When Fall was Perfect

This is an older photo shoot, if one could call it that. Just a few snaps taken by a stranger along my walk, heading East on 57th Street. It is warm day, with a bit of wind, to remind me that chillier days are ahead.

Much chillier, and I am not referring to the temperatures outside.

A contentious election has many in tears, and feeling lost. The change is like a solid mass of badness. Uncertainty is never a good feeling, and if one reads the news, ( a newspaper, anyone) what one learns is, well, for a different kind of blog, I guess.

I wonder what the world must think.

Please let me know, if you are comfortable with sharing that. Yet, there are reasons to hope so i am doing just that. There are some changes that are necessary here. How they will applied, and to what end, is what is tricky.

In the meantime I get up in the morning, and put one foot forward , and pray the momentum of forward is caught and strengthened. For that is what we need to do, to go forward, and not descend to backward.

The Outfit:

A mix of high and low. My jeans are from American Eagle in Bridgehampton. I love the raw edge and cropped length. The prices there all always very reasonable. My sweater is from last year, via Workshop. My striped scarf is CHANEL and was purchased at Encore on Madison Avenue, at an amazing discount. My boots are Gucci, and I only own one! My twin and I shared this purchase! My bag is from Tatiana Resale , located across the street from Serendipity!

My necklace is from KCSignatures. Friends, you must shop this place, they sell one of a kind statement jewellery, in semi precious and precious stones, and precious metals, often vermeil, gold over sterling. The pieces look like super expensive jewelry, but their prices are so reasonable. No they have not sponsored this post. They are a small, local business, and I love to support them. Shop them on Instagram and call Nina for prices, mention my name, too.

I did do a Polyvore post for this look. I could not find a Chanel, long scarf like this one. but you can shop many of the upscale designer resalers on line now. The links for the post can be found on the page, but a shot of them is below.

and here, too

I also love the embellished boots here and here !

I Hope where you live is peaceful and calm. My next posts will be indoors, as I generally shoot at the blocks near me, east to Fifth, where the protests are going on. So street style is on hold for a bit, unless they are some older shoots, or shoots from my rooftop terrace. But that is not a bad thing for my blog. I love Indoor shots for the Holidays, They are more representative too- don't we want to see what to wear by the fireplace at Christmas. I hope you do, because that is what is next! And so that is what I will focus on, editing those shots, and taking only small doses of news.

Wishing you : Peace, Joy, Harmony and Love

The Way Home: Heavy Steps on Fancy Streets

I feels like long ago that I took these shots of my neighborhood stores. So much In the news has been occupying my heart and mind. The future of my country, the outlook for my children; what will become of it? To my core. I am worried.

Worried.

worried.

WORRIED.

I left the Waldorf Astoria with my heart in my guts. The police force is surrounding my city. And there is good reason for it. Everything that my city , and country stands for, may be brought to its knees. I may walk this same path in 4 months and barely recognize it. This is not hyperbole, this is the sad and rawest truth.

But since my focus is on fashion, I will not dwell on this pathology. I will simply show you the glorious windows I saw on my quiet walk home, and hope that nothing of my fears comes to fruition.

On 57th Street, taking advantage of the emptied streets, I look night time photos of the great fashion houses that line my home address. Below, damask, olive drab, argyle, and sandals: the look from Prada.

Below, the focus is on footwear and harlequin marble, lit with sharp mustard and fiery red: via Prada.

Open weave stockings- single strap sandals, red brocade, and a fur shrug. Python, "animal instincts, survival of the fittest," in the background.

Above, Saint Laurent looks fresh, hip, vaguely accessible.

Below, the next five shots from Miu Miu.

Below the tweedy signature of Chanel, marching forward.

Fendi is below, highlighting saturated colors in a wavy, hallucinogenic induced pattern. A nod to a mod sixties tone. Initials, logos, yes, all there.

Up close, saturated, and furry. This is Fendi at the flagship store.

The walk home is surreal; there is virtually no one on this block and hardly anyone that I can see around me. I am so glad for these beautiful windows, and the way art and beauty can help you feel peaceful.

