Outfit inspiration: Rainy day

In honor of the unexpected (at least for me) showers we got today in NYC, I decided to post some fashionable inspiration for the less than inspiring weather!

via StockholmStreetStyle

These have got to be the sexiest rain boots I have EVER seen!  They're by Cheap Monday from the Spring 2011 collection, and I really hope they make it to production! 

via The Style Sophisticate

via Tommy Ton for Style.com

Anna Dello Russo, killing it as always!

via Breakfast at Tiffany's

No one makes rain look better than Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard!

Hooded trench, Michael Kors; rain boots, Dav Rain; umbrella, Target; watch, Nordstrom.

It's so easy to let your style go once bad weather hits, but with all the fashionable versions of function-centric pieces available nowadays, there's really no reason for it.  Anyone can look put together in perfect weather, but it's how you look during windy, cold, wet and chaotic forecasts that sets apart the chic and stylishly-prepared from the frazzled Ugg-wearers carrying half-broken Duane Reade umbrellas.

  

Rain gear company, Däv, could give Hunter a run for their money.  They have a ton of stylish options, like this equestrian-style pair, which don't even look like rain boots!  As with the rest of these pieces, they are affordable and well worth the investment, especially if you live in NYC!

Brogue-mance

I have been on a serious hunt for the perfect pair of brogues.  My brogue-mance first began when Sienna Miller showed up on set for a photo shoot we did with her, wearing the Christian Louboutin "Freddy" flats in neon yellow (seen also below).  They were fresh, adorable, cheeky, cool and unexpected-I was in love!

Olivia image: My Opera, silver shoes: Marc Jacobs via Olivia's Obsession, studded flats: Christian Louboutin via Garance Dore, blue flats: Red Magazine, Sienna image: via Davey Darling, Chloe Sevigny image by Pavel Havlicek for international Harper's Bazaar editions.

My next encounter with Freddy was on the Chloe Sevigny shoot, where I fell just as hard for the metallic blue version we had on set (see image above).  I tried convincing myself out of these based on practicality, longevity of the trend and seasonality issues, but then they showed up on Olivia Palermo (more on my feelings for her here) in wear-with-everything silver and then, in the most perfect version I've ever seen, in nude with gold studs... and I was finished!

The only imperfect thing about them was the $995 price tag, which is what fueled my search for a suitable alternate.  And after shopping hundreds of styles and sites, I was ecstatic when I came across this gem of a pair on Pixie Market over the weekend!

 

Pewter cut-out brogues from Pixie Market

At just $103, this pair is perfectly priced, and the metallic finish is loud enough to make a statement, but refined enough to still be worn as a basic.  These will instantly add an exclamation point to any lackluster outfit.  I imagine they'll be great for running around on set, transitioning between NY and LA weather, subway commuting, airport travels and so much more... can't wait for these to become my new staple shoe!

Thanksgiving cupcakes

Hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving!  I decided to bake some seasonal cupcakes to bring with me to my boyfriend's family gathering, and after searching online for some recipe inspiration, I decided to make pumpkin cupcakes with a cinnamon-maple butter-cream frosting!  I combined and adapted various recipes from my search and the result was even better than I imagined...utterly delicious and perfect for fall!

The cupcake recipe is ridiculously easy to make, I used this recipe from Real Simple, which, as the name should imply, was really, really simple!  No one will ever know you used a cake box mix as the base!  I used more pumpkin spice than the recipe calls for, but use as much or as little as you like, depending on your taste.  Definitely don't leave this spice out though!  I almost ditched it, since the recipe only called for a teaspoon and I couldn't find it initially, but I'm so glad I decided to look a bit harder!  It makes such a difference!  It should be with the rest of the spices in the grocery story, mine was a small shaker by McCormick.

Cupcakes:

1 18.5-ounce box yellow cake mix (plus the ingredients called for in the package directions)

1-2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350° F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners. Prepare the cake mix as directed but with the following change: Add the pumpkin pie spice and substitute the can of pumpkin puree for the water called for in the package directions.

2. Divide the batter among the prepared muffin tins and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Let cool.

 These could even be eaten plain, like muffins, since they're so tasty and such a pretty color!  But of course, everything is better when it's dressed, and this frosting too heavenly to pass up...

Frosting:

1 cup butter, softened

2 3/4 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

dash of pumpkin spice 

1/4 teaspoon salt (optional) 

Directions:

1. Put butter in bowl and mix until whipped.

2. Mix in powdered sugar and beat for about a minute. Scrape down the sides and add the brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and a dash of pumpkin spice.  Mix for another 2-3 minutes or until frosting is fluffy.  I found the frosting was a bit sweet, so I decided to add some salt for a little bite.  It was subtle but fantastic! 
3.  If the frosting is too thick to spread evenly with a knife, clean hands and roll frosting into small balls, top the cupcakes with the frosting balls and pat them flat until top of cake is covered. 

4. ENJOY!

xoxo

More holiday inspiration...

This Friday is payday and I can pretty much guarantee a large portion of my paycheck will be going directly towards Zara's evening collection... to die for!

