Stripes and Leopard

Coat: Miss Sixty (similar for under $35!) // Striped Shirt: Gap (Similar on sale) // Jeans: Gap (similar on sale) // Boots: Cole Haan (Similar on sale!) // Purse: Coach // Necklace: Ann Taylor // Shades: Ray Ban (similar) // Bracelet: InPink, iSanctuary // Ring: Hello Fab

I don't think I'm sharing any top-secret information when I say that I'm normally a fan of fairly basic accessories.  I mean, as long as your definition of basic includes "spikes" and "neon" like my definition, then sure my accessories are basic.  However, when my aunt showed up for a four day visit with four different coats I figured I could borrow her leopard jacket for a day milling around with the girls.  

Then she told me I needed, "a pop of color."  

To which I smiled. 

She added, "you could borrow my red bag." 

Point.Set.Match.

I'm not ashamed in saying I borrow my aunt's clothes.  Hell, I do more than that! She routinely gives me hand-me-downs and they are by far better than any of the hand-me-downs I got as a child.  She left two pristine black turtlenecks at my house for me and I can't wait to wear them before the weather heats up. 

I also seem to be a magnet lately for antiquing and cobblestone streets. Thank goodness for thick-heeled boots!  This time I was able to score my first vintage camera in a wonderful store in historic Ellicott City, MD. 

Anyone else share clothes with a relative? How about a relative that isn't a sibling?  I know other woman who routinely take their significant other's dress shirts, but that would just never work in my household... the hubs has some broad shoulders!

Don't forget: today is the last day to enter my birthday treat giveaway! 

30 Is the New Awesome

Necessary ingredients for an amazing birthday weekend: 

Bubbly and other tasty beverages.  

Shoes that make you feel like you can tackle the world. Yes, if I'm dumped on an island and can only take three possessions, I'm taking these heels with me. 

Best friends.

(Picture above stolen from DistrictSparkle's Instagram) 

Family.  

Funky decor and amazing food. 

And most importantly of all, love. There was a lot of love being thrown around the table Saturday night.  

I had such a great long weekend for my birthday.  My loving hubs organized a little dinner soiree for my birthday that included  family and friends. My aunt and sister came in for a few days and I've never laughed so hard in a vintage store or in Trader Joe's.  

Anyone have a recommendation for a good wrinkle-correction cream? I've laughed a lot in the last 30 years and I intend on laughing even more in the coming 70 years or so. I should probably invest in a good wrinkle cream, but at the same time I'm okay with having a few reminders of how much laughter I've enjoyed in my life. 

Birthday Treat

I turned 30 today.  There, I said it.

Actually, I've had a countdown calendar in the works ever since I turned 29.  See you later 20s. Goodbye hipsters. Thank goodness I never have to be tied down to the same age-group as you people.  Yes, I said you people.

I'm 30. Rather than treating it as death or an early mid-life crisis, I merely see it as a Wednesday.

A damn, good Wednesday.

Instead of getting all sad and sappy about turning 30 I'm ready to party. I'm truly happy that I'm 30. People have looked at me and said, "bullshit, you're sad about turning 30."

I don't understand what in the world they are talking about. I know who am I, I know what makes me tick, and most importantly I know who I want in my life for the good times and the bad.  I've got the big pieces of the puzzle figured out and I plan on spending the next 70 years or so re-arranging the details.

So with that being said, here's my gift to you:

The treats: a little capsule collection of things I got in NY at IFB Con.

NYX Illuminator // Desktop-mega-phone from Poppin // personal pocket datebook from POST // 2013 notebook from POST // Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel DVD // ghd oval dressing brush // Model Co "Berry Pink" lip gloss // assorted hair ties from Twistband, Inc (MADE IN THE USA BABY!!!!) // pink iphone 4/4s case by Boostcase Hybrid // fuzzy hat from MailChimp

To Enter: (All entries must be submitted by 11:59pm ET 2/27)

Follow me on Twitter.

Follow me on Instagram.

Then just leave me a comment with your Twitter and Instagram usernames.  If you're feeling wordy, let me know if you are/were excited/scared to turn 30.

For additional entries:

Tweet about the giveaway! Just leave an additional comment with your tweet. 

Good Luck! 

