Outfit inspiration: leather and light

Hope everyone had an amazing holiday!  While continuing on my quest for the perfect New Year's Eve ensemble, I came across the above image of Chanel Iman wearing a sheer, pointelle chiffon and leather get-up by Valentino, and immediately dubbed it a contender.  I love the way the lighter material of the blouse plays again the hardness of the leather, which could easily be achieved with a thin tank or tee as well, for a more casual look.  Below are a few of my favorite pieces for re-creating the look... 

 1. H&M bra, $25.  2. Richard Nicoll blouse, $259.  3. DANNIJO necklace, $495.  4. Oakwood skirt, $145.  

5. Alexander Wang shoes, $525.  6. La Diva clutch, $68.  7. Marleen's earrings, $12. 

DIY: wrapping paper

Hope everyone had a nice weekend!  I spend the majority of it—probably like most of you—busy with holiday preparations, which of course included wrapping lots of gifts!

Like last year, I decided to forgo traditional store-bought paper in favor of my own handmade rendition.   I had seen a similar stamping idea online a while ago and finally decided to try it out for myself.  Using just some old white tissue paper, a stalk of celery and some left over acrylic paints, I was able to create the pretty floral paper you see above.  Here's how you can do the same...

Step 1: cut a stalk of celery approximately 3 inches from the base to create your stamp.  Make sure to keep the knife perpendicular to the counter and cut in one straight chop to create a level stamping surface.  The cut half should resemble a rose, like in the photo on the right.

Step 2: pour some acrylic paint on a paper plate and dip your stamp into the paint.  You may want to test the stamp on a paper towel first to determine your desired consistency.  I used a mix of heavy and light paint consistencies and scattered them randomly across the tissue paper.

 Step 3: you can also layer different colors on top of one another to give the flowers more dimension, or use several colors for a multi-hued effect.  Once finished with your design, let dry and wrap gifts as usual!  

All images via Dream & Dress

 

Happy wrapping!

xoxo

Dreaming of a white Christmas...

 

While on the hunt for a New Year's Eve ensemble, I found myself repeatedly drawn to these muted shades of winter white.  I love the light, ethereal feel and how unexpected the color (or lack thereof) is for this time of year.  

Jewel love: Shourouk

Shourouk jewelry, available at: net-a-porter

Wow, I'm crushing hard on every piece from French jewelry label, Shourouk.  The brand first landed on my radar after appearing in Taylor Tomasi Hill's office feature on The Coveteur (a great read btw if you have some time to kill) and they've been blowing up ever since.  I love the juxtaposition of the vintage, baroque-style designs with the more modern neon and sequin accents.  Très chic!

Blue velvet crush

I am having a major blue velvet moment right now!  How insanely gorgeous are these shoes?  Although they may be completely impractical for a New York City winter, I just don't think I can resist.  The only question plaguing me now though is whether to go for these amazing Loeffler Randall lace-ups or these equally fab Thakoon ankle boots?  What do you think??

{artwork by Dream & Dress}

Outfit inspiration: the uniform

 

Lately I've been sticking to a "uniform" of sorts; consisting of skinny jeans, a half-tucked slouchy blouse, booties or heels and my leather jacket.  It may sound a bit boring or staid to stick to one particular style, but as these pictures show—there can be many different ways to interpret a single look.  

Finding a "uniform" that suits your style can also make getting dressed a lot easier, and it can quickly become your signature.  Emmanuelle Alt (who is featured in the majority of these photos) is a prime example of this, and you can see how she's evolved and re-interpreted her look time and again for different occasions and seasons.   

Under $100 gift guide: HOSTESS

The final edition of last week's Under $100 Gift Guide series (which was supposed to go up on Friday, but due to technical issues could not be put up until today) focuses on stylish, affordable gifts to bring the host or hostess of your next holiday get-together...


1. Jonathan Adler mustache bottle opener: this gold corkscrew is bold, fun and perfectly cheeky.

2. Z Gallerie shot glasses: you don't always associate shot glasses with sophistication, but these stainless steel deer and moose versions definitely fit the bill.

3. DL & Co gold skull vessel: just the right balance of goth and glam, great for placing on a vanity or storing hidden treasures.

4. Fortune cookie box: adorable display piece that opens and closes, perfect for storing a surprise thank you note for your host!

5. Dubost cheese knives: this colorful set will liven up any cheese platter and comes complete with a chic, artisinal storage box.

6. Ladurée macaroons: this French favorite is as well known for its delicious pastries as it is for their drool-worthy packaging, and now that they've opened an NYC location, you don't have to cross the Atlantic to get them.

7. Z Gallerie champagne bucket and pitcher: the shiny nickel, the fabulous resin horn handles—what's not to love about this ridiculously cool barware?

8. C.Wonder ikat coffee mug: this mug is super cute (and cheap!), but really the entire C.Wonder store is pretty amazing.  It only opened last month, so if you haven't had a chance to check it out, make it a priority for the holidays—definitely a must-see shopping destination.

Under $100 gift guide: THE GUYS

1. Vintage treasures: after a friend of mine saw her boyfriend lusting over a $400 vintage skateboard at a flea market, she searched eBay and found almost the exact same one for less than $20!  She then decided to buy three others in various styles to make him a rad piece of wall art.  You can put your own spin on this creative idea by scouring eBay for some nostalgic finds that suit his interests.

2. J.Crew hoodie: guys love hoodies, and this sherpa-lined version is a more refined yet still comfortable take on the style.

3. J.Crew iPhone case: the mock wood grain finish on this cover is unique and stylish but still maintains a manly edge.

4. Terre d'Hermès eau de toilette: the first time I smelled this I literally chased the guy who was wearing it down the street to ask what it was... It’s that good!

5. TouchTec gloves: we all know how much guys prefer typing to talking, and with these tech-saavy texting gloves he'll be able to send sweet nothings your way, come sleet or snow.

6. ProToast NFL toaster: you'll definitely score points with this one!  How cool would it be to surprise him with breakfast in bed, complete with his favorite team’s logo emblazoned right onto his morning toast?

7. Beer of the month club: another thing guys love is beer... usually in mass quantities.  Help quench his thirst by signing him up to receive monthly deliveries of hard-to-find microbrews from all over the country.

8. Diesel travel duffle: every guy needs a weekend bag, but few will seek one out on their own.  Save him from that old Jansport he’s probably still rocking, with this cool and affordable style that's currently on sale!