Seaside Chic

Now all you need is suntan lotion and towels.

Now all you need is suntan lotion and towels.

(Starting from the left)

Top / Bottom / Sandal

Top / Bottom / Sandal

Top / Bottom / Sandal

I have to say, I’m dying to try to mixing stripes and polka dots. Then again, any upgrade to my swimming attire would be much appreciated. Did I mention half of these items are on sale?

I’m surrounded by sun and now all I can think about is swimming in the Mediterranean Sea just a year from today.

Where’s your favorite seaside destination? 

xo,

NYC Girl in Pearls

J.Crew + The CFDA

Are you counting down the days? On May 22nd you can shop not one, but three J.Crew-exclusive collections, compliments of the 2012 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner Greg Chait, of The Elder Statesman, and runners-up Jennifer Meyer and Tabitha Simmons.

Jennifer Meyer for J.Crew

Jennifer Meyer for J.Crew

Jennifer Meyer for J.Crew

Jennifer Meyer for J.Crew

Jennifer Meyer for J.Crew

Jennifer Meyer for J.Crew

Jennifer Meyer for J.Crew

Jennifer Meyer for J.Crew

Tabitha Simmons for J.Crew

Tabitha Simmons for J.Crew

Tabitha Simmons for J.Crew

Tabitha Simmons for J.Crew

Tabitha Simmons for J.Crew

Tabitha Simmons for J.Crew

Tabitha Simmons for J.Crew

Tabitha Simmons for J.Crew

Tabitha Simmons for J.Crew

Tabitha Simmons for J.Crew

Tabitha Simmons for J.Crew

Tabitha Simmons for J.Crew

Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman for J.Crew

Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman for J.Crew

Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman for J.Crew

Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman for J.Crew

Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman for J.Crew

Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman for J.Crew

Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman for J.Crew

Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman for J.Crew

Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman for J.Crew

Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman for J.Crew

Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman for J.Crew

Greg Chait of The Elder Statesman for J.Crew

The best part? By signing up on J.Crew (HERE), you can receive a link to snag the limited-edition collections a whole day earlier.

What will you be purchasing? 

xo,

NYC Girl in Pearls

Treats for Mom Under $100

Treats for Mom Under $100Warby Parker Sunnies / Kate Spade New York Mug / J.Crew Pajama Set

Banana Republic Necklace / Nasty Gal Flats / Kate Spade New York iPad Folio

Donna Karan Cashmere Perfume / {NEW} Gwyneth Paltrow Cookbook / Tory Burch Cosmetic Bag

Is it bad that I can see myself purchasing everything from this list? After all, it was inspired by my own mother and you know what they say: Like mother, like daughter.

What are you planning on getting your mom for Mother’s Day? 

xo,

NYC Girl in Pearls

P.s. Still looking for ideas to celebrate Mother’s Day? Check out my post from last week with a list of fun ideas to make the day one to remember.

 

MET Gala 2013 Highlights

Cara Delevingne in her Burberry

Cara Delevingne in her Burberry

Last night the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted their annual gala celebrating their newest exhibition, “PUNK: Chaos to Couture” in New York. In a sea of incredible gowns, needless to say it was hard to choose my favorite looks of the evening.

Minka Kelly in Carolina Herrera

Minka Kelly in Carolina Herrera

Nina Dobrev in Monique Lhuillier

Nina Dobrev in Monique Lhuillier

Rooney Mara in Givenchy

Rooney Mara in Givenchy

What were your favorite looks? 

xo,

NYC Girl in Pearls

The Graduate: The Under $35 Gift Edition

The Graduate: The Under $35 Gift Edition

It’s that time of year again! I know from experience that gift giving isn’t exactly the easiest of tasks, so, to take the pressure off, I’ve created a list of budget-friendly gifts that are as practical as well as timeless. And now, I just want to online shop.

   State Love Map (Multiple Options) / Your Favorite Champagne (Cheers) /  Amy Ruth Designs iPhone Case

Swell Caroline Link Watch /  Monogrammed Earrings / Charm & Gumption Notepad

Essie Nail Polish (In your alma mater’s colors) / May Designs Customizable Budget Journal

The Grove Street Press Stationery (Thank you notes will never go out of style)

To all the new graduates out there, congratulations! You have all the possibilities in the world ahead of you.

Remember: wear sunscreen.

What advice would you give to a graduate? 

xo,

NYC Girl in Pearls

Monday Mantra

Audrey Hepburn from Funny Face

“What is in other people’s minds is not in my mind. I just do my thing.” - Audrey Hepburn

If you’re guessing, yes, I may or may not have watched Funny Face this weekend and despite my secondhand embarrassment for Hepburn’s character during her Parisian bar dance, I had to acknowledge Hepburn’s character’s resolution. She did not seek approval from others – even from ‘Maggie Prescott,’ the fictional editor-in-chief of Quality Magazine* and stuck to her convictions. While a number of my friends and family members are also transitioning to new chapters in their lives (from moving to DC, Miami, New York, San Francisco — you name it), I find it admirable that they are forging their own paths, while staying true to themselves. In fact, I encourage everyone to go against convention – at least once in their lives.

After all, the most interesting people in history do.

Think Wintour and McQueen to Marie Curie and Steve Jobs – the list could go on and on, in multiple categories. I wonder what we would have done if they hadn’t stepped outside the proverbial box.

What do you think of convention? 

xo,

NYC Girl in Pearls

P.s. Fun fashion fact: Maggie Prescott was modeled after famed fashion editor, Diana Vreeland. ‘S marvelous.

10 Charming Ways to Spend Mother’s Day

10 Mother's Day Activities

With May 12th briskly approaching, it’s not a bad idea to plan ahead. This year, I’ll be lucky enough to spend the day with my mother – hopefully doing one of the activities listed above – in Washington, D.C.

If you’re still not sure what to do this year, number four just happens to be my favorite. On a whim, I spent a crisp spring day window shopping and wine tasting with my mother in Thomasville, Georgia and it’s still one of my most treasured memories.

What are you planning to do on Mother’s Day this year?

xo,

NYC Girl in Pearls

Monday Mantra

 

Lana Del Rey in Vogue UK: One of the most uncompromising performers I know.

Lana Del Rey from Vogue UK’s March issue.

“Never compromise what you believe in.” -Gianni Versace

So simple and yet so true. After a action-packed weekend on Tybee Island (one of my friend’s fraternity formal aka my mini vacation), simple is all I need right now with the reality of exam week staring me straight in the face. Summer is on the horizon and for once I don’t have everything planned out. While normally this might terrify me, I’m starting to embrace the freedom of it all.

 

Bring on the sunshine, bring on the good times.

What are you looking forward to this summer? 

xo,

NYC Girl in Pearls

Photo compliments of Vogue UK.

Monday Mantra

Gatsby 1Gatsby 2

“Fashion fosters clichés of beauty, I want to tear them apart.” – Miuccia Prada

Gatsby 3

It’s no secret that The Great Gatsby is my novel, so I couldn’t help but both find a quote from the designer who worked on the costumes of the upcoming film, while posting these stunning photos compliments of Vogue’s May 2013 issue (on sale April 23rd). Doesn’t Mulligan look divine?

May 10th cannot come soon enough:

What do you think of the Mario Testino’s photo shoot for Vogue and the upcoming film? 

xo,

NYC Girl in Pearls