And Then I Want Some More...

I'm very particular about my swimwear. Getting undressed in no more than a decorative bra and underwear takes confidence and obviously it's so much easier to do when you know you look good. I'm a strong believer that swimwear cut and quality make all the difference in how good a woman looks. Vitamin A and Maya Swimwear are 2 brands that I find fit me best. However, after seeing diNeila swimwear, I'm so excited to try something new. Their designs are sexy (some of the sexiest 1 pieces I've ever seen!), unique and priced very well for the quality. Some of their high waisted suits were featured in the new Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. I plan on launching the NEW NessaLee with them this spring and can't wait to try them on myself! Below is one of my 2 piece favorites.

($114)

I Want I Want I Want

I want all 17 colors in the RGB Nail Polish Collection. Some of my favorites are Minty Green, Toast, Steel, 10 and Buff. At $14 a bottle, they're slightly pricier than OPI and Essie, but a change is good!

5 Years Ago Today

5 years ago today, my husband asked me to marry him.

I can't believe how fast these years have flown by!

A True Urban Snowman

A true urban snowman, just chilling on a NYC street corner. He's probably sad that his garbage bag scarf just can't compete with the impeccably dressed fashion weekers passing by.

Warm Weather Bound

When I pack to go to California, Florida or Vegas I find it totally stress free. There's nothing I could forget that I couldn't easily buy there. In fact, twice last year it was chilly when I got to LA. As soon as I figured out my sundresses weren't going to cut it, I went out and bought a leather jacket, jeans, closed toe heels and long sleeve tops. Unfortunately, it just isn't that easy in the Caribbean or Mexico. Right now I'm assessing clothes to decide what I want to take. I find the best way is to lay everything out, even some accessories and then pick shoes that will work for multiple outfits. Since heels just look silly when everyone else is casual, I've traded them in for flip flops, sandals and wedges. This makes taking some outfits a little challenging for me. Here's a glimpse at round one. I generally do this about 3 times with all different outfits (I know, I'm crazy). The last 5 in the 2nd photo didn't make the definite cut as of yet.

RTW Fashion Faves

I love picking up a few staple blazers or jackets each year and after seeing alice+olivia's fall 2010 collection, I know exactly where my next ones will come from . I also love the pretty purple and mauve layered dress, but I think it would be best suited on a girl 10 years my junior. I can totally picture my former self rocking it at a homecoming dance or prom.

As always, Lorick did not disappoint me! This time she went with a 1920s speakeasy theme for the show to match the style of the collection. I loved the styling with the statement necklaces (very happy to see the proof that they will still go strong!) and though the sparkly tights are beautiful, I think they may work best on the editorial side. I can't picture me wearing them, however, with fashion I never say never because I often change my mood and mind.

Fashionably McFancy

I love fashion. I really do. But, I don't love Fashion Week in NY this time of year. It's always so cold. There's dirty snow and ice on the streets making it impossible to successfully wear suede shoes. Most of all, it's hard to get cabs anywhere near the tents - forcing you to stand in the cold (see a theme here?). This year though I'm more excited than normal. Why? For McDonald's of course. Yes, you read that right. McDonald's is bringing us pop up locations with high-end style that I just can't wait to see!

Here's a description taken from the Access Agency's blog (the brains behind it).

"McFancy, an upmarket temporary McDonald’s store that launches at Fashion Weeks around the globe — London, New York, Paris, Milan, Sydney, Hong Kong. McFancy is part art installation, gathering spot and, of course, a restaurant that offers a traditional McDonald’s menu but packaged in a way that makes a playful yet stylish nod to the lifestyle of the highly desirable, influential consumers that attend Fashion Weeks. Waiters in tuxedos, silver service, private dining areas, and packaging co-created with the fashion brands that present at Fashion Week — Burberry burgers, Chanel fries on black packaging, Paul Smith Sundaes…A bit of fun among the serious business of fashion. A bite of comfort food among all the elaborate cocktail fare, Private dining rooms, a raised catwalk that winds around the perimeter of the space, and with a central bar area providing a dramatic focal point. The ceiling is constructed from stretched fabric, ribbed to provide articulation and define zones. The form of the ceiling is accentuated through the use of LED lighting."

Man Candy (for the house!)

