The Classics

Sometimes you have to go back to basics, as I did here with black, white and a little bit of leopard. 

blouse: asos (get the bow here) // skirt: modcloth // bag: kate spade (similar) // trench: h&m (similar) // sunnies: karen walker // boots: kate spade // bracelet: jcrew // tights: capezio // belt: express (similar) //

Just black and white is a little bit boring, so red lips and red nails serve as the perfect pop of color! Gold accents like the logo on my karen walkers, gold rings and gold buttons on my blouse and boots also give the look an extra point of contrast. Anyone can replicate this look with closet staples: a black skirt, white blouse, black boots, black tights and a trench coat. You can even create your own black bow with ribbon or your boyfriends tie!

Apartment 6-6

Today I've very excited to finally share my NY Apartment, a charming little place tucked away in the West Village! It's still very much a work in progress and continual labor of love but I am still pretty happy with it so far, and cannot wait to see what you guys think. Plus as a extra treat, these pictures were taken by one of the most talented photographers that I am lucky enough to call my friend, Miss Claire Eliza! First up, the living room. 

Bryant Park

When it finally starts to feel like fall, I pair tights and a slouchy sweater with hot drinks and fun friends for a do-nothing-day to remember.

Sweater: (great options here)// Dress (worn as a skirt): Forever 21 (old, similar here) // Booties: Bacio 61, also love these // Necklace: Marc Jacobs (Similar) // Lips: Nars (my favorite) // Bag: Zara (Similar) // Glasses: Urban Outfitters // Sunnies: Karen Walker // Rings: Tiffany & Co // Thrifted 

rwar...

A good day can quickly turn into a great one with the right company; and my Bryant-Park-playdate wouldn't have been complete without my personal photographer and boyfriend, Paris and my hilarious  bestie, Sheree. 

SNL

This weekend, we camped out for SNL tickets are we able to attend the live show with host Bruce Willis and Performances by Katy Perry! It was such a great and interesting experience that I had to share my story today.

Jacket: thrifted (similar) // Top: J.crew (similar here & here) // Bag: Moschino // Skort: Zara (similar) // Black Tights // Sunnies: Karen Walker (also here) // Necklace: Marc Jacobs (similar) // Shoes: Kate Spade (love these!) // Lips: Nars 

So SNL tickets are reserved for guests of cast members, VIP's and other network related big-wigs, but there are always stand by tickets available for the "commoners" like me! They give these "tickets" out Saturday morning at 7AM, but people line up hours and even days in advance to get these "tickets". We (My boyfriend Paris, my life-long friend Taylor [check out her awesome blog] and her amazing husband James) showed up around 2am and got comfy for our all-nighter.

Here's how it works:

When 7 AM Saturday morning rolls around, NBC employees eqquiped with clipboards make their way down the line collecting your information (you need a photo ID with a birthday) asking what show you want to attend and administering numbered tickets. You have the choice of picking the 7:30 dress rehearsal show or the 10:30 live performance (what you see on your TV at home); we went with the live show received tickets number 41-44. Then we went home, caught-up on sleep, and reported back to the studio with our ID's and tickets at 10:30 and hopped in line based on numerical order. When 11 rolled around, they started letting people into the studio, about 30 at a time: through a metal detector, up an elevator, down a hallway and into the double decker studio for the live taping. This was the moment of truth, cause although we camped out all night and received a "stand by ticket", you are never guaranteed admission until you are actually in a seat. Paris and I were actually one of the last few people in, although people behind us who didn't make the cut thought they were going to get it! 

via instagram, follow along: @courtney_fowler @tayhartley 

My Recommendation - Go!

If you're even a little SNL fan, and like the musical guest and/or host, I would absolutely recommend camping out the night before and trying to get tickets. For the camp out, I would get there no later than 1AM to increase your chances of getting in. Also, I suggest that you have an idea of what show to choose before hand (the live show or the dress rehearsal), but also try asking the clipboard employees the numeric status of each show prior to picking. And Finally, make sure you go with good people! Taylor and James are some of our favorite people so camping out with them was less of a chore and more of an all-night-party. We had a blast and plan on doing this again sometime soon! 

P.S. Was anyone else dying during the Boy Dance Party Skit?

It's now one of my new favorites!

Hollywood Halloween

Happy October! 

Halloween is just around the corner, so today I'm sharing 10 easy DIY costumes based on 5 leading ladies. First up, the dame who snoozes in style and dines with diamonds, Miss Holly Golightly from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's.

DIY tassel ear plugs: Make your own plugs by securing

a set of thread tassels (available at any craft or sewing store) to a colorful pair of earplugs with hot glue

Get The Look >> Holly Go-Nightly Eye Mask

Nerdy Neon

I have awful eyesight, practice my time tables at the gym and wore headgear as a teenager. I'm beyond excited to attend San Diego comic con next year, completed my MBA at 21 and would rather stay in and read then go out and party. Needless to say, I'm a nerd ... and proud! 

Dress (worn as a skirt): Kate Spade (Similar) // Glasses: Urban Outfitters // Sweater: J.Crew (Love this one) // Bag: Cooperative (purchased via Modcloth) // Pink Bracelet: Tomorrow's Unknown // Booties: Shoegasm (Love these, and these) // Socks: Kate Spade (Similar) // Necklace: Marc Jacobs ( Similar here // with a twist) // Lipstick: Mac

I'm a firm believer in brights for fall, so I paired my neons with socks and booties to help me step into the season. I also love a full skirts, but my lack of them in my closet forced me to get creative with this look. The skirt you see here is actually a dress (seen as a dress here) - I pulled the bodice inside the skirt, zipping it as much as possible to lay flat (technique last seen here). If you aren't into tucking your dress in, simple just tie a sweater over your dress like I did here.

   

Character Costumes

Today we take on seven different fictional characters that will make fabulous diy costumes for halloween.

First up the one, the only, Carrie Bradshaw

If you choose Carrie Costume number one, wear your hair curly and wild like she did in the opening credits, but if you opt for the second choice try a top knot and write "Manolo Blahnik" on any shopping bag and piling on the pearls! 

 You might also like a costume based on a book from your childhood: Eloise at the Plaza and Miss Madeline.