winter sleek, on the go!

During winter, all I want to do is wear black leggings and comfy large sweaters all the time... I'm in full hibernation mode which is not exactly the most stylish. So I'm trying to find some outfit inspiration that will take me from hum drum uniform to sleek and put together with the least amount of effort. Here are a few looks I'm planning to pull together from my closet and emulate all winter long....

For coffee with your girlfriends: 

Quirky statement sweater + worn-in jeans + lipstick (and preferably a latte)

For running errands and grocery shopping:

Soft Chambray top + black skinny jeans (and flats or boots, your pick)

For drinks with friends at a bar:

Boyfriend blazer + skin-tight jeans + killer heels

For a casual work day:

Bright silky blouse + high-waisted trousers + wedge heels

Any favorite go-to outfits that I'm missing? 

PS: More outfit inspiration:

Fall/winter coats

Quirky sweaters

Bright colors

Favorite winter casual looks, 

(Photos via: 1, 2, 3, 4)

new favorite iphone app... kaleidoscope!

Have you ever fallen in love with a stylish outfit on Pinterest or a street style blog, but could never in a billion years find out where to buy it or something similar to it? (I kind of do every day.) Enter Kaleidoscope: Fashion Inspired, a free iphone app that allows you to browse, share, and best of all, shop street style photos! Here's how it works...

After downloading the app (which is created by Imporia, Inc.), scroll through the many style photos on Kaleidoscope's home page, just as you would a blog or tumblr...

Click on a look that you particularly love, in this case, a mixture of camel and hot pink -- right up my alley! Kaleidoscope has partnered with ShopStyle to get the most accurate product recommendations straight from the photo, making it easy for us to "shop" the look.

Since I'm especially keen on the hot pink mini skirt, I'll click on that option and ta da! Here are all the hot pink skirts I could possibly want! (And, I can price compare!) Click on any of the recommendations, and you'll immediately be transferred to the retailer's mobile site.  It takes two seconds to add to cart and pay.... Looks like we just got a new skirt! New favorite app for sure. My wallet better watch out.

(Photos are iPhone screenshots via Kaleidoscope)

new york black - are you ready for winter?

Brr, has it been c-c-cold this weekend! Now that daylight savings has arrived, we need to just embrace it: it's wintertime, ladies and gents. That means no more thin jackets and bare legs, unless you want to go for the freezing-chic look. Bring on the wool, knit, and thermal leggings! When it comes to my winter staples, I can't get enough sleek cut anythings and black, black, black. I'm a New Yorker, can't help it! Here's what you need to grab ASAP if you want to be a downtown cool kid/ my twin...

A sleek, military wool coat

I'm addicted to the lines of this coat. (Via Victoria's Secret, my sub for this Burberry stunner)

A chunky, knit cowl scarf

The chunkier, the better. Yes, I said it. (Via Etsy)

Minimalistic, leather boots

I would wear this to work every day. (Suede and leather boots via Zara)

Rain/snow boots

Better than duck boots, that's for sure. (Via Hunter)

Roomy, badass bag

Tough enough to take on the worst weather. (City Chic Bag via Anne Taylor)

After you're all done getting dressed, go outside and listen to Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" on your iPhone 4s, and don't make eye contact with anyone. If you still don't feel like an extra from The Matrix, pull on these vintage black Ray Bans for good measure. See ya around the block!

closet cleaning

Thank goodness it's Sunday. I'm going to hang low, do laundry, and try to organize my closet, which is a mess/in need of severe editing. (Good thing Kendie's got some great tips on organizing.) I'm also making a careful list of all the things I'd like to add, like colorful tights, a nude slip (to keep my work dresses smooth & demure), and an incredible nude strapless bra. (I'd seriously splurge on that one!) What's on your shopping list? I love Matchbook magazine's list of 50 classics...

style star: sydney

Style blogger Sydney, from the Daybook, is too cute. I love all of her outfits, but especially this one! I'm going to try to start tucking my silk scarves into skinny waist belts from now on... Also, I'm seriously considering bangs too. Geesh, such a trendsetter, this lady. :)

3 style sights

This leopard coat...

This envelope bag...

And this gorgeous bike

Went running with best friend/occasional gym partner Danny on Manhattan's west side highway last night (talk about gorgeous!)-- and all I wanted to do was jump on a bike... le sigh.

(Photos via That Kind of Woman & Pinterest)

a few street styles

Love this outfit! And this lady looks a bit like Sienna Miller, don't you think?

Beautiful hair and very cool gold nails

Eva Fontanelli, editor of Elle Italy. She. Is. Adorable. 

