NYFW Fave: Rachel Comey

 Photos: NY Times

Aesthetically simple lines; minimal yet print heavy, and oh yes the shoes, shoes, shoes. Get in my closet!

I'll spare you all any recap of the shows from NYFW, which you all have access to anyways and are already posted every which way, in favor of highlighting one of my favourite designers from New York Fashion Week. Ms. Comey's designs are infinitely more thrilling to me because they are, gasp, wearable and not so astronomically priced as to be unaffordable to the masses.

Side note, yes, the printed pant is making quite a splash at the recent shows and is prominently featured in this line. I confess, I bought a pair at H&M to foray into the trend on the cheap, still a bit phobic about committing to print on my legs full time.

Rachel Comey also sounds like a woman after my own heart, drawing early fashion inspiration from the likes of Benetton and Esprit (be honest you know you rocked it too) as well as a keeper and maker of to-do lists. Unassuming, Northeast bread, and keeping it real in this interview with the NY Times.

"What's the first designer item you ever bought?
Is Esprit considered "designer?" I'm originally from Hartford, Connecticut, and I got really into clothes around the time Esprit and Benetton were huge."

"What's something you never leave the house without?
A pencil, for writing down sketches, ideas, and notes — I feel lost without it. I'm really big into to-do lists."

"Where do you like to shop in New York?
I love flea markets, particularly the ones on 25th Street and in Fort Greene. Except now there's too much food at them — it makes them so crowded! Nobody's boyfriend or husband ever wanted to go to the flea market before, but now there are lobster rolls and sliders. I love the foodie trend, but I preferred it when flea markets were a little quieter and more specific."

Stop by my Tumblr for more of the looks from the show.

Portrait of a Miu Miu

Sometimes I am so moved by the beauty of a pair of well crafted shoes that I am compelled to take photos of them. My own, ever expanding album of shoe porn.

So is the case with these nude Miu Miu platforms I acquired a little bit ago. I was so taken with them  I almost paid full price (gasp!) when they initially came out. Never fear, the bargain hunter and what little sensibility I have won out, and I passed on them for the camera I now use to take pretty photos of shoes. Imagine my surprise when they turned up on sale at Saks at a significant mark down. I think you know how this story turns out, carpe diem I did.

These shoes are a patent leather dangerous liaison in the afternoon. Wearing a shoe like this just makes you feel like a million dollars, no other justification or reasoning required. The platform gives you that extra height, plus comfort, and the nude color elongates your legs for miles.  Shoes, my instant shot of confidence, therapy, and art all rolled into one. Silly, oh quite so, but beauty can be found in everything if we just take the time to look.

Chocolate Tart My Sweet?

Valentine's day, you either love it or hate it.

I have been on poor terms with it lately.  Barely speaking, really. Dinners out usually mean prix fixe menus, rushed seating, and lackluster food, even at the best of establishments. Gifts can be cliche and usually don't come my way since my birthday is a few days before the holiday (kind of like those poor people who have a birthday that falls close to Christmas). Box of chocolates you say? Hmmph, over done. Then again, I never turn up my nose at some truffle mice from Burdick's....

My husband and I have battled the Valentine's day blues by establishing some traditions of our own around the holiday. For us, it is a night in with champagne, some kind of entree involving lobster (lobster mac and cheese, lobster pot pies, seafood gratin, and surf and turf to name a few of the dishes we have tried over the years) and a chocolaty dessert of some iteration.

This year's menu is still a bit up in the air (suggestions welcome along the lobster theme), but I test drove a chocolate tart for the dessert, and folks, we have a winner on our hands. The full recipe after the jump.

This tart recipe is shockingly easy and I confess I didn't even bother with the glaze, instead opting for some berries sprinkled on before serving with some amaretto laced whipped cream. No one seemed to miss anything!

Chocolate Glazed Chocolate Tart (via Epicurious)

Ingredients:

For crust:

• 9 (5- by 2 1/4-inch) chocolate graham crackers (not chocolate-covered), finely ground (1 cup)
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup sugar

For filling:

• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate (not more than 65% cacao if marked), chopped
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For glaze:

• 2 tablespoon heavy cream
• 1 3/4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon light corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon warm water

Prepare:

Make crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.

Stir together all ingredients and press evenly onto bottom and 3/4 inch up side of tart pan. Bake until firm, about 10 minutes. Cool on a rack 15 to 20 minutes 

Make filling:
Bring cream to a boil, then pour over chocolate in a bowl and let stand 5 minutes. Gently stir until smooth. Whisk together eggs, vanilla, and salt in another bowl, then stir into melted chocolate.

Pour filling into cooled crust. Bake until filling is set about 3 inches from edge but center is still wobbly, 20 to 25 minutes. (Center will continue to set as tart cools.) Cool completely in pan on rack, about 1 hour. 

Make glaze:
Bring cream to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in chocolate until smooth. Stir in corn syrup, then warm water

Pour glaze onto tart, then tilt and rotate tart so glaze coats top evenly. Let stand until glaze is set, about 1 hour.

Stella Tennant for Zara

Images: Zara

Loving the toned down, minimalist vibe, radiating from these photos. 

And where on earth do I find those paisley pants?

Fun fashion fact for the day; Stella's grandparents are the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. As if the classic features and epic career as a jet setting model were enough.

You had me at Stella.

Let Your Hair Down!

Featured above: Celine sunglasses, Improvd jacket, J Crew top, Brian Reyes leggings, Frye boots

As promised, I am wearing my hair down in a post! Shocking! I even straightened it for the special occasion. Now that you have seen my locks in all their glory, what should I do with them?

I have a hair appointment this weekend and I need to spice things up. Maybe some highlights? Maybe go darker? Definitely trim up the bangs and neaten the fringe. Let me know any burning thoughts on the matter!

So, other than the release of my hair from the confines of its disheveled bun, this post also marks the debut of my Celine sunglasses and the spoils of my trip to the Louis sale. After a frenzied search through Barney's across the land, the Celine wayfarers made a comfy home in my purse. They are heaven. And polarized. How did I exist without polarized sunglasses before this? I will never stray again.

I am also passionately in love with this Improvd jacket, snatched from obscurity on the 60% off rack at Louis. I also scored these divine Brian Reyes, high wasted leggings (I am purchasing pretty much anything high wasted right now FYI), with a funky piping all over the leg and zipper detail in the back. They go with everything. I haven't taken them off since.  No really, it may be a problem. I thought the high wasted pants would be one of those things that my husband just didn't understand but he likes them too! He is turning out to be such a quick study.