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>>Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair <<

I discovered Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair over this past summer at Opening Ceremony. I saw this long back coat with the most amazing tailored kimono details on the back (I still compare it to every coat I see...never measures up). I almost bought it two sizes too big on me...that's how much I loved it. But then Brian stopped me and convinced me that no tailor could mimic the workmanship to have it fit my body. (sometimes he really does know his stuff!) This label is by a Swedish couple, Astrid Olsson and Lee Cotter who name the label after an old shoemaker's shop in London to pay tribute to old-world craftmanship. And they do exactly that, all their clothes have the most delightful details in the most unexpected places. I Sometimes like APC but most of the time I think...Where is the joy? Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair makes interesting classics that I will never get sick of. I wish they would start selling in more places within the US...

>>Dinner with Friends Outfit<<

I went out this past weekend with a couple of friends to now one of my favorite Brooklyn spots called Boca Lupo. They have the most amazing bruschettas and their banana nutella panini will make you weep. My husband and I sometimes go for late Sunday afternoon snacks there, basically an excuse to sqeeze in another meal in the day. This is the outfit I wore out except I wore an all black version of the tops. Lately if something fits me well and the prices isn't insane I tend to buy one in black and one in white. I should start adding more color in the future.

Dinner with Friends Outfit: Club Monaco leather jacket, AA zipper bodysuit, Uniqlo tanks, Phillip Lim carrot pants, Opening ceremony oxfords, and Hermes collier de chien.

>>Wham! Outfit<<

I have an excess amount of skinny jeans that I no longer wear. Since I'm all for DIY projects it just gives me an excuse to keep busy. I took an old pair of grey jeans and sprayed some bleach on it...and Wham!.
"YOU CAN'T TELL ME THAT I'M NOT. DO! YOU! ENJOY WHAT YOU DO? IF NOT, JUST STOP! DON'T STAY THERE AND ROT!
I just keep seeing Geroge Michael waving his arms everywhere...I'm not a fan but its totally appropriate with the rest of the outfit. I was still in Korea for most of the 80's and this is my chance. No really its simple...spare pair of jeans and free time. I like how the back came out more so than the front is a bit too bleached out. I did the same on a Sunshine and Shadow sweatshirt but will show another time-might be overload.

Wham! Outfit: Topshop leather vest, AA tee, Urbanoutfitters Jeans, Barneys belt as bracelt, and Freye boots.

>>Simone Shailes<<

I knitted for a while 2 years ago...nothing fancy just some scarves. I concluded towards the end that with my limited skills and ridiculous hours it takes to make one scarf I'm doing myself a favor by just buying one. There is a part of me that still wants to really learn complicated knitting techniques...maybe one day when I go visit my cousin in Korea (she's an expert). But in the meantime check out Simone Shailes line for Topshop, its gorgeous. I wish Topshop would hurry and open their store in Soho. It's such a pain to order things online due to extra shipping costs and I never really know my size since it tends to vary. Has anyone tried this on? I would love to see some photos! Its looks beautiful on the model but is it in real life?

>>So Cold It Hurts Outfit<<

...Everything is in focus except me...is Brian trying to tell me something?...

It was just brutal outside this past weekend. The wind started actually hurting my finger tips. I did manage to have Brian take some pictures of my outfit. This outfit is important because of the jacket. At my bridal shower all my guest chipped in to get me a hefty gift certificate to the Phillip Lim store (do they know me or what?) and this was my big purchase. I bought it at the LA store while my husband was out there working and it was extra special. If you have ever been to the LA space you know why! The curved walls are studded in white...I could live there. I sounds like I'm advertising for PL but I have never in my life followed a designer this way. Everything fits perfectly and all pieces are subtly unique and effortless. But my point was THANK YOU to all my friends who chipped in to keep me warm this winter! I will have this jacket forever.

So Cold It Hurts Outfit: PL coat, Balenciaga handbag, Nenette Lepore Booties DYI studded, Barneys studded belt worn as bracelet and Vintage Jeans (that were in the back of my closet that I bleached and ripped for hours...not sure about them).

>>Armani Privé<<

As I get older I find myself avoiding the party scene, I opt for a quiet dinner or quick coffee with friends. There is the occasional gallery opening, or a friend's birthday party but even those, the crowd I run with, tend to dress pretty casual. Sometimes on date night with my husband (yes we have Friday date nights) I get dressed up but that's really it. I don't believe in saving that special something in your closet for a big occasions but I can't really wear it walking my dogs!

