When in Brooklyn...

We've officially moved to Brooklyn. Scratch that. My boyfriend has officially moved in, 90 percent of the furniture has been purchased and assembled, all of his clothes and about half of mine. But I won't truly be able to call the new spot home until my lease ends in June and the kitty and I hop on the A train and make the final journey from the Upper West to lovely Dumbo. I'll post plenty of photos once everything is perfect; for now, a shopping tip.

I'd heard of Brooklyn Industries before and have glanced in their windows a few times in the past but had no idea what cute, funky basics they offer, and was pleasantly surprised to find prices that feel entirely appropriate. Josh needed shorts and off we went, to the location just around our cute little corner. He found some fantastic shorts, a pair of light and breezy summer pants, and a great Brooklyn Pride tee all for well under $200. Not to be outdone, I nabbed a fantastic floral chiffon headband reminiscent of the fascinators rendered trendy Stateside in this post-royal nuptials season. The hot pink center detail is my favorite part. And yes, I headed out with a Brooklyn Pride tee of my own, mine white with black lettering. I sized up to let it be baggy and am picturing this one with everything from denim cut-offs to leggings and of course, thrown over a neon bathing suit or two sometime this season.

After shopping, wandering around in the glorious 92-degree city heat, splitting a made-to-order gelato and macaron sandwich, and watching kids run around in the park, we headed home to hang more paintings. Already filled with Brooklyn pride, we now have the goods to prove it. You can check out (and purchase) Brooklyn Industries duds here.

Brooklyn Industries chiffon floral headband, $34

Brooklyn graphic tee, $34

Swimming to New Heights

I have a friend from college who is impossibly chic. When we first met I remember thinking how lucky she was to be so slight (yet tall!), so feminine (yet edgy!), and to wrap it all up with hair she allowed to air dry, lashes that rarely saw a mascara brush, and a slew of male devotees to boot. I remember one time we were talking about movies and she remarked that one thing she aspired to obtain was the type of "all-eyes-on-me" pizzazz that Kate Hudson's character in "Almost Famous" possessed. I thought--but was too envious to admit aloud--that she already did.

Anyway, my friend wore high-waisted Levi's in 2002, a year long after the 80's and 90's had flaunted high waists and still before the new hipsters picked them up. The Levi's were the only thing about her personal style that I didn't get, and all of us used to tease her mercilessly as we donned our Abercrombie ultra-low-rise denim and thought we were exceedingly cool. But she insisted that the high waist made your legs look longer and your waist smaller. It's only now that the rest of the world has come on board with my stylish college buddy's look that I have come to embrace the high waist, too. In a denim short, a legging, or a skirt, it's my new favorite thing.


Marc by Marc Jacobs green floral bottom, $98, and
top, $94, saks.com



Recently, I've also become more than a little obsessed with the high-waisted bikini bottom. A little bit retro, a little bit hipster, a little bit coy-girl-next-door-meets-sassy-pinup, I adore the look for what it does to the body and I wanted to share some of my favorites with you.  Bonus: This might just be the first swimsuit season that you pull a pile of bikinis from the racks and actually feel fabulous in all of them. A high-waisted bikini works to cover your flaws whether you have chicken legs that you want to pull the eye away from, a tummy that needs covering... or both! 

Navy blue rib nylon spandex high waist bikini brief, $27, and
triange top, $28, americanapparel.com




My absolute favorite--Rodarte for Opening Ceremony, $345,
shopbop.com



Gaga for Gaga

I am going to preface this one by saying that I really don't like to talk about music with anyone outside of my inner circle. There are a few reasons for this. The main concern is that I feel music is a topic much like religion or politics that can bring on heated debate in a moment's notice, leaving one party feeling wounded, attacked, or on the defensive. When really the whole point of music is to escape these types of feelings. Thus, I try to avoid the topic and just turn up the volume and dance.

That said, my boyfriend and I walked in on a conversation last weekend that truly disturbed me. We were meeting up with friends for some drinks and the girls were discussing their severe disdain for Lady Gaga. Some of the things I heard flying around the room were, "She's an affront to the fashion industry!" [So easy to disprove. Not only does she make everything shine from Chanel and McQueen to the hotly debated meat dress, she has served as fashion muse for such bona fide designers as Nicola Formichetti of Mugler.] AND... "She's such a slut!" [Really? What do you know about her personal life? And what makes her any different from any other pop star strutting her fab abs and dying the locks blonde?] The list went on to include her recent horn implants --"creepy and disgusting"-- the booby-covered top she wore in the recent Bazaar spread -- "gross and crazy" and beyond. However, not once was the music brought up. I was pissed.

