Breakin' The Law

I can resist anything but temptation. – Oscar Wilde

I recently returned from my first business trip. It was two days in Boston that was mostly pleasure plus attending a ballet premiere and the party after. That last bit was the work part in case you were wondering. I had been looking forward to the trip for weeks and the beautiful summer-like weather we were having leading up to my departure only added to my excitement. So when we stepped off the train into blustery winds and an increasingly cloudy sky, I knew I was in trouble. Yes, I had looked at the weather report smart-ass, but after 90-degree days, I guess I had a hard time remembering what 50 felt like when you are dressed in only a blouse and cotton pants.

I immediately pulled out of my bag the little ¾ sleeve jacket I had packed, as well as a scarf and tried to think warm thoughts. My colleague and I agreed to get settled in our rooms and then meet back in the lobby to go out for a late lunch. The picturesque 15-minute walk from Back Bay to Boston’s South End was filled with goose bumps and chattering teeth, and this was at 4pm!! What was I going to do that night when the sun went down and the temperatures dropped even more? I had to think fast!

After returning to the hotel and quickly pondering my options, I ran back out and headed toward Newbury Street. My friend K had mentioned this place and it was coincidentally only 3 blocks from my hotel. The first thing I saw was Burberry. Then Armani. And Marc Jacobs was there too. Time was of the essence. I had to act fast. These were clearly all unrealistic options at this moment, so when I finally saw an H&M, I ran inside. While on the phone with previously mentioned friend K, she told me that being cold and suffering was not an option and it would not be wrong for me to grab a little cardigan. In that brief moment, K proved yet again why we are such good friends. But I didn’t see anything I really liked there and time was running out. And then it started to drizzle. Had I brought an umbrella on my trip…of course not! A quick decision needed to be made. Into Marc by Marc Jacobs I trotted and found an adorable umbrella for $19. And I purchased it. And yes, it felt good.

Honestly, being that I had been thrown into the lion’s den that is Newbury Street, I thought I was pretty strong. I still ended up getting a wicked cold upon my return to New York, no doubt from my lack of warm clothing while traipsing around Boston in the cold and rain. At least my super cute new Marc Jacobs umbrella kept me somewhat dry. I mean, you don’t want me getting pneumonia or anything now do you? I thought so.

Dresses and Sweaters and Chokers, Oh My!

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society. - Mark Twain


My friend L is leaving New York and moving to La La Land. Pout! But to help to heal our wounded hearts, and in an effort to make her moving load a wee bit lighter, a few of us ladies planned a little clothing swap. The night would inevitably result in new clothes for me that totally fall within the parameters of my personal challenge. Hooray!

We gathered last week at L’s fab Tribeca apartment for an evening involving champagne, impromptu fashion shows, and Lady Gaga - basically, a typical Wednesday night for gay men everywhere. The guests all showed up with our little tote bags of clothes. Our hostess, on the other hand, brought out a duffle bag that could possible have transported a body at some point. As everyone took turns showing her items that were up for grabs, we got a little glimpse into each person’s fashion past. For instance, in the not so distant past, I apparently had quite the affinity for chokers. And my love for sunglasses has not diminished, even though my taste in them may have changed.

L’s bag of treasures turned out to be a gold mine for me. Little James Perse tees, a Katayone Adeli tank, and even a cute little Twinkle dress all came my way. Jackpot! As the vino continued to flow and the level of laughter and frivolity increased (not related I am sure), we all wondered aloud why we had never done something like this before. What fun! What scores! But wait…we aren’t going to have fun little evenings at L’s apartment anymore as she is moving far, far away. Sigh. I will just have to wrap myself in that super soft, cute little swingy black cardigan I grabbed up before anyone even had a shot and cry myself to sleep.

