ANIMALISITIC//

For many seasons now, animal prints have flooded runways and magazines.  I have always loved it, especially in the form of vintage coats and hats, and I was very happy when the resurgence came.  The more I wear these prints, the bolder I get with them.  There is an art to being animalistic, however.  There is a delicate line between chic and playful and crazy old lady.  Here are some of my favorite ways to wear these prints.

I love this vintage skirt paired with heavy accessories and booties for a modern look. 

These Isabel Marant blue animal print harem pants are sick.  I love the color and silhouette.  

 

 This is my new fave ensemble.  No surprise, it is Isabel Marant's leopard print sweatshirt and zebra pumps paired with Phillip Lim pants.  Casual and chic.  Can't wait for fall!!

I've had this Jenni Kayne top for a long time but I keep going back to it.  It is slightly cropped and I love to wear it with high waisted pants like these Derek Lam denim trousers.

STYLE INSPIRATION//

Like most people obsessed with fashion, I scour fashion blogs for inspiration.  Summer is a slow time for fashion - come on fall! - and I often find myself bored with shorts and tanks and gladiators.  It is nice to see people, in other parts of the world where it isn't 100 degrees everyday, putting together wonderfully chic ensembles.  There are two women in the fashion world and blogosphere that I always gravitate to.  As you will see, they are effortless and embody their style with confidence.  Yes, they are beautiful and have outrageous budgets, but they are inspiring because they are creative and communicate their personalities through their style.  Something we should all aspire to...

Emmanuelle Alt is the current editor in chief of French Vogue and was the fashion director at the magazine since 2000.  Her signature look is fresh and a masculine - tailored blazers, skinny trousers, and heels. Chic, sophisticated,tough, easy. Love.

Shala Monroque is a beautiful socialite, art enthusiast (she's in a relationship with Larry Gagosian) and editor-in-chief of "Pop" Magazine.  There is no question why she is one of photographers favorites with her colorful, feminine, chic, and playful style.  I love how she mixes patterns and plays with texture. She is enviable. Sigh.

 

THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR SUMMER//

I think the single thing that gives someone a distinct style is doing something unexpected and risky.  During this time of year, one of my favorite combinations is shorts and dresses with boots.  Sandals are a given with shorts and if you are that person, so are heels.  Gasp. Boots, however, are unexpected and make a great statement.  I am not talking stiff, knee high boots.  That would just look ridiculous.  Think slouchy, worn, boho looking boots.  

The key to this look is to keep everything very simple - basic tee, basic demin shorts,(these are Madewell), vintage belt, and killer boot such as these Isabel Marant beauties. 

 These are slightly different looks - I love the Isabel Marant tribal print top with white Madewell shorts, and fab Isabel chain boots - such a cool, boho, summer look.  Pairing these boots with a basic cotton dress (this is Bassike) and some great jewelry (Arielle de Pinto woven chain necklace) is another easy, chic look for summer.


 All photos by Teresa Rafidi
 

SUMMER STAPLES//

Summer is upon us. Although not as fun as it was when we were kids, summer still has a nice carefree feeling to it.  If you live in Texas like me, summer is mostly about sweating and trying to avoid being outside as much as possible.  Dressing appropriately for summer can be tricky - most fashion faux pas happen this time of year (think daisy dukes, platform flip flops, and bra revealing tank tops).  I turn to a few staples this time of year that I rotate in and out of my closet until it gets cool enough for sweaters and jackets (I already can't wait!) 

 I love white all year round but especially for summer.  This drapey, loose silhouette is perfect.  Of course it's also perfect because it is Celine.

 Summer is a good time to have fun with denim - I am loving bright colored skinny jeans, especially this bright blue. It is fun and adds a punch to your look but is still versatile. These are JBrand.

 I am still obsessed with maxi skirts and dresses. There is nothing more chic and easy and modern and it is perfect for summer with sandals.  The skirt is A.L.C. and I have it (there is a lining in the actual skirt so your panties don't show!).  It is my favorite skirt because of the fabric and shape.  The bottom image is taken from The Sartorialist - this image captures everything I love about a simple maxi dress.  Just because the dress is a neutral color and cotton doesn't mean it's boring. Accessories are key here - this look is perfect!

 Accessories...the Anndra Neen necklace is the perfect statement piece to wear with the more casual looks of summer.  It adds just enough drama and texture to any outfit.  These Pamela Love bracelets are great because of their color - the turquoise adds pop and rose gold is huge for summer and the coming fall season.  Pairing these kinds of accessories is a great way to add a little drama and a lot of chic to your look.

