Fashion Forward: Shoes with a Nude 'Tude

With summer around the corner, I needed some nude shoes.  I tend to wear black shoes most of the year, and I have to break out of that shell (I'm pretty sure I've alternated between the same 2 pairs of black heels for work all fall and winter). Nude goes with basically everything since it's a neutral, and it keeps things light for the summer.  It also makes your legs look longer.  Enjoy!

Mesh beige pumps with wooden heel. Aldo. $88.

Tan pumps with wood heel.  Banana Republic. $150.

Nude and silver mesh flats. Aldo. $55. 

Fashion Forward: Just Wing It

I only just read about designer Rachel Roy in In Style magazine on my flight home from Florida yesterday.  Then today, in a little healthy competition with Roommate Matt to find the next fabulous jewelry trend, I immediately thought to check out Rachel's site.  I instantly fell in love with these winged beauties.  They are colorful and fresh, and I love that the collection uses a single object as its common theme.  Not only only these jewels beautiful, but they are also extremely affordable, ranging from $32 to $48 per item.  Loving it!

Fashion Forward: Oooo FREAK-OUT!

Last week I had a fashion mishap. See below.

After a long day of work... and of enduring this concoction of an outfit.

I was trying to be crafty in putting this little number together. I thought I could do a nautical look with this relaxed navy striped shirt and navy skirt.  I'd pull together the casual look of the shirt with a gold belt tied nicely around my waist.  To complement the cool beachy-yet-professional look, I decided to do a "wavy" hair look too. 

MISTAKE all the way around. Every time I went to the bathroom that day, I thought, "What was I thinking?!" I mean, what was I doing with my LIFE with this wardrobe decision gone wrong?  I felt like such a sloppy frumper :( Whomp. And as for the hair, have you ever fallen into the same trap? You think, "Ooo you know what... I'll do the 'wavy' look today" when really you just don't feel like putting much effort into straightening or for-real-curling your hair.  Every single time without fail: I end up hating my hair that day... so why do I do make the same mistake time and time again? One will never know.

Well, I tried to be creative and this is what happened. I guess you can't look fantastic everyday (ok, well maybe some people can but that's just what the jelly-beans say).  

Have you ever had a fashion freak-out? Please share... I would love to know I'm not the only one! :)

Fashion Forward --> NEON, Neon

Over the past few weeks I've noticed New Yorkers sporting neon brights (how could you not notice?!). I must be honest and tell you that when I first spotted these two gems of outfits below (exhibits 1 and 2), my first inclination was to judge.   I mean, really, do these people want so desperately to be noticed that they have to wear colors so bright that they emit near nuclear radiation? But slowly my judgment turned to admiration.  After all, it takes some guts to cover yourself in head-to-toe GLOW.

Exhibit 1:  Neon a glow-glow. Not only is this girl rocking a look-at-me-now orange blazer, but she's also got the pink polka tights going.  Now that is what I call courage! Personally I wouldn't have worn the tattered cowgirl boots with this fierce combo, but who am I (I'm pretty sure I wore all-black that day -- clearly not the neon expert).  I do enjoy that she classed it up with a Gucci bag.  Overall, I give this a 10! I have nothing but respect for someone who can sport so much brightness.  

Exhibit 2:  Blinding Bonanza.  Matt and I spotted these neon yellow sweats when we visited Amy's bread at Chelsea Market.  The store was a bit dim, so they definitely shed some light on the situation.

Exhibit 3: D.I.Y. Neon. Want to give neon a whirl for yourself this spring and summer?  Here are a few items I'd recommend to get started.  If you're a little scared -- don't be!  Start out slow, and turn the fright into bright! 

BCBG cocktail dress (Click the link for a better picture). A mere $338, but oh how sparkle-liscious!!  I want that!

Alarm! - By Illamanasqua -- Bright and bold neon for your nails available at Sephora.  This is a great polish brand (I've tried it in a dark grey metallic). Feels sturdy and doesn't chip. The color reminds me of Essie's "board shorts" but with some added sparkle :)

But remember, neon looks best with a glowing tan.... So spray on! Tan in a can at its finest: my favorite   tanning product.  All the bronze, none of the sun damage. A collaboration between Lindsay Lohan and one of her tanning "experts," Lorit Simon.  I have the lotion and the mist, and both work wonders.  Used to be priced around $37 a can, but is now down to $17. What a steal for a tan-so-real!

So get GLOWING and bare your bright this Summer! 

Fashion FORWARD --> Retro Fit

This billboard is probably one of Manhattan Mini Storage's finest (although I'm also very fond of "Stop tweeting weird sh*t and clean your room!" and "If you don't like gay marriage, don't get gay married.").  Boyfriend Matt spotted this signage during our outing to the  Chelsea Market & Amy's Bread after I had told him I wanted to do a fashion post about how New Yorker's dress. 

Anyway, I was originally planning on doing one big post about NY fashion, the cool and the crazy, but due to some reviews on the lengthiness of prior posts (I won't mention any names :), I opted to do a series because there is seriously too much fashion to capture in just 1 entry.  Yes, we New Yorkers like fashion. I can guarantee if you come to NY you'll see some of the best-dressed people (men and women, alike) and some of the most outlandish (keep you eyes peeled for a post on neon yellow pants!!). 

To kick things off, I'm starting with myself :) I'm by no means a fashion guru, but since moving to New York, I've definitely become more in tune to my inner fashionista.  Just this weekend I made a new dress purchase at Coup De Couer (strangely they don't have a website, so the link is to their Yelp reviews).  It's a tiny women's clothing shop dangerously close to my apartment, which makes stopping in for a "look around" a little too easy.  

I set my eyes on this DVF look-alike (only $76 instead of a DVF pretty penny of at least 300 bones!).  It has an orange and navy blue retro print, with flared long sleeves. Adding some sass, this little number sports slits along the upper arm portion of the sleeve (hard to tell in this pic) and a bare back (2 photos down).  Figuring out what to wear on the bottom half was a little tricky, but I ended up opting for black tights and round patent platform heels.  I think it would have worked best with a bare legs and a nude platform heel -- unfortunately it was a tad too nippy out, so I went with warmth :) 

Stay tuned for more in this Fashion Forward series (don't worry, they won't all be amateur self-portraits of me :))

Nite!xxoo