chicfaced

kind of obsessed with the free people fall lookbook right now and will attempt to recreate all of these outfits in some form or fashion come fall. i am especially in love with the grey knee socks, the cream jersey and orange plaid dresses, and that black plaid skirt! that skirt will be mine.

xoxo, laura

bag - givenchy/top - f21/pants - nanette lepore/sandals - urban outfitters/scarf - pucci/earrings- diy

introducing the newest love of my life–the nightingale. i recently sold a couple bags that weren’t getting enough love, and then went on a mad hunt for a ‘gale (in the parlance of chauss). it was a bag i had toyed with buying, admiring it whenever i would see pictures of ashley olsen, the traina sisters, nicole richie or sienna miller toting it around, but never seriously considered, until one day, as often inexplicably happens with me, i had a sudden burning desire for it and could not rest until i had it. i am most definitely smitten and it hasn’t left my sight since it arrived last week. the leather is tdf and some of the smoothest i’ve ever felt (i am a leather whore, i can’t help myself), and its roomy size (this is the smaller version!) and simple silhouette are just perfection.

here are some droolworthy pics from my inspiration folder that helped to fuel my passion:

sorry i don’t remember the sources!

xoxo, till next time,

laura

L-O-V-E this.

She's back! [and what's this about a baby? She can't have a baby - where would it even go!??!] Brad, like a fine wine, gets better with age. His flair for the dramatic endears me to him more and more; "if this show doesn't go well ..... it's fashion suicide." YES! Fashion suicide! Does I mean...did...anyone else love 13 Going on 30 as much as I do? Did? Brad obviously also loves it because fashion suicide is from when Lucy (Jenna's frenemy) presents her own magazine redesign and ends the whole presentation with this stunner. "Cause of death? Chicness. Fashion suicide."

ANYWAY, getting back to the subject at hand, WWD talked with Rachel about the Taylor getting fired/quitting and made it seem like she was fired because she stole clothes. The first answer Rachel gives seems a little out of sync with the lead-in ... sounds a little contrived.

I'm happy she's back, nonetheless.

I went to visit Maggie in DC and we had a Monday brunch at Tryst and mid-day Monday margaritas as Rosa Mexicano. Not a bad way to spend a Monday, gotta say. The above photo is the evidence of my quickly downed iced white chocolate mocha. I’m def an iced americano girl most of the time now but Tryst does something magical to their mochas that I can’t resist. Not too sweet but super smooth. mmmm.

I did realize that I’m not the only one closed on Mondays/Tuesdays. We set out to do some shopping for BV but happened upon one CLOSED sign after another. Thus, the mid-day margaritas

Also, and I totally don’t mean to be a creeper, but as we made our way through Macy’s, H&M and Zara, I kept looking at things on the rack saying to myself, oh this is the dress Carey just got. These must be the shoes Naomi wore in those photos earlier this month. I think this is the blazer Emily wore awhile ago. It’s a singular kind of familiarity that’s kinda surreal and makes me laugh. I’ve never spoken to any of these ladies, yet I know what they wore and what day they wore it on. Strange.

And, just cause, some snapshots of an outfit I wore to the shop last week

urban outfitters vest and skirt, f21 lace tank, anthro necklace

I snagged these at a Goodwill a couple weeks back. After a good Fabreezing/alcohol swabbing and airing out, they haven’t really left my feet.

Now that I think about it, this outfit combines most of my favorite things in my closet right now.

dress - topshop/heels - seychelles/flats - vicini/sunnies - ebay

so, you may have noticed that i’m wearing two different pairs of shoes here. i started off intending to wear the heels but couldn’t make up my mind which looked better or which i felt more comfortable in, so i tried the flats, and they ended up winning out this time. lucky for me i have two pairs of red orange suede shoes. in an ideal world, i would have a heel version and a flat version of every shoe in my closet–oxfords, pumps, ankle boots, knee boots–because it’s nice to have options.

