For The Boys

Here’s a little secret: I love men’s fashion too.

Honestly, I think my own style is informed just as much by the men I see around town as it is the women. I like to mix mens pieces into my look as often as I can.

Loafers, top-siders and classic button-downs have been my ultimate staples this summer.

It also doesn’t hurt that I have a very stylish fiancé. I may work in fashion but Andy’s personal style is super sharp which is probably why I am always trying to borrow his clothes (it drives him nuts).

Recently Jennifer emailed me to request some guy-geared fashion picks on the blog as inspiration for her son. Not only did I jump at the challenge, Andy did as well!

And so, here is a little head-to-head His & Hers action with some of our favorite shopping picks for the guys.

You may notice most of Andy’s items are from his favorite designer while I tried to mix my picks up a bit more.

I’m excited to hear which look is your favorite!

Caroline’s Picks (clockwise from top left above dotted line): Steven Alan Pre-Fall L/S Single Needle; General Assembly Blazer (via Urban Outfitters); Retro SuperFuture Sunglasses in Classic Black; Nixon The Sentry Watch; APC Rescue Jeans; Fjällräven Classic Kanken Backpack (via J.Crew); Rag & Bone Stripe Tee – on sale! (via FarFetch); The Generic Man Chuckman Shoe.

Andy’s Picks (clockwise from top left under dotted line): Rag & Bone for Odin Yokohama Shirt (via Odin); Rag & Bone Keaton Sunglasses (via Bird); Rag & Bone Jay Belt (via Barneys); Acne Stay Le Shade Jeans – on sale!; Filson Philanthropist Briefcase (via Apolis Activism); Rag & Bone Short Sleeve Yokohama Shirt (via Zoë); APC Canvas Desert Boots – on sale! (via Creatures of Comfort).

LGTM ♥ Weddings

The good news from the weekend is that Andy and I found the place we want to get married!

It is a vintage, industrial space in New York and from the second we walked through the doors we new it was the perfect spot. I don’t know whether to share it with you or keep it a secret, I think I’m going to hold onto the information for a bit longer though until it’s really definite.

It is looking like we’ll be having a Fall wedding. I love NYC in the Fall, it is such a romantic time in the city.

Filled with inspiration from walking through the space I spent most of the weekend romanticizing about ways to adapt my initial (summer) wedding concept into something beautiful for Fall.

My heart actually skipped a beat when I saw these branch-based arrangements from New York based LMD Floral. I love how beautiful and wild they are, totally sophisticated and unkempt. They totally changed my idea of what floral arrangements could look like and started my wheels turning towards a romantic Fall vision!

Check out the rest of the post on the LMD blog. Swoon!

Gimmie!

I am a sucker for flags, crests, coats of arms and all other types of heraldry.  So obviously I am feeling the new Modern Crest collection by jewelry designer (and LGTM sponsor!) Alisha Louise.

Statement necklaces have been a bold choice for a while now and I think we’re all pretty  ready to swing the pendulum towards delicate jewelry again. I really love the way Alisha pares her pieces down to be simple, straightforward and elegant.

The necklaces are the right size and (at $95 a pop) the right price, to become your new favorite wear-all-the-time jewelry piece. The best part about Alisha’s jewelry is that you get to custom-pick your favorite color.

You could even try a layered look with a few different crests and colors which would look so good with this Fall’s military trend!

I’ve got my eye in particular on the Crossed Arrow Necklace in edgy black enamel. A little tough, a little sexy, no?

All styles by Alisha Louise. From left: Laurel Wreath Crest Necklace; Crossed Arrow Crest Necklace; Griffin Crest Necklace; Fleur Crest Necklace

Tastes Good: Turkish Granola

Granola is one of my favorite foods and so easy to make!

I just made some to take to the beach this weekend.

Every time I make my granola, I like to change up the flavors to fit the season (or whatever is in the cupboard).

With apricots, dates and sesame seeds, I named this batch Turkish Granola. I am sharing my super-secret recipe with you below. I hope you like it!

Turkish Granola (adapted from The Candle Cafe Cookbook)

1 cup steel cut oats 

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup slivered almonds

3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds

1 T. sesame seeds (toasted)

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup oil

1 T. vanilla extract

1/4 t. sea salt

1/2 t. nutmeg

1/2 t. ground cloves

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine above ingredients in large bowl. Spread out on baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Transfer to a bowl and add 1/4 cup raisins, 1/4 cup dried apricots, 1/4 cup dried & pitted dates, 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut.

Bottoms Up!

In my recent spring/summer shopping I’ve noticed a bit of an odd trend: I am only buying bottoms.

I can’t think of the last dress, top or even sweater that has found it’s way into my closet, it’s all been pants, shorts and skirts.

So here I am, all shopped out for summer and thoroughly outfitted from the waist down. But what about on top?

Ah-ha!

