I scoured the web for the perfect New Years Eve dress to wear to Cipriani, an old bank near Grand Central, where me and some girl friends will be dancing the night away. It was surprising difficult to find something that was suitable for the venue that wasn't covered in patches of cheap lace or mesh, or WAY too short. I would classify my style as sophisticated with a sexy edge which was what I searched for in a dress. Which one would you wear?
Now that I live in a place where the temperature actually goes below 30 degrees, I knew it was time to invest in a "puffy" coat. The question is, where can I find one for my under $200 budget that would keep me sufficiently warm? I didn't want one of those seemingly warm coats from Zara that looks nice and cozy but when it comes down to functionality it fails to protect from the harsh New York winds. I tried my luck at Uniqlo where I had seen a variety of puffy jackets in bright hues for a reasonable price. My favorite thing about about this coat is that it is made with real down feather and the pockets are lined with fleece! My hands are always warm! I have to say that I am in love with this coat and wear it almost everyday and am never cold. Here is my amazing purchase that I secured for a mere $100!
So yesterday I decided to seize the day and check out my first ever sample sale! I signed up to receive e-mails about the latest sales in the city through a site called http://www.260samplesale.com/ and they sent me one about Zadig and Voltaire for this weekend. My experience was a bit chaotic and I actually got lost on the way over. I had to check my purse in at the front and carry around my wallet/phone in my hand, making it difficult to sift through the racks. In addition to being somewhat handicapped because of my wallet, the aisles were extremely narrow. Pair that with crowds of aggressive new yorkers and you get a very hectic shopping experience, but I guess that's why they're called sample sales? The purpose is to sell as much as possible at reduced prices, not provide a relaxing experience.
In my opinion, the prices weren't actually that affordable, at least for a recent college grad with little superfluous money flow. It was still around $150 for any the sweaters and nothing worthwhile was under $50. Unfortunately, I walked out of the sale empty handed but I did snap some pictures of the more interesting pieces I saw. Here you go!
Such a beautiful day in Manhattan!
Stopped by the main stop for fashion industry cool girls, Opening Ceremony.
Today is my very first personal outfit picture for my blog! I decided to keep it casual since it's the end of the week and brought a change of clothes for the evening. I'm going to try and do at least two pictures a week, hope you like!
This beige Forever21 blazer was a purchase from about two years ago and has a TON of history. I wore it constantly on my semester abroad in Florence, Italy during one of the coldest winters Italy has seen in 20 years. It's surprising thick but I always add a scarf to protect my neck from the vicious wind.
The shirt I'm wearing is from GAP, shocker I know. I walked by it on the way home from work last week and noticed they were having a sale so I checked it out. GAP is usually too basic for my taste but I thought they might have good layering pieces. Lo and behold, I found this adorable plaid blouse in this season's hottest hues purple, green, and royal blue. It actually fits my chest too which can be a pain with button-ups that often pull in the front.
The jeans are Joe's Jeans which I can confidently say is the most comfortable brand of designer jeans I have owned. It can be hard to find high-end jeans that are the right length because I'm 5'4 so these were a great find.
The booties are from Asos, which I purchased way ahead of time this season for a mere $30. Another steal!
Paul McCartney's latest video is a stroke of genius. Whoever thought of the concept deserves major props because it is unlike anything I have seen yet. The idea is simple: Paul does his thing on the piano while famous actors, models, and celebrities slowly appear and jam out to his song. My favorite cameo has to be Meryl Streep because of her funky dance moves, I loved seeing her let loose! Johnny Depp and Jude Law play it pretty cool throughout and of course we see Kate Moss being her usual sexy self on a raised surface of some sort. Take a look for yourself, the song is actually very catchy!
The latest fashion documentary, Mademoiselle C, follows the chaotic and glamourous life of former Vogue Paris EIC Carine Rotfeld. I haven't seen it yet but this trailer gives me fashion goosebumps!!
The Last Emperor documents the extravagant life of Valentino and allows viewers to gain insight into the drama and challenges of creating couture collections. His Parisian villas, famous friends, and even his significant other come together in this fascinating film about the life of an Italian designer.
I can never seem to get enough of The September Issue which takes place at infamous Vogue offices. It focuses on Anna Wintour's relationship with the magazine's Creative Director, Grace Coddington and features Andre Leon Talley, Sienna Miller, and Oscar De La Renta. Fashion fanatics like myself get a pass to Paris Fashion Week and a peak into photo shoots, exclusive meetings, and fabulous parties. You will be Anna-obsessed after seeing it!
Unzipped is a documentary about Izaac Mizrahi and his everyday design challenges. We see him talk passionately about what inspires him and we also realize how incredibly funny and smart he is. It's also extremely entertaining to see first hand how much of a diva Linda Evangelista was back in the day. This one gets five stars for entertainment value!
