(ALMOST) EVERY OUTFIT I WORE IN PALM SPRINGS

I made this very fun Reel (if I do say so myself) in Palm Springs as an easy way to capture what I was wearing as I, quite literally, headed out the door. I thought it would be helpful to add still shots here (in some cases I had better photos than just the door shot) and all the links + some notes on sizing, etc. Also – I fit this all in a carry-on suitcase + this magic shoulder duffle that holds a ton but still fits under airplane seats. Where’s there’s a fashion will.. there’s a way.

LOOK 1:

*I took my smaller size in this dress and probably could have sized up, but it has a good amount of stretch. Shoes and sweater are old from J.Crew. As always, my sunglasses are prescription from Warby Parker – which is why I have them on so constantly!

LOOK 2:

*I took my regular size in the top, bottoms and skirt – I’d say they all fit pretty TTS – but the bottoms definitely have a skimpier cut.. which is why the skirt is so nice to have too! Sandals are old from J.Crew.

LOOK 3:

*The pants run large – I sized down to Petite (I’m 5’4″ for reference) and still probably would have gone down another waist size had it been available, but with a belt they work just fine! I would size up in the strapless top if you have a bigger chest.

LOOK 4:

*Top and skirt both fit TTS, the tank is perfectly cropped so that you don’t have bulk tucking into pants or skirts, but it just grazes bottoms that are high waisted. Mesh bag is old H&M.

LOOK 5:

*Dress is TTS and has a built in cotton slip and drawstring adjustable waist. Bag is old from Anthropologie.

LOOK 6:

*I probably could have sized down in the top and shorts but I like that they have a lived in, slightly slouchy fit!

LOOK 7:

LOOK 8:

*Bathing suit runs slightly small, I sized up in the bottoms. Shirt is an oversized fit.

LOOK 9:

*To note – shoes are incredible comfortable! No break-in time, they feel like butter.

LOOK 10:

*Dress runs slightly large. Shoes are old Loeffler Randall

LOOK 11:

*Dress is an oversized fit. Comes with a detachable matching fabric belt.

LOOK 12:

*Fit TTS – I sized up as I hate when running shorts feel too small and wanted to be able to layer under the pullover.

LOOK 13:

*Important to note! The vest runs pretty big (I actually had mine altered to fit as the smallest size was sold out at the time – looks to have since been restocked and now on sale! Of course! – but the shorts run just a bit small. I took my usual size but they have a high waist and no stretch – I like the fit this way, but if you want more breathing room, size up in those.

LOOK 14:

*Bottoms are a cheeky fit so you could size up for slightly more coverage and if you have a larger chest I’d size up in the top.

LOOK 15:

* Dress runs TTS although on the shorter side – I went with my smaller size as it’s a somewhat stiffer fit (though not at all uncomfortable) so I didn’t want a lot of extra fabric.

ON LIFE: FINDING A HAPPY PLACE IN PALM SPRINGS

As someone who recharges in direct sunlight, enjoys being surrounded by well manicured nature (love a formal garden.. do not love camping.. you know what I mean?) and strongly identifies with 1960s/70s aesthetics – Palm Springs feels like a personal oasis. This was our fourth time there and every time I arrive it feels like an exhalation. It’s a real treat to be able to find a place that makes you feel that way and an even bigger one to have the privilege to return to it year after year.

As such, I like to dress for the style I think that it deserves. A raffia dress (have you ever seen anything better?) and matching headband! Rainbow platform sandals! A punchy bag and lipstick! It’s all welcome here. Order a tiki drink and stay awhile.

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PARIS OUTFITS: BY DAY

In looking back through our (probably thousands) of honeymoon photos – I realized that I took some outfit photos along the way that were just quick snaps (not enough for their own blog posts/have maybe been shared on IG stories already) but that I still wanted to share here in a permanent place. Thought it might be fun to round them up together all in one. Here are 5 of them (for day) and I’ll do another post on some of the things I wore at night!

