Red Coat

Coat : J.Crew (40% Off right now with code "HOLIDAY") / Sweater : Old Navy / Jeans : Old Navy (only $36!) / Flats : Purchased in Beijing / Bag : Loeffler Randall (similar) / Sunglasses : Ray-Ban

Sunday was a gloomy fall day and instead of staying inside to watch football, we made the trek uptown to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I had been wanting to go for a couple months now, as I had yet to visit since I've been living in NYC full time. I found out a few days ago that a new fashion exhibit was opening and my desire to go got even stronger.

Ruffle Hem Tank

Top : Emily Farina / Jeans : American Eagle / Coat : Old Navy (camel is sold out online) / Bag : Madewell / Sunglasses : Urban Outfitters (similar) / Flats : Sam Edelman

Shopping For : Cold Weather Jackets

 Life in New York City means braving the elements all. year. long. In the summer that means sweltering humidity and steamy sidewalks and in the winter that means frigid urban wind tunnels down city streets. Since most of us living in the city don't have personal cars at our disposal, air conditioning and heated seats are not part of the commuting experience.

Red Shoes

  Top : Emily Farina (similar) / Jeans : Blank Denim / Blazer : old (similar) / Bag : old (similar) / Shoes : Forever 21 & Emily Farina (similar) / Sunglasses: Karen Walker

A few months ago I bought a pair of red heels from Forever 21 with the intention of turning them into a special pair of my own with ruffled silk rosettes. I had done a similar technique before and wanted to revisit for a new pair of shoes. While I knew what I was doing, I wanted to test the technique on a cheap pair of shoes rather than a pricey pair. After initially posting about the shoes here, I finally got around to actually wearing them!

Wear Now : Red Striped Button-down

Shirt : Rails c/o South Moon Under / Shorts : Zara (similar) / Shoes : Soludos / Sunglasses : Urban Outfitters / Bag : Forever 21 (similar) / Hat : NYC Street Vendor (similar)

Earlier this week Jeff and I decided to take a walk around Central Park after work. The sun was reaching the peak of golden hour when we got to the Bow Bridge, creating a beautiful light to gaze over the water and watch the row boats passing by. Although the weather has been super warm in NYC, the breezy linen of this Rails shirt left me quite comfortable in the outdoor heat.

Summer Blues

Top : Urban Outfitters / Shorts : Loft (40% off right now) / Bag : Forever 21(similar, 60% off) / Sunglasses : Quay / Shoes : Loeffler Randall (get the olive color 40% here)

I have always loved a good off-the-shoulder top, but this summer my love has grown to pure obsession. I can't stop! This blue shirt from Urban Outfitters was a recent purchase and one that I am very happy about. It is so comfortable and light, and would work equally as well as skinny jeans as it does with shorts. I definitely plan on pulling out as much as I can before the warm weather fades into fall.

I was in the West Village for dinner a few nights ago and threw on this breezy shirt and short combo to brave the heat. I got these shorts and pulled them out for the first time, a perfect basic black piece. Sometimes a leather bag can just feel too heavy in hot weather so instead I opted for this Forever 21woven bag instead of my usually cross-body items.

City Hearts

 Top : Forever 21 (similar) / Skirt : Vintage (similar, more affordable option) / Bra : Gapbody (similar) / Sunglasses : Bangkok Market (similar) / Bag : Anthropologie (similar) / Shoes : Loeffler Randall

There is no shortage of colorful wall art in New York City and the East Village has it's fair share of the bunch. We stumbled upon this fun mural last week and I loved the bright colors, happy heart motifs and juxtaposition against the black background paint.

City Floral

Dress : Emily Farina (for similar see bottom of post) / Sunglasses : Karen Walker / Bag : Coach (similar) / Sandals : Sam Edelman (similar) / Lipstick : MAC

I have been in love with ruffles for a long time. Looking back at all the different collections and pieces I designed throughout my college career as a fashion student you can see just how obsessed I was with flounces, layers and feminine ruffles. Another thing I love is a bright, vibrant floral pattern. This dress combines both of those loves into one. I got this fabric years ago on sale and just loved the bright color & print and decided it would be a perfect simple and airy dress.

Summertime Gingham

Top : Emily Farina (similar, similar) / Hat : Ace of Something (similar, similar) / Jean Shorts : Forever21 (similar) / Bag : Loeffler Randall / Bandana : Thrift Store (similar) / Sandals : Sam Edelman

[Scroll to the bottom of the post for more links to re-create my look]

Happy belated 4th of July everyone! I hope your weekend was filled with fun, relaxation, celebration and happiness. I spent my weekend north of the city at a friend's lake house. It was so nice to get away from the crowded and smelly city streets and enjoy fresh air and nature. 

Weekend Summer White

Hat : Panama Jack (similar) / Top : Old Navy (similar) / Shorts : Target (similar) / Sunglasses : Karen Walker / Bag : Rebecca Minkoff (similar) / Shoes : Soludos (similar) / Earrings : Gorjana / Nail Polish : Essie

There is nothing quite like white in the summertime. It makes you feel cooler in the hot weather, it enhances a golden tan and it always look chic. Know how you can wear all black in the winter and instantly look pulled together? All white during the summer has the same effect.

Gingham Shorts

Top : Anthropologie / Shorts : Emily Farina / Bag : Madewell / Shoes : Loeffler Randall / Sunglasses : Beijing purchase, similar / Fitbit Alta

We were up early on Saturday and took advantage of the opportunity to go to brunch at one of our favorite East Village restaurants, Mud, before the crowds got too bad. Gingham is everywhere right now so I pulled out my black gingham shorts for an easy, casual look. 

Spring Stripes

This weekend we had my most favorite weather ever in NYC - cool enough to bring a jacket but warm enough in the sun that you don’t really need it. My parents were visiting this weekend so I was out and about all day Saturday. The nice weather was perfect for light layers, so I opted for a few of my favorite casual pieces - white jeans, striped tee and army jacket. 

What to Wear This Week : Basic Tee-Shirt Dress

We had a few days of amazing spring weather this past week in New York and I couldn't resist pulling out one of my dresses. I wore this black tee shirt dress to work with a blazer but swapped that out for my leather jacket and fun flats once I got home.

Sunday on the East River

It was a beautiful day this past Sunday and we decided to walk down to the East River before heading to Hoboken to meet up with some friends. Tons of people were out it was fun to feel some life around the city after so many cold days.

Insiders NYC Holiday To-Do List 2015

View from our room at The Park Lane Hotel, last winter

Growing up not too far away from New York City, I have been up to visit many times around Christmas for a Broadway show, to check out the windows on 5th avenue and even to have holiday tea. I am very excited to be here for the whole month this year leading up to Christmas and soak in all the amazing-ness that is New York City filled with holiday spirit and as a real New Yorker!

New York City always has tons going on especially around the holiday season, problem is, everyone knows about the cliche places seems to also be there exactly when you are.

This year, I have compiled a list of my top To-Do's in NYC for the holidays. But what makes this list different, is that I have some new places for you guys to try that check off the same classic holiday NYC things but from a new perspective and with decidedly less chaos and tourists around.

Writing this post almost makes we wish it was winter already. Almost.