What's in a bag?

A woman's purse is a window to her life, to look inside is to see her very existence...
Or at least this is my view. The inner realms of the purse hold a treasure trove of trinkets that tell of our loves, our quirks and our habits! Here is what's in mine, the things I never go anywhere without!




Lady bag and Satchel by Rebecca Minkoff. The pink is feminine yet exudes power because of the print. I would carry this to the office daily!



This is a weekender bag! Large and roomie enough for a good book to tag along, I'd carry this everywhere.
Now peak into my world...


A great pair of classic sunnies. Tory Burch city glasses, so town and country.
A place to be creative and write my epiphanies: These adorable journals are by Archie Grand, a Londoner and a fellow lover of paper. They say adorable things like, "Capitalists I met and liked, Hipsters I met and liked, Husbands I Had and liked. ..too cute!

My favorite lipstick: YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick....the one and only! Love the tube, love the smell, love the coverage! They also have a phenomenal collection of colors...included at least 5 nudes that I own ALL of!

A magic potion: Kiehl's facial fuel eye de-puffer: bought it for my husband, kept it for myself:) It's from the men's line but I won't tell if you won't! Presto chango your eyes go from tired to perky on account of the caffeine in here!

Chanel glossimer: hands down my favorite lip gloss, not to mention everyone needs a little Chanel in their lives:) Favorite shades: Magnifique and Summer Plum.

Driving gloves from Carolina Amato, these are perfect for fall, and then I'll switch to her long leather gloves for winter!

Last but not least, A good Gerogette Heyer novel to pass the time anywhere I am:)
Arabella, is one of my favorite:)
"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid." ~Jane Austen

What's in your bag?

~S

What I want today: Brown Leather Skirts!

Every morning I wake up and step onto my balcony. I breathe deep, smile at the day, and then the wind hits my face and I think....What should I wear today? Life's eternal question springs again! These days I find myself itching to put on one of this season's buttery brown leather skirts! So fall appropriate, no gust of wind will make me cold while wearing this fabric! Join me in being warm and fashionable, put on a brown leather skirt!!

Here is how it's done....

This is DVF's take on it in chocolate...special thanks to Miss Audra who sent me a link to this collection!
Here is JCrew's version! This in my opinion is the perfect color!! It looks like it could have just fallen off of the tree in my back yard!
And I just thought I would throw in the perfect pair of oxfords to wear with this one;) Also JCrew.
Here is the pencil cut, awesome for a power lunch...

Happy fall!!

~S

Look of the day July 20th, 2010

Nanette Lepore's new fall line is now on pre-order at Bloomies! This military meets model look from the designer is so cool! I love the stiff buttoned up look of the jacket over the wild movement of the palettes. I also love the throw back to tinted leg wear, dark but still sheer and sexy! Forget the opaque tights and embrace the sheer leg ware for fall! And note: the booties are just as cool as the rest of the outfit! Never ruin a good outfit with a bad shoe. How to tell if you are wearing the wrong shoe? If its the same shoe that you wear to work its the wrong shoe for this outfit! Try something new, buy a shoe that you might not wear everyday!

Look of the day July 21st, 2010

Look of the day: Bright yellow with neutral accents. Isla Fisher is pictured here wearing Philip Lim 3.1. This is what everyone should be wearing today! It's sunny and wonderful today in the twin cities and I want to see more Minnesotans wearing color! This pale but bright yellow reminds me of daffodils and canaries:) Two things that could bring a smile to anyones face! Take a tip from Isla and add lady-like demure with a cropped sleeved neutral jacket, or a natural waisted belt in beige. This is yellow for grown ups!

Enjoy!

~S

Look of the Day: 7.19.10

Today's look of the day goes from the runway to main street in the form of the Hello Sunday blazer from Anthropologie! See it on the runway by Givenchy....

And from the Anthropologie website....

Hello Sunday blazer, $98!

Although I'm not a fan of wearing black, (just because you are wearing black doesn't mean you are fashionable: note to half of the women I know) I do love a graphic black and white stripe! Its so editorial and crisp! Wear this now with army green cropped cargos and later with a high waisted wide leg trouser for winter!

Enjoy,

~S

Look of the Day! July 18th 2010

Look of the day! Jessica Biel though famous for absolutely nothing, today deserves our admiration. Her outfit is killer! Not only is her chambray skirt perfectly draped and accented by a smashing orange bag, her shoes are astounding! These shoes! Just when you thought that Stewart Weitzman was only making shoes for the blue haired upper crust of society, they come out with these! A Menswear inspired, cut out, lace-up oxford in a neutral! How many trends can we fit in one pair of shoes? Again, I'm astounded. These are a must have.

Nicely done Ms. Biel.

Enjoy,

~S

Look of the Day!

This dress is from Victoria Beckham's new Autumn/Winter line. This dress almost has me wishing fall were here! Did I just say that? Sick. With all the magazines focusing on the Fall collections I don't know if I'll be able to resist a purchase or two.
Solution:
1. turn up the air conditioning.
2. put on this dress.
3. Strut my stuff, maybe take a picture
4. Happiness:)

Look of the day: VB dress, AW collection 2010. Drape Neck Shift.

