I recieved the J Crew catalogue last week, and I loved the clothes. But I was anxious to get to the real live store to see what they had. Just like there are "online only" pieces, there are also "in store only" pieces. I wasn't disappointed. From the olive green military jacket, to the charcoal waist bow tank top...I loved it all. There were t-shirts in very beautiful colors with bows and flourishes. There were watercolor skirts, lovely cardigans and edgy dresses. There were very few things in the store that I wouldn't gladly own, but I settled on the military jacket, a couple of tanks and a couple of tanks and tees...
The great thing about J Crew is that you can find quality clothes...some very classic, but some that trend off the runway...for pretty reasonable prices.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
'Coco Before Chanel'
I finally saw the movie 'Coco Before Chanel' this past weekend, starring the lovely Audrey Tatou. I think it would be impossible to dislike a movie she is in because she is so beautiful and interesting to watch. But besides her beauty, she is also a fabulous actress, always immersed in her character.
This movie tells the story of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, the fashion icon and designer who built the House of Chanel from the ground up. I knew a l little bit about her life before the movie...how she designed clothes for women based on her own comfort and style. But this movie was so interesting, going to great length to show how her personal life experiences influenced her designs. Her amazing gift as a seamstress allowed her to tailor or adjust any outfit at the drop of a hat, which she often did. What I find truly amazing is the irony that she began doing this because she was poor and not able to afford to buy clothes, and yet her fashion "House" is one of the most expensive lines now.
When you think of Chanel, you think suits, little woven jackets, pearls and hats (She began by designing hats for the theater). But her own personal style really included more of a menswear element...slacks, men's shirts and ties. It was only after the love of her life died suddenly in a tragic car crash that she began designing a full clothes line, and they became more feminine.
The movie is well-worth watching, not only for the fascinating story of her life, but also for the beautiful clothes.
This movie tells the story of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, the fashion icon and designer who built the House of Chanel from the ground up. I knew a l little bit about her life before the movie...how she designed clothes for women based on her own comfort and style. But this movie was so interesting, going to great length to show how her personal life experiences influenced her designs. Her amazing gift as a seamstress allowed her to tailor or adjust any outfit at the drop of a hat, which she often did. What I find truly amazing is the irony that she began doing this because she was poor and not able to afford to buy clothes, and yet her fashion "House" is one of the most expensive lines now.
When you think of Chanel, you think suits, little woven jackets, pearls and hats (She began by designing hats for the theater). But her own personal style really included more of a menswear element...slacks, men's shirts and ties. It was only after the love of her life died suddenly in a tragic car crash that she began designing a full clothes line, and they became more feminine.
The movie is well-worth watching, not only for the fascinating story of her life, but also for the beautiful clothes.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Glenda Bailey's Picks on Saks.com
I love to read Glenda Bailey's (Editor of Bazaar magazine) Spring Picks on Saks.com.....I really do. I love how with each category of 'pick', it follows with "Shop this trend".....very savvy way of getting us to buy. However, I think you have to give something to the buyer who cannot afford the Carolina Herrera dress for $2,000 or the Versace skirt for $1,295. I don't think you have to phrase it like the "Steal and Splurge" section of a magazine, but throw in a moderately priced accessory for goodness sake. When I quickly peruse the recommended items, and the only thing I find that I could possibly afford is the Diane Von Furstenberg safari shirt for $195...(and no matter how fabulous it is...I wouldn't, because when my shopping cart says "$200, there better be more than one item in it...") I think the retailer needs to re-think the offerings.
I realize when you are shopping on Saks.com, you expect to see the higher end...but still, for all of us fashion-forward, yet money-challenged buyers...we would still like to think we could buy something. It seems to me that the Saks team would realize this. I guess the thought process is that we can always shop the trend on their site...and then go to H&M to buy...but how does this help their sales? I'm not saying they have to lower their standards...just throw in a few things for "under $100".....I think they would be surprised at how many bites they would get....
Meanwhile, I'll head back to Bluefly.com or JCrew for the actual purchases....
I realize when you are shopping on Saks.com, you expect to see the higher end...but still, for all of us fashion-forward, yet money-challenged buyers...we would still like to think we could buy something. It seems to me that the Saks team would realize this. I guess the thought process is that we can always shop the trend on their site...and then go to H&M to buy...but how does this help their sales? I'm not saying they have to lower their standards...just throw in a few things for "under $100".....I think they would be surprised at how many bites they would get....
Meanwhile, I'll head back to Bluefly.com or JCrew for the actual purchases....
