Say Hello to My Little Black Dress

Dress: Vintage. Belt: Forever 21 (a better version here). Shoes: YSL. Bag: J.Crew. Photography by Amy Chen.

After a roller coaster month of traveling, food poisoning and the flu, I can't tell you how excited I am to finally get back to blogging!  (Silver lining: I lost four pounds and can wear my skinny jeans now.)

To kick things off this week, Jean and I are bringing out a classic: THE LBD.  We all have that little black dress that hugs every curve in the right place and shaves off about ten pounds.  I've collected quite a few, but this one has a special place in my heart.  I found it gathering dust in a vintage shop in North Carolina.  Ten dollars and an alteration later, voila!

I wanted to glam this dress up, so I added a wide belt with gold accents  and gold beaded sandals by Yves Saint Laurent (a major score from a local consignment shop).  How do you wear your LBD?

xoxo, Linda

P.S. I was dancing to "22" by Taylor Swift in the last pic!

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Red, White and Blue

Top: Saint James. Shirt: MaxMara. Skirt: ASOS. Shoes: Alexander Wang (similar here). Sunnies: Celine. Bag: Chanel. Watch: Hermes. Photography by Steph Wells

In the words of the great American author and humorist, Mark Twain: "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."  By the looks of it, you'd guess it's March, not August.  Growing up in NY, I remember basking in these final glorious weeks of summer, but alas, I'm bundled up in long sleeves, sweaters and coats.  

That said, here's my nod to "the summer preppy look".  Remember this distressed denim inspiration?  I paired it with a striped shirt from Saint James and a white button down from MaxMara plus a pop of red by Chanel.

Summer here I come!

xoxo,
Linda

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Bohemian Blooms

Top: Haute Hippie (on sale!). Shorts: American Apparel. Shoes: Alexander Wang (similar here). Bag: J.Crew (old). Sunnies: Alexander McQueen. Earrings: H&M. Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner. Photography by BShim of Bashful Captures

Jean, I'm loving the patriotic look on you! 

So despite the fact that it's 60 degrees in San Francisco (brrr!), I've managed to soak up a ton of sun these past couple of weeks.  All courtesy of ridiculous heat waves during my trips to NYC and Vegas (105 degrees!).  Tip: Vegas in July = NO BUENO.  It's a rancid hot pot of heat, humidity and cigarette smoke.

Hope everyone is staying cool (or warm if you're in SF)!

xoxo, Linda

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Sizzling in Red (Literally!)

Dress: Haute Hippie (similar here). Shoes: Alexander Wang. Bag: J.Crew (old). Sunnies: Celine. Earrings: H&M. Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner. Photography by BShim of Bashful Captures

Guess where I am?  Back in NYC!

The weather's been amazing, albeit sweltering.  Most days call for as little clothing as possible, which for me means tank tops and short shorts.  But what little summer gear I brought got worn out quickly (not to mention sweaty, ew).

Fortunately, I packed my favorite summer dress by Haute Hippie.  It's bright and makes me feel like I'm floating on air.  And if tomato red wasn't bright enough, I added a small pop of color: neon yellow sandals by Alexander Wang.

Ah...don't ya just love summer!  I sure do!

xoxo, Linda

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Spring Forward

Jacket: Yeojin Bae (old). Shirt: J.Crew. Top: Saint James. Denim: J Brand (similar here). Belt: J.Crew (similar here). Shoes: Christian Louboutin (old). Bag: Chanel. Watch: Hermes. Photography by Steph Wells

Cousin, first, I loved your last post!  I'm sweatin' those white polka dot sunglasses.  Second, aren't you a little...well, too mature...to be shopping at Abercrombie & Fitch?  I'm just sayin ;-)

So we've been getting spring in dribs and drabs here in SF.  And from what I've heard, it hasn't been much better in NYC.  When we DO get breaks from the cold weather, I incorporate as much spring as I can into my wardrobe.  For example, this belted khaki jacket with three quarter sleeves.  It's incredibly light and versatile.  I usually pair it with dark flare jeans and short, flowy dresses (which also prevents embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions when the wind kicks up).  

I'm hoping the weather heats up by the time I visit you in a few weeks in NYC!

xoxo, Linda

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Double Denim

Jacket: Gap (old, similar here). Shirt: J.Crew. Skirt: Alice & Olivia. Belt: J.Crew (old). Shoes: IRO. Bag: Chanel. Earrings: H&M. Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner. Photography by Steph Wells

 Denim on denim is one of the trickier fashion trends to pull off.  Remember this denimonstrosity on Britney and JT?  But I've been seeing double denim is everywhere right now, so I'm taking the leap!  

Denim on denim seems foolproof, right?  But with all the colors and washes out there, finding the perfect blend of shades to pair was easier said than done.  Fortunately, I had this chambray shirt and denim jacket in my closet.  I kind of love that it looks polished but still feels super casual (this outfit is on repeat right now).   

Double denim: do or don't?

xoxo, Linda

P.S. Can't wait to see you this week in San Francisco, cousin!

