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.

Austin Top 10

Because I loved it so much, I wanted to do something cool to summarize my trip to Austin the other weekend for one of my best friend's bachelorette celebration. Obviously I didn't come up with anything ground-breaking but have narrowed it down to these top 10 photos that serve to summarize what we did, where we went and others that remain on my to-do list for when I am able to return. At the conclusion of this post I've bucketed it into where to stay, eat, drink etc. in case you are going to Austin soon. And if you aren't, you should. It's awesome.

{Lunching at Lamberts Barbecue}

{Sunday Brunch at Franks}

{Big Top Candy Shop}

{Home Slice Pizza}

{Amy's Ice Cream}

{Hey Cupcake!}

{Live music everywhere}

{Drinks at the Driskill Hotel}

{Beers at Easy Tiger...}

{...on an awesome outdoor patio}

Hotels:
- The W: Where we stayed, very centrally located and quite swanky...just try not to wake up on your hotel balcony if you have one.
- The Driskill: Historic and charming with an antiquey-feel.

Brunch:
- Snack Bar
- Franks (Sundays only)

Lunch:
- Lamberts Barbecue
- Home Slice Pizza

Dinner:
- Bess Bistro (a must)
- La Condesa

Seafood/Sushi:
- Perla's
- Uchi

Drinks:
- Rainy Street (street of abandoned houses turned really cool bars): Lustre Pearl, Icenhauer's, really any of them.
- Easy Tiger (bake shop & beer garden...yes, please)
- Peché (mixology bar)

Sweets:
- Amy's Ice Creams
- Hey Cupcake!
- Big Top Candy Shop

Country Bar:
- Broken Spoke
- Rebel's Honkey Tonk

Live Music:
- Continental Club
- Speakeasy
- The Stage

Coffee:
- Jo's
- Mozarts

Late Night Eats:
- 24 Diner
- Max's Wine Dive

Shopping:
- Uncommon Objects and other antique/vintage stores on South Congress
- Etcetera, Etc. and other 2nd St. Boutiques

Other:
- Barton Springs: 1,000-foot-long natural spring-fed pool
- Lady Bird Lake: kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding

Compiled from A Cup of Joe I and II, Cupcakes and Cashmere, Immaculate Infatuation, and extensive recommendations from locals including the always-sweet Ms. Alex. I would be more than happy to shoot you our 3-day itinerary in an email if you are interested as well. 

Summer Stripes

Urban Outfitters Dress | Espadrilles | H&M Hat (similar)

I saw a girl wearing this dress at the pool of our hotel in Austin the other weekend and went immediately to Urban Outfitters to make it mine. You can do the same here and there's even free shipping right now through Wednesday. I paired it with these espadrilles and a straw hat from H&M (similar here) this weekend for the Belmont Stakes. The lightweight material and open back of the dress were perfect for a steamy day at the tracks. Also, the ombre tan look on my back can be achieved by never taking your swimsuit cover up off, in case you were wondering.

Weekend Update - 6/12/2012

{pretty hats and ruffly dresses at the Belmont Stakes}

Sincere apologies for yet another blogging hiatus. Really need to pin down one of those Time Warner Cable guys to get my internet set up but just haven't made the time. Anywho, will post my Austin pics later this week but here are a few from this weekend which started out with rooftop drinks on a pristine Friday night, the Belmont Stakes on Saturday and brunch at Paradou (super cute back patio in the Meatpacking district) followed by dinner at Randolph's (amazing burger and huge beer selection) Sunday. Busy, busy work week up ahead with a three-day trip to Boston. Have a good one!

{Union Rags for the win}

{$15 H&M hats fit the bill}

{view from the train window on the ride back to the city}

{outdoor chandeliers on the back patio of Paradou}

{Sunday night dinner & an apple beer at Randolph Beer}