Happy first day of summer!

images via: Oracle Fox, Elle Russia July 2011

Time to reflect...

Garance Dore

I'm finally back after my short blogging hiatus!  It's been a crazy couple of weeks between work and play, consisting of some fun but tiring photo shoots (which those following me on twitter know from my behind the scenes shots), resort appointments, countless meetings, and most notably, a five day camping excursion in Tennessee for Bonnaroo.

The festival was definitely an experience, to say the least.  Aside from the music, I was excited to observe and partake in the bohemian-chic styling vibe that I'm always lusting over in images of Coachella and other music festivals.  However, fashion-wise, Bonnaroo is more a corduroy-clad, dread-locked hippie than it is Kate Bosworth in a tie-dye romper.  I was quickly forced to embrace the dirt and switch out my newly purchased "hippie-chic" attire for more sensible (read: replaceable) wares... after which, I had a lot more fun!

The constant dust streams also made me uneasy about using my camera, so I barely took any photos.  It ended up being a blessing in disguise because it allowed me to just enjoy the moments and performances rather than busying myself trying to capture them all on film.  Of those performances, Eminem was obviously my fav (and whole reason for attending) along with The Strokes, Arcade Fire, Florence and the Machine and my new obsession, Neon Trees.

But back to the fashion.  Before leaving I decided to up my sunglass game with a new pair of mirrored Ray-Bans.  To my delight, Strokes' lead singer, Julian Casablancas, happens to share my affinity for reflective sunnies and arrived on stage sporting the amazing mirrored Wayfarers you see below.  The sunset was casting a deep orange glow over the crowd, which his lenses reflected beautifully.  And just as I thought I couldn't love this style any more, I returned to work amidst resort week to witness the ultimate mecca of reflective perfection in Theyskens' Theory's Resort 2012 collection.  I predict these shades will be everywhere this summer, and luckily there are a lot of affordable options out there.  In the words of my man... Shady's back!

Jambo

coolspotters

Tommy Ton for Style.com

Tommy Ton for Style.com

the glamourai

flickr

Gastro Chic

sfoptics

Tommy Ton for Style.com

coolspotters

Get to know: Penelope and Coco

all shoes and images from Penelope and Coco

I'm so excited to share with you one of my new favorite shoe lines, Penelope and Coco.  After seeing them online about a year ago, I immediately reached out to learn more about the collection.  I became even more smitten after talking with the brand's super creative young co-owners, Marisa Spinella and Arielle Vavasseur, who explained how the line came about based on the designers' alter style egos.

Penelope represents the classic, old Hollywood-loving, uptown girl, while Coco is more like her downtown, eccentrically edgy step-sister.  The two style sensibilities come together to create the line's unique posh meets punk aesthetic.  The dalmatian print "Edie" bootie is a perfect example of this stylish mash-up; the shape is clean and classic, but the print adds just the right amount of "wow" to take them over the top.  The second I saw these I asked to pre-order them and am still counting down the days until they arrive!

Until then, I was delighted and honored to be asked by the girls over at Penelope and Coco to participate in their "Industry Insiders" series by virtually styling my new Edie booties with the pieces that I would pair them with.  Below is the board I came up with, but you can click here to see it on their site and peep what the rest of the insider's chose!

 (clockwise from top left): Bec & Bridge blazer, $128.  Proenza Schouler top, $275

Ray-Ban sunglasses, $195.  j.crew pants, $198.  Penelope and Coco Edie booties, $482.  

Fendi Silvana bag, $1,870.  Burberry men's watch, $595.