I have been a fan of her blog ever since I first laid eyes on it,  two years ago. I love her work and often felt we shared an aesthetic. So, when she emailed me out of the blue this cold January to ask to get together and, oh, yeah, take your picture, I had to keep from jumping out of my skin with excitement. She is one of my favorite photographers and you know what it’s like to meet your idols in life!! I had to act cool. Instead, we immediately started exchanging stories and jokes, and hours and hours flew by. Just like that.

© Photo Garance Doré www.garancedore.fr/en/

And then she asked me another favor: would I write a NYC guide? (I am a Gemini, and anyone who follows astrology knows that we are walking databases!) So I had two heart attacks, one after the other!! Just like a teenage girl.

© Photo Garance Doré www.garancedore.fr/en/

Thank you, Garance!!

Originally published on The Huffington Post on 26 May 2010.

With Memorial Day weekend coming up, here are some summer style jump-starters for the men out there. After my 10 Summer Style Spiff Ups for Women, the response was loud and clear: make one for us men too! With the help of my bespoke-obsessed boyfriend, here are 10 classics – that easily go from town to country, or the beach – for the dapper gent and the sporty jock. I know they have a penchant for the preppy but many have updated, modern twists and what can I say… classic is classic: it works!

1. Lock & Co Straw Hat. Available at Lock & Co

Lock's website declares that the origins of today’s boater hats are the sailor’s hat issued to midshipmen in the Royal Navy near the end of the nineteenth century to provide protection from tropical sun. These hats were then adopted by children in Victorian England and became part of their uniforms wearing their school or house colors as bands. And did you know that Panama hats are made exclusively in Ecuador and are hand-woven from the Tequilla Palm? The origin of the black band on the hat dates back to 1901 when Queen Victoria died.

2. Wilson Six.One Tour BLX. Available at Wilson

As in: 6 - 1, game over! Ace ‘em just like R Fed with this classic Wilson frame with all the modern updates for immaculate accuracy, power and precision. Giant Roger Federer signed tennis ball not included. Photo Getty.

3. Brooks Brothers Social Primer Bow Tie. Available at Brooks Brothers

This bow tie is yet another innovative - and playful - take on a classic designed in collaboration with K. Cooper Ray and just in time for the Summer bow tie season. Using Brooks’ authentic fabrics, the collection features reversible styles that create not one, but many ways to wear the bow tie.

4. Sperry Top Siders. Available at Sperry

Sperry is celebrating 75 years of the ultimate low-fi lace-up for kicking around town or healing out during the regatta.

5. Flower in Lapel with Linen Pocket Square

Details, Details! So dapper and dignified is a summer blossom peeking out from a man's lapel that it sets the lady's heart a flutter. Add to that a crisp, colorful linen pocket square and all eyes will be on you! Bespoke suits (and many off the rack) are made with a small cut-out in the lapel with fasteners on the reverse side to keep the flower stem in place. Pocket square from Bergdorf Goodman. Photo Kate Schelter.

6. Laird Hamilton Stand Up Paddleboard. Available at REI, Surf Tech and Laird Hamilton

The new craze in surfing are these stand up paddleboards (and paddle) which are great for cruising lakes, rivers, creeks, or wave riding. Walk on water!

7. Murray’s Toggery Nantucket Reds. Available at Murray’s Toggery

The. Most. Classic. New England. Pant... Period! Now available in shorts too.

8. Argentinian Belts. Available at Arandu

Made popular by dark and handsome Argentinian polo players, and now in demand for the fly fishing set, these hand-woven leather belts are easy going with a nice pop of color. Thread them through your jeans, khakis and Nantucket Reds and you're golden.

9. Swatch Color Code Watches. Available at Swatch

Accessorize your rope bracelet with these monochromatic timepieces – sporty for summer. They come in matte and shiny in every color of the rainbow.

10. Smathers & Branson Flask. Available at Smathers & Branson

For those long breezy sails or late afternoon tee times.

Originaly published on TheHuffingtonPost.com on 17 May 2010.

