style at home: emily

March 13, 2017 by Allison Koehler

Emily and I have known each other for years, and as you'll see below, she leads a pretty colorful life. She's always game to try new things (food, places, experiences), and considers her friends more like family.

Emily is the Director of Communications for Benchmarc Restaurants; she oversees both the group's and Celebrity Chef Marc Murphy's public events, appearances, social media & partnerships. In a word: she's a boss. In getting to know Emily, I was always impressed by the way she sets goals for herself and swiftly accomplishes them. Before she worked for Benchmarc, she spent the better part of a year looking for the job, never losing patience or settling for something not quite right. This is the way she lives her life and a lesson I cherish learning from her; when it comes to big decisions, playing the long game is almost always worth it.

Emily and I spent a chilly afternoon a few weeks ago hanging in her apartment and going through her closet. I just know you're going to love her (and her apartment)! Emily's words are below:

How would you describe your style?

I don’t even think I have style! But if I had to try to describe it, I’d say it’s a combination between classic “New York” with lots of black and pops of colors and patterns mixed in that reflect my personality. I try to be comfortable no matter what and love a good lip-gloss.

Jacket: Forever 21, Top: Old Navy, Jeans: Topshop

Who is your style icon?

I have style crushes on Lauren Conrad and Olivia Palermo. Yes, I realize they both might have started on a reality show back in the day but they’ve grown their brands into amazing successes’. Lauren’s style is beach chic, effortless and feminine with lots of blush, white and gold undertones. Olivia wears floral, faux fur, fun prints and leather. I feel like my “style” is a mix between the two of them especially because I live in the city but grew up on the East End of Long Island and go back and forth so I have that constant struggle of city verse beach wardrobe.

Favorite brand or retailer?

I mix it up a lot and I think it changes with my mood and budget! Zara has classic basics like t-shirts, dresses and blazers. Old Navy has revamped recently and I really like their bright bold jackets and they actually have great shoes. Then I love to splurge on Parker and cashmere sweaters and scarfs at Club Monaco. I will never stray from shopping online at Nordstrom and ASOS, plus you can’t beat their return policies.

What is your general approach to fashion?

Confidence. If I like it, feel good in it, then I wear it. I don’t really follow trends and just try to dress in a way that I feel happy and that is practical for my life. Some days that’s a dress or black jeans, a fitted jacket or blazer and booties. Other days it’s more casual with ripped jeans, an oversized top or sweater and my “sneals” sneaker heels or flat boots. In the summer, I’m always in an easy breezy work dress or a romper and a great pair of gladiator sandals.

If you had to wear one piece of clothing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

My high-waist jeans from TopShop. Specifically the Jamie, they are the most comfortable jeans you will ever ever wear and they literally look good on every single body type. Trust me. They also don’t ever stretch. I love them and feel great in them.

What is your earliest fashion memory?

Overalls. I was born in Vermont and lived there until I was 8 and I had these overalls as a kid that I loved a lot. I’m happy to see they are making a come back.

Any tips or tricks with regards to style, beauty, or shopping that you want to share?

I really believe a manicure is an easy way to express yourself; it adds that “Je ne sais quoi” to your outfit and can make a huge impression without actually saying anything. Also don’t ever underestimate the power of a good cocktail ring, statement necklace and perfume.

Thank you so much, Emily! I love you :)

style at home: eva

October 05, 2016 by Allison Koehler

Thanks for stopping by today! If you're just getting acquainted with the Style at Home series, you can find September and October's entries here and here. Enjoy!

Believe it or not, I met Eva the day of our session. Meeting her was like the first sip of hot coffee before the sun comes up: warm, comforting, familiar. Eva's husband, Colin, and I have been friends for 10 years now (whattttt), having sung together in an a capella group during college. Said a capella group was so close that I tend to think more of its members as family than anything else. So, you can imagine my ease going into this. Old friend Colin, new friend Eva...win, win.

Needless to say, Eva and I got along wonderfully, and ended up having a blast for the 2 hours we spent together one Saturday morning. Eva works in film production (that's how she and Colin met), and most of our conversation revolved around all things creative - except for a significant tangent about the meat industry and vegetarianism. So much of Eva and Colin's home reflects their ideals - almost nothing was new, almost everything was found or handed down. As you can imagine, I left Eva's feeling pretty smitten with these pictures, and even more so with her. Please read on in Eva's words below, and enjoy!

Stylist's note: doesn't it look like Colin is shooting rainbow love lasers at Eva here?!

How would you describe your style?

I'm attracted to earth tones, natural fabrics and textures like lace and macrame. I love soft, flowy clothing, scarves, dangly earrings and sequins. I love a little bit of sparkle!

silk shorts, gift from Mom. tank, J. Crew. cardigan, Eva's MIL's sweater from London in 1973!

