A bit of color helps brighten gray days

This winter has been so much colder than normal that it's gotten alot of people feeling a bit dreary. Which is why it's important to remember the psychological effects of color. And that bright colors like this hot pink can jolt you a bit – hopefully in a good way!

Anime Girl

Okay, I'm the first to admit I know next to nothing about anime fashion/culture. But she made me think of a Japanese Lolita or anime girl. If you're more well versed than I am please feel free to help me out with the cultural reference! But I'm loving the florals and ruffles as well as her makeup!

Flipped Out

This photo reminds me of a book I had as a kid that was illustrations of different people split into thirds so you could flip through it and mix it up: put the ladies high heels with a fat man's middle and a little girl's face. The top half and bottom half here are completely incongruous. He also looks like he could kick your a** if you gave him a critique...so I'm not going to do that! I actually think the red skirt is kind of interesting and I'm totally going to steal how he styled his t-shirt with the safety pins! I just might not wear this as an ensemble...but that's just me!
UPDATE: in addition to being a fashion rebel, I was just informed by a reader that the man in the photo is Malcolm Harris who is the founder of The One Dress Project  whose mission is mission is to support global organizations that enhance and protect women's rights, safety, health and well-being. Most excellent.

"E" for Effort

I normally don't get too critical of the looks I post because, let's face it: I picked them because I liked them, not because I didn't. But I always end up shooting more than I post and there are always the ones that I love at first...but then am not sure about. Kind of like impulse shopping.  What I like about this one is the kimono style dress, the glasses, the wedge platforms and the print-with-print of bag and dress. What I'm less sure about is the ruffled dress underneath that makes the top piece feel more like a fancy bathrobe, the actual prints of both pieces and I'm questioning whether the shoes are too heavy for the look. They do tie in nicely with the glasses and her hair color...other than the roots which also aren't working for me. Still I am posting the photo because I'm wondering what you all think!

Kristin Cavallari does short and flirty

Shorter skirt lengths haven't disappeared yet, and I don't think they will in entirety. These lengths look fresher with fitted waists and fuller skirts like these two. Kristin Cavallari, on the right, is wearing Zac Posen and both of these girls kept the make up light and the jewelry to a minimum, managing to look sweet –not saccharine.

NYFW style trend

When I review all the photos I take during fashion week of the attendees I can't help but see trends emerging. Here we have feminine tops paired with high-waisted black shorts. One with black heels and the other with men's style lace ups. It's a fresh and pretty look that is also neat without being too ladylike IMO.

Midnight Garden Party

Although I have put floral prints on the blog before I have also openly admitted that for the most part I am not a fan. This dress, on this girl is an exception! The color palette is grown up instead of girly and I love the bold size of these flowers. It works on her because she happens to be a model so has the height and frame to carry it off. (I, on the other hand, would look like I was hiding behind Auntie's drapes if I tried it!) I also love the gold filigree jewelry. The hat and gloves might be a bit theatrical but she is out at night in New York...

When is a floral not a floral?

Okay, I have a confession to make: I hate florals. Floral dresses. Floral Onesies. Floral anything worn on the body. Maybe it's all the hideous Laura Ashley prints that the mean girls wore in Middle School that traumatized me. I don't know but to me flowers belong in a garden. However there is always an exception to a rule. And here it is: I like her overall look despite the floral skirt and the (yes) Rosary-as-necklace.

Too Styley Boyz

Two different boys, two different looks. Boy One (on the left) is looking oh-so-pretty in pink: from flowers in his hair to flowers on his boots. Boy Two is channeling an early hiphop street style from the colorful Keith Haring tee to the gold sneakers, cap at an angle and pose. (if giving me the finger is considered a pose - which is done so frequently it has lost all ability to offend!)

Sabrina Bacon is Trendilicious

This girl on the left is Sabrina Bacon and quite honestly, I don't really know her. But I liked her vibe and so invited her to my event tonight. Whether or not she shows I have to give props to her style. I spent this afternoon researching the dominant trends of spring. (not because I'm a blogger but for a different freelance job -although it's not bad for the blog either!) Anyways according to my research Sabrina is rocking 3 of the top trends in this one outfit: over the knee socks, florals, and pleated skirts. And she does this all without looking like a try-too-hard girl. And her friend is sporting an early Hanson 'do (no offense!)and skinny jeans. Cute, very cute.

Zac Posen for Target Party threesome

As promised, a few people from the party. I love the straw fedora. They're everywhere right now.  I'll be picking up a $10 version on Canal Street because I'm not sure this trend will last more than a summer but it will be a fun way addition to an outfit in the meantime...

