Happy New Year!
Hey there! Phew! The holidays are OVER! I hope everyone survived unscathed and is ready to take on this great new year!
My blog posts have been few and far between lately with all that’s been going on. Here’s what I’ve been up to this past month.
First off, if you didn’t know already, I am my mom’s primary caregiver. She has M.S. and I also help run my father’s construction company and take care of their home, the house I grew up in. So, not only did I have to get my own apartment ready for x-mas and keep the cheer alive there, I had to do it at my folks’ house as well. Taking care of two homes is exhausting enough as it is but during the holidays, I go into this insanely hyper-efficient Martha Stewart mode and it takes a toll on me once it’s all done.
So, yeah, I cleaned and decorated 2 places which meant that once I opened the storage closet, I had to organize that as well. I had to haul everything to my place and then haul it all back after I took it down (since we don’t have enough storage space).
I baked 7 dozen mini pecan tarts, 12 dozen oatmeal cookies and 6 pounds of fudge. That all went in a bunch of tins to give away. I don’t know how I managed to lose weight this month but I did. I guess running around like a maniac will do that to you.
I painted a blatant rip off of this painting by Hannah Stouffer, only I used oranges, reds and browns, which is now in our livingroom.
Then there was shopping… well planned out shopping spread out over 2 months so I wouldn’t be broke come Christmas. Since we were going up to NOVA the day after Christmas to see the bf’s family, I had to add them to the list as well. We had a really nice visit and I finally met his sister after a whole year! She’s awesome.
I got the bf a Navy issue peacoat and books, and treats and tshirts, some xbox thing, and more silly treats. He got me those flashy Onitsuka Tigers with the gold on them that I have been coveting for months as well as a Marimekko shower curtain and fabric panel I plan on stapling to a canvas. Oh, and he told his sister to get me this sweet sweet mounted deer head wall decal from Decor Designs on Etsy. The one I have is like the center one. It’s above a door so along with the painting, we’re getting a real ski lodge effect in there!
“Hetkiä/Moments” shower curtain
“Pelimanni” fabric panel designed by Iiro A. Ahokas
Since my mom can’t shop, I pick out things I want (which is sad and awesome at the same time) so, she hooked me up with a bunch of matching bra and panty sets which I was in desperate need of, a fresh bottle of Kenzo Amour, a handbag, and a few things I’ve mentioned already.
My father made us a round wood kitchen table. Six months in our apartment together and we were still eating on the sofa. My dad makes reproduction Chippendale style furniture and truly hates clean modern design so, he had to put his stank on the base, which really isn’t our thing but oh well, it’s a table and I’m thankful.
We ordered 2 of these chairs and just got them on Monday, from of all places Sears! Seriously, they have a line that’s attempting to compete with Ikea-style design. They’re completely awesome and we’re ordering 2 more this week. They go great in the living room as well so, we will probably keep 2 in there until we have people over for dinner.
It snowed about 10 inches the weekend before Christmas. So there were magical walks and lots of cozying up and staying in. I loved every minute of it!
my neighborhood
New Years Eve, we decided to keep it low key and avoid the insanity. I fixed a big steak dinner and we took a walk around our neighborhood with a giant mimosa in a plastic container and shared earbuds, listening to music and looking at Christmas lights. It was magical until we witnessed a 3 car accident right at the intersection we were about to cross. Luckily, the bf grabbed the back of my coat before I darted out. My hero!
This past week, I got a wild hair to tackle my parents’ basement, again, but way more seriously than I ever had before. I swear, my father should be on Hoarders. Only, he actually collects antiques with inherent value and they are over running my parents’ home. I have sorted, organized, wrapped and boxed tons of stuff in sturdy plastic boxes instead of the open dusty torn cardboard boxes everything was thrown in. Old toys, trains, antique tools, pottery, old kitchen gadgets, you name it. Then the closets down there needed to get cleaned out so I could get the boxes in there. Holy crap. I filled a huge trashcan in one afternoon and there have been two enormous car loads to the Goodwill truck this week already and it’s just Tuesday.
