Summer Lovin': Bold Brights From Vanessa Bruno, Tom Ford, and Alexandre Birman

Spring has just barely sprung in NYC and I'm already looking forward to summer. With it will come summer Fridays and June weddings, outdoor films and concerts in the park, flea market food stalls and popsicle stands, and a reprieve from the NYU students who make the lines long at my neighborhood spots (I know, the school was here first). One of the things I'm most excited to welcome is the return of bright, beautiful color. Not that I'm ditching my standard, year-round palette of black, white, grey, and navy, but I'm eager to liven things up with a dash here and a dash there of eye-popping brights -- particularly electric hues of orange and teal.

On my wishlist:

I'm trying to hunt down this Alexandre Birman wedge in this lovely teal hue so that I may treat myself to them upon the replenishing of the bank account, post-Eurotrip. So far I've only encountered it in brown. Word of any local sightings would be much appreciated.

Okay, so I haven't actually smelled this one yet, but I looooove the look of it. Just picture it classing up your medicine cabinet or vanity table. Ignore the fact that it's currently making headlines for the provocative ad on display at Selfridges. Tom Ford Neroli Portofino unisex body oil, $70 and currently on backorder at Neiman's.

I hardly ever wear coral, but for this lovely stretch bracelet, I'd be willing to take the leap. Vanessa Bruno beaded stretch bracelet, $90 @ Otte.  Also available in white.

I could never pull off a coral blazer (even if it's as impeccably cut as this striking number, also by Vanessa Bruno), but the adorable Rachel Bilson sure can. Pairing it with a pale, flesh-tone neutral sets it off perfectly. Love.

Photos:
1) www.style.com
2, 3) www.refinery29.com
4) www.stylesalad.com via Getty images

Jewelry Shopping in the J.Crew Kids Section

Over the past few weeks, I've had several people ask me if I made the friendships bracelets that have been permanently affixed to my wrists as of late. I'm embarrassed to admit that I did not make them, nor are they cherished artifacts from the third grade. They're from the J. Crew kids section, and I've been loving them ever since I discovered that they're perfect for my scrawny, child-sized wrists. I'm not sure what happened to the heaps of embroidery floss my bffs and I knotted in intricate patterns and bestowed upon one another with such importance, but over the past couple of years, these nostalgic tokens of friendship have snuck their way back into our lives. If you don't have time to make your own, I suggest you get yourself to the nearest Crewcuts and pick up one of these lovelies for your favorite guys and gals.

I wear this one with everything. Kids multicolor friendship bracelet, $4.50.

This one pairs perfectly with a summer camp tan. Kids friendship bracelet in abstract blue, $5.

Simple and chic in black and white. Kids friendship bracelet in vintage linen, $5.

Photos: www.jcrew.com

Weekend Essentials: 3.1 Phillip Lim Duncan Tote

I'm in dire need of a new travel bag. No matter how long the trip, I always pack light and never check luggage. It's hard to find something that looks nice and can withstand being squished into an overhead luggage compartment, trip after trip. This 3.1 Phillip Lim tote may not be large enough to tote around a week's worth of belongings, but it would make for the perfect weekender.  It's made of leather that's been treated to resemble canvas, and rich caramel accents make it a perfectly neutral travel companion.

3.1 Phillip Lim Duncan Shoulder Tote, $495 at La Garconne.

Photos: www.lagarconne.com

Dream Design Book: Handcrafted Modern

It's been over a month since I last posted anything here and I didn't realize how negligent I'd become until a couple of people asked me if the blog was still active (!), so if I have any readers left, I owe you a biiiig apology.  I'm alive and well, but the past month has kept me busy with international travels (my trip to Saudi Arabia would require a whole post to summarize. . . or five), getting miserably sick upon my return, and, oh . . . turning 30.

I'm back and excited to bring you all some fun finds. First up is Handcrafted Modern, a design book I've been coveting. Written by SF-based photographer Leslie Williamson, it's chock full of all kinds of earthy-modern goodness and takes you on a dream journey through midcentury modern design masters' own abodes (Nakashima, Wright, the Eameses, Gropius, to name but a few). I've been hankering after honey-hued woodwork and organic shapes ever since I laid eyes on it.

The cover offers a peek at the gorgeous staircase in the home of woodworkers Wharton Esherick.

Kagan's living room furnishings included his own iconic chair.

The bathroom in J.B. Blunk's cabin-like hideaway, featuring a sink carved out of redwood.

Photos: 
1, 2) www.anthropologie.com
3) www.tmagazine.nytimes.com