Fur. Concrete. Spice.

Fur (Lambskin) Vest: Alexander Wang

Leather Jacket: Rick Owens

Cashmere Sweater: Gap

Black and White Tee: BCBG

Jeans: Silence + Noise

Booties: Chanel

Bag: Prada

Here I am wandering around the courthouses and federal buildings by the Brooklyn Bridge stop on the 4/5/6 train line. In the above photo, I'm looking at the Sugar House Prison Window, which was originally part of a prison for American Patriots during the Revolutionary War.

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More vest shots:

I'm obsessed with the idea of a fur vest, and this one by Alexander Wang is quite substantial; it's warm enough to wear as a coat or as a chic layering piece over a leather jacket on brisk fall days.

My husband took me to Spice Market, a trendy Asian-fusion restaurant in the Meatpacking District, for my birthday.

This row was the only empty section of the restaurant when we got there. By the time we left, it was completely filled up.

Appetizer #1: Lobster Summer Roll with citrus-dill gelee

Appetizer #2: Steamed Mussels with lemongrass, Thai basil, dried chili, and coconut juice

Entree #1: Char-grilled Chicken with kumquat lemongrass dressing

Entree #2: Onion and Chili Crusted Short Ribs with egg noodles and pea shoots

Dessert: Ovaltine Kulfi with caramelized banana and spiced milk chocolate sauce

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Have a wonderful week!

Crabby in Chinatown

Leather Jacket: Mason
Red cashmere sweater: Vince
Tee: Old Navy
Skinny Pants: 7 for All Mankind
Eel boots: Devi Kroell
Bag: Fendi

A friend suggested that I post about my regular haunts in Chinatown. My husband and I absolutely adore Yeah Shanghai Deluxe, an unassuming gem tucked away on Bayard Street.

Making soup dumplings in the storefront window

Crab soup dumplings, or xiaolongbao, miraculously contain hot delicious soup in their core. Lightly sprinkle one with the ginger soy sauce dip, place this ball of goodness on your spoon, take a small bite out of the top, and sip the soup before you enjoy the yummy crab meat and chewy dough. (If you don't like crab, they have a pork version that's equally popular.)

Crabs in brown sauce with edamame and rice cakes. I'm a huge seafood lover, and crabs hold a special place in my gustatory heart.
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Sacre bleu! What is this?

How on earth could I miss

Such a sweet little succulent crab

Quel dommage. What a loss

Here we go in the sauce

Now some flour, I think just a dab

Now I stuff you with bread

It don't hurt cause you're dead

And you're certainly lucky you are

'Cause it's gonna be hot

In my big silver pot

Tootle-loo, mon poison, au revoir!

--"Les Poissons" from The Little Mermaid

Beef with Bean Curd over Rice

Right next door, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory has amazing home-made ice-cream with a slew of exotic flavors for even the most jaded ice-cream eater. I personally love the red bean flavor.

Chinatown has several of these candy/dried fruit emporiums. I managed to get one shot of the display case before the saleslady barked at me. I got 1/4 lb of the dried plum and dried yam.

Green Tea Cafe has the best bubble tea, in my humble opinion.
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Have a wonderful week, everybody!

DIY Idea: Scarves on Shoes

Prada Resort 2010

Balenciaga Fall 2009
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I smell an easy DIY project here. Scarves, anyone?

A Vested Interest

Wayne Spring 2010

Balenciaga Spring 2010

Karl Lagerfeld Spring 2010

Black Out

What's your preference: black beauty or color story? (Photo Credit: Jak & Jil Blog)
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A quick perusal of my closet will unequivocally remind you that I am a New Yorker: a torrent of black, a deluge of gray, and a barrage of denim dominate my limited storage space with occasional but meager sprinkles of color. Like the atmospheric amnesia I suffer every fall (is this what 38 degrees feels like?!), I am reminded by the recent cold, premature blast of winter how dark my sartorial choices have been lately.

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It's undeniable that the fashion gods have dictated that fall 2009 would be a season of black. (Remember, they were designing when the economic gloom was at its peak.) Admittedly, I was lured by the promise of the easy chic: black goes with everything; black is edgy; black is the new black. Now, looking at my shadowy wardrobe and sighing through the spring runway shows, I am seduced by the promise of warmth and the color of joy. Alexander McQueen's psychedelic sci-fi dresses, Lanvin's candy-colored jeweled concoctions, and Proenza Schouler's tribal blues and greens all signaled a meaningful industry reappraisal of the power of--and need for--bright colors.

