{ black + gold }

{ lanvin for h+m sunnies, vince top, primary skirt (i wore the solid black version of it HERE), michael kors watch, rebecca minkoff bag, hue tights, gifted jean michel cazabat boots }

i'm deep down in the dizzying depths of an extremely busy week ~ and like most new yorkers, when life gets extra harried, i resort to wearing mostly black. hey, it's easy.

{ mixology }

my style is forever evolving, but in a way this outfit felt like a throwback to what i was wearing back when this blog first began. i guess big gold jewelry, paired with possibly-too-many prints (never!) is always going to be my safe place.

it started with this padlock-spots-plus-snakeskin-print sachin + babi blouse, which encouraged me to keep piling on the patterns. polka dots and leopard have always seemed like neutrals to me, and it just made sense to finish it all off with richly colored leather accessories, to highlight the blouse's singular, emerald leather stripe.

{ tiffany aviators, zara coat (previously seen HERE and HERE // similar style available HERE), necklace and blouse courtesy of sachin + babi, michael kors watch, vintage skirt (also worn HERE and HERE // similar style available HERE), rebecca minkoff bag, bottega veneta boots }

PS: don't forget i'm hosting a giveaway with sachin + babi (designers of this subtly-intricate top) ~ CLICK HERE to enter!!

{ introducing } sachin + babi

{ LOOK 1: tiffany aviators, pink vintage coat (borrowed from jamie), sachin + babi blouse, camille zarsky clutch, gifted kolae pants, zara boots }

{ LOOK 2: lanvin for h+m sunnies, self-designed necklace, sachin + babi leather-trimmed coat and sequin-panel dress, juicy couture bag (previously seen HERE and HERE), B brian atwood boots (knee-high variation available HERE) }

i was pleased to recently make the acquaintance of designer couple sachin + babi ahluwalia, whose clothes i'm wearing in today's post. they're one of those super-creative couples who not only seem to do it all, but also coolly do it together.

for years they've run ANK, an international, couture embroidery business, ANKASA, a high-end home decor line (who's newest store just opened this monday at 1202 madison avenue!), and most recently, they launched sachin + babi, a super-modern, super-wearable collection of artfully-embellished, elegant, cool-girl clothes. and a line of jewelry! these are my kind of people.

that's why i'm extra-excited to be working with them on some upcoming projects ~ kicking off today with a month-long giveaway on their facebook page. CLICK HERE to enter to win any one of the sachin + babi pieces in today's post (blouse, coat or dress ~ winner's choice!). afterwards, CLICK HERE to peep some behind-the-scenes pics from my sachin + babi studio tour ~ then stay tuned for more!! we have some really cool stuff in the works.

{ you fit me better } than my favorite sweater

the title of this post comes from this obsessed-with song ~ and yes, this is most definitely my favorite sweater these days. worn with my current favorite hat, sunnies, carryall, and my favorite-favorite pants. basically, i've had this total combination on repeat a lot lately.

{ victor osborne hat, tiffany sunnies, RD international sweater (courtesy of modcloth), gifted stylestalker shirt worn underneath, blank nyc pants, rebecca minkoff bag, zara boots }

{ colorblocking } continued

as i promised earlier today, to follow is my finest shot at fall colorblocking. yesterday was one of those perfect, picturesque days in new york, when a girl can get away with wearing open-toed shoes and a jacket. that's my kind of perfect, anyway. the leaves are starting to turn and drop, but there's still a bit of green left on the trees. in other words, the city is in on this season's sartorial spirit, colorblocking along with us!





{ tiffany sunnies, necklace from catbird, lamb jacket, zara dress, primary clutch, gifted B brian atwood shoes }

{ back } in new york

{ victor osborne hat (last seen HERE), tiffany sunnies, halston heritage trench, marni blouse (last seen HERE), gifted rebecca minkoff bag, blank nyc pants (also seen HERE and HERE) , zara boots }

even after one of the best weeks of my life ~ which took me first to malibu for the kelly wearstler shoot, then to austin for a dear friend's wedding (more on that later!) ~ there's no place like home. i'm glad to be back in new york for a while. desperately need to get caught up on life ~ but first, sleep.

