The Black Maxi: Emily's Look

Summer is in full swing here in NYC, which means long sunny days, rooftop BBQs, ice cream trucks on every corner, and generally spending as much time outdoors as I can manage. In keeping with this wondrously casual time of year, here is a great outfit for a lazy Saturday hanging around / exploring the city. 

Happy weekend everyone!! :)

<3,

Emy and Po

Top, skirt, bag, necklace: Urban Outfitters

Watch: Michael Kors

Sandals: Sam Edelman

Sunglasses: NYC street vendor

Nail polish: Essie "e-nuf is e-nuf"

Animal Prints: Po's Look

Diane Von Furstenberg once said that there is "nothing more feminine and flattering than a leopard print" and I could not agree more.   It's feminine, powerful and over the years has become my most reliable wardrobe pick-me-up.  It has transformed more days than I can count from feeling corn chips and coca-cola to champagne and caviar  (okay okay - not champagne and caviar - but definitely worthy of food that can't be purchased at a drug store.) 

While I own leopard in an unnecessary variety of forms (t-shirts, scarves, bags...seriously, it's getting a little absurd) I decided to go with this leopard print maxi dress for Head to Toe's first animal print post.  It's a recent and delightfully affordable purchase that can be worn glam'd up for night or dressed down for day.  Here I've kept things simple with a lariat necklace and black clutch, but if that's not your style this dress also looks great with a black blazer and heels or a jean jacket and casual sandals.

I hope you enjoy.

Half way through shooting this look the sun came out...I'm going to take that as a sign that Mother Nature approves. :)

Dress:  NastyGal

Clutch: Michael Kors

Shoes: Sam Edelman

Necklace: Jesse James

Bangles: Amrita Singh

Color: Polly's Look

This dress is one of my all time favorites.  The pattern creates this amazing optical illusion - giving me both a defined waist and boobs (something neither my gym routine, nor my genes have been able to pull off).  It also has these deep, slouchy pockets for those awkward social situations when you don't know what to do with your hands.  A dress, plastic surgery, and a safety net for social anxiety...and all for under $100!  That is a steal of a deal if I've ever heard of one.

 

Dress: BCBGeneration

Sandals:Sam Edelman

Anorak: J. Crew

Sunglasses: Kate Spade

Bag: BCBG

Watch: Michael Kors

Bracelets: J.Crew, Kenneth Jay Lane and someone else who I'm sure is completely fabulous, but I can't remember

Color: Emily's Look

While E. tends to stick to neutrals (her closet is a sea of gray, white, taupe, black & navy), a few highly-pigmented pieces do make their way into her wardrobe every now and then.  Case in point, this "hot coral" cardigan she scored from the Gap for $.01 (no joke - there was some kind of labeling error but the very sweet cashier insisted that he had to charge what the register told him - ha!).

Cardigan: Gap. Tank tops: Club Monaco & American Apparel. Shorts: H&M. Sandals: Sam Edelman. Necklaces: Gorjana, By Boe, H&M, Forever21. Bracelets: Elma Blint, Gorjana. Watch: Michael Kors. Clutch: Alexis Hudson. Handbag: Foley & Corinna.