What is your general approach to fashion?

Foremost, it's got to be comfortable and practical, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice aesthetic! I look more for timeless, elegant classics over fashionable trends. I'll take a button-down and skinny jeans any day.

Who is your style icon?

I've always found the cinched waistline and full, billowy skirts of the 1950's to be romantic. But I'm also drawn to the freedom of loose, flowing boho-chic style of the late 60's and early 70's.

What is your earliest fashion memory?

Going to a five & dime store with my mom and finding a silvery-blue sequined leotard. That was the inception of my new favorite color—sparkle! I also went through a brief beatnik phase of wearing all black and a cocktail hat with a netted veil to kindergarten.

white skirt, vintage. silk top, vintage from Mom. gold slingbacks, Castell.

Favorite brand or retailer?

The spectrum goes from thrift shops in Bushwick to a boutique in my hometown called Veronica Rayne. Currently, I've been on a Cuyana kick with their silk shirts. Their philosophy is “fewer, better things” and that's a theory I can totally get behind. Quality over quantity.

If you had to wear one piece of clothing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Jeans! They're comfortable and so versatile. I can dress 'em up with heels and a blouse, or keep it casual with a comfy teeshirt and sneakers.

Any tips or tricks with regards to style, beauty, or shopping that you want to share?

At the risk of using platitudes, I'd say do whatever empowers you. Whether that's going make-up free or getting dressed to the nines. I have naturally wavy hair that I straightened for years. I'm so happy I finally embraced my inner Hermione Granger and wear it au naturel. Bed hair, don't care!

THANK YOU Eva and Colin for inviting me into your home, feeding me vegan donuts, and indulging every single one of my irreverent jokes. I love you both!

xoxo

aok

style at home : mckinzy of powercity films

September 01, 2016 by Allison Koehler

Thanks for dropping by today! If you're just tuning in, last month I started a new series I'm calling Style at Home, where I style and interview creative women in their homes. Here is last month's post on my beautiful friend Steph. This is such a rewarding project and I'm so excited to bring you installment number two!

Mckinzy and I haven't known each other long - we only met in February! But it doesn't take long to love her fresh sense of humor and savvy business ethic. They say making friends as an adult is hard, (it's kind of like dating!) and I would tend to agree if it wasn't for Mckinzy's easy going, down-for-anything nature.

Originally from Seattle, Mckinzy and her husband decided to leap and make the move cross country to New York in 2016. Mckinzy is a freelance executive producer, and together she and her husband own and operate the filmmaking company Powercity Films. Their work is breathtaking, and their latest film, Muir Song, has been accepted to multiple film festivals throughout the country. Pretty inspiring, no?

Just like her personality, Mckinzy's style is colorful, warm, and fun. I had a blast going through her closet for this project, and learned a lot from our little chat about style.

Here she is in her own words on style:

How would you describe your style?

This is really tough for me because I think my style is always changing. I do like to follow trends and try new styles but overall I would say Effortless, Casual, and Feminine always balanced with an edge. I LOVE one-piece dressing and I love leather... romper, coverall, or dress, topped with leather jacket and booties, messy hair and lipstick is my go to look.

Who is your style icon?

These change definitely based on the mood I am in but I have always been inspired by the 60's/70's, mostly because of all of the films during that time. Audrey Hepburn from the late 50's early 60's (think Roman Holiday/Funny Face), Diane Keaton (because she masters menswear, especially in Annie Hall), Stevie Nicks, Brigitte Bardot (I have cut my hair multiple times to try to look like BB), Rihanna.

Dress, Madewell. Necklace is from Kenya, a gift from her husband!

What is your general approach to fashion?

It has to be easy and feel good. That's why I love one-piece dressing so much, a great dress with a few accessories and a great pair of shoes always looks put together. Lately I have really been into dressing for my body which took me until I was a little older to realize unfortunately.... I would try and hide or cover certain parts of my body but when I finally started dressing for my body type and accepting it for what it is I felt so much more confident in everything I wore.

What is your earliest fashion memory?

Probably going through my grandma's jewelry box with her when I was little. She would let me try on all of her rings and she would tell me stories about when my grandpa gave her certain pieces. Also, my mom would let me play dress up in her old dresses. I remember this 80's blue satin dress in particular that I loved. I felt so beautiful in it and would twirl for hours. I have always been very girly.

Suede Jacket, BlankNYC. Sunglasses, Karen Walker.

Favorite brand or retailer?

I love Madewell because they are "easy." Great basics and cute dresses at super reasonable prices. Rag & Bone, Acne Studios, and Rebecca Taylor are currently my favorite labels and I specifically like them worn together. A flirty RB Dress with the classic Acne Mock Leather Jacket and a pair of Rag & Bone booties would be my ideal everyday outfit.

