During my recent trip to Crete{read my travel diary here} my suitcase was primarily made up of comfortable clothes and activewear {Spring Break: Packing}. The amazing trip consisted of daily runs, hiking, diving, and road trips, so there was little necessity for chic separates or little black dresses.
What I couldn’t resist packing however was this sweet little backless dress from purplemaroon. This new San Francisco-based company has recently put out their first collection – A lovely round-up of easy separates and breezy dresses. Everything is simple, versatile, and easy to style. Three characteristics that I always look for when I’m shopping.
And what better way to make this beauty pop than with a scarf from Saako Designs, another SF-based company, and the most beautiful background imaginable?
In these shots I’m in front of the house we rented in the grape vine & olive tree covered hills above Heraklion in Crete.
And the very special bonus?
My father, a longtime lover of photography, decided to try his hand at fashion blogging photography, and captured this gorgeous dress for me. I’m not sure if I’ve posed for him since I was a sullen teenager who’s growl was practically coming through on film, but it was fun to twirl out on the hill while he snapped away.
Our last Looks of the Week round-up featured some of my favorite New York City girls. As far as I’m concerned, being able to cope with a Manhattan Winter while still looking fabulous is a talent that definitely needs to be celebrated.
After checking in on the ladies last week, I wanted to focus on the gents this time around.
{Let’s kick this off with one of my favorite male fashion bloggers – A gentleman who makes a suit look so good it should almost be illegal. Almost.}
{New York Winters are all about layers and cozying up in toasty fabrics and materials.}
{Stripes are classic for a reason – They’re flattering, versatile, and never fail to impress!}
{Black & white is always a chic option and I adore this killer sweater-blazer combo. Plus Alex’s mirrored sunnies are divine!}
{Don’t forget to accessorize. The always dapper and hysterical Closet Freaks shows us just how to make the most of Winter accessories!}
{Click images to see original source}
Who is YOUR favorite New York based menswear blogger?
My relationship with the current track pant trend is sort of like a high school relationship – It’s complicated.
On paper – I hate the idea. I like formality and classic styles so a trend that makes pants that could feasibly be worn to the gym appropriate street-wear isn’t necessarily ideal in my mind. That being said, I’ve found myself thoroughly enjoying some of the styles that I’ve seen put together lately.
My conclusion? I like them on other people, when worn right, but I will probably never head to the store expressly to buy myself a pair. It’s just not my style. But if this is your style than you’re in luck, I rounded up some great examples of just how to pull off this trend!
Enjoy the pictures my loves!
{Jada Pinkett Smith is white-hot in an all white look and track pants with a neon tuxedo stripe.}
{You don’t have to feel obligated to try this trend out in basic colors or fabrics – Get creative like Camille Over The Rainbow and try out a leather pair!}
{Want to make your look Spring-ready? Try layering florals like The Fashion Guitar for a fun, eclectic look.}
{Black & white plus a pop of color is a color scheme that can easily be applied to this track pant trend – On The Racks does it write in a Letterman sweater and aqua pumps.}
{If you’re not a heel girl but want to add a feminine touch to your track pants than wedges are a great option. A graphic tee is another great way to add your own personal spin to a look.}
Where do you stand on track pants? Will you be giving this trend a try?
Partially, I’m sure, due to my Irish background and the fact that my brother’s name is Patrick. And partially due to the fact that, after Halloween, this is the second most fun holiday all year. Like with Halloween you get to act like a kid {even The Huffington Post agrees that this is a good idea}, eat great food, and thoroughly enjoy yourself. Though obviously my celebrations have changed over the years – I went from a “Kiss Me I’m Irish” pin when I was 9 to Jameson shots until 2am when I was 23. Never a good idea on a Wednesday, let me tell you. But however I’ve celebrated over the years, it’s always been a fun, memorable celebration.
To help get you in the mood and prove that anyone can love St. Patty’s Day, here are some fun ways to celebrate – From fashion to try to recipes that’ll make you drool there’s a little something for everyone.
Food:
Sweet tooth? Cupcakes & Cashmere has everything you could possibly want with her amazing Homemade Shamrock Shake.
Finding fabulous new sites to enjoy is a favorite pastime of mine and I wanted to share my latest blog crush – Veblen High. I mean, seriously, with a description like this, how was I not going to become addicted?
WTF is a Veblen high? It’s a provoked state of intoxicating, stimulating, euphoria (similar to the effects of drugs/alcohol/sex) induced by the purchase of Veblen goods. Symptoms include high- feelings of relaxation, enchantment, pride, self-worth, dominance and a public display of social status.
Colorful and bold are always fun options when it comes to accessories but sometimes an outfit just screams for a neutral hued bag. Not sure where to start? Bag Snob of course – Best Beige Clutches: Caught Blushing.
If the idea of cropped pants and shorts is too shocking for you right now why not try out the boyfriend jean trend? Luckily for those of us new to this style one of my favorite bloggers, Lovely by Lucy, tackled this topic recently – How To Wear Boyfriend Jeans: Part 5.
Starting to get bored with your cold-weather looks as you’re yearning for Spring weather? Me too. But don’t despair! Stylist extraordinaire, Hilary Rushford of Dean Street Society, is here to help us stay in the mood with My Chic Winter Style Secret.
If you’re in the mood for a fun DIY project and you’re loving all the embellished pieces this Spring you should tackle Cupcakes & Cashmere’s DIY: Embellished Sunglasses ASAP! 🙂
Health & Nutrition:
My go-to pick me up in the mornings isn’t coffee or tea, it’s a green smoothie. Not only are they energizing, delicious, and filling, they’re also the ultimate recovery meal. Not sure where to start? Check out Green Thickie’s The Ultimate Guide to Green Smoothies.
When Spring rolls around I’m always thrilled by the bright new produce at the Farmers Market, but that doesn’t mean I stop craving comfort food! If you’re in the same boat try this killer appetizer and you’ll be packing nutrients & fresh ingredients into your delicious snack – “Cheezy” Roasted Tomatoes.
Gyms can be pretty pricey these days – Last week I saw a CrossFit gym that was charging clients over $200 a month! If you, and your pocketbook, aren’t up for those kinds of prices than read this Women’s Health piece – Fun (and Cheap!) New Workouts.
If you love to bake like I do finding healthier alternatives and recipes that aren’t laden with calories & fat can be challenging. Choosing vegan, gluten-free, and/or paleo-friendly recipes is my go-to move these days. Not sure what that means? The No Meat Athlete breaks it down in his Veganize and Healthify Your Baking with These 6 Steps.
Green juice is another healthy, refreshing choice when it comes to beverages. But don’t worry if you don’t have a juicer or if your city isn’t filled with juice shops {aw, I miss NYC}. Choosing Raw has the answer – How to Make Green Juice Using a Vitamix or Blender.
