Polos from Polo

Bow Tie: Bloomingdales; Polo: Polo Ralph Lauren; Jeans: Levi 510 Super Skinny; Belt: Uniqlo; Shoes: Zara; Watch: Ted Baker

I always feel a little more pulled together when I wear my polo tucked in with a belt and bow tie. Very dapper and always 100% on point for the day - and why not wear a polo from Polo Ralph Lauren? It's the only thing that makes sense. As I continue to build my wardrobe, I'm definitely going to be adding more and more of these shirts to the mix. The bow tie was find from Bloomingdales when I started to dabble in accessories that took a look from one place to a completely different place - that's exactly what this paisley print bow tie did.

I love the ease of Sundays and the chance to reflect back and look at another week gone by...Here's to another Stylish Sunday spent looking nothing but my best.

Food for Thought Fridays: Bacon & Spinach Carbonara...

Food Porn! As I'm sure you are all aware, I am a self proclaimed foodie. Yes, it's true. If it's edible, more than likely I'll try it. Every Saturday I wake up and veg out on the couch with my dog, Aspen to watch the 9am - 1pm lineup on Food Network.

My favorites are Cooking for Real, Down Home with The Neelys (a dash of Cayene Pepper!!!! I love Pat and Gina. Are they not the cutest couple..ever??), Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics, and my all time favorite - 5 Ingredient Fix. Claire Robinson is my hero! She takes the most decadent meals and simplifies them for foodies like me. Quality over quantity is Claire's motto - with the right ingredients you can have a 5 star meal without all of the extra fuss.

I've never tried one of Claire's recipes until last week when she combined my two loves - bacon and pasta to make a Creamy Spinach Bacon and Spinach Carbonara. It looked amazing!!!

Although I couldn't find the exact cheese and pasta that Claire used on the show - Damn Super WalMart. What's so good about a store selling groceries if they're not going to offer everything??? Either way, it was definitely one of the best meals I've ever made.

And who said no reservations on a Friday night was the end of the world?

Stylish Sundays: Fashion Visionaire, Iris Apfel...

Iris Apfel to me is a stunning work of art. Her love of clothing, color, and most importantly accessories, and interior fabrics come through in everything she says and does. Her energy and passion makes me fall in love with STYLE all over again. I really think people miss the true meaning of personal style because they are so caught up in what's in Fashion. Fashion is something you buy, where style is something you have - an invaluable talent that we all possess.

Now please don't get me wrong, Fashion gives us the tools to create personal style...but it is truly an amazing experience to find one's self through their sartorial journey. I believe my look is minimal at times, masculine meets feminine classics! I'm also lusting over the power accessories have in taking a look from one place to somewhere completely unexpected. Like rock legends and stylish people alike, I've become less conscious of gender specific clothing, and more conscious of what I want to say to the word through my wardrobe! I honestly believe as we move towards a more modern, label-less society, where we're not defined by typical labels of man or woman, gay or straight, liberal or conservative and so on, that's when we'll see more and more people able to define who they are and what they truly want to say to the world.

In the meantime we'll have amazing, fearless, and inspiring people like the Great Iris Apfel. Enjoy the videos - I've seriously watched them over 100 times.

Happy Stylish Sunday!

Florals and Stripes...

Shirt: GAP; Pants: H&M; Shoes: Forever21; Belts: Uniqlo; Sunglasses: Prada; Watch: Michael Kors; Bracelets: Tiffany & Co. and Erika Pena

Honestly, I seriously need to see if studies are being conducted on how FAST these weeks are going by. I mean seriously, I look up and it's Thursday! Not complaining, making an observation.

Anyway, decided to try the whole pattern mixing trend today at work. Florals and Stripes, oh my! What do you think...

New York Stationed...

1 down, 9 to go. I've been on an eternal search for a military style jacket in my price range (that's right, I'm sticking to this budget thing and there's nothing you can do to stop me. I love you J.Crew, I really do, but $170 is too much for a jacket...I live in FL for goodness sake). Surprisingly enough I was able to score a Base Jacket from the GAP for $30; originally priced at $90! The above set pretty much sums up my inspiration for my new acquired piece.

