Mermaid Moment

Hi-lo dress from Ananda in Venice, CA (last seen here), 

Earl Jean denim jacket (which we cut into a vest here), 

Simply Vera Wang platform sandals, 
Mudd feather earrings (similar here), 

Alexander McQueen quilted tote.

Micol is always trying to persuade me to try out new hairdos. What she hasn't realized yet is that I am clueless when it comes to blow-drying, curling, or even styling my coif differently. Most of the time I brush my hair when I get out of the shower, let it air dry, and I'm good to go. Maybe I'll switch up my part once in awhile. Maybe.

So when she sent me this tutorial a few weeks ago on a mermaid tail braid, I immediately filed it away with the rest of the 'Things I'd Like To Do But Have No Patience/Skill To Actually Do.' (It's a pretty long list at this point.)

Fast forward to a few days ago when it was blazing hot in NYC and the last thing I wanted was to wear my hair down. I pulled up this tutorial and decided to give it a go. What's the worst that could happen after all? It's funny I chose to pair the finished product with a hi-low dress that's kind of reminiscent of a mermaid tail in its own weird way... 

xL

Lowrider

Rick Owens gilet (last seen here), 

Thrifted tribal-print dress, 

Vintage drawstring purse and mesh belt, 

Dollhouse pumps.

As evidenced by this post, Lauren was finally able to steal back her white drawstring purse that I've been holding onto for... ok, probably months now. And on this day as we were ambling through the neighborhood and enjoying the sweet summer weather, we stumbled across this 1920s ride (or is it 30s? Who here knows car models?) and just HAD to snap a few pics. I love that makes such a stark juxtaposition against Lauren's boho-style garb.

xx, M

Nab the look yourself: 

1. Topshop sleeveless biker jacket / 2. Dillards tribal dress / 3. Urban Outfitters Crossbody Bag /

 4. Nine West Rocha pumps / 5. Calvin Klein mesh belt

Governor's Ball Garb

Xhilaration lace tank (last seen here),

Thrifted floral shorts (similar style here), 

LH wedge booties (we LUST after these), 

Monoprix suede fringe bag,  

Souvenir woven fabric necklace (worn as a headdress).

This weekend it's finally time to ring in the summer! Micol and I might have skipped out on Coachella this year, but we knew we'd get ample time over summer to make up for the musical madness we missed, and both today and tomorrow we'll be heading to Randall's Island to check out the Governor's Ball Music Festival.

Some of the acts we're most looking forward to include: Santigold, Kid Cudi, Major Lazer, Penguin Prison, Phantogram, Cults, Beck, Passion Pit... and that's not even the full lineup. If you're in NYC, it's not too late to get tickets, so click here and join us already!

As for what we'll be wearing, we're thinking of combatting the heat in loose, colorful shorts, breezy tops, shit-kicker boots (to navigate any potential muddy areas) and of course a headdress or some fun accessories to get us into the festival spirit -- like this colorful fabric necklace which my mom brought back from one of her trips to South America.

What are you up to this weekend?

xL

Rooftop Jungle

Cheap Monday jeans (last worn here), 

C&A silk floral shirt (we LUST for this one), 

Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac clutch, 

Vince Camuto Bello heels, 

Rachel Roy spike bracelet, 

Vintage square link bracelet, 

H&M charm bracelet.

Have you noticed that EVERY color trend is, well, a trend this season? Color blocking, monochromatic, prints, solids, pastels, neons...makes it easy to get dressed in the morning! Of them all though, Lauren and I are both solidly behind rocking bright colors, and we've been picking up pieces to add to our wardrobe (singular use intentional) since the spring. 

Most recent is this amazing bag by Rebecca Minkoff I picked up at Saks. Neither of us has anything quite so bright and no sooner had I brought it over to Lauren's place than she quickly appropriated it as her own. No, really, she wore it out the same night I bought it. But I can't get mad because I've been holding hostage a vintage, white, 80s drawstring purse of hers. After seeing how amazing this bag looks in photos I may need to institute an immediate switch-back though.

PS. That awesome gold tone French manicure Lauren is rocking? She did it herself. I keep telling her she needs to share her skills with the rest of us so a DIY tutorial may be in the works.

xx, M

Denim Days

Merona denim shirt (last seen here), 

Union jeans cut-off shorts, 

ASOS platform wedge boots, 

Mudd skull necklace + owl cuff, 

H&M leather cuff + chain bracelet, 

C&A stackable rings, 

Urban Outfitters fedora hat, 

Maison Martin Margiela bag.

Is it just me, or does summer feels like it's finally arrived? Maybe it's the 3 bbqs I went to this weekend, or the lingering ache in my legs from the 30 mile bike ride to and from the beach that my boyfriend made me do on Sunday. Or it could just be the fact that Micol's new apt has an above ground pool full of various floatation devices that we lazed around on all day Saturday, while sipping a delicious rose, of course. 

