Showing posts with label chance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chance. Show all posts

A Good Day

Many of my days are spent working at home alone. That's why I enjoy getting out and about for appointments and meetings.  Tuesday was especially fun filled so I thought I'd give you a glimpse into a good day.  

It started with a 10:0am press appointment for India Hicks Jewelry at The Mark Hotel. In a stroke of lucky timing, her partner David Flint Wood was exiting the elevator as I was about to enter.  David is a wonderful interior designer as you may have seen from his client Brook Shield's beautiful apartment in Architectural Digest. He's at work on another project in the city which was where he was headed. He's also an avid HC blog reader.  Woo hoo! 

India is also wonderfully talented as you can see from her jewelry designs.  The Love Letters are based on her father David Hicks' alphabet designs. 

Other pieces are inspired by her Island Life in the Bahamas. 

The hexagon pattern was a favorite of her father and is the basis for the Hicks on Hicks collection. 

My appointment coincided with that of Amanda Ross.  Here you can see her bracelet-ed arm pointing to India's wonderful mix of gold and silver charms. 

Beautiful bangles. 

I loved the feathers. 

A few more pieces. 

The Mark Hotel is not only chic outside but they offer guests these snazzy bikes.  I think they are reason alone to book a stay. 

I then walked down Madison Avenue where I popped into the J.Crew Collection and Bridal boutique at the corner of 66th Street.  They always have pieces not available online and it's my favorite place to shop. I picked up a pink dress for a party in the Hamptons this weekend but forgot to take a pic. Just two blocks down were a gaggle of girls and paparazzi watching Gossip Girl filming.

Blake Lively and Chace Crawford braved the hot temperatures to film a scene for Season 6 of Gossip Girl which premiers on October 8th. 

Then it was off to Barneys to see the new shoe mecca on the fifth floor.  The men's and women's sides are now connected which is nice when you're shopping with your significant other or friends. 


This is a not so great iPhone pic so please excuse the quality.  I didn't buy shoes but I did buy a fabulous Fendi dress that was so on sale it was practically free.  I jest of course but it was a great deal and the saleswoman was kind enough to call the Chicago store to have my size sent to me.  I forgot to take a pic of the dress but some of you will see it during fashion week and my book tour.

Then it was off to the beauty floor to replenish my stock of Santal 26 by Le Labo.  I just can't quit it and since it's become my signature scent, I figured I might as well stick with it.  I also love the personalized labels. Thanks Frank!

After an air conditioned can ride downtown, I arrived at Cafe Cluny for lunch with Julia Leach of Chance Co.  

I arrived early which gave me time for a pink lemonade at the bar. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Julia Leach is one of the most inspiring people I've ever met.  She's also one of the most gracious and came bearing a gift so perfectly wrapped, I hated to open it.  I really can't wait until the day she has her own Chance boutiques and that hotel she is designing in her head.  

She had to run to a meeting but I took my time enjoying the chic bikes and architecture in the West Village. 

My biggest dream is to own a townhouse, preferably in the West Village.  Please buy lots of copies of my book so I can make it a reality!  Thanks!

A lovely door. 

It was so hot that Bleecker Street was a bit of a ghost town but that was fine by me. 

When the temperature rises to over 90 degrees, that calls for gelato.  I stopped into L'Arte del Gelato but Kelly Ripa was just raving about La Cremeria on Mulberry Street. She said it tastes the closest to gelato in Italy.  I look forward to trying it on the next 90+ day. 

New magazines don't hit the newsstands uptown until Wednesday but I found the new August Vogue available on Tuesday.  Another reason to move downtown.  I also picked up some cheeky "Shit I'll Never Get Done" notepads by Terrapin Stationers at BookMarc.  

When I got home and declared on twitter that I had the best day, I received an email inviting me to tag along on a photo shoot in the Hamptons Thursday for one of the hottest men alive. I get to take my own photos and will be posting them soon. Certainly makes up for those other days working at home alone! 

All photos by moi.

Going to California

"Made up my mind to make a new start,
going to California with an aching in my heart.
Someone told me there's a girl there 
with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair."
- Led Zeppelin

I can't believe this is only the second season for Chance.  It just feels like it's been around forever.  After popping up on Elizabeth Street last summer, they've moved on up to the east side to reside in Barneys in New York for the summer as well as in Barneys in Beverly Hills. The first collection took its cues from France and felt a little European.  The second season has Chance taking a trip to California.  Founder and creative director Julia Leach is always traveling back and forth to the Golden State so it makes perfect sense that it would inspire her. 

Julia is always inspiring me as well.  I love that in a sea of get famous as fast as you can people and brands, she continues to grow Chance slowly and thoughtfully. Eventually there will be a men's collection and cashmere but only when the time is right. And right now, it's time to enjoy Chance in Barneys.  The pop up will remain on the 8th floor of Co-op for about three weeks when it will be moved to a regular display.  

Happy Shopping!

In addition to the classic striped tees for which Chance is famous, you can also pick up beach towels and bags. The bags feature the symbol for water in a choice of three colors and come with a little towel.  Perfect for a day at the beach. 

Julia and I both hate having our picture taken but I made her do it!  

A new light turquoise shade inspired by California. Julia will actually be at the Beverly Hills Barneys store on June 2nd from 2:00-4:00pm on the third floor.  If you are in the area, definitely stop by and say hello and see the new collection. 


If you haven't already watched the Chance video shot by Andrew Paynter in Palm Springs, you can check it out here. Just be warned that the model's long legs are envy inducing! 


The plush beach towels are available in five colors and words: blue Saturday, aqua Poolside, green Paradise, sand Seashore, and navy Reserved. 

These make me wish I still wore shorts,

Mini stripes on the long sleeve polo. 

Julia's inspiration in also on display. 

I'm loving the new green stripes. 


I also apologize for the yellow tint to some of the photos.  I took my tiny point and click instead of my Canon D5 and this is the result of the florescent lighting. 


Julia also collaborated with her friend and artist Elliott Puckette on a hand drawn stripe. 

A close up of the "Elliott Stripe" which comes in blue, pink, and soft black. 

This makes me wish I was at the beach instead of grey and gloomy New York. 

There are even some long dresses in the collection. 

Take a Chance!

First and last images by Andrew Paynter and courtesy of Chance. 
All others by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Stars and Stripes

This post of stripes is in honor of the Chance Co. pop up shop that is debuting in Barneys in New York and Los Angeles today. I'm off to the press preview and can't wait to congratulate designer Julia Leach and see the new spring collection inspired by California.  While I'm gone, you can watch this chic video entitled Saturday that was shot by director Andrew Paynter in where else, California. 

Photographer Maya Villger

Another great Chance Co. photo. 

via Mr. Newton


Gwyneth Paltrow

via Tommy Ton


Tommy Ton for GQ


Tommy Ton for GQ

Audrey Hepburn

Tommy Ton 


Patti Smith by Judy Lin


Greta Watson 1955


Doris Duke and Porfirio Rubirosa


Paul Newman

via Tommy Ton


Serena Nikkah by Claiborne Swanson Frank

Harper's Bazaar



James Dean

Jackie O

An Olsen





Katherine Hepburn and Spence Tracy

Jane Birkin


Brigitte Bardot





Andy Warhol in 1965.

Edie Sedgwick