Elise Loehnen, Style Steals, Lucky Magazine

For me, it's that I don't own rain boots. Every time it pours, as it is this morning here in New York, I sure do wish I owned a pair, but when I encounter them in stores (Which is with alarming frequency:  Hunter Wellies are now showing up at cash wraps at the rate of the ever-ubiquitous Hanky Panky thong!), I can never motivate to buy a pair, even though I know I'll use them all the time. What sort of mental block is this? Why am I so lazy about something that is a total necessity (and cute, to boot!)? What's your major shopping stumbling block? On a related note, I love these nicely priced ($48) equestrian-style rain boots from Urban Outfitters. Perhaps they'll inspire me to finally pull the trigger. Read More »

There's pretty much nothing that I don't love about this dress on Modcloth: The pattern is exotic without being overbearing; the bottom is flouncy and tiered without creating too much volume; it's ruffled around the chest but low-cut enough not to make it top-heavy; and it begs for a wide, vintage belt. I'm also into the cross-cut back, though make sure to wear sunscreen, otherwise you're asking for some wonky tan lines! Read More »

I love flip-flops as much, if not more, than the average person (I have 18 pairs, at last count), but I still feel like a dirty person when I wear them around the city (unless I'm going to get a pedicure, for which they are definitely required). I mean, New York City streets are filthy, and there's nothing more unsavory than that line of dirty sweat that forms along the edge of the rubber. Even though I always, always wash my feet before bed every night (my one OCD habit) it's not enough to counter-act what I've just put my toes through.

But, I have my Working Girl tendencies, too, and nothing beats something that you can slip on and off as readily as Havianas. This is why I'm always on the hunt for simple, lightweight, easy-to-stow shoes that I can swap for heels when I get to work—and these espadrilles from Talbots, which just got reduced by 40%, definitely fit the bill. Read More »

My boyfriend plays in a hockey league at Chelsea Piers and while I like to go and see him play occasionally, waiting in the lobby for him after is a nausea-inducing affair. I don't know if you all have ever had the privilege of sharing space with a hockey team, but they smell pretty disgusting—in a pungent, do-any-of-you-know-how-to-do-laundry way. This is partly because, well, some of them don't do laundry, but it's also because the sweat is so embedded in their equipment, it's loathe to come out, regardless of how many times you hit rinse. I was complaining about the phenomenon at dinner when my friend told me about Win Detergent, a company launched by a former banker who noticed that his sweat-wicking, high-performance running gear smelled rank regardless of how much he washed it. Read More »

This site is totally worth checking out. I've never gone through the process personally, but I love the idea of recycling a wedding dress (all that tulle languishing in a closet seems kind of tragic, right?). It seems like almost everything is priced for at least 50% less than what the original bride paid—or in some cases, like with this gorgeous Angel Sanchez version, much less. Read More »

Is actually an old trick, made popular by all sorts of people, including Kurt Cobain. While normally I'm never without some sort of thin cardigan, now that it's warm I'm never without some sort of super-soft, washed-to-death oxford. It serves exactly the same purpose, but is lighter and cooler for summer. Read More »

I spent yesterday at home, writing, in an oversized Thrasher Magazine hoodie (ummm, I've never been on a skateboard) and some Lululemon Groove Pants, which are finally available online. Not a sartorial high point (though I would also argue that Lululemon yoga pants are almost citified enough to work as normal clothing...maybe?). And so, late in the night, as I was climbing the walls, I found myself clicking over to Victoria's Secret to comb through their semi-annual sale. Read More »