Mona Lisa Smile

Pants, belt, wedges - Zara similar here
Floral bag, bracelet - Forever 21
Silk blouse - Target similar here
Mona Lisa pendant necklace - Street vendor 

My facial expression yesterday looked a lot like Mona Lisa's (only worse)...but have finally turned that frown upside down after making the more than two-day trek from Minneapolis back to NYC. Now it's back to The Cube where I'll be wearing these new cropped Zara trousers, which seemed like the perfect pant purchase for the end of summer. I'm looking forward to pairing them with cooler weather pieces like a cropped cream sweater and booties this fall.

xx,

Shanelé

[Delayed] Weekend Update - 8/30/2011

{single sail boat at sun down} 

Had an amazing time in northern Minnesota this weekend at my friend's unbelievable lake house. The weather...picture perfect and was pretty thankful to miss all the hurricane chaos. As brutal as that 8 hour bus ride was from Minneapolis to Chicago Sunday night, I had quite the relaxing day yesterday on Miss Audrey Marie's couch with her adorable pup. Today will be a much different story as I embark on what will likely be a day long journey back to New York.

xx,

Shanelé

{peanut butter pizza at Zorbaz Friday night}

{juicy watermelon to cap off the last of summer}

{eggs benedict w/ crispy pork belly at Jam in Chicago}

{my partner in crime on a wonderful Monday of nothingness}

Come on, Irene

All blogging will be temporarily on hold until Irene and her subsequent repercussions (like me not being able to get into NYC until Wednesday or maybe later} are over and/or I can get my hands on someone elses computer. In the mean time, here's my attempt at putting a positive spin on this unfortunate sequence of events with some photos of lovely hurricane lamps, vases, shutters. Hope you had a good weekend and that my fellow East Coast brethren successfully weathered the wrath of Irene.

Until next time, 

Shanelé

{pin interest via: DIY Wedding Aisle | Kerry Murray | Sara DeKonick | Holli Kristina}

Flower Girl

Dress - Forever 21similar here
Sandals - Marc Fisher similar here
Watch - Burberry
Bracelet - H&M

I forgot about this Forever 21 dress, which I wore last year to a rehearsal dinner, but pulled it out again this summer for a Bridgehampton Polo match. I went with super simple jewelry given everything that's going on in the dress. And that's all I have to say about that. I'm headed up to Battle Lake, Minnesota today for a long overdue mini-reunion with a group of friends I lived with in San Francisco. Hope you all have a wonderfully relaxing [last summer] weekend!

xx,

Shanelé

Come Sail Away

Dress - Anthropologie
Sunnies, leather cuff - Street vendor

I purchased this little number at Anthropologie last year and it's easily one of my favorite summer dresses. So lightweight (good thing - b/c I was soaked after this last photo) & comfy and love the contrast of the more structured top and soft linen bottom. 

xx,

Shanelé

Pie Milkshake

Key Lime Pie & Frozen Yogurt

Sunday evening clean up in the Hamptons before heading back to the city typically results in a plethora of leftover food going down the drain. This past weekend, a house guest went on a pre-made pie spending spree at the local market leaving key lime, blue & blackberry pies nearly untouched in the fridge. Given I a) hate wasting food [or anything for that matter] and b) am constantly thinking of ways to incorporate ice cream into everything I eat, I 'll leave you with a quick and simple Pie Milkshake recipe. 

Pie Milkshake

          - 1 slice pie of your choosing

          - 3 scoops ice cream

          - 1/4 cup milk

         

Directions: Throw all three ingredients in a blender and top with whipped cream and any other garnish you prefer. I plan to get creative with my pie and ice cream pairs like the following: 

Peach Pie & Strawberry Ice Cream

Blueberry Crumb Pie & Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Marshmallow Cream Pie & Chocolate Ice Cream

Pumpkin Pie & Cinnamon Ice Cream

{all images via PinInterest}

Little Linen Dress

Linen dress, bib necklace (worn as bracelet) - Forever 21 similar here
Wedges - Marc Fischer similar here
Leopard belt - H&M similar here
Purse - Vintage (my grandmother's)

This little linen dress has treated me well this summer. The cut, similar to this Zara one, quickly became one of my favorites at the beginning of the season and is flattering on all shapes and sizes. These wedges, another Marc Fischer - Macy's sale purchase last summer, are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own.

xx,

Shanelé 

Weekend Update - 8/22/2011

{the Miu Miu heels that are on the top of my 'wish/never going to have' list} 

One of the final summer Hamptons weekends and couldn't have asked for better weather. More of the same: sun bathing, beach reading, tennis and too much fun at an over-the-top house party.  As sad as it is to see the end of summer draw near, the couple September issues I perused over the weekend have me more than excited for cooler weather and fall trends (read: more color blocking, glitter, leather, fur, etc.). But for now, just praying these next four days fly by before I'm off to Minneapolis this weekend. Have a great week!

xx,

Shanelé

{bright colored, floor length trenches in New York Mag's fall fashion issue}

{lobster tail, sweet corn and cups of melted butter at a Saturday night soiree} 

{snuck away from the dance floor for a couple sessions at the flipbook photobooth}

{yogurt and fresh berries to start a full Sunday of activities}

Looks for Less - Friday Fave

Louboutin Plato Ankle Booties - $995 vs. Nine West 'Gracious' Booties - $98.10

Short & sweet Friday post. I think these Nine West Booties will go great with jeans and trousers this fall, tights this winter, etc. etc. Hope you all have a great weekend!

xx,

Shanelé

Victoria Horning Handbags

I'm not sure about you, but I'm in the market for a new fall bag. I got an invite from the sweet and lovely Victoria Horning for the showing of her collection at the Handbag Collective event this Friday, August 19th at Openhouse Gallery (201 Mulberry Street between Spring & Kenmare) from 11-8. Admission is free and free cocktails flow from 6-8 pm. Best of all, select designs will be on sale. I highly recommend stopping by either the Gallery or her website. I can honestly say the pictures hardly do her bags justice...the simple designs and unique materials (read: calf hair, stingray, crocodile and soft textured leathers) make for some truly breathtaking bags.

Check it,

Shanelé

Denim on Denim

White Jeans, earrings - Urban Outfitters
Denim Shirt - H&M similar here
Leather cuff - Street vendor similar here
Bag - Zara similar here
Sandals - Marc Fischer similar here

After a couple months of searching and (of course) only a couple weeks away from fall, I finally found a pair of white jeans that didn't make me look like two-ton-Tess. The problem, I realized, was that I was trying to go for skinny jeans when all along I needed a little flare. These high-rise Urban Outfitters ones are the perfect mix of a slight flare and comfort with a little bit of stretch...I would even recommend going down a size because they stretch slightly after wear. This equal parts casual and dressy outfit was perfect for a couple housewarming parties on a cooler than normal summer night before the rain moved in this weekend. 

xx,

Shanelé