Minty Mint

Are you guys in love with the mint color trend? I'm on the fence. I prefer bold jewel tones most of the time, but this pretty pastel is a refreshing departure for me:

Patent Skinny Belt, Banana Republic, $29.50

Hanalei Bay Top, Modcloth, $37.99

Rochas Foldover Clutch, Barneys, $650

Chloe Madeleine Bag, Barney's, $I have no idea

I love how creamy the hue is this season. It's not too bright, not too pastel, it's like Goldilocks- it's just right. I think I may have to find a way to work this color into my wardrobe pretty soon, before it's gone! What do you think of this color trend? Love it? Hate it? Already wearing it? It's so yesterday? Leave a comment and as always thank you for reading! 

TV Inspiration: Downton Abbey

Yesterday, I posted a blog inspired by the fashion of the leading ladies in Mad Men. Today, I'm taking you back a few more decades to the 20's and 30's styles of Downton Abbey. For anyone who hasn't seen this show, do yourself a favor and go watch the first season. You'll be hooked immediately. Even if the melodrama of uppity British aristocracy wasn't enough, the clothes on this show are absolutely to die for! Beaded sheaths, stunning jackets, fascinators and hats galore- it's a fashion dream!

My favorite part of getting dressed every day is accessorizing, so let's look at some stunning Downton Abbey-inspired accessories to make every outfit just a little more glamorous:

Acacia Bracelet, Jenny Packham

Can't you see this bracelet with  fabulous party dress? Something completely luxurious, of course. 

Style My Sunshine Hat, Modcloth

It's hard to picture yourself strolling through the grounds of a British estate on a warm, sunny, spring day, but this hat certainly helps me imagine it. 

Natasha Couture Multistrand Necklace, Nordstrom

I love how the ladies of Downton layer long beaded necklaces over their stunning beaded dinner dresses. Watching the show, you can hear the sound they make when the beads bump against each other. No matter what crisis is being discussed, I'm always distracted by that sound. 

Nina Ricci Leather Gloves, Barney's

What Downton Abbey-inspired post would be complete without a stunning pair of long, elegant gloves? This show makes me want to wear gloves all the time. It also makes me want to wear evening wear to dinner every night, but that's another issue.... 

Speaking of evening gowns... 

Downton Abbey Inspired by rtboo featuring a slip dress

Do you have a TV show that inspires you? Whether it's for the fashion, the scenic design, the music- leave a comment and tell me what you love about it! 

Prada B.Y.O. Bags

Have you all heard about the new Prada B.Y.O. Bag line? They are cotton tote bags bearing the Prada logo and made using archived Prada prints and they will be retailing for $295.

I don't know about you guys and gals, but my canvas and cotton tote bags are mostly the free or $1 type that you get at the grocery store or at community events. They work just fine when I go to the Farmer's Market and I hardly mind if a strawberry gets squished and stains the bag. I'd be incensed if I stained my $300 Prada bag with fruit juice! Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a beautiful designer handbag, but all the ads are touting this line as "the cheaper" version of a Prada handbag. It's supposedly the more financially accessible bag for those of us who can't afford a real Prada handbag at Neiman's or Barney's. Somehow, I find that a tad insulting. If I can't afford a real Prada handbag (which I can't), what on earth makes you think I'm going to shell out nearly $300 for a glorified shopping bag just because it says "Prada" on it? For that price, I could get a real, leather handbag from a designer like Michael Kors or Coach, or maybe even two designer handbags for that price if I shop at Marshalls or SYMS.

I admit the archived prints used on the bags is a pretty cool idea, but I'd rather see a great diffusion line of skirts or dresses made with vintage Prada prints, or maybe they could price these particular bags a little more afforably but only make a limited number of each print. Or better yet, actually handbags, not tote bags, made with these prints. The archived prints they selected certainly are beautiful. I'm particularly fond of the ones in the 2nd picture. But I don't love them enough to buy a cotton tote bag for $295. $295!!!

Even $50 per bag is way too excessive for a cotton tote that will likely be best used carrying asparagus and tomatoes from the farmer's market or a towel and sunscreen for a trip to the beach. But at $50, I'm slightly less insulted by the "cheaper version of a Prada handbag" advertising spin. And I'll be honest, even if they were $50 instead of $295, I still think I'd pass.

What about you? What do you think of Prada's B.Y.O. Bag line? Frivolous or fabulous?

My brain is not working today

Have you ever sat down to work on something and found that you just couldn't get your brain to be on the same page with your agenda? That's how I feel right now. I want to post a blog (because it really is a daily thing for me that I really enjoy doing) but I just can't seem to get my brain to work right now. I believe there are several reasons for this. First, it's been rather hectic at work the last few days. Second, I'm planning an event for this Sunday that I can't really talk about except to say that I have a lot of work to do. Third, I am going to see SATC2 tonight, so my brain is partially exploding from imagining all the fashions I'm going to see in a couple of hours. Add to that, I have injured my left hand, which is making typing this blog a LOT more difficult. I am a 100 words-per-minute kind of girl- I once worked for a temp agency where they tested your typing for speed and accuracy as if it was the 1950's. One day I tested myself just for fun and for real I scored 100 wpm with 99% accuracy. But enough bragging about that. Today it's more like 30 words per minute with 50% accuracy. You see, the other day I sprained my thumb while pulling a drawer out. It was positioned about 6 feet high and it slipped and came out all the way. My left hand caught it, but at the expense of my thumb. It's been painful ever since, but don't worry I have an appointment to get it checked out. In the meantime, it's wrapped up to the point where it's basically immobile and the other 4 fingers have dramatically diminished range of motion. It looks pathetic. I posted about it on facebook the day it happened and my friend Shawna commented that it's a serious injury that professional basketball players often endure. She even said it is serious enough for them to sit out for weeks with a sprained thumb. At that point in the commenting, I was getting a LOT of sympathy, so I felt I needed to set the record straight. I replied by saying that while my thumb certainly was injured, it couldn't possibly be nearly as bad an injury as a pro basketball player would have. In fact, my biggest hardship thus far was struggling to open a new bag of Chips Ahoy. I really expected that punchline to get at least a few "lol's" but it was like facebook had shut down for the night. Instead of a bunch of laughs, I got a virtual tumbleweed rolling across my computer screen. So do me a favor and leave me a comment telling me you lol'd at my Chips Ahoy quip. I'm fragile and like Tinkerbell (and Rachel Berry), applause keeps me alive. Or in this case, applause AND laughter.

So until my brain starts working again, you're stuck with this lame post. If you are a faithful reader, I'm sorry for letting you down. Until I'm back in the saddle, why don't you check out some archives- a few of my favorite posts in fact:

Inspiration- July 16, 2009
Top Ten for Men- July 21, 2009
Hot Air Balloon Dress- February 15, 2010
From Plain to Pin-up- April 11, 2010
Style Support- August 29, 2009

And finally because I just can't help myself, I'm going to copy Shoe Dazzle's idea and select four shoes- one for each of the SATC ladies- to finish off this completely random, disorganized, out-there post. I hope to be back on my game in a day or two.

Miranda: Fendi Cut-out Slingback, Barney's, $695

Charlotte: Dolce & Gabbana Floral Print Slide, Nordstrom, $495

Samantha- Giuseppe Zanotti Jeweled Back-Zip Sandal, Neiman Marcus, $1,055

Carrie (total cop-out, I know): Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes, Neiman Marcus, $645

Sue me for being unoriginal on that last one. Or applaud me for knowing my SATC inside and out. Either way, those Mary Janes were the obvious choice. Cross your fingers and hope that mu brain turns back on soon! In the meantime, I'm off to see the movie!