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Stripes

Vest: J.Crew (old, similar here). Top: Saint James. Jeans: DL1961. Belt: J.Crew (old). Shoes: Zara (old). Bag: Chanel. Watch: Hermes. Sunnies: Alexander McQueen. Photography by Steph Wells

Bon dimanche, mes amis!  It's been a glorious week thanks to the mini "heat wave" here in San Francisco.  I've been soaking up as much sun as I can before Mother Nature knocks us back to reality.  (It's already 20 degrees colder - BAH!)  Mostly just lounging around, eating and drinking on the Bay.  Which brings me to the inspiration for today's outfit: nautical stripes.  

And who does nautical stripes best?  The French, of course!  This blue and white striped t-shirt by Saint James is one of my favorite and most versatile pieces (as you'll probably see in future blog posts).  Honestly, I don't know what I would do without it.  Do you have a favorite tee?

Hope your enjoying the weekend!

Mille bisous, Linda

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Channeling Isabel Marant

Jacket: H&M (splurge here). Jeans: Genetic Denim. Belt: J.Crew (old). Shoes: Zara (old). Bag: Ferragamo (vintage). Sunglasses: Alexander McQueen. Photography by Steph Wells

Honey child, you are working that brocade!  I usually stay far, far away from shiny fabrics, but you've convinced me otherwise.  Speaking of prints...

My favorite trend right now is ethnic bohemian inspired by Isabel Marant S/S 2013.  I can't drop $1K on one of her print jackets (stalking this one right now), but I'll get my affordable fix at H&M.  I waited months for this embroidered patchwork jacket to arrive in stores and snagged it THE DAY it arrived fresh off the truck.  Fashion high five!

xoxo, Linda

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It's a Color Block Party

Top: Gap (similar here). Pants: Zara (similar here). Shoes: Christian Louboutin. Necklace: H&M. Photography: Jim Lee

Color blocking isn't showing any signs of slowing down.  There were lots of new color combos going down the runways at Celine Fall 2012 and  Burberry Prorsum Spring 2013.  My all-time favorite is pink and red.  It's been seared into my brain ever since I first saw it on Nicole Warne of Gary Pepper.  I can always count on this outfit to brighten my day.  Can't wait to show you my next color block outfit: black and white (a la Balenciaga).

xoxo, Linda

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Animal Instincts

Sweater: Ralph Lauren (old). Tank: Zara. Jeans: Genetic Denim. Belt: J.Crew (old). Shoes: Givenchy. Bag: Ferragamo (vintage). Sunglasses: Alexander McQueen. Photography by Steph Wells

You don't have to ask me twice about throwing on an animal print.  Make mine leopard, please!  So, I originally bought this printed tank with a matching pencil skirt last spring from Zara, but it was a little too leopard-y so it's been sitting in my closet all winter.  Your post inspired me to dust it off and man it up with my favorite boyfriend jeans and vintage clutch.  What do you think?  Does it reek of cougar?    

xoxo, Linda

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Les Faux Marants

Shirt: J.Crew (similar here). Pants: Zara. Belt: Vince Camuto (sold out). Sneakers: Steve Madden. Sunglasses: Alexander McQueen. Photography by Steph Wells

Cousin, I love your "running sucks" t-shirt and tutu.  I think you can tell from our pics that you're the artistic one in the family and I'm the athletic one.  

In honor  of March Madness, I hit the basketball courts with my faux Marants.  Dribble dribble.  Dunk dunk.  By the way, I was not making it rain on the court.

See you in Vegas for MM. (Go Duke!) xoxo, Linda

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Oxblood Red

Jacket: H&M. Blouse: Zara. Skirt: H&M. Shoes: Zara. Necklace: Anthropologie. Sunnies: Alexander McQueen

Photography by Steph Wells

Cousin, I see you were smitten with oxblood red this past fall, too!  Who wasn't?  It was a HUGE color trend.  I only invested in a couple of key pieces like this jacket and skirt from H&M.  Fortunately, I got a TON of utility of out of them and can see myself wearing them well into the spring.  #shoppingsuccess

xoxo, Linda

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Freezing. Again.

Vest: Adrienne Landau, Sweater: Rugby, Scarf: Missoni, Boots: Zara, Sunnies: Ray-Ban

Photography by BShim of Bashful Captures

My my... that Chuck Bass.  So handsome! Btw, I know I told you this but I saw him in the LES last summer and he looks even better in person. So glad I chased him down the street to take a picture with him.  And no, I'm not ashamed of it.  Actually, quite proud of it. 

Anyway....I feel like I'm the only person who doesn't know when to wear a vest.  I'm either freezing or sweating-- true story.  I think when Bo took this picture, I was freezing and probably why I look somewhat angry.  Don't get me wrong, the fur helped but needed some sleeves that day.  Maybe this means I need a fur coat.  Hmmm.

Btw, this color, Oxblood, LOVE IT.  Just like how I love Chuck Bass (I love you too Andrew!).

Jean

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