Outfit: Gingham Style

beanie // popover // puffer vest (old, similar) // jacket // jeans (similar) // purse // sneakers // sunnies (use code HISTORYINHIGHHEELS for a free month of endless eyewear)

I don’t know why, but gingham has always been one of my favorite patterns. And I am so happy that it seems to be everywhere this spring. When I fist saw J.Crew’s Chateau trench in the lighter khaki color and gingham lining, it was love at first sight. But my local store didn’t receive the jacket and based on the images online, I was pretty sure it wasn’t going to flatter my figure (#topheavy).

During my weekend in New York City, however, I popped into the J.Crew near Rockefeller Center while we waited for our Top of the Rock appointment. I couldn’t resist trying it on. And thank goodness I did, because as it turns out, I love the fit. This just goes to show that you should always try things on, you never know.

I was expecting to have to go a size up since everyone online has commented on the narrow shoulders of the jacket. But, surprisingly, I didn’t need to. I guess my shoulders aren’t big, just my chest lol. I also love the bright red/coral shade that it also comes in, but I decided to be more practical and stick with the tan color. 

Fortunately, NYC’s weather decided to cooperate, and after a chilly start to my trip, we finally got warmer temps on my last day. I seized the opportunity to wear my adorable new trench for our walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. 

I must warn you though; if you are looking for a raincoat or warm coat, this is not the jacket for you. It’s cotton, although lined, and not waterproof. But it is a really flattering lightweight jacket, perfect for spring and early fall. 

I can't wait to pair this coat with these gingham espadrilles that are finally back in stock!

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Outfit: Pastel Plaid Scarf

popover // bow // skirt (old, last seen here) // scarf (old, love this one and this one) // tights // boots (old, similar) // bag

Since returning to Florida, I haven't really missed winter. I don't miss freezing in my Florentine little apartment and how it took twenty minutes to pile on everything and get out the door. And I definitely don't miss wearing tights every day. I do, however, miss layering and all of the fun accessories. So, it was nice to break out some of my favorite winter accessories again last weekend in NYC.

I wore my new pink gingham popover with my favorite pastel plaid scarf. I kept the rest of my look simple with black, but added a touch of pink with my sunglasses and gorgeous long gloves I purchased in Prague. This was also the day that Emily and I had our hair done at the TRESemme style studio, so I had a fun braided faux-hawk to complete the look.

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Outfit: The Upper East Side

coat // Zara dress (old, but I love these embroidered dresses here and here) // gingham shirt // sunnies // tights (not pants) // heels (also obsessed with these) // bag

Hey Upper East Siders. Ashley here to share with you what I wore for my favorite day in NYC. Spotted brunching at Sarabeth's, feeding the ducks in Central Park, and gossiping on the steps of the Met, Emily and I spent all day Friday living out our Gossip Girl fantasy, complete with coordinating bright ensembles. I mean, who do we think we are, Blair and Serena? Yes! For a day at least.

In the immortal words of Blair Waldorf, "fashion is the most powerful art there is." "It's art, history, and culture, everything I love." Blair gets me. And we honored B and S's appreciation of and influence on fashion with our matching bright yellow and pink coats. E channeled the Upper East Side's love of all things prep with a white skirt, pearls, polo sweater, and loafers. And I honored Blair's bold style with a little print mixing, unexpected color combo, and some fab sunnies. If only I had remembered to pack my favorite headband!

Whoever said money doesn't buy happiness, didn't know where to shop. Fortunately, I do and you can shop some of my favorite signature Blair styles below.

You know love me, XOXO.

Postcards from NYC

I had an absolutely fabulous time in New York City this past weekend (well, long weekend) and that is mostly because of my amazing tour guide Emily. I have been to New York several times throughout my life and covered most of the major attractions - the Statue of Liberty, the Met, Guggenheim, MoMA, Times Square, Empire State Building, Grand Central, etc. - so I was happy to relax and just enjoy the city with Emily.

I arrived mid-morning Thursday, and after checking into my adorable little boutique hotel, The Blakely, I met up with Emily in Tribeca to head to the TRESemme hair studio. It was the last day of fashion week and we wanted to take full advantage. We emerged fabulously coiffed and headed for lunch at Balthazar, which was probably one of the best meals I have had in a long time. We worked off lunch by exploring (and shopping in) SoHo. Eventually, we made our way to the original Magnolia Bakery in the West Village, because we had to have some of their famous banana pudding. After several hours of exploring and taking pictures, I was exhausted from travel and headed uptown to my hotel to relax for the evening (I had been up since 4 am to catch my flight!).

The next day Emily and I decided to live out our Upper East Side Gossip Girl fantasies. We brunched at Sarabeth's (where I met Emily's friend Kate who joined us for part of the day), strolled through Central Park (naturally by Blair's duck pond), stopped by the Plaza, and sat on the steps of the Met (which we also went inside to see the costume gallery and the newly open Le Brun exhibition). After being spotted on the steps of the Met, we headed to Ralph's Coffee to refuel before our appointment on The Top of the Rock.

The Top of the Rock was great and I highly recommend it. It's a perfect view of the city and photo op. After another long day, I grabbed some sushi to go and headed to my new hotel, Le Parker Meridian, to review my notes for my interview the following day.

The next day was the day of my big interview. I was full of nervous energy, so I headed back to Central Park to walk it off. After my interview was over, I did a bit of window shopping down Madison Avenue before heading to Mood (which, sadly, was closed). I also stopped by J.Crew and picked up this adorable gingham lined jacket (pictured above), but more on that later.

That evening I met up with Emily who took me to the most delicious Mexican restaurant, Toloache (in Midtown). We drank fancy margaritas and indulged in a lot of guac and mole. After dinner we strolled through Times Square and headed to Junior's for their famous raspberry swirl cheesecake... because when in New York!

For my last day in the city we started our day brunching at Two Hands in Little Italy before exploring the Lower East Side (where we found the cutest heart wall) and heading down to the Brooklyn Bridge. Thank goodness we got lucky with the weather, it wasn't sunny but we were so happy it wasn't freezing on the bridge. We strolled across, stopping along the way to take a million photos. Afterwards we made a brief stop in Emily's neighborhood, Wall Street, before I had to head uptown and catch an Uber to the airport.

Hopefully I will have good news to share soon as a result of my interview (although, it didn't go spectacularly, so I am not getting my hopes up). But either way, I had an amazing weekend and made a lot of fabulous memories!

XOXO