Since I took these shots, there has been so much in the news that is troubling- deeply so. Our country; an open minded, intelligent, kind, and polite society, has shown some nasty traits to the world and its citizens. The vitriol and sheer meanness is new and shocking. I do not know what our country will be like soon. How will the world be affected?

I am glad I can cling to love, my family, my reasoning skills, my good neighbors and close friends.

I am grateful I have access to art , beauty, and fashion, yes, that, too. Anything that elevates the mood, and lightens the load is a very good thing.

I wish you peace and beauty, dear readers.

What to Wear: Girl's Night Out

Samantha, Dea and I were going to a special restaurant for dinner. We choose to dress up a bit! We were going to Theo's NY, a place well known for its fresh seafood, and quietly luxurious decor. We walked. Photos along the way:

Samantha and Dea hailed a taxi while I was checking to see the wait for Uber.

We arrive at Theo's and the restaurant was beautiful!

The food was fresh and delicious, we really enjoyed the tuna tartare, the scallops truffle risotto and the grilled shrimp. The service was attentive and excellent!

We sipped Perrier while our table was prepared.

How does a girl who is so slim, eat french fries?. Portion control! I love this candid shot!

So by now you are wondering if Elle and her friends always look this good on the way to dinner, and I will say, maybe Samantha and Dea, do, but I do not. I styled them , from my bountiful wardrobe, and we did stage this shoot. ( they both have great style on their own- and they have both had modeling experience.) I hope you remember Dea from a prior post- she is a talented artist, and an award winning filmmaker. She has helped me with my blog from day one.

I wanted the challenge of a group shoot and styling others- boy were they easy- everything looked good on them! I really missed my friend Nedra for this shoot, but she was working that day. You have seen Nedra here and here.

This was a fun challenge, and the behind the scenes story, would make for a fun post to -visualize my bed with 17 different outfit choices, and all of the accessories ! Organized chaos, I would call it.

The styling theme here is couture influenced - with bouclé skirts and bow blouses, fringe details and an appliqued brooch, and both flat and high heels. We wore: Chanel, J.Crew, YSL- (my shoes), Alexander Wang, -Samantha's shoes-, Gucci, and some older bow blouses of mine. Almost every piece was bought second hand at the tip top consignment stores in Manhattan. ( All of whom are having great sales this month!) Most of the jewelry is from KC Signatures.

Photo credit: Gerardo Vitale.

Some ideas from my most recent Polyvore, set, which you can see here.

Would you try a group shoot like this one? My followers know well how I shop second hand for really fine quality clothing and bags. I know many of you still do not, but am glad many of you do. It is the ultimate way to recycle, and many clothes from the better consignments stores have never been worn! I hope everyone considers this way of shopping.

Many thanks to my beautiful friends, Samantha and Dea. Happy Monday!

Update the Boucle Suit for #TBT !

Happy Thursday Loves! This is my very first #TBT.! Y0u know I adore boucle, and I wear it often. I am taking you back to 2013, late Spring, but the outfit I show, I would wear today; well perhaps last week- today I would need an overcoat!

The is a boucle dress from eBay London, with a matching jacket. I love the classic look, but I think the colorful pattern, as well as the shorter hemline give this look a more contemporary feel. I adore CHANEL and love their bright pieces for resort that are mixed and matched with abandon. Those are on my wishlist, but will not make it into my closet. Maybe I can have something custom made... Hmm..

I made the necklace years ago, using south sea and freshwater pearls, and pave balls of peridot and smoky topaz, and some gold findings. Here is another shot, with a different dress, that shows the necklace better. Also a throwback, as this dress now resides in my daughter's closet.

I had fun with this photo, this is not my bike! My blue glasses and Dolce and Gabbana, and my black crocodile kelly is not Hermes, it is from Lederer's on Madison Avenue, but was also an eBay win.

Boucle; either you love it or you don't? Where do you fall? Let me know in the comments section!

To shop this look, go to my polyvore page- the links are all there!

Here is the set that I created for Boucle Inspiration!

I hope your week has gone swimmingly. It is so hard to get back to a work routine after the holidays, but alas, here we are perched on Friday's doorstep! Have a great day!