Category Archives: Her Closet

Finding the Wild Side

Posted on October 11, 2010 | 1 comment

I am having a bit of an animal moment.  I don’t know where it came from, but lately I am gravitating towards animal prints of every variety; leopard, cheetah, tiger, zebra.  Wild animals on footwear and accessories are often on the prowl in South Florida, but spotting animal print in DC is like hunting endangered animals – as in the occurrence is rare.  There is a fine line between eye catching and over the top, let’s see what we can find…

Ralph Lauren Leopard Hair-Calf Peep Toe Pump
Jeffrey Campbell Kammie Ballet Flat

Vince Camuto Rues2
I love the idea of the leopard shoes.  You know I’m all about the classic aesthetic, and I think these all would work great as a surprise accessory with a slim, straight leg jean in a dark wash, or a black shift dress.  They add a kicky pop to any outfit that’s a little playful, a lot of fun, and still classically cool.  
I’m still hunting for animal inspired home pieces too, so look out for that in a future post!

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Still Dressing on Dress Down Friday

Posted on October 8, 2010 | Leave a comment

Getting dressed for work is often a challenge that can be mediated with the answers to the following questions; what do you do?  where do you work? how does the more senior management dress?  Those answers should usually be a guide at 7am when you stumble through to find the right outfit.  Then it’s Friday.  And in most office around the country Friday is “casual” or “dress down”.  And that’s when the can of worms opened up…

Dress down Friday really isn’t about “comfortable Friday”, or pajama Friday, workout Friday, running to the grocery store Friday.  If anything I think of Friday’s as an opportunity to be a bit more creative with what I am wearing, have a little bit more pizazz, and yes, wear denim.

Today’s Dress Down Friday is looking like this:


The black blazer is a constant go to for me; it elevates what would otherwise be jeans and a tank top, and it adds more structure and sophistication than a cardigan or sweater.  The boots I just got, and while it’s not that cold today I couldn’t resist the urge to wear new clothes as soon as I got them.  I like this outfit because I would be comfortable wearing it from work to dinner, happy hour, or to run errands and it is very much me.

How do you work it on a Friday?

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The Look for Less: Leather & Lace

Posted on October 4, 2010 | Leave a comment

At London Fashion Week, Sarah Jessica Parker attended the Burberry Prorsum show in pieces from the Resort 2011 collection.  I loved her look, a ladylike take on leather and lace. 

Sarah Jessica Parker paired these two items:

Burberry Prorsum Leather Jacket via My Theresa
Burberry Prorsum Lace Dress via Saks Fifth Avenue

For this look:

Sarah Jessica Parker at London Fashion Week via Huffington Post

The jacket and dress are both available for purchase online.  What I love about this look is that it is completely accessible and wearable for any shape figure, and in any color.  The lace skirt (in Parker’s case a dress) is a great piece to repurpose over and over again, and the classic leather jacket is a great day to night wardrobe essential. 

In this pairing the toughness of the jacket elevates the lace skirt and together the look is neither too hard or too soft, but a playful mix that it great to wear as we transition between the seasons.

Inspiration can be found anywhere, and often for much, much less!
Kate Spade, Chinese Laundry, Anne Klein, House of Holland

ShopStyle

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Posted in Budget, Fashion Inspiration, fashion week, Her Closet, Shopping

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Iconic Fashion

Posted on October 1, 2010 | 1 comment

In fashion there are always archetypes and icons.  The women who stand out for having that certain look – whatever it may be.  Their personal style becomes the trend and something to model.  Certain women stand out as setting trends and just following them, and over the next few weeks I’ll highlight their style – and how to be inspired by it, without looking like you’re wearing a costume, Halloween hasn’t started – yet!