This Spring I plan to start painting the entire interior of my parents’ home and convince my father to redo the outdated bathrooms and replace my mom’s bedroom carpet with hardwood flooring. It WILL be done.
Oh, and have you seen the Valentine’s Day stuff in the stores already? OMG.
Tight Times
Do you remember the show Reading Rainbow? One story has stuck with me since I was a child. It was called Tight Times. A family is going through financial troubles and the little boy finds a kitten outside and of course wants to keep it. Things are so rough that the parents get upset about having another mouth to feed but after everyone breaks down and starts crying, they figure that they indeed can spare a bit more to keep the kitty. (watch the episode here)
Everyone I know is having a hard time staying above water right now but still want to give those they love a meaningful gift, so here are some inexpensive but thoughtful suggestions to get your Christmas shopping done without breaking the bank!
I am a huge TJ Maxx fan. I honestly think you could get all your shopping done there. It’s full of practical luxuries, so cheap it can make your head spin at times. So here are some frugal gift suggestions that could be knocked out in a jiffy at everyone’s favorite discount store.
I recently purchased a small high quality wok great for quick side veggies for $4.50. This and a package of asian noodles, some sesame oil, a head of garlic and a small ginger root (picked up on your next grocery trip), all bundled together could get your favorite foodie inspired for around $10. You could do the same thing with a pasta strainer or large bowl, some interesting sauce, and a bag of fun pasta. A friend did this, with bottles of wine added, for everyone she knew one year and it was a huge hit. It also makes an excellent hostess gift for any parties you attend.
Another nice combo gift great for mom, grandma, or any lady friend is the fancy tea cup/tea package. There are tons of random patterns of china tea cup/saucer sets, mugs, tea pots, kettles, and a bevy of fancy flavored teas and cocoas available at ridiculously cheap prices. Pair some tea up with a thoughtfully picked out cup or pot, and maybe even a box of cookies, for a gift that should be well below $20.
Practical gifts like scarves and gloves can be boring unless chosen in fun colors that the recipients normally wouldn’t pick out for themselves, but will be excited to work into their wardrobe. There are tons of gorgeous Italian and Irish wool scarves available right now for both men and women at about $15.
Babies all the way to teens aren’t left out. For baby, there are adorable hats, pretty storage boxes for nurseries, a slew of cute onesies and clothing, soft blankets, toys for all ages, and classic books. For older kids there are small electronics like colorful ear phones (usually some from Skullcandy) , portable ipod speakers and cases, hip room decor like bright throws and mirrors, there are tights (usually from Betsey Johnson), fuzzy slippers, pajamas, and luxuriously packaged bath products (for anyone really), all hitting well below $20.
If any of the above suggestions don’t work for office pals, there are tons of stationary and desk organizing tools.
There are loads of beautifully designed hand soaps and towels both for kitchen and bath that would go well together.
There are name brand wallets, cosmetic bags, clutches, yoga accessories, men’s accessories, cook books, coffee table books, photo albums, handblown glass vases, picture frames like crazy, scented candles, kitchen tools, gourmet spices… all at inexpensive price points.
When it comes to presentation, I really can’t stand the suggestion of wrapping a gift up in an additional gift, like a jewelry box wrapped in a scarf. No, I’m not spending an extra chunk of change to wrap the originally intended present. Then there’s the ideas of painting or stamping your own paper. Please. The season is hectic enough.
For wrapping gifts, I usually hit the 50%-75% off sales after Christmas and stock up for the next year. Take advantage at the stores you shop at and ask for their complimentary boxes, especially for odd sized items. A well wrapped gift can make a small item pretty fantastic to open. If you need to stock up on gift wrapping supplies right now, I highly recommend the dollar store. They have tissue paper with designs and huge packs of solid colors, curling ribbon, rolls of wire edged fabric ribbon for luxurious bows, bags of traditional bows, tags, tape, gift bags and boxes of all sizes and the usual seasonal wrapping paper – all for $1. Sometimes just sticking with a solid red or white paper or the big rolls of brown craft paper will allow a $1 ornament to stand out as a gift tie-on. There are glitter snowflakes, large sequined balls, and other novelty ornaments. You can also check the craft section for bunches of berries, fake birds and raffia ribbon for a rustic look.
