Spring has been teasing New York City. We’ve been going from heavy duty wool coats one day to light knits the next. So I interrupt my normally scheduled St. Bart’s shoot to get a little in touch with what’s happening in NYC. I have lots more fun stuff in store from St. Bart’s, but now I’m in New York city and it’s disappointingly cold.
This weather is depressing, so I try to keep engaged and occupied. No Thursdays spent at home watching Olivia Pope dress up. Instead I try to get together with friends and try out new bars and restaurants when I have free time. I love hanging out during the week. Dinner and drinks with a gal pal . . . MY FAVE!
So what do we wear when it’s cool but not too cold, and it’s the beginning of spring but sometimes feels like winter? For my girls’ night out, I opted for shorts and fur . . . or faux fur, rather.
This look was heavily inspired by the french fashion house Balmain. Which girl did not fall in love after seeing the way Olivier Rousteing captured so much beauty and detail PERFECTLY in the September 2014 issue of W magazine?
It was Parisian luxury, but from a very modern and intricate perspective. #ABSOLUTELYFABULOUS! 
Great to look at, but impossible to afford unless it goes on a super sale. This was my inspiration: Capturing a 10k look on a 1K budget.
This was my inspiration: Capturing a 10k look on a 1K budget.
Take away notes from the Balmain look is to use gold embellishments, leather, fur, rust tones, and sequins to create a very luxurious and glam yet cohesive look. This was my mission to join this Balmain army.
In general, it’s hard to pull off a high end look on a small budget. The key is creating a look for yourself, without falling victim to bad knock offs. Yes, I know we all love it on Kim K, but even if we can’t afford to dress like her, it doesn’t mean we can’t look as good as her . . . or better yet AS GOOD AS YOU!
I’m sure these Balmain looks got trickled down into the “insta-market place.” And there’s nothing wrong with buying it if that’s the look that works for you. I personally like to draw inspiration from high-end looks and try to create an outfit with a similar feel. That is, of course, if I can’t find it in my budget on The Outnet or other great online designer discount shops. This is a New York City It Girl Blog . . . 
Not INSTA-GLAM 101!
I started this look from the waist up. It all started with the shoes. I purchased these DVF calf-hair ankle boots about two years ago. The strappy leather and gold hardware made them my go-to item for creating my own Balmain look.
The basic look is just loose leather shorts with a rust or even jeweled tone silk shirt would work. These Zara shorts aren’t even real leather . . . can you tell? 
This Zara shirt with the sequin embellished sleeves had Mr. Rousteing written all over it. 
Silk is a very luxurious fabric all on its, own so combined with leather, it has a very glam appeal. From there I just piled on the gold accessories. C Wonder is one of my favorite places to shop for gold bracelets. They have a wide variety and are perfect for stacking together or combining with another fave piece like a watch or leather band. Add a broad leather belt for that cinched waist look, some midi rings and earrings, and you’re well on your way. These Zara earrings are also a fave. I love the one long earring look.
Last thing you need is a black coat, and voilà! You’re ready to take on the town. Remember this little Altuzarra for Target faux number. Chic and warm all at the same time.
Remember this little Altuzarra for Target faux number.
Only thing missing from this look is a smile, because you are looking fantastic without spending gigantic! Plenty of room in your wallet to treat your friends to a round of martinis and cosmos on you. Have fun, girls! xoxoSB
GET THE LOOK
Zara silk embellished blouse – similar here
Zara faux leather shorts – similar here
Diane Von Furstenburg calf hair ankle boots – shop similar here or for a high end options try this or this
H&M wide leather belt – shop similar here and here if you feel like splurging go for this or for a mega splurge 
this
Zara gold clutch
Photos by : Alena Soboleva
Yep, no real swimming happening here! 
the better . . . but then you add fringe and color on top of making it teeny-tiny . . . 
GET OUT! This is not the matching top, but as you already know I’ll mix polka dots with stripes in a heartbeat. Same goes for vibrant hues and tribal prints. For swim, I think it just makes your look far more fun and interesting.
Why miss out on the safest place to try mixing prints? When you’re poolside or on the beach, virtually anything goes. Another trend you should not miss out on this summer is beach-body-jewelry. Give new meaning to the term beach goddess and pile on the jewellery to go with the crown. Don’t ask me what happens when you wear it in water.
#StraightPoser
Somehow when I put the top on I didn’t tighten the neck enough so my girls were just enjoying “hang-time” and missing out on the push up activity this top offered, but it’s okay. Totally having a Baywatch moment.
with tiny sapphire 
polka dots 
Queen Bey 
herself back in October 2014. She attended a London art fair in an outfit with a similar play on black and white prints. Saw it, loved it, and knew I had to try it!
International Women’s Day
I am, however, not a big plaid or stripe person. Polka dots yes, stripes no, not so much. I had the option of pairing this grid midi skirt with a polka dot shirt but I decided to go full on grid . . . why not? The easiest way for me to wear similar prints is to blend different shades from the same family. It’s also great if you work with a smaller print and a bold, more defined one—they pair perfectly.
Beyonce’s “Flawless” 
The culotte is a big trend this summer. So whether you are big, small, short, tall . . . get in on the look like I did. Don’t unpack those summer “battyrider” shorts just yet! 