What We're Buying - Lacy Dresses

Lace has been a summer staple for countless seasons, a classic look that Fortune and I had yet to embrace.  I think we felt lace had to be expensive, that no truly pretty looks were available at a price that wouldn't hurt our purses.

This year, however, we both fell in love with our very own affordable frocks; both, of course, lacy, but each unique to our sense of style.

Fortune had to have Forever 21's Essential Eyelet Shift Dress, quickly grabbed off the rack during a lady day excursion.  Available in both navy and ivory, Fortune went icy white for these hot months, but is debating also purchasing the navy to wear with grey tights and a sweater as the weather cools.

I, on the other hand, selected Free People's Beautiful Dreamer Lace Dress during a heavily discounted Ideeli flash sale.  I wasn't sure about it since I never thought I could wear a drop waist in the past, but the 25+ pounds both Fortune and I separately lost this past year helped me to rock it with confidence. 

There are so many great pieces to choose from, and our finds prove you don't have to go high-end for rich looking lace .  Whatever your budget, now is the time to strike those sales to get a look of your very own that will never go out of style!

Essential Eyelet Shift Dress, Forever 21;

Beautiful Dreamer Lace Dress, Free People.

Beauty - Candy Nails

 

I'm sort of obsessed with these candy coated nails from Ciaté. I've been craving more than simple colors lately and experimenting with layers, texture and alternating colors. This seems like the perfect addition to my rotation, but with such beautiful, tasty looking nails I have a feeling my cupcake cravings will increase tenfold.

 

 

Ciaté Sugar Caviar Manicure

 

Life in Photos - Pie had a Birthday

 

Not very long ago, on a not-so-typical Tuesday, Pie had a birthday.

 

A non-landmark year, I hadn't had anything special planned...until Fortune took the day off from work, that is, and proposed a lady day adventure.

 

Our journey kicked off with a Fortune creation - red velvet waffles with a Tofutti glaze. 

 

After much gorging, and post-breakfast manicures and pedicures under our belts, we naturally headed out...for more food, of course!

 

Fortune had been researching restaurants she thought I might like (she's so good like that) and we both decided on The Malt House, a craft beer bar in the heart of Greenwich Village.

 

After a few wrong turns (I got excited about a sour beer on tap that kicked right when I ordered it...and then a slew of other beers I chose similarly ran out after minuscule pours), we each had a cold drink in hand...

 

 

and lots of amazing appetizers to choose from!

The overarching theme of our leisurely lunch?  FRIED! 

(And the fried pickles = the clear winner of the day).

 

Our stomachs once again happy, we spent the rest of the afternoon gleefully shopping - and stumbled upon a stellar car exhibit en route to meet the husbands for dinner.  

 

 

My favorite, of course, is shiny.

 

And Fortune, true to form, went classic.

 

An awesome day behind us, we returned to the homestead...for two cheesecakes!

 

Fortune made me my favorite cheesecake recipe, while my husband appealed to my incredibly sleazy side and concocted a cheesecake composed of all my favorite sweet treats - three bags of cookies, Cool Whip, brownies, and the ever ubiquitous Tofutti.

 

Gosh, I just love Tofutti...

 

Another year for the record books, and such a special day this year.  Here's to seeing what 31 brings!

Fly me to London - Mr. Darcy Gets a Sculpture

This. Just, this:

David Parry / AP Photo

Oh Lordy, Mr. Darcy. How many of my friends and family members did I subject to BBC's 1995 version of Pride & Prejudice, featuring Colin Firth and the less well-known, but positively enchanting, Jennifer Ehle? I already loved everything I had ever read devoured by Jane Austen, but this interpretation brought the beloved novel to life just so perfectly that I was hooked. I sat everyone who had the slightest tolerance down to watch all 5 hours and 12 minutes of the miniseries. It was brilliant: funny, romantic, ridiculous and charming just like the novel. Jane Austen's wit is not to be undervalued; I defy anyone who has given her work a thorough chance not to fall in love with her writing. Her beautiful irony and that biting humor all laced with the romantic? What's not to love?

Well, it's been nearly 20 years but apparently I'm not the only one still enamored. A 12-foot sculpture of the scene from the mini-series in which Darcy emerges from a pond at Pemberley only to run into a very mortified Elizabeth Bennet who has been touring the estate has been installed in Hyde Park. This watery element was not imagined by Austen (as many have pointed out since the sculpture was installed at London's Serpentine lake), but I believe the writer would approve. I've always loved how this scene plays in my memory later, when Elizabeth and her sister Jane are discussing the former's sudden affection for Darcy. In the novel Elizabeth's observation that she might have first come to love Darcy after seeing Pemberley is a good joke, but when paired with the image of a dripping Firth in the film version I've always gotten more of a snicker out of it.

