Slacker Style

I admit it- I've been slacking with the blogging. I resolved to do it more and then I promptly stopped altogether. What a slacker! Seriously. I have been keeping myself very busy at work and at play and I have tried to be fashionable throughout it all, but I admit I have been terrible about writing about these fashions. I was hoping to write an awards-show blog after the Golden Globes, but I'll be honest- so many people looked so awful and even the good ones weren't groundbreaking that I just couldn't come up with any decent content. The Grammy's were slightly better. Ah, well.

I've been doing more and more with accessories at work and also gearing up for a big accessories sale. It's made me assess my own accessories and for the first time in a long time, I actually find that I have some gaps in my collection. I've been so satisfied with my closet lately and it's only in the last few weeks that I've looked through things to put an outfit together and thought, "Meh. Nothing appeals." It's partly due to the fact that I have been running, so a lot of my clothes are actually a little too big for me right now. It's also partly due to the fact that it's so freaking cold out lately that the only thing I want to consider wearing is cashmere and fur. So I do.

One gap I've noticed in my collection is earrings. I've got this sassy new super short haircut that is also super blonde. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out:

Anyway, with this new 'do, earrings come into play in a totally different way than they previously did with my longer, brown hair. Earrings become a much bigger statement now, so I find I'm actually wearing a whole lot of dainty studs instead of my typical giant chandeliers and whatnot. 

I've purchased about a dozen pair of little studs in the last few months, but I think I want to get back into statement earrings. Something like these would be a great addition to my collection: 

Kate Spade Chandelier Earrings, Nordstrom, $98

The other thing I've gotten into is the midi- or mini-ring. You know what I'm talking about- it's the teeny tiny ring that you wear above the middle knuckle. It took a little getting used to, but now I love them. In contrast to the statement earrings, I love how delicate and subtle they are, yet eye-catching at the same time because of their location. 

Midi "Knuckle" ring, Etsy, $9.99

Some people like piling on lots of rings- some large cocktail rings and then other midi-rings, too. I prefer the midi-ring look when it's all by itself, like in the photo above. I like how delicate they are. If you haven't tried out this trend, get thee to an accessories shop ASAP and buy yourself one. Give it a whirl! Express yourself through your midi-ring! You just might love it! 

Finally, the other accessory that I absolutely cannot live without is a hat. It has been frigid around here and completely necessary to wear a hat in order to stay warm outside. I've got a decent hat collection, but nothing beats wool and fur for staying toasty warm. 

If you can pull it off, may I suggest a large fur hat- there is nothing better for keeping warm and although it's a bold sartorial statement, it's one I love! 

So there you have it- my winter must-haves, accessories-style. It's not bad style for a slacker, huh? 

Jet Set Style: Weekender Bag

Today is the start of my weekend. When you work in retail, your weekend often falls on less than typical days. 90% of the time, I don't really get a weekend, since my days off are usually split up. This week is different, however, and I'm taking advantage of that by making a quick trip down to North Carolina to visit the Professor. What makes this weekend different? Well, it's Valentine's Day this week, which means that the shop is pretty much a ghost town. This often surprises people when I tell them that, but think about it: on Valentine's Day, you're probably not shopping for a wedding gown because you are either a.) getting engaged that night or b.) having a romantic dinner with your fiance. Now it makes sense, right?

So, since the day is dead, I decided to switch my days off to allow for two in a row and then I booked a flight to North Carolina. It will be a very quick trip- less than 24 hours together with my honey, but that's ok. We'll make the most of it, I'm sure. Last year on Valentine's Day, I surprised him by showing up at his door. It was quite a shock for him- he didn't expect it at all. I'll always smile when I remember the look on his face when I knocked on his front door. This year won't be a surprise, but it's kind of fun that we've managed to have a quick visit together on Valentine's Day for two years in a row now.

I like these quick trips because packing is really simple. I essentially need to pack an overnight bag and that's about it. My small carry-on suitcases have taken a beating over the last few years, so while I was at TJ Maxx the other day, I picked up an adorable "weekender" bag by Steve Madden and I'm in love with it!

It's big enough to fit the clothes and toiletries I need as well as an extra pair of shoes, my hair dryer and my laptop. And it's still small enough to fit in the overhead bin. I love that it's a bright color and since the leather is faux, it will be easy to keep it clean. Also, it only cost $50 at TJ Maxx, so I think it was a bargain to boot.

I've had pretty terrible luggage for most of my life, but with all the traveling I've been doing for the last couple of years, I figured it was time to get some nicer, functional travel gear. I don't care much about it matching perfectly, but I do want it to be durable enough for all the use it will get.

