Keep It In Neutral

There is no doubt that the runways this fall have a neutral and feel compared to those of previous seasons. According to Mark Holgate of Vogue, he said that this season is all about fashion's "Coming to Age." The runways are filled with more "wearable looks" that aren't necessarily for the pages of a magazine only. This is something that will certainly be a relief to all women who often wonder the same question: how can anyone really pull off that runway look? Let's face it, unless your Lady Gaga who can wear anything wild out in public, a dress such as those adored by Alexander McQueen aren't going to far from the sultry lighting and alien-like atmosphere of a McQueen runway show.

Season of Straw

Maybe it's just this oddly hot weather, (87 degrees in April...who's complaining), or maybe it's the fact that I'm just dying to think about anything other than how busy these last few weeks of school are going to be, but all I want to do is find the perfect summer straw bag like the ones above.

If you don't already own a straw bag for summer, I highly suggest investing in one (maybe the ones above). They seem to be popular every summer season every year. I would however, suggest in not spending the money on a top quality straw bag if you are rough on your bags, or plan on using it everyday. Perhaps opt for a clutch, instead of a big bag, as that might be a better pick instead of worrying about a large hand bag that will eventually wear down and fray.

My choices of straw bags for today came from (in order from the top), Lilly Pulitzer, Tory Burch, and Michael Kors. I adore all three and think each one bring a different feel and interest to a potential look or sun dress that it could be paired with.

Closet Surprises

Behold elegance. Behold beauty. Behold vintage. Behold....a bag I bought when I was 12? Actually, I'm not making this up. Even at 12 I had an eye for all things that had simple beauty. I actually picked this out in an antique store way back when, and its been sitting in my closet for years. (I thought the colors of the marble in my bathroom complimented the pearl tones in the bag-what a beautiful color scheme, right?!)

Yesterday for Easter I panicked 10 minutes before we left for dinner as I realized that I had left most of my little clutches at school. I didn't know what I could use to throw a lipgloss and phone in at the last minute. I quickly scanned my closet and was shocked when I laid eyes on the bag realizing that it had been sitting in the dark for all of these years.

It's so simple, yet the bead work on it is incredible when you see it up close. It added a subtle finishing touch to my Rebecca Taylor dress I wore yesterday and made me feel so 1920's flapper.

Moral of this story....rummage through your closet once in a while, you never know what's hiding in there

Light It Up Blue

In light of April being autism awareness month, the Autism Speaks foundation has designated blue as the color of choice to wear to show support for the cause. Last night, my mom and I went to a fabulous restaurant in my town called Uproot which is just one of many places recognizing "Light It Up Blue."

"Light It Up Blue" is a program that was set up through Autism speaks in order to raise awareness about the 3rd annual United Nations World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. The program, which was started back in 2007 will surely be catching eyes everywhere in the Manhattan area now, because the Empire State Building will be lit up in blue to honor the cause for the entire month of April.

My mom and I thought we too would show our support for Light It Up Blue, and incorporate some blue into our dinner outfits. I chose a wonderful blue, black and white strapless floral dress with black pumps, while my mom opted for a purple, white, blue and black Ralph Lauren wrap dress. (Note her gorgeous Charles Krypell cuff which I wrote about in February).

My mom paired her wrap dress with black patent leather Ferragamo varina flats, and a rare plum colored Chanel East-West bag to accent the hints of purple in her dress. I left most of my smaller bags at school, so I decided to take my damier Louis Vuitton carryall, and adjusted the straps to give it a more structured look.

We ended our evening with full bellies filled with arctic char and cucumber, smoked salmon with pear and caviar, pecan crusted pork loin, walnut whiskey ice cream and earl grey macarons. Food, fashion and all for a good cause....what more could a girl ask for?

Sea it to believe it

Yesterday, I found my new obsession. As I was walking into work, I instantly noticed a coat rack hanging up in the front of the store filled with the most eye-catching bags I've seen in quite some time. As I approached (more like ran) over to the bags, I instantly fell in love. Sea Bags, as they are called, are made out of old sails that have been, as the company promises "sailed around the world." The more I found out about the bag, the more I began to love it. Each one is custom designed so no two will ever be the same. When you look at the bags up close, they have a distressed look to them, and the white or off white dacron and canvas designs make the bag impossible not to love. The handles are hand-spliced at the shop in Portland, Maine and give the bag an extra nautical feel. Custom make it, or choose one of the adorable designs already available on the website at seabags.com. The price may be a little costly, but I think it's well worth the splurge for something that will last for many summers to come.