Adios! (Para La Semana)

I'll be taking next week off from posting so that I can romp around Spain and drink good red wine in little street-side cafés. Au revoir! (They understand French in Spain, right? Because that's what replaced my five years of Spanish classes.)

See you in a bit with updates and photos and stories!

Photo courtesy of: That's Chic and Patterson Maker

Vintage Finds

Years ago, when we were children, my parents would lock me and my siblings in the car while they went antiquing. It seems cruel now, but we brought it upon ourselves by wreaking havoc in many an Oriental rug warehouse. (Listen, it's extremely fun to play tag on five-foot high stacks of Oriental carpets). Also, they'd come back at intervals, give us ice cream, and break up fights. It happened. Now, my parents' house is like a gold mine of interesting little artifacts.

I thought antiquing was stupid until I grew up and realized that having an urn from 40 BC in your formal dining room is pretty stellar, even if no one else notices it (ever). And then I realized that I'd inherited the antiquing gene. Why? Because I found this couch and I want it:

It's located in a shop called El Changuito in Barcelona, and honest to God, how cool are those built-in arm...tables? (Please note that I'm not even close to Barcelona yet and I'm already shopping). I also really like the lamp on the right, so if the couch proves to be out of my souvenir spending-budget (it will) or if my parents call to remind me that I have nowhere to put a couch, I'll settle for just that.

Do you antique? Do you refuse to use "antique" as a verb? I just remembered that I had a thing for miniature tea sets when I was younger, the ones so small that they could fit in the palm of my hand. I guess those would be easier to fit in my apartment than a couch..


Photo courtesy of: Patterson Maker

Style Set to Jet

Usually, I'm a lazy traveler. I sit around and think about what I'd like to eat (mostly anything of the cheese variety) and drink (mostly anything of the red wine variety). I did a complete reversal this time, and this weekend, I turned into a trip-planning monster. I'm set for my flight on Friday, and with to-do lists and packing lists and planning lists coming out of my ears, it's no surprise that I even have my NYC-to-Madrid ensemble picked out.

1. J.Crew sweater ($65; jcrew.com): The mint-green hue is perfect for spring, and the cotton blend will take care of chilly plane cabins.
2. See by Chloé tote ($195; zappos.com): I don't actually own this bag, but I'd like to. I'm not usually one for label-flashing, but the transparent bag is so damn cute and punny that I'll let it slide. Onto my shoulder, to be exact.
3. Bensimon sneakers ($65; jildorshoes.com): I will wax poetic about Bensimon sneakers until the day I die (incidentally, I will still be wearing Bensimon sneakers when that happens). Comfortable, versatile, and chic, they're the perfect shoe for roaming around European cities.
4. Rag & Bone jeans, ($187; rag-bone.com): These are form-fitting jeans (and not denim leggings), but they are hands-down the most comfortable jeans I've ever shimmied my butt into. The denim is structured and substantial but has the right amount of stretch. The wash is flattering. My best friend and I had a long discussion about what we're looking for in a pair of jeans, and I think this makes the cut.
5. Michael Kors watch ($225; neimanmarcus.com): A chunky silver watch lends a touch of menswear. Plus, I'm kind of over rose gold trend. For the time being.


What are your in-flight essentials? I feel like I should have included slippers, because I refuse to be one of those people who wanders to the bathroom in socks (ick!).

Madrid in the Springtime

I've been researching Madrid and Barcelona for the past few days in preparation for my trip (next week!), and I have something to admit: I'm scared. Does it make me a huge baby to be frightened by beautiful European cities? Probably. I've been to at least thirty-odd beautiful European cities, but this is the first time I won't be able to wedge myself between my dad and my older brother whenever I feel unsafe, like that time we got lost in the red light district in Amsterdam. (The red light district of Amsterdam is no fun when you're a thirteen year old girl). (Or ever).

But I've found a solution: going onto Pinterest, searching for "Madrid," and seeing everything that appears before me. BAM. Currently thinking of hidden plazas and ice cream.

When I'm knee-deep in travel guides, I forget that there's more to a city than petty crime and seedy neighborhoods. Plus, I live in New York City. (Granted, I'm in the safest zip code available, but that doesn't mean that something bad can't ever happen). Still, from now on, I'm going to focus on the great things about Spain: the parks. The wine. The tapas. The museums. The outdoor markets. The dining al fresco.

Have you been to Madrid or Barcelona? Are there any can't-miss spots? I'm already looking forward to the croquettes, the hole-in-the-wall wine bars, and exploring ruins.

Photos courtesy of: Gilmar Mattos and Jou Jou Villeroy

Kicking It with Marc by Marc

I missed the Isabel Marant sneaker-wedge boat (below, left). That's okay. Why? Because these Marc by Marc Jacobs kicks (right, $320; marcjacobs.com) are fresh out of the oven (circa today) and haven't yet been splashed all over the blogosphere. We are in love.

Sure, they seem a little clunky at first glance. But then you remember the wedge, and the subsequent extra height that makes your legs seem a touch longer. One point. And then there's the calf leather. Two points for that. And then there's the part where it's a calf-leather HIGH TOP SNEAKER. Eight points right there. Unlike every other pair of sneakers that I own (all Bensimon, save for one pair of limited edition Nike Dunks), these don't look better the more worn and dirty they become. But paired with skinny jeans and an oversized sweater (and kept nice and clean, of course), these could become a part of the greatest weekend uniform I've ever owned.

Photo courtesy of: The Blonde Salad

Painting the Blues

Within the next few months, I'm moving into an apartment that I'll likely be in for a good number of years. Do you know what this means? PAINT. PAINT. PAINTING. COLORS. I'll no longer rely on curtains and a duvet to provide character and personality.

However, my parents think that beige is a nice, sensible color for a small New York apartment. What this means to me: I can pick any color I want as long as its muted, light, and not cherry red. I fought very hard for a red foyer and was shot down. And then I found this photo, in which my affection for grey was usurped by a newfound love for the palest blue:

I imagine that Marie Antoinette would've insisted her walls be painted this color. Isn't it so feminine and light in the most subtle way possible? It has a hint of mint within the blue, which really brightens it up. Luckily, it happens to be similar to Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year, Wythe Blue. Paired with pops of dark pink (flowers, lacquer boxes, etc), it would look so gorgeous.

Photo courtesy of: Patterson Maker

Style Set for Spring

This cool, cloudy, and hovering-in-the-50s weather isn't exactly my ideal, but here's the perk: it's perfect for wearing a leather jacket. I have a cropped, black leather jacket that I adore, but Chicago weather was never in-between enough (while I was there, at least) to really use it. It's the Goldilocks of fabric: leather doesn't provide enough warmth for chilly weather, and in anything above 70 degrees, it becomes your personal sauna of sweltering, sticky PAIN. (That's not hyperbolic). Therefore, the past few days in New York have brought glorious moments of just me in my leather jacket.

But let's be real, I'm looking forward to days with my leather jacket and ombré hair. That's right. It's been fashion editor-approved and happening soon. (Actually, my fashion editor is coming with me). (I have severe separation anxiety from which my bosses are not excluded). I've only colored my hair once and accidentally turned it a dark plum shade, so I'm a little apprehensive. However, I love ombré in all of its manifestations, so I figure I should try it out before I'm too old to play with my hair. Are you yay or nay for ombré?

Photo courtesy of: Dulceida, via From Paris to London