Nana Banana

I have a problem

A few months ago, I developed a case of shoe lust. My impending unemployment helped stave things off, kicked up some financial antibodies, generally kept the bug at bay.  But this week I developed a fever, broke out into a rash of irrational purchases, and am now in the depths of a full-on footwear fanaticism.  It all started when I went to a Dolce Vita party for editors and buyers. It brought me into close proximity with THE BOOTS (holy jesus they're every bit as beautiful in person and yes I'm probably going to cave before fashion week). There was an open bar.  There were free shoes (see the sex-on-a-stiletto-black-cage-numbers on the left below)! 

One new pair of shoes should have been enough.  But that just unleashed the fervor within. So today after a breakfast meeting, I wandered by the Steven store on Ludlow, and they were having a firesale.  Two pairs for $50!!!!!  So, naturally I bought 5.  Because that is practical for someone that is funemployed. 

And Friday I head to the leather capital of the world: Argentina!!!  Someone please knock some sense into me!  Save me from myself!!!  (or at least compliment me on all of my beautiful new shoes!!! Don't they just bring a tear to the eye!?)

Stuffed bird: Street style for binge eaters

In packing to go home for Thanksgiving, I inevitably throw sweaters and leggings into a bag and call it a day.  I also inevitably look like a BritBrit departing another dry-out sesh in rehab-land.  I mean, honestly, who dresses up to take a bus from Port Authority?!  Well, apparently that someone should be me.  Because when there's one single bus line that goes from NY to your hometown, you're inevitably going to run into someone you know (likely an ex). 

All of this is to say that this year, I have attempted to look like a functional human being for the holiday.  A functional human being with a serious appetite and the need to store up some poundage for the lean months ahead.  So, here I give you some street style inspiration for your T-giving wardrobes.  Plenty of room for waistline expansion, kids.  

Throw a plaid shirt over your nightgown so you can tryptophan straight from the table to the couch and pass out before it's time to help with the dishes (not that I would ever do that).

Volume is key people.  Also, if you wear florals, grandma is more likely to stop asking if you're a lesbian and/or when you're going to get married and/or why you still insist on wearing those ugly big glasses.

Wear an outfit with room for hoarding leftovers.  (**NOTE: Nana Banana doesn't necessarily condone this look, but all bets are off when it come's to scoring the last slice of pie.)

OK, that is all.  Happy Turkey Day to you and yours.  And may the Black Friday force be with you.

Smooches,

Nana Banana

Man Candy Mondays: The Slumber Party edition

Nana Banana is still recovering from a bit of a weekend bender involving pack-your-own cocktails, Cowhican sweaters and a Mexican Jesus. Please busy yourselves with the eye candy from last week's Pajama Party while I attempt to hydrate myself back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Smooches,

Nana Banana

Cutie pies, right?

All photos taken by Barbara Cleveland.

Take that Opening Ceremony!

Apologies for the late posting, but Nana Banana was up way past her bedtime covering the Creative Times slumber party for style.com. While there, I nearly took out a tray of macaroons leaping across the room to get a closer look at a seriously rad Pendleton-for-Opening-Ceremony-esque cape (and the obsession continues).

Turns out the fabulous woman wearing it was Lindsey Thornburg, the designer herself (photo above by Barbara Cleveland). Thornburg combines silhouettes inspired by her travels through Peru with her love for vintage wools (Pendleton included). You can buy them online here or at Oak.  

Man Candy Mondays: Fashion's Night Out edition

Fashion's night out wasn't all limp noodles and gay pirates. There was also some serious Man Candy. Straight boys that know their way around a bowtie. New York is spoiling me.

Outside of Tiffany.

At Barneys.  This photo doesn't do them justice.

At Diesel (where we took refuge after they ran out of champagne at Barneys)

I think perhaps we might need a closeup of this one.  Yes?  I thought so...

