A Little Black Summer Dress

 Good morning everyone!

For the first part of the summer, I lived in this little black, summer dress!  It's so easy, flattering and perfect for brunches with friends and casual dates.  Yup, this dress has gotten around.  Now that I'm a lot darker thanks to all my glorious sunbathing-- seriously, my IG can attest to my love for beach bumming around-- I prefer to wear lighter colors.  However, since this dress is so easy and versatile, I may pack it for my upcoming trip to Asia.  I digress...

Here's what I wore to brunch earlier this summer:

black babydoll (A.K.A. skater dress) from ASOS, white chucks by Converse, Louis Vuitton purse

I <3 layering necklaces with my nameplate.

The choker is part of a set I initially purchased from Burlington Coat Factory for my much younger sisters.

I got these earrings for $1 from a street vendor in Brooklyn.

A mix of African bracelet bought from various vendors in Soho, Bedstuy, Kenya and Calabar Imports (on Franklin in Prospect Heights). 

 These blue nails were vibrant!  That is until the sun faded them to a dull, but still workable, blue.

Oh, and no makeup except for a tinge of Ruby Woo by MAC.  That's pretty much my summer look. A bare, sunkissed face with a pop of color on the lips.

Until next time.
<3
M

Photo Credits: Doris!
Location: Cafe Rue Dix on Bedford Avenue.

A Floral Dress and First Week of School

The summer is officially over for teachers (and students)!  As usual, the first week of school came and went so quickly, I didn't have time to post these photos from my last week of summer vacation before now.  Ah, well.  It is never too late!  

First things first: Target is killing it right now!  I have bought a few pieces from Target that I am really excited about.  This dress is one of them.  I will definitely be wearing this dress this fall in two ways.  For work, I'll add black opaque tights, a cardigan and low brown pumps; and for play, I'll wear it with thigh-high socks and boots.  

Secondly, many people are wondering about my new work situation.  Only thing I have to say right now is that it is amazing!  And there is a low-basically-none-existent turnover rate for a reason!  Also, I am now teaching high school, which is a huge change from teaching junior high, more about that later.  I am now commuting to work via subway instead of riding my bike, walking or taking the bus.  This is also my first time working in Manhattan, so that will be interesting.  It is definitely a much faster, busier pace, so I'm curious to see what observations I'll make as the year progresses.

Back to this outfit.  I felt like a girl in this dress!  I love wearing white chucks with dresses for a playful look.

This artist has been putting up/creating murals all over my neighborhood.  I wonder what her story is...

One last thing about this dress: it has a back zipper!  The most flattering cut of a dress has a zipper.  This allows the wearer to adjust herself into the dress, and accent the waist.  Love love!

Until next time,
<3
M

Birthday Brunch in Brooklyn

August has been a month of celebrations, adventures and reflection thus far.  Here's what I wore to my pre-birthday brunch at Mayfield's in Brooklyn:

Gap 1969 shirt, H&M lace shorts, Steven by Steve Madden suede, peep-toe wedges, Louis Vuitton purse

I am loving neutral colors paired with pops of color.  And of course these are seriously my summer shorts.  I'm trying not to wear them out.  I rediscovered this shirt for this outfit.  A longer-sleeved shirt is a perfect balance for short shorts, especially with wedges!

Assorted gold bracelets from J.Crew and J.Crew factory, assorted rings from Baublebar and Nordstrom

As expected Mayfield's was excellent.  I finally had the burger that I've eyed during several visits.  It was everything I thought it would be and more!  I also sampled the fish and chips, seriously delicious.  I usually find fish (of fish and chips) bland, but was pleasantly surprised.

A candid as my brother tries my Bloody Mary.

The brunch party!

Until next time,
<3
M

Romping in Old San Juan

It's been several months since my trip to Puerto Rico, but teaching has seriously taught me: it is never too late!  Here's what I wore while vacationing in San Juan: a brightly colored and effortlessly flattering romper.  Just my style.

This Express romper sometimes looks like a dress and other times like what it is, a romper!  I didn't bring my strapless bra with me, but I easily tucked my straps into my regular one.  My purple crossover is my go-to travel bag-- it zips, carries everything I need and is a great color.

My island look included dangling earrings from my largely neglected earring collection and plenty of bangles!

