aztec clutch
Wednesday, February 1
A flash of fluorescence is just enough to do the trick. Wear it with...
1. Aztec clutch, $89, asos.com
2. Isabel Marant mesh jumper, $315, matchesfashion.com
3. Dannijo collar necklace, $318, dannijo.com
4. Aldo leather sandals, $60, aldoshoes.com
5. Topshop striped jeans, $80, topshop.com
P.S. How insane is the Isabel Marant sweater? It's so versatile (over a slinky camisole, a fun bikini top or one of those retro bodysuits that all the designers decided to make this season, despite their impracticality/overexposure issues). The orange Aldo shoes are also adorable. They're bright and cheery, but almost like a neutral, so they'll go with everything from a white dress to blue jeans. And the necklace: it's on back order till March (guess everyone likes it as much as I do), but imagine it with a white tank or a black sweater...So good!
j.cool
Tuesday, January 31
J. Crew's spring collection is steeped in color--an abundance of eye-popping candy-like shades that look doubly good when combined. The spring look book demonstrates how to pair these bold hues in fresh, unexpected ways, such as bubblegum pink with lipstick red, orange with dusty rose, turquoise with kelly green, and yellow with more yellow! Very inspiring.
color block sweater
Tuesday, January 31
Found it: the perfect everyday sweater. It's casual and comfortable. And the vivid color blocking is on the mark. Wear it with...
1. Tory Burch cotton blend sweater, $265, netaporter.com
2. Tibi leather trimmed twill jacket, $208, theoutnet.com
3. Chloe booties (on sale!), $399, barneys.com
4. Etoile Isabel Marant skinny corduroys, $300, lagarconne.com
a bottle of red
Monday, January 30
Some things you look at and you just want them. I spotted this nail polish--Essie Fifth Avenue--on the lovely fingers of Desiree Kohan, proprietress of LA's preeminently cool boutique Des Kohan. Desiree possesses that rare ability to predict what we'll be wanting to wear a few months from now (among other things, she says, "Damir Doma's lace shorts and oversized Nancy Newberg stud earrings"). When I saw this bright but not too bright red polish on her, I decided I had to have this color on my nails too. Desiree assured me that the color looks good on every skin tone. She knows this because she has turned a lot of people on to it, as she's been wearing it for the last year. So, it's only a matter of time that Desiree will move on to something new. And when that happens, I know I will want to wear that color, whatever it is, too.
the zara shoes
Monday, January 30
I bought a pair of Zara shoes that look very similar to this style a few months ago. They go with EVERYTHING. I've gotten a zillion compliments on them. It's almost embarrassing how much I wear them. But thanks to these new ankle strappers, I can give those old shoes a well-deserved rest.
1. Erdem dress, $680, barneys.com
2. Topshop spike studs, $28, topshop.com
3. Madewell clutch, $78, madewell.com
4. Zara heels, $49, zara.com
mixing with old friends
Friday, January 27
Photo: Streetfsn
This picture reminds me of last night. Literally. I mixed prints and my outfit was sniffed out. It was a big night out for me: a mini high school reunion of sorts. Dinner with my four best high school friends visiting from New York. It had been over three years since our last get together, back east. So, the pressure was on: I needed to look good, without looking like I was trying too hard. I tried on multiple outfits: a simple Marni dress, an H&M black sweater with high-waisted Chloe pants, thinking basic is better (less room for error, less vulnerable to judgement, etc.). But then I settled on my J. Crew leopard print pants with a black and white striped sweater--an outfit I've worn several times over the last few months. The mixed prints are playful, but not over the top. And it's kind of statement-y, but still safe. Most importantly, I felt comfortable, not contrived. After a glass (or two) of wine, my friends and I were all smushed on one sofa at Soho House reminiscing about our days at school and Saturday evenings spent on the steps of the Met, hanging out with friends we knew from other Manhattan schools. My friend Jenny said to me, "You look exactly the same, Marlien." Of course, that was music to my ears. But then she added, "And mixing those two prints--leopard and stripes--is so you." It felt good to be surrounded by people who know me so well. And to know that not a lot has changed!
tangerine dream
Friday, January 27
Bright, cheery and spring-perfect. Wear it with...
1. Topshop pleated shirtdress, $100, topshop.com
2. See by Chloe drawstring leather tote, $495, netaporter.com
3. Mango woven belt, $29, mango.com
4. River Island sandals, $69, riverisland.com
We've been enjoying a mini heat wave here in LA. Hence, the warm weather outfit.
high street
Friday, January 27
I often joke that one of my aspirations in life is to become the US ambassador to London's High Street. In case you don't know, High Street is not an actual location. It's an English term to describe the cheap chic retailers that I am so fond of, including Topshop, COS, Zara, etc.
the classics
Thursday, January 26
Photo: Phil Oh
While this blog is inspired by today's endless stream of up-to-the-minute chic things, I also very much appreciate the forever-stylish classics. Like the Chanel bag above. My husband gave me one a few years ago for my birthday, and I don't think I'll ever tire of it. It's a wardrobe workhorse. But, with every new season comes so many fresh and alluring bags. Most of them will have their day in the sun and then disappear into the recesses of our closets (or hopefully be given away). Thus, I often find myself asking, which one will stand the test of time and become a classic that will never go out of style? My friend (actress, discerning vintage hound, blogger, and gorgeous mother of two) Shiva Rose and I were talking about this at lunch yesterday. We were contemplating the current "it" bags out there (like this, this, and this) and we asked each other, which ones will evolve into forever bags? It's like investing in stocks. Which ones would you place your bets on?
jersey obsession
Thursday, January 26
I love the lacy see-through sleeves. I love that it can go from the office to dinner. Good for weekends too. Wear it with...
1. Dorothy Perkins black sweater, $49, dorothyperkins.com
2. Topshop tune and stone ring, $18, topshop.com
3. Accessorize cork clutch, $60, accessorize-usa.com
4. Pierre Hardy patchwork bootie, $559, barneys.com
5. Proenza Schouler leather-trimmed mini, $1875, netaporter.com
P.S. This faux leather-sleeved jersey top by Karl (Lagerfeld) deepens my obsession even further.