NYC Street Style- An Unhealthy Relationship with Manhattan

m- The city and I have had a pretty emotional relationship over the past couple of years. I either want to take the streets by storm, or take the next boat of that godforsaken island. Today, however, we are talking. This year I turned uncomfortably old and there was no way I was spending this early mid-life crisis anywhere that wouldn't intoxicate my elderly body accordingly.
So, New York it was.

My recent traveling schedule has harvested some interesting habits along the road. Specifically, I have trained myself to envision a nice, crisp brew at the end of my travel. I picture the pint glass in my hand, the bubbling hops tickling my senses, and BAM I am at my destination. This time I awoke from my imaginary bliss at the Clock Tower Bar in the lower Bronx, awaiting my girl Madeline.
Snow Falling outside...and beer in hand. 

To no one's surprise, Madeline and I immediately threw on some layers to hit the shops. I was all kinds of obsessed with the ensemble Madeline and I put together for our snowy Brooklyn shopping adventure. Shades of purple, red, and brown? Green and yellow accents? Yes please. Madeline found these pants at Edge of Urge in Wilmington and they were the root of this beautiful ensemble of new color combination. 

And we shopped. Madeline and I hit the vintage in Brooklyn this afternoon so naturally, I was floating through a magical state of happiness evoked by thrifting....in Brooklyn and Soho no less. Madeline found this life-changing purple jacked at Beacon's Closet and I cant even look at it without dying. The SHAPE of this guy. WOW. And the Doc Martens we have on....purple, brown, ox blood, and gold. Oh my. 

Manhattan was covered with a lovely sheet of snow on my first day gallivanting the streets. It really was a nice touch New York. One point the city.
Jacket and sun glasses found at American Apparel DC and SF. 

When you come to visit, the dinner table is, naturally, the commonplace for reunion. I always have an agenda full of lunch, dinner, and brunch dates when traveling but to good food and good company, I do not have a single complaint. Every time I'm in the City, I must must must get down to the Cafeteria for some glorious grub. Open 24 hours...and chock-full of beautiful homosexuals, this eat-spot truly couldn't be a more perfect match for my appetite. 

So, I ate. 

...and ate. 

And ate some more. Friday night, I was SO lucky to meet up with some beautiful ladies from my Obama campaign trails. Elyse and Sarah are perfect examples of perfect people. Just, take my word for it. I am so lucky to be friends with such intelligent, driven, and awesome people. I had such a treat seeing these two. Love you both!

After some fantastic Thai in Soho, I ventured to 32nd to see my Barcelona babes. I really am so lucky to have gems of human beings across the world. If these two could make the concrete jungle seem at home, then I am definitely picking them right. 

Mollie and Dakota are two of the most beautiful souls I know. 

They just get it. 

The three of us have celebrated life on the streets of Barcelona, the coasts of Portugal, and the bars of Manhattan. I am so not worthy of these two, but I will so hold on to them as long as they'll let me!

 Mollie and Dakota just make me smile...and friends like that are the best friends. 

Birthday love in stripes and plaid. 

So many adventures behind us, and so many more in front.

After an attempt to suppress my birthday hangover, fittingly with a margarita, I strapped on my big-kid boots, took a few selfies, and hit the streets. I was newly 23 today and I wanted to see what the world looked like in this new lens. 

Scored this military inspired sweater from Topman in Soho. Topshop and American Apparel are my two stores of choice. After Goodwill, naturally. 

On my birthday walk, I found myself sitting on the pier in Brooklyn, looking at the skyline before me. I was nostalgic during these moments on the water, but these two French fashionistos brought me back to reality. Im obsessed with this couple's choice of hats and wide-leg pants. So French. Brings me back to Paris. 

So, I walked and I walked. Passed some friends in Times Square and kept walking. Forest Gump style...no end in sight. 

As I ended my walk of elder nostalgia, I got a call from my brother from the Obama Campaign about an art show at Pier 92. I quickly jumped across the island to see my friend from DC whilst enjoying the art. It was so great to see my friend Frankie, but my time in the city had already come to an end.

But as I packed my things, I realized I had not enough pictures of Madeline. If you know our friendship, this is a legitimate issue worth immediate attention. Therefore, we hit the roof. 

Camera ready. Nothing like a rooftop photo shoot in the Bronx. I wore Madeline's purple Doc Martens, and a lovely Virgin Mary tee from Urban Outfitters. 

Goodbye New York. Call me maybe?

By some twist of fate, Madeline and I went over our photo shoot time....which meant I went over my metro time....which meant I went over my flight time. And there I sat...on 88th in Brooklyn, as my plane back to Raleigh flew above. 

