'Cause it's Wedding Season and the Bride is Jumpin', Jumpin'

There ain't no denying that wedding season is officially in full swing, and with this joyous and debaucherous time of year comes brides-to-be who are experiencing what I can only describe as the best state of e-commerce affairs: the mother of all justifications, otherwise known as the well-I-only-get-married-once-(I hope, lolz)-so-I-might-as-well-buy-it-cuz-I-gotta-look-phenomenal rationale. Perhaps you're not shocked to learn that I rode that justification pony 'til the cows came home (in this case, I'm the hefer returning home from a Belizian honeymoon that happily consisted of zero dieting/exercising). So I'm more than honored when asked by my engaged friends to help them find some worthy additions to their trousseau as their personal shopper/enabler, if you will

One of the most frequently requested items is the bridal jumpsuit - whether it be for the rehearsal dinner or to change into at the reception. As someone whose closet holds equal amounts dresses to rompers/jumpsuits, I can attest to the fact that there's something about rocking pants on the bottom that alters the chemical composition of the noggin. Just knowing you can freely give in to every impulse to squat, bend over, break out into the fire hydrant move on the dance floor or what have you, releases endorphins into the bloodstream. How does the saying go? Ah yes - happy is the bride whose legs have free mobility. 

Red White & Wood

Why are Monday mornings always as brutal as they sound? The first day of the week rightfully gets a bad rap - and when they follow a weekend of shenanigans I feel no compulsion whatsoever to defend the underdog of weekdays (sorray hunny bunny). This past weekend's antics led me to Richmond, VA to celebrate a friend's wedding at the Commonwealth Club. Much like many of the old, historic social clubs in my beloved college state, the Commonwealth Club gives off the breeding-ground-of-Presidents-of-yesteryear vibes: dark wood, mahogany smells, classic American decor, framed portraits of the Founding Fathers and their all white male posse, and an "if these walls could talk" aura of an impressive red brick building that's been around since 1890.

And while it's too early in the day/week to get on my soap box about how this Club needs to (srsly) get with the program and quit its current "only-gentlemen-allowed" policy (tell 'em boy, bye), I do feel compelled to say this: the female reception attendants (my posse) gave those red brick walls life, our heels gave the wooden dance floor the best beating it's ever had, and our beautiful bride made the dudes in those framed portraits wish they were back from the dead. So this post is dedicated to the ladies, who wear and thrive in the red, white and wood much better than (or just as good as, since #hashtag equality) the rest of them, darling. 

Leaf Earrings - Asha//White Dress - Reformation// Red Flower Clutch - Etsy// Cork Heels - Stuart Weitzman// Wood Sunglasses - Panamera// Red Top - Marques' Almeida// Flower Skirt - Sea// Round Straw Purse - Free People// Red Pearl Heels - Stuart Weitzman// Feather Earrings - Lizzie Fortunato// White Crop Top - Asos// Striped Culottes - Tanya Taylor// Raffia Tote - Folk Fortune// Wood Heels - Vince

Pops of Pink & Barragán: a Mexican Barbie Dream Closet

Speaking of Contemporary Mexican art and the upcoming festivities at Art Pace's the Happening next week, I forgot to mention that one of this year's honorees is Eugenio López, President and Founder of Fundación Jumex Arte Contemporáneo. Much like golf, there's not much wisdom I can impart on the ins and outs of this genre. But being that the par-tay is themed on our contemporary artists and architects making magic south of the border (and that I surround myself with really cool, in-the-know peeps to make up for said lack of expertise), I've recently been schooled on the fascinating work of Luis Barragán - and I went full-frickin'-throttle on this notorious Mexican architect and engineer. 

Barragán is regarded as having revolutionized modern architecture in Mexico with his use of bright and vivid colors - but what really sparked my interest were his pink walls (cue the wails from the Barragán-thesis-writers), as they are essentially a Mexican Barbie Dream House aka my dream house (see more pics below). Recognized by UNESCO in 2004 as part of its World Heritage list, Casa Luis Barragán and its creator are the inspiration behind today's post - because no Dream House is complete without a fully stocked Dream Closet. Barragán has been quoted as saying “the ideal space must contain elements of magic, serenity, sorcery and mystery,” and I'll argue the same can be said about the ideal wardrobe (with a heavy emphasis on the sorcery part).

