Free People Fanatic

Free People Tank, Jean Shorts, Bracelets and Ring | Urban Outfitters Sunnies and Cuff | Forever 21 Bag (similar) | Sam Edelman Boots

I made my first Free People purchase before my trip to Austin (I swear I'll shut up about Austin soon) and haven't been able to stop since. I was struggling the last couple months to find a pair of jorts that weren't way too short and these were perfect. Next to the shorts was this tank and once I saw the back...just had to have it. To finish it off, I paired everything with these booties that I have not been able to take off since I bought them a couple weeks ago. They have proven to be the perfect shoe to slip on to go to the beach, run errands around the city, go out at night, etc.

Simple Summer Shift

One Teaspoon Dress | Marc Fischer Heels | Zara Bag | Urban Outfitters Lace Bandeau

I saw this dress online a while back and was drawn to the deep back, which paired nicely with this blue & nude lace bandeau. I originally borrowed these Sam Edelman heels (on sale!) from a friend when I wore this out in Austin. Sadly, I'm back to one closet so threw on my go-to summer sandals (as pictured in pretty much every other outfit post as of late) for a super steamy night of dinner and drinks last week.

Weekend Update - 6/25/2012

{the perfect summer concert dress}

Thank heavens it cooled off for another weekend in the City. Spent Saturday at Rockaway Beach and Sunday at Central Park for the Alabama Shakes concert. Sun and live music...pretty much my two favorite things on Earth. And like Groundhog Day, I'm back in The Cube for another week of banking awesomeness. How was your weekend?

{Central Park in all its beauty}

{Alabama Shakes concert-goers}

{this little one was throughly creeped out at me photographing her but she was too cute not too}

{a spoonful of gouda-ness}

{fresh strawberry mojitos}

{making a mental note...this time of night yields great photos}

Weekend Plans...

...Include working on my freckles at the beach and cooling off with a cone(s) before finding somewhere to hang the hammock (that I don't have) for a long weekend nap. Have a great one!

{pic sources: wit & delight}

Light & Flowy

Free People Dress, Cuff and Bracelets | Sam Edelman Boots --> On sale now! | Urban Outfitters Earrings (similar here) | Forever 21 Bag (similar here)

I originally ordered this Free People dress in anticipation of my Austin trip however it didn't come in time. As hard as I tried to refrain from opening the box, it somehow found its way out and onto my body. Hate when that happens. I've worn it the last two weekends with these boots (which I'm obsessed with and wear everywhere now) and wish I could be wearing it on a scorcher like today. The lightweight jersey knit couldn't be more comfortable and the double side-slits/strappy detailing below each arm hole all combine to make it is perfect casual summer dress.

Six Summer Salads

Black Rice Salad w/ Mango and Peanuts

Summer is officially here and based on the 94°-97° forecast, looks like it's going to slap NYC in the face today. I'm not sure about you but when temperatures start creeping up in triple-digit land, the last thing I want to eat is something hot and I'm pretty much burnt out on regular lettuce salads after eating them five days a week for the last five years. Here are six refreshing summer salad recipes from Bon Appetit that I plan on trying to switch it up a little over the next couple months.

Brown Rice Salad w/ Crunch Sprouts and Seeds

Black Barley, Fennel, and Radish Salad

Curried Spelt Salad

Quinoa Tabbouleh

Basmati Rice and Summer Vegetable Salad

LWLD

Diane von Furstenburg Dress | Burberry Watch | Marc Fischer Heels (similar) | Forever 21 Bag (similar)

Wore this little white lace dress to a wedding shower at Fig & Olive Sunday morning. I paired it with summer sandals (similar here), a dainty little mint-colored bag and bright lips and nails to complete the look.

Weekend Update - 6/18/2012

{a Father's Day phone call on my stoop}

I'd be fine with getting rain every week day if it continuously translates into unbelievably gorgeous weekends like the last couple we've had in NYC. Friday was a outdoor work volunteer day followed by a late lunch and beers at Spitzer's Corner (truffle mac & cheese is a must) and an improv comedy show that night. Saturday I woke up too late to go to the beach so caught some rays along the West Side Highway before a housewarming party that night. Sunday: a wedding shower brunch at Fig & Olive followed by dinner at Mercadito. So yeah, lots of food pics as per usual. Hope you had a nice weekend!

{watermelon / feta spinach salad at Spitzer's Corner after a work volunteer day Friday}

{cappuccino on a cool Sunday morning}

{balsamic strawberries & mascarpone topped shortbread with micro basil at Fig & Olive}

{guacamole tasting: apple/crispy sweet potato, traditional and mango with a cucumber margarita back at Mercadito}

{mahi mahi, shrimp and wild mushroom quesadillas and chicken/butternut squash/apple tacos}

Light Pink Peplum & Lace

H&M Peplum Top (similar here) | Forever 21 Dress worn as Skirt (similar here and here) | Marc Fischer Sandals | Zara Belt

This lace "skirt" is actually a super-short Forever 21 dress that I purchased for less than $20 and flipped upside down to make it look like a pencil skirt. I gathered the top of the dress at my waist and belted,  which you can't even tell because the peplum goes out over the top. I would love to hear: what are some of your creative clothes transformations?

Austin Attire

Urban Outfitters Skirt worn as dress (similar), Earrings & Bracelet | H&M Boots (similar on sale here) and Bag (similar) | Free People Bracelets | Forever 21 Hat (similar)

I found this Urban Outfitters skirt (similar here) on the sale rack on wore it as a dress paired with my favorite black booties (similar here) and a cowboy hat (similar here) for the first night out in Austin which started with dinner at Bess Bistro and finished with a little two-steppin' at Rebel's Honky Tonk. Well, everyone else was two-steppin'...I mostly just ran into / stepped on peoples feet and walked in a big circle around the dance floor. Had a ball of a time nonetheless.