I'm back!

Well I'm back and I had an amazing time.  New York City has an energy that no other city has.  With it's mix of people and the sophistication it holds, it made it very difficult to come home.

I spent a lot of time people watching and trying to figure out why Los Angeles and New York are so different in regards to style and fashion.  And what I came up with is New Yorkers tend to dress depending on the elements outside.  Los Angeles has the ease of good weather basically 11 months out of the year.  We may have 1 month, total through out the year, that we have hard rain, or really hot weather.  So that makes it very predictable and very easy to dress.  Angeleno's like their color, their make-up and their stilettos.  Although there's nothing wrong with that, I find it sometimes to be a little much, a little overdone.

New Yorkers tend to be a lot more understated, and because "their legs are made for walking", their wardrobe choices are made with comfort in mind.  Now, I'm only talking about day to day living.  This is not taking into account work attire.  That is a different mind set altogether.

Fresh faces and comfortable flats dominated the streets.  On the hot summer like days I saw a lot of leggings with long, doubled up tanks.  Hair had natural waves or an effortless ponytail.

It was refreshing to see people enjoying their company and their meals without seeing people looking around wondering who's looking at them.  I love the human contact that New York forces you to have, at the same time I love the raw emotions that the city forces you to use.  It's a city that can break you down but that sense of knowing that you are alive is priceless.  xoxo  

I love NY...

I'm off to New York.  I'll be away for the whole week...I'm so excited! I will try to blog as often as I can.  Can't wait to share with you what I find.  Bon Voyage! xoxo

Jenna Lyons

I'm not sure if many of you know who Jenna Lyons is, but you should. She is the creative director for JCrew. Jenna oversees everything that goes into what JCrew is today. From collaborating with the designers on their designs, to what looks will be showcased in the catalogs. She's been with the company since she was 21 years old and has over the years worked herself up the ladder.

I really didn't know much about Jenna Lyons until I saw her on Oprah recently. Then I realized that I had seen an article in one of the magazines I subscribed too, DOMINO (which is no longer). Although i'm not a super fan of the "preppy" JCrew style, I really like Jenna's personal style. She mixes and matches all sorts of different textures to give an eclectic vibe to her life.

My favorite piece to Jenna Lyons' life is her Brooklyn apartment. It's such a mix of modern and funky. As you can see from the photos, it's a relaxed, highly stylized vibe. From the black chairs with sheepskin covering them in the living room, to the black walls in her bedroom, she manages to bring this eclectic style forward without it looking like a circus.

I enjoy going back to the photos for my own life's inspirations, and I hope you enjoy her vision as well....xoxo

Ahh New York!

Love, Love, Love Olivia Palermo's New York Tribeca apartment....The floor to ceiling windows is a must when living in the city. All that natural light in a small space will make it worth living in a 500 sq ft box. But besides the size of the apartment this space is perfection. The Hermes orange tray gives just enough color and funk to her simple, neutral color palate.

Keep in mind when decorating your personal space, most of us don't live in a 5000 sq ft home, so keep from over buying and stuffing your place with everything you see. I know that there is a lot of great things to buy, but use some control. Sit down and really think about the vibe you want your space to say. Take a look at the style of your house, but more importantly your personal style and lifestyle. Your home should be a reflection of you not a mish mosh of someone elses style.

Neutral walls is a good place to start. Add your key pieces next, then finish it off with accessories that reflect you (books, frames, candles etc). Take your time when decorating. Go out on missions to find things you really LOVE. I know for myself when I see something that my first instinct is "I have to have it" it usually is right. Even if it's a little expensive. That may mean you can't buy anything else for the month, but that's okay. Trust me when I tell you you'll be happier with one great piece vs a house filled with IKEA. Nothing wrong with IKEA, but you know what I mean. Have fun!