personal style

The East End

June 5, 2015June 10, 2015Posted in LifestyleTagged hamptons, jackson pollack, lifestyle, NYDJ, nydj summer, personal style8 Comments

After our great west coast adventure, NYDJ wanted us to do another travel journal but for the east coast and I thought what a wonderful way to spend a few days out in the Hamptons! All last year we found ourselves in Amagansett as much as possible where we shared a house with friends, making memories around the fireplace in the winter months and by the pool in the summer ones. There is something about the light out there that is mystical. There is nothing like shooting out here, and some of my favorite stories were made just like that. I used to lay in the grass on summer afternoons and watch the light dancing in the trees and as the sun set, wrapping it’s beams around objects like frosted glass. I loved exploring this east end of Long Island, home to so many inspiring artists, friends and amazing restaurants.

NYDJ is perfect for quick little summer getaways. The fit and feel of the clothing makes traveling for hours in a car or plane much more comfortable. Not to mention the philosophy of the brand is all about focusing on flattering the figure and natural curves while being effortless and non-fussy. Which means, if you’re like me, you can hop on a bike for a quick afternoon ride and then transition seamlessly into dinner looking put together.

With a suitcase full of new summer looks, we hoped in our vintage Mercedes convertible and hit the road to visit some of our old favorites haunts I’ve been longing for since the first day of spring…

Above- sitting outside Jack’s Coffee in the perfect NYDJ white summer pant, Georgette Sleeveless Henley top, Black Patent Leather Ballerina Ferragamo, and MAIYET gold cuff

Love Jack’s Coffee. It’s such a fun watering hole in both the city and out here in the country. You always run into people you know in that most charming of small towns kind of way and from time to time you stand in line behind famous people like Giada de Laurentiis or Julianne Moore (happend).

Below- Checking into the Surf Lodge with my Ralph Lauren Ricky Drawstring Bag, NYDJ white Millie pull-on ankle pant, Georgette Sleeveless Henley top, Black Patent Leather Ballerina Ferragamo, and MAIYET gold cuff

One of the things I’ve always wanted to do was to visit Jackson Pollock’s artist studio in Springs, NY, just up the road from Amagansett. It was an incredible experience to walk into this barn studio that sits quietly on a meadow that drew Jackson here, influencd his work, as well as the work of Lee Krasner, his wife and fellow artist. I couldn’t believe we were able to walk on the floors where splatters of paint that made some of the most important American modern art works were made. Continue reading “The East End” →

L.A. Lady

May 11, 2015May 13, 2015Posted in LifestyleTagged california, L.A., la, lifestyle, los angeles, losangeles, NYDJ, personal style, personalstyle, santa monica, santamonica19 Comments

I was recently introduced to one of the most successful jean brands in the country, NYDJ. The relationship started when they sent me a pair of jeans to try out, which have now become my go-to photoshoot pants not only for their comfort but the fact they stretch slightly, making moving more functional and my job easier. I also like the fact they are slightly high-waisted and when she complimented me on the fit I knew there was something here.

Furthering the relationship, NYDJ sent me on a west coast adventure around Southern California with a suitcase full of their new summer looks to try on and wear out. For a week I lived in NYDJ and here is what I have to say – not only do the clothes travel well, they are easy to dress up or dress down making the unexpected travel plans manageable while still appearing completely put together on the outside and incredibly comfortable on the inside. What you don’t see is how they manage to do that. On the inside of the dresses they have a built in second layer that is similar to shape-wear, but not uncomfortable or constricting. It makes a flattering support system that keeps everything smooth and pretty while still allowing you to move, eat, sit and play with ease. It actually gave me more confidence while wearing dresses that showed off my natural figure.

I’ll be honest, this was a brutal winter in New York causing me at one point to actually take a cab four blocks home because I was too cold to carry on. This, in contrast to the endless snapchats of L.A. friends wearing tank tops and having backyard pizza parties in mid-February, was just cruel. I was happy to get out of New York which still seems to be slowly awakening into spring. I wanted to be surrounded by a color other than gray and something to do other than work 28 hours a day. Funny enough, I’m not the only one that feels this way. While in L.A. I woke up to a handful of texts, emails, tweets, snaps saying “did you read this!?”, with a link to a New York Times article on just the sentiment I was living. It also didn’t help the case for New York that we were able to borrow a Jaguar F-Type convertible and spent the entire week with the top down, wind in our hair, and that sweet smell of honeysuckle wafting by.

