Choices Determine Character

Scarf + White Tee + Camel Coat: J.Crew; Boyfriend Jeans: Rag + Bone; Mule Sandals: Cole Haan; Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a big television. Choose no television. Choose washing machines, buying a car, listening to music, and electric can openers (wait what?) Choose good health, low cholesterol and dental insurance. Choose going to the gym. Choose fixed-interest mortgage payments. Choose renting. Choose to buy a “starter" home. Choose buying a mansion with money you do not have yet. Choose your friends. Choose leisure wear and matching luggage. Choose a three piece suit. Choose a T-Shirt. Choose to DIY and wondering who you are on a Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing/spirit-crushing shows. Choose chain smoking. Choose eating junk food. Choose to rot away. Choose to exist. Choose your future. Choose your life.

What have you been choosing lately? 

Wearing Jackets During Spring-Summer Season in New York

Wearing Jackets During Spring-Summer Season in New York

Slowly transitioning from the tail end of spring into the comforting atmosphere of summer won’t be as hard compared to other seasons. For one, spring and summer collections feature almost – if not – the same bright colors, fun patterns, and light materials. Lifestyle website Glamour Magazine has even curated a list of the ten outfits influenced by this some of the most prominent fashion shows today.

From flowy dresses, to leather rucksacks, to boho-chic sandals, the season highlights an assortment of easy garments that can be worn with less effort yet maintain a high sense of style. Having said all of these, it has become fairly simple to disregard an article of clothing that – in a way – tends to be relegated at the back of the closet during the summer.

According to the city’s website NYC.com, as wet and as cold as New York’s winter is from December to February, its summer is on par in terms of heat and humidity. Indeed, the season doesn’t necessarily require having a dependable jacket; but it wouldn’t hurt to have one ready for the office or a casual night out with friends.

Fashion ecommerce platform Lyst has a way of differentiating professional and informal jackets accordingly. Office jackets should include tailored blazers and waistcoats, while they feel you should be wearing bombers, parkas, and denims for casual nights out. This gives women an idea on the types of jacket to wear in the summer – considering the temperature, the venue, and the occasion at the same time.

This season’s main style trends combine the modification of materials and fabrics, with each pattern’s cheerfulness and brightness. In short, jackets are mainly asymmetrical in shape with a slight hint of floral designs here and there. Additionally, the familiar black and brown, as well as sandy-reddish, leather jackets make an impact when it comes to color and style.

Based on the style gurus of Dress Trends, black or brown leather jackets go well with the season because of its versatility and usefulness. Ladies can wear this on top of a nice flowery dress, or better yet, have one that has touches of floral prints. Conversely, the bright sandy-reddish ones complement white skirts, blouses, or trousers for a more professional look.

Altogether, wearing jackets in the summer doesn’t sacrifice comfort for the sake of high fashion. These transitional clothes offer a viable alternative for expressing women’s individuality, while maintaining proper style and sophistication regardless of the season.

stairway railings + book(ing) it

airbnb on 122nd + Broadway (Morningside Heights)

January is always an excellent month for reflection.. or maybe that's just me? Regardless, I'm choosing to reminisce on when I first moved to New York; because as "they" (whoever they are) say, hindsight is 20/20. The above photo is taken in the vanity mirror of the airbnb I got to live in for the first 2 weeks following my arrival while I looked for my own place. I do not find it necessary to relive my experience with airbnb but let's just say that it was so deplorable that I ended up getting my entire 2 week stay ($2K) paid for. My start out in NYC could not have been any more rough.. at least I got this cool vanity mirror to take a #kellfie in :)

Max's Cafe on 122nd + Broadway where I waited 6 hours for airbnb to rectify the situation, @ least I was in great company with these antique couches!

122nd + Broadway (Morningside Heights)

I am always appreciating architecture and especially interiors. Therefore, it's no surprise that I have mad love for this pre-war, brick wall situated within my second airbnb. The wooden sticks make for an interesting atmosphere. By interesting I mean they fell down anytime I shut a door (shut, not slam).. Me thinks they would be better place in a museum.. but what do I know? 

Library (Midtown)

There are many things I like to do when I feel more out of control than usual (let's be honest nobody has control over anything), but moving to NYC and being unexpectedly bounced around had this effect. One of the things I like to do is find the nearest library. Quiet, peaceful, serene. A place where I can be alone with my thoughts in a sincere way. I could spend hours in one just looking at it's interior design and books. Immediately, this one caught my eye. **skull princess** However, despite me initially judging it by it's cover, the book itself was dynamite! The only problem was that I was unable to check it out since I did not have a NY library card. In order to obtain one I had to have an NY address, which I also did not have at the time. I'll never forget the comfort this book gave me during what can only be described as an extremely tumultuous time. Even just sitting there and reading it for an hour calmed me.

The above depicts some of the interiors situated within the captivating Midtown library. The point of this post is that libraries (and their railings.. which have held me up more time than I can count) have always calmed me in one way or another. Be it with books from the libraries, or the libraries themselves. I can't think of one bad memory every happening in a library. Cheers to me not just jinxing that.. :)

XOXO

street art obsession + kelsey montague

Photos by: Elena Baltzagou

Brunch Attire:

Flannel + Circular Shades, Nordstrom

Black Jorts, Madewell

Necklace, Urban Outfitters

Fringe Heels, Camilla Skovgaard

I'm not sure where my obsession with colorful street art stems from, or why I have a burning desire to always take pictures with it. Maybe it's because I am a white girl. Maybe it's because I am so bored with my whiteness that I wish to be contrasted with all the beautiful colors that I feel represent me more than my boring skin tone ever could. 

According to me, one of the coolest things by far about living in New York is all the seriously incredible street art on display as you are doing your morning commute, walking to the doctor's office, or walking to do whatever other mundane activity humans have to do to be human. You don't have to go to the MoMA (even though you should! wow what an exceptional museum) to see the best a brightest modern art. My current obsession is with artist Kelsey Montague. 

Kelsey Montague started sketching in her sketchbook and one day decided to transfix her beautiful creations onto the streets of New York. The goal being to reflect images of respect, empowerment and overall positivity. I had the pleasure of running into one of her many artworks in front of this amazing brunch spot in the Lower East Side, Freeman's.

what a charming entrance to America's version of Europe @ Freeman's

What do you think? Are you as into Kelsey Montague and her inspirational street art as I am?

XOXO