Behind the Blog: Editorial Calendar

Just this last week I realized that I have been posting on this blog since February 21st, my blog is officially six months old. Yay!  While the realization is a little belated, it doesn't lesson the sweetness of the milestone.  When I started this blog I had a vague idea of what I wanted it to be about and no clue how to use blogger, HTML and links.  After six months I feel pretty proficient in posting, I know my way around blogger, I still for the most part have no clue about HTML, except maybe how to copy and paste it.

Luncheon with a side of DIY

The heat as of late has made me lethargic. I have spent a good deal of time lazing about and not getting nearly enough (at least in my mind done). While I really do love laid back summer days I am often struck with guilt at the end of the day for not accomplishing everything on my list.  The list while essential to being productive, sometimes detracts from my enjoyment of the simple pleasures and creative projects that I truly relish.  Instead of enjoying as the Italian phrase says "il dolce far niente", the sweetness of doing nothing, I feel the pressure to accomplish something, something big, something grand.  Yesterday was one of those laid back summer afternoons, but instead of weighing all that I had to do, I decided to do what I wanted to do.  My mom and I had made lunch plans and rather than going out we stayed in, had lunch, watched a movie and did a little crafting.  Here is the the results from our afternoon of of relaxin', eatin' and craftin'.  Enjoy!

Outfit Chronicles: Short Story

Sometimes I get stuck in a style rut.  I let myself slip into a fashion comfort zone and avoid taking risks with my clothes.  One example, since high school I have avoided wearing shorts, no matter the temperature, it could be boiling, knee perspiring kind of hot, I would refuse to wear them.  I was convinced that shorts didn't look good on me and that they just highlighted my paste-y stems.  With the recent fashion insurgence of shorts in everything from day wear, formal wear and office wear, they were suddenly everywhere and yes I resisted.  That is until recently, I fell for this purple pair from Old Navy.

Women's Perfect Khaki Shorts, Old Navy, $19.50.

Don't ask me why this particular pair inspired me to take a fashion leap of faith, but they did and I had to have them.  They were on sale so I wasn't investing too much on this risky (at least for me) style move.  Long story short (hehe), I love them!  The color, a perfect plumy shade, flatters my pale skin.  The length is just right, hitting mid-thigh, makes my legs appear longer (a nearly impossible task when you are 5'2").  The cotton fabric is comfortable and easy to care for.  I love these shorts so much that I have worn them at least three times this week.  In honor of my new favorite shorts (words I thought I would never utter) I have put together two looks with just three pieces (button down shirt, tank top and cotton shorts) with an added a dollop of accessories. Enjoy!

Design of the Times: Trina Turk's Pre-Fall 1960's Fab

When it comes to labels and designers I'm all over the place.  I'll buy high end(on sale of course), low end and in between.  I buy pieces that catch my eye, that I know I can combine with what I own and that I can create my own look with.  When I view a designer's collection I take it in as a whole, but I usually only see one or two things that I adore or I could actually use. This is not true of Trina Turk's Pre-Fall collection, if I could buy the whole collection I most certainly would.  The collection reads as cohesive fashion salute to the 1960's jet-setting crowd; capes, tweeds and sheaths abound, beyond fabulous!  Since pictures are worth a thousand words I will save my breath (well fingers) and show you what I'm talking about.

Trina Turk's Pre-Fall Collection, Available now.

The Covetable Closet: And the Winner for July is...

First let me say a big thank you for all who voted in the first ever Covetable Closet Post.  This post was an experiment and I truly appreciate all your participation.  Now I am sure you want to know which item won, well I won't keep you in suspense any longer. The winner is...

Last Chance To Vote on July's Covetable Closet Item

This is the last chance to help me choose this month's covetable closet item.  I have picked two drool worthy pieces, so scroll down give them an ogle and click to vote. It's that easy and I don't collect any personal information when you vote, the only thing tabulated is...your vote.  Thanks I let you know which one wins.

Best,

Jennifer

Re-Post:

In a previous post I talked about changing my "shopping strategy" to adjust my spending and to end up with a more well rounded wardrobe.  My new strategy is going to be to choose pieces that are classic and well made, pieces that I covet.  These French Sole shoes I are something that I coveted and finally purchased. Covet by definition means to wish for earnestly, so each month I will choose two pieces that I wish for earnestly.  Now I am not going to buy both pieces, I will post about the items at the beginning of the month and my readers (you guys) will help me decide which piece is more covetable.   At the end of the month the item with the highest votes will be deemed most covetable and will be added to my wardrobe.  This month's covetable contenders are...

These J.Crew "Salina" leather sandals in rich toffee are drool worthy, no? The flat sole and supple leather straps make them very versatile thus fitting the "Covetable Closet" criteria.  After a full in store inspection I was please with their overall appearance and the quality of the shoe.  This kind of leather only gets better with age.

Covetable contender number two is this lovely Lolly Pop Red lady like satchel from The Cambridge Satchel Company.  This leather satchel comes in many colors and multiple sizes, but it's the 11" red number that caught my attention.  I have been wanting a red handbag for a while and it might not seem like the most practical color, but I have a thing for bright accessories.  Each satchel is made to order, by hand in the UK.

Sorry voting for this post has been closed and the Covetable Closet winner has been chosen, check here to find out which item won. 

The Heat Has Sapped My Chic!

I know the title is slightly cryptic, so let me explain.  It has been crazy hot and humid here in New York, the kind of heat you can't escape even in the shade.  The heat radiates from the ground, the plants, it's all around you.  There isn't any relief when the wind blows either, it feels like the wind is just pushing around air that's been in a sauna with a bunch of sweaty men, yuck.  I can withstand a couple days like that, but this has been going on all week and looks like it will be continuing into the weekend.  I have tried to put together heat resistant summer outfits to share with you, but after the first two days of sweat inducing swelter, I am just too hot to try to be chic.  So while I bake here, I have cooked up a main course of cute vintage summer styles for you to indulge in. Enjoy!

