Blog Archives

Inspiration equation: cranberries + icy blue

11/27/2012

Especially after the drab browns of fall, I'm so excited about this new color combination--so light and bright for winter.
I was inspired by cranberry sauce and a blue vase on Thanksgiving.

+

=

Venus top, $29

My outfit pieces above are no longer available, but this top is so similar. It's from an unlikely source--Venus--they carry much more than just
tan-through swimsuits :-)

Cranberry, raspberry, wine, light blue, torquoise...now I'm pulling out everything I have to create more outfits with this color combination.

Very old Boden sweater and newer H&M skinny cords. The cords are $34.95 in store.

Much of my jewelry and accessories has come as hoilday gifts from dear friends and family members:

My dear friend Christina gave me the blue teardrop necklace December, 2010. My sweet sister-in-law Karen gave me the brown pendant.

My dear friend Tami gave me this beautiful silk Banana Republic scarf, Christmas, 2005

My sweet Juliet gave me this lovely jewelry stand

My friend dear Lisë gave me this lovely little necklace while holiday shopping, 2010

My thoughtful sister-in-law Karen gave me this sweet bracelet, Christmas, 2010

Adapted Anthropologie necklace (I took off all the additional yellow strands)

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A tall glass of wine

Smart, sharp
red, white, and blue

Bayside T-shirt Sunday

11/25/2012

The NY band Bayside is working hard to raise funds those affected by Hurricane Sandy. They are performing two Hurricane Sandy relief concerts, collecting supplies for victims, and donating proceeds from the sale of the I Bird NY t-shirt below to the Greater New York Red Cross to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Bayside Bayside - Jawbreaker T-Shirt, $20

"Our home towns of New York City and Long Island were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. The Hurricane had a personal effect on all four of us, our families and friends. The proceeds from this shirt will be donated to the Greater New York Red Cross to help with the disaster relief in our home towns."

I Bird NY T-shirt, $20

I'm going where the weather suits my clothes

11/24/2012

Do you get to go somewhere warm for the holidays?
This is the time to buy everything you need for the sun.
Will you be lying in a deck chair or running around? If you just want to look glamourous, I'd go with J. Crew, and I'd hurry because you can have 25% off through Sunday. If you'll be more active on this vacation, I'd go with Athleta.

Glamorous J. Crew

J. Crew Jersey Lomellina® one-shoulder tank, 3 colors, $59.99-$79.99 (was $118) minus 25% with the code COLOR 25

J. Crew No. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge cotton, $39.99 (was $110) minus 25% with the code COLOR25

J. Crew Sydney patent sandals, 3 colors, $39.99 (was $228), minus 25% with the code COLOR25

Active Athleta

Athleta Tahiti Oceanside Short, $39.99 (was $54)

Athleta Tahiti Banded Halter Tankini, $49.99 (was $62)

Taking my own advice

11/20/2012

Last week I lost my eyeglasses (they had pink frames if you happen to come across them).
So over the weekend at Target I picked out these "readers" for $7.99.
I'll replace the lenses with my distance prescription by ReplaceALens.

Target Foster Grant Gail Tortoise Reading Glasses 2, $7.99

Similar frame from Dolce & Gabbana, $179.95

Target's are the least expensive. But you can also find cool frames at Office Depot, Whole Foods, and Anthropologie.

Another girl's dress turned tunic

11/19/2012

What do you think of this $30 outfit?
Girl's XL dress from Lands' End. After 30% off and free shipping, it weighed in right around $20.
Target tights, $5. Old J. Jill belt, about $5.

Lands' End Girls' Long Sleeve Intarsia Sweater Dress in XL, $29.99. Further discounts available.

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GAP girls' and maternity
clothes many women
can wear

Five sweater
dresses under
$50

Colorful fall
legs

Road-tested T-shirt Sunday

11/18/2012

Vintage racing and repair shop logos grace these weathered, retro-inspired tees from Sundance Catalog.

Sundance Indian Motorcycle Scout Tee, $35

Sundance Factory Parts Tee, $45

Sundance Bedford Speedway Tee, $45

T-shirt Sunday Tees

Truth or dare

11/17/2012

The truth is I’ve never really managed to wear a wide waist belt.

I believe they look best cinched over a somewhat shapeless dress or with a skirt.

Anthropologie Brushwood Belt, $29.95

Anthropologie Brushwood Belt, $29.95

Garnet Hill Rivoli Wide Belt, $78

Here's a pretty amazing example of a wide waist belt over a simple dress from Garnet Hill (even though she's wearing it at her hips)

Another example of a wide waist belt with a dress appears on p. 210 of the printed issue of this month's InStyle Magazine. Some women have been wearing them effectively for years with all kinds of outfits--professional to night out.

I think it may be time to buy a wide waist belt because lovely leather ones are on sale right now at Anthropologie for $9.95 and up. I've been following them at Anthropologie, Free People, Garnet Hill for months, and I've never seen leather ones this low.

Do I dare buy one? Will I manage to wear it? My dream would be that a belt like this makes a few items in my closet work that have never worked before.... or...

Anthropologie Scalloped Corset Belt, $29.95

Anthropologie Pinpricked Perimeter Belt, $29.95

...knowing me: I may be forced to buy a dress or a skirt to go with my belt :-)

What about you? Do you own a wide waist belt? What have you styled it with?

What makes you so smart?

11/15/2012

Plenty to love about Smartwool--its breathability, its warmth, its adorable styles--but, dang it, it never seems to go on sale.
Last winter, I tried on this top at REI. I pictured myself wearing it with snow pants or as a cute layer under short-sleeved tops and dresses. But it was $100, and I couldn't justify the purchase.
Now usually when I look up an item from last season, I find it at a super low sale price. Not so with Smartwool. This top is sold out at REI and Athleta and a score of other stores. I finally found it at WinterWomen.com, and it's still $76.46 and only available in S and XS. I'm excited to discover WinterWomen.com, a Colorado company.
Do you own any Smartwool? Is it worth the high price?

WinterWomen.com Smartwool Women's Midweight Pattern Crew (Silver Gray Heather Stripe), $76.46

Rosy puffy vests

3 cold-weather items I hope no one else wants

Mad for stripes

5 holiday gift ideas for your besties

11/15/2012

For your best friend: a small purse filled with all she needs for her night out: a glittery eyeshadow, lip gloss, aspirin, and a crisp bill. More affordable gift ideas for your BFF in my article published yesterday at Fashion Parkway.

Sequined mini-pouch from J.Jill

A little bit of everything

11/12/2012

These bracelets allow me to channel my leather-and-studs side while still feeling appropriate for the workplace.
They can go anywhere and with almost everything. Great for layering too.

Stella and Dot Brown Nugget Wrap Bracelet, $39

Arhaus Jewels Laid Back Bracelet in silver, $37 minus 10%