Oscars inspired: Teal & Mint

Anyone else have a movie marathon to cram for the Oscars this weekend? When I learned Amazon released nearly all of the nominees, I went on a streaming spree. I started with The Darkest Hour (and may or may not have dozed off into a three hour nap midway through), proceeded to watch The Shape of Water (and haven't stopped thinking about the set, imagery and music since), had a is-this-my-defining-movie? moment while watching Ladybird (I too was a all-girl Catholic schoolgirl with a bad dye job, what some may call "mommy issues," and a mouth that often led me to the Dean's office), and ended with Call Me By Your Name (which left me day dreaming of being a teenager in lurve in Northern Italia while playing Sufjan Stevens on repeat - come si dice dream-y?). 

I've never thought of myself as a visual learner, but after this weekend I may be a visual inspirat-ee (as in, the object of the verb inspire, for those who will entertain my linguistic shenanigans). Something about the teals and mints in the Shape of Water and Call Me By Your Name and the cool, calming, and symbolic effect these greenish hues had during the portrayal of the respective love stories left me gravitating towards the same for today's collage. Just as both movies were enhanced by the effect this color palettes had on the romantic stories told, methinks your summer wardrobe could also use some teal-enhancement and minty refreshing.

Embroidered Skirt/Dress - Mi Golondrina// Sage Topknots - Hart Hagerty

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Nuptials Nostalgia: Carolyn Bessette

My assignment from Over the Moon this week was more challenging than I thought it would be. At first, recreating the iconic wedding of Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. seemed simple - because that's exactly what it was. The quaint and intimate ceremony in the tiny candle-lit chapel on Cumberland Island, GA - and the handful of photographs that surfaced - have become the picture of Americana-wedding perfection. But the reason why it was hard to capture the understated elegance of the late Calvin Klein PR-exec's nuptials is because that's exactly what she was and still is - a hard-to-replicate enigma. So it had to be more than the the infamous Narcisco Rodriguez dress or now-recognizable red barn door - it had to be the stuff that cult-followings are made after.  

I'll be more than honest - I'm not sure if I scored 100% (I didn't) on this one. But I am very sure of one thing - and that is I'm not alone in trying to recreate this je ne sais pas Bessette-ness.  Hours of internet research led me e-deep-diving into everything from the shape of her eyebrows to the perfume she wore. And all it took was little snippets about her genius (like the fact she had Bunny Mellon - as in, the designer of the White House rose garden - design her lovely lily of the valley bouquet) to cross my t's and dot my i's on the figurative Carolyn Bessette cult application form.

And by that, I mean I bought the Egyptian Musk Oil she *apparently* wore as her signature scent. Sue me - I'm a sucker for internet brainwashing! It's a little bottle, only fifteen bones, and I'm convinced it's witchcraft in liquid form. It's a faint, clean smell that's hard to describe - kinda like our cult-leader. But I've been mixing it with a few sprinkles of Coqui Coqui Maderas, a sandalwood spray I got on a trip to Tulum a few years back, and Blvgari Au ThΓ© Bleu - and by golly if I'm not a natural-born fragrance mixologist. The oil picks up notes of both scents in a way that leaves me smellin' fresh and crisp throughout the day. I can't stop sniffing myself or talking about Carolyn Bessette - so for your sake - this is where I leave you. 

Flower Girl Dress - Brock Collection x Maisonette// Weekend Bag - Paravel

Let's Rodeo, Darlin'

It's not lost on me how amusing it is for a Cuban-from-Miami to embrace the boot-scootin' Rodeo cowboy-culture with wiiiide open arms. Of course, I'm a huge noob (e.g. currently playing Garth in my cubicle on super low volume in attempt to proactively confront my nightmare of the .01% chance the cameras zoom in on me tonight while I look like this). 

But I can't help but lurve when the Rodeo comes to town for exactly that reason: it's amusing. It makes the month of March fly by, it provides me with ample opportunities to play dress up, and I get my fill of margarrrritas and fried anything. It gives me the perfect dose of cheesy, on-theme, yes-I-live-in-Texas-although-I-don't-know-the-words-to-these-songs vibes. And as I say with most things, walking the walk is good enough - especially if you're walking in some good botas!

Navy Boots - Miron Crosby// Scarf - Tuckernuck// Gun Earrings - Lola & Lina// Beaded Bag - Moyna// Star Boots - Miron Crosby// Cactus Earrings - Elizabeth Lanier Designs// Tassel Earrings - Hart Hagerty// Red Tassel Boots - Miron Crosby// Turquoise Studs - Mariquita Masterson// Red Boots - Miron Crosby// Gold Drop Earrings - Indian Summer Collection// Black Jeans - Industry Standard

Happy Menocal: How I LIke My Eggs

Last week Moda Operandi debuted their trunkshow with Happy Menocal, the name behind the Brooklyn-based watercolor and ink design studio known for adding whimsical, delightful details to anything it touches. While usually associated with lovely stationary and invitations adorned with playful, personalized emblems, the team, under their extra talented lead illustrator, has also lent its collective hand to branding, signage, and other fun projects. And now, it can add eggs to their resume. 

Twenty-four one-of-a-kind ceramic eggs, to be eggs-act (couldn't help myself).  Each depicts what Moda has dubbed "idealized universe[s]" - from Morocco's Jardin Majorelle and Madagascar, to my bucket-list destination Giraffe Manor in Kenya and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.  Each is positively dream-inducing, and in my case, eggs-cellent inspiration. 

White Cluster Earring - Tuckernuck// Polka Dot Jumpsuit - Mango// Silver Slides - Sabah // Lapis Flower Earrings - Nicola Bathie//

Still Thinking Pink

It's easy on the eyes, it can be soft and feminine or fun and funky, and it pairs very well with any kind of sparkle: Me! Just kidding - Pink! Pink is what I'm talking about again today. Why? Because the gurus at Over the Moon asked me to channel all the blush, rose, bubble gum goodness into our favorite medium: weddings. Brides, this one's for you

Flower Girl Dress - Brock Collection x Maisonette// Pink Robe - India Amory// Heart Cosmetic Bag - D. Porthault