Sometimes when it gets rainy and a chilly in NYC, the only answer is to dress in all black and face the day head on. Bring out the studs, put some rock in your headphones and don't let the gloomy skies take away your spunk. The key to wearing all black is in the details - the texture, the accents and the fabrics.

Sunnies: Tom Ford Nikita

Faux leather jacket: Torrid (style no longer available, similar available here)

Studded dress: Calvin Klein (available in ideeli's Calvin Klein special sizes sale today)

Leggings: Teggings by Re/dress

Flats: Naughty by Nine West

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff Moring After Clutch (style no longer available, similar available here and here)

Wrap bracelet: Gold Nugget Wrap Bracelet by BaubleBar

Lion doorknocker earrings: Kenneth Jay Lane via ideeli (style no longer available, similar available here and here)

Photos by Alia Rajput

The weekends in NYC are the best kind of unpredictable. You never know where you'll end up, who you'll see or what the weather will be like. Let's face it - everything about New York is unpredictable and that's exactly why we love it. This past Saturday I popped over to SoHo for brunch with one of my friends at Rubirosa (get the vodka pie - you won't regret it). We ate, we drank, we giggled, we bonded. I wish every Saturday could be like that!

When I was editing the photos, I realized that in my eagerness to embrace spring, I went a bit trend overboard. In my defense, however, I've been rocking these two tone oxfords for over a year. I was beyond thrilled to see a similar pair on the runway at Tibi for fall 2012. It's a great feeling when your own fashion instincts are confirmed. Between the nautical stripes, neon accents and the oxfords this could have been trend overload, but the look was broken up by the fur vest and black ankle length pants.

Sunnies: Tom Ford Nikita (no longer available, similar available here and here)

Necklace: Adia Kibur via ideeli, also available via Bauble Bar

Striped tee: Old Navy (no longer available, similar available here)

Fur vest: Michael Michael Kors c/o Lucky Magazine and Lord & Taylor (no longer available, similar available here)

Watch: c/o DKNY (no longer available, similar available here)

Black ankle pants: Lane Bryant

Handbag: Chanel

Oxfords: Fitzwell (no longer available, similar available here)

Lipstick: NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose

Photos by Eliot

If you look closely, you'll likely notice that the great creatives - think Tom Ford, Betsey Johnson, DVF, Rachel Zoe, and Jonathan Adler to name a few - have established a unique design aesthetic that runs through every element of their life. Thanks to the voyeuristic nature of our society (and the internet, natch) we're blessed with sites like StyleLikeU that allow us to get a sneak peek (albeit an edited version) into these very personal spaces.

As I've gotten older, I've noticed a fundamental shift in the way that I think about money. Perhaps it's a generational change, however the conservative Arkansas in me never would have shelled out for a Chanel handbag. In fact, she would have likely carried a fake and hoped that no one called her out (seriously, the secret shame is intense). Maybe it's a sign of maturity, but every time I make a purchase, down to the coffee mug I desperately cling to in the morning, I think how it fits into my vision of my life. Would it look out of place in a photo of my desk?

Taking inspiration from many of the creative geniuses that I named above, I think about the impact my potential purchase might make within my apartment, my wardrobe or my every day life. For me, finding the balance between price, functionality and appearance is a struggle.  For example, when you pack for a vacation, do you pick a theme for your daily outfits and build upon that? Might one of your goals be to have matching luggage?

Granted, it's much easier to make these decisions when money is no object, but I'm so curious about the approach you take when adding a new piece to your life. What is your thought process?

Please leave your thoughts in the comments below!

I have so much to say - please excuse me if this post is a little verbose. First of all, I've started a full time job again, so things may be a bit slower than normal (and you've probably already noticed my absence). Secondly, this less frequent posting schedule leads me to the second change. My OOTDs will no longer be dated. Gotta snap 'em when I can these days!

