"Urban Canvas" Project

A dear friend of mine, Rev. Christine Murphy, is spearheading an incredible project called "Urban Canvas" on South Broadway in Long Branch, NJ.  If you know the area, you know that there are an unfortunate amount of vacant buildings, about 50, sitting their collecting dust (while just a few blocks away, Pier Village is booming).   With the help of Christine, the City of Long Branch, Siperstein’s Paints, the Long Branch Arts Council and the surrounding art community, local artists have been given free will to create murals on all of these buildings and bring some attention to them in a positive light.  It would be great to see more cities doing projects like this, don't you think?

{style} ivy league

When I am out snapping photos, there are certain visuals that I find to make the best backdrops: a whitewash brick building, graffiti, and most importantly, an ivy covered wall.  Sigh.  I was out with friends yesterday to document a project that one of them is spearheading and came across a beautiful building with beautiful ivy details.  The photos speak for themselves.

tribute to my loved aunt, one & only tattoo

 Ecote blouse, BDG skinny cigarette jeans, Steve by Steve Madden oxfords and Deux Lux crossover bag, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Rapid Red polish

Photos: Robin West

Happy Birthday!

The Sartorialist has turned 5 years old yesterday!! Scott Schuman and his team of pioneers are exceptional at bringing great street style from across the globe to the masses through brilliant photography.  Like any obsessive fashion guru, I have archived my favorite shots over the years for inspiration and wanted to share a few to celebrate their milestone.

Photos: The Sartorialist

Major news

Photo: Thomas Evans/PatrickMcMullan.com/Sipa

So sad.  It has been announced that our beloved Mr. Brad Goreski will be parting ways with Rachel Zoe Inc. on October 1st.  In this week's issue, Goreski, 33, tells People Magazine “I love Rachel and she’s taught me everything I know”. “But there’s a point where either I do it now or I’ll never know what it’s like to spread my wings and soar.”  Rachel claims the split is amicable saying, "We couldn't stop hugging and we couldn't stop crying. He did this with such class and elegance. And I get it. I just told him, 'I'm here for you always'".

I am not sure how they plan to proceed with another season of The Rachel Zoe Project, but I think Goreski is doing this at a peak time in his career and will be extremely successful on his own.  I mean, not many stylist assistants get a front page & feature spread  in the NY Times Sunday Style section for their own personal style influence on menswear.  His favorite brand Dsquared²'s S/S 2011 show even seemed to resemble Mr. Goreski with bow ties, over-sized frame glasses, trenches, over the shoulder cardigans & shorts.  Werk it Brad!

Complete awe

Photo: Facehunter

Handmade Tradition

Photos: Williams British Handmade

I have seen two of my favorite blogs making posts about this luggage company in the last few days and had to share it with you.  Williams British Handmade prides themselves in mixing the traditional craftsmanship that older generations are accustomed to, with the fashion forward design that younger generations search for.  These luggage pieces exude quality, tradition and create unique statement pieces that, personally,  I would die to carry during my next vacation.

{style} what's in your bag

Every girl has those certain items that she doesn't leave home without and these are mine:

Canon Powershot camera

You just never know when you will see inspiration & this is more manageable than my Canon Rebel
Ostrich leather wallet
A great Italian wallet from my favorite, secret antique store

Louis Vuitton agenda (handed down from mom)

Call me old fashioned, but I I don't like to rely on technology and still love writing everything down-it helps me remember my schedule.

Sunglasses (vintage from mom)

Had my prescription put into them 5 years ago & they are still a staple in my wardrobe.

Aveeno chapstick with SPF

Vintage exotic skin clutch (vintage from mom)

Do we see a pattern? My mom held on to some fantastic bags & belts that I have slowly confiscated. The current bucket bag I have is awful to find things in, so this keeps lose items nice & tidy.

Starbucks Chai Latte

 It's not 'in' my bag, but I always need it with me.  I am completely addicted. It's a weakness, like reading trashy gossip blogs, I just can't help myself.

Art Walk

Whoever said "The best things in life are free" weren't kidding!  Last night, about ten of us took to our feet and walked the open galleries in Asbury Park, NJ, including Parlor Gallery's group show "SAY it...Don't spray it!" and art 629's “Resurrection”, by the fabulous Patrick Schiavino.  Amongst the artists (and what an amazing surprise) was a fellow Academy of Art alum & fellow dormie from 5 years ago, Chris Blackstock, that was showcasing one of his beautifully crafted scrulptures.  My favorite part of the night was definitely at Parlor, where for a mere $2, a performance artist in disguise would look at you, saying not a word, and type up what they thought about you on an old typewriter (I must say that I was a little nervous letting a stranger critique me with no boundaries).  Great friends of past & present, great art and great music reminded me what a randomly small and lovely world we do live in.

Photos: Robin West

Fun Fashion Week Photos

Just a few photos from NYFW, LFW and MFW that make me love the combination of fashion, photography and art even more. Details, details, DETAILS!

Photos: Style.com (Tommy Ton), Full Frontal Fashion, Refinery29, Fashion Toast, Liberty Fashion Girl

Seeing Spots

Photo: StockholmStreeStyle

Photo: Fashion Toast

I am a recovering leopard-holic. While in high school, I had everything leopard-shoes, a night stand, a little leopard table, picture frames, jewelry boxes...it was complete and utter overkill.

I have limited that addiction to 3 leopard pieces in my current wardrobe that I have been able to combine with tailored, vintage and edgy pieces to keep them on a more sophisticated and chic level.  Though not an everyday item, there is something about this Topshop faux fur coat that is just perfect & is giving me anxiety that it's not in my coat collection.  The vintage inspired look to this simple peacoat shape will be a great combination to a printed flowy dress, tights and my worn in boots.  Meow!

(note: both of these photos are of the author of the blog Fashion Toast, one taken on her own and the other shot as street style)

Before & After: A Simple DIY

So, last week while a friend and I were driving around Brooklyn's Prospect Park area, I saw a great white chair at a stoop sale that I wanted to grab.  I saw the great potential of the chair-it was chipped and aged just the way I like it, so all that it desperately needed was a new seat.  I don't know the first thing to reupholster anything, but the seat came off easy enough that I knew I could fix it up with great vintage fabric I purchased at an antique store a few months back.  It now had a purpose!  With a price at only $10 (and a friend with a van to transport it home) I scooped it up without hesitation.

Once home, all it needed was a nice scrub, batting to cushion the seat and some gorgeous, unique fabric.  It is now a perfect night stand to hold some books & magazines!