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Of course, this newfound worship of all things color does not mean a scorn of all things black. When the winter chill pierces the bone, somehow a suit of black armor seems like the most appropriate choice when facing the elements or huddling with a crowd of fierce fellow New Yorkers, who are all, like me, secretly dreaming of spring.

Seeing Red

I snapped up this amazing red velvet YSL vest at the Decades Two Sample Sale this past weekend. Decades Two, an upscale consignment store in LA, decided to fly to NY for a weekend-only grand sale in Soho. My electric blue YSL vest is one of my most prized sartorial possessions, so I thought I'd add another YSL vest to my collection.
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Some details:

Does anybody know what season this vest is from?

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I paired this vest with my Miu Miu "ruby slippers":

Hope everybody is having a fabulous week!

Brunch at Five Points and The WINNER of the LNA LEGGINGS!

Jacket: Theory
Tanks: F21 and Old Navy
Leggings: Old Navy
Pumps: Chanel
Bag: Fendi

I apologize for being MIA this past week. I've been swamped at work and preoccupied at home. Last weekend, I went to Five Points with one of my dearest girlfriends. I'm always looking for a quality brunch place, and Five Points, an excellent restaurant in NoHo, did not disappoint. We also heard that Gossip Girl stars Blake Lively and Penn Badgley were there the week before!

I can't live without pancakes, and these Lemon Ricotta pancakes were delectably moist and sweet without being overwhelming. My only complaint? No fresh fruit.

Mac 'n Cheese at its finest. If you're the type who lives for real cheese--the smelly kind that's imported from idyllic farms in Europe--then your taste buds will burst into song at the first bite of this cheesy goodness. But as a person who eats relatively less than the average person, I do recommend three dishes for two people, as each entree was quite small.
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And now for the winner of the LNA leggings...

Congrats to Grace of vitaMinn Style, winner of the LNA leggings! Thanks to everybody who participated and to Chickdowntown for this amazing giveaway. I wish I could give all my readers a pair.

She Gives Her Harness Bells A Shake: Gucci Spring 2010

It's been ages since I have so utterly and completely fallen in love with an entire collection.

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A GENTLE REMINDER: Enter to win a pair of LNA leggings! Click here for a chance to win.

Uniforms (and More Blogger Meet-Ups)

From Left to Right: Nini from Nini's Style, Hanh from Life in Travel, Me, and Lynn from All Things NYC

From Left to Right: Style and Beyond, Me, Lynn from All Things NYC, and D. from Dream Sequins

Lately, it seems that bloggers and editors alike have been talking about a "uniform": a dependable fashion formula that one can turn to when life or inertia gets in the way of creativity--or daring. Although I'm not one for formulas--I teach English, not Math, after all--, I do appreciate the familiarity, versatility, and ease of a blazer, top, skinny jeans, and heels (throw in a colorful scarf or belt for distinguishing details). When in doubt, I wear the uniform, which works for day or night.

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Carolina Herrera wears a crisp white blouse. Alexander Wang wears a slouchy top and sweat pants. Karl Lagerfeld wears a black suit, white shirt, and black tie. What's your uniform?

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A GENTLE REMINDER: Enter to win a pair of LNA leggings (see the post immediately following this one)!

Thumbelina's 2nd Giveaway: LNA Leggings!

LNA Leggings in Red, Gray, Purple, Aqua, Hot Pink, Gray, and Moss Green (not seen), Available at Chickdowntown
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I'm thrilled to offer my readers another giveaway! To win a pair of these zipper leggings in your choice of colors, simply leave a comment with your name (feel free to leave your first name and the first initial of your surname if you don't want to leave your entire name) and a brief explanation about how you'd rock these leggings. I'm happy to say that this contest is open to everyone (U.S. and international readers, but the latter will be responsible for any custom fees). The contest ends on Friday, October 2nd, and I will announce a winner shortly thereafter.

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I want to thank my faithful readers (silent or vocal). Your support means a lot to me, and I love hearing from you. Thanks also to Chickdowntown for this amazing giveaway. Be sure to check out Amy's Twitter Page for more information about other giveaways through Chickdowntown!

IFB: When Bloggers Descend En Masse

Last night, I attended the Independent Fashion Bloggers' "Dress-Up Soiree," which consisted of a panel discussion (featuring prominent bloggers) and an after-party. Although I arrived (fashionably?) late, I was stunned to see a monstrous line down the street. The venue was ridiculously incapable of supporting the hordes of bloggers that eagerly attended (look at the above picture to get a sense of the size of the room), and as a result, people crowded into the bar (located downstairs from the panel) and drowned out the panelists. Nevertheless, the real highlight of the night was getting to finally meet so many amazing and super-friendly bloggers!