{ did you see } my tweets

i just wrapped an admittedly obnoxiously-awesome weekend, spent staying in kelly wearstler's malibu beach house, styling and appearing in her resort 2012 collection campaign ~ as shot by my friend jamie. if you follow me on twitter, you're probably already annoyed by the awesomeness of this experience. if not, just wait! we shot things i didn't know were possible. serious surprises coming soon...

anyway, the above shots were made in her house the day i arrived. i wore tiffany sunnies, a zara vest, a white + warren sweater, a juicy couture bag, a kelly wearstler skirt, and alexander wang shoes. and then i changed into THIS.

{ new neutrals }

olive and khaki are the more casual alternative to my beloved black and white ~ and together they recently made for an effortless outfit comprised of all my new favorite pieces!

let's start with the hat, shall we? i bought it at victor osborne, when i was in the store pulling pieces for a shoot. i'm so excited that my hair's gotten long enough to peek out from underneath hats just in time for fall, and this one's been getting a ton of wear already.
THIS DRESS is another much-loved piece lately. actually, i'm surprised by just how much i've worn it in the short time we've been together. it worked with flat sandals for a night-out in puerto rico, then with black tights and a blazer for a birthday party back in new york. and of course, i also wore it with my favorite fall boots on the fine afternoon when these photos were taken!
THE JACKET was a gift from white + warren ~ which i was so grateful to receive, as i'd been on the hunt for a cold-weather workhorse to fill the roll in my wardrobe that THIS VEST played all summer. speaking of white + warren, don't forget that today is the last day to enter the giveaway i'm hosting with them!! we'll announce a winner tomorrow.

all in all, i felt like this ensemble encapsulated where my style is right now. it was tailored but relaxed, and layered but unfussy ~ just the way i like to feel!!

{ victor osborne hat, elizabeth & james sunnies, gifted white + warren jacket, E1 london dress courtesy of modcloth, michael kors watch, gifted coach clutch, alexander wang boots }

look { sharp }

still on a printed knits kick!!
{ vintage emanuelle khanh sunnies, gifted INC sweater (find it HERE or HERE), primary skirt (i ordered THIS VERSION too!!), gifted juicy couture bag, banana republic socks, B brian atwood boots (last seen HERE) }

{ cashmere } to share

{ gifted tiffany sunnies (from THIS EVENT) + white and warren cashmere travel wrap, renee c. sweater (also seen HERE), bishop of seventh pants, corello shoes, primary chambray snakeskin clutch (from their just-relaunched e-shop!) }

i'm a big fan of white + warren's cashmere-centric collection (remember the fun summer shoot we collaborated on?!), and i've rhapsodized over my love for their travel wraps several times already. that's why i was so excited when they offered to give one of them away to one of you!!

to enter to win, simply CLICK HERE to fill out an entry form, and you'll be well on your way to sumptuously-soft style. our winner will be announced next thursday, november 3rd. bonne chance!!

{ waist down }

{ cuffs: bulgari, khirma eliazov, juicy couture // zara vest (similar HERE), TOV dress (remember it from WAY BACK WHEN?!), rue de jeans, corello bag + boots }

{ more } black + white

after yesterday's post, i feel like i owe you guys something a bit more colorful. but i've been living in black and white lately! i'm sure it has something to do with being obsessed with THIS BAG and wanting to wear it everyday.



{ lanvin for h+m sunnies, helmut lang jacket, rag + bone blouse, vintage moschino skirt (recently seen HERE), camille zarsky clutch, gifted ash shoes }

{ versioning } black skirt / white shirt

as i get a little older (and a LOT busier), my style seems to be getting more streamlined and defined. along the way, i've come to understand the value of truly great basics, and on mornings when i'm pressed for time, a black skirt + white shirt combo never fails me. i love that the look can be taken in so many different directions! here are a few iterations that i hope might inspire you to think of ways to elevate your own plain jane faves:

VERSION I // ruffled blouse + leather skirt
{ elizabeth + james sunnies, self-made necklace, theory blouse, h+m skirt (recently seen HERE), marc by marc jacobs clutch, stuart weitzman shoes }




VERSION II // man's shirt + fringed skirt
{ lanvin for h+m sunnies, american apparel shirt, (borrowed from the boys), vintage embroidery-turned-brooch, coach classics bag, primary skirt, banana republic socks, corello shoes }



VERSION III // polo shirt + knit skirt
{ vintage yves saint laurent sunnies from ebay, american apparel polo shirt (as above, it's from the men's department), zara skirt (i'm also lusting after THIS SIMILAR STYLE), vintage studio ferre belt, michael kors watch, banana republic socks, loeffler randall boots }