Fall Wish List

I just discovered Pinterest this week and put together my Fall Wish List while having coffee with my mom this morning. Realizing that the world is at my fingertips, I don't miss New York as much anymore! Pinterest makes it super easy to collate your own collection: whether you're designing a new room, planning an event or collecting favs for the upcoming season. It's the collage of the 21st century, and I'm so in love!

City Lust

Some days, I miss everything: New York, Australia, my best friends. Other days, I just miss the fast cars, freedom and noise of city life.

Perhaps it's the dingy streets...

Or their catchy names...

Or maybe the slightly more clear, slightly more confident reflection that I lust for now and then. For now, there are mountains to climb and items to cross of my list. And thankfully, the city will always be there to catch me when I'm ready once again.

Ballet Slippers

H&M Dress

This week, I met two of my best girlfriends for dinner at Oya. It was a bittersweet celebration for one who is headed off to her first year of law school. The other (both of whom I met in Australia) recently started dating a new fox.

Esse Ballet Slippers Nail Polish

As I watch my friends, I'm reminded that now is the time to try new things, experiment and see what fits. Whether it's a new dress or a new relationship, you'll never know until you try it on.

Franco Sarto Wedges

Although life isn't about Barbies and ballet slippers anymore, sometimes it helps to simplify and pretend it is. Everyone's searching for something different. As FBCWs, we want it all, but maybe we don't need it all right this second. Life is short but long, and the possibilities are endless.

And so we put on our slippers and dance along.

You want a fairytale, baby? Go out there and get it. The FBCW Diary

Four Play

Juicy watermelon, a favorite summer dessert

Pile of jewels atop an Anthropologie jewelry box

Louis Vuitton bag, a gift from my 21st, up close and personal

Marimekko for Crate&Barrel, because your bathtub deserves accessories too

Au Natural

Forever 21 Dress

On Sunday morning, we woke up and made brunch before heading out for Sunday errands. Tucker was happy to run around and soak up the sun whereas everyone else wanted to stay inside with the AC blasting. It was literally the hottest weekend of my life. In the afternoon, my mom and I decided to catch up over a day of shopping. We've both been entertaining a lot so it was nice to finally have some time to ourselves.

Necklaces: Forever 21 and Vintage (from Gram) - Express Belt - Vintage Ring (Gram)

While shopping, I caught a glimpse of my floaty floral dress in the mirror and mentioned to my mom how painstaking it is for me to wear prints. Since I love mixing and matching, I'm much more comfortable color blocking and playing with solid colors. Prints, on the other hand, are somewhat of an uncharted territory. "You are your grandmother," she said.

Jack Rogers Sandals

It makes me happy to know I've managed to embody at least some of my grandmother's style and class. She, along with my mother, have taught me to love my curves, my mixed European heritage and my naturally wavy locks (summer au natural at its best). The key is loving the girl you were made to be.

Louis Vuitton Speedy 30

Whether by sharing clothes or sharing secrets, we women must stick together. The FBCW Diary

The Little (Jimmy) Choo Choo That Could

Last week, I was having one of those days so my FBCWBF took it upon himself to brighten the day with a little surprise. Since today marks my third official application of the perfume, it's time to announce Jimmy Choo's new fragrance is fit for a duchess! I don't know about you, dolls, but for me, applying perfume is like painting my nails. As much as I want to be consistent, I'm constantly distracted by other things.

Luckily, little Jimmy smells so sweet and yummy that he's difficult to forget, even when you're rushing out the door like I was this morning. Whether you're looking for a gift for a friend, GF, coworker or family member, this classy fragrance might be the perfect pick to brighten someone else's day! I bet even the Duchess herself, with all her fashion sense and sensibility, would love it too. Shall we ask?

An Oldie But a Goody

Club Monaco Shirt - Theory Shorts - Vintage Star Belt (from Mom)

This weekend was hot beyond belief (so hot that I could barely open my eyes to snap pictures before my dad's birthday dinner). Since we were headed for Italian food (an oldie but a goody) and my dad was turning 49 (an oldie but a goody), I decided to pick an outfit that followed suit.

J.Crew Necklace - Bracelets: Italian Vendor and Vintage (from Gram)

This blouse is a classic staple from Club Monaco, and I've purchased it in various colors over the past couple years (check it out in bright yellow). It's one of my favorites because it's easy to throw on, but also has the ability to completely dress up an outfit. When I pair these Theory shorts with a t-shirt, they appear much more casual, but the silk blouse changes the whole feel.

When all else fails, I mix up the funk with some jewels. This thick red bracelet is from a vendor in Italy, and the wooden giraffe is vintage from my lovely Gram. How cute is this little giraffe? Can I pet him?

Four Play

Another way to wear this outfit

Stalks of corn at Whole Foods

Some berry delicious raspberries from the local farmer

Summer flowers we brought to mom

Made Well, Made Easy

VS.

