Product Review: SodaStream

For some reason or another I really wanted to try this contraption - so after grabbing dinner with Erin earlier this week, I bolted to my local Bath Bed & Beyond to pick one up.  SodaStream is a carbonation system which lets you add CO2 to regular H20 from the comfort of your own home. Headquartered in Israel, this company sells its gas infusing machines in 43 countries and is big on being green by reducing consumers' carbon footprint. 

DIY Polka Dot Nails

Polka Dot Nails are an easy fun way to bring some whimsy and attitude to your nails. You don't need an expensive dotting tool, all you need is a pin and a piece of paper.

First choose 2 contrasting shades of nail polish, one for the base and one for the dot.  After applying base coat, apply 2 coats of the color for the base.

Place a little dot of the contrast color nail polish on a piece of paper (I tend to use an old piece of mail or a business card I don't need anymore). Carefully dipping the end of your pin into the contrast shade place dots on your nail as desired.  If the contrast nail polish starts getting too thick, you can just place a new dot and continue for both hands.

Once nail polish has set, finish off with a clear top coat.  Voila - polka dot nails to take you on your way.

Now Wearing...

Knee-d Your Lovin' Tights, $29.99 & My Heart Skipped Tights, $17.99

I love fall - watching the leaves change colors, breathing the cool crisp air, and layering up with fun socks and tights.  ModCloth has a fun selection of patterned tights.  Hearts sometimes feel a bit too cutesy, but I can't help myself.

Merona Ribbed Tights, $8.00

Target is another great resource for tights.  They've got a solid selection of colors, all affordable.  If you live in New York, Century 21 is a gold mine.  I used to stop in every fall.

DKNY tights & Bass Loves Rachel Antonoff oxfords

This month marks my one year anniversary in Chicago.  One year ago I left New York City, and so much has happened since then.  I could ramble for days, but the short version is that Chicago has been kind to me and it feels right.

Photos by James Rand

NYC Sample Sales: September 24-30, 2012

Who: Suzanna Dai, Alexandra Satine and Dareen Hakim
What: Enjoy a night of shopping new and past season samples from 3 emerging designers at up to 80% off retail.  Snag Suzanna Dai's gorgeous hand beaded costume jewelry - including necklaces, earrings, bracelets. Scope out Alexandra Satine's lovely convertible leather handbags that go from day to night in the blink of an eye and Dareen Hakim's bold, unexpected leather handbags.
When: September 26, 2012. Wed 5pm-9pm
Where: The Soho House, 29 - 35 9th Avenue (b/n 13th & 14th St)

Who: Showroom Seven Sample Sale
What: Up to 80% off designer clothing and accessories at the Showroom Seven Fall/Winter Sample Sale. Featuring Erickson Beamon, Orla Kiely, Issa London, Leibeskind, Denimocracy, Twenty Cluny, JohnnyWas, and many more. Nightly Happy Hour from 5 to 7. Liebeskind Berlin vintage leather bags: $200 (orig. $349). Issa London metallic dresses: $729 (orig. $1,275). Erickson Beamon Swarovski-crystal necklaces: $611 (orig. $1,528).
Where: 263 11th Avenue, 3rd Floor (b/n 27th & 28th St). 212-643-4810.
When: Now through September 28, 2012. Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 11am-6pm

Now Wearing...

I wore this outfit and modified versions of this outfit to work while it was warm, switching out the skirt, top and shoes.  With fall weather settling in, I'll be packing away most of these pieces with the exception of the sunglasses and wedges which I'll be wearing with tights.

Sample Sales NYC: September 17-23, 2012

Who: Brooklyn Industries Sale
What: Up to 90% off men's and women's apparel
When: September 19-20, 2012. Wed-Thurs 11am—7pm.
Where: 20 Jay St (b/n John and Plymouth St), Brooklyn, NY. Suite 1120

Who: Malia Mills
Wjat: Up to 75% off swimwear separates, one-pieces, tankinis, and cover
ups. Sizes 30AA to 40E, and bottoms and one-pieces in
sizes 2 to 16. Malia Mills ready-to-wear will also be included, along with
merchandise from Inhabit, Raquel Allegra, Kain, Gary Graham, and more
When: September 19-21, 2012. Wed-Fri 10am—6pm.
Where: 263 West 38th St (b/n 7th & 8th Ave). 16th Floor.

Who: I Don't Like Monday's Warehouse Sale
What: Up to 80% off merch from designers like from Alexander Wang, Jeffrey Campbell, Cheap Monday, United Nude, Melissa Shoes, Unif, Warriors of Radness, Robert Geller, Nicholas K, and more.
When: September 20-22, 2012. Thurs—Fri 12pm—7pm, Sat 12pm—5pm.
Where: 157 Bowery (b/n Broome and Delancey St). 646-559-2046.