There’s no reason to go broke this holiday season! Have fun being a thoughtful smart shopper!
sequins
Holiday season is upon us and that means everything in the stores has a thick crust of sequins on it. I would like someone to tell me how all these things are going to wear over time because I have experienced nothing but heartbreak. (We aren’t even going to talk about glitter because if you own it, you deserve to suffer the consequences. In the early 90s, my bff bought a pair of fuchsia glitter Doc Martens and they started looking pretty rough rather quickly.)
Sequins are made of fragile plastic with a metallic paint coating that rubs off and eventually looks worn out. They are also prone to cracking in half and falling off. Then there are the ones that are glued on. You can spot a missing or misaligned sequin a mile away. At least I can, but I may have a mild case of OCD.
If you must wear them… there are good sequins and bad sequins.
GOOD SEQUINS
Not much can happen to this embellished tank. You still have to carefully hand wash it in cold water and it won’t last forever but you still have a chance.
To avoid looking like a Miss America contestant, sequined dresses should be short and to the point. This dress will also require special care but with no belt to rub, cap sleeves, each sequin neatly lined up (not shingled) and tightly secured, and being all one subtle color, this would work well. Minimal accessories needed.
Other good sequins can be found as a light mist on something sheer, a pair of panties you don’t plan on keeping on for very long, and as the most delicate of details that makes something plain very special.
BAD SEQUINS
You know how your shoes wear, so what’s going to happen at the bends of these Converse? They’re part of the fabric so you can’t even sew on new ones to repair!
These sequined leggings are almost $350 at Saks. What is your ass and the backs of your knees going to look like after a while? Like a worn out Las Vegas hooker, that’s what. $350 at Saks or $20 at F21… they’re both going to look like hell after a few wears.
More bad sequins – on jeans but at least they would be easy to remove when they go bust, on handbags (those giant sequin bags and tiny 80s prom clutches), those hoodies everyone got obsessed with (my hoodies earn their keep), and anything else tight that would bend harshly with your body, and doesn’t respect your hard earned cash.
So ladies, you may want to spare yourself the trouble and financial waste and just put on a sparkly cuff bracelet instead!
gears
A while ago, I went through a tiny stud earring phase. I bought a bunch of little earrings made of gears and old plastic camera workings. I bought them from etsy and most eventually fell apart. (There just is no lasting glue for binding plastic to metal.) Just recently on NotCouture I spotted these sterling silver watch gear earings by jewelry designer Graciela Fuentes for Tiriana Jewelry. Steampunk? Maybe. Awesome? Yes.
Just for good measure, I checked out what etsy had to offer again. I was a little disappointed. I’m really not a fan of something looking soooo handmade that it’s sloppy, unprofessional and childish. Do you have to add cheap beads to everything? These are the best things I could find.
Of course, you can start digging around online to find gears and have yourself a little DIY fun.
Fall roundup
Here’s a collection of items from previous posts that tickled my fancy for this cold weather season and beyond! I’m chipping away at this list. Almost halfway there!
a wearable top 30 for 2010
It’s barely Fall and all the Spring 2010 shows were a month ago. The over-saturated coverage has come and gone and now the Christmas advertising has started. I avoided the Spring shows like the plague and made a few short mentions of random things that managed to catch my eye. Now, I have finally looked at it all and I am left with a sense that not much is new.
Here are my top 30 realistic picks for Spring 2010 from the RTW collections. All look completely comfortable and wearable. I will tell you that I looked at every single collection on Style.com and I found that most of the Spring offerings fell into a few categories.
- Short, tiny cocktail dresses. So many little dresses for teeny tiny women!
- Dresses really were the prominent item and the knee length shifts started to get a bit boring.