Geri Hirsch from Because I'm Addicted

Susie Bubble from Style Bubble

The Mosh-Pit (aka the bar)

The glamorous Wendy Brandes (she was on the panel too)

Gisela and Maury from Heights of Fashion, Lynn from All Things NYC, Me, and Wendy from Wendy Brandes Jewelry

Maury and Gisela from Heights of Fashion

Lynn and Lucretia from Fashion is Poison

Hanh from Life in Travel and Nini from Nini's Style

Style and Beyond and Nini

Dream Sequins, Hanh, Nini, and me

Shoe Shot! (Same girls as above shot but with Style and Beyond)

The Bloggerati

Hanh posing outside

Dream Sequins taking a shot of Hanh (love her Nicholas Kirkwood shoes!)

Childhood Flames

Nini and The Glamourai

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To everyone else: Wish you were here!!

Fashion's Night Out: Soho

Helena Christensen at Marc Jacobs

Vera Wang taking a picture with a fan

Some goodies at Prada

Close-up of my favorite Prada runway shoe

Some red dresses at Prada (my favorite is the animal-print velvet one in the middle)

There was a mob outside of Intermix; according to the sour-faced SAs at the empty Miu Miu store (next door), the mob was there to see a glimpse of Sienna Miller.

Free cupcakes outside of Club Monaco

Free manicures at Chanel

Peter Som at Kirna Zabete (he graciously took a photo with me; I'm on the left, cropped out)

Limited Edition goodies at Kirna Zabete, including a $49 apron (left) by Peter Som

More limited edition bags
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As I suspected, Fashion's Night Out was more about partying and celeb gawking than an actual shopping event. Most people were too busy schmoozing and drinking (I've never seen so much free booze before) to shop. In some over-crowded stores, one could hardly get a glimpse of the racks. Nevertheless, the real success of the night was probably to dispel the sartorial guilt that most people have endured over the last few years. The message was loud and clear: It's no longer insensitive to shop to your heart's content.

Blogger Meet-Up: Kat from Mango Girl and Lynn from All Things NYC / Blog Awards!

Last week, super sweet Kat from Mango Girl and stylishly fab Lynn from All Things NYC had lunch with me at Sushi Samba! We had lots of fun chatting about life, relationships, and fashion.
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(My husband taught me how to blot out my face--I hope you find this less creepy than the headless shots, lol! )
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When I started blogging a couple of years ago, I had no idea that it would lead me to a wonderful community of intelligent and kind fashionistas! I've certainly had my moments of wanting to obliterate this blog (the "delete this blog" option has often tempted me on many an uninspired day), but then I think about all of the people I've met through it. On that note, I'd like to thank you for reading and commenting on my blog--each comment means a lot to me--and for your intriguing, fashion-forward, and heartfelt posts.

I'd like to give the "One Lovely Blog Award" to the following warm and stylish ladies who always take the time to leave a thoughtful comment and whose fashionable blogs make life a little bit sweeter with each post:

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Martina from The Little Fashion Treasury

Sofie from Mode Diktat

Grace from vitaMinn Style

H from Pret-a-Porter Prostitute

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I'd like to give the "I Love Your Blog" award to my fellow bloggers whose blogs I cannot live without! Your style and generosity inspire me every day.

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Nini from Nini's Style

Hanh from Life in Travel

Lynn from All Things NYC

D from My Super Sweet Fashion Diary

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The "Kreativ Blogger" award goes to my fellow fashionistas whose intelligence and love of culture accompany each fashionable post:

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Kat from Mango Girl

Miss Cavendish

Style Odyssey

Wendy Brandes from Wendy Brandes Jewelry

From Russia With Love

I'm in love with these Chanel wedges from the Paris-Moscou collection!

Thanks to Dream Sequins for her lovely "Circle of Friendship" blog award! I'm so honored! Stay tuned for blog awards (so overdue) and an account of a recent blogger meet-up with two of my favorite new friends!

Fashion's Night (In? Or) Out

"In a global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion, U.S. and international editions of Vogue are coordinating evening extravaganzas in their respective world fashion capitals." --From the official Fashion's Night Out Website

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GLOBAL LAUNCH DATE: Thursday, September 10th

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PARTICIPATING CITIES & COUNTRIES: New York City, Berlin, London, Greece, Italy, Russia, France, Brazil, India, Spain, China, Japan, Taiwan

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I must say that my initial reaction to news of Fashion's Night Out, Vogue and the fashion industry's attempt to spur fall sales, was that of skepticism. A night of shopping and fashion parties? Big whoop. I like to shop without crowds and with sales. But I must say I was a little stunned when I learned about the extent, variety, and incentives of this global fashion party.

