Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Alexa Chung for AG Jeans


I've always been a big fan of Alexa Chung. The British bombshell can do no wrong in my book. She's got quite the resume to boot - model, TV personality, author, fashion influencer, and most importantly designer. She recently teamed up with AG Jeans for a 20 piece Spring 2015 collection and it is nothing short of a wonderful daydream. 

This month, she told British Vogue that she "wanted to make clothes that [she] would be really happy wearing. As well as making [her] dream skinny jeans, [she] wanted to make vintage-inspired jeans that felt comfortable like modern-day jeans do, taking old-school silhouettes but making sure that the modern technology that we have today would make them wearable."

The collection is filled with wardrobe staples that will have everyone gravitating towards each and every piece. Check out a few of my favorite pieces below and then head on over to the website and start shopping. 


Alexa Chung for AG Jeans

Monday, January 26, 2015

MACHE


There is nothing more humbling than having talented friends. I am lucky to have an eclectic group of friends who all have a variety of talents each one different and unique. One of my best friend's, Maciej, is known for his talents with a pencil. He has worked on some incredible projects including the Balenciaga Women and Men's shop in Soho. But let's set aside his architectural side for a moment, and introduce you to his musical side and you will be equally as impressed.

He recently introduced the world to some new tunes and a brand new website, which you can check out here. I may be biased, but I am a sucker for a singer-song writer and his new songs are nothing short of awesome. He's got influences like Jack White, Modest Mouse, and Johnny Cash. Check out his new video below of my favorite tune "Baker River" and then instantly add to your Winter playlist.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Puff The Magic Dragon

Puff the Magic Dragon

I think it might be time for a little update to my puffy coat. It seems like every New Yorker owns a black sleeping bag coat (including myself) and I am tired of fitting in with the crowd. Mel recently purchased an adorable red puffer coat from Macy's and it got me thinking about maybe changing up my winter coat from something a little more snazzy. I know black is easy, because it goes with everything, but there is something unqiue about these six coats that caught my eye. Even if 2/6 are black, they still have a special interest (a big shawl collar or sporty patterned sleeves) that make them more appealing and fun. Which is your favorite?

1. Superdry makes these fashionable sports toggle puffler jacket that is bound to keep you ultra warm with its fleece lining.

2. Obsessed with this Rud by Rudsak long puffer coat. The hood is lined with a cable knit and trimmed with racoon fur. Why hello Davey Crocket.

3. You could be the ultimate moon man in this stylish American Eagle puffer jacket.

4. Bundle up in this edgy urban style with this oversized puffer coat from model turned designer Cara Delevingne. It is part of a special capsule collection titled Cara X DKNY.

5. Cozy meets cool on this updated take on a puffer from American Eagle.

6. Tweed and Fur are the best combo in this adorable puffer from the Gap.

Monday, January 19, 2015

LANY


Meet LANY, a trio comprised of sheer perfection. A few years ago, Les Priest, Jake Goss, and Paul Klein were merely neighbors in Nashville ,working on music independently and each celebrating one another for their music endeavours.  It didn't take long for them all to realize that if they combined their efforts, their sound would be incredible. Flash forward to 2015, they've crafted a unique sound mixing R&B and Pop which is about to take the music industry by storm.

It's crazy to think that these three dudes are now living in a one-bedroom apartment in Hollywood, making songs on a Dell computer, and gaining recognition by the second. Expect big things from them in 2015.



Friday, January 16, 2015

Top 10 2015 Calendars

2015 calendars

Call me old school, but I love a beautiful desk or home calendar, instead of relying solely on my iPhone. It never hurts to keep important dates on hand and of course in the most appealing way possible. Between printables, oversized art, and/or smaller agenda calendars, there is a calendar for everyone. These gems will keep you all ready and up for the challenges and excitement that 2015 will bring your way. Check out my top 10 picks below.

1. Rifle Paper Co. was inspired by vintage travel posters from around the world. Each month features a hand-painted illustration of a classic destination.

2. A 2015 calendar with a unique Denmark edge from Kristina Krogh Studio

3. Download and print this high quality rainbow bright wall planner for 2015 brought to you by ReallyReallyDesign on Etsy.

4. Get inspired for your next adventure with original fine art travel photography by Irene Suchocki.

5. Color your world with this new Paper Source exclusive 17 month spiral bound calendar. Turn the pages and enjoy a fresh palette of paint for each month.

