Ain’t love grand?

Skirt: Trina Turk, Sweater: Uniqlo, Pumps: Louise et Cie and my grandmother’s antique pearl ring.

Don’t you love how friends of friends can instantly become your friends too?  I do. And, that’s how I felt when I met Nur-E Rahman, the designer of Knotty Gal, a collection of colorful necklaces, bracelets & earrings made from very simple, straightforward materials (cords and metals, knotted together) with a very deep, meaningful mission.

Nur-E and I were introduced by a mutual friend, who felt that we’d connect. We met up in Tribeca, cracked open her trunk of jewelry and spent most of our time gabbing away like we were old friends. And, then, when it came time to talk about the collection, I learned that Nur-E and her mom started Knotty Gal just last year to raise money for a girls’ school in Bangladesh founded 50 years ago by her great grandfather. Most of the students there, more than 1,000 today, come from very poor families.

The Knotty Gal necklaces and earrings are bold, so they’re strong enough to be worn alone.  The bracelets, ranging from oversized cuffs to chain link cords, are ideal for layering.  A few of my favorite pieces, shown here, are the Lazy Sunday and Good as Gold necklaces and Carpe Diem earrings. Like a lot of good things in life, Knotty Gal grabs your attention based on what you see, but, it’s what’s behind the collection that really counts. Who says that you can’t make the world better through your accessories?!

Necklaces: Lazy Sunday & Good as Gold; Earrings: Carpe Diem, all by Knotty Gal.  Sunglasses: David Yurman.  Top: Forever 21.

Photos by Jennifer Liu Photography.

During the holidays, it’s easy to gravitate toward the myriad black pieces in my closet.  They’re easy to throw on after work before a cocktail party and a no-brainer to accessorize.  I stumbled upon this little red dress while shopping with friends, originally thinking that I’d wear it to the Creative Time Fall Ball at Output a few weeks ago.  I wound up going more funky that night (a form-fitting, multi-color graphic print), but, I’ve since worn this to a number of fun, festive events around town.  I’ve felt a little more daring (and, P.S. guys notice girls in red!)  So, this season, it’s goodbye (for now) to the LBD.

H&M Dress, Lady Grey Bracelets, Ivanka Trump Pumps, Angela Frascone Purse, essie “Chinchilly” Nailpolish.

Photos by Lindsay M. Koffler Photography.

This weekend, I enjoyed the first signs of spring in my favorite parts of the city.  Went spinning downtown in Tribeca, shopped a few Madison Avenue boutiques, strolled through Central Park, had a late dinner in Chelsea and spent most of Sunday at a long, lazy brunch in Union Square.

Here, 7 things that make me want to throw that parka into storage and celebrate the new season.

I love fresh flowers in bright, bold colors.  It’s impossible not to feel happy with these staring back at you.

More Oscar.  The expanded Upper East Side boutique on Madison at 66th Street is opening soon!

Ah, the return of the ice cream truck.  I may be an adult and all, but, the incessant jingle never bothers me and I could, seriously, survive on vanilla/chocolate swirl soft serve.

Lusting after these at Pretty Ballerinas.  Love the sparkly snakeskin accented with soft mauve.

MINI Cooper convertibles make me smile.  There’s nothing like the wind blowing through your hair as you cruise out of the city for a weekend at the beach, plus, it’s scientifically proven that yellow brightens your mood.  And, a tiny version of anything just gets me, every time.

J. Mendel: my favorite spring collection. Floral prints in chiffon, silk and lightweight leather.  Super feminine, but, strong.

Officially obsessed with pistachio, which is everywhere for spring, including SoulCycle’s latest tees, tanks and hoodies.

Finally busted out the C. Wonder cardigan that’s been hiding in my closet, anxiously awaiting temps above 50.  It was layered under a leather jacket and my Burberry skinny scarf that I’ve worn all winter, but…it still felt really great.  Here’s to the happiest (and most haute) spring ever.

The concept: it’s a retail space with “the point of view of a magazine, changes like a gallery and sells things like a store.”  Every four to eight weeks, a re-invented STORY is revealed to High Line visitors, Cookshop brunch-goers and West Chelsea dwellers (and their dogs)–with a completely new theme, fixtures, merchandise…everything.

The current shop-with-an-opinion, Art STORY, is a colorful, brilliantly-curated intersection of art and fashion.

It made my gray, snowy Saturday in NYC much more fun (and fashionable).

With the help of Constrvct, you can create dresses, skirts and tops screened with images from your own photo library, sized to your exact measurements.  They call it “fashion for the digital age.”  I call it cool.  constrvct.com

Art STORY: now through April 17
144 Tenth Avenue @ 19th Street / ThisIsStory.com

It comes from Italy.

It’s made of python, in the most eye-opening shades of fluorescent yellow, pink, green and orange.

It makes me want to throw off my parka, hat and gloves and say hello to spring RIGHT NOW.

Meet the Michéle, from NYC-based Pouvoir (“Power”) by swimwear creative director-turned-accessory designer Quentin Hernandez.  He’s a born and bred New Yorker, with a killer bod and a big heart (the bags are named after “important women,” like his grandma, mom and aunts).  Clients include the prince of India, international designers and other well-accessorized men and ultra chic women in Dubai, London and Paris.

Learn more about the Michéle here!

These are the Pamela clutch.  Trying to decide which one is my favorite…

Forget it, I love all!  Find them here.

Spring CANNOT come soon enough.

Jacket: DKNY (Madison Avenue store exclusive).  Dress: Cynthia Steffe.  Booties: Me Too.  Jewelry: David Yurman.  Clutch: St. John.  Sunglasses: CHANEL.  Nails: Midnight Cami/Essie.

I love Manolo Blahniks.  Always have, always will.  Here, a few of the ones that I covet.

From top to bottom:
Kate Spade: Karolina pumps – Lipstick pink with gold heel and Metallic ($298) and Karolina Bow ($328) 135 Fifth Avenue (@ 20th Street) / katespade.com

Milly NY, assorted items; 900 Madison Avenue (@ 72nd Street) / millyny.com

Juicy Couture, Sailor Girl Stripe Dress/Anchors Away Collection, 860 Madison Avenue (@ 70th Street) / juicycouture.com