Strolling Soho

Earlier this week I had a chance to get downtown and stroll around Soho for a bit. I love the Soho neighborhood, which is filled with beautiful architecture, high end shopping, and fascinating people-watching. Everyone in the area seems so stylish, and I love being inspired by everyday street style. It is also fun to do a little window shopping at the designer stores to catch up on the latest trends. 

Since I was on a casual excursion and planning to do a bit of walking I layered up in casual pieces like this sassy graphic tee and drapey jacket. I am living in these 7FAM "feminine boyfriend" jeans lately, they are just so comfortable and easy. I love that with a rolled up hem they pair so well with flats, sandals, and booties alike. Since it was still a pretty warm day I opted for sandals that color coordinate perfectly with the jacket! And just to continue with the matching theme, I wore sunglasses and a soft red lip, just like the glamorous Marie Antoinette on my teeshirt.

Tee: Zara (similar 1/2). Jacket: Jack by BB Dakota (similar 1/2). Jeans: 7 for All Mankind. Shoes: J. Crew. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Sunglasses: Anthropologie. Earrings: Gorjana. Lip: Bare Minerals "cherries on top."

xoxo, CC

Shorts and Sweater Weather

One of my favorite looks is pairing cozy sweaters with casual shorts or girly skirts. Unfortunately the weather only allows for this a few times a year; late spring and early fall. We've had a slight chill in the air a few days in NYC that makes this short sleeved sweater a perfect option. I love this shade of periwinkle for all times of year, and it definitely will add a nice touch of pastel color to my winter wardrobe. It looks especially pretty paired with crisp whites, like these shorts and my new sunglasses.

I love that the sweater and shorts combo is casual but also very chic. I added some touches of leopard and shiny gold jewelry to add variation and keep the look elegant. I got so many compliments on this sweater, and I love that the short sleeve length makes it wearable in so many seasons! I am definitely packing this one along for my upcoming trip to Milan next month! But for now I will be pairing it with crisp whites and girly details as I ease into cooler weather here in NY.

Sweater: ASOS. Shorts: J. Crew. Belt: J. Crew. Sunglasses: Anthropologie. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Shoes: Sam Edelman. Earrings: Gorjana. Bracelets: kate spade. Necklace: kate spade. Lipstick: MAC 'Flamingo.'

xoxo, CC

Pier 1

I always love seeing the skyline of NYC; it is dreamy and imposing all at the same time. This view is from a quiet pier on the upper west side, reflecting all the blue of the Hudson River onto the towering buildings.

The air has a distinct fall chill lately, which means I'm wearing more long sleeves. I still want to keep my looks summery (because unlike most of the world I hate having to shift into fall... long live summer!) so white jeans and a playful top are the perfect combo for these 75 degree days. I fell in love with this whimsical print a while ago and was so excited to find it again on this top! The scattered print includes cacti, owls, flamingos, pineapple, tea kettles, bicycles and more in a darling sketch style. 

The top and jeans together create a pulled together yet casual vibe, that I dressed up with wedges, jewelry, and soft curls. I think this outfit would be perfect for weekend brunch, or even a casual work day, but here I wore it to run some errands and stroll in Riverside park. And did I mention that Ruche is back?? My favorite online boutique closed down a few months ago, but I am so delighted that they are finally back up and running under new ownership! I couldn't contain my excitement, and I purchased this top and a cute sweater dress you will surely see me wearing pretty soon.

Anyone else with me on stretching summer into fall? 

Top: Ruche (similar 1/2). Jeans: J Brand. Bag: Rebecca Minkoff. Shoes: H&M. Bracelet: J. Crew (similar color). Choker: similar 1/2/3. Sunglasses: AJ Morgan.

xoxo, CC

Elevate Date Night

Turo, a peer-to-peer car sharing site, challenged me to get creative with date night ideas! Fun destinations and creative twists are what sparked my imagination, and renting a car for the night would make all of that even more special! 

What is more romantic than a luxurious picnic against a setting sun? It would be fun to rent a convertible or Mini Cooper from Turo for this excursion and pack the car with champagne, gourmet sandwiches, and a fruit & cheese plate then drive to a scenic location for a sunset picnic. Go all out with decor, packing a cozy blanket, vases of fresh cut flowers, champagne flutes, and even candles to light as the sun goes down.

I love a little print mixing for a casual date-destination like a scenic outdoor overlook. This stripes and gingham combo is perfect for a picnic, but the voluminous bell shape and pretty jewels keep it dressed up enough for a special night. Easy wedges are practical for walking through the grass while a cute blanket can serve as your dining space.

Top: Oscar de la Renta/similar 1/2/3. Skirt: similar. Shoes: L.K. Bennet. Earrings: kate spade/here. Ring: options. Blanket: here.

Another fun ideas is to have a night out on the town! Throw on your favorite dress and then, to shake things up and make your outfit even more special, raid your bestie's closet and borrow a designer handbag to switch up your look. Swapping closets with a friend makes your option infinitely wider and helps you feel fresh when your own closet gets boring. It's the perfect way to liven up your wardrobe for date night! 

Once you're all dressed up it's time to hop in the car. Pick a fancy luxury car to rent for a night on the town, and try doing a driving appetizer and dessert tour of your favorite restaurants. At each location order an app or a dessert to share and coordinating drinks--by sharing small plates at each location you can fit several culinary experiences into one night!
You'll feel like a new you with a fancy bag on your arm, like this gorgeous Dolce & Gabana gem. An off the shoulder dress is right on trend, and the ruffle detail on this one requires little accessorizing beyond a great pair of earrings. Sleek heels round out the look, and you won't even have to worry about walking far in them when you have a nice car waiting to take you to the next destination.

Dress: Amanda Uprichard. Earrings: here. Ring: Sydney Evan/similar affordable.

What are some ideas you have used to take date night from ordinary to extra special?

xoxo, CC 

Cropped

Photos by Paige Bryant

This is actually a look I wore earlier in the summer, but it got a lot of love on Instagram so I wanted to share it here since we are still having weather hot enough for this crop top look! This weekend was all in the 90°s, so even though September is here and fall fashion is hitting stores it's totally acceptable to wear your summer favorites one last time before cooler weather hits. 

When it is hot and humid in the city it is hard to imagine wearing anything other than crop tops and linen like this! I like to balance the edgier cut-out look of the top with a classic A-line skirt in a soft pastel shade. Adding a thin choker necklace plays off the more urban vibes, while comfy gold sandals tie it all together. I think this look achieves a perfect balance between the urban trends and my own girly style with a classic touch. 

Stay cool peeps, fall is closer than you think.... 

Top: similar 1/2/3. Skirt: Loft (similar). Shoes: Splendid. Earrings: Gorjana. Choker: very similar/more options/2/3. 

xoxo, CC