I couldn't find this exact bag anywhere online, but I did find some similar ones for those of you who may be in the market for new luggage of this kind. Believe it or not, finding a durable, stylish, functional travel duffel bag is no easy task. Finding one that's affordable? Even harder.

Vera Bradley Weekender, Vera Bradley, $98

Let me be clear: there are very few Vera Bradley bags that I would deem stylish or even cute. The hideous floral and paisley patterns are just wretched the majority of the time. This particular print isn't that offensive, in fact, it's kind of cute. Of course, if it doesn't suit you, there are about a dozen other options. 

Bueno Patent Croc Print Weekender, Target, $39.99

Holding Pattern Overnight Bag, Modcloth, $94.99

British Predator Weekender Bag, Etsy, $61.66

Happy travels to anyone out there jetting away for the weekend! And as always, thanks for reading! 

Accessories Anonymous: A Handbag Quest

I was catching up with Beth the other day when she mentioned her current handbag quest. In case you didn't know, Beth has a major obsession with handbags and is nearly always on a quest for one. Sometimes it's something specific and others it's just for something inspiring. Either way, I can always count on her to be on the lookout for something great. This time, she was on the hunt for a stylish cross-body bag that is big enough to hold a laptop and a notebook. That's a pretty tall order if you ask me. She said that all the bags she'd found just looked so much like briefcases that she wasn't interested. Or, they were a gajillion dollars and she just couldn't see herself spending that much. So, I decided to hop on the interwebs and see what I could come up with.

Here's what I found:

Maggie Bags Large Messenger, Target, $99.99

I like the woven detail- especially how exaggerated it is. The bag is also available in three other colors- orange chocolate brown and light tan, but I prefer the grey. It is definitely big enough for Beth's requirements, and I think it's pretty stylish, but let's keep shopping, shall we?

The All Star Bag, Modcloth, $59.99

I'm always a fan of a pop of color and you really can't go wrong with green. At 14.5 inches wide, it could definitely fit a laptop without looking like a briefcase or a standard laptop bag. It's versatile, too- the color works year round and the interior has multiple pockets. Seems pretty ideal if you ask me! 

If green isn't your thing, but you love the idea of a pop of color, check out this gorgeous satchel by ASOS:

Metal Corner Satchel, ASOS, $49.95 

The cross body strap is adjustable, and the bag itself is roomy with a zippered inner compartment perfect for staying organized. Organization is Beth's middle name, so I know she'll like that aspect of the bag at the very least. 

For a more casual look, I love this one from Etsy: 

Modular Messenger Bag, Etsy, $35

It's stylish, for sure, but in a decidedly casual way. It's definitely not for me, but I imagine it would be a nice, durable bag for all those city subway rides. The seller offers it in several color choices,so you're not limited to a neutral brown. I admit, I browsed this seller's store for a while and liked a lot of what I saw. The prices are great, too. I kind of love this one: 

Project Bag, Etsy, $44

The interior of this bag speaks for itself: 

Am I right? 

So, there you have it- a handful of bags that (I think) meet all of Beth's requirements. The question is: do any of them make her swoon or drool or both? 

Do you have a shopping challenge for me? Send me an email or leave a comment and I'll see what I can find for you! 

Speaking of weddings...

Yesterday I posted about my outfit for Beth & Micah's wedding, but today I want to share ANOTHER wedding outfit with you! Remember this dress? Well, here's a photo of Melanie at the wedding wearing it!

Is she sassy or what? I wish the photo showed the entire dress, but I will be bugging her until I get a really great photo of her in this dress! Her shoes were phenomenal as well (they were the all-black version of these, actually). I think she did a great job accessorizing the dress and I'm really thrilled with the final product. Thanks, Mel, for being a perfect Renee Terese client! You look amazing! 

Finally- the Wedding Outfit!

This past weekend was one of the most fun, exciting, beautiful weekends I have had in a long time. My BFF Beth got married! Other than one glitch involving cookies homemade by the groom's mother (more on that another time), everything went perfectly. From setting up the venue, to the rehearsal dinner to seeing friends and family to the actual wedding and of course all our outfits- everything was spectacular. What I loved so much about this wedding was that it was 100% what the bride and groom had envisioned. From start to finish, you could feel the personalities of the couple, their friends and their family members infused within the event. My personal favorite was the chuppa we helped to construct and erect. My contribution involved helping to drape the fabric canopy and although it was my first chuppa, I have to say it was pretty stellar.

