NYFW: Lacy Edges

TOGA Pulla fur moto jacket (similar here), Mossimo cropped sweater, Lace-trimmed blouse c/o Black Swan (similar here), Jbrand jeans, Rebecca Minkoff Waverly crossbody bag, Nine West printed pumps. Shot by Erica Lavelanet.

NYFW may be over, but the excitement of it all is still pumping through my veins, and I'm still sorting through the bulk of images that I took to determine what's worth sharing with you guys. The above look stood out as one of my favorites I wore all week, mostly because I really love the mix of textures and prints going on: from the classic-prep sweater, shirt collar and pumps, to the rocker studded bag, moto jacket, and singular earring. I then topped it off with some funky green eyeliner to add a little color to an otherwise mostly black and white ensemble.

The same mix of ladylike edge was apparent at both the Zimmermann and Honor shows, which each happened to be held offsite at the same gallery space in Chelsea. Zimmermann has long been one of my favorite designers (you might remember I bought my dress from my sister's wedding there) and they didn't disappoint this season, rolling out a bevy of colorful, bohemian dresses and 70s inspired looks that were equal parts rock and refined. Honor's collection was more traditionally feminine and romantic, with voluminous silk gowns, embroidered dresses and Victorian-style blouses in bold colors. Check out some of my favorite snaps from both shows below!

xL

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Runway details (shot by me) from top to bottom:

1. Show-stopping color blocking on the Zimmermann runway.
2. I would easily wear this Zimmermann look from head to toe!
3. Some well-placed cutouts give this boho Zimmermann dress the perfect amount of edge.
4. Intricate adornments, like these beaded sleeves, were a staple at Honor.
5. Pretty and polished on the Honor runway.
6. Bold, rich hues added to the collection's feminine flair at Honor.

NYFW: Asos Girls

On me: Check coat, Coord skirt and cropped sweater, Leather satchel, Gray felt fedora, boots. On Stacey: Bomber coat, Poppy print dress, Tassle clutch, 70s sunglasses, boots. / On Erica: Metallic coat, Denim jacket, Mom jeans, Mini crossbody bag, Black pumps. / Shot by Scott Harris Brasher for ASOS.

Taking you on a little flashback to last week, when I joined my girls (and fellow Brooklyn bloggers) Erica and Stacey on a romp throughout the frigid streets of Soho for a little fashion week shoot with UK-based online shopping destination ASOS. Decked in ASOS clothing from head-to-toe, we each put together our ideal #NYFW look to battle the arctic temps. I opted for a sweater co-ord and long check coat with eye-popping accessories; Stacey chose a fun, floral print and sleek bomber coat; and Erica revealed her own take on the Canadian tux, with a chic metallic topper for good measure.

Lensed by one of my fave photographers Scott Brasher (who you might remember from some of his past shoots with me here, here and here) this was probably one of the most easy and entertaining shoots I've done in awhile. It helps that Stacey, Erica and I have become fast friends within the past few years of getting to know each other; that our day was full of laughter despite our freezing hands and windblown faces. It also helps that they're both naturally gorgeous with a great sense of style, and that Scott is an expert in working that lens and getting an amazing shot no matter the weather conditions. We wrapped the shoot with a warming dose of margaritas and guacamole at Soho stalwart La Esquina... a fashionable end to a fashionable afternoon. 

Check out our resulting feature on ASOS here!

xL

NYFW: Winter Boho

Nicole Miller jacket and embroidered dress (samples), ASOS faux fur coat, Vintage belt, ASOS fedora (similar here), Deux Lux bag, Nasty Gal booties. Shot by Erica Lavelanet.

This Fashion Week was quite possibly one of the coldest I've ever experienced, so when it came to getting dressed it was also one of the most challenging. Out came the heavy coats and fur, as well as the ingenuity that it takes to layer up without looking like a clothes hoarder. But, I guess I have to thank that extra dose of creativity, as it led to this colorful look that I wore to the Rebecca Minkoff and Nicole Miller shows. The mixed and matched patterns, when coupled with some fun accessories and a long fur coat, came together to create such a playful, bohemian vibe, and I must say I loved the results! Not to mention, the shows themselves only prompted me to get more creative with my ensembles in the future. Hope you enjoy my snaps below!

xL

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Runway Image details, shot by me (from top to bottom): 

1. My seats at Rebecca Minkoff were front row, right in front of the stage where Philly-based band Marian Hill performed.

