Mile High Club

In preparation for my trip home to Colorado for a friends wedding/vacation(!!) I have been busy organizing my suitcase with proper attire for the Rocky Mountains.  You can never really be sure on what to bring for a few reasons, one being the temperamental weather. Sometimes it's 90 degrees and sunny in November, while snowing and 40 degrees in May. And two, the laid back fashion doesn't quite par up to the expression I'm used to in Brooklyn. (I mean, they still are questioning my desire to wear skinny jeans over flares) So settling with some jeans, blouse, sandals and dress, sweater, heels combos I feel prepared for any situation, while clearly managing to over pack for a 1 week vacation.  Nothing wrong with options, right Danielle! 

Of course packing is only HALF the battle in my opinion. The other half is what to wear on the plane.  I want to be comfortable, yet classy and fashionable which the latter two ten not to lend to the first so it can be tricky. Especially with all the rules and security regulations. You have to practically disrobe just to mke it to your gate, which often persuades me to under accessorize. Boo! I love bling! In attempt to make my life easier I settled for black leggings, flats, a cream swingy tunic, black grandpa cardi and an oversized floral scarf (in attempt to be springy in the skies). I think its fairly safe to say I pulled off a basic fly outfit that neither hinders nor over accentuates my desire to be fashion saavy. 

Even through my wardrobe indecision, I made it to the airport and zipped through security in enough time to board with ease.  As I was settling into my cramped coach quarters, I started observing my surroundings. Normal people with normal day to day outfits. And when I say normal, I mean normal... This IS a flight to Colorado via Milwaukee, so you get an idea of the cookie cutter company I am in. And seeing it is 11am on a Wednesday, the majority of passengers are 60+.  Scanning the sea of jeans and sweater combos, I wonder what happened to the glamour of flying?  What happened to looking daper and classy in a sauve and sleek outfit while jet setting to a fabulous exotic location? And more importantly, what happened to the highly fashionable flight attendants in their amazing outfits?  Having more than a few friends in the biz, I know their hate of the polyester suits and polkadot blouses first hand. I understand in 1970 the outfits were not PC and a little degrading to woman, but that doesn't mean they have to dress like a frumpy grandma either! 

I was tipped off about a year ago at the possability of Cynthia Rowley redesigning the uniforms for the lovely United crew and am dying to know if it's came through yet. I'm guessing with her aesthetic they will be decked out in mod shifts, sweet pouf sleeve blouses, and of course the wedges I'm so accustomed to seeing her trot around in. Ooookay, so maybe not the wedges.  Think we can commission to get these boots? Rockin!

In my search for amazing pictures I cam across this snap shot of uniforms designed by Emilio Pucci. I adore the colors and the Mod fllair of the sixties they embody,

I read that sometimes they would wear these helmet like hats inbetween concourses to protect their hairdos from the elements... Clever ladies, very clever...

I leave you with some adorable pics of the ladies of the sky, past times.

Now please return your laptops to their full and upright position, and thank you for flying the friendly skies with yours truly!

Prima Ballerina Touches Down

If I had to pick one thing I might consistently be drawn to in the fashion world, its the idea of white. Whether is it a pristine white dress, impeccable white powdery skin, or cool white blond hair it always rouses a sense of angelic nostalgia out of me. These photos from Pablo Roversi, Vouge Italia April 2010, especially hold true to this notion. They have a haunting beauty that almost makes you believe these powdered beauties are really just ghosts, thoughts, memories of a past time. Well ghosts in couture Chanel and Valentino, of course.

I adore he made the models and clothes evoke a this sense of an Old World Ballerina. Like they are in company with the Russian Imperial Ballet circa mid 1800s.

I also am loving the use of laces and straps that is bringing in an element of sport, particularly football, which happens to be another spring trend. Alexander Wang hit the nail on this one.

 

I'm off to find my prima ballerina, adorn her in white, and take her out to play a little flag football (no grass stains of course!). Good game!

