Aug 4th 2010 12:32:14 pm

J.Crew slays me every season with their beautiful new stuff. It never fails. Every three months, here I am, writing about my undying devotion to the retailer. It is getting more than a little repetitive, but I can’t help myself! Have you seen their new fall shoe collection? I feel like I could fit each and every pair into my wardrobe and be totally, but subtly on trend for fall. Above are some of my very favorites:

• Langford platform oxfords
• Jane platform heels
• Cracked leather boots
• Clara platform pumps
• Camden suede brogues

I can’t buy them all… which style would you choose?

No Comments » Categories: Clothes, Lovely Things, Shoes

May 7th 2010 10:35:35 am

I needed an escape from the world of email today, so I spent some time fantasy shopping for summer…

• Kate Spade Alberta 2 sunglasses
• Tory Burch Rattan Clutch
• Chanel Brilliant Lip Shine in Laser
• Moroccan Oil Glimmer Shine Spray for pretty summer hair!
• Bobbi Brown Brightening Spot Treatment Corrector SPF 25 for pretty summer skin!
• J.Crew Breezy Dot swimsuit
• Banana Republic Heritage Zebra Top
• Anthropologie Wavelite Hoop Earrings
• Sigerson Morrrison Belle sandals

I could live my entire life in a blue and gold palette…

3 Comments » Categories: Clothes, Fashion, Just for Fun, Make-up & Beauty, Shoes

Mar 18th 2010 07:42:24 pm

I had the best experience at Etsy Craft Night this week. The host was Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin, a really amazing clothing and craft company.

In the epic quest to start and run my own successful business (which currently consists of Swap-bot and some random design work) I seem to come across two types of people: 1 – egotistical meanies who act like they know everything even though they don’t, and 2 – humble, honest, helpful, sincere professionals who are true experts. Natalie Chanin is the epitome of the second type. She was so sweet, and cool, and funny while she taught us beginners how to reverse applique our t-shirts. She talked about her business, her sewing craft, her past as a stylist, and even some of her mistakes. I was riveted!

I first read about Alabama Chanin eight years ago in Elle magazine (when it was know as Project Alabama) and I fell in love with the awesome, detailed style of the relaxed, but exquisite clothing, and the style of the business. (I even tore out the article and filed in my inspiration folder – I still have it.) Natalie employs local craftspeople near her town of Florence, Alabama, to create all of the garments that she describes as “grown and sewn in the USA.” The one-of-a-kind couture clothing produced by Alabama Chanin is pricey (sold in places like Barneys New York), but I have no doubt it is more than worth it. Natalie strongly expressed how sustainability and quality are the main focus of her business – when talking about the longevity of her clothing she talked in terms of generations, not years. I am so inspired by her commitment to her mission and to excellence.

Below is my project from Craft Night. It is my first attempt at reverse applique… it is a tank top with a front panel… we’ll see how it turns out. I guess the important thing is that I had a great time at the Craft Night. I am so pleased to have met Natalie Chanin in person.

3 Comments » Categories: Clothes, Crafts, Feeling Happy, New York

Mar 10th 2010 04:02:10 pm

So, I know I am a bit behind on writing about the Oscars…. I actually watched a good amount of the Academy Awards this year and I really thought all of the actresses looked super-great, so I had planned on doing a fairly extensive blog post about my faves. Then, my computer totally died. Magically, Travis was able to revive it and I actually got some work done today! Yay! I was going to forget about my red carpet post all together, but I noticed that many of my picks for best dressed have been landing on the worst dressed lists across the web… so I wanted to show my support! ha!

My favorite dresses from the Academy Awards (that I saw):

I want reiterate that I really thought everyone looked superb – they are movie stars, after all – but I especially loved these dresses. I am drawn to things that are unique… classic is always beautiful, but a little boring.