This was last Sunday's look, when I officially reentered the brunching world (my first in 10 months) with the fantastic Dina of Eye4Style. Naturally we ate far too much at Beauty & Essex and then slowly made our way to the Style Coalition lounge for a casual Emmys gathering. It was barely cool enough to wear fur, but I didn't care. I've been desperate to rock this vest since I purchased it in early September. Allow me to digress.

On the morning of the first day of Fashion Week (also known as Fashion's Night Out), Lucky Magazine invited us to Lord & Taylor, with the guidance of Suze Yalof Schwartz, to shop the trends complete with a $200 gift card. Who was I to say no? Naturally I headed right up to L&T's plus size floor (one of my guilty pleasures) and immediately to the MICHAEL Michael Kors assortment. And there it was, patiently waiting for me, the last fur vest in my size. Needless to say, I put that $200 gift card to good use (and then some). I'd love to show you the vest on the L&T website, but sadly it's not available online. Should you be interested in picking up one for yourself, head to the store - you'll fall in love.

Outfit details:

Sunnies: Tom Ford Nikita (no longer available)

Vest: MICHAEL Michael Kors, c/o Lucky Magazine & Lord & Taylor

Dress: Avenue (no longer available)

Necklaces: Swarovzki (a birthday present), Twittabling

Belt: Lane Bryant (no longer available)

Tights: One Stop Plus (no longer available)

Wedges: Torrid (no longer available)

Envelope clutch: ASOS (black leather no longer available, other colors here)

Photo by Dina, Eye4Style

On Wednesday, I had the great pleasure of attending Lucky Magazine's Summer Jam, a sweet little soiree for their "favorite bloggers". It was a great excuse to see friends, old & new, have fabulous cocktails and be "judged" by The Bumbys (more on them in a bit). Since I knew I was going to be judged and it was my last day in an office, at least for a little while, I had to go with an outfit that I knew worked well for me. Naturally, I selected one of my Michael Michael Kors maxi dresses. They can easily become dressy or ease into casual with the right accessories. I can't say enough good things about them!

The Bumbys are a best described as performance artists, aka judgement bandits, who sit behind electronic typewriters and produce "honest assessments of your style". They wear wigs, sunglasses and bandannas, so admittedly the experience can be intimidating until you receive your assessment. They are sharp, hilarious and my new obsession. I hope to run into them in the near future.

Outfit details:

Sunglasses: Tom Ford (I just can't stop!)

Necklace: A present from The Budget Babe

Watch: Michael Kors

Maxi dress: Michael Michael Kors

Envelope clutch: ASOS

Wedges: Torrid (no longer available)

Since The Bumbys were so honest with their style appraisal, I thought I'd be equally as honest & share their thoughts. The first critique I received was from Gill, the male Bumby. His assessment was as follows:

Your bag reminds me of a pillow, but you don't strike me as the kind of gal who takes impromptu naps. If I saw you wandering around in a Broadway theater I'd think you were the stage manager. Because you look like you're on top of your shit. Maybe the pillow bag is for union breaks? Nah. You run the world....no time for snoozing.

Average rating: 9.6

Clearly any man who thinks I run the world is alright by me. Next up was Jill and after observing her for a few assessments, hers seemed to be much more in depth. I was intimidated. I stepped in front of her typewriter and after much scrutiny, I was presented with:

You're larger than life. I think of you on the stage playing the great roles. Lady Macbeth and shit. When you cry, the guy in the back cries. Everybody cries. I love your insoussiant braid, I love the auburn hair, I love the Russian Red lip. I love the necklace made of bullets (?). I could sit down with you at a party and you would say something about science or medicine or an obscure hat designer in Paris and I would be forever transfixed. Get a platform and write a book, please.

Average rating: 9.0

If you ever see two people pounding away behind typewriters, shrouded by bandannas and chugging Red Bull, do not be afraid Go in front of them bravely and with a smile - you never know, you could be running the world, making men cry and shit. :)

Photo by Dina

Last week my darling friend (who you might know as @Bergdorfs) asked me to help with a fun new contest that they launched on Monday, Faces of 5F. Firstly, if you haven't ever had the chance of visit Bergdorf Goodman (or 5F), please do so now. If you happen to be a 5F lover, like myself, then you'll definitely want to enter the Faces of 5F contest. The $1,000 gift card is a good enough reason to enter - be honest. We both know you could spend that in 0.5 seconds.