Enter the white tee, I plan on living in one of these this summer. It may be the ultimate basic but to me it becomes anything but when worn with a pair of silk shorts (like these or these) or a leopard print pencil skirt (ooh like this one!) or a pair of perfect chinos (I’ve told you how much I love these pants).

Summer dressing should be about comfort and ease, you should look good because you feel good. And who doesn’t feel good in a white tee, hm?

LGTM + Pretty Mommy

I am excited to share with you the illustration I created for Michelle at Pretty Mommy.

Pretty Mommy is a fabulously curated online boutique featuring pieces from some of my favorite designers like Virginia Johnson & Lizzie Fortunato (I have written about both of them on LGTM here and here respectively).

We definitely share a similar style!

Michelle also writes a lovely blog detailing her favorite fashion (for children and grownups), food, film, inspiration and other eye candy. LGTM was recently included in her Everyday Obsessions series!

It was a pleasure working with Michelle and I am honored that she posted the illustration on her blog today.

I also love that when I told her the clothes were inspired by Phillip Lim, she found the pieces and made her own outfits! Check out her post right here.

Looking good!

Either/Or

I’ve always had a bit of a thing for jumpsuits.

Something about the attached shirt/pants combo is easy, effortless and still very stylish. It’s no wonder I have quite a collection.

Wearing a jumpsuit makes me feel like I just stepped off the set of Charlie’s Angles. They are a little bit powerful, a little bit sexy and channel the diva prowess of Beyoncé (if ever there was a woman who knew how to rock a onesie).

Each year we see a new twist on the jumpsuit. I am majorly digging this season’s slouchy cargo-inspired looks. Safari meets mechanic detailing sewn up in luxe silks that drape so well on the body.

As usual I am torn.

I love this army green number on the left from Madison Marcus. It has that great assymetrical collar and waist-cinching belt.

On the other hand, the slim cut black number from DVF screams summertime sexpot.

I know both are good but which is better?? Slouchy, silk fatigue or skinny, sultry black?

Object/Outfit + Marcus Nilsson

Warm weather always brings the promise of picnics and barbeques, two of my favorite summer activities.

I recently stumbled upon the portfolio of food photographer Marcus Nilsson via one of my favorite food blogs Oh Joy Eats.

I love the unfussy, upfront quality of his work.

I was particularly smitten with this picnic shot. Even though the food looks a bit unappetizing (though I think that is the idea), there is something about the colors and composition that just makes me think mmmmmm summer!

With summer on the brain I just had to pull together my perfect picnic-friendly look. I combined a red gingham shirt and crisp khaki skirt and then finished my look with some boho accessories and a fancy ring made from a spoon as a nod to the silverware in the photo.

Last but not least, a minty straw hat from Eugenia Kim’s collection for Target. I love how it perfectly complemented the mysterious green vegetable (animal? mineral?) in the photo!

While it will be raining in New York this weekend, I hope the rest of you have sunny days and picnics to go to.

Have a great weekend!

Photo by Marcus Nilsson. Outfit clockwise from top left: Wren Hardy Full Skirt (via Revolve Clothing); Giles & Brother 5 Strand Necklace; Thomas Paul Portland Melamine Plates (via Velocity Art and Design); Current/Elliott “The Perfect Shirt” in Gingham (via Bloomingdales); Rachel Comey Badger Ankle Wrap Clog (via LaGarconne); Eugenia Kim for Target Straw Fedora; Matta Fringe Bag (via Shop Pretty Mommy); TEM Spoon Ring (via Barneys).

Weekend Style

Hi & happy Friday. I’m sorry I don’t have my usual Room/Outfit posts ready for you today. I went to see The Nose (William Kentridge-designed Opera at The Met) last night and to the dentist this morning so there was no time to put up a proper blog entry.

Anywho, here’s a great picture I nabbed from The Sartorialist recently and squirreled away into my weekend-style inspiration file.

I love this look! It is so classic and effortless and I can re-create it to a T using pieces already in my closet which is always a bonus.

I also love any look that gives me an excuse to wear my new chambray workshirt from Madewell. It is easily my favorite piece I have bought so far for spring (and you know how I listed all things chambray as one of my top 10 fashion essentials yesterday).

I am also digging the black socks with brown shoes and center part in her hair which is something I have recently adopted for myself.

Have a good weekend everybody! LA-ers, don’t forget to check out my original illustration series, on display right now at Tenoversix!

Gimmie!

I’ve been stalking Brooklyn jewelry designer Aesa for some time now and how could I not really? If their goal was to create something new and completely brilliant then they’ve achieved it. If the goal was to make something really badass and cool well, then they’ve done that too.

The Machine de Terre collection is a particular obsession for the way it merges the industrial with art deco (those crystals had me at hello).

One piece in particular stands apart from the pack. The Symphony Necklace with its vertebrae-like pieces and down-to-there length made me swoon when I saw it at Frances May in Portland this past weekend.

But it’s just not right to buy yourself something so fancy on your boyfriend’s birthday now is it? I was good and resisted. I’ll be saving my pennies up though, that’s for sure!