The Ankle Angle

The ankle. An overlooked body part from which we choose to hang adornments. The neck has always been smug in first place. Earlobes, a close second. And what adds more drama to your toss of a martini in the face of a lovah than a bold cuff on your wrist?

Ankles? The spotlight belongs to you. Sure, you were living it up in the 80s with anklets (whoever took it a step further on chilly days by clasping your anklet ON TOP of your tights...I scold your style, but applaud your labor)... now its time to grow up. 

An ankle cuff on a sandal adds a little flirt to your twirl. And a little danger to your date. ("Hello, necklace! Didnt think you'd see me up here, did you?")

Marni - don't admit you don't get it.

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Winter Blues…Go Green!

Top three things that give me pleasure:

1) Crushing it at the Nail Salon with my "free" manicure (after an exhorbant ten within a month)

2) Hooks under the bar for my new Bag

3) Green Sandals

Check out my picks above. Stare in a way that makes them uncomfortable.

Left by Saint Laurent; Center by Burberry; Right by Aquazzura 

Drop the cupcake. Crop tops are here. (damnit!)

Your Spring 2014 Trend Cheat Sheet

Wide Pants. And not a minute too soon! Especially in white. Because that day is just around the corner, when you're standing on the subway platform with sweat trickling down your neck wishing for ANYTHING other than the skinny jeans you are wearing. And a blast of A/C.

Florals. Why not? It's Spring.

Pastels. Take a peek at my last post - pastels allow you to take risks. Matched with floral, pastels become the Best Supporting Actor to a Metallic shoe or belt. And movie magic is made. Sweet needs her Tart; pair the pastels with distressed denim.

The Crop Top. Let's stop pretending it's not a Trend. So drop the scrumptious cupcake, wish Lisette in Merchandising well (was that her name? all you remember was devils food cake and cream cheese frosting) and leave the party in Conference Room 2 with your unshakable discipline.

The Midi Skirt will embolden you with its more conservative length. A welcomed companion to your Crop Top.  And who says you can't pair it with a jacket? 

Remember;  pastels, sheers and florals are light and airy. If worn head-to-tootsies, you just may float away. Anchor the look with animal print or metallic accessories.

(Top left: BCBG Max Azria, Top right: Narciso Rodriguez, Bottom center: Alexander Lewis, Bottom right: trend overload, check back later)

Pony up for Pastels

Pastels bring to mind innocence. They let us get away with proverbial murder. Create a contrast by pairing your oh-so-sugary-sweet pastels with racy partners like a metallic or animal print shoe. An open back. Or a transparent top. Sunglasses will be clumsily donned as people gaze behind the safety of a polarized lens. 

Oscars. Lets pay some respect...

"For the inspiration behind my look Id like to thank my mother, Goldie Hawn, for her Oscar-worthy performance in the oft-overlooked drama "Overboard"

A spring teaser for your tootsies!

Soon enough, my girls, soon enough….

So start trolling those Groupons for pedicure deals.

(Its okay to love the built-in "anklet" in these sandals. Time saver, no?)

You tell Jenna Lyons she's wrong. Go on, tell her.....

I imagine its hard saying "no" to Jenna (In fact, Im almost certain Courtney Crangi is straight).

But I will admit it seems Jcrew pairs for shock value over style lately. Maybe Im wrong. Maybe looking shorter and wider is the hot new trend thats just lost on me.  My foolish insistence flattering looks would be a big ol' jiggly bowl of mockery at those meetings with the creative team. Im so chicken shit I would probably just laugh along with them and squeeze out a few nervous rounds of "Ha, ha…J/K Jenna!"

This woman probably never reheats her latte in a microwave.

"Mon dieu! 

How can I choose between the almond croissant soaked in butter with a blanket of snowy sugar... and the oh-so cripsy Monte Cristo, which creates the most beautiful harmony between cheese and a fried egg? Its très hard being an impossibly chic Parisian woman with low blood sugar."

My favorite spring awakening (aka don't need a bra!) dress from Steven Alan so far this season.

The best thing about the Scoop Warehouse Sale...

….is this Helmut Lang top. The color blocking is engineered so beautifully, its tragic to even pair with a bottom. But, alas, society squelches our appreciation for the (nekkid) Arts. 

Your sexy French Dry Cleaner...

French Garment Cleaners are having their annual (dare I say, arousing?) sample sale.

Located in my nabe, Fort Greene, I feel very protective over these kids.

So stomp out your cigarette, slap your lover across the face, swear your undying loyalty to Serge Gainsbourg and buy yourself some sexy.

Empty Stomach, Full Wallet, Can't Lose. 

The ugly side of being your own boss.

Ugh. Sorry you have to endure this picture. All I could do on such a dreary day to drag myself out of bed was remind myself: "you wanted this." Throwing on whatever was closest to my outstretched arm from the bed, I hiked over the muddy mountains of snowbanks pushed aside with the force of Sean Penn in a room full of photographers. Finally made it to my office / cafe. 

SPRING STEPS

A nice transition into Spring. No timid toes thrusting through a peep-toe. Just a beautiful color - the harbinger of the season! - in a solid stiletto with a gentle rounded toe.

Come in, Lion….the Lamb awaits.

What it is about the love between Tita and Pedro, (the Latino Ron Livingston) in Like Water For Chocolate, that makes me feel like I can pull off bangs?  I think the character TIta and I shared the same look during my junior year of high school. My time was spent trying use "assuage" convincingly in a sentence.  She passed the time tending the ranch, upholding the tradition of the youngest girl not marrying, fighting off Mexican rebels and enduring life under the same roof as her true love who humbled himself to marry her sister just so he could be closer to Tita while the spirit her spiteful dead mother hung around and sporadically set people on fire.

Thats how she signed my yearbook.  

Modern Fiction...The Italian's French Repetto?

We love a filthy Frenchman. One who stubs outs a ciggy in his not-yet-empty plate. Or the Italian who exudes sexual dominance every time he runs his hand through his messy hair. 

Which, as always, leads to footwear. Has anyone tried Modern Fiction? They look like a poor man's Repetto, but look closer. He's aint so poor. Pretty comfortable, actually.  

Feels like Fall

Scarves have been carrying the team all though September. 'Bout time cardigans got off the bench and provided some heat. 

Isabel.

You will never be as cool as Isabel Marant. That's ok. None of us will.  

And the kicker? The outfit aint even cute. She's wearing overall culottes, for the love of Betsy. An old football tee and a puka shell necklace. This SHOULD NOT WORK but its Isabel Marant, so theory does not prevail.