 A lot of people are scared of shorts (or they wear them wrong).  This pair from Madewell is perfect - I love the color and the length, not slutty short and not dorky long.  Again, the color is fun and perfect for summer. One of my favorite tops is the blue and white striped top - it goes with everything and screams summer.  The bottom photo is a Raquel Allegra top.  Her work is like art and is totally perfect for summer because of how breezy and easy it is.  It is special but versatile - love!

Of course, Isabel Marant has made the best dress for spring and summer.  The color, floral pattern, and silhouette is exactly what every woman needs - sexy, fun, and flattering. And the belt is great - just adds a little texture.  

 Obviously sandals are a necessity in summer.  My favorites are by K. Jacques from St.Tropez.  When you put them on, you feel (almost) as cool as those French women lounging on the beach.  This pair is fun because of the leopard print and yellow patent leather.  Everyone needs a fedora hat for summer days when the sun is beating down. I love this one by Rag and Bone - classic and flattering.  Dressing for summer is easy if you stick to these staples.  The point is to have something white, lots of color, texture and statement with accessories, and keep it casual.

photos from style.com, sartorialistblogspot.com, net-a-porter.com, bonadrag.com

PRETTY IN PINK//

Molly, Duckie, Blaine...classic.  I loved this movie so much when it came out that I bought the VHS video tape (that makes me feel really old!) and watched it constantly.  I loved Molly Ringwald with her integrity and very personal style, but I have to admit that I have never really liked the color pink.  I have always felt like pink is a color that is appropriate until the age 10 and then it is suited to New England snobs and women who wear things like Juicy Couture track suits and platform flip flops.  This spring, however, I have changed my tune.  When I saw the models in Isabel Marant's spring show walk down the runway in Pepto pink cropped demin lace up pants, I gasped.  They were cheeky and fun and perfect.  Wearing these pink pants has opened me up to color and I have to say, there really is something pretty about pink.

Isabel Marant pants worn with Mayle leather jacket, Dries Van Noten pumps (so gorgeous!)

I love the details of these pants - the tie in front, patch over the knee, and gathered fabric down the side. Worn with Pamela Love talon cuff. 

While not quite as pink as the Isabel pants, these Rag and Bone jeans have a great blush tone that give them color but versatility as well.  Worn with Raquel Allegra top, Natalia Brilli bracelet, and Dries Van Noten pumps.

I discovered Raquel Allegra many years ago at Curve boutique before she expanded her line. I instantly fell in love with her work - she takes t-shirts and reworks them all by hand - dying them, creating new silhouettes, and literally deconstructing them.  Notice how the top moves; so cool. 

Raquel Allegra shirt and Natalia Brilli bracelet.

In keeping with the 80's feel of "Pretty in Pink" I had to wear my Isabel Marant Perkins sneakers.  I absolutely love these shoes. When I put them on, I feel cool, period. I love mix of high and low in this lux sneaker. 


All photos by Teresa Rafidi

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS//

My closet is filled with all kinds of pieces by all kinds of designers.  When I am investing in a special piece, the first thing I look for is versatility.  I don't see the sense in spending a lot of money on something that can't be incorporated into your everyday look.  I own a few things that I regret buying because while they are really beautiful runway pieces, they are very specific and for the most part, hang in my closet unworn.  Some designers have the great ability to make beautiful pieces that can go from the runway to reality without getting lost in translation. 

 

This Dries Van Noten Jacket is perfect for spring and can move into fall.  I love his take on a trench style jacket - the body is very tailored and masculine and the ombre denim sleeves add a quirky uniqueness.  The sleeves allow this jacket to be worn in all occasions - I wear it constantly.  The pants are Isabel Marant and I love them because the cut and material is very simple and casual, but the red and black stripes make them anything but basic.  They are fun but not over the top and can be worn in so many different ways. 

Ahh...the Celine leopard loafer. To say I am obsessed with men's style shoes is an understatement.  I love the androgyny and modernity of a shoe like this - I have been wearing them with everything from dresses to shorts.  The leopard print on these is chic and so fun and can really be worn as a neutral. Love.

One of my favorite jewelry designers is Pamela Love. I have loads of her things but I think this cuff is my favorite because of its versatility and toughness.  It is just the right width, has just the right finish, and the bolts on either side add just enough detail to give it personality.  With all of these pieces, the details are what make them special.  I love how the details of the jacket, the pants, and the shoes go together.  This has become a go-to outfit for spring.

All photos by Teresa Rafidi

SHADY//

I have many, many pairs of sunglasses. It's ridiculous actually.  Among the pairs of Oliver Peoples and Marni shades, my favorite pair is the Ray Ban wayfarer (I have three pairs.)  There is just something cool about the wayfarer with it's iconic square shape, thick frame, and silver detail at the temples.  Not to mention all the "cool kids" have been wearing wayfarers for many, many years...