NYC with a Touch of Southwest

Now that we're having an occasional warm day from time to time here in New York, I take every opportunity to wear ensembles that don't involve 700 layers of clothing. So I used this day to finally wear the little printed Blu Moon romper I got at Planet Blue in Malibu forever ago. 

I'm looking forward to wearing lots and lots of easy summer rompers and dresses in the upcoming months.

(Photos by Theresa Balderas)

Romper: Blu Moon / Shoes: Aldo 

In The Dirt

           As my summer in Cali came to a close, I wanted to put together a few western-  inspired looks with some recently acquired pieces before I headed back east. I was immediately drawn to the tiny pleat detailing and billowy shape of the Twenty8Twelve blouse when I saw it. I love it's versatility, and ability to be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. I stuck to a purely black and white color palette, pairing the top with leather paneled pants, wide-brimmed leather hat, and my go-to strappy sandals for a little bit of unexpected juxtaposition. I also paired the same look with some flat Franco Sarto western ankle boots for a more casual version in some of the photographs.

I threw in a few shots of my Blu Moon long-sleeved romper and my new Alexander Wang velcro bootie things that I've also been obsessed with since I bought them. The shoes have yet to fail me, they are so comfortable and go with so many different outfits- definitely one of my favorite purchases of the summer. 

With the final look, hemlines were raised and necklines lowered for a bit of a dressier vibe. I wore my leather mini skirt I found at H&M in New York right before I came home, and my simple silk tank I have literally been living in since I purchased it at J.Crew a few weeks ago. It is such a perfect staple piece, as the silk makes it look nice enough to be worn on its own, and it looks equally good layered under a sweater or blazer. I threw on my calf hair, leopard-print belt, (also from J.Crew), and a handful of rings and snake hand wrap to accessorize the look. 

                       

xx, Rach // East Coast

First Look: Top: Twenty8Twelve by Sienna Miller / Hat: Minnetonka (from Free People) / Belt: J.Crew / Pants: Tory Burch / Shoes: Prabal Gurung for Target // Boots: Franco Sarto

Second Look: Romper: Blu Moon (from Planet Blue) / Sunglasses: Vintage  (from American apparel) / Shoes: Alexander Wang

Third Look: Silk Top: J.Crew / Leather Skirt: H&M / Rings: J.Crew, Vintage Native American rings, and a brooklyn jeweler / Hand Wrap: Alkemie Jewelry (from Wasteland)

Fashion Ave.

Lacsana and I darted out onto the Fashion Avenue between our classes to shoot this look. I was really channeling my inner man when getting dressed, going for a big, contrast-sleeved coat, since, sadly, it's still freezing. Underneath is just a simple tie-dyed/ bleached button down, with dark jeans, and my new Jil Sander cutout ankle boots. I have a slight obsession with eyewear, and my general rule is if it's daytime, the sunglasses are on. These particular ones are just some cheapies I got from Urban Outfitters, but I love the round metal frame with the tortoise cat eye accent.  

xx, Rachel

East Coast

Jacket: no idea, found at Buffalo Exchange / Shirt: BDG (from Urban) / Jeans: Citizens of Humanity / Ankle Boots: Jil Sander / Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

Flower Shop

                            

                   

This day was one of the first of the few warm days we've just recently been having over here on the East Coast, so we shot this look as we strolled through the flower district in Chelsea. I wore a short-sleeved cashmere sweater, and, as I'm still not quite ready for a full commitment to a warm-weather outfit, my favorite blue and black fur vest by Truth and Pride. To counteract the diva-ness of the fur and pointy toed kitten heels, I made it more casual with some ripped Madewell boyfriend jeans. I've been slacking on posts, mostly because it's been pouring rain for the past couple of weeks, but hopefully I will have a bit more motivation if the weather continues in this direction!

xo, Rachel // East Coast

Sunglasses: Elizabeth&James / Bracelet: from Anthropologie / Vest: Truth & Pride / Sweater: Minnie Rose / Jeans: Madewell1937 / Shoes: Ivanka Trump

Winter Dress Code

                                          

For the first "East" post in our East//West blog I donned my warmest fur coat, in true New York style, and hit the fashion-forward streets of SoHo with my fabulous friend and photographer, Lacsana.

                                   

         

We risked our lives, dodging the continuous flow of oncoming traffic while simultaneously snapping pictures in the middle of charming, cobblestone-paved Greene Street.

                                        

Since one huge fur coat obviously isn't enough to keep my wimpy Californian self warm in this frigid New York air, I layered a pine green leather jacket underneath, also lending a bit of a downtown edge to the look. And as I'm sure you will quickly realize, I am a huge proponent of a good printed pant. They, along with a killer pair of shoes, allow you to wear that same worn in sweater you love three times a week and somehow still make you look perfectly put-together.

I also have an obsession with nail art. 

And decaf coffee. 

This cup happens to be from Delicatessen, the trendy little restaurant on Prince Street, where we sat and snuck stalker glances at Prabal Gurung who was sipping his orange juice just a few tables away!

Hat: AllSaints// Sunglasses: Ray Ban (extra large Wayfarer)// Leather Jacket: Kenna-T// Coat: Max Studio// Shirt: byZoe// Pants: Kelly Wearstler// Fringed Gloves: from LF// Shoes: BCBG Max Azria