Weekend Antiquing

Shirt: Ann Taylor old (similar) // Jeans: J. Crew // Jacket: Anne Klein via Marshalls //  Flats: J. Crew //  Belt: Michael Kors // Purse: Kate Spade old (similar) // Necklace: Forever 21

The key to surviving a few hours antiquing is simple - wear comfortable flats!  The hubs and I spent the better part of our Saturday hitting up various antique stores in Baltimore and two breweries.  That much trekking around meant we had to deal with a lot of anti-heel friendly elements - rough brick sidewalks, cobblestone streets, fleeting rain, and scariest of all really, old, uneven, and slippery staircases.  I'm not even kidding you half of the 100+ year-old buildings we dove into didn't even have fully functional staircases. No, really, half of the railing systems were missing! 

Every time the hubs heard a creak or a crash he would look at me and ask, "did you do it?" 

Thankfully, I survived.  

What did you get into this weekend? Anyone go anywhere fun for the three-day weekend? 

Waiting on the Sunrise

If someone ever asked me if I had a preference for either sunrises or sunsets I would pick sunrises in a heart beat.  I'm up well before the sun rises, the only exception is on the rare weekend morning that I actually sleep in.  Most of my runs begin, and many end, well before the sun rises above the horizon.  

Take for example, this guy I captured the other day. 

Unfortunately, I selected a poor day to wake up well prior to dawn, drive down to the bay, and await the coming sunrise.  On this particular cold Sunday morning the sun decided to rise in super fast action.  I'm not kidding you.  I took two pictures of the sunrise and that was it.  The weather forecast called for partly cloudy skies, but unfortunately mother nature decided to go with a thin layer of clouds blanketing the sky.  

Oh well, it wasn't a total loss.  I did have a very peaceful morning along the bay.  I was the first one out on the trail, besides whatever small animal left their footprints scattering about. 

I don't know about you, but the photo above brings me absolute peace.  The water is calm and non-threatening, even if it is nearly freezing cold.  

I take it back. Barely being able to ascertain where the heavens connects with our world is pretty amazing.  If it wasn't for that faint Eastern Shore in the distance I wouldn't know what was sky and what was water. 

But then again, I'm a sucker for snow.  I grew up in the Catskills and snow was a fairly regular winter sight for me, but now I'm down south of the Mason Dixon line and snow doesn't stick around very often.  I miss the pure, clean, snow look.  

Back to the sunrises versus sunsets debates.  Maybe I prefer sunrises because I'm an East Coast gal and there's just something magical about watching the sun rise over water.  Then again, the sun used to set over the lake behind my childhood home, while breathtaking, I still preferred the sunrises over the mountains. 

I'll just count my blessings that I've seen both amazing sunrises and sunsets over the years.  I hope to one day to be able to capture one and freeze it in time with my camera.  The hunt continues.

How about you - are you a sunrise or a sunset person? 

IFB and NYFW Recap

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Well here it goes. 

A massive, heartfelt thank you to all of the amazing vendors at IFBCon.  At what other conference can you pose with Tyson Beckford, get your makeup done by bare Minerals, eye up serious jewelry at Alex and Ani (made in the USA and out of recycled materials - double win!), get professional hair assistance by Fekkai, and hit up the Mail Chimp station to DIY t-shirts and hats?  Plus, throw in an open-bar after party at the W Hotel, because yes, that happened. 

Why yes, those are 140mm (aka 6inch!) Christian Louboutin shoes on the left.  I think the only shoes that I saw that were cooler were massive Chanel heels that included crystal rocks on the stems. Insane doesn't even begin to describe the serious shoe envy I had while up in NY. 

Again, just soaking up every word my girl crush, Lydia Hudgens, had to say. 

Took outfit photos of three insanely fashionable women (Meaghan, Natalie, and Lacey).  

The center of the fashion world. 

Just a few of the eye-dropping pieces I saw in Lincoln Center.  Seriously, these were mild compared to what I saw because the truly beautiful pieces floated by and before I could pick up my jaw and my camera they were gone. 

My first NYFW show.  The pieces at Candela were magical. Now if only I had a place to wear either that gorgeous sequined dress or that lace black number. 

Was able to find a bit of home inspiration at Lincoln Center and at the Hudson Hotel. 

Some take home swag. Seriously, there's more makeup and a few other things floating around my suitcase.  I'll be giving away a few things next week (hint - one item is a pink iPhone case).  You'll have to pry that $50 giftcard to Rent The Runway from my cold fashion fingers because I can't wait to use it. 

Anyone else attend IFBCon? What were your thoughts?  I loved, loved, loved the panels and I'm going to take Niche.Niche.Niche.Niche.com.gov to heart. 

