Travel Log: Details in downtown NYC

I love being a visitor in my own city.  I really recommend breaking out of the routine and doing something out of the ordinary - talk a stroll down a different street, look at the details in a place you pass every day, or just pause and observe the people passing around you.

I try to get back to NYC every June because the weather is usually mild and the days are already a bit longer.  This is the first time I had my DSLR with me and it was fun to actually the normal details I never really noticed before.  I miss the details everywhere in NYC: beautiful moldings, plaques in the most unexpected places, and funky signs everywhere.

What are details you appreciate in your city?

Fun Finds {Art}: Canstruction Art and Alexander McQueen in NYC

Art is no longer restricted to paint, clay, and stone.  An exhibit of "canstruction"uses canned food to create art (who said that you can't play with your food?)  These pieces include a few odes to the great Alexander McQueen and the armadillo shoes that will always be one if his signature pieces.  I also love the homage to the Brooklyn? Bridge and other whimsical creations.  This exhibit is taking place at the World Financial Center in NYC (I used to work there!) so stop by and relax in the Winter Garden if you're ever in the area.

{Source}

Fashion's Night Out NYC 2011 (Sept. 8, 2011) and my top spots

Fashionistas, get together and have fun on September 8th!  Oh if I was only in NYC this week!  Designers throughout New York City and a few select cities are opening their doors and having all kinds of parties and special guests.  Unless you clone yourself, you can't possibly make it to every single event so plan carefully!


Here are the top events on my FNO list (but otherwise I'll have fun virtually and through all you lucky ducks that go!):


Fashion's Night Out Collection
You don't have to wait on any line to check out Fashion's Night Out own collection, including this cute t-shirt with the night's logo.  Why get this t-shirt?  This is one styling memento and 40% of the proceeds go to the NYC AIDS fund.

Target
The Missoni for Target collection is coming out soon!  Get first dibs on the clothing today if you drop by the Target pop-up shop.  Added bonus: if you are one of the first 20 people to spend over $100, you get a chance to take a family style portrait with Angela and Margherita Missoni (which will also be immortalized on the Target Facebook page!)


Address: 1095 6th Avenue at 42nd Street New York NY 10018
Time: 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Rebecca Minkoff at Saks Fifth Avenue
Visit the braid bar hosted by the Man Repeller and get leather strips braided in your hair while checking out hot new bags like the Dee clutch below.  Leather braids and a sneak peek at purses...oh yes!

Address: 70 North 7th Street Brooklyn NY 11211
Time: 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Alexander Wang
Alexander Wang is throwing a talent show!  Sing, dance, hula hoop to impress the judges and have fun (hmm would be awesome if the prize was a shopping spree right?)


Address: 103 Grand Street New York NY 10013
Time: 7:30 pm - 11:00 pm

Ann Taylor
Natasha Bedingfield is performing here!  Ok who else hears the theme song to "The Hills" running through their heads?


Address: 645 Madison Avenue New York NY 10022
Time: 6:00 - 11:00 pm

Van Cleef & Arpels
Ok so there are photo shoots at a few different places, but Van Cleef & Arpels allows you to have a photo shoot while wearing a few of their iconic pieces of jewelry (ooh the possibilities!)


Address: 744 Fifth Avenue New York NY 10019
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Fashion/{Art Highlight}: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Genius.  Madman. Visionary.

Alexander McQueen was called many things, but at the end of the day was a clothing designer that dared to unabashedly use imagery and shapes to evoke emotions in his clothing designs and shows.  He was particularly entranced with the afterlife as well as incorporated touches that were both feminine, yet powerful.

I was lucky enough to visit the Alexander McQueen "Savage Beauty" exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.  This is likely the most popular show at the museum now so be prepared to wait at least one hour, particularly if you go during the weekend.
The exhibit (again if you visit during the weekend) is very crowded so it can take some time to get up close to the clothing.

I loved how the show was designed and curated to reflect Alexander McQueen's style.  He was known for creating dramatic and grandiose runways shows and I could see that in snippets from the actual shows, hear it with the sometimes dark but striking music, and almost feel it as I viewed the texture apparent in so many of his pieces.

Here are some sly shots taken at the exhibit:
The first dress to greet you as you enter:

Supercalafragalisticespialidocious - Autumn/Winter 2002-2003 (parachute silk)

Traditional plaid used in fitted and feminine dresses.

These were pieces from his 2010 Spring/Summer collection called "Plato's Atlantis" - do you feel the underwater, ethereal vibe (also when the famous armadillo shoes debuted)?

