Object/Outfit + Summer Goals

Thanks to the girls at Summer Goals for reminding me that summer is passing us by so let’s enjoy it while it’s here!

Here’s a perfect look to go with this great summer photo.

All you need is a sky blue tank, a good read and some killer shades. Oh yeah, and a cone on the boardwalk at Coney Island.

Photo from Summer Goals (a great Tumblr!). Outfit clockwise from top left: Eugenia Kim Craig Panama Fedora (via Shopbop) on sale;  The Girl Who Played With Fire (which I am about to buy); Sophomore Twist Tank (via LaGarconne) on sale; Rachel Comey Trek Short (via Creatures of Comfort) on sale; Belle by Sigerson Morrison #6198 on sale; Super Lucia Sunglasses (via Gargyle); Marc by Marc Jacobs Black Trapped heart Purse (via Stylebop)

Here She Comes Again

Remember how I was coveting that black dress from Brooklyn designer Dona Monroe a few weeks back?

As fate would have it, just when I thought I had finally found the perfect dress, Monroe’s Fall collection went live on her website and of course, I want it all.

In a riff on the same sexy meets city little black dress basic, the Fall collection is updated with new shapes for the season and some luscious jewel-toned colors.

It is mysterious and elegant and sexy and poetic, all of the things you want to be this Fall (or at least I do).

And, to make the temptation even greater, all of Monroe’s Spring/Summer styles are currently on sale on her website! So there, I dare you to stay away, just try it!

As I mentioned before Dona Monroe can be purchased at In God We Trust here out East and Frances May on the West Coast.

I’d also like to welcome Dona as a sponsor to LGTM! It seems we have a bit of a mutual admiration for each other and I am pleased to feature her on the site!

Here are some more covetable images from the lookbook.

All images from Dona Monroe.

Either/Or

Lately I have been finding myself in a bit of a jewelry drought.

Most of my usual pieces are all feeling a little too sweet and charming and I am longing for something a little more earthy and rough-hewn. A statement piece that doesn’t need company to shine.

I want jewelry that looks more like the materials it was forged from, something that feels more organic and personal and less factory-produced.

Something like one of these two rings.

Jamie Joseph (on top) is a longtime favorite designer of mine. I’ve wanted one of her large stone cocktail rings for years now. They are all amazing but this mother of pearl ring with diamonds (from The Claypot in Brooklyn) is a particular favorite.

Dara Ettinger also makes beautiful jewelry with an organic feel. The Bridget Ring (sold at Urban Outfitters) is a real stunner and a considerable steal compared to the Jamie Joseph.

So folks, Either/Or: I know my pick* but which is your favorite? Splurge on Jamie Joseph or save with the Dara Ettinger?

*(Personally I think I am going to hold out for a Jamie Joseph. When you’ve loved something for this long, it can be worth waiting (and saving) for.)

Gimmie!

Sttttteeeeeeeeelllllaaaaaaaa!

I’ve loved Stella McCartney ever since her beginnings at Chloé. She excels at making sexy, ladylike clothes that are meant to be worn and worn well.

Her F/W 2010 collection was gorgeous start to finish. Simple pieces in a neutral palette for the effortlessly beautiful modern woman (in our wildest dreams anyway).

What really blew me away were these shoes though. (Faux) patent leather, pointy toes, a dangerously low vamp and the kittenish heel.

I see these shoes when I close my eyes, my feet have been waiting their whole lives for them I am sure of it!

LGTM ♥ Weddings

Ok, here it is, my big admission: planning this wedding is so. much. FUN.

Andy insists we need an over-arching concept so the whole thing looks and feels cohesive (like I said, two designers at work in this kitchen) and I totally agree.

Right now we are taking it slow and gathering lots of inspiration to help us figure out what that idea will be.

Looking through some of my favorite wedding blogs this weekend I found this amazing Parisian-inspired save the date from Lucky Luxe. The mix of typography and calligraphy is so unique and elegant and the vintage postcard format is so cool.

Here are a few images I pulled from my file to go with a French wedding concept. It isn’t what we’re going for, but it sure looks great!

Clockwise from top: “Paris” Save the Date from Lucky Luxe; Pale Pink Dinner Jacket from Bonobos (via Martha Stewart Wedding Blog) – Real men wear pink, right?; Macaron-covered wedding cake via OnceWed I think.

Framed!

I loved Vogue’s roundup in their August issue of heritage brands that are making a comeback.

Via designer collaborations (Pendleton + Opening Ceremony) or as a solo act (Hunter boots or Saint James striped tops), old is becoming new again!

Today I did my own little heritage brand revival.

Sadly, my baby blues have become quite nearsighted (one more sign of ever advancing age!) and so off to the eyewear shop I went!

Moscot has been making and selling glasses in the East Village for over 100 years. Walking into the shop is like taking a step back in time.

My new pair, the Miltzen dates back to the 1930s and was worn by the likes of John Lennon, Andy Warhol and Gandhi. It’s like rubbing elbows with some of history’s elite every time I wear them. Perhaps they’ll even promote me to some realm of greatness (or at least visual clarity, right?) as well.

For Vogue’s roundup of heritage brands, click here.

Here are some images I took at the Moscot shop I thought you would enjoy. Those are my Miltzens second from the left!

Caroline Makes Muffins

By now I am sure many of you have seen the wonderful website Ming Makes Cupcakes (and if you haven’t, check it out right now).

I love the layout, the simple, straightforward food styling and the to-the-point recipes. It has become one of my favorite blogs to drool over when 4pm hits and the only thing I can think about are snacks.

I am not a big cupcake-baker at home (Andy is not a fan and we always have about a million cupcakes left over) but, I do make a lot of muffins. This weekend I made some adjustments to my favorite Banana Muffin recipie and was quite pleased with the results.

I thought I would share it with you Ming-style along with some photos of her own creations below.

Photos from Ming Makes Cupcakes. From left: Cupcake #29; Cupcake #23; Cupcake #28; Cupcake #13

And now, the recipe for my Banana Date Muffins (photo at top of post).

Banana Date Muffins (adapted from here)

3 or 4 mashed bananas

1/2 c. olive oil

1 1/2 c. packed brown sugar

3 eggs

1 t. vanilla

1/4 c. sour cream

1 1/2 c. flour

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. nutmeg

1/4 c. slivered almonds (toasted)

dried pitted dates

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. With an electric mixer, mix the wet ingredients until smooth and creamy. Sift in the first three dry ingredients and mix until just blended. Fold in spices.

Spoon batter into greased cupcake-tins, filling halfway. Place one whole pitted date in the center of each cupcake and cover with remaining batter to about three-quarters full. Sprinkle with toasted almonds and bake about 20-25 minutes until done.

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).

Summer Wind

I’m going to hazard a guess that a lot of time has passed since you last wore a windbreaker.

Hm, second or third grade perhaps? Maybe fifth on your class trip to Washington D.C.? Either way, it’s been a while.

Unless you are an avid outdoorslady, windbreakers probably don’t factor into your daily attire. That is, until now.

Quietly gaining steam over the past few seasons, the windbreaker/anorak/parka/what-have-you has officially become the topper you want to be wearing when temperatures start to cool.

But unlike your fifth grade-version, these new styles are sporty and feminine. They are perfect with some of the preppy miniskirts and silk dresses we’ve been seeing lately and I think they’ll definitely stick around through Fall!

Here are a few of my current favorite styles, so many to choose from!

From left: Reed Krakoff – avail Resort 2011 (via Style.com);  Current Elliott (via Shopbop); Edun (via Net-a-Porter); Ann Taylor Loft (yep, that’s what I said) & J.Crew

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!