Left Coast

I fought it for 28 years.  I don't know why I had a chip on my shoulder towards Los Angeles, but I had absolutely no desire to travel there.  Maybe it was too much paparazzi poopoo on Perez Hilton, or one too many episodes of the original 'Housewives' or The Hills/Laguna Beach.  Whatever stereotypical Paris Hilton circa 2002 view I had of the place did nothing but annoy me.  Now I'm gonna eat my piece of humble pie.  I've been in Southern California twice for work this summer, and I'd lie if I didn't admit to taking quite a liking to it.  Weather = amazing.  Food = how I wish I could eat in NYC all the time.  Architecture & interiors = a breath of fresh air coming from stuffy, over accessorized, Elle Decor obsessed NYC.  Not to say I'll be packing up the tenement and going back to Cali, but it's always nice to have a few little slices of heaven to slip away to every now and then.    

Venice Beach

California Republic

MOCA Downtown

Segment

Close-up.  Poor Britney.

The Golden Gopher - Downtown LA

Figeroa Hotel Lobby

Figeroa Pool-side

Embassy Hotel Apartments - Santa Monica

Ditch the Flips

Ah, the quest for the perfect summer shoe.  Flip flops may be great for the beach, but after a day of prancing around a city that has all but turned rancid from the heat, check out the bottom of your feet.  Or don't.  It's quite disgusting.  I'm totally digging my Soludo espadrille flats I picked up at Oak a few months ago for $28.  Yep, $28.  Sure, I know in Spain these puppies are like 5 bucks, but unless you are planning a trip anytime soon and I can convince you to bring me back a few, this is what I have to work with.

Click here to check out the flat espadrille round up on New York Magazine's website

Here's a few places you can pick up a pair in person and online:

Soludos

Oak

Opening Ceremony

PS - I've been wearing them to death, and they still look great (the stripes do a great job of hiding anything that's come across them).

Keeping it Classy Poolside

I am in Houston for the wedding of a dear friend of mine this weekend, and while I was flying in I looked down over the neighborhoods and from my bird's eye view it seemed like everyone and their mother had a swimming pool.  A nonexistent luxury in NYC (if you don't count the beach/Hamptons/upstate house), I fondly remember spending entire summers swimming like a fish as a kid in Texas.  Unfortunately, the water is an easy place to let a little too loose.  So, enjoy the weekend, perfect your swan dive, and look fabulous while doing it! 

Keeping it classy at the pool or the beach:

1.  Swimwear - When in doubt go for the one-piece.  I would much rather be the hot girl covered up than the maven of the muffin top in a too-itsy bikini.  The one-piece is also my favorite look if I know I am going to a day long pool party because I can eat and drink all I want and don't have to worry about nip slips, rolls, and other hazards of two-piece suits.  The great thing is that there are tons of sexy (and budget friendly) one-pieces out there from J.Crew and American Apparel.

2.  Sunscreen - The more the better and reapply, reapply, reapply!  I am terrified when I look back on my former paper bag-like complexion from my Texas days.  And, thanks to Facebook stalking I can check out the photos of the tanorexics at my high school and see what overexposure does to you first hand.  Really, some of these girls look 5-10 years older because of their skin.  If you choose to roast yourself into George Hamilton it would be wise for you to start saving now for your future facelift.

3.  Wear a hat - Hats are totally 'now' whether they are glamorously shaped or quirky fedoras or trilbies, and they are a perfect accessory to your swimsuit.  Most importantly, you are probably cutting down on your future dermatology bills each time you wear one outside...and looking mighty stylish at the same time.

4. Paint your toenails - I always joke that the only thing cheaper in New York City is a mani/pedi.  Get one, or do it yourself.  It is no longer winter so get those peds in tip top shape.

5. Shave/Wax - This is a no brainer, and I don't need to go into it.

6. Towel - Trade in that ratty old beach towel.  Towels have a limited lifespan, and like getting new socks you are always ask yourself why you didn't do this sooner.  Don't feel like you need a chic Hermes towel for hundreds of dollars.  I love beach towels from Target.

7.  Beach Bag - This is a great opportunity to grow up a little and loose the backpack.  Spring for a proper canvas bag (monogram initials, or too preppy?) from LL Bean, Land's End, or I have even seen some great canvas totes at J. Crew illustrated by the one and only Richard Haines.  

