Recently in Pants Category

It has come to my attention that I have become way too colorful.  A friend blamed it on Texas but I say it's old age.  There was a time that I'd only wear black/white/gray, but as I look in my closet right now, it's like someone threw up rainbow sherbert in it.  Not that I'm going to stop wearing color (cuz god knows I love me a good pink dress) but I need more black to bring me back to my east coast sensibilities!  And no one does black better than the Queen of 7th Avenue, Donna Karan.  I'm thinking a good coat, pair of leggings and versatile top will be perfect foundation pieces and I can always incorporate color in as I please (obsessed with deep bloody red).  Loving the options I found above (can I just say again how much I love my job? I shopped all weekend and called it work!):

Donna Karan Organza Tweed Jacket ($2,495) If there is anything I've learned throughout the years it's to invest in a one good coat each season.  You can throw on anything underneath and look impeccably dressed.
Donna Karan Stretch-Jersey Leggings ($495) Forget Spanx, have you tried DK's jersey leggings?  I love them with boots, sooooo chic!
Donna Karan Melange Stretch-Jersey Top ($750) This is a piece I can wear as is or with a belt.  I can do a fitted belt or one slung low on the hip over leggings.  Can it please get cold already?  I'm buying my Fall wardrobe like a maniac and it's 100 degrees here! 

I'm totally dying for this Essentials Set ($196), from Keep Me! Love the pouch (you can actually buy it separately for $6). The set includes the brand's Kate lounge pant, Dori v-neck tee, Drea bralette, and Trish undie, all of which are offered in all-black or all-white. Keep Me is and up-and-coming LA-based loungewear brand that manufactures all of their pieces in the U.S. from super-soft fabrics. They're great for comfy, but still sexy staples (you can think of them as the loungewear equivalent to Lulu Lemon). You can check-out the entire collection here.

Loving these cotton/silk blend shorts from Acne (now on sale for $167!). They're roomy and have two pockets making them practical for day-time wear, but the shimmer of the silk makes them super-easy to dress up. What I like best about them though is that they've got rolled up leg details giving the shorts a casual-sexy, borrowed-from-the-boyfriend feel. Now if only I had those tan model legs!

I went to Madrid a few months ago to visit a friend who moved there for work. While the gorgeous city has got every designer brand you could think of (and many of them are conveniently close to the city's major museums!), the best discovery I made while I was there was Bimba & Lola. I keep meaning to start a Facebook group "Bring Bimba & Lola to the US!". The store has an amazing selection of affordable (think about double the price of Zara), ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags, and jewelry. They have a slew of boutiques around Spain and recently expanded to Asia (they have locations in Portugal, France, and a few other countries as well...). If you're traveling to Europe or Asia I urge you to look at their site to see if there's a Bimba & Lola boutique in the city where you'll be! The boutique targets 20 to 40-somethings and they've got a slew of original pieces that will take you from the office to the bar. The over-all aesthetic is feminine, but understated and most of the designs come in both neutral as well as popping colors.

I love shorts - at least when I'm nice and spray-tanned -- but I usually don't have the confidence to rock short-shorts. When I've been particularly good about exercising and saying "no" to my every last chocolate craving however, I'm all about showing off my hard work and dedication with a pair of shorts like the ones from Black Label ($68), pictured above. The shorts have a pajama-esque, lightweight feel to them (they're 100% rayon so they have a silk-like look and absorb sweat), and the prints are super fun. I'm especially liking the ikat ones on the left. The loosely fitted shirts that the pants have been styled with work well, but I would opt for a top that wasn't midriff-baring. A long chain/pendant necklace, some bangles, and flats round-out the perfect summer look for lounging about Central Park:-) 

I am not one to follow the herd and buy what everyone else is buying. In fact, I'm way too self absorbed to follow others, I only care about what I'm coveting. A couple of years ago, many of my friends got on the LuLu Lemon bandwagon and tried to rope me in. I laughed and said "no thanks" (I didn't get sucked into Juicy Couture and I wasn't about to get into clothes named after a citrus fruit), rolling my eyes every time someone brought up the subject (I once had to sit through an hour at dinner listening to two friends gush about Lulu Lemon, I almost slit my wrists). I guess you know what's coming-- yup, I had a weak moment and asked my friend Melinda (Miss Lulu Lemon herself) to take me to the damn store to see what the fuss was about.
I wish I could say I was right, that the line of athletic clothes are ridiculously overpriced, unwarranted and unnecessary. But the truth is, I lost 5 pounds the minute I tried on the Groove pants and some how got a perky bum (this was without lipo by the way). The boot cut bottom elongated my legs and I looked at least 3 inches taller, too. I became insane and asked to try on every pair of pants, jacket and top in the store and walked out with everything that was my size (my other faves are the Wunder Under leggings, Shape Jacket and Not so Deep V top). I am ashamed to admit it but I am now a devoted Lulu Fan; stalking their site, calling their stores and outlets to get more more more. I can't explain it but it has to do with the fit, fabric and quality of the clothes that make me feel really confident and fabulous. Let's call it for what it is, COUTURE ATHLETIC CLOTHES. Okay, so it's not made to order but it might as well be the way it fits on everyone. If you have resisted as I foolishly did for years, go try on a pair of the Groove pants (I got 3 pairs: 2 pairs of black- cuz I can wear them during the day with sandals, SO CUTE and a pair of purple/black reversible). Your butt can thank me later.
Lulu Lemon Groove Pants for $98.

I am fascinated with the never ending variations of leggings-- it is one trend that will not be going away anytime soon.  The latest, a bullet paneled version from Sass & Bide, is one that I'm not sure everyone can carry off (certainly not me).  But if you're headed to The Box in NYC (if you have not been you must go see the spectacle, insane!) you'll fit in perfectly.  And if they ever decide to film Blade Runner 5 (can't remember how many there are) this is the perfect costume.  What about you, would you wear this?
Sass & Bide Bullet Paneled Leggings for $280

Whip out your credit cards snobs, DvF 70% off sale ends TODAY! I don't have much time to blog about it as I'm shopping myself but head on over to grab chic little dresses for the season! Go here to shop DvF 70% off!

If I could name one designer that I would wish to open a boutique in NYC it would be Vanessa Bruno...seriously, how is she not here yet!? Her designs are so easy to wear, comfortable, and epitomize the Charlotte Gainsbourg-esque effortless Parisian chic. I also love that most of her pieces are monochromatic, so you can easily style them with lots of fun accessories (I've been majorly into layering necklaces and rings lately!). Many people don't know however that Bruno has a diffusion line, Vanessa Bruno Athe, which stocks more casual essentials than the main line, most of which are priced at under $250. The pieces aren't as detailed, but there are a ton of staples great for Spring/Summer to choose from all of which are done in the designer's signature soft fabrics. Shop the collection here!