First Snow

Barney's Asymmetric leather jacket (similar here), Subtle Luxury Southwestern poncho (similar here), Zara jacquard jeans, Aviator sunglasses c/o ZeroUV, River Island zip-front boots.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm so happy to take a break from the city and spend my long weekend up in New Hampshire with Isaac's family. After this hectic month I can't wait to be surrounded by nature and finally have some time to reflect on everything I'm thankful for. So in that spirit, I thought I'd leave you with these pics from my trip upstate a few weeks ago, when I had the chance to capture my first snow outside the cabin we were staying in for our friend's wedding. The morning light streaming through the trees was so incredibly beautiful, so I bundled up in my softest poncho while Isaac braved the elements and we tried to capture it for you here. 

Anyway, hope everyone's having an incredible Thanksgiving Day filled with lots of amazing food and great people. Where and how are you spending your weekend? 

xL

Here Come the Holidays

 Nicole Miller Tux Gabardine blazer and Nina Foil twill pants, Vintage tee, ASOS faux fur longline coat, Thrifted rings, H and M ear cuff, Livi envelope clutch c/o Reiss, Zara pumps (also seen here). Shot by Isaac Lacey.

It's hard to believe the holidays are just around the corner... seems like this year they arrived in the blink of an eye! And, undoubtedly, along with the festivities surfaces the age-old question: what should I wear? Between family gatherings, office functions and just plain old, end-of-year partying there are so many options for dressing up. So when I was asked by Nicole Miller to help style a look from their current holiday collection, I quickly agreed to the challenge. 

I started off with this tux jacket because you can never go wrong with a great blazer, and the lace cutout and funky shoulder pads on this one make it truly stand out. To add to the rock-n-roll vibe I then paired it with a vintage tee, a fun faux fur coat and Nicole Miller's foiled twill pants to add a little shine to the look. I'm a sucker for metallic details, and what better time than the holidays to bust out the sparkle? The resulting outfit is one part buttoned-up, and one part rocker chic, making it equally easy to wear to a office holiday party, or to a more casual dinner and drinks with friends.

Meanwhile, there are a ton of celebrations I'm looking forward to in the next month, and they all kick off this week. I'll be spending Thanksgiving in New Hampshire with Isaac and his fam, coming back to New York for a few weeks full of office holiday parties, dinners and drinks, then capping it all off with my 30th birthday bash and finally ending the year with a trip to Brazil for two weeks, where I'll spend Christmas as well as New Year's Eve. What are your plans for the holidays ahead?

xL

Baby It's Cold Outside

Thrifted Gap ombre jacket (I love this one too) BCBG sweater, Denim shirtdress c/o Tobi.com, Adriano Goldschmied jean leggings, OVS oversized beanie, MZ Wallace perforated leather bag, ASOS Truth booties. Shot by Isaac Lacey.

New York finally got a taste of the bitter cold, and man, is it nasty! Especially for someone like myself, who primarily works from home, it's easy to get in a rut and never want to leave your apartment, let alone get dressed! My solution? Fun winter jackets, coats and layers that get you excited to wear them out -- like this ombre wool moto jacket I found the other week at Buffalo Exchange. Just because you hate your life during winter doesn't mean you should wear it on your face (or your sleeve for that matter). And just because you're on the search for a cute, warm coat doesn't mean you have to break the bank either. So below is my little guide to some fun, funky winter outfit toppers that will have you actually excited to get up and get going on the next frigid morning that hits. At least until you realize you could just move to California...

xL

1. Deva Coat / 2. Striped Faux Fur Coat / 3. Boucle Moto Jacket / 4. Good Girl Gone Plaid Jacket / 5. Southwestern Parka / 6. Vintage Faux Fur Coat

A Fall Palette

 Vintage tweed coat (via Beacon's Closet), Theory draped sweater, Thrifted vegan leather midi skirt (I love this one too), Thrifted fringe chain necklace (similar here), Rebecca Minkoff snakeskin flirty (also seen here), Hinge booties. Shot by Isaac Lacey.

