I've created a monster

This morning as I was getting dressed in what I thought was a super cute outfit with all the markings of winter prep (see yesterday's blog) the Blue Chip Kid (that would be my husband) says to me, "I'm not sure I like that sweater, maybe it needs a belt." The following conversation went something like this....



Me: What do you mean you don't like my sweater? btw the sweater in question is my brand new jcrew olive cardigan, so cute.







Blue Chip Kid: I mean, I just don't think it does much for your outfit.



Me: (silence...as I am stunned with no words)


Blue Chip Kid: I just don't think its quite right with that outfit, try something else on.


Me: (still stunned, my train of thought went something like this....what else could I wear with this? Maybe a blazer. Wait a minute... I love this sweater and what does the Blue Chip Kid know about fashion anyways?? I basically dress him head to toe every day. Did I just enter a parallel universe where the blue chip kid knows fashion, gives advice on my wardrobe and tells me what to wear? Horrified I chose to ignore) Then I say, thanks for your opinion but I like my outfit.






Blue Chip Kid: Well could you at least iron that sweater then, I think it looks a little creased.





Me: no.





Then we both left for work.






Later I reflected on how this could have happened.


When I met the Blue Chip Kid, back in college, he wore over sized shirts and a shell necklace....I know what you're thinking...how did you get mixed up in that? Well he happens to be quite a stud, my husband, handsome and smart to boot. He whisked me off my feet with talk of philosophy, art and politics. Later after the marriage I slowly but surely changed his wardrobe by giving him the tools to great style....clothes that are tailored, interesting and made of natural fibers! Since I gave him the tools he now must think he's the Dr. (style Dr. that is.) I should have seen the signs, growing out his hair, asking me things like can we go to Brooks Brothers, or can I borrow your blow dryer? What!!!? Now he's telling me just what he thinks as if he has THE GIFT. Well I don't think so. Don't try that again sweetie or I'll tell everyone how you used to wear a backwards visor.




Don't mess.


~S

Me and the Blue Chip Kid.

Current Obsession: winter prep

There is something about winter that makes me want to dress like a Vanderbilt. I don't know what it is but the moment fall hits I hear collegiate knits and fine gauge cashmere calling to me: we must be paired together, wear us!!! I even dress my husband, the Blue Chip Kid, up in cowl neck chunky sweaters and plaid. Here are the ultimate must haves for winter prep...

Plaid: but only the best kind: Burberry. Here is a fresh take on the staple done in grey instead of camel. Call me a snob but I still think the original is best...I chose camel.

Boots that look like you could simultaneously be riding your thoroughbred and being seen at the country club. Sperry Top-Siders.

Elbow patches on a blazer: you can't get more old money...here is a very womanly version in cashmere and leather...yikes! Ralph Lauren.

Chunky Cowl Neck Sweater paired with chambray shirt. This is mine and the Blue Chip Kid's prep uniform this winter. Gap.

Cheers prepsters!

~S

TV...does it really turn your brain to mush?

I love t.v. It's bad, I know but I do. I don't watch much of the stuff anymore though. My life is busy and I have a J.O.B. So I need to get the biggest bang for my buck when indulging, ya know. I find the shows I love the most feature plucky and smart women who are out and about town, kicking butt in their stilettos. I often find fashion inspiration from these fictional characters. I also secretly think that if we met in real life, we'd be friends too! (I'm not the only person to feel this way...my friend recently told me that she feels her and Pink would be tight should they only be introduced.)

Lorelai Gilmore of Gilmore Girls. (Lauren Graham) Love the look. love the hair. love the 'tude, love it all. Unfortunately this show isn't on the air anymore but is frequently aired on afternoon TV. If you appreciate wit you'll love this character, heck even if you don't know what wit means you'll love this character because she is FUN-NY! I love her cheeky pop culture references and how she runs her own business flawlessly in a parade of DVF wrap dresses...she is so chic
Temperance Brennan of Bones. (Emily Deschanel) Plays a wicked smart anthropologist that works with the FBI to solve murders. Note: This shows ratings aren't hurt by the fact that Dr. Brennan's partner in solving crime is smokin' hot! Watch the show for her, fall for him...its all good. She is inspiring because she isn't afraid to be smarter than the boys or wear what she likes, which is retro inspired dresses and belted up trenches! She is so cool!!

Gloria from the Modern Family (Sophia Vergara) Gives me hope for when I become a housewife! She stays at home but her wardrobe doesn't show it! She is not only one of the prettiest women, she has a warm and bubbly sense of humor and a way with a V neck that makes me and all men everywhere love her! Love her. Wish I looked like her. Note to self: learn how to become more like a Colombian super model...this may involve a workout or two and some enhancements!


Well that is all the TV I ever have time for. Except when I fall asleep to Guy Fieri's Triple D. I try to tell myself that looking at others enjoying large quantities of fried food is totally normal and helps me stay on track with my diet! Is this true? I'm not sure. But try it...its strangely satisfying;)


Enjoy!

~S

Why Halloween is ruining my life...

Just some musings about my least favorite holiday... I should love Halloween for many reasons. The first of which is that I love Fall, the second is it means that election day is around the corner:) AND I love to dress up so you would think that Halloween and me would be like spray tan and Tara Reid. But, sadly, we are not. Halloween has done me a dis-service. In fact it has done a dis-service to all women. It tells us, go ahead dress up but it had better be overtly sexy...it had better be provocative..it had better be something short. What kind of a message is that??? If I have to see one more naughty nurse or busty bumble bee parading about town, I don't know what it will do to me! Please ladies, lets remember our dignity this Halloween and dress as role models!! How about a Mother Theresa costume or a Mary Poppins? Who's with me??!

Here are some of my options...

Rachel Zoe....shut up!
Loona Lovegood, one of my fav potter characters!

You'd better believe I bought this for my husband to wear!!! But don't put it past me to wear it myself! Team Edward:)x0x0
I just can't decide
~S

Heatwave strikes in October...Millions effected

Orange is the new Red! Now, when I say red, I of course mean Nars' Orangey-red Lipstick called Heatwave. This poppy, coral, orange yet red at the same time color is like the traveling pants of lip color!! It looks good on everyone. So good that JCrew used it on every model in their new catalogue. Now believe me when I say I look nothing like a JCrew model and yet I was stopped no less that 4 times the day I swiped this across my pout! Dare I say it's the perfect orange? Apply without gloss to a nude or neutral face and be amazed...

Let me know what you think,

~S

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