We’ll start with the beginning, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.  I don’t think it is an overstatement to say she is the most iconic woman of the 20th Century.  In my mind there are two versions of Jackie style: White House and New York.  These different phases of her life clearly informed what was necessary and appropriate to wear but what is most striking is that no matter what she is wearing she always looks like herself, she looks effortlessly refined, authentic and American.
Image via At its best

After the White House she maintained the style and elegance she always had but in a more casual, accessible way and defined what today is called American sportswear.

Image via Harper’s Bazaar
“No one else looked like her, spoke like her, wrote like her, or was so original in the way she did things. No one we knew ever had a better sense of self.” 
– Teddy Kennedy on Jackie Kennedy Onassis.

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Posted in Fashion Inspiration, Her Closet, Her Inspiration

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A Pop of Color From Home

Posted on September 28, 2010 | 1 comment

A favorite place to visit growing up was Lincoln Road on South Beach.  My Great Aunt had an art studio there, so my mom and sister and I would often go down to visit on school days off to be “ladies who lunch.”  We’d pop into stores and galleries and treat ourselves to a great day while people watching.  A favorite gallery of mine was always Romero Britto’s.  The Brazilian artist’s trademark is the bold colors, pop designs, and joyful characters in his art.

Growing up in South Florida, and as avid Heat fans, we had this poster:
Miami Heat Commemorative Poster by Romero Britto
If you are a fan of Bethenny Getting Married on Bravo you’ll recognize the gift Bethenny gave to her husband Jason: 
Follow Me by Romero Britto at Greg Lane Arts
I have always enjoyed the art for the wall, the signature Absolut bottles that Britto designed, and even a series of watches a few years ago.  And then I saw this:
New Day Luggage Collection by Romero Britto

Who else is ready to jet set, now?  I know this is completely over the top, but that is the Florida in me.  I love the color, I love the hearts (I love hearts), and I love joyful, happy attitude.  Besides what else do you need when traveling besides some clothes and a happy heart?

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New York Fashion Week: Spring 2011 is Looking Lovely

Posted on September 27, 2010 | Leave a comment

I have finally finished reviewing the many, many fashion shows that highlighted the transitioning into fall days of September. 

Fashion is a funny game; we preview the spring before fall starts, and preview the fall before the snow has melted in New York.  I love the fashion shows, and neither fall nor spring wins preference with me.  I love the spring shows because as a Florida girl I love the ease, the casual aesthetic, the classic sportswear and the bright colors.  I love the fall shows for the richness, the holiday glamour, the texture and refinement.  Quite happily the Spring 2011 shows had the best of both seasons: brilliant colors, ladylike shapes, classic shapes and styles, and glitter.

These are a few trends that are sticking out above the rest for me: 

Belts: I love the ladylike refinement of this dress and belt from Oscar de la Renta.  I love the pop of the strong colors against the softer pinks of the fabric.  Belts were popping up all over the runway and all throughout my favorites from the season, they are flattering and they take an outfit from the everyday to wow.

Color: Oh Marc… The colors, the accessories, the knits – it was the best of the 70’s without feeling dated, costumey or over the top.  I felt like the entire Marc Jacobs collection was completely wearable and more than that fun, and bright.  I like how the use of color was elevated beyond what is normally thought of as spring colors and given a greater richness and depth with jewel tones.

High Waist Pants: I am a jeans girl and so I do appreciate an amazing fit on a pair of pants.  I also like the way a high waist pant flatters a woman’s body, creates curves if there are none, supports curves if there are some.  Katherine Hepburn knew what she was doing when she made the pant a mainstay in the wardrobe of American women, and Monique Lhuillier takes it a step further by elegantly putting pants in the category for evening.

Glitter: I love Ralph Lauren.  I love how the brand is unchanged, how he seemingly ignores the current trend to stay true to his classic American style.  His collections makes even a city girl consider oversized buckles and a home in Wyoming.  I love the fluidity, and liquid nature of this glitter and how it is smartly toughened up by the contrasting leather belt and shawl – it’s not too sweet, it’s American Glamour.

You can see the rest of my selected favorites here.