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Target Trip at the Beach
I've been at the beach this week, and I've managed to check out two different Targets. I'm loving their jewelry right now. I bought a necklace that looks like 3 draping gold chains with olive and bronze beads....I've worn it with everything all week. I'll check at home for matching earrings....I also grabbed a pair of aviator glasses for $12 which are fabulous.
I found a dress under the Converse line that is so cute. White tank top on top, and cotton bottom in a beige/gray. Very simple, but very pretty. I'll probably pair it with a jean jacket and my boots (and my new necklace!)
I've also lived in the v-neck, long-sleeved above-the-knee cotton gown from the Mossimo line. I have it in navy at home..and orange here at the beach. It is SO comfortable...but cute enough to throw on over a pair of jeans too.
I also bought a pair of jean shorts from the Converse line. They are boyfriend style...and they fit so well. I usually avoid Target pants due to poor cut, but these work.
On a non-Target note...the JCrew swimsuit I bought recently...one-piece charcoal with aqua ties on the legs....LOVE it. Very comfortable, terrific fit...very feminine, too. Great for swimming or laying out...
I found a dress under the Converse line that is so cute. White tank top on top, and cotton bottom in a beige/gray. Very simple, but very pretty. I'll probably pair it with a jean jacket and my boots (and my new necklace!)
I've also lived in the v-neck, long-sleeved above-the-knee cotton gown from the Mossimo line. I have it in navy at home..and orange here at the beach. It is SO comfortable...but cute enough to throw on over a pair of jeans too.
I also bought a pair of jean shorts from the Converse line. They are boyfriend style...and they fit so well. I usually avoid Target pants due to poor cut, but these work.
On a non-Target note...the JCrew swimsuit I bought recently...one-piece charcoal with aqua ties on the legs....LOVE it. Very comfortable, terrific fit...very feminine, too. Great for swimming or laying out...
Project Runway
I caught up on the last two episodes of Project Runway tonight. The hardware challenge was interesting. It was amazing to see what they were able to create out of the materials. I loved Maya's necklace out of keys and chains. Her jacket was amazing , too. Then, there was the guy from Hawaii who won with the great outfit out of garbage bags that looked like leather. So creative, yet very pretty. Mila's architectural black and white was neat, too. These are the challenges that really show how talented these people are.
The next one was based on earth elements...fire, water, air, etc. Once again, Maya's was amazing. She created a dress that was inspired by water...a lovely shade of gray. The cowl draping on the back was so pretty. I would have loved to see it as a long gown. The judges feel she references other designers too much, but I love her clothes. They didn't like Mila's pants, turtleneck and vest...but I LOVED the vest. I would buy that. And I felt she kind of broke away from the normal black and white geometric look. Poor Ben's losing look was just terrible...the pants were not only ugly, but poorly made. I wasn't crazy about the winning look..but it was a lovely texture and it did represent air...
Next week they pair up....this will be interesting as they always hate doing that. I don't blame them...it's like a school project when you have to have a partner, and you always ended up with someone who didn't do their work...or did poor work.
I'd love to see this group do evening gowns....I think Maya, Amy and Mila should show at Bryant Park...at least right now....
The next one was based on earth elements...fire, water, air, etc. Once again, Maya's was amazing. She created a dress that was inspired by water...a lovely shade of gray. The cowl draping on the back was so pretty. I would have loved to see it as a long gown. The judges feel she references other designers too much, but I love her clothes. They didn't like Mila's pants, turtleneck and vest...but I LOVED the vest. I would buy that. And I felt she kind of broke away from the normal black and white geometric look. Poor Ben's losing look was just terrible...the pants were not only ugly, but poorly made. I wasn't crazy about the winning look..but it was a lovely texture and it did represent air...
Next week they pair up....this will be interesting as they always hate doing that. I don't blame them...it's like a school project when you have to have a partner, and you always ended up with someone who didn't do their work...or did poor work.
I'd love to see this group do evening gowns....I think Maya, Amy and Mila should show at Bryant Park...at least right now....
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
'The September Issue"
I watched "The September issue" last night. This is the documentary based on putting out the yearly September issue of Vogue magazine. It focuses on editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, and the famous stylist Grace Coddington. If you saw 'The Devil Wears Prada", which was based on the goings on at Vogue, you've already seen that Anna is a force to be reckoned with. I loved the film, especially the parts which showed the photo shoots that Grace styled. If you have been a follower of Vogue over the years, you know that nobody can create beautiful fashion shots like her. For those who don't follow fashion, I'm sure the whole thing seems shallow and silly, but I guess like anything else in life, it's to each his own.