- Ridiculous brights and outrageous prints all mixed up, that take a special woman to pull off. I’m not one of them. Polka dots, stripes, a bit of plaid, florals of course, and abstract prints also stood out.
- The same minimalist architectural pieces and beautiful draping we’ve been seeing for a while now, which I’m totally fine with. So many designers are going the way of Lanvin these days.
- Boxy looks that made the models look broad and stumpy- cropped jackets with cropped pants and ankle boots? No. Big shapeless dresses sans belts were everywhere as well. Strong shoulders are still in. Wide wide wide.
- The usual classic looks such as ultra ladylike, mild safari, the same punky/goth stuff we’ve been seeing from the usual suspects, and denim but not much. (Ralph Lauren used enough denim for everyone.)
- A whole lot of low cut, a lot of leg, and a TON of sheer and lace. Way more nipple than I needed to see.
- White, black and white and black… a lot of red, blues and orange.
- One shoulder looks, drapey jumpsuits, cropped pants of all widths, shine everywhere, drop crotch pants (no thanks), tailored shorts, leggings (still), flowing pants, and light silky charmeuse layers (loving this).
- Short skirts with long panels were all over the place. Not feeling it.
- Big necklaces, big bags, big purses, big shoes, strappy heels, and damned ugly hats.
Spring is all about freshness and while not much that I saw was really innovative, I’m feeling a slight shift of focus in the trends towards more soft elegant pieces and away from the dark harshness that’s been flooding the fashion blogs lately. I’m thankful. So, even though Spring is so far away, by actually taking the time to look at all the collections quietly and slowly over a few days, it has kind of refreshed my heart. Fashion has grown to be a bit boring for me lately and I know I’m not the only one who’s been crying out for more pretty. I’ll be thinking about these beautiful pieces from now on when putting together outfits and making future purchases. I’m ready to make some subtle changes to my wardrobe and work new things in slowly. So, this is my well-edited list of things I could see myself throwing on and feeling instantly at ease right off the bat. No tugging, no hyper awareness of my body… just good old relaxed style… and I found A LOT of stuff…
all pics via style.com
No doubt, the Ports 1961 collection was lovely and wearable but not much really stood out to me. The fabrics were gorgeous and everything was nice. Yes. Nice. It was all very nice. I really didn’t want to show anything from this collection because it was all so innocuous but it can’t be left out because of the simple elegance and versatility of all the pieces. (I supose Rachel Roy would go into the same category of nice.)
This simple outfit from Celine is so clean and fresh. Loose fitting white top. Short black skirt, leather or not. Easy.
Keeping with the crisp black and white theme is this Derek Lam dress and a Nicole Farhi graphic top and wide pants.
Kenzo makes my signature perfume Amour and I think the line’s genius is highly underrated. I adore this breezy white offering. This is an ensemble. I don’t know if I would always pair the separates together (unless it’s a jumpsuit, which would be rad). Not sure what kind of butt coverage you’re really getting here but some shorts could fix that. I think a lot of us are nervous about wearing something so obvious but really, what’s the big deal? It’s perfectly elegant. Seriously love this and the shoes compliment it perfectly.
Jason Wu has been stealing my heart lately. This could not be better for a date night. I had a difficult time picking just one dress from his collection because they are all so very wearable. Check the rest here.
Plaids aren’t usually my thing but I love the shape of this Pollini dress, the gentle mixing of plaids, asymmetrical hem, and draping give it a modern appeal. Seeing it with those killer shoes has given me a fresh perspective on this pattern.
Can I get an amen for this palest mint Douglas Hannant maxi dress?! I’m so short, every long dress I’ve bought needed to be hemmed, which had begun to deter me from buying them. Then I see one so elegant and it makes me forget about what a pain it is to sew sometimes.
L.A.M.B. was a bit too rocker glam for me this time around but, what do you expect? This outfit though… I could wear this every single day and be outrageously comfortable and confident, after switching out the belt with my own wider studded one.