8.  Bring something - Invited to a friend's house to spend the afternoon lounging poolside?  Don't arrive empty handed.  A bottle of rosé, a few bags of great potato chips, or fresh flowers will be truly appreciated.

Have a fabu weekend!

Photos by Slim Aarons

Delicious Summer Sips

With Memorial Day coming up this weekend, I thought it would be lovely to start thinking about summer rooftop parties, weekends at the beach, and dining al fresco (even if that means a sidewalk table with taxis and pedestrians 2 feet away).  When I'm at a party, I think it's great to have wine, a fancy cocktail, and a special non-alcoholic drink on hand for guests. This way your less-than-hard-partying friends have something fun to sip.  This added element is also critical to keepin' it classy: hot, sunny days = thirsty guests = epic wastedness if the only options are vodka, vodka, and vodka.  So, raise your glasses Shitty-Chic'ers---here's to a wonderful summer!

For Imbibers:

• Cranberry Fizz - Prosecco and cranberry juice poured over crushed ice and garnished with fresh mint. 
• Vodka, champagne, lemonade, with a splash of Grand Marnier - This one is the sleeper.  A friend of mine served this as our fancy cocktail at my birthday party a few years ago.  Funny thing---none of us really remember being at the party.
•  The Mexican Martini - 2 oz. tequila and 1 oz. each of orange liqueur, Sprite, orange juice and a squeeze of half a lime. Unfortunately, I have never seen this served outside of Austin, TX.  People are missing out!  Mix in a shaker and serve in a salted-rim martini glass with olives.
• And on that note....Any type of Mexican beer with a lime wedge (Tecate is my favorite).  Add chips, guac, and salsa and you have a party.
• Rose, Rose, Rose!

For Teetotalers:

• Water with paper-thin cucumber slices - I had this at a spa once and have adored it ever since.  So fresh!
• Arnold Palmers: Lemonade with iced tea - Yes, I cheat and use Crystal Light lemonade.
• Sparkling water (or club soda) with berries or citrus slices

What's your favorite summer pool-side cooler?

Image courtesy of Austin360.com

Perfect Summer Sunday: Washington Square Park

Now that half of Washington Square Park is renovated and landscaped, it is one of my favorite places in the world to stop, sit, and soak up the deliciousness of Summer. I know that my tax dollars were hard at work to move the fountain all of 10 feet to the west, but I am more than impressed with this little oasis in the Village. There always seems to be some sort of jazz trio playing, great people watching, and a few good junkies just to remind you that yes, you are in New York City. Some people go to therapists, some get massages, I go to the park.

Barneys Warehouse Sale Starts TODAY

Check your calendars and clear your schedule.....the Barneys Warehouse Sales starts TODAY! For anyone living in New York for more than 6 months (sales are twice a year), I don't have to tell you that this is a true event for fashionistas and bargain hunters alike.

Word to the wise---don't torture yourself and hop over to the sale today when those $1200 Louboutins will be down to $600....unless that is a complete steal to you. I prefer to wait until the Friday before the sale ends when almost everything is marked down an extra 50-75% off. This means you better schedule a "doctors appointment" for Friday, September 4th at 10am.

For the full scoop on how to navigate the sale, how to keep yourself sane, and how not to get caught naked in a room full of strangers click here.

Summer 2009 Barneys Warehouse Sale - August 20th through September 7th

Thursday Aug 20th: 8am-9pm
Friday Aug 21st: 8am-9pm
Weekdays: 10am-9am
Weekends: 10am-7pm
Monday Sept 7th: 10am-7pm

255 West 17th Street between 7th and 8th Ave.

Rockaway Beach: The Anti-Hamptons

Weekend mini trips out of Manhattan are one of my favorite things in the world. Whether it is your un-airconditioned tenement apartment, roommate entertaining friends from home, or that stinky trash heap you just passed that has been baking all day in the sun....sometimes you just gotta get away. Last weekend I went on a last-minute jaunt out to Rockaway Beach, and it was the perfect day-long adventure to recharge the batteries, mix up the scenery, and feel about a million miles away from reality.

How to get there:
Jump on the A train to Far Rockaway, get off at Broad Channel, and wait for the S to take you one stop to Beach 90. It took me a grand total of one hour from door to sand. You know you are close when you are going over Jamaica Bay and there is nothing but water on both sides of the subway car. That was kinda scary, and made me feel like I was in a water park...or a nightmare. Note** Make sure you don't take the train to Lefferts Blvd.