With that being said my kind of dressing up isn't party dresses, its more like Armani Privé fall 08 collection. Perfectly tailored pantsuits and tuxes. I never feel comfortable in a dress unless its long for some reason, just not natural for me. I finally have a perfect pair of slacks (that I did not even have to tailor..this is huge for me) and now I'm on the lookout for that interesting perfectly tailored jacket to go with it. I'm not even sure where to start looking...any ideas?

>>Crossing Delancey<<

I finally got my perfect pair of Crossing Delancey inspired pants in the mail last week. You guessed it, its from Phillip Lim 3.1. from the crazy holiday sale that's pretty much happening everywhere. I try to wear these pants every chance I get, the fit and the fabric is prefect for this winter. I welcome the resurrection of this silhouette!

Crossing Delancey Outfit: AA Grey Cut off Tee, Phillip Lim high waisted carrot pants, Hermes Medor watch, Vintage belt (worn as bracelet) DIY studded, Lanyard knot necklace, Isabella Fiore patent leather wedge Mary Jane heels and Marni Satin bag.

>>Ring to My Heart<<

Sometimes for kicks I browse the fine Jewelry section on the first floor at Barneys and I start drooling. It's completely out of my reach but a girl can dream. I start rethinking my wedding band choice but then again there is always an anniversary band right? What is it 10 years? sigh...
Here are some of my favorite that I found on their site...there are millions more at the store. Also I'm a yellow gold loyalist as you can see.

>>Forever21<<

These days even the best sales doesn't seem to cut it. I saw a Miu Miu leather school boy bag on sale at Saks for $400 (originally around $2000) but now it doesn't even seem worth it. To lift some spirits I put together a little budget shopping list from Forever21 that I think DOES make the cut. Everything is under $30! Some are obviously designer copies but at these times who cares! I bought the pair of pants on the left and I love it. It's a bit too thin for winter but I might double layer it with some leggings and sport it real soon. They will look fantastic tucked into tall black boots (inspired by Limi feu's S/09 collection). The thing I love about forever 21 is that they have an online shop (only if H&M would please catch up!). If you have ever walked into on of their stores you know what I'm getting at. The music is blaring, the clothes are all over the floor and you are out numbered by teenage girls. But online you get a chance to look at each article of clothing at your own pace, buy the things you like and if something does not fit your standards just mail it back! More and more, even though I live in NY I find myself shopping online. Most shops have some promo code that gets you discounts that you might not normally get in person and you can't beat shopping in your sweats.


Top Row: Dolman V Neck Top / Leesa 3Q top / Dora Denim Tunic
Bottom Row: Shirred Ankle Draped Capri / Knit Balloon Capri /Layered Satin Skirt
This is not Polyvore so please click on the names.

>>Heel me<<

These are some of my favorite shoes, not all this season. Click to image to view details.
Top row: Balenciaga, Emanuel Ungaro, Pierre Hardy
Bottom row: Chanel, Pierre Hardy, Maison Martin Margiela

I will post in the future a more affordable selection of my favorite shoes as our economy seems more bleak than ever...

>>Out with the Parents Outfits<<

As I promised I took some last minute pictures of some of the outfits I wore while visiting my in-laws in Ft. Lauderdale. The weather was absolutely perfect...warm but not hot. I felt a bit weird wearing some of this stuff there since I think most women my age wear either long sun dresses or Juicy Couture jumpers, I have neither in my closet. I did manage to wear sweat pants to dinner with a couple of friends...and I loved it!


Lunch Outfit: Marni Jacket, United Bamboo High waisted shorts, Loeffler Randall Booties, DVF camisole and CC sky Bracelet.


After many months of trying to get Brian to wear bowties casually and failing I decided to wear them myself. I'm in the process of collecting them!
Dinner Outfit: Rodan vs. Griffth shirt (they are grey), Steven Alan Bowtie and Anthropologie Jeans.



Above is the new Prada shoes I scored at the Sawgrass outlet. It doesn't match too well with my outfit but was the best option of what I had in my suitcase. So pretty...they are now on display on my mirrored coffee table at home until its warm enough to wear them.
Miami Ranger Outift: (This is a repost of the outfit from before) Uniqlo Jeans, Helmut Lang tank, Pixie Market scarf, Premise Dress that I wore as a jacket and Prada sandals.