Fashion

"It's Carrie Baby!"

Sunglasses: Primark (Ireland), Dress: FCUK, Yellow Belt: J.Crew (Kristine Constantino), Blue Suede Heels: Stuart Weitzman, Champagne: Veuve Clicquot, Styled & Photographs by: Kristine Constantino

"It's Carrie Baby!" The initial words that come to mind when you want to go out with your gals and have an evening to "remember..." or not? Carrie (is unfortunately) the main character of popular 90's sitcom SATC, but her essence is so much more than that. Carrie's style is girly, fun, flirty, and completely OUT there. I'm not fond of Carrie but I do admire of her ability to be a total girly-girl and consistently push the envelope with her clothing choices. I, myself, am much more of tomboy!

“A dress should be tight enough to prove you’re a woman, but loose enough to show you’re a lady”
— Marilyn Monroe

My good friend, and obvious fashion guru, Kristine Constantino convinced me to push my limits and go in a direction I would normally shy away from - what do you guys think? "It' Carrie Baby!" Even though I view myself as much more of a Samantha ;)

what I learned in NYC: the best things in life are black

Oh wait.. I already knew that!

Peplum Top: Anthropologie; Studded Belt & Jacket: BCBG; Black Jeans: J.Brand; Shoes: Target; Rocco Bag: Alexander Rocco; All photos by: Kristine Constantino

As recent as last week I had the pleasure of going to the greatest city in America that needs no introduction (NYC!) A city that sounds so nice they named it twice. When I arrived at Penn Station via Boston, all I could think was, "Wow! I guess I really am a grown-up now." Having the good fortune of working for an incredible company that pays for my travel and desires my expertise in various cities around the country. It's all surreal, don't ask me how it happened..

Okay back to the MAIN point: BLACK BLACK BLACK. The second thought in my mind was radiating that color, everyone was wearing it with little to no discretion, I loved it.

Bright, west coast colors, I have not forsaken you. I have just temporarily replaced you. The blackness in a city that legitimately never sleeps (which I can't attest to, seriously quiet in my  accidentally booked hotel room in Mid-Town,) fluorescent with activities all hours of the day -- don't even get me started on the night! The city is chalk-full of a completely blacked-out population. And man, can they work it. Every individual so impeccably dressed that I even found myself becoming insecure! Then it donned on me, the lack of color was a way of neutralizing the playing ground. Perhaps their personalities are so robust, and their accomplishments so great that they do not need to be, "LOUD," with their clothing. I find this to be as admirable as it is inspiring.

10 great things in my life that happen to be black:

  1. Records
  2. 50 Cent
  3. The gas lever in my car (SUPER IMPORTANTE)
  4. 50% of Giant's Colors
  5. Combat boots
  6. OG Ray Bans
  7. Pen Ink (because pencils are so 2002 and red/blue are too weird)
  8. Jo Malone boxes
  9. My lighter
  10. This fit!

While I have always had the inclination that the best things in life are black, I have to bring out the Kelly Green Rocco -- life is just better with little Alex around. What do you think? What's your favorite color to rocco?

what's wrong with being basic?

Henley: Nordstrom, Blazer, Cut-Off Jean Shorts, Suede Black Heels: J.Crew; All Photos by: Kristine Constantino

So what is wrong with being basic? Normally I would say A LOT OF THINGS. According to UrbanDictionary.com and other "reliable," internet sources being basic is a homogenous personality devoid of anything characterizing or interesting. Who wants to be that? However lately I've heard, basic bishes have more fun! Apparently they have their life together, whatever that means. Some people say J.Crew is basic, given it is 40% of my wardrobe, I used to take offense to it -- until I realized, damn it really is pretty basic isn't it?

Perhaps J.Crew is basic, but why? Because it's popular? I don't think I am lame for liking a brand that has a well recognized design aesthetic and following. Not to say I don't go ga-ga for boutiques or unheard of brands (have you ever met me?) I am just not the kind to shun something just because it is "popular," if it works - it works! To hell with the fact that others have came to the same conclusion. All in all, there are basic brands but no basic people. "Things," yes I'm even talking clothing, do not define you. Be you, you're colorful and you know it!

precociously peplum

Cardigan & Flats: J.Crew, Peplum Top: BCBG, Shorts: Marc Jacobs, Rocco Bag: Alexander Wang; All photos by: Kristine Constantino

In rare form I chose to wear flats. J.Crew makes them best; out of the very few pairs of flats I own J.Crew has it's brand on each of them. What's life without brand loyalty? I dare you to say differently. Juxtaposed to my flat wearing rarity, I am donning a peplum top on a uncharacteristically frigid day.. Someone didn't check the weather before they got dressed.. Regardless of weather-woes, who doesn't love a peplum top? The whole idea behind it is ingenious, not to mention flattering for quite literally any figure. As you can see this is my second post in a row of the well revered peplum. The way it cinches in at the smallest part of the waist, and flounces out in a pleated/ruffled sort of way that hides any part of yourself that you want to keep hidden. Not only that, practically any woman wearing a peplum top receives an overload of attention, whether it is the kind of attention you want is another story. Exercise use of the peplum top carefully ;)

Always someone looking to push the envelope, I chose a peplum with a rather exposed back. Backs are pretty sexy, and if you can find a top/dress/whatever that can elegantly reveal yours- hats off to you. The older I get the more inappropriate it is to expose skin, however an exposed back if worn correctly can be decorous!

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