Image via

TGIF! Although it's rainy and kinda gross here in NYC, I get to work from home today so at least I'm not out schlepping about in the rain! 

Also, I found this quote by Paulo Coelho inspiring, and even more so when so gorgeously illustrated! I can't wait until I can decorate a place and buy beautiful prints and other art to hang up, gallery-style. One day...!

Happy Friday everyone, and have a great weekend!

Image via J. Crew

Image via 

How amazing is this pool?

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Actually, could I just move in?

Tank: Club Monaco // Pants: Zara // Bag: Louis Vuitton // Shoes: Topshop // Necklace: Maya Brenner Bi-Coastal // Gold Ring: Jewelmint // Small Rings: Madewell & mark. // Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters

I spent Saturday afternoon (a surprisingly hot day, by the way) at the Met to check out the Andy Warhol exhibit with my friend Watson who'd just gotten into town from Hong Kong, so of course we had to take some photos on the steps! I actually had a soft blazer in my bag, but it was just too hot to put on. I hope we get more of this Indian Summer - Sunday and Monday have been so much chillier!

Photos by Watson

To my favorite sister: Happy Birthday!

As we always say to each other, "You're SO lucky to have a sister like me!" And it's true. You are. Just kidding - I'm also lucky to have a sister like you! I was so happy when you were born, and growing up with you was way too much fun, even though you always interrupted my reading with begging me to play with you! You are the reason I would one day like to have 2 daughters, so that they will be as blessed as I've been to have a sister. I love you even though you are obsessed with food (especially sweets, and menu-reading), nail polish, and constantly verbally updating me on your status for no reason at all. Thank you for being my photographer, my built-in best friend, for making me laugh all the time, for being "veerd" so I get to make fun of you, and for being you. I'm thrilled you moved to New York two years ago and that we live together, and I'm excited for us to continue having adventures and laugh our way through life - together. 

Lob you!

xoxo Your big sis.

Image via Kate Spade

Blazer: mark. (available 10/5 - stalk here) // Top: J. Crew Factory // Skirt: J. Crew Factory // Shoes: J. Crew (similar) // Necklace: mark. (available 10/5 - stalk here) // Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim // Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples

There's a lot going on in this outfit, but I loved the way the colors came together! The green blazer complements the green in the colorblocked shirt (and I love that about an inch of the sleeve peeks out of the 3/4 sleeve of my blazer), and the navy in the shirt then complements the blue in the skirt. A red lip and a small red bag then add the perfect pops of color. This was quite a fun outfit to put together! I've also received quite a few compliments on the necklace - I think this will definitely be a recurring piece in my outfits this fall.

Sweater: Gap Kids // Shirt: Gap // Shorts: J. Crew // Shoes: Topshop // Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples //  Watch: mark. // Bag: Louis Vuitton Petit Noe

I love sweaters. When I took inventory of my closet about 6 months ago I discovered that I own about 30 of them, which is somewhat ridiculous...but there's always a different occasion, or different way to layer one, that as long as it's in good shape, I keep it. The huge heart and super soft knit on this stole my heart, and I also love that I found it in the kids section.

Fall is great because it's the perfect temperature to wear both shorts/skirts with sweaters and not be too hot or too cold, and I was happy to take advantage of that this Saturday while running a few errands in Soho and getting cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcake!

Photos by Lauren

Ashley Greene

Lana Del Rey

This weekend my sister and I wandered into the Mulberry boutique at her suggestion, and I pretty much immediately fell in love with the Del Rey bag in Petrol (the color is actually much more vibrant in real life). I'd kinda been craving a satchel bag since lately I'd been all about the crossbody bags, as there's something just so chic and timeless about a good satchel.

This color is gorgeous too:

Aren't they a beaut?

Watch how they make one here:

Well, guess this is the first item on my Christmas wishlist this year...!

Dress: Joie (last seen here) // Hat: J. Crew // Skinny belt: J. Crew (similar) // Clutch: H&M // Turquoise & Silver Cuff, Opal & Amethyst Ring: from Market 28 in Cancun

My hat was seriously a lifesaver during this trip - if there's one thing you buy next summer (or pre-tropical holiday), make it a hat! Also, I wanted to shoot this dress again styled a little differently so you can see the top half! It's the perfect hot-weather dress, with thin straps, light silk, and flowy skirt that won't stick to your skin. How beautiful is the scenery in these photos? The water was so gorgeous...I'll be posting regular (meaning: non-Instagram) photos tomorrow to cap off my final recap of Cancun, and I promise I'll stop talking about it after that!