More pictures here!  Hope you get to see the exhibit if you are in NYC!

Styling about town: Jazz party in NYC

The truest expression of a people is in its dance and music.

- Agnes de Mille

All photos from the Sartorialist.

Oh to have partied it up on Governor's Island with my flapper dress, long strings of pearls, and my feathered fascinator...
Jumping, jiving, and styling seem like a perfect way to spend a summer's day.

LOTC/Fun Finds: Exclusive Target Harlem collaborations with Isabel and Ruben Toledo, Marcus Samuelsson

One of Michelle Obama's designers, Isabel Toledo, is making quirky sarongs?
My favorite Ethiopian Swedish chef, Marcus Samuelsson,  designed his own kitchen towels?

Yes indeed and these designs are available exclusively at the new Target Harlem starting July 25th and online August 1st (otherwise, I'd ask my friend I to pick me up a few things!  You know I'd treat you to lunch for the favor dear).  As always prices are reasonable and nothing below is over $40.

These pieces are definitely Luxing it on the Cheap (LOTC) and Fun Finds in one!

Here are a few favorite picks from this collection:
Isabel Toledo

Loving this sarong ($24.99) and bandeau ($17.99/piece)!  So tropical chic!

The butterfly towel ($24.99)...so cool

Ok I can't decide.  Is this one piece swimsuit ($34.99) awesome or just funky?

Marcus Samuelsson
I LOVE the pepper pot holders ($4.99 each)!

All pictures from here

What do you think of this collaboration?  Do you like any of these Harlem inspired designs?

Designer Thursday: Linea Pelle (and the first ever NYC sample sale today!)

I was never a belt kinda girl.  The standard belts were ho-hum and not that exciting.  But I've loved the fun and funky belts that have come out in the last few years (and also of course highlighted by Ms. Patricia Field's styling them over dresses.)  There is such a wide array of textures, colors, and styles for any season now.  I also love to wear belts with my slouchy tunics or fitted dresses - it is a great final touch to an outfit and so versatile.

Linea Pelle is no stranger to making great belts as well as other accessories and their leathers are great quality.  I love how naturally this belt flows with the dress.

This is one of my favorite belts from the current collection.  I'd wear it with classic white.

$225 here

Linea Pelle's line doesn't stop at belts though...I'm all about totes that can be worn as cross-body bags - functional and cute!

$415 here

Finally, I am really tempted to get this wallet.  It's well priced and goes with everything!

$125 here

Linea Pelle has occasional online sales (I've received belts at a substantial discount - under $50!) making them even more accessible.

If you're in the NYC area, be sure to check out Linea Pelle's first sample sale.  Ooh I'm jealous if you go.  Please let us know what you find!

Do you have a favorite leather accessory from Linea Pelle?

{Party} Highlight: Coach Collectibles Launch Party in NYC (and pretty pictures of bags and accessories of course)

The lovely Dawn of the Alternative Wife and I hit the Coach Collectibles launch party last night.
Pretty bags + cool cocktails + lovely bloggers = a sure-fire fun time

We were greeted with the gorgeous and eclectic array of blogger-designed bags here:

Weren't the peonies perfect with Emily's bag?

The lovely bloggers posing with their bags.

We loved Karla's clutch for its versatility and size.  Her dress was also amazing.

We got to talk with Emily and Kelly.  They were both sweet and fun and of course had lovely accessories.  Yes I do photo stalk, but only fabulous subjects!

...those lovely nails

...the Glamourai's awesome jewelry

It was fun - hope to see you at the next blogger party. ♥

NYC Bound: Some Loves (and maybe a Coach party and a DVF wrap dress!)

I'm headed off to a short trip to lovely NYC. Yay!  I can't wait to get some more of my stuff and of course see my lovely friends and family.

This trip, I'm thinking about the following...

...eating a great sandwich.  I have to try at least one from this list.  I'm thinking a Cuban is a must (we mostly eat healthy so I can have a little ham and swiss cheese deliciousness for under $5 right?)

Picture from here

...getting a haircut (finally!)  My hair is way too long and I'm hoping to get it around this length.

From here

...dropping by the DVF sample sale.  I'd love a staple wrap dress or something summery.

...taking a peek at the Blogger designed bags for Coach at the launch party (details here).  I like the versatility of Karla's bag - a clutch and a cross-body!  Anyone going?

Sigh I'm not looking forward to the flight, but love the things that await me at the other end.

What are you up to this week?