Post Como Change-Up

Following on the heels of yesterday's post, I returned from our day trip to Lake Como and quickly changed my top and gladiator sandals to something equally loose and comfy, but with an edge.

 

 Yup, rockin' short booties with lots of metal for an early evening out in the canals.

 With the neon bandeau still in use...

Skirt: Free People, Boots: ShoeMint, Tank: LF Stores, Lariat: JewelMint Collective, Bag: L.A.M.B.

Gotta love that 5 minute, wardrobe switch-out.

With Love,

Noa B

La Dolce Vita

Last week while traveling in northern Italy Ross and I took a day trip with friends to Lake Como. Although the train schedule limited our touring time, we managed to land at Bellagio and have a blissfully bucolic lunch nestled in the hills and overlooking the water.

I was feeling very Dolce Vita and the weather was sweltering, so I opted for a lace crop top with a neon bandeau for a pop of color as well as ventilation.

The location was gorgeous, the scenery was amazing, and of course the cheese plates were... well, what else can you say about a plate of good, Italian cheese? A glass of Prosecco, some amazing appetizers, and a view of the rolling hills. It was bliss.

Skirt: Free People, Top: Tilden, Sandals: Sam Edelman, Bag: Hammitt

I'll make it a goal to get back to Italy with a longer stay in Como, because half the fun of travel is dreaming of the places you'll return to!

With Love,

Noa B

Milano, Ciao!

Last week I flew to Milan for a brief, 5 day visit. I loved the city, which among other things is known for its fashion and design. On top of that, I arrived during Fashion Week, which turned out to be an unexpected bonus!

On one of my first days walking the city I strolled to the Duomo to visit the Museum of the 900, as well as take in a Klimt exhibit going on at the Palazzo Reale. It was a day simply packed with art, and I think I subconsciously donned a long, Kimono cover in homage to Klimt's women.

The weather was extremely humid, and I abandoned any idea of wearing pants 24 hours into the trip. Thank goodness I loaded up with sundresses when packing!

  Dress: Final Touch, Kimono: Mono B,  Necklace: Boutique, Bag: L.A.M.B., Sandals: Zara

It was a week filled with art, day trips, fashion, and parties. More to come soon!

With Love,

Noa B

Style Abroad: Amsterdam Days and My Name

During my first evening in Amsterdam I discovered that style is global, and apparently, so am I! Check out the name of this boutique... (I kind of want a Noa Lifestyle franchise now)...

 

One thing that became abundantly clear during my travels throughout Europe was that style, fashion, and the American fashion market are a global phenomenon. For better or for worse, I couldn't turn a corner in London, Amsterdam or Paris without bumping into an American chain. One very prominent one was American Apparel. I was tickled by the sight of two, young hipsters creating a chalk, graffiti spread at the base of this store front. When they exited I had to snap it.

But this image was the one that I found most fascinating. It's a perfect panoply of Dutch life in the old city. In order left to right: Teenage boy, elderly man, hipster chick with recyclable bag, and little blond fashionista, all waiting to cross the square. All sharing one, common element. The Bicycle.

There was so much beauty and tranquility here. Canals, canals, and more canals. Everything was old world and lovely. Just as I hoped it would be.

Jeans: Vigoss, Jacket: Boutique, Lariat: JewelMint, Snakeprint Flats: BCBG, Blouse: Zara

With Love,

Noa B

Pistoletto and Fun at the Louvre

That wacky weather otherwise known as Europe in August certainly required a lot of planning, and a lot of layers. Between the chilly mornings and evenings mixed with scorching afternoons, my husband and I traveled with layer-able outfits.

This one was easy. Light tee under a leather crop jacket with riding boots. Seems a bit heavy, but it was just right when morning walks began coolly, and when miles on foot required durable shoes.

And we really did walk countless miles, including the time we spent inside the Louvre. Within those walls I was more taken with the temporary additions and colorful pieces designed by contemporary artist Pistoletto than the permanent wings.

I.M. Pei's massive pyramid was fairly new on the scene when I last set foot here in 1990. A lot has changed but this structure is my favorite thing set inside this otherwise Gothic enormity of a building.

