I’m always on the hunt for cool t-shirts, made from luxurious types of silky cotton. Here are my favs right now. Click on a shirt for more info…
It’s Cyber Monday, which basically means if you are at work right now, your productivity level is next to nothing right now. I’m going to do one better, and show you a few snaps of the city I love, paired with a few bits of clothing and accessories inspired by the photos. All this, while I download my Japan trip photos. Neal and I just returned on Saturday and have been swimming in a sea of jet lag molasses. Totally worth it, as next to NYC, Tokyo, is my second favorite city. Enjoy…
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My dear friend Annex works at the clothing and accessory showroom on Broadway and Broome called The News. It’s filled with cool brands, all repped by cool chicks very in touch with their downtown side. (And they always have good music playing by their desks). I was in recently checking out the newest spring wares, when I became smitten with the brand R13. Fantastic denim made in Italy, but with little paint splotches, worn in leather jackets with big zippers, striped thin knit sweaters with that raw rock and roll feel? Count me in. I honestly feel like someone is designing my everyday stylist wardrobe. luxury cool basics, with an urban warrior, rocker twist. I have decided to become their poster child. (One of their employees came by the office and I threw myself at her feet, offering to style their look books for trade of clothes, I’m shameless apparently.)
Here are a few of their things for sale right now. Don’t be intimidated by the leather chaps. I bought a pair, and they are backed with something stretchy. They are so comfortable, you feel like you’re wearing sweat pants. Very sexy sweat pants indeed.
and I made an outfit with this great dress they offer. This thing is warm by the way..warm for the winter which is right around the corner.
And these jackets? Beyond luxury. A piece I’d keep forever and get a million compliments on. Gosh the hair and makeup on this model is so bad! Ignore ignore!
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And here is a REAL TREAT! The News is having a sample sale right now! So get your butt over there and try on some R13 at like a third of the price! click on it to view bigger.
I love a great leather jacket. So cool, so classic, wearing one feels like putting on fashion armor. There are so many fantastic ones out there right now, and after looking at about 150 of them..these are my favorites. Click on a jacket for shopping info.
Clockwise from top left:
1. Sandro Vegas moto jacket. I love that this updated biker jacket has knit sleeves. Am I a jacket or am I a sweater? No, I am just cool.
2. Stella McCartney oversized baseball jacket. Well, let’s just say that the “cost per wear” for this gem would leave me sporting it into my rocking chair years, but I just don’t care. It is iconic and cool.
3. Helmut Lang padded leather jacket: Puffy, but not like the Michelin Man, I definitely like the look of this.
4. Also Helmut Lang, this light-weight cropped suede number is perfect for evening. It’s more refined than the others, and deserves a place in my closet asap. I also like the asymmetrical hem.
If the price of the Stella varsity jacket is killing you, then check out this sportier version from Rag & Bone. It’s a third of the price.
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And of course I am losing my mind about the Spring 2012 leather jackets at Nina Ricci. The navy pencil skirt and moto jacket is the ultimate in tough but pretty.
all via style.com
I’ve just planted 6 pots of red geraniums and am in full summer mode. Here are some of my favorite things in the stores right now.
ALC watercolor print skirt: I want to sashay through the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens wearing this. It’s rose season, so I imagine looking quite the vision as I view the latest blooms there.
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Antik Batik cotton top: Perfect for a summer BBQ, this top screams summer fun.
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Pachacuti Panama fedora: forget the stingy brim fedoras, this Panama hat is the ultimate. And if you love to wear “Cancun Cowboy” hats, well then, no comment.
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Etro printed silk-twill pants: Gosh I love these pants. These would be my summer evening pants, lounging around with flat sandals and a white tank.
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Isabel Marant linen jacket: This is the kind of jacket that works for spring, summer, and fall. Super versatile, this jacket is your friend.
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Roberto Cavalli elephant ring: This ring is so charming, it feels like it would bring me good luck.
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Marni cami and shorts: Why do I need Marni pajamas? Because, I’m not sure why, but I think I’d feel like Brigitte Bardot when wearing them. And I might be able to get away with watering the garden in them too.
I’ve been spending lots of time in the stores lately and I like what I see! Here are a few of my favorite items available right now. Click on photos for shopping info:
Rag & Bone zig zag sweater. This is a summer sweater, made out of cotton ribbon. It’s perfect for those chilly early mornings and evenings when you need an extra layer. It feels amazing and I adore it.
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And this Marc by Marc Jacobs bag looks a bit like a Celine bag, but is way less expensive:
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These Rag & Bone cut-out brogues make the perfect “borrowed from the boys” statement:
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Do you need red pants? If they are Isabel Marant you do! I would wear these with flats or sneakers for day, and heels and a cami at night. Super versatile, and the color makes them special:
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And lastly, a gorgeous link with pave bracelet from the very talented Eddie Borgo. I bet the next move for him is teaming up with a fine jewelry brand to create luxury, tough pieces that we can all drool over…
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I am getting ready for 11 straight days of work where I will be dressing 20 (!) people, but I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to a painter you might not know about. His name is Thomas Scheibitz.
Thomas Scheibitz, both a painter and a sculptor, was born in 1968 in Radeberg, Germany, and currently lives and works in Berlin.
He uses found media images of empty and idealistic scenes, and deconstructs them into abstract parts. He is influenced by the amazing colorist Josef Albers, and by the Bauhaus movement. His paintings are design oriented and are very architectural. He layers shapes upon shapes emphasizing their flatness, while also creating space amongst them. Make sure you click on the paintings so you can view them larger.