There were a lot of full hipped pants and unless you’re rail thin, I can’t think of any woman who wants to add width to her hips. What about just one hip so everyone knows what’s really going on? These asymmetric pants by Nicole Miller swayed me. Paired with the corset-esque top keeps it slim. I really want to hunt down these pants and try them on.
This abstract print by Giorgio Armani is right up my alley. Blue and red together usually seems childish to me but not this time. This whole look would be so easy to affordably replicate. Perfect for a hot day, comfortable, effortless, and just the right splash of red.
If I were to pick one wild print from any of the collections, it would be this simple dress from Josh Goot. It is a piece of art. Minimal accessories needed. It would be a blast to wear.
The only super formal dress that knocked my socks off was this ultra flattering Martin Grant evening gown. Showing leg is so much more alluring than blatant cleavage.
This has become my new favorite color. A more muted acid puke green that goes so well with earth tones, white, black and all shades of grey. Love the delicate detailing by J. Mendel.
Like the intricate detailing above, you can’t help but admire the ingenious construction of this Bibhu Mohapatra dress.
I can’t do a post without including my all-time fave Lanvin. Don’t even need to say how difficult it was to pick just one. Good grief it’s lovely!
Fashion Fringe is new to me. I was floored by their dresses and had to include three. Just imagine the feel of that fabric against your skin!
These two dark outfits are more in line with what’s been in style lately. The light bleach wash effect on skinny jeans has been everywhere but Elise Øverland’s take with the delicate top and gold platforms takes it to a new level of feminity. Jeremy Laing’s modern outfit is also a lot less harsh. Love those delicate pieced leggings!
There weren’t many earthtones at the shows. I used to wear a lot of browns and I’m looking forward to revisiting the color soon. The blazer and shorts look is prominent for Spring. Pringle of Scotland put together a lovely outfit. The very ladylike Gary Graham draped skirt ensemble is so office appropriate.
Tibi was really pretty and a lot of fun. The pattern on this dress reminds me of a painting done by the stippling technique at a Richmond restaurant called Avalon.
A lot of designers were sectioning off the body into three distinct regions, something I’ve been a fan of for a long time. When patterns and color blocking were used, the oufits shortened the models. The monotone Issey Miyake is lengthening and slimming and looks really cozy. The Naeem Khan embellished tunic with wider bouclé (or are they beaded?) pants also looks soft and comfortable. I would love to pull off something like these for winter.
More monochromatic offerings in my favorite color! While I wouldn’t wear the bra top, I love the softness and ease of thin layers making up this Akris outfit. The silver Michael Kors skirt is subdued enough for day wear and the extra details on the shoulder turn a basic v-neck into something really special. The Donna Karan day dress could not be more perfect.
Last but not least are the ankle ties and bright blue slim trousers by Prabal Gurung. I think this is adorable but still clean and simple… very very wearable but whimsical. That blue is one of my favorite colors.
I hope this leaves you inspired. Phew! I’m DONE!
Previous Spring 2010 RTW posts - Doo.Ri, Givenchy’s shoes, and Dennis Basso.
no surprises
My mom has M.S. and I am her primary care-giver. It breaks her heart that she is unable to shop for me anymore but, come my b-day or Christmas, I know I’m getting what I want since she now has to let me pick things out for myself and do all the ordering… and wrapping. Yes, I have to wrap my own presents. So silly. I always make a big to do about ripping the paper and putting the bows on my head every year.
Now is the time of year when the incessant nagging for me to shop begins. Sounds terrible doesn’t it? Here are three things I picked out for myself from F21. To heck with surprises! I can’t wait to have these things at Christmas!
striped metallic top - oh how I love this! It’s not the most flattering thing but who cares. It’s so graphic and bold and comfy looking!
black velvet leggings - no need for a picture here. They say these have a slight sheen. I sure hope so.
bell hop zip hoodie - I go through about 3 black hoodies each fall and winter. They always fade and inevitably get some oily spot on them that drives me insane and I have to toss them. Love that this one has so much personality. All those band jackets out there don’t do it for me… they feel so costumey. This is just enough.
tights
I was perusing the Urban Outfitters sale online and fell in love with these tights. They’re so much fun and they’re on sale! I still have a couple pairs of black scrollwork tights kinda like this pattern from Victoria’s Secret from the 90s. They were my favorite gothy tights to wear. These are much more whimsical and the color combo is perfect. After a miserable failed attempt at ombre tights with Rit dye, I’ll leave it to the pros.