I don't have time right this minute to write a blog post about everything, but I wanted to show all of you my bridesmaid outfit for the wedding. Up until this point, all you've seen are the shoes, but I was so happy with my entire "look" and I really do plan to wear this dress again!

The picture's a little grainy- the lighting wasn't amazing in that room and I had to use the camera on my phone. Not ideal, but you can definitely get a sense of the overall look. The dress was purchased at Ann Taylor months ago. The coolest thing about it is the exposed zipper on the side. It just adds the slightest edge to an otherwise sweet, simple dress. In addition to the zipper, there is a raw edge to the fabric at the waistline that doesn't look unfinished, as you might expect. It's more of a cool detail that you have to almost know about in order to notice it. The shoes are epic. And excruciating, but whoever said beauty doesn't hurt was lying. The bracelet is my oh-so-fabulous Audrey Cluster Bracelet from Stella and Dot: 

Love it!

My fascinator brooch was purchased on Etsy from an amazing little shop called Takka Petit. The prices can't be beat and the quality is great. Between Beth, her sister Amy and I, we each had a fabulous "flower" of some sort as part of our looks. Beth's was part of her dress, Amy wore hers in her hair and mine was versatile- I mostly wore it on my dress, but at one point, I clipped it in my hair. I'm looking forward to wearing it again soon! 

Purple Feather Fascinator, Takka Petit (Etsy), $16.50

Just because I love them so much, let's have another look at my shoes: 

CJ by Charles Jourdain via Off Broadway Shoes

The only other accessory I had was a glittery champagne clutch that I actually purchased at work: 

Farah Clutch, Benjamin Walk via Madeleine's Daughter

What I loved about my outfit was that everything coordinated with the colors of the wedding. The shades of purple that I wore (dress, fascinator) were used in the flowers and the centerpiece designs. Every other accessory fell into the champagne family, which perfectly complimented the bride. And even though my bracelet, bag and shoes were all technically "neutrals," they were each very special pieces. In fact, there wasn't much about them that was neutral aside from the color. 

So there you have it: my bridesmaid look. Please feel free to leave a comment and tell me what you think. I'm sure at some point I'll see the photos from the actual wedding photographer, so you'll have that to look forward to as well. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone! 

I've Been a Busy Bee

In addition to the day-to-day wedding talk I experience at work, and what little I've been doing to help Beth with her upcoming nuptials, I also will be attending two weddings next weekend. For the first, I'll be there to play piano for the ceremony. For the second, I'm merely a guest, so the most effort I'll need to put in will be wrapping a gift from the registry and putting together a pretty outfit. As if all of that weren't enough, I've been tasked with making not one, not two, but three dresses for friends of mine for upcoming weddings that they are involved in. Melanie was the first to see her nearly-completed look when she tried it on today. I wish I had taken photos of her wearing the dress since the lighting was far better this afternoon AND it looks a lot better on her than it does on my dress form. Regardless, I'm really excited about how this creation has turned out. It's a fitted bodice made with princess seams and a modified sweetheart neckline. The skirt is a fitted pencil shape that hits just above the knee. We're still debating what the final length will be. I feel it should hit just above the knee, while Melanie wants it a few inches shorter than that. In addition to this simple, flattering shape, I've added a single shoulder strap of asymmetrical ruffles that starts at the waistline and continues up over the shoulder to the back of the dress. It's really striking and it turns an otherwise simple, navy dress into a real stunner:

It's truly unfortunate how the terrible lighting ruins the look of this dress, but trust me, it's awesome in person. The fabric is a dark navy cotton sateen with a bit of stretch to it. It's one of my favorite types of fabric- I love working with it. 

Once the dress is pressed and finished, it's going to look fabulous on Melanie. With the wedding about four weeks away, I think we're in pretty good shape. I'm looking forward to seeing how she accessorizes the dress. I know she's selected a fabulous pair of nude heels, but I'm not sure what else she plans to wear with it. Hopefully next month I'll have photos from the wedding to show you of the finished product on Melanie. 

In the meantime, leave a comment and let me know what you think of my latest creation! 

She's Tricky

When I first moved back to NH, I met an incredible, adorable, super sweet girl named Heidi. Our mutual friend Kate had told me that Heidi would want me to make her a wedding dress someday. I'm still not sure if I'm ready to take that plunge- simple, casual dresses seem to be my forte. But since she was a "fan," I figured I ought to make her one of my dresses. I found a fabulous vibrant purple fabric and put one together with her measurements. When she arrived at my house for a fitting, she surprised me by sharing some amazing news- that she and her boyfriend were now engaged and planning a simple, private ceremony. And (drumroll, please) she planned to wear the purple dress I'd made for her. Suddenly, I found myself unexpectedly creating a wedding dress. Isn't she tricky?