Yesterday my husband's best friend (he is the one who first got us together 10 years ago) closed on his first home. We went over last night to help him move and I was like a kid in a candy store. His beautiful new construction home, which he did an amazing job at picking the finishes for, is a blank canvas just dying to be decorated by a woman. Since Gregg is still on the hunt for a Mrs, I was just jumping up and down and flailing my arms in a desperate attempt to get chosen for the job. Even though I wasn't officially hired, I did spend a few minutes browsing the internet for furniture sleek enough for a bachelor pad, but that can be styled in a way that would make a woman want to move right in (aren't I a good friend?). Here's some of my favorites, all by Lexington.

Beach Reads

I've always been an avid reader. I'd read just about anything in front of me. Unfortunately, the last 6 months have been so busy that I think I only read 1 book and I really do miss it. I'm using this trip to get relaxed, recharged and I plan on getting back into it with a few books that require very little thought (aka beach reads). Here are 2 that made the cut and I 'm on the hunt for 2 more.

Introducing Muubaa

One of the best parts of my job is that I get to see fashion collections long before the public does. In the last year I haven't gotten super excited about many new things in fashion, so this week was quite a treat. Muubaa is a London Based leather fashion brand that launched in September 2007. The prices are excellent for high-quality leather and the styles are a mix of urban meats fashionably functional. As soon as I received the photos, I wanted so many pieces - now! That's the problem, they won't be available until the end of July. So, I will patiently wait. Below is a handpicked selection of my faves. Some styles are offered in a 2nd color.

Stunt Biker $400

Daytona Drape Biker $350

Stitch Hooded Jacket $450

Smriti Scoop Bomber $400

Panavia Trench Coat $600

This is my absolute favorite jacket in the collection. The sleeves and bottom zip off to create a shorter jacket or a vest. 3 leather pieces for the price of 1!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

When we first got our dining room table, our friends joked with us that we will have to find 10 other people to invite over to fill it for every dinner party. This got the conversation moving to an imaginary celebrity dinner party. Since that day it's something my husband and I jokingly discuss every now and then. We have some overlappers, but couldn't agree on an exact guest list. So, we will have to have 2 of these imaginary parties. Below are both of our lists. Interestingly, his is almost all male.

Vanessa's Imaginary Dinner Party

1 George W. Bush -I recognize the oddity of this one, but have many reasons.
2 Ryan Seacrest - I consider him the hardest working person in Hollywood.
3 Simon Cowell - I completely respect his honesty, intelligence and success.
4 Kim Kardashian - Every dinner party needs a reality tv star. Then she can show me how to do my eye makeup better.
5 Britney - I actually don't think Britney would be all that interesting, but it's Britney, I can't pass that up. Then Kim and I could style her, properly.
6 Derek Jeter - Even if everyone started fighting, he'd be the perfect picture of class.
7 Barbara Walters - She will undoubtedly keep the conversation going.
8 Robin Williams - Comic relief.
9 Prince Harry - He may not be the obvious royal choice, but he's definitely the fun one.

10 Justin Timberlake - Solely to sit him next to Britney. I'm evil like that.

Jordan's Imaginary Dinner Party
1 Spencer Pratt - He was gung ho about this one...don't ask.
2 Derek Jeter - His forever man crush
3 Simon Cowell - He's equally as fascinated with Simon as I am.
4 Ellen Degeneres - I originally wanted her, but then I'd look like some weird Idol freak and I'm def not.

5 Jay Z - He said, "Who wouldn't want Jay-Z at their dinner table?"
6 Lady Gaga - Only if she wears something that doesn't take up 2 seats.
7 Bear Grylls - I hope he doesn't mind that we serve all of our food cooked.
8 Dane Cook - Every almost all guy dinner also needs some crass comedy, I suppose.
9 Larry David - And some dry, awkward humor.

10 James Cameron - Hubs is on an Avatar kick, so he is fascinated by this man's mind.

Share your lists with us!

Grammy Girls

After the huge fashion success of the women at AMAs and the Golden Globe's, last night definitely disappointed me a little. However, the men really stood out in my book. I loved the risks they took with patterns, textures and colors. I think it was fun and a little edgy. Nonetheless, here are my picks for the ladies of the night. Lea Michele from Glee has gotten it right at every event this season and her feather-skirted Romana Keveza cocktail dress, definitely added to her fashion success. Miley Cyrus unexpectedly wowed me in Herve Leger. Her makeup looked fantastic, the extra-long hair length totally worked on her and she was properly accessorized from head to toe. My favorite look of the night actually belonged to someone that I never would have guessed: Pink. I absolutely adored her gray scalloped Tony Ward gown in gray ombre. I love how Pink has this hard, slightly boyish personality, but girly glams is up with the best of them.