Type in promo code MERRYHAPPY and get an extra 10% off all orders until December 15th!
wishpot
You know registries – when a friend is about to get married or have a baby and have chosen all the things they want from a generous group of family and friends. Most people will let you know that they are registered at one or two places, and Target is usually an old standby. So, everything they want/need is supposed to come from 2 stores? This is incredibly restrictive and boring but easier than sending everyone on a wild goose chase for random items at random places with no way of knowing if it was already purchased or not.
Well, Wishpot is a place where you can create a wish list or gift registry for any occasion (or just for fun), from every store on the internet, all consolidated onto one site! It’s really easy and fun to use. You add a simple button to your bookmark bar and as you peruse the internet, you easily click the button and it automatically adds the item to any of your wish lists, without having to divert back to the site, much like Polyvore works for creating outfits.
I was recently asked to be a fashion “expert” for Wishpot. Me? Yeah! So, I created a profile (anyone can) and have already compiled two lists of must-have items. Many of these things have already been mentioned here but, it’s nice to have it all grouped together for easier shopping. You also receive price alerts when your coveted items go on sale!
Keep an eye out for a guest blog post I wrote for them, introducing myself and such. It should be up soon!
So, check it out!
PS – You can also follow them on twitter for giveaways and other offers.
oot and aboot
This past Saturday night warranted heels! My bff all the way back from middle school was in town for our mutual friend’s 30th b-day. Everyone was a bit too excited to be dressed for drinks. (2 moms, a 30th b-day, and times have been tight.) It was raining and I was half broke so I didn’t plan on staying out for more than 2 drinks (plus a drink before I left and a drink at the house we met up at). Drinky drinky drinky! Saturday night means packed bars in Richmond, crap parking and a bit of walking. We got pretty lucky but I still wanted to be comfortable.
Anyhow, I pretty much wore this. There you go. An outfit post of sorts. Basically what I wear every day but I threw on a blazer and heels.
J Brand dark skinnies. I live in my two pairs. The newer darker pair made an appearance.
2 tanks layered – grey and black – bought from the Target clearance rack for $2 each. Yeah! Seriously, these are the best tanks I’ve ever owned. Some were racerback and some regular. All are pretty low cut and longer in length and fit perfectly. Not too tight but not maternity style either. I went to 3 different Targets and scooped them all up. I think I bought 6 or 7 in grey black and white. They have a new style out now which is the same thing only they did that little Alexander Wang style tiny pocket on the front.
black blazer with sleeves rolled up – Last Fall I had a terrible time finding blazers. I just wanted simple black, 1 or 2 buttons, lined and well-made but not outrageously expensive. I hit a few department stores and was disappointed with everything I saw. They all had some stupid embellishment. I wanted sharp and fitted. As usual, the place that always has come through for me with simple basics at a good price was NY and Co. If you need some decent black pants, a pencil skirt or a blazer, they’ve got it. I got two $70 blazers from the clearance racks at $10 a piece! Hell yes!
My new trusty grey bag (not the one pictured)
I didn’t know the heels I bought were Sergio Rossi rip-offs. They’re grey snake (not pictured) and I like the cone heel way better. I saw this pair in TJ Maxx on 4 different trips and tried them on each time. No one was biting so I saw it as a sign and finally caved and bought them.
The usual jewelry I wear every day – silver hoops ($3 a pair that I throw away when they get funky), hammered silver band, Nixon watch (yay bf!)
A good time was had by all. It was nice to see my girls and get out of the house and feel like a grown-up.
<!--