The best part of the night? Closing things down with my new favorite taco truck, an import from these guys in Playa del Carmen, who I wrote about awhile back.

Fashion's Night Out-Rageous

In the words of one sagely soused participant, "Fashion's Night Out is like Halloween for grownups." NYers costumed themselves all sexy like and went door-to-door scoring free shit. Free champagne at Barneys, free tacos at The Smile, free manicures at Chanel, free, free, free.  It was one big street party of awesome.  And Nana Banana was there--dressed as a Sexy Freeloader--to capture the night's best costumes.  Behold!

Sexy Goth Pirate Accessorized With His Latest Plunder

Sexy Gay Rhett Butler Impersonator

Sexy Varsity Star Trek Quarterback

Sexy Spawn of Skeletor and a Velociraptor

Sexy Widow of Chef Boyardee

Sexy Norma Desmond from the Kabul Cast of Sunset Boulevard

Sexy Lumiere (after discovering Belle's jewelry stash).  Kidding - this guy was fabulous.  Speaking of fabulous, check the badass lucite piece this woman was wearing:

"Where did you get your necklace?"
"Secret stash," she coyly responds. "I love your necklace though!"
"It's from Forever 21."
"Yeah, by 'secret stash,' I meant H&M."

Seriously people. That necklace was $19.95.  I die. 

What did you do for Fashion's Night Out? What was your costume?  And thank you, Colleen E., for the blog post title.

Man Candy Monday: The tea party edition

Double Crown had me at Pimms Cup. This Bowery homage to the British empire channels everything that we love about our cross-pond neighbors: ill-fated imperialism, ascots, and, of course, daytime drinking. Each Sunday they host a boozy high tea that draws quite the mix of dapper gentlemen. Today we raise our cup and saucer to these fine looking lads.

Brit vs. Aussie: A gin showdown for the ages.

We don't tend to include stylish ladies in our Monday roundups, but this couple was just so damned cute, I couldn't resist.

Man Candy Mondays: The it-was-too-hot-to-be-shot edition

As Nana Banana gets both older and wiser, she has started to realize that life is all about balance. For example, it is OK to start off your weekend with a nine mile run provided that it be followed with nine rounds of fried food (check and check). Also, you can capture 900 Man Candy mental pictures as long as you don't shoot any actual photos (it was 900 degrees people, the most energy I could muster was turning my head to look at the next set of hot abs on the horizon). However, I did manage to rouse myself to take a few shots. And I offer them up to you today. Happy Man Candy Monday (the painfully hungover edition).

This man had lovely baby blues and a sweetie pie disposition. Nana Banana seal of approval.

These gentleman are twins. They also both have great shoes. Their momma should be proud.

The vacation come-down

My friend Emily's Chicago apartment is a little slice of sunshine, the kind of open airy place that breeds happy thoughts and long conversations. Now that I'm in the depths of the vacation come-down (damn you fluorescent lights and full inbox), all I wanna do is curl up in a cozy little space like this. To add insult to injury, Design Sponge posted this beautiful shot of a DIY day bed.

I feel a little selfish pining for a nap after such a lovely weekend (full report tomorrow), but really it's to steel myself for the week ahead, a week that involves late nights at work, but also such awesomeness as welcoming these lovely ladies back to the city for their CD release. 

Those Darlins' CD release: Southpaw on Friday

And of course the return of everyone's favorite summer Sunday shenanigans.

And from the files of "Why didn't I think of this?!" comes...

Mens Vogue editor gets canned.  Mens Vogue editor hops in a car and road trips through the southwest. Mens Vogue editor buys shit at Goodwill. Mens Vogue editor marks it up 5000% and sells it in an insanely adorable pop-up store at Billy Reid. This is the best idea ever. I could cry.

Stop by tomorrow: Billy Reid, 54 Bond St., nr. Bowery; 212-598-9355. Preview the goods here.

I might have to rip this off during my birthday Graceland-to-Dollywood road trip!