6. Featuring the original comic book images of graphic artist Roy Lichtenstein, this beautiful 2015 calendar is sure to entertain while provoking comment about Lichtenstein's rather hard-edged style.

7. Modern wall art, perfect to decorate your home or office courtesy of ShopTempsModernes on Etsy.

8. The ultimate appointment calendar. Perfect for anyone who loves to write in appointments, birthdays and other notes from Rifle Paper Co.

9. This calendar was created in partnership with French Illustrator, Author and Photographer

Garance Doré


10. A beautiful 2015 calendar art print in classic 11 X 14 shape from JeanettaGonzales on Etsy.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Beanie Baby

Beanie Baby

Row 1: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5
Row 2: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5
Row 3: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

Well Winter, it looks like you are here to stay for awhile. Anyone else longing for Summer like I am? At least we are half way thru January, which means we are that much closer to Spring :)
When it is usually below 20 degrees, the best accessory to keep me from frostbite is a deliciously warm hat/beanie. I've rounded up some colorful gems from all over the web - the added bonus they are all under $50. I made a slight exception for the awesome turban and blue cashmere fella - I couldn't resist. Which one are you eyeing?

Monday, January 12, 2015

Sway Clarke II


Recently there has been an influx of smooth, sensual R&B crooners like The Weekend, Drake and Frank Ocen who have pioneered the scene and have set the pace for an inspiring list of eye-catching newcomers. Enter, Sway Clarke II, who was born in Toronto, but his musical roots blossomed in Berlin. 

He has developed a winning formula as an artist - a mixture of smooth and sensual vocals, a dab of quality production, and an attention-grabbing filled chorus. Even his latest single, "Secret Garden" is the best solution to tell you partner that you cheated on them. Are you convinced that he might be the next best thing to hit the music industry? Take a peak at his video below and see for yourself.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

The Turtleneck Trance

When most people think about turtlenecks, a sea of bad memories from a 1992 elementary school photo may appear. But it's now 2015 and time to erase all prior judgements of this silhouette. It's making a comeback and is here to stay. The style has taken on a new modern edge and is a great basic piece for any woman's wardrobe because it is so versatile.

What's great about the turtleneck is they come in just about every color imaginable. Neutral shades of black, grey, and navy always make for fantastic layering pieces. They are perfect underneath an oversized cardigan or fashionable blazer. I picked up a few this season from Old Navy and I can't seem to take them off - it's been my go to for the last few week's outfits for work.

Have I convinced you yet? If not, check out a few other patterns that I've got my eye on. The good news is, a majority of these styles are now on sale. Get your wallet ready folks.

The Turtleneck Trance

Top: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4
Bottom: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

Monday, January 5, 2015

Wild Soundtrack


To cap off the holiday break, Garrett and I saw the movie Wild last night. If you are unfamiliar with the film - Reese Witherspoon is gaining quite the oscar buzz depicting Cheryl Strayed who decided to hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in 1995. It was a journey she braved alone as a way to heal herself, following her divorce, the death of her mother, and years of reckless, destructive behavior.  

It was an incredibly inspiring film and I highly recommend going to see it. It made approaching the Monday after a long vacation a tad easier. Ms. Strayed, your story brought a smile to my face and made me ready to conquer 2015 by the horns. Cheers to a New Year!

Check out my favorite song from the film by Simon and Garfunkel.

Friday, January 2, 2015

Horoscopes for January 2015

JANUARY HOROSCOPES

Happy 2015 everyone! What better way to kick off the new year with a post dedicated to your month ahead by the infamous Susan Miller. There are predictions for each sign below from her and then head on over to get the full scoop from her website for the month of January. ENJOY!

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18)
This will be a landmark month for you and you will like most of what happens now. It's birthday time, when the smaller, personal planets that orbit close to earth surround you like loving little relatives, hoping that they can make any possible wish you hold in your heart come true. However, we all will need to make it through the cranky full moon that will come up quickly, almost the minute the month begins. Let's get that out of the way first, and then you and I can get to the juicy stuff.

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20)
You are coming into your own, dear Pisces. It's been two long years since Mars came to visit you, but he is about to arrive now, on January 12, and remain with you until February 19. You will get things your way without compromise, which may be a new experience - you may not have seen such strong support in a long time. Mars will tour Pisces from January 12 to February 19. This is when you will have the most control over outside events. Having said that, Mercury retrograde will cause a little bit of complication from January 21 to February 11. Honestly, however, I feel almost nothing can stop your steamroller march to success. 

