Rock Shic

#153 Bom dia Copacabana!

Dress: Tory Burch | Earrings: From Chicago | Hat: Old Navy 

Yesterday marked our first day in Rio… where we settled into our lovely little two-story abode in Copacabana, right by the water.  Jetlag didn’t quite slow us down, as we sat down to enjoy a meal of feijoadas, moquecas and farofas.  Evenings were filled with excellent options on Rua Dias Ferreira in Leblon, where we filled our cravings for Thai cuisine and caipirinhas.  Rio, I think that we are going to make a fine match!

If I were a mermaid...

Home sweet home!

Surf's up Rio!

Sunning & Reading -- What a wonderful life!

Me with my lovely flat-mate

 

Dramatic view of Copacabana beach from our terrace

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#199 Her Name is Rio

#341 Elegant Expecting - Week 24 (Portugal)

#152 Brazil… a walk down memory lane

2007 -- En route to Pipa

For the next eight days, we’ll be shacked up on Copacabana, catching up with old friends from around the world, and attending the wedding of one of my dearest girlfriends from school.  This will be my fourth time in Brazil (hard to believe!) and each time I go, I am always filled with a sense of wonder and contentment.  Yes, it is a beautiful country – albeit an incredibly vast one which is still largely unexplored by hubby and myself. 

Above all else, the thing I treasure the most about Brazil are the memories and friendships I’ve forged there – from Olinda to Pipa, Buzios to Sao Paulo… all of which help to shape the perspective I've formed toward the country itself.  Funny how that works eh!  So tell me, what do you love the most about Brazil? 

 

2007 -- Carnival in Olinda

2010 -- New Years Eve on Geribá Beach, Buzios

2011 -- Cristo Redentor, Rio

2010 -- Rua das Pedras, Buzios

2007 -- Olinda

 

2007 -- Frevo Lessons in Olinda

2011 -- The markets of Embu, refuge from São Paulo's concrete jungle

2010 -- Chillin in our house in Buzios

2010 -- Rua das Pedras, Buzios

2011 -- Sunday retreat at Embu

2011 -- Nights of Samba in São Paulo

2010 -- A Buzios Sunset

2011 -- Outdoor market of Embu

2011 -- Passing through the colorful Favelas of Rio

2011 -- Me, Hubby & Sugarloaf ❤ Rio

There is a huge Japanese contingent in Brazil -- and nowhere as notable as Sao Paulo (2011)

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#270 New Years Eve Flashbacks - Búzios

#271 Our house in Búzios

#151 Long and Flowy

I’ve written in an earlier post about my love for long, flowy & romantic skirts. 

These are often seen on the street with a simple tank (perfect for a blistering hot summer day! The brighter the better!!). See snippets of downtown street styles below:

The trickier part, of course, is wearing this favored summer look to the office.  However, I think that this chickadee below pulls it off with effortlessness and finesse.  The key is to don a demure top (sleeves are a must!), with a pair of charming ballerina flats (avoid anything too chunky and ostentatious... though a sparkly pair, like the ones she has on, helps to add some personality!). 

Given the dramatic effect lent by the skirt itself, my advice for the rest of the look is – keep it simple!

#150 A girl and her bike

Shirt: Hurley | Skirt: Taverniti So Jeans | Hat: Roxy | Shoes: Aldo | Earrings: Ralph Lauren | Necklace: Urban Outfitters

I did it! I got my first NYC bike.  Finally.

I have to say, I’m experiencing the same sort of giddy sensation I had when I got my first bike ever.  I was nine years old, and had just moved to the states.  I think my dad taught me how to ride.  

The best part was the spontaneous nature of the whole affair.  It was a lazy Sunday afternoon, my plan for the day was to really do some admin and sort out the logistics for our upcoming trip to Brazil.  Hubby and I went for a short walk to the local book store to peruse the travel section, and somewhere between Prince and Lafayette, we wandered into Bicycle Habitat (244 Lafayette St).  One thing led to another, and I came home with my beautiful Linus Dutchi 3-speed in cream.  I’m in love!!!

It’s hard to believe, but I haven’t ridden a bike properly since I left Cambridge.  Prior to that, I was riding a bike practically every day for seven years of my academic life.  Admittedly, Cambridge is not Manhattan.  However, I still wanted to give it a whirl, and convinced hubby to dust off his mountain bike for a quick stroll to the South Street Seaport, where we had a blissful, cleansing ale at our favorite watering hole -- the only Kiwi pub in Manhattan, otherwise known as Nelson Blue.  No joke, I had my wedding photos taken here!

