April 22, 2013
by lisa
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green fashion // fashion monday

fasion green dress in the park

Man, how beautiful is this picture? Green is an ever-present color in my life and to many, a color representative of so many things (healthy environment, envy, wealth, etc.)  Admittedly, I’m not always as environmentally “green” as I should be though.  I would call myself environmentally conscious, but not necessarily environmentally-centric.  To me, Earth Day is about more than just being environmentally friendly, it’s about doing good.

shoes doing good by toms #modernvintagelove

 

toms {classic – circle // university stripe // linen ballet flat}

 

Toms is one of those companies that does a lot of good, so it’s hard not to support their brands.  They give away a pair of shoes for every shoe purchase, and are also actively working to bring eye health and sight to Cambodia in conjunction with their sunglasses purchase (something that is near and dear to me, based on my day job).  Also, Toms has some environmentally-conscious shoe options (like the first option above, which is vegan).

While Tom’s aren’t really my style, they do have some cute options.  On a day like today (Earth Day!), they could be a good purchase to make.  Either way, I want to go out and do something good for the Earth today, and I encourage you to do the same.

image via glamorous chic life

April 3, 2013
by lisa
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stunning hallway // decor wednesday

 

stenciled graywashed floors

This hallway blew me away when I saw it.  There are so many things to love and I’ve had a really hard time picking my favorite, so I’ll just list them all:

  • a pop of color with lilac doors
  • gray-washed, stenciled floor
  • colorful, differentiated art filling the walls on both sides of the hall
  • great natural light with windows
  • lead into a room with an impactful chandelier and differentiated colors

I am not sure if this is a foyer or just a random hallway in a house, but man, it’s gorgeous.  I don’t know that I’m brave enough to paint doors a bright color like that, but seeing this picture, I think I should be.

image via fauxology

April 1, 2013
by lisa
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miu miu sun // fashion monday

miu miu sunglasses

 miu miu sunglasses {noir // marbelized // culte}

It’s Spring, and I’m having a moment.  A sunglasses moment.  But, it’s completely dominated by miu miu.  I truly can’t see any other glasses (ha!).  Seriously though, they are the only ones that have stopped me in my tracks lately.  I’m having trouble deciding which ones I need though.

oliver peoples and ray ban sunglasses

 oliver peoples “skyla” // ray ban “erika”

My two current pairs of sunglasses are very different, but I am equally in love with both.  My favorites (the Oliver Peoples) are on their last leg…  scratched, and really just starting to fall apart.  I’ll be sad to see them go.  If they were still available, I would likely buy them again.

miu miu noir catwalk tortoise

 noir

Based on that, I think these are the winner for me – the “Noir.”  Although, I think I like them in this color (tortoise) better than the black (above).  Now, do I really need them?  Likely not…  but they are so pretty!

March 29, 2013
by lisa
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paris lights // favorite friday

arc de triomphe

I’m a self-proclaimed francophile.  I just can’t help it…  so many French things have this allure for me that the appeal feels like it’s out of my control.  I haven’t been to France in almost 9 years, but I can’t help but dream about when I go back.

la tour d'eiffel

There’s something incredibly romantic about the lighting in Paris.  Whether it’s the ever-present lights on the Eiffel Tower…

opera garnier lamp

Or just a simple street light, it just sets a mood.  No wonder it’s called the City of Love (and Lights)!

parisian wedding

Cheers to a love- and light-filled weekend.  Bisous, xx.

images via gramspiration, take a bite out of my heart, paris through my lens and style me pretty

March 27, 2013
by lisa
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green accents // decor wednesday

green couch

Green accents in rooms keep catching my eye.  Maybe it’s because we have a green couch in our house… but maybe it’s because these colors are just so saturated that you can’t help but stop and look.

green tufted couch

Green is one of those great androgynous colors that can be easily accented with just about anything, depending if you want to lean more masculine or feminine.

lime green accent chairs house beautiful

These lime green dining chairs accented with pink art feel decidedly more girly, but ground the room so that it’s not an overwhelming feminine feel.

green accent chairs

A darker color green and more muted artwork leave this room feeling much more masculine.

emerald green desk chair

The versatility of green is amazing.  My guess is that we will continue to see more green accents throughout the year, as emerald is the “color of the year.”

images via french by design, house beautifulstudio annetta and vintage luxe

March 25, 2013
by lisa
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valentino flair // fashion monday

valentino bow and rockstud

 wedge // thong sandal

Valentino has long been known for flexing their fashion prowess and truly driving trends.  This is no exception when it comes to their accessories, specifically their shoes.  Honestly, I think it’s because when they go for it, they do it in a big way.  The bow and the rockstud are two great examples – they don’t just put them on one silhouette, they put them on everything.  And what does it invoke?  You want several versions of each.  Brilliant.

valentino rockstud

 flat // platform sandal // sandal

The rockstud is not something I typically would have gravitated to, but they make it so feminine.  They pattern an otherwise “hard” accent with soft, lady-like colors, which combine for an absolutely stunning result.

valentino bow

 d’orsay sandal // thong sandal // wedge slide

I can’t help it, I have an obsession with the Valentino bow.  Whether it’s in a platform, d’orsay, flip flop or flat, I can’t stop thinking about how gorgeous it is.  While this style is often imitated, it’s never really replicated.

valentino bow platform pump

 platform sandal

If I had to pick just one, it would be this beauty.  Not only because I’m looking for the perfect shoe for Laurie’s wedding…  it’s just so pretty, and for me, classic.