Isaac and I took these snaps last week in the Financial District while we were picking up a tux he rented for a wedding we went to in upstate New York this past weekend. I loved the soft light streaming through the gap in the tall buildings: a fun and refreshing change from the backdrops we're used to in Brooklyn.

And sure, we might be approaching the tail end of the season, but is it wrong to still be inspired by Fall? Leaves changing colors; the smell of fireplaces burning; warm, cozy blankets and flannel sheets. In spite of the encroaching cold, Fall for me always feels warm and rich. It's the season of hot toddys, the flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg and apple spice. And when it comes to clothing, it's all about warm neutrals mixed in with rich hues of ochre, red, orange and brown.
What's Fall to you?

xL

Borrow from the Boys

Opening Ceremony jacket (last seen here), Reiss blouse, Jbrand wide leg pants (similar here), Zara woolen hat (just seen here), High Line duffle c/o Deux Lux, Steve Madden boots. Shot by Isaac Lacey.

I've always been a little bit of a tomboy. Maybe it's because of my somewhat boyish figure, or maybe it's simply that growing up, guys always seemed to have to follow less rules and get away with way more than I could. Either way, I love the recent resurgence of the menswear trend in women's fashion (like most trends, it seems to come and go every few years), so I thought, why not try it on for size one day for work? I started off with one of my favorite double-breasted jackets and a wide-legged pair of slacks, followed by a pointed heel and small satchel that added just the amount of femininity I needed to keep people from thinking I actually was a small boy. Or, so I hoped.

Eager to try the menswear trend out for yourself? My advice is to start small. Replace your favorite black dress with a great pair of tuxedo pants, invest in a boyfriend blazer or coat, or even just buy a pair of pointed brogues and see how you fare. To me, pulling off the menswear look is all about the attitude you wear it with. Time to show those boys what you got!

xL

Sweat it Out

BCBG Alton moto jacket (last seen here), Embellished sweat tee c/o Black Swan, Zara sweatpants (similar here), French Connection crossbody bag, Zara silver chain bracelets (similar here), Elizabeth and James wedge boots (similar here). Shot by Isaac Lacey.

If there's one trend I've noticed that's not going anywhere soon, it's got to be the Fashion Sweat. Essentially, it's finding a way to wear sweatpants/ sweatshirts out in public without looking like a total slob... perfect for a low-key weekend or even for rolling out of bed on a Monday. Think of it as the off-duty branch of the Sporty Chic trend, epitomized by the most recent Alexander Wang for H&M collection. You'd be surprised however: nailing this look is easier said than done! So for anyone looking to try this trend on for size, I've included a few of my own tips below. Feel free to add your own tips and tricks in the comments!

xL

HOW TO WEAR SWEATS OUT

(Without Looking Like a Hot Mess)

1. Shape Matters: When it comes to sweatpants, look for lean silhouettes that elongate your body, instead of baggy options that drown out your shape. I love a great drop-crotch sweatpant that tapers at the ankle or has a band around the ankle to keep legs looking slim.

2. Embellish Away: Keep sweatpants and sweatshirts from looking too basic by letting little details (think pretty prints or dainty embellishments like the sweat tee I'm wearing above) elevate the look for you.

3. Fancy Footwear: Keep your look from being too sporty by staying away from sneakers and athletic footwear when you're wearing sweats. A fun wedge, boot, or even a dainty heel (if you so dare) help indicate that you didn't just come in from a run. 

4. Balance it Out: Add a touch of class to your look by tossing a tailored jacket or sleek coat over your sweats. This helps counter any baggier pieces and add structure to the outfit.

5. Wear it Well: If you're going to wear sweats out, you better rock em! Stand up straight and don't let the clothes overpower your frame. The more you slouch the more you'll look like the lazy bum you actually are inside (your secret's safe with me).