Thanks for reading

~ S

Summer Get-a-way!

Summer travel is always fun. Also fun, planning out my get-a-way outfits! This summer we are planning a Napa Valley sweep San Fran, California vacay. Here is what I'm planning to wear. Won't my breezy outfits look chic in the summer sun!??

First I'll need the all important bathing suit.. This year I'm really into the retro styles that evoke a romantic, feminine vibe. Here are few I like including two I just bought! This summer try them in warm neutrals like tan, peach and white! So of the moment!

From JCrew and Victoria's Secret, respectively.

The Second item: The Cover up. Almost as important as the swimsuit, the cover up is usually worn even more than the suit itself, so it must be divine! Here is a nautical look I LOVE!! You could also try a great maxi dress or a boyfriend shirt!

Third: A great pair of travelling pants! I love a worn in trouser fitted just enough to be feminine and cuffed at the bottom. You can slip this great staple on with almost anything...a great t-shirt, a cozy sweater for those San Fran evenings, or a floaty tank and heels to dress them up. They are MAGIC pants, I'm telling you!

Here are a few things I would pair with my traveling chinos...

A tribal T...I love the Native American print!

Or a flouncy silk tank in a fabulous mango color!

And a favorite cardy... Madewell has the best ones! (madewell.com)

Fourth: You will always need one "evening look" for any good vacation. If you feel as though you don't, you are simply not vacationing correctly. I love the thought that an exciting evening on the town awaits me in a new city! I might go dancing or attend a new play but I'll do something that requires a dress! Here are some options I love for a summer evening out:

Silk tank dress with a lace hem and detailed button back!

Sequined stripe tank dress, this one is by French Connection.

Day Excursion outfits: Now these you will need a lot of: Cute looks that are versatile and great for sight seeing and traveling! Here are a few of my own:

A romper! Don't judge them before you've tried one...rompers are divine! Pair this one with some flat sandals and bring a cardigan and some cat eyed sunglasses...and what aren't you ready for?? Nothing!

Here is another day look I love! Stripes in red or navy...you can't go wrong with this classic!

Or try a great Henley with some texture and a pair of rolled 501s!

Now that my outfits are all planned out I don't know that I'll be able to wait til Calli to wear them!! Oh well:) I hope all your summer plans are fun and fashionable!

~S

Online Only!!!

This one's for Hillary! I've decided to compile a list of the best websites to shop from when you live further from a metropolis! Isn't the internet wonderful? In 5-7 business days you can have the runway delivered to your front door! Here's how to get started...



The key to internet shopping is knowing your measurements. Every site will have a size chart that explains the measurements in inches of their sizes. (Any local tailor can help you with this)This is most likely a bust, waist, hip and height measurement. Sometimes with pants you will need your inseam too.



The second step to sucessful internet shopping is knowing the return policy. Knowing is half the battle! Make sure you know how long you have to return these items should they not work out!



Next, do your shopping from reputable sites! This is where I come in...



Here are some of my favs:

http://www.theoutnet.com/ a reputable place to buy discount designer! And one of the only places that carries clearanced Louboutins and other designer shoes that you won't have to worry about the authenticity. Just look at this pair of killer Loeffer Randall boots for 65% off!!



http://www.jcrew.com/ and get this, the site has a wider and better selection then the store! Great for work and play.



http://www.netaya.com/ for great and not fake earrings that won't break the bank!


http://www.renttherunway.com/ If you just need an event dress and you can't bare to buy...rent! This site has an amazing selection of occasion dresses that can be rented in multiple sizes for short periods of time! Great selection of Catherine Malandrino and Herve Leger.

Happy e-shopping!

Love, -S

Summertime Shoes

A friend, Jennifer, requested that I advise her on her shoe wardrobe. She asked what 5 kinds of shoe should every woman have? I couldn't bring myself to think of 5 shoes that would take you through the entire year so Jennifer here are 5 types of footwear to get you through summer!


1. The Ballet Flat: A neutral color, but please not black, at least not for summer. Appropriate for work or weekend, these will get you far.


J-Crew makes wonderful fine leather ones that will last and last.



Tory Burch makes a great variety that are adorable.



2. The Gladiator: Yes they're a bit trendy but its no crime to participate in pop culture every now and again:)



Sam Edelman has great styles that won't break the bank and so does Steve Madden.


3. The Platform Pump: A hidden platform makes these comfortable and easy to walk in...You can watch me walk, if you want to, want to.... Kelly Pickler wears the red ones but I like them in every color! Though if your work environment is conservative, stick to neutrals.

The ultimate is Louboutin but for those of us who can't seem to find them in stock anywhere Joan and David's version is great!



4. The Biker Boot/Cowboy Boot: whether your a little bit country or a little bit rock n' roll you need a great pair of boots made for walking to pair with summer dresses!




5. The City Sneaker: I love Tom's or Converse. These are a must have for summer weekends full of antiquing, and trips to the cape (or to the lake if your land locked in MN with me)!

Hope this helps Jen!

~S