My love for colo(u)red denim is no secret. I wear my crimson Rag & Bone skinnies weekly and relish in complements. They go with so many different outfits, I consider them my fashion lay-up. And while many people might look at this photo and first notice Rachel’s Burberry studded metallic leather bowling bag (sold out) – I go ga-ga over her burgundy (merlot, magenta, purple, or “wine”) colored cords. Tucked into her Zara ankle booties, Rachel’s look is perfect for fall.
For those looking to start slowly, or keep it office appropriate, stick to basic blank skinny cords – I live in my J Brands! They’re so comfortable and soft they feeling like a cotton legging. So great for travel. They are a 10 with flats, boots or heels. A great one-pair-of-pants packing option. DONE!
“Marry Prince William? I’d love that. Who wouldn’t want to be a princess?” – Britney Spears
Sorry Brit, that ship has sailed.
This Friday, April 29th marks one of the biggest days in nuptial history. Prince William of Wales KG FRS (William Arthur Philip Louis; born June, 21st 1982), the elder son of Charles, Prince of Wales, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales – will marry Catherine Elizabeth “Kate” Middleton (born January 9th, 1982). In full royal-fashion, their Westminster Abbey wedding has earned the UK a bank holiday. After their engagement was announced last year (November 16th, 2010), the world has been counting down to the big day. Who will Kate be wearing? It’s rumored to be the British fashion house of the late Alexander McQueen. 4 more days… until the festivities begin at 4am EST.
Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera will host a NBC Royal Special Wednesday, and E! News will also be on the scene. Not to mention the blogosphere and press coverage from the 1,000 BBC and 400 CNN workers assigned to the wedding. For those of us without an invite (or plane ticket), we can wake up in the early North America hours to our TVs and royal-high-tea. I’ve already got a date.
And for the countless women (myself included) following Kate’s style – her red suit above is Luisa Spangoli, paired with a Hollie de Keyser belt purchased from a Knightsbridge boutique. Her trench coat is by Burberry – selling out within one day of her wearing it (how Oprah-effect). And finally, her hot-blue dress worn while attending a wedding at St Andrews with William is by Issa. Her go-to London designer also responsible for her November engagement announcement dress. While Kate’s turned down offers to grace the cover of VOGUE, and keeps quiet while William shines – we can’t help but LOVE this girl next door turned princess and future Queen of England. Not bad.
What will she be wearing next? Her family’s new coat of arms. It just keeps getting better for Kate.
… with that let’s greet April’s rain in style and hope for a gorgeous spring and summer.
10 – A big umbrella -Bella Pagoda Umbrella – B&W Pinwheel: A big pinwheel umbrella is a style statement that keeps you dry. Imagine? Ha. So many times we sacrifice function for fashion, but when it comes to rain that’s just not practical for daily life.
9 – Slim calf rain boots – HUNTER Regen Quilted Rubber Rainboots: Hunters new rain boots are slimmer in the calf, keeping your legs drier and offering a more flattering fit. This black quilted pair scream classy riding boot!
8 – A hooded anorak - Jil Sander Navy Hooded Coat: throw on a water-resistant hooded jacket on gloomy days and you’re ready to roll. This coat takes you to the gym, errands, brunch, and more.
7 – A totally water-proof rain coat -Topshop Blue Shiny Hooded Plastic Mac (also in bright yellow and orange): when it rains, it pours! So be sure to have one coat that will keep you totally dry even when it’s coming down in bucket loads. Go for navy, or a bright red, orange, yellow or blue. Just because the skies are dull, doesn’t mean your outfit has to follow suit.
6 – Cute rain hat -Burberry Cotton Reversible Black Bucket Hat: I have this hat. Rain isn’t so bad when it provides an excuse to wear fun pieces like this. I’ve never worn it with the signature print showing, I prefer the black showing and the tartan for myself. It’s key to keeping your hair dry.
5 – Classic Trench -J.Crew Icon Trench: every woman needs an iconic trench in her wardrobe. The name of J.Crew’s “icon trench” says it all. Whether you investment in Burberry or opt for French Connection – start with a classic beige with basic buttons and a belt (NB: double breasted never goes out of style, but spring 2011′s leather and studded details are a trendy take on a classic look and won’t make it to next season). Longer styles will keep you drier, and are more figure-flattering.