March 12, 2013
by lisa
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new york state of mind

NYC

I’m off to NYC today for work and a little play.  With work events all day Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I don’t have much free time.  But, in the precious free time that I do have, I’m planning on hitting a few of my favorites…

laduree paris

Dinner and drinks a few nights with some of my favorite people, a quick stop at Ladurée, shopping in the Village and/or Soho and some other adventures I haven’t even considered, I’m sure.  There’s an energy about Manhattan that’s intoxicating, and I can’t wait to be there for a few days.

The best part?  I’ll be going back again in a few months for Laurie’s bachelorette party.  Hurray!

image via ladurée

March 11, 2013
by lisa
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Milly Monday // fashion monday

 

milly grace drape dress

 Grace Drape Dress, $387

Well, this is just about the most perfect dress I have seen in a long time.  I can’t stop thinking about it.  I saw it a few days ago when doing a little online browsing, and then it appeared in my Piperlime email this morning.  Is that Fate stepping in?  I’m not sure.

milly spring 2013

 {clockwise from top left} Mesh Racer Dress // Zoey Collection Tote // Sydney Clutch // Mila Blouse // Polka Dot iPhone Case

Milly has, in my opinion, gone through a brand transformation.  I could not stop thinking about all of the Fall 2013 runway looks from Milly that I loved – prints, holographics, etc.  I mean, I wanted it all.  This Spring collection is the same way.   The accessories are really colorful and inventive, and the dresses are more edgy than they used to be.  You can still find some of the old Milly “sweet” (in the blouse above), but the brand is pushing lady-like to be a little more contemporary now.

milly carisse colorblock dress black & white fall 2012

 Colorblock Bustier Dress, $197

And this dress – oh, this dress – is incredible.  It fits so well into the broader black and white trend that’s occurring these days.  The best part?  It’s a fall 2012 dress that is now on sale (yay!).

I’m in trouble.  I want it all…  ugh.

March 8, 2013
by lisa
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it’s raining, it’s pouring

rain showers by adriana glackinI’ve been seeing a lot of this lately.  Whether it’s the many rainy days at home, or rain/snow on the windows while I travel, it’s everywhere.  I looked down at my boots the other day and realized that the constant water, salt and snow assault on them was likely ruining them and I needed to change that.  At around the same time, I looked at the weather forecast for New York next week and saw that it’s supposed to rain on Wednesday.  It was time to make the leap to buying new rain boots.  I currently have some from the Liberty of London capsule collection that they did with Target.  True to Liberty form, they are a ditzy floral pattern…  cute for spring days, but not really work-appropriate.  They also happen to be too big.

hunter boots for spring showers #modernvintagelove

I’ve been thinking about getting Hunter rain boots for a long time, and my shoe-ruining and weather epiphanies pushed me over the edge.  When I went to check out the Hunter Boot website, it was my lucky day.  Not only did they have many options on sale ($79!!), but they had great colors left.  But, then came the hard part.  What do I choose?  The raspberry is the perfect bright color (great for any season).  The navy is classic – and sometimes you need some classic pieces.  The stone was a perfect neutral – not too light, not too dark, and could go easily with anything.  I tried to steer clear of black (my default), because, well, it’s boring.

hunter boot original high gloss in stone

I ultimately chose the stone option, after grappling with it being another “boring” choice and getting the opinions of those who I often bounce fashion ideas off of (like Kristin from FoodFash).  It’s perfect for all seasons, and as my husband pointed out, it will go with all of my coats.  So, sold!  I’ll have them Monday, just in time to leave for NYC for work (and a little play)!

ps – We promise to keep up with the blog from now on.  I know it’s been 2 months…  a crazy 2 months.  But, we’re back!

first image via red bubble

 

January 10, 2013
by lisa
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take the plunge

Taylor Swift looked absolutely stunning at the Peoples’ Choice Awards on Tuesday night.  People.com called it a “Breakover,” and if that’s what it is, she should break up even more often than she does already.  I love the dress and the earrings – it’s a bold, almost summery choice for January, but she pulls it off.  The plunging neckline and overall fit of the dress are just perfect for her.

In my day to day, I think plunging necklines are hard to pull off outside formal events and maybe a visit to Vegas.  Net-A-Porter has some gorgeous overall dress options right now – I was practically drooling as I scrolled through.  But, they also have quite a few with that neckline, and I may even be swayed by some of these dresses.

Pretty and Girly:

Gucci

 Sexy & Flashy:

Vionnet

Sophisticated & Structured:

  Lela Rose

Flirty & Fun:

Vionnet

And although there is no plunging neckline, it plunges elsewhere and it’s white.  Love it!

Esteban Cortazar