Shamefully belated birthday wishes for Beckham

She was probably worried sick when I didn't show up for her party. Note to self: have stern words with the postman for continually losing my mail.

"Vicky, darling...Im okay! These restraining orders take time to expunge." 

.

THE COATS

Coats about which I've had vivid dreams...and got really angry when woken up.

THE COLORS

Bright and bold...But not as chubby as a crayon.

THE WHITES

Perfect for the playground with the kids!

THE LITTLE BLACK-ISH DRESS

She shocked us all by opting for a black shoe over her signature nude. You know what? Im still in.

THE DRESSES

Well, not much to say here. Except I would throw myself into traffic for any of these dresses.

(except maybe the heather grey. no one wants a heather grey-related injury. that's absurd)

THE PANTS

Ths is how VB does sweatpants and sneakers.

Enjoy the world of VB here. And here. And here.

Saturday. Now open on Tuesday from 10 - 5.

As a typical New Yorker, Im skeptical.

So when I walked into Kate Spade's new shop called Saturday I anticipated overstock from the namesake store and a big fat eye roll.

Loved it. All of it. The people. The ideas (design your own weekend bag!). And the clothing answers the question that plagues anyone without kids: what to wear to Brunch??? 

Embrace the florals, petal by petal

My oh-so-stylish friend Samantha Brown once commented that my palette revolves around greens, greys and blues. "What? Crazy talk…" I said, as I wrapped my scarf around my body in this endless winter. It was green. The trousers? Navy. The warm coat in the middle of April? You guessed it…grey. So, Im a creature of habit and loves me some solids. Until now.

Here are a few ways to inject florals into your wardrobe. Petal by minimal petal:

Out, damned [stain]!….

I see bare legs! I see spring colors! I see people smiling at their iPhones and playfully refreshing their Weather Apps…..SPRING HAS ARRIVED!

Before we shove it on stage with sandals and toe-rings(!), lets get a grip on Spring.

Handle it delicately. Begin with a shoe that doesn't use words like "shearling-lined",  or "Made in Scotland". Something colorful. Next, try a lip stain. A sexy alternative that a bold red lip, without the commitment. Or the fasting.

Favorites: YSL Rebel Nudes Glossy Stain,  Rimmell Stay Glossy

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.