The September issue is usually the largest issue of the year. The year of the documentary, Vogue was over 600 pages. I think it is so interesting to watch what goes into the choices of what will go in, and what won't. As a former model, I love watching the dynamic between photographer and model. While some of the photographers seem to let their egos overtake their talent, others are able to come up with brilliant shots with very little to work with.
The September issue is usually the largest issue of the year. The year of the documentary, Vogue was over 600 pages. I think it is so interesting to watch what goes into the choices of what will go in, and what won't. As a former model, I love watching the dynamic between photographer and model. While some of the photographers seem to let their egos overtake their talent, others are able to come up with brilliant shots with very little to work with.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Shopping for Spring Break
I'm headed to the beach for Spring Break this week, I went to the mall yesterday to pick up a few items for the trip. I needed some self-tanner because it's going to be cold at the beach, but I still have that leftover feeling from my teenage years that I need to come back with a tan. Clarins would be my top choice for this, but our mall doesn't carry it, so I settled for Bobbi Brown.
I also needed a eyeliner brush. I love my Bobbi Brown brushes , but my eyeliner brush is down to about 2 bristles. The girl said they were out of those brushes, so I ran over to Lancome and grabbed one of theirs. I scooted back to Bobbi Brown for some tinted moisturizer. I also needed some eye makeup remover, but I was hesitant to try the BB. I have been using and swearing by the 5-in-1 wipes from the Boots line at Target, but lately, I notice that they really don't remove all of the mascara. The girl told me that in addition to removing eye makeup, it cleaned brushes too. Well, that did it...I am all for double duty! I also grabbed some eye liner gel in chocolate...if you ever try this, you will never go back to a pencil. The girl gave me some great advice...be very careful about not leaving the top loose or poking holes in the gel because it will dry out. This is SO true, because this was the reason for my purchase. Mine had dried out.
On my way out of the store, I glanced at the shoes. It has been ages since I have allowed myself to do this. I ran through the pumps, wedges, flip flops.....and then, there they were. Unlisted by Kenneth Cole platforms in bronze. And right next to them, a similar pair in wood and gold by Nine West. I stopped dead in my tracks. These are two brands that I would actually consider in these economic times. Under $100, yet decent quality. They were actually calling out to me. "Try me on." So I did. And the sweet little sales guy declared "Those are hot." Well, the Nine Wests were 4 inch heels. I am 5'9"...perhaps closer to 5'10". This put me at about 6'2", so as cute as they were, I had to pass. But the Unlisted were 3 inch heels...and fabulous. I mentally pictured them with almost everything in my spring wardrobe, and they made the cut.
As the sales lady rang them up, I felt such a surge of happiness. I know this is not the deep kind of happiness that you feel for, oh, say you husband and kids....but boy was I happy.
Because there is nothing like a new pair of shoes....
I also needed a eyeliner brush. I love my Bobbi Brown brushes , but my eyeliner brush is down to about 2 bristles. The girl said they were out of those brushes, so I ran over to Lancome and grabbed one of theirs. I scooted back to Bobbi Brown for some tinted moisturizer. I also needed some eye makeup remover, but I was hesitant to try the BB. I have been using and swearing by the 5-in-1 wipes from the Boots line at Target, but lately, I notice that they really don't remove all of the mascara. The girl told me that in addition to removing eye makeup, it cleaned brushes too. Well, that did it...I am all for double duty! I also grabbed some eye liner gel in chocolate...if you ever try this, you will never go back to a pencil. The girl gave me some great advice...be very careful about not leaving the top loose or poking holes in the gel because it will dry out. This is SO true, because this was the reason for my purchase. Mine had dried out.
On my way out of the store, I glanced at the shoes. It has been ages since I have allowed myself to do this. I ran through the pumps, wedges, flip flops.....and then, there they were. Unlisted by Kenneth Cole platforms in bronze. And right next to them, a similar pair in wood and gold by Nine West. I stopped dead in my tracks. These are two brands that I would actually consider in these economic times. Under $100, yet decent quality. They were actually calling out to me. "Try me on." So I did. And the sweet little sales guy declared "Those are hot." Well, the Nine Wests were 4 inch heels. I am 5'9"...perhaps closer to 5'10". This put me at about 6'2", so as cute as they were, I had to pass. But the Unlisted were 3 inch heels...and fabulous. I mentally pictured them with almost everything in my spring wardrobe, and they made the cut.
As the sales lady rang them up, I felt such a surge of happiness. I know this is not the deep kind of happiness that you feel for, oh, say you husband and kids....but boy was I happy.
Because there is nothing like a new pair of shoes....
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