Whether you’re a city slicker or beach bound — these styles are equally useful for both — here are 10 easy pieces to stay chic in the heat and jump start your summer.

1) Lanvin Silk and Straw Hat. Available at LouisaviaRoma.com

The technology of this hat falls somewhere between a child’s craft project and effortless style. Silk ribbons are shredded and knotted to look like a flower. This would also make a great DIY project with an old panama hat and some satin ribbon as it has a hand-made quality (which is exactly what’s so appealing about it.)

2) St James for Calypso Stripy Shirt. Available at Calypso-cell.com

They took the traditional St James striped blue tee, and gave it a vintage wash for a new take on an old weathered favorite. This is the ultimate Francophile Picasso beachy look that equals instant style when worn over a bathing suit on the beach, or with shorts or white jeans.

3) Chanel Mini Classic Pocketbook. Available at Chanel

Enter "The Tiny Pocket Book"! Lighten your It Bag load for summer, and pair it down. This bag is more like jewelry than a heavy handbag.

4) Christian Louboutin Animal Print Sandal. Available at Net-a-Porter.com

One part pony hair leopard print, one part Grecian goddess, these flats are a step in the right direction from the all-popular gladiator style. The ankle architecture looks great with long, flowy, toe-dusting dresses or short mini skirts. Try them with shredded jean shorts and a t-shirt.

5) Farmer’s Market Carry-Alls: The French Tote and European Wicker Cart and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. French tote available here and Wicker Cart available here.

Farms are bursting with their most colorful, tasty veggies and fruit of the year. Stock up and buy fresh, buy local. Farmers markets aren’t all hippies (who play pan flutes) and vegans. They are the new see-and-be-scene in your local piazza filled with savvy foodies like your stylish self so make sure you know your chard from your chervil and look chic! Read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.

6) Alexander Wang Leather Corset Shorts with Front Tie. Available at Shopbop.com

You won’t look like Zena Princess Warrior or a female version of Mad Max in these, I promise. Pair with a ratty white t-shirt or a light blue oxford with rolled-up sleeves and, Voila! you’re “country” with an edge. A fashion forward edge. Also goes great with the striped shirts above and your favorite black sandals.

7) Vince Draped Suede Jacket. Available at Neiman Marcus

Now this may be called a leather jacket but it actually feels more like paper, stretchy paper because it’s so light. But paper is also the wrong word because it’s soft like butter. Whatever you want to call it, this is perfect worn as a cardigan or a jacket over jeans or a pretty floral mini dress. Treat it more like a jean jacket and you’re good.

Paul + Joe Sister Leopard Ikat Bikini. Available at Mywardrobe.com

With bikinis, I’m assuming if you wear one then you feel good in one. Bikini Styling Tip: less is more, that is, the less fabric the better. A suit should be snug on you (but not tooooooo snug); if it’s baggy it only gets worse with water! Bikini tops also double as colorful bras with summer sundresses.

9) Vince Denim shirt. Available at Net-a-Porter

Actually this pairs well with your leather shorts and is also a great beach cover up. My boyfriend likes to take his chambray shirt to the beach so he can dunk it in the salt water and air-dry. It creates a nice fade with a dry crinkle.

10) The Princess Sovereign Bike and Berkley Helmet. Available at Adeline Adeline

Slow Transportation is like the Slow Food movement: returning to the joys of simple everyday pleasures in a healthy, fulfilling way. Talk about smelling the roses, this quintessential English town and country bicycle is still handmade in their Stratford-upon-Avon factory. Throw some blossoming pink peonies in the front basket, ring-ring your bike bell and pedal through the streets in a “time stops” romantic elegance. We just hope The Sartorialist spots and shoots you!