• The first dress is Givenchy worn by Zoe Saldana. I just think it is awesome. She looks so beautiful in purple and I love that it has sparkle and a lot of flair. This was my very favorite dress!
• The second is Sarah Jessica Parker, of course, in Chanel. Lots of people did not like this dress, but I thought it was unique and pretty. I like that SJP takes risks. Now, her hair, on the other hand, I did not love…
• The third is an Elie Saab dress worn by Rachel McAdams. I think it is so fun and young, but still really elegant. It looks like a dress you would wear to have a good time at the event – not be the very fanciest. It is unpretentious glamour. (Is that an oxymoron?)

What were your favorites of the night? Any red carpet looks you really disliked?

10 Comments » Categories: Clothes, Fashion, Just for Fun, Television

Jan 7th 2010 02:08:17 pm

I haven’t done one of these magazine collages in over a year (the last one was posted in September 2007). They are just fun little pages where I glue all of the things that catch my eye from a single magazine issue. I don’t usually hang on to old issues of fashion mags, so this is a way to digitally archive the things I liked.

Recently, Cookie magazine shut down and they replaced my subscription with one to Lucky. I don’t mind. (Well, I do mind that Cookie is gone – I liked that mag.) I have fun looking through fashion magazines; I just never felt quite right subscribing to Lucky, the self-proclaimed “magazine about shopping.” But, now it is here, so I might as well enjoy it!

My favorites:

Gap chambray down vest – Man, I love this denim puffy vest! Sadly, I can’t find it on the Gap website… (p. 99)

CupcakesandCashmere.com – A new blog I will check out. It is about shopping… (p. 30)

Philosophy Divine Illumination- This moisturizer claims to disguise imperfections and brighten your skin tone. It is new, and I am always game to try something new! (p. 69)

Lavish crochet and glass bead cuff bracelet – crocheted gold wire with beads – very cool. (p. 84)

Coach Kristin Bag – I really like these new handbags from Coach. I am thinking about a black one… (p. 58)

Neutrogena Ageless Restoratives 5 Minute Facial – A new, gently exfoliating at-home treatment. (p. 75)

Fresh Strawberry Flowers Eau de Parfum – I like the fresh brand and this perfume sounds really pretty… I guess I would need to smell it first to confirm. (p. 75)

Romeo + Juliet – So, this isn’t really a fashion item, but Romeo + Juliet was referenced as an influence for one of the fashion spreads in the magazine and it really took me back. The movie came out when I was a sophomore in high school – back when PG-13 movies were still quite cool in my mind – and I was just blown away by it. I don’t think any other movie could be more cool to a 15-year-old girl! I need to watch it again asap! (p. 39)

Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion – Intriguing. It is a powder that transforms into a lotion that claims to give your hair body and texture. (p. 26)

Cropped, pleated pants- These usually wouldn’t be something I would go for, but they are coming into style for spring and I think I could pull them off. Maybe. (p. 88 & 110)

That is about it… I picked out more beauty products than clothes this time. Maybe January isn’t the best time for fashion – it is too early for spring styles, but winter clothes no longer have any appeal… What has caught your eye this month?

3 Comments » Categories: Clothes, Fashion, Just for Fun, Magazines, Make-up & Beauty

Nov 8th 2009 11:27:16 am

I had a busy weekend. It flew by. You can read about today’s adventure over on my husband’s blog, but I am too pooped to write my own re-cap. This photo is from Saturday morning at the dog park. I am wearing my new coat, which I love more and more every time I wear it. It is very warm and snuggly. The Hunter boots I bought last year for Oregon’s rainy season, but they will really come in handy here in NY, too. They are super-trendy and also warm, so I am planning on wearing them all winter long! I feel prepared for winter… although I certainly did not mind the beautiful 60 degree weather we had today. I wish the weekend could last forever.