The Beach:
Let me just say the people watching is amazing and incredibly diverse: hipsters, surfers, Carmine Gotti-types and the girls who love them, weathered middle aged ladies from Queens with smoker's voices, and families with about a million kids are all over the beach. If you are looking for the lily white WASPs of the Hamptons clad in Lily Pulitzer and Ivy League degrees, this is not going to be your cup of tea.

Food is a total no-brainer: Rockaway Taco. This taco shack absolutely rules after a few hours of being at the beach. The fish tacos are easily the best I have had in the city (and the New York Times thinks so too!), and everything is incredibly fresh and made on the spot (they even grow their some of their own veggies on the roof and around the stand. There is only a small area to sit, so don't get offended if you have to stand up. And, be sure to check out "the library"....Games People Play was a lunch time fav with our group. Perfect order: Hibiscus tea, fish tacos with guac, and corn on the cob. Delish!


I know the beach gets hot and sticky, so mid-late afternoon would be a perfect time to head to DiCosmo's Italian Ice (right next to Rockaway Taco). The DiCosmo family has been making ices since 1915 and have recently opened this Rockaway outpost as a branch to their Elizabeth, NJ location. The ices are unlike anything you have gotten from a street cart. I had a grapefruit ice that had actual pieces of grapefruit in it. Let's just say the DiCosmo family are the masters of frozen treats.

Before you get back on the train stop by Connolly's on 93th street for a nice, cold brew and to do one little bit of relaxing before you get back to the city.

Now, that is one hell of a way to spend a Saturday: beach, surfers, tacos, ices, and anything but city life!

Rockaway Taco - Beach 96th Street @ Rockaway Beach Blvd.
DiCosmo's Italian Ices - Right next to Rockaway Taco
Connolly's - Beach 93rd Street @ Rockaway Beach Blvd.

The Supreme 21-Piece Multitasking Summer Wardrobe

You know, I just love lists of items every woman should have in her closet. There is something so fulfilling and reassuring about actually having the items they consider "must haves" in my repertoire (one thinks they must be doing something right). I also find it amusing that no two lists are exactly the same! Tim Gunn has an amazing, yet well edited 10-piece list; while his Project Runway cohort, Nina Garcia, has a book outlining 100 (yes, one hundred) things every woman must own. To meet somewhere in the middle, Vogue's June 2009 issue narrowed it down to 21 pieces, both classic and trendy, that comprise summer's supreme multitasking wardrobe. As an added bonus, everything in this list can be worn with at least one other listed item.

1. Tailored Blazer - A closet staple regardless of season; wear it all year.

2. Romantic Blouse - In my book romantic most likely means floral (ick), so I am going morph this to mean soft colors, softer lines, and softest fabrics.

3. Dressed-Up Shorts - Nice Bermudas (not in a chino-type fabric) and possibly with a nice cuff. Perfect for summer office with a nice top or button down.

4. Floaty Tunic - The key here is to keep it skinny/short on bottom and floaty on top. I love tunics with embroidery or beading that look like a treasured find from a far off land.

5. Sequined T-Shirt - An unlikely choice, but I must admit to being mildly obsessed with the sequined shirt. My friend, Heather, has a vintage-looking gold sequined sleeveless top that looks perfect with skinny jeans and heels. It adds a high-power oomph of sparkle but is always grounded by the bottom half so as to not look like a Vegas showgirl.

6. Sleek Bustier - Sexy, so be sure to have something to cover it up with unless you have a red carpet moment or have decided to join a burlesque troupe.

7. Sporty Tank - A summer must. I love the choices at American Apparel.

8. Cropped Khakis - I think khakis in general work here regardless of the length. But, always go with ankle length over capri to thwart the dreaded "Mom" summer uniform of a T-shirt, sandals, and capris. Just look at any Kate Gosselin photo to scare yourself away from capris forever.

9. Metallic Jacket - As you can see there are a lot of jackets in the summer wardrobe for those of us north of the Mason Dixon line. Get a short parka-inspired jacket for a sporty look to take you into fall.

10. Dotted Blouse - Notice it doesn't say polka-dot which would have me shoving a toothbrush down my throat. Dots can be artfully done and quite modern with the right print. Swiss dot is my fav for a more preppy look without screaming Palm Beach.