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According to Racked, Anna Wintour will be at Macy's (in Queens); Narciso Rodriguez, the Proenza Schouler boys, Thakoon Panichgul, Jason Wu, and Peter Som will be at Kirna Zabete; Hamish Bowles will be at Juicy Couture; Alexa Chung will be DJing at Miu Miu; Annie Leibovitz, Padma Lakshmi, Zac Posen, Donna Karan, Alexander Wang, and other designers will be at Bergdorf Goodman engaging in games, cook-offs, and talks; the Olsen Twins will be DJing at Barneys along with Isabel Toledo and Alexander Wang giving runway lessons and Juan Carlos Obando giving salsa lessons. And this is just a sampling of the heavy hitters coming to promote this event.

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What about other incentives? Customize your t-shirts and Havaianas at Adam Lippes' store; design your own Chanel bag while enjoying a free manicure; take your photo at H&M (for a chance to have your picture projected onto a giant billboard); audition to be a model at Alice + Olivia; and enjoy live Irish music at Rag and Bone.

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The real question is this: Will you attend, and if so, will you shop? I wonder if this clever marketing ploy will actually compel you to open your wallet--or will it only be a night of celebrity gawking accompanied by moonshine and music?

Whazz Up Doc?

THE ORIGINAL: Doc Martens

THE OTHER CONTENDERS:


Ann Demeulemeester Lace-Up Boots, $1,105

Costume National Round-Toe Ankle Boots, $800

Stuart Weitzman Lug-Sole Lace-up Boots, $345

See by Chloe Wrap-Around Strap Ankle Boot, $495

Tory Burch Donna Lace-Up Boots, $595

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Believe it or not, yours truly actually owns a pair of Doc Martens. I know--this is shocking in a my-world-has-flipped-upside-down kind of way. But before you take this random fact to its semi-logical conclusion, bear in mind that these were from the 1980s. That's right. The 1980s. Why do I still have them, you ponder (when it's so obviously NOT my fashion aesthetic)?

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Well, to be honest, I used to wear them as rain/ snow boots (as some of you know, they're indestructible). I find it equally astounding that these are "in" again. Sure, I understand that the fashion zeitgeist has decreed that anything rocker, edgy, and grungy has returned at full tilt--and I am sure that there are some among you who love this look. But I find it personally difficult to adopt this mode of fashion, probably because I still see teenagers today wearing this look in all of its goth glory. How about you: do you find this look appealing, and if so, why? Do you have any words of wisdom to challenge this Doc Marten-prejudiced fashionista?

If Booties Went To Heaven...

...they'd look like these Chanel lovelies, complete with chain detailing, a sweet bow, a wearable 3" heel, and the cap-toed interlocking Cs! In all honesty, Chanel shoes (and Prada/Miu Miu ones) are enormously wearable and impeccably made. Although Chanel will, like other designers, create sky-high heels, the brand still makes comfortable shoes every season for the practical fashionista. (These booties are made with a cushion right at the arch for extra support!)

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Thanks for the sweet comments about the MIA Oscar booties. I do find it odd that they weren't "purchased" by any of the Oscar boutiques. Please let me know if you espy them anywhere!

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I was tempted to call this post "Teachers Everywhere Are Suffering From a Mild Depression" because I go back to school this Wednesday. It's always sad to say goodbye to a deliciously long, carefree summer (although I do work every summer, it does not compare to the usual stresses of a typical school year). Last night I finally went to see the last production of Euripides' The Bacchae, playing at the Delacorte Theatre (Shakespeare in the Park's second play of the summer). The parallels between that gruesome play and my HBO addiction True Blood are uncanny! And what's particularly odd is that someone screamed in the audience after the character on stage did--only to ask for help. A commotion ensued, and when we were exiting the theatre, we saw an ambulence on its way. I can only hope that that person was okay.
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Enjoy the last remaining days of summer!

So Tragic

Chloe Sevigny in the June 2009 issue of Elle US
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My hunt for these spectacular Oscar de la Renta pre-fall gold-studded booties has left me empty-handed. (I apologize for the small picture; I can't find a close-up of these!) Not a single NYC vendor, including the Madison Avenue Boutique, sells them.

On the Pre-fall Runway Show

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Has anyone seen these?!

Next To Normal / Next To Morrison

Silk Dress and Snakeskin Belt: Vintage (Mother's)
Sandals: Miu Miu

Anaconda Bag: Bottega Veneta
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One of my lovely house guests thoughtfully gave my husband and me tickets to see Next to Normal, a Broadway musical about a dysfunctional family's struggle with mental illness and loss. Out of all of the musicals I've ever seen, this one has got to be the darkest. Several people near me in the audience were sobbing!

