Lone Ranger

Forever 21 crochet maxi dress, Vintage cowboy hat, Sam Edelman cowboy ankle boots (similar here). Shot in Houston by Isaac Lacey.

As some of you might know, I spent two weekends ago in Houston, Texas to visit some friends and celebrate Isaac's birthday. Having never been to Texas, I had no idea what to expect, but all I really cared about was the fact that the weather would be in the 60's-70's, allowing me to bring out all my Spring clothes that I haven't yet had the opportunity to wear in NYC. That includes this crochet dress, which I'm sure I'll be living in come (actual) Spring. I love the ornate crochet pattern, and when donned with a cowboy hat and boots I really felt like I blended in down South. If you're heading to Coachella or doing the festival circuit, I highly recommend getting a detailed dress like this one! It's a surefire style-statement, and will also let you breathe and air out while you're dancing the day away.

xL 

Damsel in Distress

Rebecca Minkoff Sam coat (similar here), Ann Taylor blouse, Revolve x Lovers and Friends denim shorts, ASOS knee high socks, Urban outfitters necklace, Vintage clutch, Andotherstories booties (similar here). Shot by Isaac Lacey.

The item in my closet I'm most looking forward to wearing when it warms up? My trusty cutoff shorts. I've built up quite a collection over the years, and seriously live in them come summer. That's why I was so excited when Revolve sent me this new pair by Lovers and Friends. They're perfectly cuffed and distressed, not to mention they ride a little low on the hips, elongating your figure. Sadly it's not yet warm enough to wear them with a bare leg, so I opted for knee high socks and a boyfriend blazer to balance things out. But, you can bet you're probably going to see a lot of these bad boys come Spring/Summer.

Life as of late has been a blur--from quick & random weekend getaways, to trying to juggle work & blog life--so I'm really looking forward to a quiet weekend in the city, catching up with friends and trying to find a little peace amidst all the chaos. Wish me luck!

xL 

Festival Dreams

Nasty Gal Jeran coat (on sale here), Romwe maxi dress (similar here), Rebecca Minkoff snakeskin crossbody (similar here), Old Hollywood and Edge of Ember Rings, Souvenir feather earring, Louie booties c/o Sam Edelman. Shot by Isaac Lacey.

Is it just me or is Festival fashion everywhere at the moment?! I guess it makes sense with Coachella just around the corner, but what about those of us who are stuck in colder climates, unable to even think about wearing a whimsical floral dress or distressed denim shorts without the assistance of a pair of warm tights? I guess this look was my attempt at taking on the trend for my own practical use. A pair of fringed booties and a shearling coat were perfect for dressing down this lace-sleeved maxi dress, while a few choice boho-inspired accessories took the outfit home. Are any of you planning on hitting Coachella this year, and what are you looking forward to wearing? Would love to know so I can live vicariously through you...

xL

GET THE LOOK:

Spring Fever

Shot by Zach Hyman/ Hair + makeup by Joli Beauty Bar/ Styled by The Marcy Stop.

Spring is in the air! Or, well, it's supposed to be... but instead it seems as though on the very first day of Spring New York will be treated to a little dusting of snow instead. What a cruel, cruel trick for Mother Nature to play. But for those of you who are smart enough to live in a more temperate climate, or just lucky enough to take a little Spring break vacation asap, I wanted to create a little Spring preview/ trend story to inspire you, so I enlisted the help of talented NYC photographer Zach Hyman to create some of the images you see above. My girls at the soon-to-launch beauty destination Joli Beauty Bar assisted with creating the beachy and bronzed beauty look. Because if you can't get away, you can at least fake it with messy, wind-blown waves and sun-kissed skin. As for the looks I put together, I would say they're one part festival, one part beach bum, and one part sophistication, melding together breezy fabrics, delicate textures, subtle prints and just a dash of color to create a go-to wardrobe that I can easily see myself living in come Spring. 

Lucky for me, I'm busting out of NYC this morning before the storm hits and taking off to Houston for a little birthday getaway for my man, so hopefully by the time you're reading this I'll already be in warmer pastures. Come follow me on instagram if you want to see me getting down and dirty, Texas rodeo style (you think I'm kidding) and if not, I'll see ya'll next week! 

xL

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Outfit details, from top to bottom:

Image 1: Truly Madly Deeply crop top, Urban Outfitters Desert Sun necklace (on sale here), Forever 21 striped culottes.

Image 2: Zara tweed dress, Vintage tribal necklace.

Images 3 & 9: Urban Renewal maxi dress, Brixton straw hat, Desert Sun necklace.

Images 4, 6 & 7: Forever 21 Damask dress, Desert Sun necklace, Zara Roman sandals.

Images 5 & 8: Nasty Gal Jeran coat, BDG linen romper, Desert Sun necklace.

SHOP THE STORY: 

Bushwick Brunch

Forever 21 overalls, GAP denim shirt TOGA fur moto jacket, Fringed bag c/o Petit Sesame, Steve Madden booties (similar here). Shot by Isaac Lacey.

There's nothing better than romping around the colorful streets of Brooklyn on a Sunday afternoon with your boyfriend by your side and a delicious brunch on the horizon. Isaac and I snapped these photos as we wandered around Bushwick/ East Williamsburg before brunch last weekend, diving into random bars for a quick Bloody Mary, and dropping by to catch up with friends in the area along the way. I've long been a fan of double denim, but I feel like these Forever 21 overalls kick up my game to a whole new level. And while some people might think it's difficult to wear a denim shirt with denim overalls and not look like a hick, all it really takes is a pair of pointy heels and a moto-style jacket to prove 'em wrong. 

xL

Red Alert

Fuzzy jacket c/o BB Dakota, Vince Camuto bow neck blouse (similar here), Chaiken red jeans (similar here), Rebecca Minkoff Waverly satchel, Nikaya cuff and Myla ring c/o Edge of Ember, Zero UV cateye sunglasses, Steve Madden booties. Shot by Isaac Lacey.

Did I not warn you guys about how much I've been into monochromatic looks as of late?! This outfit is perhaps the boldest of them all, seeing as I don't normally wear many bright colors. But there's something about a head-to-toe red look that, despite how loud it may seem, is surprisingly sophisticated. It also works equally well for night or day. I wore this outfit to a bunch of client meetings last week, then threw on a red lip and rocked it out for happy hour at one of my favorite local bars, The Commodore... and I must say I felt more confident than ever! Perhaps I've discovered my 'spirit color.' Or maybe it was just a really good day for other reasons. Either way, would you ever wear red from head-to-toe?

xL

Ring my Bell

Bellbottoms c/o Nasty Gal, Obey leather jacket, Vintage floral blouse, (similar here) Ornamental clutch c/o Prima Donna, Cole Haan pointed toe pumps (similar here). Shot by Isaac Lacey.

The bell-bottom is back and bolder than ever, and I for one am really digging them! I just got these ones from Nasty Gal and I can't tell you how many compliments I receive when I wear them. The high-waisted cut is super flattering (and makes me look like I might have even the tiniest hint of an a$$) and they have just the perfect amount of flair to make your legs appear longer than ever. I've never tried on Nasty Gal denim before, but the quality is pretty amazing for the price. Not to mention they have all those cuts and washes that you've been dying to try but don't really want to spend a ton of money on. So do yourself a favor and check out their in-house denim collection. Because what better way to spend a rainy Saturday than doing a little online shopping?

xL