But this, this is my favorite of all.  I love the tank style that reads as so effortless, I love the deep neckline that doesn’t go so deep to be vulgar, I love the cinched waist with the bow-tied belt and the abstract and slimming design at the front.    

I love Carolina Herrera.  She reminds me of the grandmother of my best friend.  She exudes an old world glamour but has the ability to dress today’s woman of any age.  She, and her collection, are the perfect example of sophistication, chic and timeless fashion. 

I can feel Fall creeping up on me, and I am still looking for the perfect new sweaters, boots, and more, but Spring has never looked more dreamy.

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Life Lessons in Shopping

Posted on September 24, 2010 | 1 comment

Rarely does shopping provide too much in the way of “Life Lessons.”  

Sure there are a few: if you see a splurge but must-have item walk away, and if you’re still thinking about it in 2 days go for it, or if you find the best fitting pair of jeans/swimsuit/bra buy multiple pairs because there is nothing better than a great pair of jeans/swimsuit/bra.   

But now I’ll share a life lesson that was reinforced by shopping.  Almost a month ago I bought a beautiful pair of boots.  They were designer, and gorgeous and would probably last forever, however they were very expensive.  
Salvatore Ferragamo Fersea via Zappos Couture
I couldn’t stomach the idea of wearing them and scratching them up, and I knew they weren’t for keeps when I found myself looking at other boots online the very next day.  

In the online search the next day I found another pair that was definitely within my price range and seemed to hit all the right notes of what I was looking for.  But, I waited.  I had lots of excuses.  I was going to India in a few days, and I hadn’t tried them on yet, and I wasn’t completely sure how they would fit, so I told myself when we get back from India I’ll go to the store and just buy them.  How clever, then I would also save on shipping!

When I got back from India they were sold out.

Poor little blogger girl lost her boots?  Not quite.  There are many, many boots out there, but the larger lesson learned and reinforced by my life that exists outside of my favorite online stores and this blog is that life doesn’t wait, and that the unexpected does happen.  And we must always be ready to go and take it head on and win – yes, I’m that competitive. 

Wishing you a weekend full of adventure, wherever you may find it.

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Posted in Accessories, Her Closet, Her Inspiration, Life Lessons, Personal, Shoes, Shopping

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Packing Right and Light

Posted on September 23, 2010 | 1 comment

Since Mark and I have started traveling together I have never checked a bag, ever.  He thinks of himself as a master packer, and is pretty good at editing my packing list when I come downstairs with piles of clothes.

We have gone to Rome for a week, Hawaii for a week, our wedding and honeymoon and I have still never checked a bag.  
There are a few reasons for this: I don’t like to carry a bag and I don’t like to wait (and now pay) for my checked bag.  I have learned that if you pack smartly you usually won’t need to check a bag, either!

When we went to India for a week we shared a backpack and a carry on duffel bag.  That is it, and I still came home with unworn clothes.

Here is what I packed – or a very close match at least:

The trick for packing light and not feeling like you’re a wandering backpacker is to pick wearable pieces that can be worn in a variety of ways; skinny jeans are perfect day or night, same with the jersey skirt and cardigan.  

As I have mentioned previously I am not a “product girl” so I don’t have a separate caboodle for my makeup supplies.  I brought with me the Laura Mercier bronze/blush duo and cake liner and smashbox lip gloss.  I do not ever travel with a blow dryer – every hotel in a first world country has one, even the hotels in India, and on occasion I will bring a hair straightener.  
I fly in my bulkiest items, and shoes; that means I wear boots on a plane, or in this case my ballerina sneakers.  I always fly with a pashmina, which doubles as a blanket in flight, and if I am bringing a jacket for the trip I usually don’t have it packed so that I can easily access it when I am out of the airport.

Memories from travel are not made in front of the mirror, so I pack light, move quickly and take lots of pictures!

