must-have Monday: Park Dress by 100% NY

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How many times can I gush about the stunning label 100% NY? I know I've talked about Daniel Silverstein's sartorial genius multiple times (here and here), but today's must have is too amazing not to share.

You may recognize Daniel from NBC's Fashion Star, which has resulted in several of his designs now being sold at Sak's Fifth Avenue. After the finale of the fashion-based reality show, Silverstein announced a new capsule collection that was easier on our budgets without sacrificing style. His three new dresses are affordable and flattering, with details that stem from his trademark aesthetic. My personal favorite: the Park Dress, a flirty lace frock that can be dressed down for day or styled with statement jewelry and heels for a special night out.

shopping Brooklyn with Snapette

 [my profile on Snapette]

Although we've lived in New York for about a year and a half, we hardly ever go to Brooklyn. I realize that this borough (known outside of the city as the hipster capital of the world/where Jay-Z grew up) is relatively close to where we live. I'm not sure why we haven't explored more of what Brooklyn has to offer, but when Snapette asked me to do a little boutique shopping on their behalf, I jumped at the chance.

If you haven't heard, Snapette is a special little app (created by Sarah Paiji and Jinhee Anh Kim) that helps you find exactly what you're shopping for based on partnerships with stores and crowd-sourced images. With Snapette, you can snap photos of your favorite clothing items in boutique and share them on the app for others to use as shopping guides. Now, when you're out and about and aren't sure where to turn, you can trust Snapette to give you a frame of reference for the area. I first heard about this remarkable app last fall, and Snapette was recently named as one of the most innovative companies of 2013 by Fast Company. Definitely check out the app if you haven't already (warning: it can be addictive.)

Inspired by my marathon training last fall, my friends at Snapette created a little shopping marathon of popular boutiques and vintage stores in Brooklyn.

Eva Gentry Consignment, 371 Atlantic Avenue (near Hoyt-Schermerhorn St. stop)
In Boerum Hill, a beautiful consignment shop is nestled in a row of other shops and restaurants. Named for its owner, Eva Gentry specializes in offering unique designer pieces at affordable pieces. Featured in Conde Nast Traveler, New York Magazine and Racked, Eva Gentry brings you a range of wares from luxe Miu Miu heels ($198) to timeless Bass loafers ($59). Bohemian Anna Sui dresses ($110) and edgy Marc Jacobs boots ($130) line the shelves. At these prices, you'll definitely want to pay this boutique a visit.

Jumelle, 148 Bedford Avenue (near the Bedford Avenue stop)
A Lucky Magazine favorite shines in Williamsburg. You'll feel instant sartorial lust upon entering Jumelle, a carefully crafted boutique by owner Candice Waldron, a former Emmy-nominated broadcast journalist. Opened in 2006, Jumelle is named after the French word for "twin"—Candice's twin sister Carla is the boutique manager. Also featured in New York Magazine as one of Brooklyn's must-visit boutiques, Jumelle features high-end clothing from renowned designers (Isabel Marant, Sonia Rykiel and Rag & Bone decorate the showroom walls). I was immediately drawn to Jumelle's mix of feminine and timeless, innovative and vintage-inspired.

I fell in love with the mixture of rose gold knits and printed silk dresses. I dream of owning a wardrobe composed of gorgeous pieces from Jumelle.

Amarcord Vintage, 223 Bedford Avenue (near the Bedford Avenue stop on the L train)
 This shop in the heart of Williamsburg embodies the spirit of a classic vintage store. The space in Amarcord Vintage is small, but every square inch is utilized with racks of clothing, shelves of accessories and tables in the middle. If your personal style gravitates to bulky sweaters, printed shorts and 80s-style sequins, add Amarcord to your shopping itinerary. I found a beautiful vintage Coach bag (that looked exactly like the new legacy collection) for a fraction of the retail price. Definitely worth a moment if you're in the area, but you can also shop their designer wares online.

Narnia Vintage, 672 Driggs Avenue (near the Bedford Avenue stop)

The bare-bones, bohemian space of Narnia Vintage feels like Eastern style combined with Western chic. The shop's second location, the little nook in Brooklyn boasts lots of leather, fringe and knitted pieces. Think Woodstock meets Haight-Ashbury. Neil Young on scratched vinyl plays as you cruise through racks of hipster-chic vintage, and the small yet ethereal space calls to mind the escapist fantasy of the store's namesake.