Oh, and did I mention that Micol's new apt is also only a stone's throw away from McCarren Park, one of the best people-watching spots you'll ever encounter, and a seriously chill place to picnic, lay out, and maybe get in a quick hobo nap? That's what I'm doing above, anyway, so don't judge me.

Whatever it is, life in NYC right now is pretty sweet. 

xL

Green Light

Max Studio maxi dress, 

Michael Kors fringe heels (last seen here),
Gold + green bangles c/o Call It Spring,  

Thrifted chain link belt, 

TJ Maxx woven clutch (similar style here).

Lauren is great at re-purposing accessories in her closet - for my birthday she turned a necklace into twenties-inspired headgear. For this look she turned a belt into a statement necklace that took her maxi from daytime to nighttime in a cinch. Paired with a gold clutch and her favorite fringe heels she was ready for a girls night out, starting with some cocktails and oysters at one of our favorite local haunts, Walter Foods.

xx, M

Pajama Party

 Sunburst pant c/o Burning Torch, 
TJ Maxx lace crop tank (similar style here), 

Alexander Wang Brenda bag (available in leopard here), 

Michael Kors tortoiseshell watch, 

Vintage tortoiseshell bracelet, 

I. N. C sandals.

I have to say, a few days ago I was on the fence about the whole pajama trend in fashion. What really got to me was when people would wear the top + pants together. In public. It just felt really lazy, not to mention sloppy. Sure, Micol and I are game for a few lingerie-inspired separates worn out here and there, but a full set of PJs in public?! I was sure everyone had gone too far. 

Until, that is, I tried on these pants.

If there was a matching top in the same silky-soft fabric and tribal pattern, I'd probably go against my better judgement and rock the set out together. And Micol, in turn, would have probably refused to shoot my outfit or even hang out with me. Luckily, only the pants exist. And for that, I am thankful.

xL

Flowers + Fauna

 Tali silk tank c/o Alpinestars by Denise Focil, 

Rebecca Taylor floral skirt (we love this one too), 

Carpisa pink satchel (last seen here), 

Me Too sandals, 

Vintage charm necklace, 

Target gold leaf chain.

Lauren is so good at finding amazing pieces at Buffalo Exchange that I've decided I'm not allowed to go shopping there unless she's with me. Case in point: this A-line printed skirt that she creatively paired with the sweetest, barely-there, fly-print, tiered cami... yes, those are flies! But they look so cute, no? This pairing shouldn't look as good as it does, but for some reason it definitely works.

This was the perfect look as we stumbled upon a beach party brunch going on at Le Comptoire when we were in desperate need of food. As we sat there sipping on our Rossinis (rose with strawberry puree... delicious) Lauren came up with the best idea EVER for my upcoming housewarming party - a Hawaiian luau! My neighbor has an above ground pool in the backyard, so with a few tiki torches, some blow up sea animal floaties, and a big bowl of rum punch I'm thinking this could be my most fun party yet.

xx, M

Date Night

 

Elizabeth and James chain mini skirt, 

Vero Moda mesh panel tee, 

Ralph Lauren sandals (similar style here), 

Vintage lariat necklace, 

Target blue straw clutch.

Micol is always trying to get me to invest in new shoes. Not because I don't have any, but because most of them are black, platforms or wedges, and not exactly the kind of shoes you would slip on to attend a dressy event. 

So when she found this strappy pair of beige heels in my closet, she was more than a little surprised. I was forced to buy these shoes when I was a bridesmaid at our friend Meena's wedding, and literally threw them into the back of my closet when the event was over, certain I would never wear them again.

Never say never! Micol discovered them one night as we tried to come up with an outfit for me to wear to a fancy dinner with my boyfriend. She had to force me to try them on at first, but I must say... I kind of liked them! I loved that the nude color and the dainty shape made me instantly feel more feminine. And paired with a super tight, metallic mini and a bright clutch, I heard no complaints from my boyfriend either.

xL

Decked Out

Vintage blouse and bracelet, 

Thrifted bodycon skirt (similar style here), 

Vera Wang wedge sandals, 

Mossimo cardigan (similar look here), 

Franco Sarto glasses, 

F21 floral bib necklace, 

Michael Kors Tortoiseshell watch.

We're back! Well, I'm back. I know it's only been a few days but for me it seems like an eternity as I've only just gotten internet in my new apartment. Five days with no internet access for a web geek like me is torture. Luckily, I've mostly been distracted with getting settled in the new place. It's such an amazing apt, with huge tin ceilings and 1920s tile flooring (it used to be a candy store!) - but the biggest challenge is that I have zero closet space...no, actually ZERO closets. So, you know, I'm currently surrounded by huge stacks of shoe boxes and feeling like the scary junk lady in Labyrinth. 

To help me de-stress Lauren was able to convince me to take a break from all my unpacking and enjoy the warm weather on the rooftop deck of our good friend (and fellow Southside Heartbreaker) Kara. Kara and her beau created a fantastic urban oasis complete with hammock and plush deck pillows that we put to excellent use.

PS. If anyone has any creative ideas on building storage space, I'd love to hear them!

xx, M