The best part? The sculpture will eventually be moved to Lyme Park, the great house that was used to represent Pemberley in the film. So, does anyone have an extra ticket to London for me?

What We're Buying - Bib Necklaces

One of the most exciting things about my friendship with Fortune is seeing how we represent our admiration for the same fashion trends in completely different ways.  I'm able to learn so much from her, and vice versa, in this way.  Since we're both roughly the same height, weight and shoe size, it's very instructive to see a style you may not have picked out for yourself mirrored on your almost-duplicate.  I've come to love her more sophisticated tendencies as a result, like the idea of splurging on one piece instead of buying 5 from a discount store, and she, in turn, has started to covet a few rougher pieces, like jewelry with spikes, since I constantly wear them around her.

A recent example?  We both agree - we love, love, love bib necklaces.

Our individual interpretations?  Totally unique.

For my birthday, Fortune and I went on a shopping expedition up and down Broadway in the mall-esque SoHo area of New York City.  All the major stores are present, making it an essential stop when you want to hit a lot of places quickly.

Our first stop was at the BaubleBar pop-up boutique located on Greene Street until August 13th.  For years and years in search of the perfect bib necklace, little did I know I would find it, and one of my only purchases of the day, right off the bat.

 

I couldn't stop staring at the Gold Multi-Chain Bib Necklace the minute I saw it, even though I was supposed to be hunting for the Andromeda Tassel Pendant.  Featuring rows and rows of thick, beautiful chains, I lusted after it.  The price was a little more than I would normally spend...but Fortune reminded me of my ceaseless quest...and, hey, it was my birthday.

 

Fortune had better luck later on in the day at Topshop.  While we both were somewhat baffled by the prices there, remembering how affordable the items used to be on past trips taken together to Europe, we managed to find a 50% off section...with another 30% off on top of that.  Fortune, then, couldn't say no to the Cord and Tube Collar Necklace.  Featuring a length of rope reminiscent of Noir's amazing designs, complemented by mixed metal tubes and rings, it was the perfect mix of boho + edgy to go with her day-to-day wardrobe.

 

So from Mr. T to Miss Richie, we both embraced this look...and, in the process, made it completely our own.

Topshop | BaubleBar

Covets - The Jewelry of Finchittida Finch

Tribal jewelry may be having a moment, but this is one trend that I've been on board with for a while now. I love ethnic inspired pieces, and anything featuring ancient Egyptian or Buddhist themes elicits sighs of yearning and hasty calculations (the square root of affordability is directly proportionate to 2(versatility), all over longevity).

I first came across Finchittida Finch during a routine perusal of Asos, and I was imediately taken in by their union of filigree designs, tribal accents, and the varieties of metal that their pieces are available in. Browsing their website only ensured my fixation. I mean really, just look at this necklace.

 

After a quick perusal of their online store one quickly learns that not only are these designs fabulous, they're also fairly affordable. Consider me their newest fan.





 

Finchittida Finch
 

Beauty - Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge

On a recent lady day adventure, Fortune and I had one store on our minds as we set out - Sephora.  You see, we've seemingly run the gamut of all-day lip stains.  While I've been partial to a drugstore hot pink and Fortune has been sticking to Stila's All-Day Liquid Lipstick, both of us craved more.  My old standby is cute and affordable, but hardly sophisticated for those special nights out.  And Fortune's fave, although gorgeously pigmented, can be a bit drying.  But where to begin?

Instead of floundering in the store by ourselves, we decided to ask a pro for help.  And her suggestion seemed right on the money - she offered up Stila's All-Day Liquid Lipstick, which she acknowledged can feel less-than-dewy, or Make Up For Ever's Aqua Rouge.

Always eager to try a new product, Fortune and I quickly snatched up the store's handy, hygienic applicators and started playing with colors.

The waterproof formula comes in 12 shades that correspond to their line of lipsticks.  I immediately picked up an iconic red, as I almost always wear a bright lip.  While it looked great, I felt somewhat generic in it - I sought some variety, and wondered aloud what other hues would pop against my fair skin.  Makeup pro to the rescue again!  She quickly handed me No. 19, Pomegranate Pink.  It wasn't my typical pink; more cranberry-colored, it straddled the line perfectly between crimson and rose.

Fortune, always the makeup maven, instantly selected No. 14 Rosewood.  A warm nude pink, she looked chic - fresh and work appropriate.

A few days later, we are both beyond pleased with our purchases.  The rich colors last for ages, and if in need of hydration, the small lip gloss provides immediate shine.  Fortune is already trying to figure out a second stain, one more intense for after-hours and weekends.  And I, of course, am wondering now that I've stepped a little out of my norm what other colors would work for me. 