As for NYFW, I swore afterwards that I was a "one and done" person when it came to attending fashion week. However, it wouldn't be entirely fair to only go once and make a permanent decision.  The weather was ridiculously cold, or seasonably appropriate in New York, so I might just go up again in September and see how I survive.  I mean, it's not like I wore sleeveless shirts or anything. Oh wait, I did :) 

NYFW Black Ops

Top: Three Dots via RueLaLa (Similar) Made in the USA baby!  // Pants: Forever 21 (Similar) // Shoes: Sam Edelman via BlueFly (Similar ) // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff via Gilt (Similar ) // Coat: DKNY (Similar) // Shades: Ray Band via Nordstrom Rack (Similar) // Diamonds & Bow Ring: Hello Fab // Jewelry: InPink, iSanctuary, vintage bow rhinestone bracelet

If you would have asked me up until a few weeks ago if I ever saw myself going to New York Fashion Week the answer would have been a resolute "NO!"

Then, a friend asked if I would be interested in going.  The timing couldn't be better.  I casually mentioned it to the hubs and without a moments hesitation he told me to pretty much pack my bag and get the heck out of dodge.  I think it is safe to say that I might have been a tad bit overprotective of the hubs as he recovers from surgery and he was looking to have me out of the house for a few days.  

What the hell does one wear to fashion week?  I love clothes just as much as the next fashionista, but I'm more of a shoe person and my favorite shoes don't necessarily work for fashion week.  By that I mean they're more of "cab heels" and not "walk around NYC for hours on end heels."  Those NY sidewalks can be dangerous in stilettos! Badass wedge booties it is! 

I promised the hubs that I would wear more less black this year, but that just wasn't in the cards when it came to packing for NY.  I may or may not have been a tad over excited when I was able to borrow those amazing faux leather pants from Meaghan.  Not only did I fit in them, but I kind of think I looked good in them.  Win/win in my book. 

I didn't share that same thought when I was sitting next to a whiskey-drinking, Santa Clause look-a-like on the train ride home.  My initial reaction was, "Craaaap, I'm sitting next to Santa Clause and I'm wearing leather pants. Well I guess I'm on the naughty list next year." 

Honestly, I'm going to track down a version of similar faux leather pants and make this my go-to uniform.  I found that other people generally left me alone when they saw the spiked purse, high-heeled combat boots, leather pants, aviators, and scowl.  I was probably the only fashion blogger at Lincoln Center that replied with a "NO!" when photographers asked if they could take my picture.  After the first two photographers asked, I was over it and it wasn't until later that I was in the lobby of the Hudson hotel and my guard was down that I let someone else take my picture. 

It's cool. I happened to meet my girl crush the insanely talented and badass Lydia Hudgens at IFBCon. We share a mutual love of all black outfits, Canon equipment, and absolutely abhor having our picture taken.  I'd shave off a side of my head if I thought I could pull it off, but imitation on that level is not a form of flattery, it's certifiable stalkerish. 

Please be in store for the biggest photo-logged post tomorrow as a recap to all things IFBCon and NYFW.  I'm thinking massive amounts of collages are the only way I may or may not be able to get across a glimpse of the pictures I took in New York.  

Anyone else attend IFBCon?  Anyone else still up in New York?  At first I was sad to leave so early, but Thursday night my comrades and I looked like sheer geniuses (no seriously, the back of my shirt was sheer) because we had purchased our tickets to get out of New York before Nemo hit.  Penn Station was an absolute mess on Thursday night.  

Anyone that is still up in New York, please be safe!  Also, post a ton of pictures on Instagram because I'm already planning my next trip back to New York.  There's so much more to do!

IFBCon: Day 1

First day at a blogger conference, a fashion conference nonetheless, and I was a fish out of water.  Actually, it wasn't that bad. I may or may not have been hanging out with a few fashionable women who were routinely asked by various members of the press for photos.  Then, I would make eye contact with the photographer and they would ask, "do you mind stepping out of the photo."

Yes, I get it. I'm a fashion nobody.  Whatever. No sweat off my back.  

Shirt: Unknown (via Marshalls) // Jeans (Made in the USA): James Jeans similar (via Bluefly) // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff (via Gilt) // Shoes: Sam Edelman (via Bluefly) 

Lulu Frost CEO, Lisa Salzer, speaks to the adoring crowd.

Instagram snapshots dotting the wall from Mint Chimp. 

The Man Repeller cracks a joke, obviously, during a panel session on blogging longevity. 

Meaghan and I. 

Yes, I walked straight up to women and asked if I could take a picture of their amazing jewels. Love the necklace above? The amazing Jessie, from Style and Pepper, made it! Can we say "Made in the USA" fast enough?!?!

IFB and Birchbox swag.  Look for a giveaway coming up!