Style Inspiration Brought To You By National Bohemian

High school, those are your prime suffering years. You don't get better suffering than that. -Little Miss Sunshine

Yes, that is quite an appropo way to describe my first two years of high school. Miserable people finding their only contentment in their attempts to make me feel small and inadequate. But lucky for me, it was short lived, and I spent my junior and senior year at a performing arts high school, with all the other misfits that didn't fit in at their "regular" school either. I look back on my time there as one of the more defining moments in my young life for many reasons. In addition to finding a haven of acceptance and proximity to talented artists of differing genres, I was also being exposed to a world outside of my slightly sheltered suburban upbringing. Being 16 and spending your days and nights in a city defined by Poe, crab cakes, "Hons", excessive crime, John Waters and Natty Boh is a learning experience all its own. Why all the nostagia? Well, I am currently en route to an alumni function at said alma mater, where inevitably everyone will be dressed to impress with the main ambition to wash away any memories of our awkward younger selves.

And how did all these urban eccentricities define the adolescent sense of style of yours truly? As I recall, I was over-worked and rather tired in high school, so comfort was key and being it was the early 90s, this translated into grunge unfortunately. But then my high school BFF M, led me down the garden path (or at least that was how my parents saw it at the time), and in came the years of goth clubs and industrial music. Oh yes, you saw correctly my faithful readers. I was slightly tragic! (see aforementioned suffering theme.) I may have been one of the first, and possibly only, goth ballerinas! This lasted a few years, and despite outward appearances and associations, a lot of fun was had, in addition to some rather interesting fashion statements which usually involved fishnets and some sort of pvc material. Rebellion and angst in the form of a spider web mini dress and combat boots.

But alas adulthood and professionalism beckoned, and to be honest I was kind of tired of all the effort with the requisite eye makeup, so a bit of social conformity took place around age 24. The travels in Europe and move to France helped to solidify my love and appreciation for the art of clothes. Though I must admit, as iconic and classic as the essence of French style is, when it comes to inventiveness and self expression via fashion, New Yorkers win hands down. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is sit at the outdoor cafes and people watch. You can almost imagine the passers-by individual stories. The Upper East Side mom with two kids, nanny, logo bag and massive diamond in tow. The 40-ish Tribeca finance guy with a young impressionable amazonian model on his arm. The Williamsburg hipster in skinny jeans and Amish beard who abides with 6 other dudes in a built out loft that in actuality would comfortably sleep 4. The Hell's Kitchen out of work actress in a dress, heels, and thick nude Danskin tights racing to her next audition at a "I hope I get it" kind of pace. Oh how I love them all!

And for this 30-something Brooklynite's style du jour? There is a part of me that realizes and frankly enjoys that my life is probably also obviously displayed by my outward appearance though I hope I will continue to surprise and mix it up from time to time. Black nail polish, bondage collars and excessive velvet probably won't make a come back for me, but never rule out a nice beehive and cats eye bejeweled glasses, Hon!

A Mention for Unmentionables

Brevity is the soul of lingerie -Dorothy Parker

I have received a lot of questions from people since I started this blog. They run the gamut from the obvious..."You mean you can't buy anything?? Not even a purse or a pair of sunglasses?" Not surprisingly, these types of questions come from my female friends. Then there are the less subtle questions such as, "So, um, I mean, are you naked when you are writing the blog or just generally." I think we can all guess which gender has brought up such thought provoking inquiries. But interestingly, one of the more popular questions has been based in true functionality. "What will you do about underwear?" My response - well, I have a lot.

Apparently this response was not sufficient. People wanted proof. So to my unmentionables drawer I sauntered to do a tally. And what did I find? Some 60+ pairs of knickers of varying shapes and sizes. They range from pretty lacy items to functional cotton, barely there anti-VPL numbers to novelty pairs I have received as gifts, comfy boy briefs to overpriced pieces I have purchased to assist in the art of seduction. Some are certainly in higher rotation than others, but when you have such a breadth of repertory to work with, I suppose the casualty rate is somewhat diminished.

