happy birthday. you’re the bestest. 

happy birthday dani + america.

so recently i was asked a question about long skirts and their staying power. everything from fast fashion retailers, next season’s trade shows, and high end editorials point to these lengths staying around.
the skirts are popping up in different fabrications; sheer silks and chiffons, heavy linen and canvas, printed fabrics, and embroidered and pleated detailing. some are straight with slits up the side and zippered closures. others are full circle pull ons. pair any of these looks with a solid, sheer blouse tucked in and belted for work. exchange for a tee shirt and cowboy boots for a more casual look.
for the next evolution in long skirts, check out high to low hemlines like this one!

i love anything photographed by ruven afanador. he has a way of capturing overwhelming elegance with a creepy shadow cast softly on top. i thought i’d use a few of his image and some archived images to create today’s outfit. the free people socks with betsey boots are my favorite part of this look.

i was in nyc over the weekend to check out the holiday windows. as usual, they were all pretty much impressive. the displays created by bergdorf and saks are beautiful and subtly yet powerfully convey the holiday spirit. i think my favorite was louis vuitton. love how marc jacobs and team can choose not to follow the crowd while staying classic. and all with a sense of humor.

i snapped these pics a few weeks ago in the village and haven’t gotten around to putting them up here yet. neons got so scary for a minute there in the nineties that pushed them in the back of my style brain. i thought they would stay there, but they’ve slowly been winning me back over. first, a little while back with j.crew’s quirky accessories and details,  then pantone released its new neon standards. and now big fashion is taking ownership of the trend in a serious way.

make nice!

i love a bow detail. a simple clip in the hair or 3d element on a shoe can change how you feel in a look. on days when you’re feeling simply feminine, or even a little sweet, throw in a bow. it will make your whole look just a touch softer.