11. Black Pants - Wardrobe staple that should fit perfectly.

12. Classic Button-Down - Can be cotton, silk, whatever....just make sure it is tailored.

13. Textured Skirt - I think this is a throw away. I am just not a skirt person.

14. Boyfriend Blazer - Could double as item #1. I think over sized blazers look sloppy, but then again, I am not into the progressive hipster look. Keep it tailored in a neutral and add some style chops by incorporating bracelets or a chunky watch and pushing up the sleeves.

15. Two-Tone Oxford - I am not a huge button down fan, but this is a very smarty pants i-banker inspired choice and may do double duty with #12, the classic button-down.

16. White Jeans - The ultimate summer staple. Just remember to wear skin colored knickers.

17. Bold Shouldered Top - Everyone has Blamain fever, so get ready for every fast-fashion retailer to try to unsuccessfully knock this trend off. Unless you can throw down the coin for a well made jacket or top, don't go there. You will look like a cheap fashion victim.

18. Pastel Cardigan - This is something I need to get. I get stuck in the neutral rut, and this would be a great way to add color to a neutral dress. I love the cardigans at Uniqulo.

19, 20. Print Day Dresses - Prints don't have to mean floral, and I think the most important idea is to find a few great dresses you can throw on when you need to look like you put forth a bit of effort.

21. Tudexo Vest - Proceed with caution: I was in Scoop this weekend and already saw them on the sale rack. It's Le Smoking with a twist, but remember to belt it.

Top it Off

In my opinion, hats are the great divider of style. Hats aren't for the faint of heart: you have to own the look with a hat, you must to commit to it because you hair will inevitably be ruined for the rest of the day, and above all, you have to find one with the perfect proportions, the appropriate outfit, etc..

I currently only own cold-weather hats, but I think I am ready to venture into the world of raffia and cane to get a summer number. First of all, the summer hat is perfect on humid, bad-hair days. It shields the face, and let's be real---less sun on the face equals less wrinkles equals less money spent in the derm's chair. And finally, it's a great accessory when you are sick of jangling around with bangle bracelets like Auntie Mame and want to go more low-maintenance.

For a city look, the straw fedora pictured is available at Ann Taylor LOFT for a whopping $30. This is a great way to stick your toe in the water to see if you can rock it. They also have a few wide-brimmed hats which is a perfect way to add drama to that beach or poolside ensemble. Enjoy!

My Pick: Ann Taylor LOFT straw fedora

Bathing Beauty in Black

My musts when purchasing swimwear: 1) Priced appropriately since I live in the Northeast and put on a suit maybe 6 times a year, 2) Has chic styling (i.e. more Punta Del Este than Panama City--Florida, that is), 3) Oh, ya...looks amazing on the bod.

My favorite suit of all time is the Tricot Malliot-V from American Apparel. As swimwear goes, this suit is a complete bargain at $45, and I love that it is available in basic black so you can accessorize with bracelets, headscarf, or giant sunglasses, and you don't look like you are trying too hard. The style is the perfect mix of business in the front, party in the back, so feel free to drink a bottle of rose by the pool or enjoy that burger since you don't have to worry about wardrobe malfunctions or a little tummy in a bikini.

I recently saw a list of "Summer Must-Haves by Shape" in Vogue, and the black one-piece swimsuit was listed for every body type. Trust me, you can't go wrong with slimming, sexy, and showing skin!

American Apparel Tricot Malliot-V Swimsuit

Cheap and Chic Summer Sandals at AE

American Eagle is my little secret resource for cheap summer sandals. I think it is atrocious how shoe companies take advantage of our need to show off our fresh pedicured tootsies and charge anywhere from $100 (for a pair from Steve Madden) to $800 for a pair of Louboutin's. Seriously people: It is a sole with a minimal amount of leather straps...basically just enough to hold the damn thing to the bottom of your foot, you can only wear them three months a year and AND they look like they trekked through the Kalahari come Labor Day.

Last summer I popped into American Eagle and found a great pair of brown leather gladiator sandals that tied at the ankle. I got endless compliments and basked in the satisfaction of my $30 find the entire summer. Now, here we are with Summer 2009 approaching. I was thrilled to see a pair of AE's sandals featured in my Style.com newsletter this week. They are all under 40 bucks, and at that price just go wild and get every one you like. My favs are the Tribal Sandals pictured above ($39.99) and the Fringe Sandal at a wallet-friendly $29.99. Now there is no excuse to forgo the semi-weekly pedi. Enjoy!

See all American Eagle's Summer Sandals.