Heading out to New York tomorrow around 2 and the excitement is building. Decided not to stay the weekend (my savings will thank me later) but I have some fab eateries lined up for this week. The weather is also pretty awful I hear which is perfect for me and my new addition. I love items that you Buy Now, Wear Now, and Love FOREVER! Below is my first vlog* and a feature on the jacket.

*NOTE: Visual and audio are a little off; half to figure this out. Made the vid on my MAC Photo Booth.

Rainy and Cold? I'll Take It... from Ernest Bee on Vimeo.

Many thanks to Patrick and all our peeps at the classic navy and white.

Oh New York, how I've missed thee so...

Cruel Summer...

T-Shirt: Forever 21; Necklace: Chico's; Pants: GAP; Shoes: Nikes; Watch: Michael Kors

It's officially summer here in FL, and to say I'm a little pissed is an understatement! Ugh!!!! I really hate when the sun rises say 2 or 3 and begins to cook us poor defenseless humans in our fav garments. It's not fair, it's just not fair. This summer I've decided that my work and personal wear will reflect my well curated style in a new way.

Before, I was very rebellious against rising temperatures, I'm talking cardigans, long sleeve V-neck sweaters, it was hot, sweaty mess. Logically speaking, I believed that I was going from the AC'd house, to the AC'd car, to the AC'd office...not having to worry about the elements around me. WRONG! I do so much walking at work that I need to seriously stop playing and get it together.

After reading Harper's Bazaar's May issue and Anne Monokey's article depicting her time at Ana Maria Pimental's summer wedding, she touched on while temperatures may be rising, one should not allow style to plummet. Taking her advice of incorporating light weight fabrics, cotton, cotton, and more cotton blended garments and tops. With the use bold accessories and jewelry to boost credibility of everyday basic ensembles, I definitely think now the summer won't be so cruel to my stylish ways...

Here's hoping!

Pnk Elephant Launch Party

Designer's Handbag fit for a true accessories addict


Creating art takes many tools...


Models for the night..pure art form from the make-up brush


1/2 of Pnk Elephant design team, Blair


2/2 of Pnk Elephant design team, Dana


Pnk Elephant meets the press


Closeup of Pnk Elephant Spike Bracelet and Studded Cuff


Blair doing touch ups before showtime

Following your dreams is the most rewarding thing one can ever do in life. It can sometimes be downright scary and absolutely wear on one's spirit and mind frame of which direction/step to take first. Fear is truly not a factor for 2 of my friends in New York, who a few years ago decided to launch their online boutique, PnkElephant.com.

I've known one of the partners, Blair, for going on 6 years now and she is truly the epitome of a "go-getter". Never settling for anything less than perfection, she has and continues to push herself to make a name in an industry since the housing bubble bust, has seen many big retailers shaken in their galoshes. With her business partner, Dana, who I've only met this year, the dynamic duo set out to push past industry and expert fears and offer the entire world affordable accessories via the world wide web.

By opening an online boutique first, they are able to reach across many oceans and bridges to some places many brick and mortar stores may only dream of being. With international acclaim, they have seen excitement for their brand in Sweden and London. And what more validation can you get than from across the pond? On April 29th in New York, I was able to attend the launch party of Pnk Elephant and it was truly a momentous occasion.

Hosted at HK Lounge in midtown Manhattan, models in designs by Marco Hall (also a friend of mine) parlayed with party goers donning the latest accessories from the all female design and buying team. Amongst family and friends, Blair and Dana introduced their labor of love to a crowd of movers and shakers that were ready for something new and fresh. The above photos were a few I was able to grab that night before putting the camera away and partaking in the festivities. Definitely be sure to check these ladies out as they continue to bring amazing and trend-setting accessories to the forefront.

Bravo ladies, bravo!