Harper's Bazaar, May 2011

Here's the thing. You don't have to go gaga for her. You don't have to love her, or even listen to her. But you have to respect the girl. She writes her own music, she's inspired a generation with her devil-may-care edge, and she is not only living the American dream but turning it on its pretty little head. Gaga's music is honest, catchy, and fun, yet deep. There is this moment at the end of her recent HBO concert special when they reveal a clip of her singing "Born this Way" a capella and it literally brings chills. Pop music hasn't seen this kind of raw, sexy, true talent in a long time. And as for the clothes, I personally tend to love what she's wearing, but even if you don't... isn't it time we look around and realize that not everyone feels comfortable in the mold? It is so important for today's youth to have a role model who doesn't give a crap about pleasing others or living up to stoic standards but instead just does what she wants.

A capella "Born this Way"

And really, at the end of the day, the girl's a genius. She knows exactly what she's doing when she throws on a crazy outfit or flips the bird at a Met's game. I guess my point is this. When Warhol started doing his thing, and later Michael Jackson and Madonna, and earlier Coco Chanel, not everyone got it, and not everyone loved it. But everyone was affected by it. Very few people in history have had the kind of magical, crazy stamp that these geniuses of the past have. I just happen to believe that Gaga is the next one. You don't agree? That's cool, but I'm just turning up the volume.

Happy, Chic, Mother's Day

The mothers of New York could not have asked for a more beautiful day than this. The sun is shining but the heat is not oppressive. There are perfect, white, puffy clouds floating around in a baby blue sky and cherry blossoms--in full bloom--dot the trees throughout Central Park.

We opted to take Mom to the stylish and chic Beauty & Essex on the Lower East Side for a luxurious-yet-worth-every-penny brunch replete with homemade cinnamon buns, ricotta and pear "jewels on toast," communal candied bacon and maple grits, Mexican hangover-special eggs, and even some dessert (butterscotch pot de creme, anyone?). My mother, who eats about 1100 clean, green calories a day and treats herself to a single scotch a week indulged in every last bite of sugar, butter, and carb, even toasting the feast with a sweet, strong, milky cocktail that she sucked dry. It was glorious.

But almost as heartwarming as a morning spent with family was the utter fabulousness (is that a word? It is now) of all the hot mamas in New York City this morning that I couldn't help but observe. Pushing strollers along Houston and Rivington in skinnies and pastel blazers, clinking glasses with their grown kids at brunch, or even fully preggers newbies resplendent in maxi dresses and designer shades. The streets were swarming with beautiful, classy, well-dressed broads and the fashionable, happy broods that love them. My own was decked out with a fresh blowout, Gucci sunglasses, diamonds (and pearls!), a crisp, knee-length, navy blue raw silk sheath recently nabbed at Saks, creamy-beige nubby leather Prada 3-inch platform sandals, and toting a slouchy metallic suede satchel I mistook for Ferragamo. (She whispered, "It's Tahari. I got it on sale," with a wink.) She might be (almost) 30 years my senior, but my mom looked significantly hotter than I did today. She often does.

So this is just a quick shout-out to all the pretty, stylish mommies in this pretty, stylish city. You all look fabulous, and you deserve your moment in the sun. Cheers!

Mama <3

Jello, Summer Weather

It's been a lovely week, and though there are showers in the forecast, this New Yorker is thrilled to have officially made it through the bulk of Spring Showers and into a happier place. Just a brief highlight today on one item that you must purchase. And I'd like to thank my Mini, Monique, who not only brought them to my attention but also gave me free reign to purchase them, even after she already had. What a nice friend.

The word "jelly" probably conjures up some icky images in your mind. There's the sweet stuff spread on bread that we probably shouldn't be eating, the cellulite/sagging flesh connotation (yikes!), and worst of all, the shoes. Remember 1996? I sadly do. I wore my Gap Kids jellies like a mad woman, even when their "clear" color began to yellow. Even when they made my poor, pre-adolescent feet smell like Hell on Earth. Even when my mother went into my room and physically tried to hide them so that I'd forget to wear them. I clung desperately to my jellies until the first day of seventh grade when, thanks to a couple of snickering girls, I realized that they were no longer cool. At ALL.