but can we talk about the most important thing in this post for one second? and that is that i have finallyfortheloveofgod found a knockoff of the chanel half-tints!! this is major you guys. i have mentioned my desire for the real ones here before, and my obsession has not waned one bit in the time that’s passed since then. every time i see a picture of nicole richie or one of the olsen twins wearing them i die a little inside. i figured if i just waited long enough, forever 21 or urban outfitters or someone would come up with a close imitation but inexplicably, it never happened. so imagine my unbridled joy when these popped up one night during a boredom-induced ebay browse. didn’t even have to think twice before snatching them up (and for anyone else also searching btw, anything on ebay claiming to be the real 5018s is a definite fake–email me if you want the tips on how to tell–so please don’t waste your money). these don’t claim to be chanel, they’re just random no-namers, so no argument here! i’ll take em! aaaand now i’m a happy girl.

happy long weekend readers!

xoxo, laura

It’s no secret to those who know me that I’m a sucker for “trashy” TV.  I worship at the bedazzled alter of Rachel Zoe, Gossip Girl is my favorite show in the universe, I still get weepy when I think of the Felicity series finale, I still wonder why Bravo cancelled Blow Out and I can quote Dawson’s Creek the way most people can quote the Simpsons or Arrested Development (neither show I could get into, by the way).

So, when I saw the preview for Bravo’s latest reality show, 9 by Design, where they follow design duo Bob and Cortney Novogratz as they renovate//decorate their way through Manhattan, all the while  7 kids in tow, I shrugged to myself and queued it up on the DVR.

It took 4 minutes of the first episode before I was obsessed. I’ve spent many a night scrolling through their content heavy website and search nymag for gossip bits about the pair.  They’re funny, incredibly talented, intelligent, gorgeous, stylish, make having 7 kids look glamorous and fun (for real!) – and still yet are oddly relatable.

The Novogratz family, minus the newest member, Major

I want to be friends

Their design journey began in the 90s when they bought a risky property in the up-and-coming Manhattan neighborhood of Chelsea, fixed it up, and sold it to musician Susanne Vega.  That began a string of house flips that eventually led them to form an actual business and start SixxDesign.  Their mix of modern and vintage furniture, established and young artists’ work, bold colors, bright patterns and forward thinking use of space really makes them stand out as designers – and they don’t even have formal design training!

Their latest house in the West Village, with views of the Hudson River, is featured heavily on their TV show and is pretty much my dream home.

I grabbed the house images off NYSD (linked below) – they’ve got more in-depth info about each photo/room – go take a look!

They’ve got a design book out now too and I plan on grabbing a copy at Borders ASAP.

Bob and Cortney have wedged themselves in my heart right next to Rachel Zoe and Jeff Lewis, and in this girl’s heart, that’s a pretty cushy place to be.

images: Cookie Mag, Bravo TV.com (via Have U Heard), Just Say Maux, New York Social Diary

new snow boots…..after the snow is gone. awhoopsie.  I went into DSW the other day to do some reconnaissance on the new sandal selection and came across these bad boys……..in my size. in the clearance section.  What sandals?  I’m now in love with these boots and 1) refuse to wear any other footwear and 2) refuse to step in any snow/water/dirt in them.  Who needs practical snow boots?

Also, I have an iPhone now. That’s how I took this photo of my boots. At work.   Glory be, it is the most magical thing I’ve ever owned in my life.

clockwise from top left: shoes - nina/clutch - kate spade/beret - topshop/gold tank - ann taylor loft/black tank - f21

as you can see, megan is not the only one obsessed with sparkly things these days. this season i have amassed quite a little collection of sequined pieces, which has caused me to ponder what i ever did before when i needed a little glitz in my getups. the tops are proving to be incredibly versatile (and were surprisingly challenging to find), as i find myself reaching for them over and over. the beret is my little ode to zoe, and was a no-brainer when it came to purchasing it (obviously a sequined hat was something i needed in my possession). the pumps are totally fab but will require some serious breaking in before i brave the streets. and the clutch is my version of the trophy jacket but in bag form. so outrageous and so fun to wear (the sequins are mishmashed–if you rub them one way they are silver, the other way they are gold). my craving for opulence is (finally!) feeling satiated at the moment; next up for stockpiling: feathers. stay tuned.

xoxo, laura