“I tend to layer with lots of necklaces. I keep all of my favorites on this mirrored tray I found at the Rose Bowl flea market in Pasadena.”

“Mixing super fancy and utterly casual pieces is the essence of Downtown Romantic dressing.” Sequin Joie top, Citizens of Humanity jeans.

You have such beautiful hair. What’s your secret?
I have long hair, so I have to moisturize it frequently. Deep conditioning is essential, especially if I’m going to use a flat iron. I apply the MoroccanOil Restorative Hair Mask to slightly damp hair for ten to fifteen minutes. Having a little bit of water on the hair cuticle allows it to soak up all the moisture, and I find that it leaves my hair incredibly shiny and smooth. I swear by T3’s hair dryer, which cuts my blow drying time in half, and I’ve also recently started using their Single Pass Whirl Curling Iron when I want an ethereal, beachy look. I’ll let my hair air dry in the morning, use Oribe Wave and Beach Spray when I get home, and then put some curls in before heading out to dinner.

“Since I don’t have a dining room table, all of my dinner parties take place around my coffee table!”

You share wonderful recipes on your blog! Do you have a signature go-to dish / or a favorite fall recipe?
My parents served carrot cake with cream cheese frosting at their wedding, which I always thought was so cool. I’ve been working on perfecting the recipe for years and it’s always a hit. For fall, I’m also liking a simple roast chicken with acorn squash. It makes your apartment smell amazing, and it’s so easy.

 

Where can you usually be found on a Saturday afternoon?
Saturday afternoons I’m usually with my friends getting a latte at our local coffee shop or perusing my favorite used book store. Sometimes I’ll venture out of the West Village, but that’s rare. On the weekends I like to stay close–it’s the homebody in me.

“When it comes to shoes, I either go super high or perfectly flat–nothing in between.”

“I’ve been coveting prints lately. Polka dots are my favorite, but unexpected birds like the one on this blouse are also fun.” Laney wears an Equipment blouse, Brian Atwood heels, DL 1961 jeans.

What fall trends are you currently coveting?
I’m feeling a bit over-saturated when it comes to color, so I’m really gravitating towards neutrals for fall. Shades of camel, white, and tan are my current obsessions. I’ve even been wearing my nails bare, which is something I haven’t done in years. For dinners dates this fall, I’ll be sporting a casual white tux look à la Isabel Marant; for work, some mixed print action inspired by Dries Van Noten; for winter weekends, sixties florals from Shareen’s Vintage over denim.

“My Aunt Isabella and I picked up these vintage glass fragrance bottles at our favorite vintage store outside of San Francisco, Antiques Legacy of San Anselmo.”

Can you share with us your favorite neighborhood spots?
I’m such a foodie, so this is hard to answer in just a couple sentences, but I definitely have a few favorites. In my neighborhood, the West Village, I like to go to Cones on Bleecker for gelato, Organic Avenue for fresh juices, Billy’s Bakery for out-of-this-world Banana Cake, Hudson Clearwater for romantic dinners, and Pastis for martinis and french fries with my girlfriends. But, I could go on and on…

“This dress reminds me of Venus de Milo, but I tone down its goddess-like look with a white blazer and sky-high heels.” Joy Cioci dress, Aldo shoes.

Do you have a favorite room in your place? Why?
Definitely my living room. The light, the colors, and even the sounds from the street are so soothing. I can spend all day curled up in my oversized chair reading the newspaper or researching recipes. I keep little memories scattered on my tables, like shells from scuba diving trips and favorite books. I always feel utterly at home this way. Nothing’s better than  having friends come over to huddle around my coffee table, share stories, and feast on delicious Thai food.

“My inner hippie is over the moon that maxi dresses are back in style. I can’t seem to get enough.” From left to right, Meghan Park, Joy Cioci, Stella McCartney.

What advice would you give to someone seeking to develop her own sense of style?
Pick two words to describe your style or what you want your style to be, it could be city layering, British prep, or sweet vintage. Whatever you buy, whatever outfit you put together needs to fit into this style description. Personally, I may buy something downtown, but I’ll style it with something romantic, and when I’m about to add something my closet I make sure it falls under the Downtown Romantic umbrella. Try doing this until it becomes natural and your style is cohesive.

How do you sparkle?
I sparkle when I’m creating– whether I’m editing photos, arranging flowers, or cooking a perfect meal for my friends.

You May Also Like