There are certain things that come up over and over again in my (very small) wardrobe: Geometric shapes, black, white, grey, saturated colors, heavily textured knits, furry stuff, golds…and, of course, scarves. I have a lot of scarves. It can be 95° out, and I’m in a scarf.
My Bookhou bag and I continue to be best buddies. I’m also wearing my most favorite scarf of all here—it comes from the amazing Martha McQuade at the aptly-named Scarf Shop (GIANT size; mustard). I’ve had this scarf for a little more than a year now, and I’ve definitely worn it in every season!
And yeah, that’s a new watch I’ve got on. It’s from the Issey Miyake men’s GO line (I always wear men’s watches), and it’s the first non-Swatch watch I’ve owned. I still think Swatches are the best watches around (I have about a dozen of them that I’ve acquired over the past 25 or so years—and they all still work!), but it’s fun to have another option that’s a little bit more elegant. I’ve very very brand loyal when I like something a lot, though, so my heart will always belong to Swatch in the end.
(Is it weird that it never occurs to me to check my phone for the time? I always wear a watch.)
Oh, and? NEON PINK NAIL POLISH. I’ve had a bottle of this stuff for ages (it’s some weird generic brand), but I’d never tried it until last week. I wasn’t sure if it would look too garish or weird, but I wound up loving it. I don’t think I’d feel the same way if my nails were really long, but on stubby talons like mine, it’s pretty nice.
1. That totally incredible cape/poncho was a birthday present from Jen, and it’s from Pendleton’s Portland collection. It’s kind of the greatest thing in the world—thick and warm and beautifully made. I’ve worn it at least three times a week since October, and it’s one of those things I’m sure I’ll have forever.
2. My favorite favorite favorite earrings! They were a Hanukkah present from Evan a couple of years ago, and I’ve worn them almost every day since receiving them. They’re made by Lila Rice in Brooklyn.
3. Those rad superhero lightning bolt socks were also a present from Jen (clearly the girl knows how to give a gift), and they come from Sock It to Me. She got a red pair for Evan!
4. Ahhhh, yes, the Wookie coat. This thing is totally ridiculous but I also completely awesome. It’s basically like going out in a Chewbacca costume. (It’s surprisingly warm, too! Too warm for this Global Warming Winter™ we’re having in New York this year.)
OK, this is just silliness, but when I was thinking about the textures I love most, I realized that I’ve been a fan of superfake fur for a while now. The photo on the left is on my Wookie coat (earrings by Fay Andrada—Brooklyn ladies make nice jewelry!), and the photo on the right was taken almost exactly ten years ago. I was modeling my “nylon squirrel” muffler, which I still have and wear. And I had no bags under my eyes.
77 Comments
I think it’s really interesting to see the way your style has stayed consistant over time, for the most part.
I’m sorry about all the people who keep leaving mean comments on your blog, I think you always post things that are lovely.
Thanks, Samantha—and really, the vast majority of people who comment here (and who I interact with on Twitter, of course) are truly lovely. I’m very lucky!
so glad you posted! i love all your textures, triangles and faux fur. rock on (and forget the #FF). 😉
love the watch! also, i agree that one can get away with some wilder colours on short nails. my current cheap and cheerful is a sally hansen complete manicure colour called frutti patutie. so cheery, and, i’ve just discovered from a cursory google search, discontinued! 🙁 grab it if you can.
Swatches! I haven’t thought about my old Swatch in years and I used to love it so. Orange with hot pink and aqua blue. I rocked that thing…hmm…maybe I will yet again. You’ve got great style lady, and you haven’t aged in 10 years.
Thank you for sharing your inspirational aesthetic, I’m off to dream of colorful swatches.
Oh, I’ve definitely aged!! Sometimes I think I haven’t, but then I see a photo and…yeah, I have. Oh well!
You have great style. I love that triangle bag. I have one of their very small bags and I’ve been eyeing the bigger size for a while. Love the contrast with the leather and the fabric.
Lately, I’m digging bright colors on short nails. Dark colors too. I have short little nails and always just wore clear polish until my manicurist (I am incapable of putting polish on myself) talked me into trying a color. I thought it would make my nails look even stubbier, but now I think that long nails with bright polish looks garish and ridiculous. I’ve learned to love my short nails.
It makes me sad that people leave crappy comments. I know it would bother me too. I’m not even brave enough to make my blog public, much less allow people to comment on it. I know I shouldn’t let people rent space in my head, but I tend to obsess over the thoughtless things people say and do and let the small kindnesses slip by without acknowledging them. I need to get better at that.