4 – Printed rain boots – Chooka Panthera Leopard Rain Boot: I’ll admit to owning three pairs of rain boots, excessive I know. But I do think there’s room for two pairs in every woman’s wardrobe. One tall black classic (back red zipper and buckles optional). And one printed. My choice of print are Stuart Wietzman’s subtle leopard (not available, similar to these Chooka’s), but I have friends who love a bright polkadot, plaid, striped or just plane BRIGHT. A shorter pair can also be a great addition (great for petite woman). Of course homage must be paid to Burberry’s signature print boots (as classic as their trenches), just please don’t pair these with any of the following: a Burberry signature print umbrella, scarf, or rain hat… anything signature print – you get the idea!
3 – A neutral nail -Essie Chinchilly: Let the rest of your outfit do the talking this month, give your nails a neutral break from the darker grays of winter. Bonus: your mani will stay chip-free longer.
2 – A bright scarf – J.Crew wool gauze scarf: I love banner blue – aka “hot-blue” – as I commonly call it. On cooler April days pop this scarf around your neck and your face will glow. It’s a great color to wrap around the shoulder strap of a purse so it’s always close by.
1 – An eco-friendly tote -Green is Good Tote: Earth Day is April 22nd, go green with a gift that keeps on giving. To the environment – and my future grandchildren – thank you.
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”
I love a good lay…er. I layer everything, things you wouldn’t think of – from my rings to my scarves – Blake shows us the striking effect of a solid black pashmina over a gray plaid complement. Done!
When wearing more than one scarf, keep one a solid color (less daring dames can start with a neutral white, cream, camel, gray, or basic black – more daring diva’s might opt for one of spring 2011′s brights to really offset and pop); the second scarf should be a print or pattern of some sort. From animal patterns, tartan, polka dot, paisley, floral, checkered or even a subtle or BOLD tie-dye (hello Vanessa Hudgens…). If you prefer to start slow, go for a single two toned scarf… this is great for petite women where too much material can swallow their frames.
While dark colors and heavier prints channel fall and winter, you can lighten the look into spring with florals, pastels and softer prints. Matchy-matchy should be avoided… Mix. Mix. MIX.
“When it’s three o’clock in New York, it’s still 1938 in London.” – Bette Midler
It’s Fashion Week Eve for the city that never sleeps… and whether you’ll be visiting the retail capital of North America, attending any shows, or just living vicariously through the media’s coverage – I’m dedicating this week’s must-haves to what every traveling lady needs in her life.
10 – an on trend blazer to throw over skinny jeans, a skirt or dress – I love ELIZABETH and JAMES Preppy Blazer in Black/Ivory. I can’t get enough of stripes lately, and it’s a great update on a black boyfriend blazer that can take you from day to night (over skinnies, trousers, a dress, skirt…). The pattern mixes prints for you instantly, whatever you pair it with. And the black piping is so regal!
9 – a bag big enough to go from day to night, without sacrificing style - Alexander Wang Rocco Duffel’s is my go-to bag right now, I get at least one complement on it a week. Big enough to fit your wallet, PDA, keys, makeup, water bottle, camera – yet small enough that it’s not a suitcase.
8 – the perfect polish - Chanel had me at hello… their nail polish hues can do no wrong in my eyes (she says as her collection grows monthly). Three of their most popular of-the-moment shades: Particulière, Paradoxal and Black Satin now come in a tri-pack. Pick one and rock it all week long.
7 – a statement watch, to get you to the church (show) on time… whether it’s gold, silver, rose, mixed metal, translucent, ceramic, plastic, rubber, tortoise – a big men’s size watch on a woman’s wrist is practical and just plain hot. So you can keep your iPhone and BBs off when it’s showtime.
6 – chic travel garment bag - LeSportSac’s bags travels so well, I love their weekenders as carry-ons (small to large) and checked (extra large) bags. My latest purchase is their patent garment bag, it has a strap so it can fly solo as carry-on or checked – yet it’s small enough to also fit in a suitcase.
“They say life’s what happens when you’re busy making other plans. But sometimes in New York, life is what happens when you’re waiting for a table.”
- Carrie Bradshaw, ‘Sex and The City’
5 – back to basics – go for a white blouse, add ruffles or a classic tie to your silks shirt – tuck it into a high-waisted skirt (I’ll be wearing #1 tucked into an Alice + Olivia white blouse that’s not online yet to their February 14th show at the Park Plaza), skinny or trouser pants and glam it up.
4 – Tory Burch patent Eddie black ballerina – the perfect plane shoe! And yes, that’s “plane” not “plain”. There’s nothing plain about a shimmering black flat that takes you through the terminals of JFK, LaGuardia or Newark before changing into winter-faring boots. Fashion meets function.
