This past weekend, Eye4Style and I packed up and left NYC for Chicago. Our trip had one focus - to hang out with one of my best friends from college - and of course there was the requisite drinking, eating and shopping. The flight from Laguardia was super quick, which made the hour and a half cab rides to and from the airport feel excruciatingly long. Note to self: next time, take the train.

We stayed at The James Chicago which felt like it was in the center of everything (to be fair, my friend Michael did such a great job of planing our itinerary). We drank at Pops for Champagne (where he is the mayor on Foursquare natch), had mind-blowing pizza at La Madia, brunched at Bistronomic, and binged on fantastic cupcakes from More. I've been to Chicago many times, but i was genuinely surprised at how fashionable the city has become. Guess Second City Style was onto something!

Outfit details:

Top: Old Navy (no longer available)

Skirt: Evans (similar available here)

Jacket: Torrid (no longer available)

Flats: Nine West (no longer available)

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff MAC (other colors available here)

Necklace: Forever 21 (no longer available)

Lipstick: NARS Pure Matte in Carthage

Photo by Dina Fierro

There's so much to love about spring, including how fresh all of your spring/summer clothes feel when you pull them out of your closet for the first time. We finally had the perfect spring day in NYC, with "abundant sunshine" (my favorite weather forecast) and a gentle breeze. While this look is best worn in early spring or in fall, I typically don't wear it without leggings/tights because I've yet to find the best shoes/legwear combination to wear it during any other time of year.

Browns have always been a particularly difficult category of color for me to wear, but I feel most comfortable when I mix darker browns with camels. Let's just call camel my gateway brown.

Pony sweater: Torrid

Skirt: IGIGI (similar available here)

Necklace: Avon (similar available here and here)

Handbag: Marni at H&M

Scarf: Marni at H&M

Bracelet: Rebecca Minkoff c/o TRESemme

Watch: La Mer c/o TRESemme

Pumps: Jessica Simpson

Photos by Tara Shashaty

Finds of the week:

• High: Wayuu Taya Foundation Susu Bag, $175
• Low: Vibrant Geo Bracelet, $8

Off the wire:

• A passenger got into a fight with a Southwest Airlines flight attendant when she was polishing her nails during the flight.
• Are bloggers too cozy with designers? Robin Givhan thinks so.
• Marni at H&M launched and the lines were, as predicted, long.

Smart reads:

• Ask BB: Where to buy cute and cheap bathing suits? - The Budget Babe
• On My Body: Rebecca Minkoff's Becky Silk Jacket - Eye4Style
• 10 Must Haves When Packing (Light) For Vacation - Fashion Pulse

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 outfit photo that wasn't supposed to happen - at least that's what I had planned when I woke up at 5am last Thursday. Somehow, as the madness of the day evolved, I decided that my office party was a story that needed to be told. Guessing games were played, mock movie posters hung and FAQs were sent to everyone in the company surrounding our out of office adventure. People asked was there a dress code? Could I wear a ball gown? Were sequins appropriate? The response was to dress casually, because you'll be eating with your hands.

That's right, folks. My office decided that taking 250 people to New Jersey on 5 buses to Medieval Times was the best idea. After surviving two hours of traffic/tunnel confusion, packing my own plastic silverware into my purse and getting into the spirit of things, I'm inclined to agree. When your knight is the one who wins the battle (and really enjoys flirting with the audience), somehow everything comes full circle.

Outfit details:

Faux fur collar: H&M (last season, but the current season ones are great, too!)

Necklace: Adia Kibur

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

Boyfriend blazer: Torrid (no longer available, but similar here)

Sequin skirt: Avenue (no longer available, but similar here)

Black leggings: Teggings from Re/Dress

Grey leather sneakers: Converse (no longer available, but make your own here)

Black watch: Swatch New Gent

Bracelets: Rich Rocks, Forever 21, Bauble Bar (get a closer look here)

Scarf (on handbag): Alexander McQueen

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Bag (color no longer available, style here)

Yesterday was a pretty disgusting day in the city, at least from a weather perspective. It felt like I was in the south all over again - the air was thick, warm and uncomfortably humid. I knew two things: I was wearing a dress, but I wasn't coming within a mile of shapewear. While days without some form of shapewear are few and far between (let's face it - we all want to be smooth), the hottest days of summer are not the time to experiment. A dress without shapewear can often result in bumpy, lumpy and generally unflattering looks. I took the chance and braved the wind - Marilyn moments are only great in Hollywood - without too many side effects.

On those humid summer days, the only options are to either give in (ie, lay in front of your air conditioner in your underwear) or have fun with your look. I opted for a serious dose of color and whimsy. If you can't have fun in the midst of summer, when are you going to have fun?

Outfit details:

Scarf (in my hair): Repurposed from my DKNY handbag

Gemini nameplate necklace: Flea Market Girl

Purple dress: Old Navy

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff

Red patent wedges: Me Too (found at Nordstrom Rack)

Photo by: Casey Kettleson

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)

I'm going to be completely honest - I'm not 100% thrilled with how this photo turned out. To be clear, this isn't a fishing for compliments moment, but I think that it's important to be honest, accept life's challenges and grow. Not every outfit is worthy of an outfit photo. On this day, I learned a whole lot about the difference between what I think looks great on me and what photographs well. These two things aren't mutally exclusive, so I'm sharing this look with you as a learning opportunity. What I learned is that I feel more comfortable in looks with defined waists or at least a pattern to break up the look. Also, I never feel comfortable in brown, no matter how much I try. These are my style challenges.

On this particular day, I had the chance to meet the absolutely delightful Kate Walsh (of Grey's Anatomy & Private Practice fame) to discuss her breakout fragrance, Boyfriend (more on that soon). It was the first truly warm day in NYC, and I'm 99% sure that none of us saw it coming. I'm happy that I tried a look outside of my comfort zone, but I definitely won't be repeating this look. You live and you learn! What style lessons have you learned recently?

Outfit details:

Scarf/headband: Vintage Elsa Schiaparelli (an estate sale find, gifted by my aunt)

Top: MICHAEL Michael Kors

Jeggings: Lane Bryant

Watch: MICHAEL Micahel Kors

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff (style no longer available)

Sandals: DV by Dolce Vita

Last Monday (forgive me, I'm running way behind), I headed to New Jersey to chat with the amazing folks from Unilever. The day started out without the promise of sun (and bonus threat of rain), so I tried to nod to spring while remaining somewhat professional. Naturally, I ended up in the NYC work uniform of all black. What can I say? When in doubt, go back to black (even if it is in an Amy Winehouse kind of way).

Outfit details:

"Maxi" dress (aka I'm 6'2" and nothing will ever actually be a maxi dress on me): MICHAEL Michael Kors

Shrunken blazer: Torrid

Necklace: Amanda Jaron (style no longer available)

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff (style no longer available)

Wedges: Torrid (style no longer available, similar available here)

What: Join Rebecca Minkoff and Artist Logal Real for Fashion's Night Out at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Why: Buy a new bag or bring one in. Artist Logan Real will personalized your Rebecca Minkoff bag with a monogram. Plus, receive a gift with your Rebecca Minkoff purchase. Additionally, a bag will be given away eery 15 minutes! @RebeccaMinkoff will tweet a pic of a girl decked in RM! Be the 1st person to find her in Saks and you the to snag the bag.

Where: Sacks Fifth Avene, Fifth Avenue and 50th Street, on floor Five, 6-8pm