Pink.jpg

Earrings - Mignonne Gavigan// Clutch - Ana Mari Ortega// Flower Heels - Sophia Webster// Sheer Tulle Top - Paskal// Pleated Metallic Skirt - eBay// Off the Shoulder Gown - Markarian NYC// Silk Top - Emerson Thorpe// Pink Culottes - Tibi// Necklace - Lizzie Fortunato// Neon Stripe Clutch - Clare V.// Pom Pom Heels - Loeffler Randall

Casa Luis Barragán, in Miguel Hidalgo district, Mexico City.

Casa Luis Barragán, in Miguel Hidalgo district, Mexico City.

Master the Masters

I may portray a inordinate amount of self-assurance when it comes to many a topic on this blog (who was is that said a healthy young woman should always exude confidence? Freud? Oprah? Oh that's right, me!), but I have no problem admitting (or shouting from the rooftops) that I don't know jack about golf. Be it that my Cuban father never took to the sport or that the only clubs in my house were kept underneath our beds to be used as weapons against the imaginary intruder - golf just has never been my jam. 

But that isn't to say I can't conceive of what one should wear to the Masters, should one be in attendance next week (like my cousin, who sparked the idea behind this post). If you're joining the yearly pilgrimage to Augusta, perhaps you already know that there's a dress code: "Appropriate clothes and shoes should be worn at all time." Well say no more, vague and ambiguous answer to the Frequently Asked Questions, because appropriate is my middle name (not really - well, not at all, but I won't lead you astray). There's a way to nail the "golf casual" look while not looking like your Gramps - take some tips with the pieces below and enjoy some pimiento sandwiches and azalea cocktails for me while you're there (your girl does her research).

Golf Purse - Kate Spade// Striped Dress - Veronica Beard// Headband - Missoni// Pink Sunglasses - Fendi// Citrus Loafers - Stubbs & Wootton// White Top - Equipment// Parrot Skort - Maje// Leather Espadrilles - Soludos// Hat - Michael Stars// Black Sunglasses - Krewe// Rattan Bangles - Cult Gaia// Crossbody Capsule Purse - Paravel

When My Past Meets My Present...

... I get inspired. Which is exactly what happened when the Adiós Utopia: Dreams and Deceptions in Cuban Art Since 1950 exhibit landed in none other than my (new) backyard - the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH). On view until May 21st, it showcases works in different mediums by more than 50 Cuban artists. Each piece is presented chronologically and portrays representations of how the promise of Utopia was conceived, birthed and extinguished on the island my family traces its roots to (de donde crece la palma, people). Having never visited, my only real relationship is with the idea of Cuba: my father's and grandparents' birthplace, the setting of their childhood memories and passed down stories, and the place they will never return to. I am quite literally the fruit of their disillusionment with Utopia and am the better for it - so ex-squeeze me for having a "ermahgerd this really speaks to me" moment over here. 

And while I can go a hundred and one different directions with this post (to talk about my BAMF grandparents? the linguistic mystery that is the Spanglish spoken by a native Miamian? the pickle you find yourself in when you marry a Texan and make two sets of wedding invites - one on Cuban time, one on the-rest-of-the-world time?), I choose to save that drama for another day (hey!) and mimic the artistic performance with one of my own. And with the world wide web of retail as my paint, my shopping addiction as my paintbrush, and Adiós Utopia as my canvas - I give you three looks that fit a Cuban Cocktail dress code with como se dice chispa? (a word a day). 

Tania Bruguera, Estadística (Statistics), 1995–2000, cardboard, human hair, and fabric.

Palm Top - Moda Zeta// Pants - Isolda// Earrings - ACB// Tortoise Clutch - Tuckernuck//
Red Flats - Aquazzura 

Raúl Martínez, Sin título (Untitled), 1969–70, oil on canvas. 

Woven Purse in Plexiglass - 711// White Crochet Top & Pants - Mara Hoffman// Fringe Pink Sandals - Moschino// Palm Tree Earrings - Lucy Folk// Wood Sunglasses - Panamera

Raúl Corrales, La caballería (Cavalry), 1960, gelatin silver print. 

Crop Top - Del Pozo// Pineapple Culottes - House of Holland// Drop Earrings - J. Crew// Cigar Box Purse - eBay// Raffia Heels - Dolce & Gabbana

For those especially interested, MFAH is offering a series of tours, concerts and shows related to the exhibit - get all the deets you need here