 We chatted that day about accessorizing the purple dress to make it more bridal. We decided to add a white petticoat and bridal accessories made using her mother's veil. In the end, the look was absolutely perfect for their special day. Our other mutual friend Lara was there to photograph the day and she got some amazing shots of the couple (and the dress). 

I feel so honored to have been a part of their day and I couldn't be happier with Heidi's dress and accessories. But mostly I'm happy that they made her so happy! Congrats and best wishes, Heidi and Marc!

I'm Addicted to Fascinators!

As you all know, my BFF Beth is getting married this fall. She's just about the best bride ever, especially since she is letting her sister Amy and I wear pretty much whatever we want as her "best maids." We don't have to match and both of us ended up buying dresses we'll actually wear again. Hallelujah for that! Since we don't match, we all thought it would be a good idea to have some type of unifying accessory or something. We agreed on a feather fascinator and I have to say, I'm super excited to wear mine. When I found it on Etsy, I emailed the link to Beth and told her that even if she veto-ed it for the wedding, I would purchase it anyway because I need it in my life. Fortunately, being the world's greatest bride, she did not veto it and I get to wear it in November! Hurray! I already broke my rule and showed all of you my shoes for the wedding, so I'm not going to do that again. You will have to wait until after her wedding to see the look I've put together. However, to hold you over until then, I'd like to show you another fascinator that I got while out shopping with Beth a couple of weekends ago. It's black and pretty huge and I love it:

I wore it to church with my grey dress, Autumn Kiss brooch and black and white spectator heels. It was a fun look. I've always wanted to be the kind of person who could pull off a fashion hat, especially at church. I think I'm gradually getting there, but for now I'll stick to the fascinators. They're bold and fun, and they hint at the idea of a hat. Maybe I should move to the south- doesn't everyone wear a hat to church south of the Mason Dixon line? 

Wondering where I got my cool headpiece? Salmagundi in Jamaica Plain. It's only the coolest store around. So what do you think of my fascinator? Love it or hate it, I want to hear what you think, so leave a comment! 

A Dress for Melanie

Today I spent some time working on a dress for my friend Melanie. I won't show you the whole dress, but I will show you the super cool bodice I made. This photo obviously shows the design pinned together, but not sewn completely:

After a fitting this weekend, I hope to finish it up and get it delivered to its rightful owner- my fabulous and fashionable friend Melanie! I'll be sure to show you a picture of the finished dress and hopefully Melanie will let me put a picture of her in it on the blog! 

Houndstooth of the Baskervilles

No, this post has nothing to do with Sherlock Holmes. I stink at word play.

Anyway, I've noticed over the last few seasons that oversized houndstooth is everywhere. And I think I love it! Check out these fabulously bold pieces:

Clutch in Large Houndstooth, Tamra's Bag (Etsy), $25

Halogen Ruched Side Drape Neck Top, Nordstrom, $48

Salvatore Ferragamo Houndstooth Printed Genuine Python Pump, Nordstrom, $950

Houndstooth Double Breasted Coat, eCrater, $169.90

Sequin Houndstooth Skirt, ASOS, $100.62

While I like the interesting color combinations of some oversize houndstooth prints out there, I have to say that given the boldness of the print itself, it's often best to stick with the classic black and white or grey and white version. Too much print plus a bold color can be very overwhelming. Try on different size versions of this print to see which one works best on your body's proportion. Or if you're unsure about wearing a top or dress in the print, try just an accessory like a scarf or a shoe or even a hat. The exaggerated print is what makes it trendy, though, so be sure to select a version of the houndstooth that is clearly oversize and not the classic version. 

Accessories Anonymous: To Infinity and Beyond!

It's kind of sad, but I've already noticed a distinct drop in temperature around here. Fall will be here before we know it, and after that, many snowy days. I spent the day at the beach yesterday, trying to catch a few more rays before it's too cold for a bathing suit. But when it does turn cold enough for sweaters and wool tights and scarves, there is a great accessory I will be using: the infinity scarf. This idea has been around for a while and was quite popular last year during the colder months. Fortunately, it is a trend that has been able to survive another season. Infinity scarves are simply scarves that are connected at both ends, forming a circle. They are great for layering with a warm coat or to add a touch of style to an outfit and keep the chill off. Here are some great ones you may want to snatch up before the temperature really drop down:

Lulu Floral Print Infinity Scarf, Nordstrom, $18

The light floral print will keep that touch of summer that we all want to cling to as fall approaches. Pair it as pictured with a striped top to be even more trendy or keep it simple with a solid-print dress instead. 

