Gearing Up to Fly

Every time I travel I end up writing something about the necessity of light packing and strategic layering for plane rides. For my trip to NYC last week I packed only what I could fit inside a small, 12" by 15" roll-aboard, which also included a camera and reading material. Here are my tried and true tricks for maximizing suitcase space  for a 5/6 day jaunt:

1: Wear your heaviest boots/jacket on board. In my case I chose a leather, AllSaints biker jacket and booties with intensive hardware. These items take up the most space in a carry on, but they're great for trekking through the airport and wearing on board a plane when the AC is cranking.

 

2: Don't wear any delicate baubles. Stick with a large necklace you can take off for security without undoing clasps or earring backs. (You'd be surprised at how easy it is to lose small studs between the metal detectors and bins).

3: Wear your heaviest boots on board. In summer, consider booties like these with cutaway details to stay cool, and a large, structured bag you can still slip a clutch into for night. Remember, you only get these two, small bags for carry on, so make them count!

 

4: It's summer, you don't need to pack jeans! But a comfy pair of mens baggies will do nicely for plane rides and slouchy comfort. Wear these to travel "there", and "back", and save your dresses for the suitcase.

4: Prep your hair with a little product and then twist it upwards in a clip. Leave it that way for your journey. Loosen the clip when you land and you'll have body and waves upon arrival.

 

 Jeans: Vintage Levis 501 Mens, Boots: ShoeMint, Bag: Heavenly Couture, Necklace: JewelMint, Jacket: AllSaints, T-Shirt: Gap

With love,

Noa B

Caftans and Snaps

Pardon the low quality snaps, but I just returned from a long weekend in NYC, which flew by too quickly to even take photos!

Although my camera was with me the whole time, I was having too much fun to remember to take it out of my purse. The whole, long weekend was a blur.

I checked out the Jeff Koons retrospective, visited with family and friends, ate top notch, French fare, swooned over my sister's new flat high atop the 28th floor of East 72nd street, and even managed to do some major redecorating at my parents' apartment, all while running from place to place in the Manhattan, August humidity!

Fortunately I'm a very good, light packer. 6 dresses, three pairs of sandals, and two zip locked bags of mini products were all I needed. I left for a few days with the world's tiniest roll-aboard. (But I did manage to get a makeup kit, two hair irons, PJ's, two jackets, dresses, a kimono, shoes, toiletries, skin care, a book, and a camera all into a bag that was about 12"by 12"! The key to traveling light in hot weather is not packing a ton of separates).

Dress: Calypso St Barts, Bag: Heavenly Couture, Sandals: Report, Choker: Boutique

Stay tuned for some peeks at the Koons, coming soon!

With Love

Noa B

My Favorite Way to Flat

I'm a big fan of heels. I feel sexy and powerful and statuesque in a pair of three inch pumps. But the pragmatist in me is getting older and wiser, and realizing that the safest way to still love fashion and work on my feet all day is to embrace flats. That's easy in the fall and winter, when riding boots and motorcycle heels are always big, but in the summer a girl wants a sexy sandal. My cure? Gladiator flats!

 

I bought my first pair over 20 years ago, and I've been accruing them ever since. You can feel sultry and rocker and Bohemian all in one. Plus, you can walk anywhere in comfort. (I actually think these blowsy, baby-doll dresses look more appropriate and appealing in flats anyway).

 Yup, fringe and flats make for a pretty easy, no-fail combo.

These babies are Report, and I found them at my local LF Boutique. But they're available at Lulu's here for $103, and if you sign up for their site, you can save 10% right away! For the budget conscious, TJ Maxx is offering some fantastic options online right now, as shown below.

These babies which are all leather, are from Modern Rebel and are available at TJMaxx.com here, for only $49, a steal!

These Yoki's are pleather, but at $20 it's hard to argue with how cute they are. Available here!

If you're thinking of going a little avant-garde, try these Vincenzas for $59. The snakeskin print adds a flourish. Available here.

If you like a lower body, these Joe's are a cross between a Roman Sandal and a Birkenstock. Gladiator meets Birk? Yes please. Available here for only $39! Joe's shoes for under 40$? A must.