The actress who plays the mother, Alice Ripley, stole the show. It's not surprising that she won the 2009 Tony for the Best Actress in a Musical.

After the show, the cast members came out to sign playbills. This pretty girl is Jennifer Damiano, who plays the neglected, screwed-up daughter.

J. Robert Spencer, who plays the patient but devastated father/husband
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Last Wednesday, my house guest and I went to hear Nobel-Prize winner Toni Morrison talk about her latest book, A Mercy, with NPR's Michele Norris at Barnes and Noble.

Click on this link for some wonderful old photos of Toni Morrison and here to listen to an older interview about the novel between the two women. This was my second time hearing Ms. Morrison live (the first time was at the New York Historical Society), and once again I was moved by her gentle strength and crackly voice.

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On an unrelated note, the glamorous Hanh of Life in Travel has kindly given me a blog award! Thanks, sweetie!

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I'm supposed to reveal "Ten True Things About Me," so here goes:

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1. I've had two near-death encounters, both with moving vehicles (#1 involved a car crash in which I totaled my car, and #2 involved a bicycle crash on a Hawaiian volcano). I'm very happy to still be alive.

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2. Since I was a child, I have had an acute aversion to physical exercise. I've never liked playing sports, but if I had to choose, I'd pick any sport in which the moving object/ball travels away from me (e.g. archery, bowling), rather than toward me (e.g. baseball, basketball).

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3. I am almost fanatical about sunblock. Sometimes I wear sunblock over my SPF-laden moisturizer.

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4. My favorite fruits are blueberries, mangoes, and pomegranates.

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5. My favorite meal of the day is breakfast, but since I'm too lazy to cook that early, I have to wait until weekend brunch. My all-time favorite meal would entail a sampling of all breakfast-related foods.

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6. I am NOT a picky eater. In fact, I will eat almost anything (provided it isn't an insect, rotten, or still alive).

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7. I am addicted to True Blood. Team Eric!

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8. When it comes to movies, I have eclectic taste. I enjoy everything BUT horror movies.

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9. I love Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and most sci-fi/fantasy movies. I can say "To be, or not to be" in Klingon. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country is one of my all-time favorite movies.

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10. I am the middle child in my family.

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Thanks again for reading and commenting on my blog. I appreciate each and every comment that you leave!

Get a Leg Up: Over-the-Knee Boots

La Lamphear Demonstrating How to Properly Wear Thigh-Highs (Photo Credit: Jak & Jill Blog)

Geraldine Saglio Showing Off her Slim Jims (Photo Credit: same as above)

Although thigh-high boots have been associated with women of the night and other scantily clad, morally questionable females, this seemingly daunting new fall accessory trend is actually very wearable--and done right, one needn't anticipate wanton cat calls by seedy men. The key is coverage: wear them with longer tunics/mini dresses, shorts with tights, and skinny pants/jeans/leggings. The extra layer of leather will keep you looking warm and chic in the upcoming chilly months. Personally, I think suede versions are less intimidating and more flexible; don't hesitate to wear a suede pair with your au courant leather shorts. Choose flat versions to lessen the sex appeal for more wearability.

Some High/Low Options:

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1. Dolce Vita "Stud" OTK Boots, $355: These remind me of Chloe's starburst shoes from a few seasons back. You can kill two birds with one stone with these (studs and OTK boots).

2. Steve Madden Xcept Black Suede Boots, $299.95: The platform and heel on these add interest.

3. Chanel Lambskin Cap-toe Thigh-High "Paris-Moscou" Boots: These babies are on my wish list. (Actually, nearly everything from the Paris-Moscou line is on my wish list.) The decorated wedge heel is what makes these not only wearable but also very unique.

4. Guiseppe Zanotti Suede Platform Boots, $1,225: Yes, they're quite expensive, but you're getting your money's worth with Zanotti. His shoes are extremely well made, not to mention gorgeous and comfortable.

5. Guiseppe Zanotti OTK Croc-Embossed Boots, $1,225: I couldn't resist adding another pair of Zanottis. I'm a sucker for any animal skin, embossed or real.

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Sorry for the lack of posts recently; this week was extremely busy (I had another out-of-town guest for the second week in a row), and I also caught a cold! Thankfully, I'm in the last stages of my cold.

I also want to thank Sofie from ModeDiktat and Kat from Mango Girl for their thoughtful and lovely blog awards and Grace from VitaMinn for kindly mentioning me on her fabulous blog. Thanks, ladies--I feel really honored!