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Traveling Shoes

Posted on September 22, 2010 | Leave a comment

Before we went to India I planned out what I would wear and pack with a lot of attention. Things I considered were the temperature (muggy, hot), the activity (lots of walking but in a variety of areas and terrain), and the culture (lots of color, but not flashy in the American sportswear sense).

When I packed shoes I brought three pairs: satin J. Crew ballet flats, rhinestone J. Crew flip flops and new ballerina sneakers.

These were perfect. I wore them with skirts and skinny jeans (and they weren’t clunky or awkward). I wore them with linen pants and they were fittingly delicate and best of all they were comfortable and produced no blisters.

This is a style I have had my eye on for a while. Post trip they would be great commuting shoes – if I wore commuting shoes an they are a great weekend alternative to gym sneakers.

Being comfortable when traveling is essential, and being cute is an added bonus.

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Editing the Red Carpet

Posted on August 30, 2010 | Leave a comment

The 62nd Emmy Awards are now just a faint memory and now exists for the Fashion police and blogosphere to criticize and joke about.  Here’s my attempt to tackle the Red Carpet’s best, worst, and just-off looks, all images via the Huffington Post.

Back in Black
Black for formal wear is so classic so it is always interesting to see how celebrities and their stylists keep it ineresting.  I think some fared better than others.

Rarely do I not swoon for Marchesa, but Heidi’s dress feels just a little small, and a little extra short.  I wish she would have given herself an extra in every direction.  Mindy Kaling is a very petite lady and I feel her bad-ass ballerina is overpowering her, without the ruffle at the top, I feel like she’d be wearing the dress and not the other way around.

 Kelly Osbourne looks glamorous and still very comfortable in black.  The fit on the bodice is gorgeous and the skirt is beautiful.  Julia Louis Dreyfus is in the winner’s category simply because she continues to look radiant, healthy, and the dress fits gorgeously.

Fashion that Makes You Gleeful
The trend color of the night: Navy.  The best dressed in navy, Jayma Mays and Lea Michelle.  I like the relaxed tresses, and I love Lea’s jewels, but when in the fit category I give the win to Jayma Mays all the way. 
 Jenna Ushkowitz seemed to fly low on the fashion police’s radar, but I loved this look.  She looks young, which she is, and still trendy and current.  I don’t love the mix of accessories, and would have preferred all gold – but otherwise she looks fabulous.  Okay, this pains me.  Naya Rivera is beautiful.  This dress’ color is beautiful.  But, it is too over the top, too much skirt, too much hair, too much drama.
Can We Edit This?

I wish both Dianna Agron and Keri Russell’s dress had been shorter.  Agron’s at a tea length would be more Audrey/Grace and less Scarlett O’Hara.  Keri is very much modern Baby (Dirty Dancing), I just wish it was shorter, and fit better at the bodice, it looks about a size too large.

Things I loved
Emily and John, Kevin and Kyra, Stephanie Carter, Susan Sarandon and Eva Amurri.  I love the sweetness of the newlyweds, the jewels and color of the long marrieds, the glitter of Jennifer Carter, and the mother-daughter love of the ageless Sarandon/Amurri.

Things I am feeling Ehhh About
Maria Menounos dress feels like a poor man’s Sandra Bullock’s Marchesa.  Lauren Graham is a beautiful woman, this dress does nothing for her and is more matronly than it needs to be.  January Jones reminds me of Anne Hathaway when she was everyone’s fashion muse, edgy and overdone, it is just not believable for me.  Christina Hendricks in Zac Posen, I wish she would have lost the feathers, it feels like one detail too many.

Who Shouldn’t Have Been Invited:
I feel like there are no words.  This is neither a Mad Men Costume Contest, and I assume Stephanie Pratt’s house wasn’t on fire, so I cannot understand why she is not wearing bottoms. 

Winner of the Red Carpet Game:
I didn’t care for Claire Dane’s speech, but I loved the honey hair, makeup and glittering gown. This was a dress I would want, and would wear, even if it was just while sitting on the couch while watching the Emmy Awards next year.

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