damsel in dior in nyc

Winter is still here but luckily the snow has been dwindling away. This time of year is beautiful because the days are getting slightly longer, there are still twinkling lights in the trees and there is only a dusting of snow on the ground. Damsel in Dior is a regular read of mine but she always posts about her style in a sunny part of the world. She recently visited NYC and totally rocked this winter look.

{Images via damsel in dior}

Theory Driya Shirt {$225, $112} // Zara Hairy Booties {similar pair here} // Black Tippi Sweater {$80} // Tan Zara Coat {similar one here} // Céline Tote {similar one here and here} // Black Leather Gloves {$96} // Helmut Lang Pull On Jeans {$195}

xo sara

can i live here?

There is something about this home that has a Kelly Wearstler flair. Maybe it's the wow factor that excites you and makes you want to keep looking at pictures of the home to see what other surprises lay ahead. Each room is like an outfit or story entirely on it's own. Creating spaces like this really takes time and patience so best thing is to make a list. Ask yourself what story you would like to tell and where you would like to begin. 

Painting out all moulding, doors and window frames are a super hot trend for 2014. I did this in my bedroom and dining room and it makes the room appear much larger than it actually is. 

That ceiling . . . 

Do I spy a hand chair by artist Pedro Friedeberg? Indeed I do! And what about those painted floors - if I was able to do this in my home, I completely would. There is much talk around the family of painting the floors at my cottage. I'm nudging towards painting a pattern on them but the majority are favouring the all over one colour. Stay tuned to see what the summer painting jobs are!

Wallpaper on the ceiling? This design trick really makes this white room be bold.

The homeowners hand picked each album, the requirements were it had to be all good tracks front to back. It had to be released when they were in high school. If I ever did this to my home then I guess I would have Blur, Coldplay, Collective Soul, Dave Matthews Band, Britney (I'm pretty obsessed), Dixie Chicks, Michael Jackson, The Fray, Gavin DeGraw, Goo Goo Dolls, Jack Johnson, John Mayer (side note ... really hope he marries Katy Perry), Jurassic 5, The Killers and Kings of Leon to name a few. 

Who would be on your ceiling? I think I need to dig out a few CD's to really remember who I listened to in high school. Do those 'Now' and 'Big Shiny Tunes' albums count?

You can buy one of these awesome hanging globe chairs here.

{Images via D Magazine}

xo sara

masculine monday :: the rise of men's fashion

Guest Post by Rob James

Rob James is a fashion student studying in the UK.  He believes that the growing trend for men taking more pride in their appearance can only be a good thing.  Rob loves winter and the opportunity to wear cashmere again.

Over the last decade, men's fashion has simply exploded. It has become an industry of its own, with all of the fittings and trappings that women's fashion has always enjoyed. It is no longer unusual for men to care about their clothes, it is no longer considered odd for men to want to look as good as the women that they live and interact with. It can only be a good thing - why shouldn't the boys get to experiment with their look?

Way back in the 1920s, men's fashion was considered to be just as important as women's fashion. It seems like we're moving back towards those times - these days, male shoppers are more interested in tailoring, grooming and putting together outfits in a very particular way. The fashion industry is in the process of becoming a much more level playing field, says Guardian expert Simon Chilvers. Here are three winter jackets that the guys seem to be going gaga for.

Sporting Casual

Once upon a time, the casual sports jacket conjured up images of football hooligans and white collar fascists. We're almost twenty years on from those times, and this trend has finally come full circle. It is currently proving very popular with guys in their mid to late twenties. If you're looking for a stylish jacket of this type, stick with the classic brands and labels. You can't go wrong with Fred Perry, Ralph Lauren or even Ben Sherman, say the experts at Edinburgh News. The casual sports jacket looks very smart when teamed with lightweight cashmere knitwear, chinos and Oxford loafers. The key is to err on the preppy side, rather than make your outfit look as masculine as possible.

Classic Jackets

The classic jacket is a three quarter length coat, usually made of wool or cashmere. For the best deal on cashmere jumpers, cardigans, scarves and jackets - visit www.londonw11.com. This kind of jacket is usually worn in fairly neutral tones, but you can buy one in almost any colour that you like. As far as classic styles go, this type of coat is extremely sophisticated. It's a great way to wrap up during the winter months, so why not invest in one of your own?

Leather Jackets

What can be said about the leather jacket that hasn't already been said a hundred times before? It's one of the most timeless garments in history - ever since Marlon Brando smouldered in his leather  jacket in The Wild One, guys and girls have been adding it to their wardrobes. If you are going to buy a leather jacket, don't skimp on the price. The very best products will last for decades, so do choose yours very carefully. A leather jacket can be successfully teamed with almost anything. You can do the Marlon Brando and wear it with stone washed denim jeans and biker boots - or you can soften it up a little with a beautiful cashmere sweater and some comfortable loafers.

{Images one, two, three}

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xo sara