If you wanted to go for a dip in 1899, this is the suit you would have donned. April-Mo, Flickr.

A cute madras shirtdress looks completely current even though it's from Vogue Magazine,  1934.  Ms. Blue Sky Flickr.

While stripes are still en vogue today, perhaps this stripes on stripes look from 1951 BAZAAR is a bit much.  Silverbluestar Flickr.

Summer Dressing Circa 1960's, April-Mo, Flickr.

Model Veruschka dolled up like a flower child, wearing Arthur Willians, photographed by Rubartelli.
Vogue,April 1968.

French ELLE, July 1970. Models wearing Lanvin and Chanel.  Classics never go out of style.

And when all else fails just wear some appropraitely placed flowers to stay cool.  Vogue Magazine, March 1964.  Fashion Covers Magazines, Flickr.

I hope you enjoyed this tres chic look at fashions' past.  Let me know what you think in the comments section, I might make this a weekly post.  Do you have a favorite fashion decade?

Let's Discuss: Crazy Heels and the Towering Heights

An assortment of mad, multi-story shoes from Alexander McQueen's seasons past.

I am really petite, and take great pleasure in donning a lovely pair of heels to give me a little boost.  However I do have a limit, my high heel height limit is 3.5".  If I go beyond that limit I become a teetering, tripping mess.  I know some women would scoff at my inability to wear a 4" heel, but even 4" heels seem quaint compared to the new heights that heels have reached.  Not only has the heel height been climbing, the rest of the shoe has been pushing the limits of what would be considered footwear and what should be a sculptural work of art.

I know crazy high heels are nothing new, designers have been sending them down the runways the last few years.  I recall a wave of shock when Alexander McQueen's armadillo shoes hit the runway a couple years ago.  Sensationalist artwork mostly, but then women started wearing these feats of engineering, well it was mostly Lady Gaga, but others soon followed suit.  Now those seriously strange soles are no longer the trademark of ostentatious designers, maintstream shoe manufacturers are selling sky-high, sculptural stems. I have gathered up a selection of current styles that are dangerously high and/or wonderfully strange.

Outfit Chronicles: Paint Splatter Pattern

This summer, in comparison to previous years, has been fairly mild.  However there have been days that are the complete opposite of mild, when the area is hit with a bout of 90 degree heat and humidity.  On days where it feels too hot to care what you look like I dress in easy separates, nothing too clingy, all made of super light, breathable and washable fabrics. Here is one of the warm weather survival looks that I have styled for those lovely (not really) hot and humid summer days.

Blogger's Do It Better: Maxi Skirt In the Wild

There is no denying that maxi length skirts are the "it" item in fashion this year.  The trend shows no signs of stopping either, with designers featuring long skirts as part of their fall collections.  The long hemline phenomenon is no real surprise to me, I have always loved the look of floor grazing skirts.  Even the most petite frame can don a long skirt and look tall and lovely.  Being really petite myself, I have found that the best silhouettes for a small frame are flowy, figure grazing and not overly long.  Ideally the skirt length should hit at the ankle bone, it can be a little longer if heels are worn.  

Gearing up for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale!

I enjoy the summer season; the lightweight clothing, the longer days, cooking and eating outdoors, all things I love about summer.  There is something that happens though, around mid July and while I can't exactly pinpoint the source of these feeling they happen nonetheless. I begin to tire of my summer attire, my fervor for sandals gives ways to a longing for boots, my flowy tops don't hold the same appeal that a chunky cardigan now presents.  Come to think of it my ennui for summer happens right about the time the Nordstrom Anniversary sale happens.  Is it a coincidence? Maybe, but the yearly catalog is always bursting with lovely fall looks, that leave me yearning for a crisp, breeze and changing leaves.  If you haven't perused the catalogs pages what are you waiting for here's the link, you have no excuses.  The sale starts on July 15 and if you are in the market for high quality timeless pieces then you must check it out.

Music Festival Day

I have been neglecting my blog lately, whether because of my work schedule or another bout of writer's block.  Well I did not fall off the face of the earth in case you were wondering, I am back and had to share my weekend in Westchester with you.

Guess Who Just Joined Lookbook.nu?

Me that's who! I am trying to find ways to branch out and expand my blog, so I have joined street style website Lookbook.nu.  The site is a great visual source of aspirational fashion; self styled bloggers, fashion students and the like.  It's like being a new kid at school the little style cliches are already formed, they have heroine chic, glamour girl, emo kid and hipper than hip rocker covered, hopefully there's some room for some quirky, girly, retro style.

The Covetable Closet

In a previous post I talked about changing my "shopping strategy" to adjust my spending and to end up with a more well rounded wardrobe.  My new strategy is going to be to choose pieces that are classic and well made, pieces that I covet.  These French Sole shoes I are something that I coveted and finally purchased. Covet by definition means to wish for earnestly, so each month I will choose two pieces that I wish for earnestly.  Now I am not going to buy both pieces, I will post about the items at the beginning of the month and my readers (you guys) will help me decide which piece is more covetable.   At the end of the month the item with the highest votes will be deemed most covetable and will be added to my wardrobe.  This month's covetable contenders are...

Fashion Forward Bicycling Part 2: A Bicycle Ate My Pants!

Bicycle fashions from the 1900's

So we are back! No long weekend can deter my collaborator Thomas Griffin, of the Bicycling Gryphon, or  I from sharing essential safety and fashion tips when you are riding your bike.  In Part 2 of the Fashion Forward Cycling series (say that five times, fast) we will discuss the importance of proper attire while riding your bike.