Accessories can really change the mood of an outfit, wow :)

Some inspiring street fashion looks from Vanessa Jackman and her covetable Nikon. I love finding new street fashion blogs with high quality photos! (Could honestly ooh and ahh for hours!) The coolest part is learning more about the photographer's style. It's so nice to be able to discern the different tastes between the many fashion photographer-bloggers out there... Scott Schuman, Garance Dore, Hanneli, Tommy Ton, etc. They are all so talented.

 #1 on my wishlist now: a Nikon or Canon SLR!

(photos by Vanessa Jackman)

a sartorial little film

I really adore this video that captures Scott Schuman aka The Sartorialist in his element. Though I've met Scott a few years back when he spoke at NYU, I still really enjoy learning more about him! This film showcases Scott's perception of his "visual life", his thoughts on his body of work, and my favorite, Scott in action, photographing his lucky real-people models. We also get to see how entirely humble and polite he is, which to me, makes him a gem in the fashion world.

(photo by The Sartorialist)

city chic

Oh how I love that the weather in NYC was forgivingly warm today. Instead of bundling in my thickest knit scarves and wool jackets, I wore my maroon beanie and light navy jacket. It was all very much ta-da, all done! I love winter fashion.

PS: Tomorrow, I'm going to go and finally use my awesome Groupon deal -- $25 for $50 worth of American Apparel. Shhweet! Not yet a Groupon member? Here ya go!

(photo via the sartorialist)

tip of the day: free jeans!

Attention New Yorkers! This Friday, get yourself a free pair of Levi's! Thank you Susan & Vanity Fair for the tip. (Thumbs up for fun promotions!)

Don't forget to check out our Mikasa giveaway below...

inspired by...

This daring transparent look. See-through tops and bandeau bras go so well together, like PB&J, like dog on a bun, like... eh, you fill in the blank! I like that there's still a bit of modesty here, with the high-waisted skirt concealing her tummy. (If the belly button is showing, we've gone too far south!)

(photo via stockholm street style)

little divas

Dear adorable children with super cute style:

Don't ever grow up!

Have a happy weekend, loves - kids and grown-ups :)

(photos by hanneli)

a splash of polka dot

How pretty is this silky little suit from Bona Drag? I'd wear this poolside or out to dinner under a pair of jean trousers with a big straw hat.

mary poppins meets nutty professor

This is how I want to dress. Almost a year later, I still obsess over this quirky shot by the Sartorialist -- the eccentric shabby-chic look is soooo cozy and real. Being comfortable in our clothes can be much too underrated sometimes, don't you think? (And holy moly that bag!)

jenny kang

Currently can't get enough of Jenny Kang (Associate Market Editor of Lucky Magazine) and her penchant for over-sized blazers. A girl after my own heart! Also adore her High-Low mixes. Vintage and Gucci? Y-y-yes pleaaase!

(photos via street peeper, refinery 29, lucky mag)

madewell essentials

Madewell officially launched its e-commerce site today (hooray!). I'm already drooling at all the amazing things I'd like in my closet pronto. Especially these summer essentials: a chic blazer that translates from work to play, a straw tote, and a panama hat...

Academy Blazer

Wanderlust Straw Tote

Panama Hat

And some Bensimon elastic sneakers, while we're at it. Oh Madewell, how you tempt me!

dreamy dresses

For play...

And for work...

Dear dresses,

I'd like to own each of you. Wanna make friends with my closet?

Dear Modcloth,

Stop tempting me!

primarily, poetically...

Red, yellow, and blue -- I see you.

And I'd like to take a collection
of pretty pictures & primary
colors, bead them in my scarves,
tangle them in my hair, blot my eyes
with their light and love, take a knife &
fork and gobble them up pixel by sheen,
make sweet rhythm to their colorful beats,
their one-shot tales, their two-dimensional
frames, their three-dimensional lives...

(photo by the Sartorialist)

*Buenos Aires updates coming up soon, sorry for the wait!

a serious question

Since my last post had a picture of cat in it, I'm inspired to ask: The Catorialist or Hipster Puppies for the win?

Both are looking fierce.

the loveliest collection

Darlings, how was your Valentine's day? I usually scoff at this holiday for its commercial cheesiness, but I had an artsy, inspiring day with my Valentine/amazing friend Matt. We watched two movies -- A Single Man and An Education (which were both fantastic) -- ate delicious S'MAC macaroni & cheese, went to a crazy, Western-style "trailer" bar (The insides looked just like a trailer!), and then hoofed it back to a friend's party for the night. But onto the latest fashion news!

I am so pumped for the new H&M Garden Collection coming out next month! Not only is the entire collection made from organic and recycled materials, it's inspired by "chlorophyll-green gardens, sun-drenched landscapes and 70s hippie chic flower-power." (Um, love, love, and love!) If you like the sound of that, you'll adore the looks too. Take a peek:

I can't wait to pick up some 70's style dresses and funky tunics!
Thanks Ruby Press for the update!