Who: The Row Sample Sale
What: Snag clothing and accessories from this year's CFDA Womenswear Designers of the Year
When: September 20-23, 2012. Thurs—Sat 9am—6:30pm, Sun 9am—5pm.
Where: Soiffer Haskin, 317 West 33rd St. (b/n 8th Ave & 9th Ave)

NYFW Presentation: Christine Alcalay Spring 2013

The protagonist in Christine Alcalay's Spring/Summer 2013 collection is clearly the innocent ingenue who has a penchant for pretty clothes that can be worn with ease.

The daylit, stark white space, complete with fluttering sheer drapes and melodies played by violins, added to the overall feeling of romance displayed in her collection. One of my favorite outfits was a sheer white blouse with a peter pan collar, tucked into high-waisted shorts with lace detailing. Simple and sweet.

The models, with their side-swept bangs, loosely tied-back hair and dewy complexions are picturesque English roses, and in Alcalay's clothes could go straight from the office to frolicking in the meadows.  

NYFW Presentation: Erin Barr Spring 2013

If you’ve ever wondered what a Frank Stella x Marilyn Monroe collab might look like, wonder no more. Erin Barr’s Spring 2013 collection is inspired by the concept of “what-if” Frank and Marilyn had crossed paths in their respective careers in the late 1950s. The result? Killer clothes with silhouettes that are both hard and soft, edgy and feminine, sleek and sexy.

What I loved about this collection was how Barr incorporated just enough of a 50s throwback into looks that are clean, modern, and very cool. Also to love is the mixture of fabrics—satin jersey, twill, poplin, leather, French terry, and chiffon—all of which play off each other to create that Stella/Monroe hard-softness.

The lines are clean and geometric, witnessed especially in the cut-outs that make the dresses fun and uber sexy, and the panels of sheer go all too well with the crisp poplin and twill, and not to mention that black leather top. Barr kept the palette simple, sticking to light gray, white, black and red, and though the collection was mostly made up of solids, she threw in some bold patterns reminiscent of some of Stella’s earlier works.

The presentation featured models lounging on or around Eames chairs, Saarinen tables, and other mid-century modern pieces provided by Bright Lyons, all of which added to the cool factor of Barr’s show. To add to this laid-back atmosphere were stacks of books for some casual flipping, a vintage radio, and a record player with some vinyls strewn on the floor around it. Staged as a living tableau, it was fun to watch the models get up, one-at-a-time, walk around the set, chat with a fellow model, pick up an album and peruse the back cover, and then settle back into a another lounger on the other side of the room.

Oh and to top it off, the shades and glasses (mostly of the cat-eye variety, of course!) were supplied by Moscot.

End of Summer Mixtape: A Sunset Story

Artwork by Austin Eustice

For the end of summer, I recorded a collection of my favorite disco songs - some old, some new.  As I put them together I thought about my favorite summer nights and how some were long enough to become summer mornings.

This mix is a perfect reflection of how I've been feeling lately.  I've been doing a lot of day dreaming and reflecting, especially as I approach my one year anniversary in Chicago.

My year hasn't been without adversities and challenges, but in the grand scheme I couldn't be happier.  My closet is full of beautiful florals, cosmic prints, and statement heels, and I'm now DJing every weekend!  My residencies include Paris Club and The Bedford, and I had a few in-stores at Topshop on Michigan Ave.

Runway Review: Costello Tagliapietra Spring 2013

Costello Tagliapietra's signature draped dresses were aplenty in their SS2013 show. Whether short, long, belted, ruched or asymmetrical, their ability to make their dresses, and therefore their woman, look sophisticated and effortless is what makes their collections covetable. And this season was no different.



Beautifully draped dresses, with flattering ruched details or some artful belt-tying (lovely for those of us with bodies less like a model’s), walked the runway along with a couple of jumpsuits and some separates, that equally lived up to the chic and feminine style we look forward to from this design duo. And though their colors were more neutral and earthy this time around, they still offered some pops of brightness with their abstract prints, some jewel-toned solids and, of course, the peeking undersides of their double-sided AirDye fabrics.

Skin made a bit more of an appearance this season—which only complimented their oh-so-subtly sexy drapes--with several plunging necklines, a halter or two, and a couple of full-length dresses that featured cut-out slivers down the center-front bodice. As always, their styling and beauty was simple, feminine and fresh but with a touch of some carefree sexiness seen with the gently tousled hair and the rosy cheeks and lips. I mean, who wouldn't want to look like this all the time?

