Wednesday

"Glitter on the west streets, silver all over everything," - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

"What's in my Closet."
Meet Nacole.
Since I started RSP, followers have been inquiring about my personal style and have asked what they can find in my closet...here you go lovers! RichSkinnyPretty.com is about everyday style and everyday women. I'm just your regular everyday girl who just happens to love clothes!

My personal style
The dichotomy of my style is almost a contradiction. Influenced by my ocean-tasseled wavy hair roots born and raised a Southern California girl and equally inspired by the chic street style of Paris while living abroad during college has created my constant evolving style. Casual and simple pieces, tanks paired with denim or frocks and sheaths, always complemented with bold accessories describes my everyday look.
I admire how others pair unexpected pieces however I have to admit I play it safe with a clean aesthetic and always pay attention to the overall silhouette of my ensemble. I am personally drawn to basic pieces however complete my looks with accessories. I always layer bracelets and think it is definitely worth it to splurge on quality handbags and shoes.
My California casual feminine style consists of flats, flowy dresses, ruffled blouses and a-line skirts however you will also find in my closet juxtaposed with these softer pieces more structured, darker and edgier items like blazers, leather jackets, skinny jeans, black leggings and 6-inch pumps. I definitely have been influenced by the sophistication and très chic style of Paris. It really depends on my mood and the occasion. If it’s champagne brunch or a day of shopping it calls for a simple flowy dress for our warm California weather, while I will opt for a black leather jacket or blazer and skinny jeans or leggings for a night out.
My Closet
A few of my favorite accessories are by Haydn Harnett, Me&Ro, Dogeared and a ton of no-names I found in Europe. I also switch up a few of my favorite over-sized handbags and clutchs by Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Chloe and Gucci. Miu Miu, Haltson, Gucci and Michael Kors flats are great for day. And of course pumps are a definite must-have - the taller the better in my book.


I'm into quality denim with everything from Paige, J Brand, Joe's, Seven's, Hudson's, Rich & Skinny to Rock and Republics. I have one too many pairs of Insight skinny jeans - adore the fit.

I have a couple of Marc Jacobs blazers that I truly love. I recently just purchased a See by Chloe orange ruffle top - yes orange! Which is rare for me since most of my closet consists of black or white. I am not big on color however if it's right for me, what can I say, I just know!

I also have a few tops from Alice + Olivia, Rebecca Taylor, Elizabeth and James and Marc Jacobs. I have a super comfortable tank by Alexander Wang that I could live in and another similar top by Haute Hippie. I have a Phillip Lim dress for days when I am feeling extra girly. I of course have a lot of basics from American Apparel and a few fun tops and skirts from Forever21, Zara and H&M. I also love to stock up on over-sized cardigans, tights and flats from Urban Outfitters.
And don't be surprised if you find me in a thrift store, that's right, I am totally game for a $1.95 sweater from 1992. I would love to add a little Zac Posen, Balmain or Isabel Morant to my closet but as of yet that's just wishful thinking!

What I'm wearing this week...
The below look is inspired by a night out on the Avenue des Champs-Elysée but I would most definitely wear this look out to a formal business dinner or on a dressier date night.
I am wearing an Elizabeth and James dress paired with a Prada belt and Urban Outfitter tights.
DS Lab coat and Cynthia Rowley pumps.

Vintage Fendi clutch, Forever 21 bracelet and a $3 glass-blown ring purchased in Venice, Italy.

Images courtesy of Elizabeth Thurston and Brett Siegel.


xoxo

Nacole Gray

Breakfast at Tiffany's

"What I've found does the most good is just to get into a taxi and go to Tiffany's. It calms me down right away, the quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there, not with those kind men in their nice suits..."- Holly Golightly

Breakfast at Tiffany's - it must be every girl's dream. At least it was mine ever since watching the Audrey Hepburn 1961 classic, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" when I was a mere twelve years old. The idea of having a private breakfast amongst apprised jewels, sparkling baubles and flawless diamonds at the leading jeweler seemed to be simply just a fantasy.

Well, that all changed with an exclusive invite for yours truly to attend the Breakfast at Tiffany fashion blogger event! While enjoying a very French-inspired breakfast consisting of freshly squeezed  juice and croissants, I adorned myself with alluring jewels that appealed to my inner Holly Golightly. The girls of RSP are all about mixing low and high end pieces, so what a better way to dress up an understated day look than with a little extravagance and profusion? I feel privileged to share with you some of my personal favorite pieces...

While browsing the sumptuous treasures that Tiffany's has to offer, this petite Tiffany Sola necklace (white diamond pendant in platinum and 18k gold) compliments my Jackie-O equestrian-esque inspired look (pictured above) with just the right amount of sparkle."Rare is a Tiffany yellow diamond. Rare is a woman who wears one."