As much as I like longer nails on other people, I’ve accepted that they’re just never going to happen for me. I do way too much cleaning/building/sanding/typing/etc. for them to stay looking nice! I like bright colors on short nails, though. Like little jewels.
I actually think it says a lot about a person’s character if they are affected by the words of others—even when they’re demeaning and just plain wrong. I never want to get to a point where I’m so callous that I just brush off anything negative. Sensitivity does have its downsides, but I also think it makes people like you and me a little more honest and, hopefully, more caring about the feelings of others.
Oh yes, Swatches!! You have inspired me to wear my old black and white Swatch again, I think I ditched it because the ticking sound is so loud that I kept freaking out that there was a bomb strapped to my wrist. Best get over that issue!
Your hair (the long side) is getting so long! Looking very awesome lady.
Haha, I remember my mother buying me a Swatch for Christmas eons ago (I was maybe 10 years old?) and knowing what it was because I could hear ticking coming from under the tree. 😀
Funny, I seem to be thinking along the same lines. I was thinking of going back into my archives and finding examples of how I keep remaking the same outfits through the decades. For me, neutrals with a touch of vintage patterns, stripes and accents in either mustard or orange.
I’m probably going to sound like a stalker for saying this (I’m really not, I promise) but I admire how put together you always look. You have your own “theme” with everything you do it seems and that’s really neat; your clothes, your house, everything literally looks like you. That’s pretty cool, in my book.
You don’t sound like a stalker. 🙂 If nothing else, I’m definitely consistent in what I like and how I put things together! As long as that doesn’t turn into stagnancy, I think it’s a good thing.
i don’t comment too often, but just wanted to say you’re pretty awesome sauce 🙂 i love your posts and your style! and i’ve actually figured out more of my own tastes (and embraced them) in the process! so in summary, you rock. period.
Yeah, ten years ago I didn’t have bags under my eyes, either. *sigh* It’s so cool that you have the confidence to wear what you love. If you love it you will rock it. I have some Fluevogs that aren’t to everyone’s taste, but I adore them. When I wear them I feel good and I get comments on them all the time. But, if friends see them sitting in my closet they’re not so impressed. It’s all in the attitude.
BTW, if I looked like you do on (what I imagine to be) your worst day I’d be one happy girl. Your style KILLS. It’s all you and it’s all awesome. I dig your blog, your apartment, your style. Okay, I’m sounding like a stalker now. Oops.
I totally agree with Tracy (above). The crappy comments are effing awful. But take heart.. I got a rad haircut today and it was partly inspired by you. It’s ME and I’m rocking the shit out of it. I’m digging stuff out of my closet I’ve loved, but haven’t worn for a while, and it makes me feel so good. To hell with what anybody else thinks. This is ME and that’s pretty cool. You so rock, Anna. Oh God, does that sound stalker-ish?
STALKER!!!! Just kidding. No, I really appreciate your words (here and on Twitter), and I am trying not to take all of the nastiness to heart.
(YAY for rad haircuts!!)
I love all of the colors and textures in that first image! You have such a great eye, Anna! I also have both pairs of those earrings and love them both so much it’s hard to pick which to wear everyday!
Wow, you have the Lila Rice earrings and the ones from Fay Andrada?! That’s really cool. I just bought another pair from Lila Rice (the giant arrows), so now I have THREE pairs to choose from. Overwhelming!
Hi Anna. In everything you design (your books, blog, sites, appartment, house) and wear I can see a line. You appear to know so well whzt you like, it’s amazing. You really have a style. You really have style. And I will definetly check out that scarf, it looks so soft! Greetings from Brussels.
Thank you Annelies, and yes, the scarf is nice and soft. The texture of the fabric Martha uses is like nothing else I’ve seen before. It’s very voluminous, so wrapping the scarf around your neck a few times can look really dramatic!
Same as everyone above. You are really fabulous! You seem to speak your mind, maybe that’s what some of the haters are preying on. I dunno, I love your look and your apartment and house, and I always look forward to a new post here.
The shot of you, #4? Same ‘do I rock most of the time, but without the balls to cut it short. I just sweep it around and pin to one side, and looks like I’ve got twice as much hair as I do! You look great. Awesome nails, too. 🙂
Those earrings (both pair)!!!! Fabulous. Love the pink font highlights. Oh, and Boo to the haters.
I love swatches too, for my “grown up”, “arty” watches, I recently switched over to nooka watches.
I only wear it when i “dress up”, but they are quite fun. I have a nooka zayu in grey.
I had to look up Nooka watches because I don’t know the name. So cool!! I really like them.
I have the same scarf in that color, too – got it for Christmas. I can’t stop wearing it.