On another note, I'm a little bit still shocked at how quickly the weather turned to fall over the last weekend - when I left New York it was still so hot that I'd break a sweat within 30 seconds of being underground, and since I've returned I've been wearing pants and digging out my sweaters and blazers for work! September is usually my favorite month weather-wise in the city, and I hope it warms up for a little longer to ease us slowly into fall and winter...

Photos by Lauren

Warning: this is a pretty picture heavy post!

1. Happy to be in water.

2. Breakfast at the hotel on our last morning

3. Thrilled to be where I am!

4. Ready for cocktails!

Where was your last holiday? Tell me about it!

Top: J. Crew // Skirt: Zara // Sandals: Nine West // Bag: Rebecca Minkoff // Sunglasses: Oliver Peoples

For my first night out in Cancun I wore this outfit - I love how bright the skirt is, perfect for a tropical holiday! I'm glad I put my hair up since it was insanely hot, even after the sun went down. We walked to dinner at Habaneros, where we had delicious guacamole (topped with cheese, which I'd never seen!), and fish tacos. So good, and so cheap! After dinner we walked to the mall across the street since we found out stores didn't close until 9:30/10 - I wish shopping in NYC was open that late! These photos were actually taken in the hallway of our hotel, which was amaaaazing! More photos to come in my recap tomorrow. Have a great day!

While I was in Cancun I really didn't miss NYC...at all? haha But now that I'm back I'm glad that I live here. I guess every once in a while it's good to get away, if only to appreciate what you have!

I finally got my own DSLR two weekends ago (I'd been borrowing my sister's camera up until this point), as we were going on a trip together I knew I'd need my own! I definitely don't know how to use everything on it, and could use a refresher photography class, but in the meantime I'm just having fun taking pictures! I'm looking forward to exploring more NYC neighborhoods and places, camera in hand.

On a totally different note, got back from Cancun yesterday and I am sick! Not sure how it happened, but it really sucks. I'll be posting weekend recaps later this week, rather than today! Hope everyone is feeling much better than I am!

Cancun Beach, via

I will sadly be missing out on Fashion's Night Out tonight, but I can't really complain since I'll be prolonging my summer for just one more (long) weekend of sunnin' and funnin'. (Just had to say it that way!) I'm looking forward to a weekend filled with sweet tropical cocktails I only ever drink on vacation, lots of sun, delicious Mexican food, and a mini family reunion with my cousin! Plus, I'll be taking a ton of photos so next week will probably be pretty Mexican-themed on the blog! 

Until next week...have a great weekend friends!

Sunnies: Urban Outfitters // Tee: AE // Skirt: Topshop // Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim (in pink) // Shoes: Converse // Bracelet: Topshop (recent)

I LOVE this bag. It's my newest addition! (Mom I know you said I should be saving for jewelry...but I couldn't help it, sorry!) I love the color, the structure, the size, even the smell! (It smells like new bag. haha) I managed to scoop up the last one in this color in NYC! My lovely friends were so sweet when I was texting them photo upon photo asking them for their opinions - it was between this one, the pink version (that I link to above) and the red Alexander Wang Rockie. Ultimately I chose this one for its timeless structure and color, and the shape is more classic and I think it suits my style a little more than the Rockie, as much as I do love it! 

 What's your latest obsession?

Row 1: Decision-making time at Barneys (thanks Anisa for the collage!) // Happy belated birthday to me, from me! // Girls' night at Verlaine!

Row 2: For some reason I was the only one who got 3 Sharpie-tattooed hearts? Luckily the ink is easier to wash off than you'd think... // Late night noshing at Meatball Shop - an ice cream sandwich (get the peanut butter cookie! So good.) & pizza meatballs w/foccacia 

Row 1: Waiting for our table for brunch at Cafeteria Saturday morning // My smoked salmon benedict - delish! // My gorgeous new Sergio Rossi shoes scored at the Barneys Warehouse Sale - can't wait to debut them in an outfit post on the blog!

Row 2: Lauren & Jing sitting next to each other and texting - is this what socializing has come to? haha // Labor Day rooftop party time!

Row 3: My white sangria // Finally got my DSLR! So excited! // My pear, brie, and arugula sandwich at 'sNice, a vegetarian/vegan place in the West Village. It was so good! 

All in all, I had a great weekend filled with friends, delicious drinks, and food - definitely can't complain!

What were you up to this weekend? 

Follow me on Instagram @jessicashia, and find out if you won my giveaway in the post below!

Congratulations Cathy! I'll be sending you an email shortly to get your address so I can ship your goodies to you ASAP! Hope you love them as much as I do!

Thank you so much everyone who entered, and for following along! I truly appreciate it.