Perfect Scent

Coco Chanel once said "A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future." While I am not an avid perfume wearer, I do appreciate the aroma of a beautiful perfume, as well as the delicate bottles that they come in. Though I do not wear perfume as often as I feel I will in the future, I certainly know that I do have a future ahead of me. These are some of the perfumes that I am most fond of and what it's clothing counterpart might be. What's your favorite perfume and why?

A Spring in my Step

While winter has basically just begun here in Syracuse, the stores have begun to bring in their spring collections. An abundance of pastels, punchy bright colors, and thin fabrics have started to line the shelves, and I cannot help but feel a bit pushy wishing spring were already here so that I can indulge in them. Though currently I have to stick with chunky knits, puffer coats, and snow boots, here are some of my favorite pieces for spring that I am to be dreaming of until the snow melts far away from campus and the sun shines for the majority of the day. 

{1, 2, 3}

So, as I put on my heavy black puffer coat just to walk outside, it is good to know that when spring soon does come around the (long awaited) corner, that there is a lot of inspiration, colors, and styles to look forward to. What are some of your favorite spring styles? I'd love to hear. 

Sweetly Scalloped

{Madewell dress, Vintage belt (came with a pair of shorts), Michael Kors watch, H&M tights, and Juicy Couture heels (from my sister)}

Being a lover of all things feminine and delicate, loving scalloped edges are a must-have. They add just the right amount of sweetness to anything (even an already sweet pink dress), and always make me feel just a tad bit extra dressed up. So, when I ran into this dress at Madewell a few weeks ago, I knew it was in need of a new home. I wore this for my last day at work on Friday and really liked how it made me feel classic, stylish, and I really liked how the black and gold accessories worked with it, as well. 

Today was my first day being back at school before the first day of classes for the new semester begin tomorrow. Good luck to anyone else starting another semester at school. Let's hope it is just as great as the first.

Simply Classic

Necessary Clothing Blouse, Zara Leggings, Topshop Ballet Flats, and Michael Kors Watch

In search of an amazing new restaurant to try out in NYC, I was encouraged to try the modern Asian cuisine scene at Buddakan. With an incredible staircase descending to a communal table (and rooms surrounding it), dishes of truffle/edamame dumplings and chilled udon noodles with lime sorbet and candied ginger, Buddakan NYC is the perfect restaurant for the girl that is always in search of that perfectly fabulous place.

For the outfit of course, I wanted to go for something that was classic, simple, and wanted to try out my new Topshop flats that really do resemble the ballet slipper. 

A great thing about these leggings from Zara is that they have a cool sort of paneling on the sides of them that create an interesting detail to an otherwise fairly simple pant. 

Donna Karan in New York

Last night I attended the Donna Karan lecture at the 92nd street YMCA as part of the Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis lecture series. Not only is Fern Mallis an amazing woman herself (credited for being the founder of NYFW and for being the executive director for the CFDA), but, Donna Karan is nowhere far behind her. As a brand that everyone young, old, and in-between is aware of, Donna Karan aims to take the woman from day to night and to base her wardrobe around seven key pieces (such as the bodysuit and leggings as needed for her Yoga-heavy lifestyle). Here are some of my favorite Donna Karan looks from two past collections. 

*Photos from style.com

Throughout the lecture, Donna seemed friendly, knowledgable about the industry and where she wanted to go in the future (check out her Urban Zen foundation), and funny. Not having much knowledge about her personal life and how she came to be such an amazing designer and businesswoman, I left quite intrigued and surprised at how much she had actually accomplished since her working at (and then succeeding) Anne Klein. 

These lectures that 92Y puts on are great and after having now attended two of them (the first being DVF last year), I am excited to see which others are in store and hope that I will be able to make it to the May lecture with the incredible Tom Ford.

Check out more about the event (and future ones) here.

Black + White Delight

Sorry for the lack of posts this past week. My internet connection has been kind of fussy. Don't worry, though, I will be posting much more often starting now. 

I've noticed that in the past week, I've been really into wearing black + white. Not only is the combination obviously a classic and effortless way to look put together, but it also instantly makes me feel more sophisticated and chic.

Sweater: Mom's old Dana Buchman, Skirt: Forever 21, Watch : Michael Kors, Nail Polish: Sally Hanson's "Peachy Keen"

I love the subtle knot at the top of this sweater. 

The accordion pleating on this skirt adds an extra dose of lovely to the already lovely stripes

NYC Snapshots

While I pack to get ready to return to New York City tomorrow for another week and a half of interning, I was looking through some of the photos that I took while there last week to build my excitement even more.

The view from our apartment. You could even see the Statue of Liberty.

The future New Yorker in me bringing a majority of black dresses

My friend Sarah from school came to visit and we took her out to Serendipity and a visit to the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. 

Coffee + Red Velvet cake from a favorite, Cafe Angelique

A cool take on counting the nights of Hannukkah with a chalkboard + chalk in Chelsea Market

So, as I pack my bags, have a final farewell with my friends, family, and pets, and have one last slumber in my bed, I can't help but be excited by the thought of late night coffee runs, amazing shopping, and a daily routine involving something that I love.

I hope 2012 has been treating all of you well. It sure has been quite fine for me.