MORNING IN MONTMARTRE:

We spent a Saturday morning in Montmartre (just early enough that it wasn’t yet flooded with tourists) wandering the cobblestones, picking up crepes and taking in the sweeping views that all those hills afford you. It was cooler so I needed the trench until about noon and I’ll definitely be re-wearing this entire outfit to work here in New York.

LUNCH IN THE TUILERIES:

This was one of my favorite days – we started with a visit to the famed department store Galeries Lafayette then took a stroll to the Tuileries (New Yorkers have Central Park, Parisians have this), stopping to pick up macarons along the way of course. We grabbed lunch at an unassuming little outdoor cafe nestled in the park (which turned out to be 10/10 delicious) then found a couple of green chairs to sit in the sunshine and enjoy our dessert. Typically we’d go to see Monet’s water lilies in the neighboring Musée de l’Orangerie but alas, tickets were sold-out.. I figured if I couldn’t see them this trip I’d wear this floral ikat print skirt (that reminded me of an Impressionist blur) in their honor.

PICNIC ALONG THE SEINE:

On our last afternoon (in near 80 degree temps!) we grabbed a bottle of champagne, simple baguette sandwiches and found a seat along the Seine River with a great view of the Eiffel Tower for a little picnic lunch. I wore a vintage skirt that I’d bought earlier in the trip, tied my new Dior scarf onto my bag (it’s printed with a vintage map of the streets of Paris), an easy crewneck sweater and sneakers.

FLIGHT FROM NICE BACK TO PARIS:

With a short flight (and the rest of our suitcases waiting for us at our final hotel) I made the most of the comfort of these perfect wide leg trousers to travel from Nice back to Paris. I paired them with a cropped tweed jacket – which I’m loving with jeans too – and a vintage metallic gold St Johns Knits sweater tank that I found in New York this summer and is proving to be a very fun layering piece. Once we landed in Paris I was ready to hit the ground running and wore this straight to lunch.

BREAKFAST AT CAFE DE FLORE:

Red! I’ve forever been a fan of a bright cherry red, but it also just so happens to be having a major moment this fall. This sweater dress hangs beautifully and also is so comfortable you might as well be in pajamas. It was originally tamed by my trench coat but this was another nearly 80 degree day in Paris so after breakfast at a front row spot at Cafe de Flore (one of my favorite little traditions every trip), I had to shed some layers. Easy with sneakers and an oversized suede tote or with heeled boots and a smaller structured bag for a Fall date night.

WHAT I WORE IN PARIS

Since getting back from our trip to Paris I’ve been slightly overwhelmed with wanting to share it all.. but not knowing where to start. So I finally figured – how about with the fashion? Some of these pieces I bought specifically with Paris in mind, but they’re just pieces for my “forever wardrobe” and thought would be fun to debut there. They each feel like they have a bit of a story and definitely have a few more to tell after coming on this trip with me. As always, I’m a sentimental shopper at heart. Below – everything I wore in Paris. In no particular order.

I changed into this as soon as we landed for a late lunch and stroll for pastries. I love this outfit as it feels very ‘New York meets Paris’ to me and definitely plan to repeat it often now that I’m home. The jeans are a rigid, high waist (I cuffed them under so they hit at my ankle bone) but they break in beautifully and the white tee is my new favorite. I plan to buy in multiples. The sunglasses – which you’ll see in a lot of these photos – are prescription, which is why they’re basically now the only pair I wear.

This was in Versailles. I wanted an outfit that was equal parts Marie Antoinette at the Palace, Marie Antoinette at Petite Trianon and Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette – hence the Converse. I realize this is a very specific reference, but I studied Fashion History as a part of my college courses and so, this stuff thrills me. I ended up in this corset-like floral top, a slouchy sweater, big eyelet midi skirt and aforementioned Converse. It was a good outfit for the 7-8 miles we ended up walking there.

A pre-dinner walk along the Seine. The same jeans and tee as before, just swapped the jacket and the shoes for the Chanel look-a-likes.. until I can work up the nerve (and the savings account) to spring for the real deal. Grabbed this glossy little chain strap bag and a pair of hoops to finish it off.