2. Loved RM's rocking combo of leather & lace and great details like the guitar-strap on her bags. Apparently the show was inspired by Patti Smith's Just Kids.

3. From the floppy hats and fur detailing, to her signature accessories, I'd pretty much wear every piece in Rebecca Minkoff's F/W 2015 collection.

4. The number one item on my list from Nicole Miller's show? This to-die-for fur trimmed jacket. 

5. Moody, mixed prints were a staple on the Nicole Miller runway.

6. Loved the glitzy textures, fabrics and embroidered details on Nicole Miller's last looks. They were like a dark, glamorous fairytale! Check out the full collection.

NYFW: Shoe-Stoppers

NYFW has been a blast so far, and it feels like I've been busier than ever! Aside from juggling responsibilities at my day job while trying to run out to all the shows I can catch, I also partnered this season with Nine West as one of their style ambassadors. So, in addition to the normal runway show experience, I also got a brief glimpse into the life of a street-style photographer as I braved the snow and cold and tried to get some snaps of my favorite shoe trends & stylish subjects on the sidewalks. All I can say is that the experience gave me mad respect for those who make a living pounding the pavement in search of live, fashionable subjects to shoot. That job is already hard, not to mention in the bitter cold! Anyway, check out some of my favorites snaps above, as well as how I styled my Nine West shoes on my second day of shows.

xL

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Image captions, from left to right:

1-4: Channeling Spring in my Nine West Kirstey booties and a fun, floral dress by Yumi Kim. 

5: Major legwear inspo here outside the shows. How cute and chic is this Valentine's Day look? 

6: Fellow blogger Stacey Belko had me green with envy in these bold, emerald tones.

7: The chic ladies from Girls Off Fifth show off their best snow style. Coat game, strong!

8: A great cropped pant and some lace-up pumps create fun proportions on blogger Leah Ho. 

9. Blogger Erica Lavelanet proves you can never go wrong in a sleek black pump.
10. A great pointed-toe boot, whether printed or in classic black, seems to be everyone's fashionable go-to in the snow.

NYFW: Black and White

BCBG Alton moto jacket, Sachin and Babi leather and mesh top (sample), Mango wide-leg trousers, ASOS leather satchel, Nasty Gal Snake Charmer booties. Shot by Erica Lavelanet. 

NYFW is about halfway through and I'm already exhausted. In addition to all the shows and after parties, it's been insanely cold outside, so even getting up to get dressed has been more of a struggle than usual. I never realized what a huge dose of creativity it takes to dress fashionably for single digit weather, not to mention what patience it takes to shoot a look outside in this cold! Lucky for me, I've found a great group of girls from Brooklyn to roll around with to shows and bear the task of shooting one another. The key to making it in this weather? Solidarity! I've also been approached by Nine West to be a style ambassador for their brand this Fashion Week, so I've been taking a bunch of fun street style and shoe-spiration images that I can't wait to share with you all. And cold or no cold, the shows must go on... so stay tuned for more BTS snaps from another fun fashion week! 

xL

All Love

On me: Nasty Gal shearling jacket, Embroidered dress c/o Calypso St. Barth, Gold and Gray spike necklace, Elizabeth and James wedge boots  |  On Isaac: Member's Only leather jacket, Express sweater, Uniqlo jeans, Cole Haan boots. Shot by Andrew Arboleda.

New York is an easy place to meet people, but a tough place to date. Everyone is traveling at 100 miles an hour, and it seems like it's next to impossible for some people to slow down long enough to be able to enter into a relationship and commit to one person. So I feel really lucky to be able to spend another Valentine's Day (now our 4th!) with Isaac. 

Isaac and I actually met close to this time in 2010. I was out on the town with my gbff Chuck and we decided to go to a music gig that a mutual acquaintance was putting on at this random place on the Bowery called Karma. Isaac happened to be there too, and Chuck immediately started chatting him up while I went to grab us drinks. Midway into their conversation Chuck asked him, 'Wait, are you gay or straight,' and when Isaac replied that he was straight Chuck told him he had just the girl for him to meet. Five minutes later, we were sharing a drink at the bar together... and the rest is history! 

So, I guess I owe a huge thanks to Chuck, who spotted Isaac first and introduced us not knowing that five years later, Isaac would still be my Valentine. And huge thanks to Isaac, for humoring my gbff and then buying me a drink. I'm so happy to call you mine and can't thank you enough for all the unwavering support and love you've showered me with over these years. And a final thanks to you, my readers, for letting me take a day to get sappy with you all! I promise it will only happen once a year. Maybe.

xL