sleeveless

This is all I want lately.  A simple button down shirt, hold the sleeves.  It's a way to stay cool without looking like you've given up.  Sadly, there's only one of these in my closet right now, and it's silk and reserved for special occasions.  Me thinks me needs more.

Some options on the table...

rashies

How cute is this?  No, not another bathing suit post, but close.  Today I'm talking about rash guards.  Otherwise known as rashies.  Otherwise known as shirts for cool surfer chicks.  Which I am totally not.  Though I would love to be.  One day.  Actually it's one of my top fantasy activities.  Just thinking about learning to surf gets my heart all aflutter.  But I digress...

For now, I can just pretend, and wear one of these super cute rashies to the beach.  And the bonus: they have a upf of 50+, which means they'd be the perfect thing if the sun's beating down a bit too hard while I'm lounging like a sloth.  Dreaming about doing this:

image from beach mentality

More surfer-chic fashion for us mortals to covet...

light layers

It's officially spring here in Madrid.  We've done daylight savings time, there's little blossoms blooming everywhere, it's chaotically alternating rain and sun in a totally unpredictable way, and it is finally warm enough to go outside without a big coat on.  Rejoice!  Since it's been a while since my last outfit post, and nothing makes me happier than lots of layers (they call me an onion around here) and I thought I'd show you how I've been piling it on lately.  Nothing fancy, just simple, comfy, easy lightweight layers.

On the left: hat - Anne Demeulemeester // sunglasses- Paul Frank // necklace - mashallah pendant I've had (literally) since I was born // hoodie - American Apparel // parka - Filippa K // t-shirt - T by Alexander Wang // pants - Zara //  sneakers - Zara

On the right: hat - forte forte // jacket - the kooples // scarf - zara (ancient, but it's just a sheet of jersey fabric - DIY anyone?) // bag - cos (last season) // blouse - zara // jeans - fidelity // boots - moma

As you can see, a lot of these items have been in my closet for ever, so you might not be able to get the exact same pieces now, but here are some other options currently available...

double your fun

Sometimes one shirt is just not enough.  Go ahead, double up, pile it on, mix and match.

And remember to cuff your sleeves...

denim & bling

I'm all for the slightly masculine, minimalist fashion that seems to be defining us all lately, but every once in a while it's nice to undo those top buttons on our shirts, show a touch of skin and put on a little bling.  Contrast it with a simple utilitarian chambray shirt and you're good to go.  (Extra points for pairing this look with jeans, as I did today, for a head-to-toe texas tuxedo, or canadian tuxedo, depending on where you're from.)

dear santa

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11

Sometimes shopping for others leads to certain, ahem, distractions.  So in the process of putting together my gift guides and getting my christmas shopping done, I've come up with a little wishlist for myself.  These are the things, great and small, that would make me extremely happy to find under the proverbial tree this year.  Hope Santa reads my blog. 

The details...

crew again

This caught my eye today.

J. Crew, so of course, the styling is lovely, creative, and impeccable.  And of course, like the good little consumer that I am, I had to see what else they had to offer me.  And of course, as usual, they have tons of totally wearable stuff that I would not mind having in my closet.  Would not mind it one bit, I tell you.

Just look at all that cozy chic ocean-y cashmere.  A perfect simple cardigan, a slouchy boatneck with super slim sleeves, some gorgeous waffle-knit color blocking...  these guys know what they're doing.

more of my current J. Crew picks after the jump...

liberated leopard

button down shirt: J Crew, t-shirt: H&M

I bought this leopard print button down last august, but honestly could never get much wear out of it.  It always came off like some awkward middle child between sex kitten secretary and old lady secretary.  And yes, I did the math, it's taken me over five months to figure out how to wear a shirt.  But now I'm hooked.  Thank god for simple black t-shirts!  I love how the combination makes it feel so easy; it takes away any possible stuffiness or overt self-awareness that the shirt has on its own, and leaves me with a new carefree, lighthearted fun layering piece.

Notice anything else that might have helped change the mood of my shirt?

Yup!  I finally did it!  And honestly, I don't miss my hair one single bit.  I feel young, adventurous, liberated, and unburdened.  Which is odd, because I loved my long hair and never thought it weighed me down at all.  So to any of you out there thinking of taking the plunge, I say go for it.  And as a side bonus, all your clothes and accessories will feel brand new!

let the sales begin

Happy Black Friday everyone!  I'm not shopping today (are you?),  but I am starting to browse all the sales.  First up, J. Crew, with 25% off and free shipping when you use the code YOURGIFT.

The stylists at J Crew are so damn good at layering; I think this double plaid shirt look is ingenious.

Check out some of my current favorite pieces after the jump, in case you need help spending money during the sale...

yesterday's temptations

The Bill Cunningham New York documentary was amazing, and I highly recommend it to everyone, even those not so interested in fashion.  His joy and singularity of purpose were mind-boggling, and I wanted to reach out and hug him through the screen.  Such a wonderful and inspiring film.

After the movie my pal and I went shopping, a dangerous thing the two of us together, thank god it only happens once a year.  I fell in love with too many pieces, and as a consequence didn't buy anything (except for, finally, a water bottle).  So I put to you my favorites so you can tell me what I need and what I can live without.

This blazer with its heavy sturdy herringbone wool in this surprising shock of orange (much more textured and rich in person) stole my heart as soon as I walked into J Crew.  This is not just a for-looks blazer, this is a real warm fall jacket, and looks amazing layered with sweaters and hoodies and scarves.  

This soft cotton button-down has the perfect leopard print on it, almost more cheetah, much more casual edgy safari shirt than wealthy old lady blouse.  It fits a little snug on my curvy hips, but as a layering piece it pretty much blew my mind.

more i-think-i-must-haves after the jump...

madewell wishlist

Madewell has a similar effect on me as its sister store J. Crew - I want to be as easy-going and casually beautiful as the effortlessly styled women in the catalogues and lookbooks, but when I actually get into one of their stores I find myself sort of at a loss; nothing seems nearly as tempting.  At least, that's what happened to me last year in nyc when I hit Madewell for the first time.  Maybe this year will be different since I've developed more of a covetous relationship with their goods online.  Here's some of the items I am currently craving:

silk shutterbug top, and above, silk maxi dress

more after the jump...

j. crew wishlist

We all know J. Crew pretty much kills it every season with their lookbooks.  Even if there's nothing innovative about the layering (though there usually is), the styling is always impeccable.  Just look at this simple photo - her highlighted beachy tousled hair, her porcelain skin, her orange lips...  Of course I want the t-shirt; I want to be her!  Seriously, that's the effect these styled shots usually have on me.  The plain old catalogue shots however, not so much.  Regardless, here's some of my favorites at the moment.

Doria dress, embroidered top

more of my favorites after the jump...