If you had to wear one piece of clothing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I purchased this navy, suede, fringe jacket from Sandro while visiting Paris and I am completely obsessed with it. I will never part from it and I wish it was acceptable to wear it every day.

Jacket, Sandro (THE JACKET!). Top, Equipment. Jeans, Madewell. Shoes, DV Dolce Vita.

Broach, vintage. (It belonged to her great-Grandmother!)

Mckinzy's beautiful engagement ring and her Grandfather's old watch.

Any tips or tricks with regards to style, beauty, or shopping that you want to share?

Something that I learned early on during my time working for Nordstrom was to go the extra step and take care of the investment shoes (and other items) you purchase. Every pair of designer or investment shoes I buy I always take to the cobbler and have vibram zip soles added. This is a weather proof, extremely durable sole that will protect your shoes and make them last so much longer. It doesn't make any sense to buy a pair of designer booties and wear the leather sole in the rain and have them get waterlogged and start falling apart. This is so important to me and I highly recommend!

Thank you SO MUCH, Mckinzy!

Also, I cannot publish this post without mentioning that Mckinzy and her husband Janssen were the cinematographers at our wedding, and the team behind our amazing wedding film. Their work completely blew us away and we cannot thank them enough. You can see our wedding film here, and you can check out their company Native Wedding Films here.

xoxo,

aok

style at home : stephanie

August 02, 2016 by Allison Koehler

A couple of weeks ago, I stopped by Steph and her fiancé Shane's apartment, went through her closet, styled her, and photographed her around her place in some of her coolest pieces. A little background...

After having an afternoon with my friend Marcie a few months back, I realized that styling and photographing talented, creative women in their home was exactly the kind of project I needed to get back into blogging. As I mentally ran through the (long) list of incredible women I know, I immediately thought of Steph.

I have known Steph since before I was born. You could argue that we were always supposed to be friends. My Mom and Steph's Aunt Marsha met in 1970 when they were working as lab techs at the New Jersey College of Medicine. Along with my other "Aunt" Nora (Nubby for short), they have been best friends for nearly 50 years.

Naturally, when Steph and I were born less than a year apart, our parents always guessed we would become friends.

As adults, what Steph and I have realized is that our relationship is more like a sister or a cousin than anything else. We have a mutual fondness for one another other and can go months or even years without speaking and snap back together like no time has passed. Growing up, we saw each other every summer at Tanglewood, where our Moms (and Aunt Marsha and Aunt Nubby and Steph's Grandma Erna) would coordinate this incredible picnic dinner and Steph and I would catch up on our lives while our parents listened to the music. For a while there, we were so different, and yet, incredibly, we were close despite my being OBSESSED with NSync and Steph loving The Foo Fighters.

Steph is one of the smartest people I know. I say this not hyperbolically, because I weirdly keep a mental list of all the really smart people in my life, and she has been on that list as long as I've known her. She has worked in film and tv doing archival research (among other things), is an amazing writer, and has read every book (I AM SERIOUS). She currently works as the Outreach Director for a documentary film impact and engagement campaign.

Aside from her many accolades, she has such an incredibly unique and distinct sense of style; I knew I would want to kick off this project with her. Below are some pictures of my beautiful friend, with her own words on style:

General approach to fashion:

I can’t wear something if it isn’t comfortable. It limits what I wear—for instance, I don’t wear heels—but I’ve been able to find comfortable clothes that are true to my taste. So in that case, why wear anything uncomfortable? I won’t look good if I don’t feel good. Also, I like black and navy blue, very petite jewelry, and basically anything Michelle Williams wears.

Steph in a dress from Pinkyotto, with a whale pillow.

Earliest fashion memory:

I’m not sure I have one earliest memory. I remember stick-on earrings, multi-colored plastic bracelets, and barrettes shaped like hearts and seashells. Picking out manatee and turtle t-shirts, wearing jelly sandals at the beach, and cutting the feet off of Ghostbusters footie pajamas. (A few years later, I remember a bright blue vinyl jacket, oversized Nirvana t-shirts, JNCOs, and Converse.)

Zoe the cat in the kitchen. (Check out Steph and Shane's mug collection!)

If you could wear one thing for the rest of your life:

My mom’s Bruce Springsteen Born in the USA tour shirt. She saw him twice on that tour while eight months pregnant with me, so I’ve basically been a Bruce superfan since before I was born. I borrowed the shirt from her in high school and never gave it back. It’s comfortable and familiar, a link to my childhood and my home.

Favorite brand or retailer:

Most of my dresses are from Pinkyotto, a boutique with a few locations around the city. I started shopping there when the owner sold clothes at a local designers’ market around 2004, then followed her to a shop on E 9th St in the Village, and not long after I moved to Williamsburg, she opened up two stores a few blocks away.