I love this portrait he did. He looks like a professor waiting to speak at a graduation ceremony:
Here is my outfit inspired by “Anlage” above. The composition is like a maze don’t you think? I think anlage means “plan” or “arrangement” in German.
Pants: Jil Sander, earrings: Bottega Veneta, boots: Chloe Sevigny for O.C.
Necklace: 3.1 Phillip Lim, bag: Alexander Wang, jacket: Vanessa Bruno, cami: Roland Mouret
The leaves have fallen on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, and it’s getting colder out. People are clutching at their coat collars to brave the wind, and I see a few mittens making their appearance on chilly hands. The radiators are steaming away in the house, and for crying out loud it gets dark at 5 o’clock! All of this changing weather makes me…well, it makes me want to go shopping.
So…..Here are 8 things I want right now, at this very moment. Click on photos for shopping info:
Halston Heritage faux fur coat. Looks and feels luxurious, but the price is decent at $595
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Alexander Wang zipper sunglasses. Oh come on, these are just so cool…
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Anya Hindmarch glitter clutch. I would love to waive this around at a few holiday parties this season…
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Phillip Lim double breasted wool jacket. This color is fantastic, like a perfect lipstick pink, and I know it will cheer me up during winter months.
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Malene Birger silk leopard print dress. Every girl needs a little leopard in her life, and I’ll take mine in the form of a sexy secretary dress, thank you very much.
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Rag & Bone moto boots. I am obsessed with R & B and while wearing this boot, I can tromp all over the city this winter and feel superior to the Ugg-wearing folk. I swear if someone invents a winter Croc, I’m gonna lose it…
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Michael Kors rose gold watch. I love the masculine look of this watch and it looks waaaay more expensive than it’s $250 price tag
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And last but not least:
Kara Ross labradorite pyramid ring. I love the mysterious quality of the stone, and the stoic shape.
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So there you have it…hunker down and stay warm this week..
Something that drives me nuts when shopping for a job is how few clothes there are in the contemporary price point ($200-$500) for actual women. Walk past Alice and Olivia and Rebecca Taylor and there are lots of cute (too short!) things for 20 somethings, but for the woman in her late 30′s, 40′s, 50′s and beyond? Not a lot…One designer in the contemporary price point arena who is fantastic is Diane Von Furstenberg. She really understands a woman’s body and always designs for women of all ages.
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I think one of the things that is hard with aging, is that I still want to look COOL! Why should I not get to look cool or feel sexy? I refuse to head towards more matronly clothing just because I’ve turned 41! And I know I’ll feel the same way when I am 51, or 61! Here are four outfits I put together that I think every woman, no matter what her age, can feel great in.
Top: Emamo, ring: Roberto Cavalli, bag: Kooba, jeans: J Brand
Sandals: J. Crew, earrings: Monica Vinader
Top: Helmut Lang, earrings: Monica Vinader, ballet flat: Lanvin, belt: Gap
Jeans: Current/Elliott, bracelet: Dannijo, bag: Kooba
Dress: Vanessa Bruno, cuff: Kara by Kara Ross, necklace: Banana Republic,
Shoes: Stella McCartney, bag: Kooba
Top: Juicy Couture, bag: Martin Margiela, ring: Dominic Jones
Pants: 3.1 Phillip Lim, loafer: Miu Miu, necklace: Oscar de la Renta
Another thing I’ve realized as I have aged is that I don’t want to buy a bunch of stuff every season. I want more expensive items that I will cherish forever, like an old friend. Quality rules with me now! I know someone who treats herself to one Ippolita gold and diamond bangle every one to two years. Someday when she is old and grey she will have two armfuls of these gorgeous bracelets which will make a strong statement and put her in the category of cool looking old ladies like Georgia O’Keefe was.
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One of my favorite designers is Donna Karan. She herself always looks fantastically sexy without being too revealing, and her designs reflect this attitude. Her stuff is not cheap, but a dress from her will last a lifetime and you’ll feel great wearing it again and again.
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One piece of advice I always give to women who have left their 20′s and 30′s behind is always invest in cool t-shirts. Sometimes they can be pricey, but it is so worth it for good design and soft material. The cuts will be better than your average t-shirt, I promise. Anyone looks good in a well designed t-shirt from Helmut Lang, The Row, or T by Alexander Wang. Just pair it with your favorite jeans, or cropped pants, add a statement necklace, and if you are off to work, then top with a sharp blazer.
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I hope this post has inspired you to confidently migrate your way through the myriad of clothing out there. It’s important to identify your personal style (even if it needs to be tweaked a bit as we age), and forge on the eternal path of “looking cool” no matter how life changes.
I just love stripes. They are fresh and summery and are always in style. I just watched “Coco before Chanel” the movie about the life of Coco Chanel before she became a designer, and there is a scene where she is walking along a beach with her lover and she stops to watch some fishermen drag in their nets. She is taken by the fishermen’s striped shirts and she promptly starts wearing them herself, which is a far cry from the frothy hats and corsets that women of the time were sporting.
Here are my favorite stripes right now, I hope they inspire you!
Top from left: jacket, scarf, dress, skirt
Middle from left: top, sweater, pullover, bikini
Bottom from left: skirt, dress, t shirt, skirt
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