Tragedy? I think not. Time to play with Haley in Brooklyn instead! This perfect little lady was my partner in crime for some time at UNCW and now waits in Brooklyn until friends like me are stranded and need a place to live! Sleepover! 

You won this time, New York. I tried to make things work...to make amends, but you won again.

 Till next time, Manhattan. 

Because we're obsessed.

Fresh and Precious

Outfit of the Day- Sheer, polka dots, and a Splash of Glitter

c- It is always wonderful to connect with a 'forever' friend, when most days you are thousands of miles apart.  Amy is my South African diva living in California, so it's a rare treat when we finally get together.

Today she is rocking an adorable polka dot blouse- paired effortlessly with brown, high-waisted pants Michael bought me once while thrifting. Amy scored this sheer, tie-up blouse at the Bay Harbour Hout  Market when she was last visiting Cape Town, South Africa.

 I love the clash of her blue nails and ombre hair.  

Amy always carries an 'effortless beauty' vibe when it comes to her style. Minimal make up and flowing hair is all this natural beauty needs to rock any look. It's fun mixing our different styles to create cohesive looks we both love- like this one.

I must admit I am a firm believer in adding Jeffrey Campbell's to any outfit- but these glitter litas 

(I officially nicknamed- glitas) add quite the punch of personality to this outfit.

ta-ta for now.

Because we're obsessed.

Fresh and Precious 

DIY Spring Fashion Vision Board: Men's Edition

 

Why not like...do it yourself?

My newest project: DIY Spring Vision Board. 

m- A couple of months ago, Courtney had the glorious idea to make a DIY fall-fashion vision board. I was super envious. Boy did she do it herself. Courtney cut some some kick-ass outfits out of Vogue's fall edition, threw them up on a board, and then had a PERFECT visual for the fashion days to come.

 I had to get on board. 

Get it?

So it is really quite simple actually.

Lets do a step by step:

1. Buy some snazzy spring magazines with hot ladies on the front.

2. Peruse these mags. Get inspired. 

3. Cut out the most inspiring hot ladies in the clothes you are most jealous.

4. Glue them on a board. 

5. Donezo. 

As you can see, I tried to give this DIY Board a little jazz. Naturally, you can hodge-podge any kind of canvas with fashion clips, but I found this cardboard piece in the recycling that fit perfectly for the job. I spray-painted the cardboard piece black to showcase my prospects best. 

I decided to divide up my vision board into sections. This part of the DIY board was all about a theme of graphic prints in black and white. This shirt combination 'bout made me wanna die. The unique, large blocking on the front is paired perfectly with tiny black and white plaid. Id wear this in a second. 

The majority of my inspiration for the spring came from a male fashion magazine called

 The Fantastic Man. 

This magazine is visually pleasing and completely FULL of European fashion...it just gets my blood pumping. The low crotch, found in pants across the globe, (except for the States), has been a favorite of mine since I bought my first pair of low crotchers in Barcelona. I havent stopped craving the look. Something I also now crave, are these kick-ass shoes above. Excuse me?
This style is NEW and I like it. I would wear the white sandals (right) all day. And the polka dots...

This part of the board also donned the euro pant, but the colors of this section were more earthy and military. Since I let my hair grow out a little more, I have recently tried to channel my German roots in my look. 

Combine my blonde, German hair, with some military inspired pieces, and Im practically Hitler Youth. A local designer from The Fantastic Man said that Fighter pilots, 

post WW2 has been his recent inspiration.

 I second this notion. 

DIY- COLOR. Color, color, color. It's spring y'all. Time for color. Purple, orange, and blue is my new color combination that I cant get enough of. I mean really, I cant get enough of ANY color. Throw it on. Switch it up. Mix and match. I think that our options for color are endless and we need to take more advantage of this. Colorful metallic is all the rage on the runway these days and I am super excited to see how this will be translated to the street. 

I've started with these metallic, gold Doc Martens, my beautiful friend Madeline got me in Brooklyn last week. Now that this picture is always on my mind, I'm already making this board a reality. Quality. 

This same local designer was asked: How would you define the current state of menswear? Where is it headed and where is it coming from?

His response: 

I feel some traditional taste and eccentricity are in parallel, and sometimes they mix. That's something I feel both from the designers and the street.

I couldn't agree more.

So, DO IT YOURSELF! Honestly, I had a great time with this little craft. It is such a simple way to visualize the next couple of months in your world of fashion. It is much easier to become inspired by today's dress when you have this visual next to your closet. DIY. 

Happy First Day of Spring!

Because we're obsessed. 

Fresh and Precious 

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