Spun by Subtle Luxury Abstract Arizona Infinity Scarf, Piperlime, $48

Because of the oversize, bold print of this scarf, keep the top of your outfit simple and sleek- a classic blazer or scoop-neck top will look great with a pencil skirt and this scarf. 

Tie- Dyed Infinity Scarf, Old Navy, $10.99

The infinity scarf doesn't need to be bundled close around your neck all the time- drape it long and it acts as a soft, necklace-esque accessory. You can even layer some actual necklaces on top of it for added style. 

Striped Infinity Scarf, Erica's One Man Band (Etsy), $28

I love the bold punch of color and pattern this scarf offers. And to purchase something handmade is even more special, if you ask me. Much like the way it's styled on the model, this piece will look best against a solid backdrop of a black tee or sweater. 

Infinity scarves aren't solely for cold times of year- there are plenty of feather-weight options in lovely summery prints that help take the chill off when your boss cranks to AC at the office. Don't just wrap yourself in a boring poncho or cardigan- use a cool scarf to stay warm AND look fabulous. 

Etsy Find- River of Romansk

I was perusing some items on Etsy the other day and discovered the most fabulous Etsy store- River of Romansk. I just fell in love with all the dresses- the colors, the fabrics, everything about them, really! They are also perfect for this time of year- the weather is still warm enough for light, flow-y dresses like these:

Rose Tea Party Dress, $43.80

Chiffon Flapper Dress, $43.90

Bubble Hem Dress, $39.80

Chiffon Flowy Dress, $43.80

I love all the shades of nude, pink, ivory, etc.- they are all so romantic! Chiffon can be a tough fabric to pull off, but when the dress has a nice structure to it (as these appear to), it's a little bit easier. My favorite is the Rose Tea Party Dress- I would LOVE to wear it to just about anything- a bridal shower, a dinner out, or even to work! Maybe I'll have to order one for myself... 

Sucker for Seersucker

What is it about that crinkle-y striped fabric in pale blue and white that just gets me every time? I especially love that seersucker is so readily available in other color combinations, too! I've seen green, yellow, red and pink and loved every one of them! These are some particularly fabulous seersucker items that are calling my name:

Game Day Dress, Genealogy, $98

Jessica Howard One-Shoulder Seersucker Dress, Stage Stores, $49

Tiana B Striped Seersucker Crisscross Bodice Dress, Dillard's $79

Of course, it's not all about dresses. There is seersucker for everyone, including men. The obvious choice might be a pair of great flat front seersucker pants or a fitted seersucker vest. But I prefer the seersucker bow tie, in traditional blue and white: 

Blue and White Seersucker Bow Tie, Etsy, $19.99

I actually made a seersucker bow tie for my friend Brance last year as part of a whole collection of (awesome) bow ties. But there's something about seersucker that I just never tire of it. I suppose if you're going to keep on reading my blog, you can expect a post on seersucker annually at the very least. 

Leave a comment and tell me what you think about this summer-y fabric. Do you wear it a lot? Or not at all?

Accessories Anonymous: Un-Bow-lievable

There are some things that are so quintessentially girly that you can't help but feel completely feminine when wearing them. To me, flowers and bows are two of those things. My personal preference of the two is flowers- I love floral prints, flower brooches and pins, even flower jewelry. I've got floral shoes, dresses, skirts, blouses, scarves, hats, and even purses. I've never really been a fan of the other side- bows. But then I noticed one of my coworkers- Sadie- has a tendency to wear bows all the time and they always look great. She tends to pair them with more edgy pieces and the balance of the two works really well.

In honor of Sadie and her bow obsession, here are some great bow-inspired accessories I've found for you:

 

Marc by Marc Jacobs Textured Bow Ring, Nordstrom, $37.90 

Darling Dottie Hair Clip, Modcloth, $12.99

Sweet Bow Necklace, Cocoro Jewelry (Etsy), $17

Autumn Kiss Brooch Pendant on Bow Pin, Tina Tarnoff (Etsy), $45

Valentino Couture Patent Bow Pump, Neiman Marcus, $745

Oasis Leather Bow Envelope Cross-Body Bag, ASOS, $41.37

Elasticized Bow Belt, Yes Style, $9.60

Even a die-hard floral fan like myself can't help but be won over by these absolutely adorable bow accessories! What about you? Would you wear any of these pieces? Do you wear a lot of bows? Leave a comment!