Actually it smells like earth. Right after it’s rained in the spring. Do you know that smell? Not dirt garbage; dirt soil. Turns out this new Hermes unisex scent is based on the gentian flower and is incredibly wearable. But it’s not floral at all. It lasts and lingers, but it’s not too overwhelming. A scent “palatte neutraliser”, like smelling a jar of coffee beans after testing too many other perfumes. It brings you back to center.
Addictive like that worn in, cashmere sweater that you stole from your boyfriend and wear every day, and earthy like the sexy older sister (of the bright Hermes classic eau d’orange vert) who wears a smoky eye, no bra, and never brushes her long flowing hair.

Hermes Eau de Gentiane Blanche cologne.

Photo Kate Schelter.

Yesterday I visited my friend Lisa Salzer at her Lulu Frost headquarters. I am always struck by the sheer amount of stuff in her studio. You want to dive into all the luscious materials and tools and play for hours. I would like to share with you the brilliance behind the beauty. The madness. The piles. Drawers of gems, rolls of ribbon, the sheer talent of gently marrying concepts together in a seamless way “so Lulu Frost”, all while the Beastie Boys play softly in the background. This is the soul of Lulu Frost from which all beautiful, sublime, handmade jewelry is created.

Fasteners. Photo Kate Schelter.

The army of plyers. Photo Kate Schelter.

Spools of old chain. Photo Kate Schelter.

Antique pendants. Photo Kate Schelter.

Trays of treasures. Photo Kate Schelter.

This and that. Photo Kate Schelter.

Antique shoe buckles. Photo Kate Schelter.

More, more, more... Photo Kate Schelter.

Boxes and boxes of beads. Photo Kate Schelter.

Necklaces in the making. Photo Kate Schelter.

Collections of cuff links. Photo Kate Schelter.

A bracelet glove in surgery. Photo Kate Schelter.

Bags of diamante balls, silver beads. Photo Kate Schelter.

Zipplocks overflowing with un-bent gem settings. Photo Kate Schelter.

Numbers from the old Plaza Hotel. Photo Kate Schelter.

An inspiration board. Photo Kate Schelter.

Lulu is loved by all. A wall of gushing thank you notes. Photo Kate Schelter.

We love Lulu Frost!

Fashion Confidential featured us today along with the likes of designer Alice Temperly and blogger Kristin Knox. Click here to see it. Thanks Fashion Confidential!

Kate's faves on FashionConfidential.com.uk: Paul + Joe stripy cardigan and leopard/ikat bikini, Henrik Vibskov pareo, Philippe Audibert cuff, Antik Batik bag, Stella McCartney sandals.

My mom always carried a pocket book (Coach was all the rage in Chestnut Hill, PA in the 80′s). I didn’t know what a bag/clutch/handbag/purse/minaudiere– you name it–was until I started to read fashion magazines in college. People would kind of laugh when I said “pocket book” as though it were an outdated term. But I have always been one to carry a small sized bag that held just a wallet, lip balm, keys, and now my blackberry. I’m so excited that these little sisters of the It Bag are coming back into style to lighten the fashion load.

My everyday pocketbooks (Chanel, Cole Haan, Anya Hindmarch). Photo Kate Schelter.

DIY! I was inspired by my Chanel to change the chain on my little Cole Haan. Photo Kate Schelter.

I thread unfinished silk ribbon from MJ Trimming through the chain. Photo Kate Schelter.

The ribbon has a certain Lanvin effect too, oui?! Photo Kate Schelter.

Pocket Book = Hands Free! Photo Kate Schelter.

The Cultivated Home, written by Haus Interiors’s Nina Freudenberger, has just featured us and our blog. Click here to read it.

At home in Gramercy Park. Photo Kate Schelter.

It is really fun after many years of fashion, fashion, fashion to be included in a publication that covers decor. I have always been interested in interior design (my mom was a decorator) so it’s validating to see my “interior style” as inspirational to others. I follow the same old rule: surround yourself with what you love. I will post more pictures of my apartment in the new year but enjoy this for now!