Images: Style.com

Preview Video: Anna Dello Russo x H&M

A while back we posted about the upcoming collab between Anna Dello Russo & H&M.  There's now a preview video called "Fashion Shower" starring none other than Dello Russo herself!  The video is part music video, part DJ track, part style rules (there are ten lessons to be learnt) and all fun!  Lesson #6 has my vote - "if somebody's wearing your same outfit - wonderful - you did the right choice!" The collection drops October 4th, 2012 in selected stores and online.

"It's been extremely exciting to involve Anna Dello Russo in this project, something completely different from what we have done before.  Anna has a fantastic eye and bold taste, apart from being a veritable fashion icon.  She has produced an extravagant range of accessories that will thrill H&M customers and fashion enthusiasts everywhere.  The collection is a celebration of excess, fantasy and decoration." - Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor at H&M.

Anxiously Awaiting: FLARE x Aldo Fall 2012 Collection

Earlier this week, Aldo tweeted a preview of their upcoming collaboration with Canadian publication FLARE.  I'm dying to get my hands on the burgundy and red pair on the right.

Aldo and FLARE had collaborated last season on a pair of sandals which quickly sold out across Canada.  For fall, FLARE fashion director Elizabeth Cabral designed three pieces - a stacked heel for the day, lace bootie for the night, and a tote.

Photo by Daniel Harrison via Flare.com

FLARE x Aldo shoes: Oxblood shootie, $155 & Lace stiletto bootie, $175

I can't stop staring at these shoes.  I love the texture and details of each pair.  The red shooties make such a bold statement, and the lace booties are super feminine. Shoe lust!

Photo by Daniel Harrison via Flare.com

FLARE x Aldo shoes: Faux croc bag in blue and red, $70

And these bags with their bold color and texture are so awesome!  I would love to make one of these my work bag.

You can read all about the design process at flare.com.  The capsule collection will be sold online and at select Aldo locations, but I believe that's limited to Canada.  Time to reach out to your favorite Canadian.

Dupi-CAUGHT: Zara (again) vs Phillip Lim

Ever feel like whenever you go into a Zara there's an air of familiarity in 90% of their merch? It's probably because you've seen it before - the pieces aren't outright duplicates of other labels but man, they come pretty damn close. What I love about Zara is the speed at which they work - their carbon copy abilities are lightning fast and they take a bit from everybody - just to keep it fair. Gotta love Zara!

Enter Phillip Lim's 31 hour bag. It's a larger bag which sports a zipped closure that extends halfway down the sides, has thick center handles and a fold over flap in contrasting color. This will set you back $750-$995 depending on the finish of the bag.

Meet the copycat - Zara's Citybag with Zip. Although this version sports slimmer handles and an added strap, a shorter zipper and a less rugged look overall - you definitely know where Zara got it's inspiration from.

NY Sample Sales: September 4-9, 2012

Since NYFW is upon us sample sales have nearly disappeared from the calendar for the next couple weeks. Here are a few to tide you over.

Who: KRIZIA Warehouse Sale
What: Women’s and men’s apparel up to 90% off at the KRIZIA Warehouse Sale.
Credit cards accepted. All sales final. No children or strollers allowed.
When: September 4-11, 2012. Tues-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun noon-6pm
Where: 446 West 14th Street(b/n Washington & 8th Ave) at the entrance of High Line. 212-879-1211.

Who: Showroom Seven Sample Sale
What: Up to 80% off designer clothing and accessories at the Showroom Seven Fall/Winter Sample Sale. Featuring Erickson Beamon, Orla Kiely, Issa London, Leibeskind, Denimocracy, Twenty Cluny, JohnnyWas, and many more. Nightly Happy Hour from 5 to 7. Liebeskind Berlin vintage leather bags: $200 (orig. $349). Issa London metallic dresses: $729 (orig. $1,275). Erickson Beamon Swarovski-crystal necklaces: $611 (orig. $1,528).
Where: 263 11th Avenue, 3rd Floor (b/n 27th & 28th St). 212-643-4810.

Ongoing Sale:
Who: Scoop NYC Ultimate Closet Clean-Out Sale
What: Up to 90% off and include dresses, denim, shoes, handbags and more. Designer women’s styles on sale include those by 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alice + Olivia, AG, Castañer, Current/Elliott, Diane von Furstenberg, Helmut Lang, IRO, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Poupette, Rag and Bone,Stuart Weitzman, T Alexander Wang and more. Men’s styles on sale include those by Acne, Adam Kimmel, Dsquared², Etro, Hartford, John Varvatos, Maison Martin Margiela, Moncler, Paul Smith, Rag and Bone, Shipley & Halmos, and more. For the first time ever, the sale will also run online at ScoopNYC.com.
When: August 27-September 15, 2012. 8/27; M (9-9). 8/28 – 9/5; Tue-W (10-8). 9/6 – 9/15; M-Sat (11-8), Sun (11-7)
Where: 430 West 14th Street (at Washington Street). 212-929-1244 or Online