‘In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.’ - Coco Chanel

Every once in a while there is a piece within a collection that I simply cannot live without, especially if it is affordable (I mean a girl still has to pay rent). This past season I’ve seen many pieces, but one caught my eye like no other. Not only was it a beautiful burgundy color (love me a good shade of red), but it was also limited edition. Now if you are a girl you can understand the sheer joy of owning something only a few people will ever covet (wahaha - that’s my evil laugh), and if you’re a boy imagine a baseball card that only had 100 copies ever printed and possibly signed (seems like a legit comparison). 

My dream item was an H&M Conscious Exclusion collection dress. It’s girly, it’s bright, it’s perfect to show off the ‘girls’ and curves, and it is made from sustainable materials (aka organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled polyamide and Tencel). That’s fashion and earth saving at the same time. If I didn’t buy it, I would be saying I hate the planet and I would never say that. I had no choice but to be green! In fact, I went to five (that’s right not one, not two, not even three) different H&M stores in NYC until I found one in my size. Most stores were sold out by 9AM. Apparently the dress was a ‘must have’ piece for a few other girls in the city (and I do mean a few since there was only a set number made). 

Now I just have to make sure no other girl wears it during New York Fashion Week, or I may have to accidentally spill my drink on a b@ (just kidding…not really). 

Wearing: H&M Dress, Charles Jourdan Paris Shoes, Pour La Victoire Bag, CCSkye Bracelet, Kate Spade Sunnies 

Photos by Lydia Hudgens

‘I like my money right where I can see it…hanging in my closet.’ - Carrie Bradshaw, Sex & the City

There’s not a girl in the world who doesn’t admire the style created for SJP’s character on ‘Sex & the City’ (at least not one I know of or choose to be friends with). Patricia Field, aka the stylist for the show (and if you didn’t know that just stop reading now), was imaginative and inspiriting in her choices for Miss Bradshaw. Though I could never pull off (or afford) half the combinations Carrie rocked around the city (while wearing 5 inch heels none the less), I loved seeing the style on her. It always somehow worked and stunned, which is why the character will forever be a style icon.

One of the styles in particular that always drove me insane was the visibility of Carrie’s bras (generally paired with white granny panties at the end of the night).Though I have yet to rock the granny panties (I’m single and don’t need additional help remaining so), I decided to try showing off my bra stap in an open back outfit. 

I went to my closet for the perfect item to test out the look, and (shockingly) my go to piece was a jumper by BCBG (I may have a BCBG obsession…just a small one since only half my closed contains BCBG…only half). 

So I followed in the steps of Carrie, and showed off my Victoria’s Secret (though not so secret anymore) bra strap in an open back jumper. It was out…loud and proud! And do you want to know a secret? I liked it! 

Wearing: BCBG Jumper (similar), Lulu Frost Necklace, Charles Jourdan Paris Shoes, Victoria’s Secret Bra

Photos by Lydia Hudgens

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - social media is the new guerrilla marketing and no one dominates the market better than bloggers. Not only are fashion brands benefiting from daily selfies linking back to the brands but restaurants, bars, spas and hotels among others are reaping the benefits.

Case in point my recent visit to Jack’s Wife Freda thanks to a ‘personal’ recommendation from the Man Repeller (aka me stalking her Instagram). 

Trust and believe that I was not disappointed. ‘Jack’ and his wife (aka Dean Jankelowitz and his wife, Maya) emigrated to NYC and have brought an amazing mix of their heritage to the menu creating a South African Israeli Jewish Grandmother Cuisine (wow it’s quite a mouthful…no pun intended). Between the fried zucchini chips, bloody mary moules frites and the hand cut fries, I was in utter dinner bliss. So if anyone ‘stalks’ me, I hope you visit the little bit of heaven in Soho.  

‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.’ - Leonardo de Vinci

A pop of color goes a long way, but sometimes a classic shade of white is just what you need to stand out among the bright colors of spring. Since Memorial Weekend has come and gone, we can officially wear our head-to-toe whites (without the ‘faux pas’ accusations and dirty looks).

I chose to rock a solid white dress by Deivie. Not only do I LOVE the original and fun style of Deivie, but I simply adore Christina Mannino. She is the beautiful and talented designer behind the brand. Having met the girl over a year ago, I simply fell in love with her crazy ways. She knows how to party, she knows how to dj and she certainly knows how to design a dress. Even the simple white dress is anything but with a halter collar, tight waist and custom wave skirt (showing off a girl’s curves in the best possible way…wink wink).

Basically I am ready for the P Diddy/Puff Daddy/Sean Combs/Etc/Etc/Etc White Party. Does that still exist or did that fantasy die like people’s fascination with Paris Hilton’s sex tape pre-Kardashian?  

Wearing: Deivie Dress, Aldo Bag, Schutz Shoes

Photos by Danielle Tiu

“Whoever said money doesn’t buy happiness clearly didn’t know where to shop.” - Blair, Gossip Girl

I love maxi dresses. I love them so much, and not just because you can kind of avoid shaving your legs an extra day or two (shhhh). I love them because they show off your figure, make you look taller, and often skinnier. I love them almost as much as I love open back dresses. Now can you imagine how much I love open back maxi dresses?!

The BCBG sales people on 5th Avenue can because they experienced my jump for joy when I saw the Resort Runway Collection. It is kind of amazing in person, and the Maude Silk Dress is maybe my favorite piece.

I knew it from the moment I saw it on the mannequin - we had a bright future together. I may not have the best luck in love, but I get plenty lucky when shopping (and not in dirty sense so don’t slut-shame me).

Wearing: BCBG Dress, Sole Society Shoes

Photos by Lydia Hudgens