It is funny, of the many thoughts that crossed my mind when embarking on this venture, this was certainly not one of them. I thought about the shopping trips with my mother that occur virtually every time I journey home. The lazy weekend afternoons of wandering around the boutiques of Brooklyn or an extended lunch of window shopping in the City. The idea that there might be a special event for which I could not purchase a new knock-em dead dress. Never once did I think...what if I run out of underpants!?!?!

For me, this is where the basis of this personal challenge becomes very clear. Nine times out of ten, when I have purchased clothing in the past, it is not out of necessity but out of pure luxury. Now I am not saying that from time to time a girl doesn't deserve a treat, but my closet is the proof of the virtual candy store I have acquired and felt in some way I deserved. My goal over the next year is to change my thought process and use what extra funds I do have to achieve larger goals. There is a saying that notes the American philosophy of living to work compared to the French philosophy of working to live. I want that joie de vivre that I know can only fully come when I am free of the burden that my debt has inflicted on my life for the past too many years.


In the meantime, don't worry Mom, I will have on clean underwear in case of a plane crash or a sudden paparazzi ambush.

And excuse me, now that I have completed this post, I need to put my clothes back on and start my day.

What Really Makes My Heart Go Pitter-Patter

In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.
-Coco Chanel

First the Barneys Warehouse Sale and now New York Fashion Week...Temptations the likes of which I have only read about in biblical times! Thank heavens the majority of it is still housed a safe distance away in Bryant Park and has yet to enter its new home right outside my office window.

In all seriousness, this challenge would be a lot less interesting and well, challenging if I lived in say Dubuque, Iowa. For instance, my very fashionable friend K, moved out of New York almost a year ago and when she showed up to my house for a visit last summer she was wearing a polo, khaki shorts, and sneakers!?!?! Quelle horreur! Now I am not saying that my dear friend is any less fashionable, quite the contrary. And I know she still totally turns it out, but probably only on special occasions or on trips back to NYC (also a special occasion I might add). And why this change of a-dress? Simply put, it just doesn't matter there like it does here. Fashion in New York is just part of the general zeitgeist whether it is conscious or not.

So now that I have alienated and possibly insulted some of my readers, let me elaborate. I leave my house in Brooklyn promptly at 9:00 am every morning to make my pilgrimage into the City. Obviously most people have to be somewhere at a certain time Monday through Friday, so you tend to ride the subway with the same cast of characters. There are some I am sure I ride with every day and I could literally bump into them on the street and not put together the connection. Then there are the ones that really stand out. There is the tall, lanky, pointy-nosed version of Dita Von Teese with her black Betty Page bangs and ponytail, sky high shoes, and all black ensembles that always have some added funky twist. The gentleman in the fitted blazer, cashmere scarf, skinny jeans and impeccably polished shoes who has obvious similarities to Daniel Day Lewis in either Gangs of New York or There Will Be Blood-yes, mustache and all. Now for my favorite. She is Tilda Swinton-esque with cropped reddish hair and angular strong features. This winter she has been sporting a dark purple velvet coat over some sort of skirt or dress, opaque tights and big chunky shoes. Oh and she tops it all off with a black fur chapeau and a canvas Sotheby's bag which serves as her purse.

From my descriptions, one may come to the conclusion that none of this crew is obviously attractive, but they put it all together in such a unique and thoughtful way that you (or at least I) can't not be drawn to them. And even more importantly, their style works because it is just them. Their fashion is an example of their life, work, and personalities in the most fabulously effortless way. Also, it must be pointed out that none of them are obviously wealthy either as they tend to rotate around the same basic staples that they know work for them and express their sensibilities, and if there are labels anywhere they certainly aren't obvious. At a recent annual luncheon for donors at my work, I saw the age old example of money not being able to buy style. And I have never seen so many women trying so hard in my life!