Here are some of my favorite NYDJ summer looks and the great discoveries to be had along that gorgeous California coast….

Above and below- watching the sunset in a Jaguar F-Type convertible in the canyons in NYDJ’s Rosella Stretch Crepe Drape Dress, Phillips House earrings, and Phillips House “Love Always” bracelet before heading to dinner at Giorgio Baldi

We chose to stay in Santa Monica, just a few blocks from the ocean, at the Palihouse which we loved. Below, leaving in NYDJ’s Maia Jumpsuit (FAVORITE), Maiyet gold bangle, Schutz Juliana heels and Kotur clutch to meet friends at Jones Hollywood for a cocktail and then live show of our NYC friend that happened to be out in L.A. Matt Sucich.

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Worth its Weight in Gold

September 5, 2014September 7, 2014Posted in LifestyleTagged gold, gold jewelry, jamie beck, jamiebeck, jewelry, john hardy, johnhardy, lifestyle, maiyet, monica rich kosann, mrk, personal, personal style, style6 Comments

I like for the jewelry I wear to mean something, to have a story when people ask me about it. Yesterday was the start of New York Fashion Week which means lots of photographs, lots of beautiful clothing and lots of chatting with fashion friends I’ve missed over the summer. A woman on the street complimented me on my gold jewelry which meant so much because each piece has a memory sewn into its life with me. The most important being Kevin’s wedding band {above} which was my Grandfather’s and we all know how amazing he was. They could not afford to buy wedding rings when they were married today, September 5th, 1950, so for their one year anniversary my grandmother had saved for months to buy this simple gold band.

When I’m shooting or traveling to more rural parts of the world I also prefer to wear a more simplistic set of jewelry than the beautiful vintage ring that usually lives on my finger (and I still get caught starring in awe at it). Instead I wear another simpler ring that is very special to me. Yesterday we learned about John Hardy’s Greener Every Day initiative with their bamboo collection: when you wear bamboo, you plant bamboo. My bamboo ring is inscribed on the inside “This Planted 7 Bamboos” and reminds me not only to take care of the earth around us but also recalls a life changing journey to Bali with John Hardy and Cuyana.

Around my neck is a long gold chain with two charms dangling off it: the moon & stars with the earth. The Moon & Stars was a gift from a woman photographer & creator of very exclusive heirloom pieces I greatly admire after I photographed her daughters at our studio. The earth was an anniversary gift from my husband to remind me of all the places we’ve been and all the dreams I have to look forward to.

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The Little Black Dress

August 21, 2014August 22, 2014Posted in LifestyleTagged black dress, fashion, LBD, little black dress, personal style23 Comments

My assistant always teases me because most days when she comes into the studio, I’m wearing all black. Maybe it’s the Manhattanite in me, or maybe it’s because as a photographer I want to minimize my presence and draw all the attention onto my subject. Either way, it’s so classic you can never go wrong. So now that we’ve established the color, and you know my rules on personal style, let’s talk about shapes….here are 5 Little Black Dresses I’m currently loving:

The Tent.

This dress came into my life in Provence, at the MOST amazing vintage clothing store I’ve ever been to. I was there with the guys from Creatures of the Wind and they pulled out this dress for me and we all cooed over the billowing oversized pear shape. I think there is something sexy about a fabric that moves around your body like an interpretive dance, revealing curves with the simple gust of wind. Best part about this dress with pockets – it only cost me 10 Euros.

Business Time.

This black TSE cashmere turtleneck dress is one that I can dress up or dress down and feel totally wrapped in luxurious comfort while looking professional. I love this straight cut shape, loose on the waist, so I’m not walking into meetings a total curvy babe alert. When the temperature gets colder I’m looking at transitioning into this style.