The photo above was taken as a sample contest entry. Entering is super easy - upload two photos of yourself, one is a headshot and the other is a full body, both against a white backdrop. This "white" building was the best that I could find while rushing on my way to the Met. Then you fill out a handy little questionnaire and encourage your friends to vote. Super easy. If you win, be sure to share 10% with me as a finder's fee, k? :)

As I mentioned, on this particular day (which also happened to be my actual birthday), my mom and I raced off to the Met to finally see the McQueen exhibit. It was everything that everyone has said and 100x more. Hault yourself to NYC immediately (or before August 7th) so you don't miss out.

Outfit details:

Sunglasses: Tom Ford

Necklaces: @StyleIT Twittabling, Swarovski pendant (birthday gift from the amazing Yuli Z)

V neck tee: Old Navy

Pleatex maxi skirt: Evans

Silver bracelets: Forever 21 (no longer available)

Pointy toe flats: Nine West

Black & white handbag: Rebecca Minkoff (sample, never produced)

Scarf: McQueen, naturally (print no longer available)

Spring has officially began in NYC. The flowers are blooming, hipsters are making strange outfit choices (aren't they always?) and everyone has spring fever, including me. Getting dressed for today was nothing short of gleeful, especially since I had a chance to wear my new super colorful ruffle top. Who doesn't love any opportunity to wear ridiculously bright colors paired with leopard?

Outfit details:

Cat eye sunnies: Tom Ford

Earrings: ASOS (no longer available)

Leopard cropped cardi: Torrid (no longer available)

Ruffled top: Calvin Klein (via ideeli's Plus Size Perfection sale)

Jeggings: Lane Bryant

Black patent bucket bag: c/o DKNY

Studded wedges: Nine West (via Nordstrom Rack) (no longer available)

Photo by Aly Walansky

There is nothing that I love more than spending a Friday afternoon, widing in and out of the stores lining the streets of SoHo. As I mentioned, one of my dearest friends was visiting me for a few days, and I took her to some of my favorite SoHo spots, including Haven Spa SoHo, DKNY, Kate Spade, Space NK and Emack & Bolio (best.ice cream.ever). It was a perfect New York City day.

Hat: August via Lord & Taylor

Sunglasses: Tom Ford (of course - still refuse to take them off)

Scarf: Sir Alistair Rai (color no longer availble, similar available here)

Navy tee: Picked up at TJ Maxx (any navy tee will do)

Watch: La Mer Collections c/o TRESemme

Trouser jeans: Lane Bryant (no longer available, similar available here)

Green handbag: DKNY c/o DKNY Fragrances (no longer available)

Sandals: DV by Dolce Vita

(sigh) The jumpsuit. It has to be one of the most difficult pieces to pull off in the history of woman (or man, for that matter). Needless to say, when I received a last minute invite to catch The Pretty Reckless film their performance for Fuse TV's Hoppus on Music (airing Friday at 11pm EST), I immediately reached for my beloved Norma Kamali for Walmart jumpsuit and raced out the door. After seeing these photos, my feelings are a little mixed. To jumpsuit or not to jumpsuit?

Outfit details:

Cat eye sunglasses: Tom Ford (seriously, they never leave my face. I'm in LOVE)

Stone earrings: Rachel Roy (no longer available online, check local Macy's)

Jumpsuit: Norma Kamali for Walmart (no longer available online)

Batwing cardigan: Norma Kamali for Walmart

Ring: Forever 21 (no longer available)

Bow cuff: Kate Spade

Neon pink bag: Kate Spade

Blue leopard flats: Nine West (color not available, others available here)

Photo by Kristin Booker