ARIES (March 21-April 19)
You want to start the year brand new, and indications are you very well might! The end of December brought an excellent phase for your career, but if you say, "Not so much," it may be that top VIPs were talking about you and putting you on the short list of stars in the making. Take a moment to think about the career-related conversations you had in December - you may have planted seeds for impressive professional growth. Some Aries readers did hear news, while others may have to wait a little longer. 

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
The year starts off on a rocky note, but under no circumstances should you consider this to be a sign of what's to come in 2015. It's unfortunate that the full moon, January 4, in Cancer 15 degrees, will be in a bad mood. This full moon may see you coming back from a holiday trip, but things are not about to go according to plan. If you need to arrange a business trip, avoid doing so from January 4-9 because full moons have an area of influence that covers four to five days beyond the date it arrives. The reason for your trip is not likely to be met, and you will wonder why you went in the first place.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21)
The beginning of January finds you obsessed with money management. You may be sending out checks, depositing checks, and deciding how to appropriate funds you have for the coming year. You had been thinking about this topic in December too, and may have had meetings with your bookkeeper and accountant, but if not, early January will be when you will want to get things in order. You may also be getting ready for the coming tax season, a good time to get the tax preparation out of the way, for you will be very busy this year, and you won't want to be shut in working with receipts at your calculator or computer when you have people to see and places to go.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)
You have had a very hard time lately, with pressure coming at you from all sides. Uranus and Pluto make their last decisive hard aspect on March 16, 2015, and that will be their 7th (!) and final dispute since June 2012 - you will start to feel a reduction of pressure. Uranus and Pluto have been going at one another's throats for two years. The conflict between Uranus and Pluto put added pressure on all of us, but especially the cardinal signs of Cancer, Capricorn, Aries, and Libra.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22)
This will be your year, dear Leo, for Jupiter, the giver of gifts and luck, is in Leo for the first time since August 2002 to August 2003. Jupiter spends one year in each of the signs he visits, and last year, on July 16, 2014, Jupiter re-entered Leo. The road is open and clear - you finally have all the elements you need to succeed on something you've long dreamed to accomplish, on any level, in any part of life. Jupiter will stay with you until August 11 of this year, giving plenty of time for you to take action on a dream dear to you. 

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sept 22)
The coming year is about to be one of your best, dear Virgo, but you won't fully understand the truth of this until you get to mid-August. To throw your expectations off a little, we have a very difficult full moon, January 4, which will make a lot of people stand on their desks with bullhorns and scream, "I knew it! I am doomed! Here comes another terrible year!" No, no, dear Virgo - that could not be farther from the truth! The timing of this full moon is unfortunate, coming so early in the New Year, but it's by no means a sign of things to come. Full moons deliver news, and then they are quickly gone.

LIBRA (Sept 23-Oct 22)
You've had a very rough time over the past few years, so what you need most is a little fun and a lighter atmosphere. The holidays were supposed to supply that, but with so many planets stacking up in Capricorn at the new moon, December 21, through the end of the year and into early January, you likely had your hands full, running from pillar to post, playing host to family, and making sure that all family members felt welcome and comfortable. If you had a family member who was ill, you may have wanted to help out. Rest was the last thing on your list, but truly, you need a vacation from the holiday.

SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21)
You seem to have traveled quite a distance over the December holiday, or, if you could not go away, you may have hosted others in your home (or hometown). The holidays seem to have exhausted you, but somehow you found a way to connect with your family, and no doubt they were very appreciative that you made such an effort to be with them. You have been very focused on your physical living space, and also in terms of your relationship with your parents, and this focus will be a big trend that will continue in January and February too. 

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21)
You are starting to take on more responsibility on an endeavor very close to your heart, and that also means you will soon be given more respect and gain in power. You have embarked on an important commitment that will become one of your life's pillars that will remain a sturdy constant in your life, for you have Saturn in Sagittarius, and what you gain with Saturn stays with you. All the hard work you are now about to pour into one choice area of your life will become a jewel in your crown.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19)
Last year may have turned out to be a harder year than you expected it to be, mainly because you are a cardinal sign, and Uranus in cardinal Aries has been having an ongoing feud with Pluto in cardinal Capricorn since 2012. Cardinal signs (Aries, Libra, Cancer, and Capricorn) are highly energetic and pioneering. They can add a lot of dynamics to a relationship, but they do not naturally get along with one another - they require a lot of extra effort, as good as the result might have been with a person from one of those signs. You may have found that life was exhausting, with those with a difference of opinion or cross purposes to you on and off all year.