Lady in Red

After waiting a full 10 months, I am finally getting some use out of this red pea coat. Normally I can’t wait more than a day to rip off the tags and wear something new, but the timing of this purchase was not in my favor. Having bought this coat in dreary and cold January, I knew I’d have to wait until the upcoming fall. After an unseasonably warm start to autumn, that time is finally here.

It has been the perfect accessory as we transition from fall into winter, because its fairly lightweight. I’ve dressed it up, I’ve dressed it down, and I just can’t stop wearing it!

Plus, it looks great against the backdrop of autumn leaves.

It was “Casual Friday” at work … so I opted to wear my red coat over a comfy pair of leggings, and my trusty chambray. I thought the leopard print scarf was a great way to tie together the browns and blacks in my outfit.

There are so many brightly colored pea coats out there … what color would you wear?

xoxo

Coat: Zara (loving this one)  //  Shirt: Madewell (similar)  //  Leggings: Zara (similar)  //  Boots: Aldo (these are gorgeous)  //  Scarf: boutique find (similar)  //  Bag: Michael Kors (zipper version)

 

Some Things Are Touristy for a Reason

In order for a destination to become popular, it needs to be worth visiting. Hundreds of thousands of people need to unilaterarally decide that something is worth their time (and money). Judging by the number of tourists in New York, I’d say we qualify out here.

New York has no shortage of touristy things to do, and as a still-relatively-new Manhattanite, I’ve made a point to check most of them out. I figure … it gives me a taste of what this city has to offer. And then I can play tour guide when all my friends come to visit 🙂 

Most of the tourist traps are quintissential New York icons … though most locals avoid them at all costs … including the Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, Rockefeller Plaza, Time Square to name a few. And while some of these places make this particular local clausterphobic and annoyed, others are really worth the trip.

Two weekends ago, while Peter’s dad was in town for the marathon, we were looking for a Saturday activity. The weather was uncharacteristically warm, and the sky was a clear shade of blue, so we decided to head to the “Top of the Rock”, Rockefeller Center’s top floor observation deck. We fended off the crowds, purchased our tickets, and made our way to the top.

I instantly understood why this was such major attraction! The view was majestic, and it gave me a whole new perspective on how truly awesome New York is.

So my advice to you? Sometimes its okay to be a tourist in your own city. It shouldn’t just be reserved for vacations. In this case, the tourists were definitely on to something…..

xoxo

Pre-Christmas Shopping Ban

Why is it that, without fail, every time I start Christmas shopping I end up finding so many things I want to buy for myself?! Does anyone else have this problem? This year I’m not even giving myself the option. As of November 1st I have issued a self-imposed shopping ban. Until the day after Christmas, this fashionista will be “shopping” in her existing closet only!

It might make my morning routine a little more frustrating … and there might be some pieces on the blog you’ve seen before … but the hope is that I will come up with new creative ways to utilize my current wardrobe.

Wish me luck! Here’s what I came up with yesterday:

One of my favorite things to do is “dress up” a pair of leggings. A flowy shirt, structued blazer, and a pair of classicly chic boots is an easy way to do it. Work appropriate and comfortable!

I thought it was fitting that I actually bought these boots last year … while Christmas shopping for my family … woops! I just couldn’t say no. But this year I’ll have to resist!

Shopping ban: 11 days down … 43 to go.

I’m leaving it up to you guys to keep me in line!!

xoxo

Blazer: Express (similar here)  //  Shirt: The Limited (polyvore one here)  //  Leggings: Zara (similar here)  //  Boots: Vince Camuto (love these!)  //  Bag: Michael Kors (similar here)  //  Necklaces: old  (love this)  //  Watch: Kate Spade  //  Bracelets: Lizzibeth and Juicy (cute one here)

Giveaway Winner!!

Congrats to Lindsey Townsley … you are the lucky new owner of this fabulous Lizzibeth necklace (so jealous)!!

Thank you to everyone that entered! And an even bigger thank you to Lizzibeth for sharing her beautiful collection with us!! I encourage you all to browse her store (if you haven’t already) and fill up those shopping carts!!

Have a great weekend!

xoxo

Lizzibeth Giveaway!

Today I’m excited to team up with one of my favorite online boutiques, Lizzibeth. Extra excited, because the owner, Miss Lizzi Weasler, happens to be a close friend from high school! She is a fellow fashionista, with a great wardrobe and an even more fabulous collection online. Lizzi is one of the sweetest gals you’ll ever meet, and I couldn’t be more thrilled for her and this new business venture.

Lizzibeth offers affordable fashion with a twist including an online store, personal shopping and private shopping parties. All merchandise is under $100 and is selected with affordable, quality and stylish satisfaction in mind. Lizzibeth caters to all ages with an array of clothing, jewelry, handbags and scarves. Lizzibeth knows that all women can be uniquely stylish and the handpicked pieces reflect that level where fun meets versatility.”

 

Today Lizzibeth is giving away one of my favorites from her collection:

The Sapphire Rhinestone Necklace

It’s a versatile piece that can be worn as a bold addition to an already bright outfit, or a touch of color on a more neutral look. I love love love this necklace. If I wasn’t running the contest, I’d enter myself!!

So how can you win? 

In order to enter this giveaway, you must:

     1)  Like A New York Love Affair and Lizzibeth on Facebook, and

     2)  Comment on the post: How would you style this necklace? With brights or a neutral?

Two additional entries can be earned if you:

     3)  Follow @elenamichelle88 and @shoplizzibeth on Instagram

     4)  Share this giveaway on facebook, twitter, instagram or pinterest! (use hastag #NYlovesLizzi)

The giveaway closes on Thursday, October 31st at 11:59 pm EST.