Ladies, I promise not to scare you... but the jelly might just be back. And at a mere $150, this is one Gucci shoe (or two, really) that you can actually afford to luxuriously enjoy. I suggest you log on to saks.com TODAY and pre-order yours (since most colors and sizes are going fast). Mini and I both have the lavendar. And you are olive with envy...

Gucci, saks.com; $150

Spring into fashion!

The sun was out for a few precious hours yesterday, but Jensy was buttoned up in corporate attire for an event walk-through. That said, it was a lovely day filled with the promise of lovelier days ahead. A friend requested that we talk through some of the upcoming spring trends on Sparkle & Fun, and I think it's definitely time. Here are some staples we all need to purchase:

A super-pretty top

freepeople.com; $98

Nothing spells spring like that fabulous, new lace or silk top you can pair with skinny jeans, a floaty skirt, a leather pant, or a legging. No matter what the moment or the mood, you'll adore throwing on your sweet little top and letting it complete the outfit. I really like this basic white tee with a twist from Free People. It comes in black too for all you New Yorkers who can't lose the black but want to lose some of the edge this season.

A perfect bomber

A leather bomber is one of those items every girl needs to own. I bought mine at Zara in Mexico a few years ago and despite being a little roughed up, it still looks great. I put it back in the rotation a few weeks ago when the bite left the air and I'll keep rocking it until we reach 80 degree weather. Bonus: you can bring your bomber back in September and wear it again until snowfall. This one from Zara's current collection boasts really cute quilting detail. Love it!

zara.com; $79

A short denim short

gap.com; $54.95

What's better than that first day you break out your beloved denim cutoffs? A classic pair of Levi's that you doctor up at home with a scissor is a totally cute option, but if you want something slightly less grunge, check out these from the Gap. The side zipper gives a little something extra, and the wash is just faded enough. I bought them yesterday and am counting down the days till I can throw them on with anything and feel utterly all-American and cute.

An Modern Oxford

saks.com; $425

A lace-up shoe with an classic edge works on everyone. Soften them up and they're adorable with a little sock and a sundress, sock-less with jeans, and so on. I adore these ultra-fem cutouts from Rag & Bone. The color is just neutral enough, with the faintest hint of pink.

A girly-chic dress

Spring is the perfect time for florals, and you have every excuse to go over-the-top girly. Be careful though. Word on the street is that boys really don't like anything too flowy, so if you're looking for a sweet little dress with some swing, aim for a corset-style top that is fitted and sexy, giving way to a looser, dance-around-the-room skirt. Stear clear of empire waists, because no matter how tiny you are, they won't flatter. Guess is mecca for sexier-than-thou frocks and when they throw in a gingham or floral print it just gets that much better. This one is fun and flirty, but still feels like an easy piece that can be tossed over your head and paired with a heel without much planning as you head out the door.

Happy shopping, little pretties!

What a difference a decal makes

Devoted Sparkles & Fun readers, I apologize my absence over the course of the past week. Two very wonderful opportunities have arisen for me to write in other platforms and due to those and my day job, it's been tough to carve out the time for my own blog. No excuse! This is just a quickie to say I am a very tired girl indeed, and off to bed quite soon. But surprisingly, the most tiring part of my day came this morning, when I was tasked with correcting my most recent beauty adventure.

Everyone has been raving about these new at-home nail decals. As you know by now, I am a nail addict and am always up to try the latest and (not so) greatest. Last week I snagged a pack of Sally Hansen's bright pink, sparkling (!) Nail Effects decals and skipped home with them, ready to give it a go. The application was surprisingly easy and mess-free, and I was able to drift right off to Dreamland within minutes of buffing my last one, sans impressions left from sheets on drying nails. They lasted about ten days and could have probably gone on longer if I hadn't gotten really sick of my Pepto-Mirrorball-80s-inspired diva nails by the time I woke up this morning.

They look so pretty all lined up, don't they? $10. Drug stores.

The problem, though, is the removal process. It took five full minutes using traditional polish remover to take off the decal on my thumb. With precious few cotton balls and even fewer minutes left, I had no choice but to resort to full-on pure acetone soakage for the remaining fingers. Most of you do not even own this product and I only do because of my recent obsession with the gel manicure (whose removal is a nightmare of its own tiring, skin-parching variety).

After I finally rid myself of the ticky-tacky decals, my nails were dry and lifeless, even a little thin. I hesitated to put any polish on them and instead opted for a simple buff-and-run. As much fun as it's been playing with the newest nail toys these past few months, I think Jensy is going back into the wonderful world of plain old polish. At least until I remember to finally schedule that Minx appointment...