the asymmetrical sleeves are a great detail. The only thing that would make this dress a must-have? If it was one bare shoulder.

(Photo from Nordstrom)

Tour de Pain

On Sunday I endured the most painful eight hours of my life. I biked 100 miles to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. This was my first bike event, and I was really nervous. There was even a point where I was literally standing at a crossroads to give up and go 65 miles instead, but I pressed on and finished. Physically I knew I could do it, so I had to pull myself together mentally and finish. Next up: a marathon. I want that checked off my life list more than anything this year.

P.S.: Don't you love my pink accessories on my bike? A girl's gotta be stylish everywhere!

(Thanks John for the photo!)

Fashion obsession of the day

Although I really have no use for a new swimsuit this summer (no pool, no vacations), this nautical bikini is just so darn cute. The asymmetrical bandeau and the foldover waistband are super stylish. Hey, a girl's gotta look chic, even at the beach.

(Photo from Anthropologie)

BFF breakups

The end of a friendship is just like a break-up. In some cases, it's worse. Your best friend knows everything about you - your favorite drink at Starbucks, your jean size, what you look like when you cry. This photo reminds me of my former BFF, who for some reason I've been thinking of a lot lately. It's been nearly a year since we last spoke, and even though our falling out was ugly, I still miss her.

Anyways, it's a sunny Friday and this weekend is going to be really exciting. I'm biking 100 miles in the Tour de Cure on Sunday, and as long as I don't die, the True Blood season premiere is that night, too. Have a lovely weekend!

(Photo via ffffound!)

Fashion obsession of the day

I've just realized my posts this week have been almost all accessories. Not that there's anything wrong with accessories - they make or break an outfit. But how about a sexy little dress to round out the week? This open back dress from Dolce Vita has a print that reminds me of em dashes (hey, I'm a writer). I love dresses like this that say "Hey, look at me from the front and I'm a modest lady, but when I turn around you won't know what hit you."

(Photo from Shopbop)

Fashion obsession of the day

Remember jellies? When I was a kid, I used to wear my Kmart pink jellies all summer long, until my feet got so dirty the inside would turn black. Not even running through the sprinkler would clean them off. Now the nostalgic sandals are back in a modern way. These wedge peep-toe jellies are surprisingly stylish, and would look so cute with a summer dress or a pair of cuffed shorts.

(Photo from Mod Cloth)

Fashion obsession of the day

Oh how I love these Chloe cat-eye sunglasses. But how many pairs of sunglasses can one person have before it becomes an addiction? I fear one more pair of sunglasses and someone will throw me an eyewear intervention.

(Photo from Shopbop)

Just say no

Could someone please tell me who is still tainting their shoulders with these Juicy Couture velour (the word makes me shudder) handbags? But wait, if that wasn't bad enough, they have a gold keychain. And an ugly logo. And pink rhinestones. And they're approaching $200! Ladies, in order to stop this handbag atrocity, we must stop the vicious cycle. Stop buying these. I don't care if you're 16. It's never to early for chicness. And it's never too late, either (that means you 40-year-old moms running around town in denim minis). And speaking of Juicy, I have nothing against a Juicy Couture tracksuit - in the privacy in your own home. Let's stop with the public outings. Without an adjective supposed to describe an orange scrolled on your ass, people might actually take you seriously.

(Photo from Nordstrom)

Fashion obsession of the day

Give me a gold chain strap and oversized gems and I'm sold. This beaded clutch starts with an ikat fabric, is topped with (non-cheesy) gems and ends with a gold clasp. It's summery meets boho hippie. You could probably describe me the exact same way.

(Photo from Nordstrom)

Fashion obsession of the day

I gotta be honest with you. I'm just not feeling fashionable today. It's Monday, the weather has cooled off and my closet has been frustrating me. If only I had this comfy t-shirt dress in my wardrobe for this gloomy Monday. And sadly, my camera did not get much use this weekend, so Beautiful Weekend is postponed until next week. Let's hope the rest of the day picks up.

(Photo from Shopbop)

Fashion obsession of the day

Last night I finally went to see Sex and the City 2. Considering all the negative reviews of the film, I'm going to avoid posting my own full-length commentary on the film like I'd planned. Instead, I'll only say that, as a life-long fan who always imagined myself to become Carrie Bradshaw herself, I was disappointed. But there were a few outfits in the film that took my breath away (besides the iconic Dior newspaper dress). Carrie's affinity to Halston in the film was definitely no accident - especially since you can buy all of the dresses - but the frocks were fabulous. I especially loved the pleated orange maxi dress. At $895, it's about $500 too much for my short ass to drag on the ground. But there are also a handful of other Halston dresses you can buy, including the adorable peach asymmetrical cape dress Carrie sports arriving in Abu Dhabi. What did you think of the film?

(Photo from Neiman Marcus)

Fashion obsession of the day

Oversized, ruffle-y sleeves? Yes please! This top is perfect for those perfect summer nights you just want to wear your favorite pair of comfy shorts and dine outside.

(Photo from Mod Retro)

Fashion obsession of the day

This isn't your mother's little black dress. With a curve-hugging silhouette and bold asymmetrical sleeves, this dress by Alexander Wang is a knockout. And unlike my usual unaffordable Wednesday finds, the price doesn't give me heart attack.

(Photo from Net-a-Porter)