Zac Posen for Target Party

Two of the girls from THE LIKE wearing Zac Posen for Target

I'll be honest: I get alot of invitations for various store launches etc and most of them I don't go to and even when I end up attending I frequently don't write anything up. Because...the people are boring and everyone seems stiff and though they're trying to force festivity onto commerce. As anyone who loves a good party will tell you, you can't make a successful party so much as it just "happens". This is especially true when it's a promotional event. So I was pleasantly surprised that not only was the Zac Posen for Target Party tolerable it was (gasp!) fun. (click the read more below to continue)

The champagne and sushi (my hands down favorite meal) was a good start, and having the adorable girl band, The Like, added to the atmosphere. Zac Posen's clothes were lined along the walls and in a separate back room and I have to say that, unlike some other secondary (or tertiary?) clothing lines I've seen, they don't seem cheap or made only for teenagers. There was a great red suede biker jacket and several variations on the little black dress that would work well in any New Yorkers wardrobe. Clearly I wasn't the only one who thought so as there were more people waiting online to get into the dressing room than to get a cocktail -and I've never seen that before!

I saw some friends as well, which is always nice and got some great shots which I'll post over the next few days, and when I left by 10 pm there was a line around the corner of girls waiting for the store event that would begin at 11 pm. I'm guessing the Zac Posen line will be a massive hit for Target. (pronounced Tarzhay, baby!)

Super Saturated Street Style

Oh how I love color! Bold, unapologetic, in your face color! Something we do not see nearly enough of in this city. Yes, I know it's not SOBE, but must city style always mean black? Thankfully, this woman didn't think so - she is full of color - particularly a juicy lemon yellow. And lilac accents on her blouse, lips and cheeks. And the best part? Her gold gun belt buckle. Clearly she has a sense of humor as well as a great sense of style.

Creative Spirit

I met Megg Morales through a mutual friend and was immediately struck by her amazing energy. Her free spirit and attitude (or maybe lack of attitude) seems at odds with the edginess of New York. Especially when you consider she is a model by trade. (and yes, might look familiar to you from a certain reality tv show) But what she's passionate about is making things. I visited her in her Bushwick apartment where she kindly showed me some of her work which you can see in the Musings section.

a floral that works

If you read this blog with any regularity you might know I have an issue with florals. I just think that alot of them look dowdy and mask the female form in a way that's distracting. And even if the wearer is trying for an ironic hipster stance it will still be a cringe worthy outfit in the future. And this all leads up to this girl: and how her floral top works because it's subtle and is just one part of an outfit. And it's balanced out by the choppy hair and the mudflap girl necklace. Take note: it's all about the balance!

More Florals

I decided to post this photo today because it's a reprieve from the dominance of black. I also love the intricacy of this skirt: the way the fabric drapes in a way that reminds me of a flower...upside down. It's both girlish and sophisticated which is hard to pull off. Well done!

Floral prints: fantastic or sooo f*cked?

The city seems filled with horrid-i mean florid floral prints and I am wondering...is this a GOOD thing? For example at a party the other evening I met a girl wearing a dress I can only describe as heinous: Pepto Bismol pink with flowers that overwhelmed her figure and the requisite shoulder pads. She shared that her mother wore it on her honeymoon in '82 and everyone ooohed and aaahed...and I'm just not convinced. Yet this girl (in the photo) completely caught my eye on the Lower East Side the other day. So I'm feeling a bit on the fence re:flowers. Any thoughts?

Boys in purple + prints

Two examples of boys who have no fear of color or prints. It's nice to see after so much black!

More Missbehavin' -street style NYC

Sarah - dj/artist/fashionista
We love: the ingenuity of winterizing a summer frock and the 80s-with-a-twist feel of the entire ensemble.

Sirita - fashion assistant
Style Details: loves vintage and finds inspiration in Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and a 5 pound Yorkie!
We love: the mix of textures -a satiny top with a furry vest- begs to be touched...but we resisted!

Olivia - model
Style Details: described as "bohemian junkie hippie"
We love: the urban cowgirl meets runaway combo of oversized fringed jacket, studded boots and cut offs made sophisticated with the citrus scarf.

Model shopper at Gen Art SHOP NYC

Tara Renee - model
We love: the juxtaposition of naughty (sheer arms and top) and nice (embroidery style bows and dogs) of this dress...and Tara Renee wears it well.