So in an effort to "shop my closet" as they say and still keep up with my City, what will I be expressing for the next year in my day to day wardrobe? I am really loving the menswear look that was a staple on the runways for spring 2010 and seems to be carrying over onto the Fall runways as well. So limits be damned, I will shop my BF's closet in addition to my own and work an effortlessly chic, tailored yet bohemian, Charlotte Gainsbourg style.

Oh and sorry, Dubuque. It wasn't personal.

The First Week

There was a reason for the cost of those perfectly plain black dresses. -Dorothy Parker

Yes, I realize, this is the easy part. I mean, it has only been a week right?!? But don't speak too quickly, because the skeletons of my previous existence have already begun to rear their ugly heads. For example, I received a notice in yesterday's mail that the annual Barneys Warehouse Sale was about to commence. For New Yorkers, this event is right up there with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Yankees opening day. It is a voracious land of chaos staged in what was once the Barneys Co-op store downtown. Racks and racks of bargains lie before you and if you are lucky enough to get out with a Dries van Noten blouse, Vince trousers, oh, and your life still in tact, then it was a successful venture. But alas, I was a good girl, and the notice of this sale went directly into the trash.

So how shall I resist a constant bevy of temptations?? Step 1, I have removed my evil credit card from my wallet. I haven't done anything extreme like cut it up and I know where it is in case of an ACTUAL emergency, but I also know where it is not when I see a pair of boots that my wardrobe has been lacking for so long, and that's in my wallet. Step 2, I will not torture myself. No going into stores or buying fashion magazines...what is the point really? Also, if I am limited to working with what I have in my closet for the next 11 months, then I cannot be influenced by the current trends and must create my own "looks" for the coming seasons. My BF has recently realized that Step 2 will be affecting him as well. You see, my fondness for the art of purchasing extends beyond my own closet as I often buy clothes for him as well. I feel if you have a talent for something, you should really help those who may lack said talent. It is only right to give back ;)

Oh, and for those of you who had requested a photo of the dress from the previous post, here ya go!

This was sadly taken by yours truly in my bathroom full length mirror after my BF's birthday dinner. Clearly no one at the party got the importance of taking a full length picture of my outfit!

The Last Hurrah

Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination. -Oscar Wilde

Dead woman walking.

Knowing that these are my last days of freedom, and lucky for this New York girl it is also SALE time, I decide I deserved one final performance! So when I got a postcard in the mail that one of my favorite Brooklyn boutiques, Bird, was having their bi-annual sale beginning January 29th, I saw this as an sign. So yesterday after work I headed over to Bird for those last smells, the last feelings of beautiful new fabric between my fingers, the final site of a store perfectly curated with beautiful pieces of art.

So here's what I took to the dressing room: a super soft cotton gray "sack" dress, a silk black and gray geometric print shift, and a classic pair of black Thakoon light weight wool trousers marked down from $700+ to $175 (as a side note, my BF thinks it is ridiculous when I site what the original price of an item was and then the sale price - I just chalk this up to the usual ridiculous male behavior and their utter lack of understanding of the importance of a good bargain on a quality item). The gray dress looked wretched and showed every lump and bump (and I am not talking about the good ones). Now I have a theory on really great black pants...you can never have enough, and when you find a great pair it is your duty to buy them. Clearly this thought process is one of many that has gotten me into this mess in the first place. These were really great black pants and even better, they were more than long enough for my lanky Olive Oyl-esque frame. I tried them on 3 times but in the end regretfully declined in favor of the mod little silk shift dress and some fun accessories that will hopefully assist in diversifying my wardrobe over the next 11 months.

My total bill you might ask?? $175 - which I thought was pretty damn good considering this was my "swan song" as my friend R put it.

So tonight my BF is taking me to dinner for my birthday and I will wear my dress and relish for the last time in the exhilarating feeling that comes the first time you wear a new garment. Then I will spend the next 11 months trying to figure out what else causes me to achieve the same euphoric feeling for free!

Check out my "swan song" purchase:
www.shopbird.com/product.php?productid=19099&cat=319&manufacturerid=&page=4