2 Comments » Categories: Clothes, Fashion, New York

Oct 27th 2009 06:25:45 pm

The excitement over my new coat sent me into a fashion frenzy. I just couldn’t help but put together a (fantasy) outfit to go with the coat:

• Start with a plain henley t-shirt and dark toothpick jeans from J. Crew.
• Add this awesome sweater vest from Abercrombie… which I was coveting while in the store over the weekend.
• The focal point of the outfit is definitely the amazing belle boots from Sigerson Morrison. They are so pricey, but I can’t stop thinking about them!
• Add a little sparkle with any of the earrings from Elva Fields, like these or these.
• And the final touch, a new handbag from Tory Burch.

1 Comment » Categories: Clothes, Fashion, Shoes

Oct 25th 2009 08:54:12 am

I did it! I found a new coat. Travis and I drove out to what one of our trusted NY sources deemed the greatest mall in the world, Roosevelt Field. I don’t know if it lived up to its “greatest” hype, but it had plenty of shops to keep us busy, including a Nordstrom – my favorite. I was on a a mission to find a new winter coat. I took everyone’s suggestions seriously and checked out tons of different shops… but I ended up finding my new coat in an unexpected place: Ambercrombie & Fitch. This “Rebecca” coat isn’t exactly what I set out to purchase, but it is sooo cozy and warm. I love it! It is lined with (faux) fur and I think the (removable) fur collar is really cute… It gives it a little flair. It is not as sophisticated as I thought I wanted, but it looks great with boots and jeans, which is all I wear anyway. Plus, I still have my long black coat for any seriously sophisticated outings. I guess it just shows that you need to keep an open mind when looking for a specific item – you may end up loving something completely different than you originally imagined!

4 Comments » Categories: Clothes, New York

Oct 22nd 2009 12:00:48 pm

Nobody – including me – seems to have any extra spending money these days. I am not sure how retailers are surviving. I sure haven’t been spending and I know that I am not the only one. BUT, despite my stricter finances, I plan to buy a new winter coat this year. New York City in the winter requires serious gear. (Plus, we are closing on the sale of our house in Oregon as I type this and that promises to free up a little extra spending cash!)

Banana Republic just sent around an email advertising their outerwear, and for some reason I just love this styling of their model (the first girl above). I don’t know what it is about the outfit, but it just looks so simple, yet stylish – something I might actually be able to pull off and look a little but more put together. Unfortunately, the coat is somewhat boring upon closer inspection. Plus, I already have a very plain, long, black coat that is very similar, if a little worn out.

So, what are my other options? It turns out that I do not know where to turn for nice coats!! I like this navy Carlin coat from J.Crew (seen above), but I am hesitant to commit to the navy color… does it go with black? I also like the light colored Camino coats from J.Crew (also seen above), but I think I need a long coat in a dark color to survive the NY winter. Where else should I look for a new winter coat? Department stores seem too overwhelming, and even though I would like a slightly distinctive or unique style, Anthropolgie is little too out there. Conversely, Gap and Old Navy seem a little too bland… although, it is probably only because they don’t have J.Crew’s over-the-top styling. Hmmmm. My new coat needs to be very practical, dark colored, long, but also stylish and maybe a little feminine. Fancy or unique buttons are a huge plus!

I know I am stuck in a shopping rut and need to branch away from my usual brands… please help! Where else should I look for a new coat?

7 Comments » Categories: Clothes

Aug 26th 2009 04:27:05 pm

Have you seen the new fall stuff at J.Crew? I think there is someone at that company who is specifically making things just for me (I wish) – I love everything they’ve got going on right now!

For your reference, the items above are the Winnie Jacket (I need a coat with gold buttons for fall!), the Fraces Cami in light sage, of course, the Carlin Coat in blossom, the Merino ethereal ruffle V-neck sweater (it has a little ruffle of chiffon around the collar!), the Jeweled garland bracelet which I REALLY love, the Jemma T-strap heels, and the Lexi Satchel… but everything on the website is dynamite. Yes, dynamite.

(I also really like this skirt… and this t-shirt… and this necklace, too… you get the picture.)

4 Comments » Categories: Accessories, Clothes, Fashion, Lovely Things