Suffice to say, I am one happy girl (pigtails et al).  Hopefully, I will get some massive mileage out of my little Dutchi, with lots of new adventures to be had this fall!   

Flowers... and pedal

Sitting outside Nelson Blue

Our first stroll on Spring street -- happy feet!

#149 The Men in Stripes

Summer is not quite over, so why say goodbye to nautical stripes? 

The streets of downtown NYC (Soho in particular) is chock full of dudes looking chic in stripes – proving once and for all, that the black and white look are not solely the domain of chicks and gondoliers. 

P.S. Red stripes look pretty awesome too!  I call it the Waldo-style.

#148 Ride in Style

Shirt & Pants: Club Monaco | Shoes: Brooks Brothers | Socks: Polo | Bike: Japanese bike from the 90’s (Lotus)

Occupation: Distributor for Brooks Brothers

Living in the Lower East Side, you really begin to notice folks on bicycles and the many styles they adopt while riding (let’s just say that the look is pretty easy on the eyes).  This one is a recent favorite of mine (although an earlier street style I captured is not bad either! Plus, lets not forget the Three Monkeys Chiquita on wheels).

What I like about his look is the juxtaposition of dual sensibilities – the rugged nature of his boots and bike… joined by the softness exuded by his smile & shirt.  Also, the socks lend a whimsical touch too!

Truly, I feel like it is time for me to invest in a bicycle of my own.  The first thing I’m going to do when I get my bike is to jam to Queen’s “Bicycle Race” (and perhaps invest in a helmet).   

#147 Color me Magenta

Jacket: Ann Taylor | Glasses: Tom Ford | Shirt: Zara (last seen here) | Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft | Shoes: Corso Como (last seen here) | Necklace: We see Stars

I’ll be the first one to admit that I’m not one for super bright colors (though I am happily experimenting!).  However, I wanted to give this new magenta skirt a whirl (it was such a steal!), and actually felt pretty girly and feminine in it.  I also like that the look was fitting for the office, but vibrant enough for the after-party.  Plus, when in doubt, just throw on a jacket and you’re all set!

Here are some additional ideas on how to wear magenta to the office – w/an elegant black & white print top (though I would advise not to go too crazy), and some fun accessories! Above all, keep it classy!  You can also colorblock – like this lovely fashionista does here.  One thing is for sure, when executed correctly, you can look fabulous in magenta at any age!

#146 Workweek Chic

Jacket: Milly (similar style here) | Dress: Banana Republic | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bag: Chanel

I love this encapsulation of lady-like elegance.  Who knew that a cute, buttoned-up jacket can go such a long way? 

This look denotes a bit of that sixties-Mad-Men glam that is very much au courant.  Then again, that’s exactly why I find it so smart and ideal for everyday sophistication! The navy, white, and beige are a perfect palette combination.  Definitely a knock-out when it comes to office-wear, and can easily carry you over to Fall!

A similar navy piped coat by Milly -- equally adorable w/a yellow tote!

#145 Hypnotic Reflection

Jacket: Thierry Mugler | Shirt: Vintage | Pants: Topshop | Shoes: All Saints | Bag: André Courrèges (vintage)

Spotted… street style on the Bowery! 

I was walking to meet a friend last night when this figure glided past me… like a vision from a painting.  I quickly snapped some profile portraits of her, learning (without surprise) that this chic-Brooklynite happens to work in fashion herself and runs a boutique in Cobble Hill (I then shared with her my personal favorite moments in Cobble Hill).  Originally from Berlin, she’s been gallivanting around the world for the past fifteen years working in fashion – whilst living in London and California, where she draws much of her vintage findings. 

I could wax poetic for ages about this look, but really, what I love is that it’s neither odd nor even – but a bit of both!  The variation in color, pattern, and space denotes this beautiful, verboten feel that is part radical and part natural.  You never quite feel like she is pushing the envelope further than it needs to be, but rather – that she is wearing her aesthetics quietly and proudly, without losing sight of her own rhythm and style.  The sign of a seasoned fashionista!

#144 Redefining business casual

There wasn’t a specific single element that grabbed my attention when it came to this look, but I couldn’t help but appreciate its simplicity, versatility, and clean lines, all the way.  Just goes to show… a good fitted outfit can go a long way!

Okay… maybe it had something to do with his man purse effect too.  I am a big fan of accessories for men, regardless of the season.  The colors also happen to be very fall appropriate… something to think about!

And yes… I love the preptastic Sperry shoes, not the first time to be spotted on the street!

 

Love me some boat shoes -- who knew they'd be so versatile?