Menswear Monday

"American classics and Bohemian ideals" is where cool downtown brand Benson derives. Benson is for the citizen of the world, designed loosely on a transcontinental lifestyle from Europe to Manhattan. Boy oh boy do I love that lifestyle! For this Menswear Monday discover Benson...and note: they have something for us ladies too!

Benson, is for the clever world wanderer 

who loves possessions but not masses of them.

Benson, confident in their free spirit and laid back mentality.

And for this particular Menswear Monday, 

this line has something for us ladies as well.

So shop over at Benson and get ready 

for a wanderlust summer.

Must Have | Doctor's Bag

What I want now is a sturdy black handbag. A purse that will stand up without assistance and hold my daily essentials without them getting lost in an abyss. Is that really too much to ask? I think no. I have always had a not-so-small obsession with the Doctor's Bag which has a pop up type opening that I find unique...and I really must have! Problem is since they are unique I cannot find one I like for the life of me.

I need a black bag and the few Doctor's Bags I do find that are cute, are brown or tan. I have a Mulberry satchel for my staple brown bag. Know I need my staple black bag. This one above would actually a spot-on must have men's bag for any stylish gent in the market for  good bag. Go for that rad umbrella too!

Of course Serena Van der Woodsen has my bag! Anyone seen my black doctor's bag? 

I'm in definite search for it, and if you can help I'd be much obliged!

What is your must have bag?

NYC Staycation | Instagram Weekend

Sorry to be absent lately mes cheris, but it was necessary to put myself on a little NYC Staycation. With all the running around I have done in the last couple months, I finally had the opportunity to rest...and so I Carpe Diem-ed the weekend away. Walks in Central Park, Ferry ride to Ikea, and lots of drinks with friends, it was a fantastic long Instagram weekend to rest, enjoy life, and gear up for the next chapter in my life.

 It has been cold here in NYC lately, and since I'm stubborn and determined to wear my closet full of cute Spring stuff, I have had to add tights to all my Spring outfits to do so. Bummer.

 Went shopping in SoHo. I love passing all the creative storefronts around that nabe. They are the greatest. I especially love the C Wonder storefront. How fun and regal are these doors?

 You know it's going to be a good day when you start off your morning with Magnolia Bakery breakfast. Raspberry crumb muffin, coffee, infinity scarf, and Gaga glasses. Done and done. 

 I watched the Enterprise space shuttle fly over Manhattan as it made its voyage to its new NYC home at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum. Bonus points for living on the Hudson River? You get to walk 500 feet to go see a space shuttle fly by your house. Um. Awesome. Not bad for an NYC Staycation huh?

 Had an all day long adventure to Ikea on Saturday which of course consisted of taking the NYC Water Taxi out to Brooklyn's Ikea. The Southstreet Seaport is always a great photo opp place for an Instagram weekend, and I haven't been out past the Statue of Liberty in over a year, so that was a fun ride. 

Ended the weekend celebrating a dear friends golden birthday out in SoHo at The Anchor bar. The DJ was amazing, and every single song had me screaming with excitement. Therefore it was a great dancing night to celebrate life with my really good friends. 

So how do you Staycation mes cheris?

NYC Digs: Brooklyn Shopping Secret

Deep in south Brooklyn I had to venture this weekend to file my taxes, and wouldn't you know mes cheris I was rewarding for the outer borough trek by stumbling upon an adorable Brooklyn shopping secret! This cute shop with affordable prices was tucked in between bad discount shoe stores and loan offices and ready to be discovered.

Flavour on 86th Street in apparently the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn news to me, has a variety of flowy summer tops and cute skirts, shorts, and maxi dresses to match. The decor with the oversized picture frames leaning against the wall of clothing racks was hip and the shabby chic vignettes planted around this Brooklyn shopping secret kept you wandering around to discover more!

 I especially couldn't get over this navy blue sailor top. It's a racer back knit tank that is soft and flowy. Perfect for a stroll along the beach at sunset...or any other time once the weather gets back to warm again. You are now all privy to this Brooklyn shopping secret and I hope you go check it out for yourself. I know I personally will be back to Flavour once I have a more prepared checking account haha!

What Brooklyn shopping secrets do you know?

NYC Digs: Shopping in the East Village

Last week I went on an adventure vintage shopping in the East Village. I found a lot of great stores but this boutique I happened to stumble upon as I was leaving. JULA has an array of affordably priced women's wear and really cute jewelry sourced from New York City. The storefront caught my eye and I ventured in, didn't realize I'd be leaving with the gold bracelet I've been looking for!

JULA, like most shopping in the East Village, has a small store space with a carefully selected collection. The clothing is simple and girly and the handbags are structured and colorful.

The jewelry was my favorite, a lot of gold which I love. The necklaces ranged from very delicate to bold statement necklaces. The same goes for the bracelets. This boutique was the perfect way to end my shopping the East Village.

14 Days of Valentines | Day 13: Paper

Don't forget that card! I could not skip Day 13: Paper in my 14 Days of Valentines...don't you remember growing up in school with your box full of Valentine's Cards from your friends (and boyfriends) on Valentine's Day? Mine were full of Rainbow Bright, Power Rangers, Transformers, Disney Princesses, Care Bears...all wishing me a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I may be at Lincoln Center working those runways for New York Fashion Week but I still love Valentine's Day and will just have to celebrate it a few days late with my friends. Look at all the great things paper can buy for Valentines. More than just cards you have travel journals, diaries, stationary, and amazing coffee table books which I have a serious obsession with!

14 Days of Valentines | Day 13: Paper by fashiondiva304 on polyvore.com

What was your favorite Valentine's Card?

14 Days of Valentines | Day 12: Gadgets

This was a fun 14 Days of Valentines day to put together. I just love the cute accessories that go with our gadgets these days. I'm already glued to my phone, I might as well look good while I am! So enjoy Day 12: Gadgets where iPod Nano watches are stylish, bed side lamps are iPod docks and you can have a presentation on the go!

14 Days of Valentines | Day 12: Gadgets by fashiondiva304 featuring leather cross body handbags

I am lusting after so many of these. I have been meaning to update my camera bag to something chicer so I can be a professional photographer AND a fashionable one. And did you see those watches...seriously they are iPod Nanos! How sly!?

What will you buy Inspector Gadget?

14 Days of Valentines | Day 11: Flowers

I would not do justice to a Valentine's series without Day 11: Flowers! Natural, fragrant, and beautiful...they are a classic Valentine's Gift for a reason. 14 Days of Valentines will hopefully give you some ideas for flowers that may veer a little from the traditional dozen roses and put a little surprise in your gift.

14 Days of Valentines | Day 11: Flowers by fashiondiva304 featuring ivory handbags

Every girl loves flowers, but maybe if her thumb isn't quite as green as others, she might enjoy some unique floral jewelry. Or if she's a little techy at heart, but still likes to be a girl, a pretty Kate Spade iPhone case would be cute. If a bouquet of flowers is what you have in mind though...I recommend Ovando NY hands down. Artistic and memorable, I've never seen bouquets the way they do...and these will surely leave an impression on your Valentine's Day.

What is your favorite flower?