I love summer shopping for two reasons: (1) items are generally way more playful and filled with color (2) the summer sales always start in July, just as it's getting really really hot. These breezy cardigans from Madewell don't fall under the former but since I paid pennies for them this weekend (okay fine, dollars), they do apply to the latter. They're total nerdy chic which is exactly why I love them. And I can't wait to put a little belt around them to fancy them up! UPDATE: I put a little belt around them! Now, it's me vs. Miss Madewell. Who wore it best?!

Why do we FBCWs love cardigans? When a blazer is too serious, they're an understated way to say "look at me, I'm here for a reason." Even though we're gorgeous and intelligent, we sometimes have to use what we wear to gently clarify our purpose and call the attention of the room.

Whether you're headed to a date, a meeting or an event with old friends, fashion is one way to subtly stand out from the rest. We all get dressed in the morning and make a decision on what to wear. Just put a little energy towards how you wear it.

Tommy Boy

TOMS Canvas Wedges

I can't tell you how many pairs of TOMS shoes I've tried on in hopes of falling in love and making a semi-serious commitment. I've been through the original version, the crochet summer version and back again. After all the hunting, you can imagine my delight in finding this canvas wedge version from Nordstrom last week. They're comfortable and conservative enough for work, and still not totally embarrassing if you have to wear them to an evening happy hour with the gals. Plus, there's the added perk of one pair purchased = one pair for a child. For an FBCW, giving back is always the new black!

Summer Salad

One of the best parts about being an FBCW is that you don't have to be Giada De Laurentiis to turn people on with your cooking powers (although that does help, especially here). Since the goal is to one day have a personal chef to make all your favorites perfectly, you just need to master the basics (salads, smoothies, pasta, healthy desserts). Consider it the art of seduction.

This week, my FBCWBF and I decided to cook for my parents to thank them for letting us have a massive blowout party at their house over the weekend. After the array of solo cups and Corona bottles our crew left behind, it was the least we could do. While he boiled corn and put the shrimp on the barbie (literally), I put together a fresh and delicious pasta salad to feed the masses. The process was quick and easy, and as you can imagine, whether it's food or fashion, simplicity is totally my thing:

1. Dice a cucumber, red pepper, grape tomatoes, olives and spring onions.

2. Boil the pasta.

3. Add the veggies to the pasta, along with fresh parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Mix together.

4. Add olive oil, basalmic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Voila!

Work It Out

Zara Blazer - Urban Outfitters Blouse

Whenever possible, I put my big girl panties on and dress up for work. Even though it's a casual environment, it makes me feel confident and powerful to know that I'm wearing what I want, when I want (well, of course I'd prefer my perfectly worn Juicy sweats, but you get my flow).

Plus, my dad always advised me not to dress for the role I had, but for the one I wanted. And as you can see, I take my role very seriously. How else am I going to take over the world?!

BCBG Skirt - Calvin Klein Heels

In all seriousness, what we wear allows us to dress up, become another version of ourselves and transform into something bigger, even if it's just for a day, a meeting or a minute. This Zara blazer totally speaks power to me, and I've been obsessed since the moment we met. Not only is it straight out of Serena van der Woodsen's closet (I am so her right now) but also because it goes with everything (except my Juicy pants) and it's effortlessly chic.

J.Crew Necklace - Lia Sophia Ring

On top of everything, the little black buttons (LBBs) on the cuffs make for sleek yet adorable details and the simplicity of the look allows for any combination of jewelry. Aside from the fact that it weights ten pounds, I'm currently obsessing over this Lia Sophia ring, which I purchased at Buffalo Exchange. To me, ya damn duchesses, simplicity is elegance. But you already knew that.

She is a beautiful gift to the world. The world better be damn thankful. The FBCW Diary

Four Play

Piles of toast made for out of town friends

Beach ball from our weekend pool party

Butterfly I spotted in the garden while cleaning up

Tasseled neon necklace I made for a friend before she drove home

Naughty Nails

On Sunday, I finally decided to try out the nail stickers I've seen advertised for months. Since I've never been good at keeping my nails painted, I wasn't sure whether I'd love or hate this little trick. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised by the Pink Fishnet precut nail patches at Sephora by OPI.

It only took a few minutes to pop them on and file them down thanks to the clear, ADD-proof directions on the back of the packaging. My FBCWBF even wanted partake in the fun by scraping the excess of the edges of these little babes (he always gets a little jealous of my girly fun)!

Pave Diamonds from Fiji - Faux Pave Eternity Band from Stella & Dot

Amidst these pale pink and silver fishnets, my stacked rings bought in Fiji (on the left) and courtesy of Stella & Dot (on the right) sparkle even brighter. Can you even tell one is faux?! Maybe this is how Stella got her groove back!

Four Play

A pair of old tennis racquets that do the job

Coronas for two (light enough for a lady)

A gorgeous chandelier distracting us at dinner

View of the club house (are you relaxed yet?!)