This dress was the first thing I bought after our flights were booked. Pink, tweed, mod. Just so much fun. I wore it out and about on my birthday with a black leather backpack I’ve had (and been traveling with for years) and the same black slingbacks with a walkable block heel.

This is a little bit bold for me but I wanted something that felt sort of YSL/seventies glam for my birthday dinner and ended up really falling in love with this fuchsia draped dress. It’s by a designer that I wasn’t familiar with but after eyeing it on The Outnet (Net a Porter’s designer discount site) – I finally got it when it went on extra sale. Paired with chunky gold platform sandals and swinging disco ball earrings.

On our last day in Paris we went straight to the (fashion) source. 31 Rue Cambon.. aka Chanel’s Flagship since 1918 when Coco herself took over the space. I’m not sure that I fooled anyone inside Chanel that I belonged.. but I had fun pretending. I’ve had this dress in my closet for a few years now, but I found a similar option here. Paired with ladylike extras – a tweed jacket, top handle bag and silk grosgrain headband.

So many of the French girls I saw in Paris were wearing midi dresses and high top Converse. This outfit was the closest I got to feeling like one of them. The straw bag was a birthday gift from Adam I found in French boutique Sussan Shokranian – all hand-embroidered in Paris!

Baby’s first Blahniks! These Manolo Blahnik embroidered heels were a birthday present to myself. When I saw them on The Real Real a few months ago in pristine condition, in my size, for an absolute song – I knew it was fate. I pictured wearing them at this exact location with a super menswear inspired look. In style serendipity, I found this double-breasted jacquard vest at a Pearl by Lela Rose sample sale in April. And then I dug out a pair of black shorts I’d had since I was honestly 22 years old and grabbed an oversized button down shirt and chunky gold link necklace. This look is all the things I love about fashion – mixing high and low. Playing with texture and proportion. Old pieces paired with newer ones. It’s one of my all time favorite outfits.

A very sweet little date night look, worn on our second night in Paris. The dress has since sold-out so I’m linking a few similar options. Paired with that top handle bag and black slingbacks.

Excuse the grainy photo here, but this was the view from our AirBnB bedroom window! And I was just waking up! In Paris! Loved this little travel pajama set that came with a matching robe. It’s super soft and packed up nice and small.

I wore this on a Seine boat cruise and then on to dinner. The top was another Pearl by Lela Rose sample sale find (I really lucked out there!) paired with a super cheap midi skirt, ordered last minute when I couldn’t find quite the right thing to pair with that top. For what it’s worth – the quality and fit were pretty decent. Paired with these gold platforms again which were so comfy and a vintage YSL bag.

How could I not end on this?! I saw this dress last December (part of an exclusive collaboration between Nicola Bathie and Antonio Melani and was swooning over it) – but had no occasion to wear it and no excuse to pay full price. I thought of it by chance last month and took a quick search on Poshmark.. only to find one, new with tags, in my size for a quarter of the original price. More style serendipity! It was so much fun to wear for midnight drinks at Bar Hemingway inside the Ritz. When else can you be that over the top?! Paired with my favorite (and truly comfortable) black Perfect Pumps from Sarah Flint. Code: SARAHFLINT-BASTEELE gets you $50 off your first order.

WARM WEATHER GETAWAY STYLE

I am trying to play it cool but I’m very excited to be heading out of town next weekend. Pre-pandemic (doesn’t that feel eons ago?) we had fallen into the habit of heading somewhere warm every year around this time and it really saved me from the winter doldrums that set in without fail by about mid-February. Our last trip was March 5, 2020 and I was so grateful we somehow snuck that in, but two long years later and I am absolutely in need of vitamin D, a pool and temperatures in the 80s.

Naturally I couldn’t resist picking up a few things for the occasion. While they’re technically for the trip, I know that I’ll be wearing all of these often this spring/summer. I’m especially excited about this swingy eyelet shirt dress that I’ll re-wear at the office with flats, this lace-up sweater that will be so cute with cut-offs on summer nights at the lake and these suede sandals in a walkable heel height that will go with virtually everything. And – in an effort to show restraint – just one of the books that will inevitably make it into my carry-on next weekend.

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