Good luck!!

xoxo

Femme + Fatale

This fall, leather is everywhere. Leather pants. Leather skirts. Leather boots. Leather jackets.

But unlike the leather trends from seasons’ past, this leather resurgence brings with it an air of sophistication – adding a feminine touch to an otherwise tougher edge.

For those of you (like me) who aren’t quite ready to ditch the blazers and pearls for biker jackets and spikes … this is the perfect compromise.  A detour toward the softer side of leather, with a look that allows you to marry your feminine and fierce foes.

As I put together this outfit, I wanted to contrast the structure of the jacket with the flowiness of the skirt. It was a way for me to toughen up my generally classic style .

(didn’t even need a wind machine for this shoot!)

For me this was an excercise in “hybrid fashion”. Taking two completely different vibes, and fusing them together.

I started with a framework that was in my comfort zone, and slowly added pieces that pushed my envelope a bit. In the end, I got to be a little edgy for the day, while still staying true to myself.

What are some of your fashion foes?

xoxo

Dress:  Francesca’s (similar here)  //  Jacket: Aldo (similar here)  //  Belt: Banana Republic (similar here)  //  Boots: Forever 21 (similar here)  //  Necklace:  Banana Republic (loving this one)  //  Bag:  Dooney & Bourke  //  Watch: Marc Jacobs  //  Bracelet: Juicy Couture (cute alternative)  //  Rings: Forever 21 & family jeweler (liking these)

Every Week Can Be Fashion Week

For New Yorkers, the streets are our runways…the passersby, our audience…and each day is a new opportunity to show off our style to the bustling world.

Since fall has officially arrived, and the weather has begun to cool off, coats are coming out of hibernation. Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE coat weather. My short quilted jacket, long tailored trenches, and the occasional bold-colored pea coat are all anxiously awaiting their debut this season. But the downside of coat weather, in my opinion, is that you no longer get to show off what’s underneath.

Coats can hide your creativity – by very defitinion they are made to cover you up and keep you warm. So how do you combat this? How do you still let your individual sartorial aesthetic shine through?

For me, I focus on what does show. By directing my attention to things like a great shoe, intricate scarf, vibrant lip color, or fabulous bag, I can still differentiate myself amongst the sea of bundled masses.

Now that doesn’t mean I slack off with the rest of my outfit…but it does change my approach to getting dressed in the morning. I built my outfit around my favorite pair of brown boots, which recently came out of hibernation as well. And picked a fun purple, goldenrod, and yellow paisley scarf that would keep out the chill while also adding an extra splash of color.

The catwalk awaits…what will you be strutting in this fall?

xoxo

Coat:  Zara (similar here and here)  //  Sweater: The Limited (similar here)  //  Jeans: Express (newer version here)  //  Boots: Aldo (love these)  //  Scarf: The Limited (gorgeous alternative)  //  Bag: Michael Kors

Falling for Manhattan in Autumn

Blazers and scarves. Trench coats and boots. Changing leaves and the crisp morning air. The list of things I love about Autumn is endless, and its finally time to enjoy them again.

To welcome the Fall weather, I put together an outfit sampling the colors of the season. Deep purples and rich yellows, paired with navy and warm browns.

There is nothing better than New York City in the fall. The heat of the crowded city dissipates and the air thins, once again becoming breathable after the humid-rich summer. And with autumn, comes prime layering season as the fall months bring wild temperatures swings where you are chilled walking to work and sweating as you grab lunch. Being able to throw on a scarf and a jacket — then just as easily leave them behind — is essential to dressing the part as the seasons change.

Plus, much like the leaves on the trees change to burnt reds and yellows, along with deep, beautiful purples, so too does my wardrobe. It’s a change I welcome every September because I absolutely adore the palate of fall.

What are some of your fall favorites?

xoxo

Blazer: JCrew  //  Shirt: Banana Republic (also worn here)  //  Pants: Zara (similar here)  //  Scarf: NY street vendor (love this)  //  Shoes: Target (love these in every color!)  //  Bag; Michael Kors  //  Sunglasses: Banana Republic (similar color)

Suit Yourself

Sipping on Pimm’s Cups, nibbling on shrimp skewers, while admiring the collections of Gucci, Ferragamo, and Burberry (to name a few). Just a typical Thursday night during New York Fashion Week.

When GQ and Bloomingdale’s cordially invites you…You don’t say no!

It was my first ever New York Fashion Week event, and probably the most “New York” thing Peter and I have done since moving here. The event, “Suit Yourself”, was a London-themed menswear event. showcasing the styles and treads of Savile Row. An excuse to dress up, drink up, and fraternize with the high fashion world.

Walking around the event, I felt as if I had been transported. Not just to central London, but to world where price tags didn’t matter, and budgets were a faint memory. $200 ties. $650 dress shoes. $3,000 suits. A place where ‘if only’s’ felt more like ‘just maybe’s’. It was magical.

But the clock eventually struck “midnight” in our fantasy.  At the end of the night, it was back to reality. Back to our little New York apartment that costs less than most of the suits. Back to a world with budgets and fiscal responsibility.

We had an amazing time that night…

…and learned that you are never to old to play ‘dress up’ and ‘make believe’.

xoxo

What I Wore

I couldn’t decide if I wanted to wear black or brown. So why not both? I went with his animal-esque print dress, and paired it with gold accessories, and my most favorite Michael kors heels. The three-quarter length sleeves made this dress the perfect transitionary piece for an early fall day.

Dress: Francesca’s (similar print here, similar cut here)  //  Belt: Francesca’s (love this)  //  Bag: Michael Kors  //  Shoes: Michael Kors  //  Watch: Marc Jacobs  //  Bracelets:  Juicy Couture (love this) and a little shop in Spain