My Vacation Picks

It is FINALLY time for me to go back to sunny Southern California for vacation! It seems like winter lasted an eternity, and summer hasn't even gotten to New York City yet. So I guess I will have to go to summer. I am a notorious overpacker, but I have a really short connection and don't want my baggage lost for the one zillionth time so I've decided to only do carry on. This means very careful choices, and versatile pieces!

I am not wearing shoes in a couple of these because I probably won't wear them most of the time I am home. I will be hanging out on the wooden porch of our hundred year old beach house, laying on the warm sand, and walking barefoot in the grass in the backyard. At least that's what I've been dreaming of. Living in this cement jungle has given me a serious case of nature deficiency syndrome. However, I will have to wear shoes to run around Melrose and snatch all the good vintage away. That's what those comfy brown platforms are for!

I wish you could see better just how amazing those shorts in the first picture are. They are dark navy blue with little gold anchor buttons, pleats, and cuffs! Totally, completely perfect. This is definitely my 4th of July outfit. You also can't see the perfect 1940's navy pin that's on my top. Stupid ISO speed indoors...

The second one is the most comfortable thing ever. The top is a wonderfully soft lilac organic cotton from H&M. The pants are a luxurious 100% silk in army green with a fauz drawstring waist and elastic at the calves.

The third outfit is a denim chambray romper from my favorite store in Williamsburg, Mini Mini Market. You should go there, but only if you are willing to part with your whole savings account!




Top Left
Glasses: Forever 21
Striped top: American Eagle, ages ago
Anchor pin: 1940's vintage
Cuffed shorts: Thrifted
Red Clutch: 50's Vintage

Top Right
Organic Cotton Tee: H&M
Silk capris: Anthropologie
Brown Wedges: Steve Madden
Wicker purse: Vintage from an estate sale
Bamboo bracelets: Vintage

Bottom
Chambray romper: Mini Mini Market
Necklace: Old Navy, ages ago
Sunglasses: Vintage Rayban Wayfarers, thrifted

A walk through the park

Yesterday I went up to Harlem to Sylvia's, quite possibly the best soul food outside of the South! I've been dreaming of eating chicken and waffles for about a year now, which is exactly how often I let myself eat that kind of thing. But yesterday, victory was mine. I didn't even finish my food but was still so stuffed that when my friend suggested a long walk through the park to burn some off I gladly obliged! The weather was perfect, and the park was so beautiful that I had to have some pictures.

Shirt: American Apparel
Skirt: Thrifted
Tooled leather bag: Vintage
Gladiators: Dolce Vita via Mini Mini Market

Ellis Island

My mom finally came into town and we made the trek over to Ellis Island. My mother's Sicilian family passed through there when coming to America before settling in Brooklyn, so we thought it would be fun to go try and look up names in the registry. I'd been to Ellis Island once before, and was really impressed by the collection of artifacts that once belonged to people from all over the world that passed through.

Most of these items were donated either by the person themselves or by the family. Although a lot of the good linens and photos were away for conservations, I still managed to get some decent photos of some of the beautiful handmade things from the old country. Below are some of my favorites, and also an outfit I put together inspired by all the gorgeous things I saw.

Camisole: Forever 21
Skirt: Vintage
Bag: 1920's vintage
Boots: Boutique 59
Jewelry: Vintage

Never too sick for an outfit post!

So this morning I woke up with swollen lymph nodes and a sore throat and my I thought I would spare my co-workers my nasty germs so I stayed home. Maybe I have swine flu? Who knows, going in for a few tests later. Well, I already had my coffee which means I will be awake for the rest of the day, so I decided to do an outfit post while getting dressed since I never ever have time in the morning.

Anyways, these are some of my favorite things I own right now and I thought I would share since I don't do enough outfit posts. That's my living room in case you were wondering, with some of my artwork on the walls (not the Pollock though, hah!) I think my favorite thing in the pictures is that cherry red suitcase I got at a Brooklyn junk shop for 15 bucks. It was never even used, and in perfect condition until my chihuahua chewed the front strap. Oh well, I guess you can't tell.

Dress: Vintage, Beacon's Closet
Purse: Vintage, Salvation Army (a really good find, it has lucite handles!)
Bracelet: J. Crew, present from best friend found in movie set shop in LA
Shoes: Nine West

Top: Forever 21
Shorts: Vintage 50's, Salvation Army
Necklace: Vintage, found at an estate sale
Shoes: Nine West

Top: Vintage, had it a million years!
Shorts: Forever 21
Shoes: Nine West
Bangles: Vintage

Who doesn't love an Easter hat?

So since moving to New York, I haven't really done anything to celebrate Easter. This year, I got really sentimental about the Italian bread my Nona makes, and the lasagna, and sitting around the table joking around with my family. But luckily for me, I got an invite to go to brunch with my friend Leslie and a big group of people at an awesome place called Jules Bistro on the Lower East Side! The place was totally charming, with flowers blooming in rustic boxes outside and a really gritty live jazz band. Easter Sunday gave me the perfect excuse to stroll through Washington Square Park and don the perfect little 1920's style hat I have been wistfully looking at all winter! I suffered in the cold for the first picture but I think it was worth it!



Hat: Forever 21
Blouse: No name from Daffy's
Skirt: Target
Knee Highs: Via Spiga
Oxfords: Nine West
Purse: Handmade by me






The fabulous Leslie and I outside Jules Bistro




More Bellinis please! Carnation courtesy of Leslie.