 Dress: FreePeople, Purse: ElliottLucca, Sandals: Report, Necklace: Boutique

Whatever your preference, there's a sexy flat out there for you.

Happy Friday!

With Love,

Noa B

Babydoll for Night

How do you take a baby-doll dress from daytime shopping to dinner out in 5 minutes?

Add a clutch, summer heels, and a sparkly blazer!

A mere change in shoes can transform any outfit instantaneously. I swapped out cutaway flats for cutaway heels and a fringed, boho bag for a structured purse. I also changed from a denim jacket to evening black.

Dress: Sumner, Heels: ShoeMint, Clutch: Paul and Joe Sister, Blazer: TopShop

With Love,

Noa B

Tunic Time, Retro Style

Want to add a little flair to your jeans? Sick of a grey/white/black, little tee? How about a vintage tunic top?

The cool thing about this cut? It's fitted, not billowy, so there's still a fitted tee "vibe", but with a 60's touch.

 3/4 sleeves always keep the look modern.

 Some bad-ass sandals, destroyed denim, and the top is instantly made contemporary.

Top: Vintage 1960's, Jeans: Vigoss, Sandals: Jeffery Campbell Ibiza, Sunnies: Milan, Earrings: Gifted

Simple touches always bump up that basic, weekday denim. In this case, a little vintage trim did the trick.

With Love,

Noa B

Vintage Nipon, the Easiest, Dinner Dress

Some days are just dreamy escapes. On those days your choice of clothing can transport you to another era.

In this afternoon's case, my vintage, Albert Nipon dress. 

Other than throwing still-drying hair in a bun and adding a lengthy necklace, I needed virtually nothing to style this vintage gem. An evening clutch, possibly some bracelets a little later, and I'm ready for dinner tonight.

Dress: Vintage Albert Nipon here, Heels: Sacha London, Necklace: Gift

Some days you wear the dress and some days, the dress wears you...

With Love,

Noa B

Repurposing the Retro

I've always loved the 70's, (particularly the early part of the decade that was still drawing inspiration from the print and design of the late 60's). As a youngster I bought a lot of clothing that was "inspired" by the 70's. As an adult I've learned how to hunt for the real deal. It's no surprise that some of my favorite lines, (Winter Kate, Haute Hippie, Free People) are all 60's/70's influenced.

But when you buy the real thing, it's such a delight to wear a garment that is actually "of" the period of design you love, not just inspired by it. Repro is great, originals are even better!

For me the key to wearing vintage without appearing costume-y has always been to augment with contemporary accessories. Bag, shoes, hat, jewelry. Old mixed with new will make your vintage dress appear very fresh and contemporary.

Dress: Vintage, Bag: Elliot Lucca, Heels: ShoeMint, Earrings: Tres Jolie, Hat: Mossimo

This dress is one of my favorite, new scores and I just found two more I'm saving for a perfect, summer outing. Here are a few amazing places to grab similar pieces!

Playclothes: Specializing in vintage from the 1930's-1980's for men and women.

It's a Wrap: A store that filters clothing and accessories from TV shows and costume houses.

Out of the Closet: My favorite thrift haunt with multiple locations across the United States.

With Love,

Noa B

Leather Shorts for Summer

I'm in a major moment of re-use these days. The main reason for this is that my closet in Los Angeles is pitiably small, and there's simply NO ROOM for extra clothes. I could store them in my house in Santa Barbara, but I've honestly been finding that it's better and more efficient to whittle down the wardrobe to one, coat sized closet full of easy pieces.  It's remarkable how despite/because of the constant changes in fashion, we figure out quickly what is timeless and what we can sprinkle carefully and sparingly into the mix.

Three things that I always love and come back to, (even in an updated shape) are a black, sheer blouse, leather shorts or a mini, and nude heels. Call them the basics, but they do stand up to trend.

Anyway we all know the drill. Dress up your shorts with heels. Boho your heels with a floppy hat, etc, etc...

 Grab a bag, tuck your blouse in or leave it out. It's all good.

Shorts: Tart, Heels: ShoeMint, Top: Zara, Purse: Paul & Joe Sister, Hat: H&M

Happy Friday!

With Love,

Noa B