Being Carrie Bradshaw

Anthropologie Skirt | Old Navy Tank | Zara Heels & Bag 

Luckily we were able to squeeze in a Halloween celebration this weekend before Sandy paid us a visit. Per my comments last week, I started thinking about my costume around 2:00 pm Friday for a party that started 8 hours later. I had some returns at Anthropologie so ran in and took a quick lap before running into this little lassie. Thought it would make for the perfect Carrie Bradshaw costume (could also make your own for a fraction of the price if time is on your side). We're still sans power & public transportation over here and expected to stay that way for the remainder of the week...but thankful that's the worst we experienced. Hearts go out to those less fortunate.

Weekend Update - 10/29/2012

{the bottom half of Friday night's Halloween costume}

What a weekend...that has fortunately extended into today as my office is closed for Sandy. Between two day-long birthday celebrations and Halloween in between, there's definitely enough booze in the system to outlast the storm. Friday night was a Halloween house party and Saturday woke up early to board a party bus out to the North Fork, Long Island for a day full of birthday wine tasting. Sunday was another birthday brunch on World Yacht on the Hudson River, probably not the safest place to be the day a hurricane's blowing in. Now time to 'batten down the hatches' (as my Mom has instructed me to do) and weather Frakenstorm. Stay safe!

{an early morning start for Ms. Hennessey's birthday celebration}

{mimosas a plenty}

{a mixture of munchkins including pumpkin (my new favorite)}

{additional wine cork DIY inspiration: just glue or stick into styrofoam wreath}

{live music and the first tasting at Lenz Winery}

{Lenz' Gold Label Chardonnay and cheese plate}

{North Fork foliage}

{most of the birthday crew}

{the birthday girl}

{stop #2: Pugliese Vineyards}

{and the final stop: Vineyard 48...actually, that's a lie. Wendy's (and $68 worth of dollar menu items) was the final stop}

{Sunday morning birthday brunch...this time on World Yacht}

{probably not the best place to be on the dawn of a hurricane but Lady Lib and Old Glory were still flyin high}

{cupcakes, coffee and more mimosas to finish off the endless brunch}

1 Skirt, 4 Ways

{one dress (worn as skirt), four ways}

{with an army green jacket (want this one), gray v-neck tee and these booties}

{with a jean jacket, this striped dress worn as a top and oxfords}

{with a white button-up (another cute one on sale here), blazer, nude belt/shoes and this necklace}

{and finally with a navy silk top, baby blue cardigan and heeled loafers}

So remember this dress (similar here and here)? In an effort to get creative (and put off actual productivity) this weekend when I was cleaning out my closet I folded it down into a skirt and threw together different combinations of comfortable and business casual tops/shoes for four different looks. Love pieces that easily transform from work to weekend...all year round.

10 Last Minute DIY Halloween Costume Ideas

Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's

Cruella Deville

Catwoman

Devil in a Blue Dress 

Princess Kate

Little Red Riding Hood

Minnie Mouse 

Peacock

Indiana Jones

Rosie the Riveter

I have intentions every year of having a really sweet Halloween costume but it never fails that I start thinking about it a whole two days before (i.e. now) and all the stores in New York are wiped clean. I'm also cheap and don't like to spend money on something you'll only wear one night which usually results in me throwing something together out of items in my closet (see exhibit A from last year). These 10 costume ideas I found around the interwebs can all be thrown together if you have a few basic items: black dress (Audrey Hepburn/Cruella Deville), blue dress (Devil in a Blue Dress, Princess Kate), black leather pants/lace top (Catwoman), red dress (Little Red Riding Hood, Minnie Mouse), teal dress/purple tights (peacock), chambray shirt/high waisted jeans/booties (Rosie the Riveter). What are some of your last minute halloween costume ideas?

3 Fall Essentials

Vintage Blouse (similar here) | H&M Leather Shorts (similar here and here) | Zara Booties | clutch from open air market in Italy

Leather shorts (others here), cream colored blouse and booties: three things we all need for fall. Throw on a fur vest and tights and you're ready for winter. Switch the blouse out for a gray tee come spring and a white tank come summer. See how good I am at justifying clothing purchases? Easily transitional pieces such as these make it easy but I can do it with just about anything. Let me know if I can ever be of assistance in this way.

Weekend Update - 10/22/2012

Happy Monday, everybody. I spent this (gorgeous) weekend in the City trying to recoup from the last couple weeks of mayhem. Friday night was the launch party of Widow Jane whiskey in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The venue was Cacao Prieto, an old horse stable turned chocolate factory, had free bbq/chocolate/cocoa liqueur/and, of course, whiskey tastings and a bluegrass band...all right down my alley and combined to make it one of the coolest events I've been to in NYC. After that we bar-hopped to Sunny's (super cute, live music, feels like you've taken a step back in time upon entering) and finally Hope & Anchor for a duck burger (amazing & only $8) and fries. Next was my friend Dani's going away party at Highlands in the West Village and then Sunday was spent cleaning out my closet. Yes, day, because it was such an arduous task. Ready for the week ahead kicking off with Louis C.K. at the New York City Center tonight and charity dinners every other night of the week before the Halloween festivities commence. Hope you all had a nice weekend!

{weekend ritual: morning coffee from Amy's and sunning/people watching on the church steps (wearing these I scored from Target)}

{Friday night Widow Jane whiskey launch party full with bourbon, bbq and chocolate tastings and an awesome bluegrass band}

{listening to (really talented bluegrass) karaoke whilst downing this succulent duck burger on a pretzel roll at Hope & Anchor in Red Hook}

{attempt #2 in one week to perfect my pasta sauce...adding shiitake slices this go round}

{above average temps called for pumpkin fro-yo w/ reese's & yogurt covered mini-pretzels}

{and because Kennedee hasn't had much air time lately and is just too cute to keep to myself, here's an iphone photo from my sister yesterday that absolutely made my weekend}

Biker Chic

Zara Jacket | ASOS Lace Top | J. Brand Boyfriend Jeans | Zara Heels | Forever 21 Bracelets

It's not very often that I post the same article of clothing two weeks back to back but it's pretty representative of how much I've worn these boyfriend jeans since I've got them. Paired them last weekend with this black lace/peplum top for a casual night out. Speaking of weekend, I could not be happier that it's here. What a week. Hope you all have a great one! xo.