Vogue Italia pictures via noirefacade and Alexander Wang via Style.com

Birds of a Feather

There's something wonderful about roaming through the city covered in birds. No, not scary covered like in The Birds where you are fighting off crows in attempt to save you're perfectly porcelain skin and keep your eyeballs intact. Although I love the soft green suit Tippi Hedren adorns throughout the horror. The woman knows how to look chic throughout what I might call, my worst nightmare.  Kudos. I mean covered in birds like one of Spring 2010's hottest trend, bird print dresses.

All Saints Poseidon Dress

Although most are inspired by tropical birds this year, I choose to highlight the softer versions.  This vintage Asian Poster is a great palattt to work from and reminds me of this All Saints dress I have been drooling over ever since I came across it on my research for this post. It's the perfect combination of floaty and feminine, yet still edgy. I would pair this with some thick strapped platforms, a black leather oversized motorcycle jacket and mounds of pearls.

 ASOS Wire Collar Belted Funnel Neck Leather

Chloe Sevigny for Open Ceremony Buckle Boots

 

For a brighter indulgence in this delicious bit of Spring fashion, check out Tibi. I love how she used the simplistic print with a punch of candy colors to really give it an island appeal stuck in the city. This is great on the navy background and really updates a classic silhouette with a fresh twist.

Tibi Bird Print Silk Dress

This adorable and easy mini dress is a day at the office gone wild. Pair it with some peachy pink pumps and add a skinny belt for a pulled together ensemble.

 Steve Madden "Caryssa" Pumps and Boden Silver Snake Print Belt

Another easy and more causal pick is this beautiful Helmut Lang dress. Add some fresh booties, a washed out jean jacket, and loads of jewelry to really add style to an other wise basic silhouette.

Helmut Lang Bird Print Draped Dress

Current/Elliot the Snap Jacket

Elizabeth and James "Loni" Macrame Lace Up Pumps

It's been fun piecing together outfits for you and I leave you will my attempt to join the flock parading in Byrant Park.

Josh Brody Dress, Vintage Blazer, f21 Sweater, Belt and sock H&M, Vintage Liz Claiborne Shoes

Sunshine to my Paisley

So yesterday I may or may not have taken a break from the blogging world, but I am back with a sunny disposition. Even though NYC is covered in a grey blanket and looks more like November instead of April, I still can't help but feel the warmth of Spring lurking around the corner. Maybe it's just the warmth from the lovely Van Gogh painting hanging in my kitchen or maybe its just too much coffee this morning. Who knows but I think I will go with the first option and say it's the rich yellows, oranges, and ambers radiating from the painting that are emulating sunshine this morning. 

Having a new found epiphany that, yes spring is here! and summer is not far behind! Not to mention a huge sense of denial (read cloudy dreary day in reality), I wanted to put my sunny attitude into my ensemble without looking too much like a member of the Brady Bunch ready to burst into song at any moment. I mean can you get any happier than these people here? I think not.

So instead of a burnt orange polyester mini dress with rainbow twill tape a la Cindy Brady, I opted for more of a Marsha meets Working Girl approach.  I even went for the big blond hair Melanie Griffith sported in the flick... ok so I tamed it a bit, but it was definitely an inspiration.

I grabbed for my favorite Postella sea-foam green silk dress with pops of paisley in yellow, oranges, and dark teals.  It has the greatest print that mixes traditional paisley design with a quilt like effect. Top it off with a matching silk teal belt for a great and easy shape. And the length is just perfect! Not too demure, not too *ahem* risque...

Postella dress and belt

Such a delicate dress needs a delicate shoe. I opted for my newly purchased obsession, my camel t-strap sandals. They are the perfect color and shape for multiple wardrobe options this season, plus they look like my Grandma might wear them so I adore them even more. 

Vintage Liz Claiborne shoes

I threw on a navy blazer and teal crochet scarf to pull it together (there's the working girl!), and accessorized with a copper bracelet and mustard yellow embossed leather shoulder bag.

Postella dress and belt, f21 blazer, vintage bracelet, bag and Liz Claiborne shoes.

Vintage bracelet and bag.

I'm good to go! And remember the sun will come out tomorrow, and if it doesn't.... Make your own.