Seen below are the Pistolettos, which were cleverly displayed in between the permanent exhibits. You wandered from area to area and every now and then, they just appeared. The majority were playful interpretations of individuals walking through space and somehow photo-laid onto large, mirrored surfaces. It was so startling to see them that initially, you felt you were walking into another person.

 My personal fave: right here, towards the end of the sculpture hallway.

When, (and if) I ached to see something that brought back years of art history lectures, there were always Odalisques and a few gems to boot...

All in all, there are much more intimate and enchanting museums to visit in Paris than the Louvre with its enormity of vast, medieval collections. But whether it's a first visit or a re-acclimation, it's worth seeing once! After all, you might just bump into a stranger in a mirror!

Jacket: ASOS, Wax Coated Jeans: LF, Tee-Old Navy, Boots: Boutique

With Love,

Noa B

Paris, LBD's, and Another Kind of "Gallerie"

Welcome to the interior of the Galleries Lafayette, the most luxurious department store in Paris. This 7 story dome rivals Harrods in London or Saks in Manhattan for sheer luxury as well as hip, young brands and gorgeous, cosmetic counters.

I was so excited to finally find some non-American labels that I attempted to take clandestine pix of the clothing. However, after a few rather irritated looks from the shop women I put down my camera and just took it all in instead. But I couldn't resist snapping this Secours, knit dress I eventually left with. It's a chic, open knit with a puff/bell skirt. (I also couldn't resist wearing red lips for at least one day while shopping in Paris).

I definitely managed to do some damage to my wallet and walked away with at least 4 LBD's, but this was by far, my favorite piece. A black, silk satin, tutu number with crinoline on the bottom, designed by a young, up and coming graduate of the St Martins School of Design who purchased the rights to the Brigitte Bardot name. Hence the line, Brigitte Bardot. The sales girl who helped me asked if I would mind her shooting me in the dress. I was more than happy to comply.

After doing some damage at Secours, BB, and Paul and Joe Sister I strolled upstairs to the roof of the Galleries to catch a breathtaking, panoramic view of the city. How many department stores can boast a vista like this?

Soon reality took hold, and my lighter feeling wallet forced me out the door and on to other exploits. But I had a grand time gallivanting around the displays and taking in all the fabulous, fall fashion. 

With Love,

Noa B

White Silk in the Haut Marais

There are moments in any city when getting lost among the cobblestone streets is the best thing you can do. Although we were never technically "lost" in Paris, our wanderings took us through a wide variety of neighborhoods in which losing oneself was almost required.

In the Marait and in the Pletz there were moments and vistas that felt perfectly paired despite their extraordinary differences. High fashion mixing with historic landmarks and museums, paired with the best, ethnic street food around.

In the Marait I swooned over the Karl Lagerfeld window displays which featured a limited edition, TokiDoki collaboration with a Karl and Kitty that, (were I a wealthy woman) I would have bought then and there. (One of my design school archetype/genius/idols was always Karl).

In the Pletz we discovered hands down, the BEST falafel I've had outside of Tel Aviv. And I'm talking mouth watering, veggie filled, perfectly seasoned, moist chickpea patties heaped with amazing tahini, the best crunchy salads and most delicious hummus this side of the western  hemisphere. I seriously could've eaten three more sandwiches that day. There's a subtle art to the perfect, falafel sandwich which L'As Du Falafel captured flawlessly. Even if you're an aficionado of French cuisine, this Middle Eastern treat was more than worth the 20 person long line!

Another novelty of the Pletz was discovering the thriving, old Jewish Quarter which is still in existence and retains it's old world charm. We ventured into this area after a visit to the Shoah Memorial and it provided the emotional up-swing we needed after a sobering few hours spent in the permanent exhibit and research facilities. Here's my handsome Hubs taking it all in.

Another thing that rocks in this old neighborhood; the doors. For there are doors, and then there are doors...

Tragically, the Picasso Museum was still undergoing extended renovation that should have concluded by the time of my August visit. Also shut was the Victor Hugo House, but just being able to walk into their stomping grounds proved enough of a pilgrimage for me.

And so I concluded my lengthy walk on the day in which I stopped at the door of a favorite author, walked the streets of a revered painter, saw the memorials dedicated to families like my own, and ate street food like a local in a neighborhood time had largely left alone.

Dress: Winter Kate, Sandals: Zara, Belt: Thrifted.

 

With Love,

Noa B