I hope this doesn’t sound strange, but I’ve always thought your aesthetic (both in “decorating” and in clothing) was very similar to mine, but when you broke down the recurring parts of your wardrobe, I realized there are actually a lot of differences that I didn’t notice before. And I think that’s great – I love that you have an adventurous, unique style without seeming unrelatable.
I’m glad the Bookhou bag is working out for you! And I envy that you can wear that mustard scarf! With my skin tone I’m terrified to wear any yellow up there, but I love that colour so much.
Anyway, I hope this comment wasn’t odd or overly gushy. I haven’t fully caffeinated yet, so my eloquence may be at around 15%.
It’s OK Samantha, even when I’m full of caffeine I’m only around 50% eloquent. 😉
your style is great. I love the fur and your use of geometric shapes and black and white. i very much enjoy your posts, especially the newburgh ones. keep up the good work!
I’m a bit green with envy over those earrings, can understand why you wear them all the time. I’m often in a scarf too and I live in Hawaii, feel it adds interest and covers my neck up in AC. You have wonderful style Anna, I always enjoy your posts.
wow your haircut looks gorgeous!
i really love your combination of textures and colours.
I never check my phone for the time either. That never made sense to me, I basically live in a watch. Why dig around in my purse for my phone when I can just check my wrist? 🙂
I love the scarf!
So happy you posted! Mean people really do suck.
You have been so influential in my current house decorating mindset. All the clean lines, black and white with pops of color… That is all Anna-influence. Thank you!
I bought the boyfriend the same Issey Miyake watch for our anniversary! I may nor may not have “borrowed” it several times since gifting it. It really is a beautiful watch.
The triangles! The neon pink! The yellow scarf! So much awesome going on there. You seem to flawlessly pull everything off on your person or in your home. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Thanks, Sherry. I don’t document all of the failures, of course!
Love every thing about it!
I may even have to buy a watch!
And Neon nail polish!
You say you have aged but it certainly doesn’t look like it to me.
You have amazing style then and now (and way more style than I have ever had or even what I have in my pinkie)!
What fun!
It’s all about the accessories, Cheryl!! My clothes are very basic…jeans, boots, long shirts, black cardigans. Every day!
You.
Are.
Perfect.
And you always look fly as whut.
(really, you do, even when you think you don’t. stop rolling your eyes and accept it.)
xoxoxoxoxo
Your check is in the mail.
p.s. You’re the best. xoxox
love your fashion posts. i’m just as interested in evan’s clothes, if he would permit a glimpse.
nylon squirrel muffler????? can we have a close up????? do you think one could be made at home?
i have a $14 orlon cruella devil coat a friend bought on the LES like 25 years ago. i’ve had the lining replaced three times, and it is of course now worth more than the coat. i loh heem. thousands of orlons died for this coat!
Well, here’s Evan in his Morrissey sweater. 😉
http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/02/14/my-valentine/
The “nylon squirrel muffler” is pretty much just what you see in the picture! It’s just a piece of REALLY bad quality fake fur backed with some satin. I think I bought it at H&M? It’s just a rectangle with a little slit in it…you could definitely make one yourself!
I’ve been coveting that very Bookhou bag for while! Love love it and everything else you have going on.
xo
cortnie
the cape! the cape! so good.
this is great, anna. i faved most of these photos as soon as i saw them on instagram! your top-most photo inspired me to try out a similar color at walgreens the other day. i’m not really sure if it qualifies as neon pink, but i thought of you when i saw it. it’s called fiesta by essie. i tried it on, loved it, bought it and now, i can’t seem to keep my eyes off my hot pink manicure. it makes me happy, if that makes any sense! your love for hot pink is contagious. 🙂
I saw your manicure on Instgram, Katrina! That’s how I feel when I wear sparkly polish. I can stop looking at it!
I really, really like your poncho.
I had one in the 70’ies (the 1970’ies that is!) that I wore to shreds. Lots of geometric shapes, yellow with black, brown and orange. It was fabulous.
Oh the good old times… sigh… oh well;-)
I love a good poncho… *sigh*
That Portland Pendleton collection seriously had me gasping out loud. And an added bonus of being Made in the USA. I bought the coat and the scarves in both colors. I wish I had bought that cape or the blanket jacket as well. The scarf was so fab that I felt that my mom needed one too.
Love your style and your blog!! I especially love those earrings! AND, I just noticed that Fay Andrada jewelry is on sale on Fab.com today, in case you are interested.
I don’t see Fay’s stuff on Fab?
Never mind, I see it in the Valentine’s section! 🙂
try this link for the earrings like yours…. http://fab.com/sale/2566/product/44019
there are several of her pieces on there. you might try going to the shops tab at the top and then the jewelry tab. if you scroll through, you should find quite a few of her pieces. it’s not easy finding things on fab.com.