Old San Juan is absolutely beautiful to shoot.  I really enjoyed checking out all the colors and color combinations.  Thinking of it, reminds me of the children's book The Big Orange Spot.

In addition to checking out the beautiful houses, I also visited El Morro and Castillo de San Cristobol, the old forts.  Breathtaking views!

A close up of my favorite earrings, not as heavy as they look and in my favorite shape, hearts!

Until next time!

<3

M

Yelp Elite!

Here are some photos I took during a Yelp event at the Long Island City waterfront.  Beautiful views, tasty eats, and plenty of wine, just what I've come to expect of Yelp Elite events in my four years attending.

Brooklyn to Queens can be a trek, so here's what I threw on in my haste to get dressed and be photo ready.

gray tee from Forever21, white flower embossed pencil skirt from ASOS, Louis Vuitton purse

Neutral color palate with pieces that fit well with pops of color go a long way.  I love this crop tee because it's fitted, not too tight and long enough.

My summer bracelets again!  Paired with my blue, beaded Masaai bangle for a pop of color.

I am loving my Warby Parker frames.  They make me super excited to wear glasses even in the summer.  Here I am with my summer face-- au naturale with a hit of gloss.

Until next time,
<3
M

A Trip Upstate

I just got back from spending a few days upstate New York at a friend's beautiful, country home.  O, Almond and I caught Metro North to Poughkeepsie, though we were staying closer to New Paltz.  Metro North allows leashed dogs on the train!  If it weren't for having to take the subway, Almond would have comfortably travelled with us the entire way, just on his leash.  Very good to know!

Here's what I wore:

My mom picked out this strapless, patterned dress at Marshall's.  The chambray shirt I'm wearing is from Old Navy.

I am completely in summer mode, so even though this trip was scheduled in advance, I hurriedly backed my bags hours before leaving to catch out train.  I've been challenging myself this summer, an impromptu challenge, to do little laundry and wear all my clothing.  For this trip I backed long dresses and skirts, all recent purchases from my New Jersey shopping excursions, and a long-sleeve chambray button-up to layer on when things got chilly.  

A quaint church in the quaint town of New Paltz.  

Here's what I wore to the Ulster County State fair.  Tribal skirt worn as a high-waist skirt from Marshall's, American Apparel black body suit with chambray shirt tied over it.

O and I at the fair.  My large "snail" ring was a two dollar and ten cent find a local art supply store.  I love buying rings in the most random places.  

Check out more highlights from the fair, including fried Oreos and the Game of Throne horse on my Instagram.

Here I am at the Shawangunk Ridge aka "the Gunks."  Almond was very excited to be in the mountains!  My simple black dress is from Target, and the purple crossover that I really do wear as a neutral is from Coach.

I meant to do a favorite things post last month, so for this trip, my favorite part was the quiet.  O captured that essence beautifully in this panoramic photo.

Until next time,

<3

M

How to Wear Short Shorts

Yesterday O and I rode our bikes across the Manhattan Bridge to Chinatown for lunch.  What a ride!  The last time I rode my bike across the bridge, I was a little traumatized by riding in rush-hour traffic heading towards Midtown.  Those taxis!  This time was different, though. We headed out late morning and were in Chinatown by noon.  The bridge was challenging as expected, but not as bad as I remembered.  Perhaps my legs are stronger.

Here's what I wore:

crochet crop top from Express, print shorts from Target, black leather sandals by Mariella (a find at Marshall's!), Louis Vuitton purse, Heroine lipstick by M.A.C

After lunch we rode to Soho for some shopping and snapshots.

I spotted these shorts while shopping with my mom in Target.  I almost bought them a size smaller, as to avoid making any alterations.  While the smaller size fit, the fit was something that would relegate these shorts to beach wear and not walking around the city comfortably.  My mom insisted on me sizing up and helped me realize what a simple alteration it would be-- due to the print and pockets, all I had to do was take an inch or so in from each size following the pocket line.  Perfect!  As I continue to grow and hone my style, I realize the importance of a great fit.  Even when it requires some work.

 The key to wearing short shorts when you have a curvy figure is wearing them a little loose.  I also prefer the high-waist as well, for a sophisticated touch.

As for lunch, we ended up at H K Wonton Garden.  It seemed a little counterintuitive to have soup after riding across the bridge in summer heat, but the beef tendon and shrimp wonton soup I had hit the spot!

Until next time,

<3

M