The New York Chronicles, Pt. 1: The Style

I was only in NYC for a month, but I've learned so much. I learned the subway, which was so hard. The goal is to know the difference between uptown and downtown. It sounds borderline retarded simple, but it's confusing when you're in the subway trying to figure out which way is Times Square. I learned that the native New Yorkers are super nice contrary to popular belief. All the people that I met that were from NYC I instantly clicked with. They taught me how to ride the train (thank God). They showed me the best places to shop. They took me to bars where I had my first beer (I'm a cocktails kind of girl.), and loved it! Most of all, they were just as interested in Southern culture as I was in NYC culture. New Yorkers are super nice. It's the transplants that feel that they have to be hardcore to live here. That's what a native told me, and it's true.

These things were all great, but what I really wanted to learn was the style, and what I discovered was that there wasn't a major trend everyone followed or a distinct New York City look. People dressed how they wanted, and it blew my mind. Every single person down to the little kids had their own style, their own look. Every style is equal. No one cares if you don't have style either. There's way too many people walking around to focus. Everyone does their own thing there. That's not how it is here. Everyone dresses pretty much the same, and if you step out and do your own thing, you're an outcast.

Now, even though NYC is all about individualism, I did notice a couple things that a lot of people do.

Some girls actually look like these models. Seriously.

1. Layering. It's fall. The weather was nippy sometimes. Instead of just picking an outfit and putting a coat over it. People make a whole ensemble out of it. Simply, I saw a girl once who had on a Peter Pan collared shirt underneath a pink sweater top with a denim vest and a bomber jacket, jeans, and boots with socks. I've seen people layer more. Wearing a huge coat isn't cute, unless you have no choice. Plus, all that walking around makes you warm, and you'll end up taking the coat off anyway.

I love the laces. Polka dots are my thing.

That girl was wearing these exact ones!

2. Dr. Martens. Every other person has a pair on! I have always been intrigued by the boots, but didn't think I was punk rock enough to pull them off. Fast forward to NYC Fall 2011, even the preppy kids dabble in Air Wair. I loved it! You can literally wear them with everything. Everything! I saw this girl on the J train from Queens with a pair of platinum ones with black laces (see above). I almost died. They were so gorgeous. So, I vowed to get myself a pair, despite my just barely big feet.

Floral 1460.

Pearl Pink 1460. I die over this one.

The point about New York City style is that there is no NYC style. People wear and do what they want. They realize that people will talk no matter what you do, so why not just be yourself and do your own thing. 

That's what I love most about New York City.

Oh...and the boys.

Click on the captions to shop the shoes.

xoxo

Barrettes Hot for Fall...Seriously?!

According to my sources...yes.

I know what you're thinking. This is some bullsh*t. It's not. It's quirky. Yeah, quirky.

I mean, think about it. Alexander McQueen did it. Prada did it. Why can't it happen off the runway? Right? Ok, so, I think I'm going to go with this. I collected handbands pre-Blair Waldorf, so I think I know my way around a hair accessory or two.
Weaves, hello?!

Anyway, I went on shopstyle.com and put together my favorite barrettes.

Juicy Couture.
These match a pair of sandals I have.
Ooh.

Marc Jacobs.
 I just adore this.
Why is this not in my head?!





Eugenia Kim.
 I love bows.
I love leopard print.

Precious Hands.
Tribal cutness. With beads.

xoxo

Things We Fancy: FALL!

Fall's almost here, dude.

I know that in the South there is no such thing as Fall. There is just heat, hurricane season (which lasts like half the year), and in winter, an occasional cool breeze.
However, I grew up in Delaware, so I remember Fall in great detail. Fall is the best season. I mean, seriously, I could go on forever about all the stellar things that happen in the Fall like state fairs (Greater Gulf State Fair, for us); the start of boyfriend season (got to have a boo in time for Christmas); and season premieres on all the best shows. My two favorites are Gossip Girl and Bones. I'm such a well-rounded individual.

Yet, the most important thing about Fall is...Fashion. For one, the alliteration is advertising gold, and two, Fall is when the most important week in fashion takes place. Hello, Fashion Week.

Fall is a versatile season. It's not too cold, it's not hot either. It's the perfect season to try new things. I'm thinking about playing with bright colors and patterns this season, which is subject to change. Ooh, I almost forgot...BOOTS! Start buying them now because come September everyone will be trying to work the same boot. At least, you can say you did it first. 

So go forth and shop for Fall and dust off your "skills" for boyfriend season.

xoxo

Things We Fancy: Joyrich LA Lookbook FA '11

I call this Malibu Barbies gone wild!

Joyrich LA's lookbook is like an insight into what LA's girl-next-door does at parties with boys and red lipstick.

Go with me on this.

That "WOW" cropped sweatshirt will be mine come September.

View the entire lookbook here.

xoxo

Valentino Fall Couture 2011

Valentino is always on point. Even with the great himself in retirement, there has been no slacking off. Trust me, I saw The Last Emperor, and Valentino would flip if his namesake went to garbage (like Dior did this year).

I love how my two favorite houses of the season, Givenchy and Valentino, have this whole princess theme going on. I'm going to call this one, Mediterranean princess.

Here are my two favorite looks...

Jourdan Dunn in this creation is stunning.
However, I would have to get a belt for this dress.
I have boobs. 

  

The last dress is just...I don't even have a word for it.
It's that amazing. The detail.
And the hair...my new fall look.

xoxo

Givenchy Fall Couture 2011

Besides Valentino (which I will post later), Givenchy had the best fall couture of this year (as usual). The bead work. The embroidery. The feathers! This collection is Riccardo Tisci's version of demure, which is brilliant and innovative (as usual).
Riccardo Tisci needs to phone me.
He is the truth people. His attention to detail is ridiculous (as usual).

My favorite look...

It's like Princess Bride, but way fierce. 

The back. Yes, this is real life.

I want to wear this to my wedding.

View the whole slideshow at Style.com

xoxo