I keep this restaurant list in my blackberry because I constantly find myself in a different neighborhood with the recurring question: Where should we eat? Voila! My fool-proof list for quality, value and charm (and to help recall places that I am near, or spots that I haven’t been to in a while) in no particular order, with recommended plates in italics:

Motorino Pizza - pizza margherita. East village.
The Breslin – mussel soup, pumpkin and pomagranate salad, poached egg over lentils, chocolate donuts. Flatiron.
Back Forty - donuts, roast chicken, fennel salad. East village.
Mermaid Inn – lobster roll, Old Bay fries. East village.
Indochine NoHo.
Hampton Chutney Nolita.
Nobu Tribecca.
Il Buco NoHo.
Rauoles Soho.
Smith + Mills – caviar. Tribecca.
La Esquina – ceviche, insalada de casa, tacos. Take-out menu yummier than sit-down. Nolita
Cookshop Chelsea.
Barrio Chino – enchiladas verde. Lower East Side.
Little Giant – mac and cheese. Lower East Side.
Freemans – artichoke dip. Nolita.
Blue Ribbon Sushi Soho.
Gramercy Tavern – chef’s tasting menu. Gramercy Park.
Union Square Cafe Union Square.
Cafe Mogador – Greek salad, country breakfast, hummus, labne, apricot and prune tagine. East village.
Candle Cafe – grilled seitan chimmichurri, all salads, meze plate. Upper East Side.
JG Melon – turkey burger and fries. Upper East Side.
Spotted Pig - gnudi, seasonal plate of 5 vegetables; chicken liver toast. West Village.
Bar Pitti – Insalata Pitti (not on menu; you have to ask), rigatonni Pitti, pesto, sauteed spinach. Greenwich Village.
Cafe Sabarsky Upper East Side.
Turks + Frogs – the meze appatizers. Tribecca.
Bobo Greenwich Village.
Taralucci + Vino – cappuccino, beet + corn salad, duck ragout. Flatiron.
Caracas Arepa bar East village.
Bacaro - duck ragout. Lower East Side.
71 Irving – California bagel, caprese panini. Gramercy Park.

It’s worth knowing where to get excellent food rather than average expensive food, don’t you think?! What are your favorites? Let us know what we should add…

Toms Shoe Drops go to Argentina, Ethiopia, South Africa and the USA.

I love Toms Shoes. I have about 4 pairs right now, and have worn through about 10 since I first met my dear friend Blake Mycoskie, who started the company 3 years ago. They are my “go to” shoe without fail. As I got to know Blake better, I became more and more interested in the cause: for every shoe sold, a shoe is then donated to a child in need. One for one.

In the summer of 2007, I did a large gifting of Toms to about 500 friends, family and colleagues. I was so excited I had to share them with everyone I knew. The card I attached said “Happy Summer! A child in need will receive a pair of shoes in your name.” At that point I knew I had to live up to my pledge and go on an official “shoe drop” with Friends of Toms — the actual trips where groups of people go into the field and personally put shoes on children’s feet, one at a time.

My first day putting shoes on kids in Buenos Aires. I don't speak Spanish but the kids were all smiles.

So, last January, I headed to Argentina for the first time and we donated over 1,500 pairs of shoes. One. At. A. Time. There’s no magic or quick fix here.

The experience was really fun as the actual field work is mixed in with travel, exploring, and bonding with the group over bumpy bus rides into the jungle and long conversational meals. But when you actually get down on your hands and knees and put a tiny red shoe (smaller than your hand) on a little girl’s foot, it’s the kind of experience that makes you feel like crying. Good tears, like the kind you get when you spot a man proposing to his girlfriend in Central Park, or when you cheer the runners on in the marathon. There’s something inherently good-natured, right down to the bone and it pangs your heart. It’s a feeling of connectivity that runs very deep. Oprah would probably call it The Zone or something but I just call it “Awesome!”

Step 3: A succesful shoe drop for a small nomadic tribe in Misiones, Argentina.

Toms founder, Blake Mycoskie, leads the next shoe drop at a community center. Kids clamor to get inside.

Measuring a boy's foot to get him the correct shoe size.

The Toms Shoe fits!

Another success!

Think about giving Toms Shoes to your loved ones this holiday season.