I guess that just means we'll have to go shopping again...

Make Up For Ever

Life in Photos - Fashion Jewelry at MAD

 

Sometimes, when life is very good, the best things in this world come together in one place. Peanut butter and chocolate. Rainbows and hot air balloons. Sunshine, light breezes and an empty road. I found similar delight in two exhibits in one museum: the "Fashion Jewelry of Barbara Berger" and "Against the Grain." It's no secret that Pie and I are huge fans of any form of adornment, but my husband has recently gotten into woodworking and the combination of two of our passions celebrated under one roof made for an absolutely perfect date night visit to the Museum of Arts and Design.

 

The jewelry was so varied, so colorful, so sparkly that, I must admit, we spent the bulk of our time at the museum pouring over it while I purred in delight and got my eyeballs as close as possible to crystals, studs and rhinestones. The pictures here don't do justice to the variety. There were cases of Asian inspired pieces. Cases of birds, of feathers, of fish, of neon necklaces, deco jewels, faux pearls and lacquer pieces. The breadth was amazing, and for every piece out in the light there was another you could unearth in a drawer. For someone as covetous as I am it was even a little bit maddening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The jewelry stole most of my photography time (woodworking, it turns out, is not done any justice by a tiny iphone camera), but another exhibit on view had us equally enchanted. "Playing With Fire: 50 Years of Contemporary Glass" was whimsical, beautiful and sparkly enough that it kept us calling to each other from different sides of the gallery ("Ooh, did you see this one?", "This... is so awesome"). I found the little boy pictured below particularly enchanting.

 

 

This museum visit just affirmed a sentiment that Pie has been conveying to me for years now: jewelry doesn't have to be precious, or even semi-precious, to be art. And wearable art? Well, that's just about the best art there is.

Variations on Our Favorites - Early Disney Concept Art

As you've surely come to notice, I'm pretty enamored of all things Disney.  While meandering around online the other day, I stumbled across this gem - early concept art of Disney favorites.  I love the way Snow White's eyes are so representative of the animation style at the time.  But Aurora as a brunette?  I think I'll pass.

Snow White

 

Sleeping Beauty

 

 

Belle

 

 

Jasmine

 

 

Buzzfeed

Movie Night - Funny Men

Movie night continues to be a success, with recent selections made by the wonderful men in Pie + Fortune's lives. Both of their film choices were comedies, and both were accompanied by a great bottle of wine and ceaseless chatter and running commentary. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy was viewed at the suggestion of Pie's other half, and got us all feeling thoroughly silly and more than ready for the upcoming sequel: Anchorman: The Legend Continues. Who can resist such silly mustaches? Who is resistant to Steve Carrell's blank-eyed stares? Not this lady, at the very least.

Fortune's husband chose to expose the group to Big Trouble in Little China. Pie was particularly delighted, after having searched on Netflix sporadically for the movie to no avail. What a fun night this movie made for- we talked through the entire film. Voiceovers, mocking, exultation and the loudly cooed coveting of opalescent wedding dresses- we covered it all. I'm starting to think that there's no movie that couldn't be improved by our ensemble viewings. Challenge accepted.

À La Mode - Bullet Jewelry

I've been straddling the line between feminine and masculine style elements throughout the years.  In college, I fancied myself (at least in my head) as more of a bad-ass.  Yes, I was wearing pink fuzzy sweaters to work,  but was secretly fantasizing about the perfect leather jacket for weekend adventures.  Fashion bi-polarity aside, I've been immersed in a whole rocker-chic aesthetic lately working on a very unisex jewelry collection, shifting me a bit over that carefully traversed line towards the tough.

One of my recent staples as a result?  The bullet.  I picked up a bead + bullet necklace now unavailable on ASOS' website last summer, but hadn't expanded my horizons until seeing B5LineNyc's Bullets Over Broadway pendant.  Now, every which way I turn, I see nothing but bullets.  Bullet rings.  Crazy bullet  bracelets on sale at the Real Designer Market.  Bullet necklaces adorning lovely lasses strolling the streets of Chelsea.  

I like the look, of course, as an element to enhance the saccharine-sweet.  Example:  party dress + sparkly kitten heels + bullet necklace.  How about a work appropriate shirt + slacks with a naughty pair of bullet stud earrings?  Or a bullet stud on one ear with a heart stud on the other?

The subversive + the sublime - don't you just want to take a shot?

Bullets Over Broadway, B5LineNyc;

Love Bullets Bullet End Ring; ASOS

House of Cach Brass and Crystal Bullet Pendant Necklace, Max & Chloe; Eddie Borgo Bullet-Shape Pendant Necklace, Saks Fifth Avenue.