3 – the perfect coat, that actually keeps you warm - if you haven’t been following the weather in NYC this year, it’s been one storm after another (along with Chicago, Toronto, and even Dallas!)… the East Coast has been getting a lot of snow and/or cold fronts. So while I’m all for trying to get away with my fall and spring coats in East Coast winter months when you’re going for a certain look, 2011 is a year for WARM LAYERS. I’ll be wearing my Mackage – AKA warmest coat ever.
2 – KILLER heels – helloooo Prada, nice to see you again. The perfect balance between first-date heels (3 inches +), and second chances (everything else)- I lived in Prada heels for three years in my previous corporate gig (suited up everyday) and they are as comfortable as they are sexy. 10!!
1 – one gorgeous detail / INDULGENCE - for me this year it’s Alice + Olivia’s leather tulip skirt in tan. And yes, it’s just as DIVINE in person as you can imagine. I tried it on at their Robertson boutique and knew it had to be mine within seconds (OK, when I saw it on the mannequin in the window just a few days before I knew…). The leather is soft and luscious, and there’s a gold zipper up the back that adds the perfect finishing touch. I will have, and wear, this FOREVER. Thank you!!
“One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.”
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I spent last week in one of my favorite cities, the retail capital of the world: New York City. Anyone who’s ever been to New York will agree that the city offers an energy, personality and life that’s unparalleled… anywhere. Even in the cold of early January (temperatures hovered between 5-25 degrees Fahrenheit, the city’s longest cold front since 1977) New Yorkers were out until the early hours of the morning. The city really never sleeps. And with so much to do, neither do it’s visitors.
“It’s 24/7 here. It’s nonstop. The whole buzz of the city turns me on.”
- ‘Gossip Girl’’s Ed Westwick – aka Chuck Bass
The photo above was taken at Rockefeller Square, a hot-spot for tourists and anyone looking for one of the city’s J.Crew stores (N.B. my shopping bag) – shocking since I’m really private about my love towards my favorite retailer that started in the city with it’s 1989 South Street Seaport store.
Cold temperatures can be fun and creative to dress for; layering different pieces together, mixing prints and fabrics, the options are limitless. Case in point: to keep my ears warm I rotated between my Burberry signature plaid earmuffs, and my Michael Kors brown faux fox fur (exact style no longer available) worn alone as photographed or on top of my m0851 tweed newsboy hat. Above I’m wearing a Theory checkered scarf that’s so big it can double as a blanket on long flights, a m0851 wool coat, J.Crew riding boots, and black J Brand skinnies. I often layer my checkered scarf over my Michael Kors “shokpink” neck warmer, or another solid scarf. So the next time you step out into the East Coast cold, think of fashion meeting function and try some earmuffs on for size.
looking for gear where fashion meets function for adventurous 2011 travels? The North Face is it!!
I lived in The North Face gear all over Antarctica – if you haven’t checked out the line lately, it’s time to RECONSIDER The North Face for stylish and practical outdoor-wear. Nordstrom maintains a great collection, as does their company website (they had me at: “never stop exploring“…).
From their ‘Denali’ Thermal Beanie in aztec blue and white (so soft and cozy), to the black down quilted ‘Women’s Aconcaugua jacket‘ that I lived in, I was SET. I also stayed warmed in a white women’s TKA 100 Masonic fleece hoodie and a baby blue ‘Osito’ Fleece Jacket (I bought mine two years ago, the color’s no longer available but I love the new ones). Most notable was my black trapper hat (also purchased two years ago for a trip to Mount Everest Base Camp) – ready for minus 40, it never got colder than 10 Fahrenheit (-12 Celsius)…. summer lovin’ on the white continent. What we lacked in cold weather by Canadian standards, we made up for with massive waves, squalls, avalanches, icebergs, glaciers, mountains, wildlife – and just INCREDIBLE landscape.
Other cameo appearances were made by my classic tall Black UGGS (there’s nothing like putting on sheepskin boots after a morning or afternoon excursion in a kayaking dry-suit and Wellies). I was thankful to have them. They mixed perfectly into the rotation with my Sperry-J.Crew high-tops (thanks Jenna)…and my grayBurberry-licious scarf that was never far from my neck for long. A definite $$$lux item for such extreme travel, but I’ve had it for so long I wouldn’t have been heartbroken if it’d become an Arctic-casualty. Last but not least, was my pink stainless steel traveler mug – essentially glued to my hand full of hot water and/or tea it garnered a complement from an Aerolineas Argentinas flight attendant and many comments amongst my fellow passengers (OGGI corporation, it’s no longer available – here’s a close sibling, sans the Scotty dog).
Wherever your 2011 adventures take you – I wish you breathtaking memories to last a lifetime.
“life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the number of moments that take our breath away.”
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