Thanks, Cheryl—you can actually find them all in the pop-up Valentine’s shop. 🙂
I love watches, but I never care if they have the right time or not – I just love the look of them.
Cool to get a glimpse of your fave things, easy to see why they made the list.
Am curious to look at photos of myself from 10 years ago now, hard to imagine who I was back then.
You have introduced me to so many amazing accessories since I started reading your blog! Thanks for being awesome. 🙂
Ms. Anna, you are one hip cat!! You inspire me, PERIOD.
PS: Got my Bookhou triangle bag this weekend!! Had been drooling over it for months and finally caved and officially own it now!! And Arounna is the nicest!!!
I’ve been reading your blog for over two years and I have to say it’s one of my favorites! I really enjoy when you do posts about products that you love. I have my eye on the smaller version of the Bookhou Bag. They have amazing stuff and it arrives in beautiful packing. I hope you continue to post about clothing, hair, jewelry and anything else you feel like! The post you did on your haircut inspired me to try something similar (my hair is shorter) and it’s the best cut I’ve ever had.
Saw this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/90797422/native-american-blanket-throw-pillow
and thought of you. Weird-being complete strangers and all but you put yourself out there for strangers to know, right? Anywho! One of my favorite etsy sellers of all time, it is. xo, adarae
Thanks Adarae, yes, that’s actually made out of the same line of Pendleton fabric as my cape. I have a few yards of it in black on white…
Neon pink lovers unite!!
It’s great seeing all of the different pieces of your style. You pull it off without being too overly girly.
Your style always makes me think of Portland OR. Although you wear less color than most people here which I appreciate. I never wear color.
Too funny, I did a mega closet cleanout this month and when i put it all back in, I realized I’m Olive Oyl. I have been buying the same uniform every year! There must have been 12 medium gray cashmere sweaters in there, half v-necks, half cardigans. The same button down shirts, the same pants, the same T-shirts, lots of army green and camo. Gosh, I’m starting to sound like I dress like those old Cold War-era Wendy’s commercials that made fun of East Germany. Did I mention I rock out on shoes and accessories? Guess you have to when everything is black, army green and gray!
Also, I just found bookhou via a fave of a fave of a fave of a fave of mine in Etsy a few days ago and ordered that same print in the tote, so it was very weird and cool to scroll through and see it here today.
becky
PS LOVE your watch!
I’ve been seriously coveting that Bookhou bag. Just might have to get it…
I hear you on Lila Rice. The crescent hoops are my favorite earrings ever. The gem hoops will be my next jewelry purchase for sure.
Hi Anna,
I know this is pretty random, but… where did you purchase that glass gray lamp with the white shade that’s in your living room? I was scrolling through some of your past pictures, and I fell in love with it!! Thanks:)
Hi! It’s from West Elm, but that was years ago.
I bought a poncho a year ago solely based on that h&m commercial where there’s a gorgeous model wearing one. I’ve only recently figured out that it looks silly on me and into the Goodwill bag it goes. The look is positively chic on you though!
have you seen the falconwright clutches? they’re cute too..triangles.
http://www.falconwright.bigcartel.com/product/grey-leather-clutch-w-black-lines
oooh, all the lovely textures and geometric shapes. My daughter also has your knack for layering it on. Why be boring when you can pull this stuff off??
You are the coolest girl ever. Seriously! The coolest!
Hey, guess what? I think you’re really cool, too!!
As always very original and positive post!!
Hi!! I love your site. I ´ll write about the next days for recomending.
See you!! and Happy Weekend!!
Kisses from Madrid ♥ ♥
I have the same bookhou bag and I absolutely adore it!
I too could never keep my nails long but I love fun colors on short nails so it works out well. By the way, did anyone ever tell you you look like Noomi Rapace (the Swedish Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)?
Haha, I just Googled her and it must just be one of these photos because I look absolutely NOTHING like her!
Hi Anna, I just got my Boukhou bag and while I do love it I am wondering about the quality of the printing. Does your bag look faded around the corners and zip line? I have only used it a couple of times and I feel it is starting to look a bit shabby already. I do love it though and its the perfect day bag size.
No, I haven’t had that problem at all! I use mine almost every day, and it still looks brand new.
You should contact them–they’re very nice, and your experience is definitely not normal from what I’ve heard from others and experienced myself.
hi jemma
sorry to hear you feel that way
the print on the triangle bags are not solid and there are bits of white – in the nature of the way it’s drawn
but if your not happy with it, I am more than happy to talk to you about it
please send us an email
thanks again anna for mentioning us 🙂