American Hustle

Lydia Hudgens Photography

Sweater, Matthew Williamson, no longer available // Red Fox Vest, Purdey UK // White Flare Jeans, Rachel Zoe // Purse, Celine Calfskin Phantom, Limited Edition, similar // Shades, Chloe, no longer available, similar // Gold Initial Necklace, no longer available, similar from Bloomingdales // Lips, Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in "New Lover"

Is there anything more classic, more all American than camel and white on a woman? Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren come back to this timeless pairing time and time again, and I have yet to see a year where a fresh reinvention of the combination isn't featured in their spring/summer campaigns. Now I must admit that camel colors are simply radiant on blondes, and despite the fact that Ali McGraw's 1970s Love Story ensembles did create the sleekest preppy vision of all time with this very pairing, a head of fresh highlights or summer sun-kissed gold locks just seem to magically glow off of beige, cognac, and cinnamon shades. One rule of thumb when it comes to this all star combo? Always wear it with gold! Gold jewelry and accessories pop off of the crisp clean color pairing, and add warmth and depth to finish off this killer look. And do LOOK OUT, because a women wearing camel and white possesses true confidence... I mean bright white flares in Tribeca? That takes some serious city cool and cojones... fun, fearless, and fabulous;  fashion at its best.

Shop my favorite spring camel and white pieces bellow and thanks for reading!

Deep Purple

Lydia Hudgens Photography

Dress, MM LAFLEUR c/o // Blazer, no longer available, similar & similar // Belt, Kenneth Cole, love this one & this // Rabbit Fur Booties, Schutz // Clutch, vintage Salvatore Ferragamo // Shades, Chillibeans // Necklace, vintage Baccarat, similar // Rings, Kate Spade, similar, Tiffany & Co., David Yurman // Lips, Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie in "Lead the Way" // Nails, Essie Polish in "Berry Naughty"

Happy Easter fashion bunnies! I couldn't resist sharing this lusciously purple outfit with you this weekend as all the many details in this look evoke every happy and delicious part of this spring holiday. The many shades and textures of purple here, from the stunning aubergine MM LAFLEUR dress, to my Berry Naughty Essie nail polish, to the soft lavender blazer, and my the deep chocolate raspberry lips and lids, take me right back to the sunny easter egg hunts in the bright green grasses of Palm Beach when I was growing up. When just looking at this gold belt by Kenneth Cole I can hear the crinkle of the chocolate bunny foil that I'd madly tare apart on Easter morning. The oh-so-soft Schutz rabbit fur booties are my grown up replacement for Mabbit, my childhood stuffed-animal bunny (and on occasion I can be caught sleeping with one). The burgundy Baccarat heart pendant is a treasured Easter gift from someone special who now lives only in my wonderful Easter memories. And of course, the glistening orchid silk and silver beaded Salvatore Ferragamo clutch is truly the Faberge egg of my entire closet, let alone my Easter ensemble.

So dive into those Easter baskets with abandoned girlish glee, indulge in a little extra chocolate and candy, and sit a while longer at the brunch, lunch, or dinner table this Sunday. Because we all deserve to feel an adolescent moment of Purple Haze once in a while, no matter how old we get...

Happy Holidays, Happy Weekend, and thank you all for reading!

Brights on the Bowery

Rebecca Dale Photography

Sweater, Reiss love the 1971 Marco and Elm too // Jeans, Zara, loving these // Boots, Stuart Weitzman, still loving these // Gloves, Hermes // Clutch, Topshop UK // Shades, Tom Ford // Bangles, Hermes // Earrings, Vintage Balmain // Scarf, so old I can't remember!

Despite the chilly temps, sunshine is always a welcome to sight to celebrate in NYC. As my outfit can tell you I am not quite ready to declare spring's arrival, but winter-induced cabin fever has me ready to get out and about outdoors. It is time to explore what's popping up and shinning bright in the city around me. And right now there is nothing more exciting and enticing than Maya Hayuk's now famous mural on Bowery and Houston in Nolita. Woven neon colors and a symmetrical design pattern are typical to Hayuk's style, but her work on this large a scale is simply show-stopping. It reminds me of a giant Ukrainian Easter Egg, hand painted with colorful geometrical designs to celebrate birth, rebirth, and fertility, which in turn are all token hallmarks of the spring season. When it comes to street art, this work in particular seems to engage passersby better than any piece of instillation art that I've seen in recent memory. I had a blast shooting around it, so I hope you enjoy the pics!

Please go out and see if you are in and around NYC.

CHEM TRAILS, NYC, HOUSTON AND BOWERY, 2014

On the Fashion Hunt

Lydia Hudgens Photography

Shearling Coat, Dennis Basso // Embellished Collar Blouse, Ann Taylor, similar & similar // Camo Boat-Neck Sweatshirt, TNA // My Own Grandmother's Fox Boa // Green Skinny Jeans, Zara, similar // Pony Camo Booties, Limited Edition Topshop UK // Dyed Fox Fur and Leather Purse, Ralph Lauren // Pheasant Print Scarf, Vintage Hermes // Bangles, Hermes // Leaf Cuff, John Hardy // Shades, Chillibeans // Lips, YSL Rouge Pur Couture, #19 Fuchsia Pink

What would April be without showers and... snow? Yes, waking up to a thin blanket of snow outside my window on this April morning in NYC was more than I, or any New Yorker for that matter, could bare. So it's back to winter warmers and layers of fur for me. Hoping this will be the last week of arctic temperatures here, I've layered on the fatigue-inspired fashion thinking that camo would be the only thing fitting to fight off the winter for good! If you need me I'll be on the fashion hunt... desperately seeking spring!