After you shop this great stores in Brooklyn, don't forget to check out Snapette!
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Let me know if you join—I would love to follow your snaps!


And the winner of the Epiphany Chocolates giveaway is...

Monika! I'll be in touch about your prize. Thanks again to all who entered!

Derby Style on Nooga.com

I'm excited to share that I was featured in an article on Nooga.com about Kentucky Derby style! Check out the article written by Maggie Behringer. Thanks, Maggie!

Epiphany Chocolates Pretty in Paisley [giveaway]

I've mentioned one of my favorite sweets companies before—the amazing goodness that is Epiphany Chocolates. Mother's Day is coming up soon, and Epiphany Chocolates has created an amazing collection perfect for the occasion.

The Pretty in Paisley gift box has 18 amazing gourmet chocolates for mom (or yourself) in nine flavors:

• Grande Diva (dark chocolate fudge)
• Queen B (butter toffee fudge)
• The Empress (maple walnut fudge)
• Sweet P (butter pecan fudge)
• Sweet Carolime (key lime fudge)

• Golden Girl (butterscotch caramel)
• Lady Smith (apple caramel)

• Holly Woods (cashew sea salt caramel)—my personal favorite
• Party Girl (cake batter fudge)

And it comes in the cutest purple paisley box ready for gifting. Basically all kinds of awesomeness.

Epiphany Chocolates has generously decided to give a box of the Pretty in Paisley collection to a reader of A Flattering Tale! The collection is the perfect gift to pass along to your mom, just in time for Mother's Day.

To enter, simply comment on this post with your name and an email address where you can be reached.

For extra entries:
• follow Epiphany on Twitter
• like Epiphany on Facebook
• follow A Flattering Tale on bloglovin'
• like A Flattering Tale on Facebook
• share the giveaway via Facebook or Twitter

To make sure your extra entries count, please leave a separate comment on this post for each extra entry you complete.

The contest will run until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, so enter as many as (open to U.S. residents only).

And if you want to go ahead and order some chocolates for mom (or yourself), Epiphany has offered readers of A Flattering Tale 25% off the entire site with the code MOM25.

must-have Monday: Patterned Burn-Out Tank from Old Navy

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Running has been a big part of my life for a few years now. Striking sneaker to pavement has allowed me to relieve stress and stay disciplined while doing something I love. The events of last week were terrifying and disgusting, and I know there isn't much I can say that you haven't read or seen in the news. What happened was unimaginable, and I can only hope that everyone continues to keep the affected families in their thoughts.

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I stumbled upon today's must have while running errands. Finding functional (and cute) workout gear can be a challenge, and I've had good luck with Old Navy's active line. This patterned burn-out tank is perfect for running or yoga, with a longer silhouette that sits just below your workout pants/shorts waistline. A gathered racerback and a trendy burnout print give this top a bit of edge.

With sizes from XS to XXL, Old Navy caters to every size and body type. For only $12.94, this top is a steal—and can do double duty for a casual outing in the park or day at the beach.

last glimpse of winter

It's always nice to take a break from things to get together with friends. I was glad that Alex and Nnenna had some free time to enjoy a tiny bit of sun and a yummy diner meal in Chelsea.

Weather in New York has been tricky lately...I keep switching from bundled up to bare legs. I wish spring would arrive already!

[button-up shirt: H&M// leggings: Uniqlo// scarf: hand knitted by me// flats: BCBG// leather jacket: Fossil// bag: c/o Marshalls// watch: c/o Movado// rings: Amy O. and Bauble Bar]

Thanks to Alex for her amazing photo skills.

Shop the look:

must-have Monday: Kaleidoscope Easy Dress by Tibi

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I always gravitate toward prints over solids, which probably explains why my closet contains almost no basics. Yeah, it would be great to own a few solid tees, but why should I when dresses like the Kaleidoscope Easy Dress by Tibi exist?

This pretty print is also available in a strappier dress and super chic cami (perfect to wear for weekend brunch with cut offs and a blazer).

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