 

view the rest of the collection here!

Outfit inspiration: Olivia Palermo

Love her or hate her, Olivia Palermo knows how to dress.  I am constantly inspired by photos of her ensembles (full disclosure: I google image her daily) and fashion-wise, the girl can do no wrong.  Her sartorial mastery lies in her ability to mix colors, patterns and textures alongside stand-out accessories that are always a bit unexpected for that special- "you would have never thought of this but you wish you did"- type look, that's become Olivia's signature.  

When trying to decide what to wear to my boyfriend's family's Thanksgiving dinner, I again turned to photos of Ms. Palermo to get the wheels turning.  After spotting this infamous ensemble (if you recall the episode of The City when Olivia showed up at the Guess event sans any Guess!) I decided to recreate it for myself, here's what I'll be shopping for:

Olivia image: Elle.com , blazer: Urban Outfitters, blouse: Zara, necklace: Forever21, skirt: Zara, clutch:Mango , watch: Amazon

Dress your walls: instant room makeover

My apartment has been in the "I just moved in" state for five months now and this past Saturday it was time to do something about it.  Sometimes starting with a blank canvas can seem overwhelming, which is why we waited so long to do something in the first place, but it's amazing what just some paint and new accessories can do to completely transform a space!  

The wall you see in the photos used to be an ugly "fake" wall (used in a lot of NYC apartments to convert a large living room into an extra bedroom) so I used painter's tape to create a sort of faux wainscoting look.  It's definitely time consuming, since you want to be precise about all the lines and measurements, but as far as physical exertion and costs, it's extremely easy!  

We also picked up some black paint and updated our old, "blah" wooden coffee table, added some accessories, and voila!  The whole transformation cost about $120!  I'm too embarrassed to show the before photo, but it pretty much consisted of just the white couch and the coffee table in an ugly wood stain, so use your imagination!  Here are the supplies and approximate costs:

-Pillows, vase, artichoke and adorable silver elephant: all between $12.99 - $19.99 at Daffy's (seriously amazing home goods stuff there if you live in NYC!)
-Paint (black and tan): about $30
-Painter's tape: $5
-Drop cloths (for the floor and furiture): $5
-Painting supplies: $11 (we used this Home Depot starter with rollers, tray and brushes!)
-Tools (level, measuring tape, straightedge, razor cutter): already owned

Dreaming of: Ladylike skirts

Lately I've been gravitating towards pairing girly skirts and accessories with super casual tops like sweatshirts and long-sleeved knits.  I've been rocking various renditions of the combo, but I'm dying to switch out my mini for a longer version and pair it with some more rugged boots, like in some of the inspiration photos below, for a perfect balance of feminine and edgy.

1-2. Vogue Germany December 2010 via Studded Hearts, 3. Sea of Shoes, 4. Marc Jacobs Fall 2010 Runway via Style.com, 5. Taylor Tomasi via Jak & Jil, 6. Tommy Ton for Style.com, 7. Mary Kate Steinmiller via Hanneli, 8. Taylor Tomasi via Mr.Newton

These longer, ladylike hemlines were all over the Fall '10 and Spring '11 runways, from Marc Jacobs to Chloé to fashion's cult favorite, Dries Van Noten (if you haven't viewed the collection in full, I highly recommend doing so here–endless fall outfit inspiration!)

While definitely a trend, I love that these skirts haven't become ubiquitous yet, and still look fresh and fashion forward, yet completely sweet and effortless.  I'm going to try and pick some up this weekend to switch into the rotation... Here are my current favorites (all under $100!):

TOP ROW (All from Urban Outfitters): Lurex skirt $59, perfect for the holidays with black tights and a statement necklace;  Tulle skirt $68, I would ditch the tights they paired it with and add healed oxfords with bobby socks and a cropped cable knit sweater with a pretty muted scarf; Sheer maxi $38, looks great styled casually as seen above (though I would go for a chicer bootie) or would look amazing for holiday with black tights, a deep lip and sparkly accessories!

BOTTOM ROW (All from Zara): Printed skirt $79.90, I'd pair this with more of a neutral top, a chambray oxford tied in center knot at the waist would be a chic, unexpected pairing; Lace skirt $69.90, would wear more casuals with this to balance out the daintiness of the lace, thinking maybe a long-sleeve burnout knit and lace up wedge booties with tights; Silk/lace skirt $89.90, love the idea of making this skirt work for winter by styling it with boots like Taylor Tomasi in the photos above!  

Dream #73

Welcome to my first post on Dream & Dress! A few years ago I made a "bucket list" of things I wanted to do or achieve in my life, and for what seems like forever, I've been talking about, planning and debating over how to go about #73... Make a website.

I recently achieved #1 on my list, Be on Wheel of Fortune, and the crazy whirlwind of experiences that have come as a result have inspired me to finally create my blog and share some of these experiences along with all things creative, fashionable and inspiring that I find along the way!

I'll post the entire bucket list soon and hope you'll be inspired to create your own lists! You never know what can happen! I certainly never expected any of this...