The Curves.

I was so excited when I read Roland Mouret was doing a collaboration with Banana Republic this summer – I think he designs for women with curves in such a sexy, real way. The first time I zipped this baby up, it was an instant transformation from working girl to hot date. Still polished and simple in a way I like, but letting the hourglass do the talking. The fabrics Roland chose for this collection are also, btw, crazy comfortable. It’s a magical 2 sec transformation.

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March 17, 2014August 19, 2014Posted in Fashion EditorialTagged classic, classics, fashion, fashion editorial, jamie beck, jamiebeck, personal style, style, wardrobe32 Comments

Over the past year, I’ve been going through a minimalistic phase, simplifying as much of my life as possible, including my beauty routine and wardrobe. Less is more right? When reading Steve Job’s biography, I really loved the idea of a uniform. As much as I love fashion, I love photography more and I want all of my time and energy to go into that, not picking out my outfit. So this transformation of simplification has begun and it feels really, really good.

This what I have found is important to me in this new phase of my personal style:

1. Buy less and save for quality. That item, whatever it may be, lasts longer, feels amazing, fits perfectly, makes you feel confident wearing it and is made of high quality fabrics. Even if you can’t afford these pieces new, there are sites such as LXR & Co. that sell luxury items on consignment at a fraction of the cost. I got my travel Hermes backpack that I LOOOOOVE here and a new Chanel watch for my birthday (above)!

2. Classic never goes out of style. I mean, obvi.

3. Shop conscientiously. I *love* companies like Obakki, whose philanthropic counterpart is a registered charity that focuses on providing clean water and education in Africa. I also love FEED – with every purchase, you feed a certain number of school kids in Africa. Then there is MAIYET, a pioneering luxury brand that “incorporates rare artisan skills from unexpected places throughout the world, with the goal to promote sustainable employment in places that need it most.” I love my basic MAIYET white shirt dress and gold cuff. These things not only look good but make you feel good about wearing them and telling people about the brand because you believe in what they are doing with your money.

4. K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Stupid. I was very inspired by Cuyana’s lean closet initiative that “challenges us to collect fewer, better things, and to donate the pieces in our wardrobes that are merely taking up space to those who need them”. Simplifying your closet and ultimately your life feels so good, and it gives you more time to focus on things that really matter.

5. Stay fresh faced. I used to wear a lot of makeup. Even though I’ve been living in New York for 11 years now, it took a while to shake my Texas roots and ideals of beauty. I realized last year in Paris I have been spending all this time “putting on my face” when really, it’s not the makeup that makes someone pretty. I have reduced my beauty routine to Restorsea face cream, sometimes mascara, bronzer, and lipstick. That’s it. 2 mins. Boom.

Recently, we were shooting a beauty story for Joanna Goddard’s blog, Cup of Jo. It was such an amazing group of women who came together, talking, taking photographs, and sharing beauty tips. Courtney, who was just as beautiful barefaced as with makeup on, told me about a documentary called Miss Representation about the way women are viewed in the media and how that makes us view ourselves. At one point in the documentary the point is made that every time you look in the mirror, you should imagine there is a little girl standing there hearing what you are saying to yourself. Horrid right?! I told Kevin there has not been a day in my life that I have not looked at myself in the mirror getting dressed and thought “if I could just lose 10 lbs…”

And now I have to ask myself why? For what? For who? What am I judging my body against that I would say that to myself? So these may be the articles of clothing I wrap around my body to move in and out of the day, but now when I get dressed I don’t tell myself I need to lose weight, I think about the things I like, that I feel fortunate to have. It’s not only a physical makeover but a mental one. So here are my new classics and it feels really, really good on the inside and out.

Above cover photo, the basic black turtleneck. I can thrown it on with jeans and get to work and then change into a pencil skirt and go out to dinner, so versatile that I live in these!

Tibi Agathe Jumpsuit: it looks like a dress but it’s pants! Plus it has super clean lines and amazing pockets. And as we know, Tibi also travels very well: Brazil & Paris

Continue reading “Personal Style” →