Looking for a little unseen flair? This Tiffany Laurelton top handle handbag in Glazed Crocodile is the perfect accessory to add that je ne sais quoi at Sunday brunch. Who doesn't love a little Tiffany Blue? If you are a jet-setter, spending weekends in the Hampton's or Sunday afternoons at the Beverly Hills hotel, this endearing little number has your name all over it.


OK, so maybe Tiffany diamonds are out of your reach - hey they are out of mine! Not to fret, get acquainted with the Charmed by Tiffany collection. Best part? With a variety of charms to choose from, you can find the one that means the most to you. My favorite is this Eiffel Tower charm in sterling silver which elicits memories of living in Paris.

Tiffany and Co. continues to be the go-to for fine jewelry. If you have the funds why not invest in quality pieces that possess class and tradition? If you are like me with a bank account that is not exactly so Tiffany and Co. friendly, a girl can always dream, can't she? And who knows one day it might just become a reality...

xoxo
Nacole Gray

A Style Interview with the Senior Managing Editor of 944 Magazine San Diego

Meet Sarah
Leave it to RSP to get the skinny on one of San Diego's most stylish and admired - Sarah Daoust of 944 San Diego. Who doesn't want to know what's in her closet or which fashion designs make her heart go pitter-patter? I remember since my early college days perusing the glossy pages of 944 and first thing first, always flipping over to the Letter from the Editor page. With a mixture of envy and admiration I would religiously read the mag every month and then finally was fortunate enough to land my first job out of college at a PR-driven event planning firm where I was actually invited to the monthly 944 issue release parties, can you imagine my excitement and gratitude? It was while attending these monthly events that I really took note of Sarah's personal style and now have the pleasure of sharing with you what makes this self-acclaimed "control freak grammar geek" tick. I guess her attention to detail for catching grammatical errors also translates to having a keen sartorial eye.

In her own right, Sarah has become a local celebrity here in San Diego. Don't lie - you can't help but feel that much cooler if she is sipping cocktails at the same of-the-moment lounge as you and you of course can't help but notice her chosen attire for the evening. With her deep affinity for our city and with her consistent fashion, lifestyle and entertainment coverage she continues to make San Diego look that much better. But hey, don't let her fancy title, impeccable style and good looks fool you - she is not only humble but has a fabulous since of humor!
Find out why she is drawn to feminine looks and what she's asking Santa for this year...

RSP: What is your current position in the fashion industry?
Sarah:
I'm the Senior Managing Editor of 944, a monthly fashion/entertainment/lifestyle magazine published in 10 cities. I can't stress how grateful I am that there really is a place in the world for control-freak grammar geeks whose idea of a good time is finding typos on restaurant menus.

RSP: Which fashion designers or runway trends influence your overall look?
Sarah:
I love dressing up and being girly and feminine. (I blame this on a youth spent first in Catholic school where we had to wear uniforms, then on the hand-me-downs from my five sisters I was often stuck with when we moved to a rural horse farm. Any money my parents spent on new clothes was for things like English riding helmets and jodhpurs and boots. The equestrian look eventually became in style, yes, but when I was 13? Not so much.

There are those elite houses like Oscar de la Renta and Chanel that I will always adore and hold on a pedestal and wish to one day own a piece of, but for everyday inspiration, I honestly just look at my interns — they're way more "fashionable" than me and take it much more seriously. I write about fashion but definitely don't obsess over labels and looks of the moment for myself. I just don't have the time. And the ol' editor paycheck doesn't exactly support a Dior lifestyle ... more like a "Ross" lifestyle maybe.
RSP: What is the biggest TREND or MUST- HAVE ITEM for fall?
Sarah:
Camel hues, military-inspired pieces, vintage detailing and cuffed boots are my favorite trends. My one must-have item: a grey leather handbag. (Santa? You reading this?)

RSP: What is your most prized fashion possession?
Sarah: My Carolina Herrera wallet and my very first Hermes scarf that I received as a gift from a beloved friend. Both make me feel like a grown-up.

RSP: What can we find in your closet?

Sarah:
Not much at all right now. I recently cleaned it out and either threw away or donated a total of 42 pairs of shoes and 133 clothing items. I kid you not. I actually tallied them up. Now some dresses and about 15 pairs of shoes total remain.

RSP: In your opinion what is the biggest fashion faux pas?
Sarah: I was going to say something biting like anything Snooki wears, but that's too easy. And I actually like Snooki's style because she is who she is and just works it, press-on nails and orange glow and all. The biggest faux pas I see people make is dressing a certain way because it's the trend of the moment, not because it necessarily suits them or is comfortable on them. You can always tell when people aren't comfortable and aren't being themselves.
xoxo
Nacole Gray