Fall 2011: How to Wear Leopard

I love me some leopard. Makes sense: I'm a Leo and a drag queen.  Leopard bags, hats, coats, dresses, shoes---I've got 'em all and wear them year-round. But leopard feels especially right in the winter so I recently invested in some colder weather kitties.

First, this Old Navy zip up sweater.
  

Have wanted a leopard sweater for a long time but getting the right print (not gaudy) for the right price (not hundreds of dollars) can be challenging. This $30 one will do until I want to splurge on Dolce.

Second, this leopard scarf from H&M.

Am wearing it all the time lately. Reminds me of THAT delish Louis Vuitton leopard print a few years back. Love how it works with the stripes.

Third, I dug out these OOC tights that I bought exactly a decade ago and never wore. Got them for the first bachelorette party I ever threw (an EPIC night with a "Girls Gone Wild" theme).




Wore them under leggings, to feel fabulous, while we were in Indiana but I plan to bust them out with a LBD and booties soon...just you wait




And finally, here's a peek at what I'm wearing tonight to celebrate Thanksgiving with my mom and Mr. Diabolina. Rawr!



Hope you have a relaxing, piggie, fabulous holiday weekend!
xo

The Inspiration

Where to Eat in New York: Eataly

The Scene

My goal whenever I'm in NYC is to have experiences I can't have in LA. That means Topshop for shopping, the Met for nerding, Central Park for strolling, and any number of only-in-New York-restaurants for noshing.

Top of my list for this trip for pigging: Eataly, Mario Batalli's shrine to all things Italian. Eataly is this massive food emporium that takes up an entire city block. In addition to selling a variety of products that are only available in Europe, it has eating stations and restaurants peppered throughout the space. It reminds me of one of my favorite places on earth: the marketplace at the Gallaries Lafayette in Paris. I don't know why Americans can't grasp the concept of gourmet food courts.

It's been a good 10 years since my mom and I were in Europe together so Eataly was a dream for her. Her eyes and mouth looked like this most of the night. Pretty adorbs ;)

My mom loves food and is an excellent cook in large part because of her Italian grandmother. She practically skipped through the aisles at Eataly, peering at all the products and regailing me with stories of her childhood. Love that she loved it so much.  

The Food

We snagged the first table we could find at one of the little food stations and had a light but delicious meal. 

 

Broccoli pesto bruschetta with ricotta cheese and pine nuts---insanely good.

Gnocchi in a TDF mushroom sauce. First time I had gnocchi that was cheese based not potato based. Lighter and TASTY.

And no dinner with this little sugar fiend would be complete without dessert...a few of them...with hot chocolate.

A+ of a only-in-NYC culinary experience. But rumor has it Eataly is heading west to West Hollywood!

The Outfit

Forever 21 jeans

St. John blazer

Old Navy sweater

The Accessories

Louis Vuitton bag

Valentino scarf

Tory Burch flats

Forever 21 earrings

Michele watch

Me&Ro neckalce

The Grade 

A

The Commentary

Got THE best weather in NYC. Warm but not humid. Felt like LA.

This outfit was just the thing not only for the weather but for the first day of transitioning from work into fun in they city: felt professional but still on trend. Built it around the red pants. Am OBSESSED with them and frankly all things red lately.  The nautical sweater I nabbed at Old Navy last month because I was surprised at how luxe it looked for $30. The gold button blazer, polka dot scarf on the LV bag and Reva flats created a pretty preppy look.

Felt straight out of the 80s and Connecticut.  Only in NYC does that feel like a good look for me.

The Inspiration

Inspired by that Celine Blue Clutch

The Outfit

Forever 21 dress

Old Navy sweater

The Accessories

Forever 21 cuff

Banana Republic necklace

Marc Jacobs clutch and heels

The Grade

A

The Commentary

Built the outfit around the blue clutch. Reminds me of the Celine clutch that Taylor Tomasi Hill has been clutching at every fashion week. Love how it pulls together all these accessories.

Can't believe this outfit became a go-to more than two years ago when I threw it together for a styling appointment. Today it still feels on trend. Must be the pleated full skirt of the dress that hits mid-calf and the wide stripes of the sweater.

Super lady-like yet playful. Only way to get me through hump day.

The Inspiration