Saturday, August 18, 2012

CCCXV.

Hello, friends! I've decided to begin approaching this blog as I did during my (brief) days as a fashion columnist for Sweet Briar's newspaper, "The Voice." People actually read my articles and responded well to them so perhaps I'll be able to gain some more viewership from this new departure.

On another note, I'm comfortably moved into my apartment and LOVING it. I cannot wait until the weather gets cooler because Autumn is truly my favorite season as far as temperature and fashion. Whilst exploring nearby shopping districts of Shirlington Village, Tysons Corner, Old Town Alexandria, and Georgetown, I have quickly caught on to the local utilitarian-chic style. 

From the Metrobus to the Metro to wherever you're going and getting there on time, these shoes where made for walking:

Anything Tory Burch. You can literally walk into any TB stockist, buy a pair, wear them out, and walk for miles. I have a couple pairs of her Eddie flats (one in leather and one in patent) while my mom has a few pairs of her Miller Logo Thong Sandals in patent leather, and we swear by them. The best part about her line is the overall quality, ie. her use of a rubber sole instead of leather which is waterproof and increases traction.


Tip: Always weather treat your leather goods before use!

Another slight obsession are tall Hunter wellington boots. They come in loads of colors and there are super functional. Personally I find the Original Hunters (left) are more for everyday, perhaps not the office, while the Riding Boot is far more stylish, and could be considered acceptable for work. Cleaning them is so simple too. Furthermore, wellies are included in Nina Garcia's The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own.


Cole Haan shoes are also amazing because the company is owned by Nike Air. My dad has SO many pairs of the Tucker Venetian Loafers and swears by them. I see professional men wearing them everywhere around here as well so if you need a gift idea for your guy, you know what to look for. By the way, the boot bellow is waterproof!


If you're ready to step up to investment pieces, then Prada should be your go-to brand. I'm obsessed with my (mom's) Prada pumps. They're a few years old and still look brand new. When my mom bought them, we found the Nine West knockoff pair, and could definitely tell a difference in quality. That being said, I went against my better judgement and bought the knockoff pair in patent nude, and I never wear them because the Prada pumps are just too good. I also hear that Christian Louboutin pumps are comfortable if 4"+ heels are your thing. If your appearance is critical in your field, especially if you hold a leadership position, then that red sole will no doubt make an impression. My only issue with these shoes are the leather soles because they never last, but you can find rubber soul protectors, and even red ones for Louboutins.



Tip: If the pads and heels of your feet are being chaffed to shreds, then go to your local TJMaxx shoe section for a variety of discounted name brand foot petal inserts.

All above shoes and boots via neimanmarcus.com

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

CCCXIV.

My favorite transitional picks so far from Shopbop:

DVF
Tory Burch

A.L.C.

Rag and Bone

Patterson J. Kincaid

Theory

Vince
Frye
Madewell

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

CCCXIII.

Peter Pan Collar Update

 Zara has some serious contenders:



If you don't like the sleeves long, then get a tailor to cap them for you

Peter Pan Collar - $19.90
WAY better and less expensive than anything TopShop has to offer

CCCXVII.

If you haven't already, watch this freaking adorable proposal.
Warning: Are you located near a tissue box? Yes? Good, you're going to need it.

CCCXVI.

I have been semi-obsessed with cool collar tops for quite some time now. Like, years. Naturally, I freaked out when I saw the Marc by Marc Jacobs Miro Collared Top and the Alice + Olivia Patsy Peplum Top. I thought to myself, at long last! and then I saw the prices. Shot down.

Marc by Marc Jacobs - Miro Collared Top - $278

 Alice + Olivia - Patsy Peplum Top - $198 

I understand that the cost is due in large part to the name brand, so-called workmanship, and materials (mmm silk), but I figured there had to be some less expensive options out there. Low and behold! I found a Sparkle & Fade metal tip blouse from Urban Outfitters and a French Connection Peter Pan Collar Top cute enough to wear with anything and everything:

 Sparkle & Fade - Metal Tip Blouse - $59
Also comes in a cute orangey-red color. Win!

 French Connection - Peter Pan Collar Top - $116.55 $69

I hope I have solved your lifelong search for the perfect adorable collared top. No? Well then I hope you like my internet bargain-hunting skills. Still no? You're killin' me, Smalls. Here's a tip: bargains actually don't exist online. It's true. By the time things go on sale online, some boutique or department store (or thrift or consignment store *gasp*) had that baby marked down to the clearance section weeks ago. Depressing, right? Thus my divorce with Anthropologie and love-hate relationship with Shopbop. Sometimes you can get lucky with a crazy pre-season sale or even a secret promo code if you look hard enough on Google. Free shipping and returns never hurt either. I don't regret my super-clearance Sam Edelman sandals from this past Winter because I wear them everyday now that Summer is pretty much upon us. Patience is a virtue.

CCCXV.

This past Christmas, my mom bought me a recipe book and filled it with her favorite and crowd favorite recipes. Since then, I have only been able to add one of my good friend's mother's Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe. I have been scouring the internet to find tasty cocktail recipes to fill my recipe book. I'm not much of a party person so when I do, I mix drinks that are worth my while. Here are two specialized cocktails that I found on from saveur.com using bourbon:

The Libertine
Yields 1 cocktail

Ingredients:
2 oz. simple syrup
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 oz. bourbon
2 oz. fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. orange marmalade
1 tbsp. maple syrup
1 tbsp. fresh orange juice
1 egg white

Method:
Boil simple syrup and 1 sprig rosemary in a small saucepan; cool.
Discard rosemary; transfer syrup to a cocktail shaker with bourbon, lemon juice, and marmalade.
Add ice, shake until chilled, and strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
Add maple syrup, orange juice, and egg white to shaker; shake until frothy.
Spoon froth over top of cocktail; garnish with remaining rosemary sprig.

There are so many different forms of this same drink. Of course any recipe is a matter of taste. Here are two from the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas and diffordsguide.com

(Drink based on a rhubarb pie for Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Yields 1 cocktail

Ingredients:
2 tbsp. sugar
5 raspberries
3 oz. Kentucky-style bourbon, such as Maker's Mark
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
½ oz. strawberry liqueur
4 dashes rhubarb bitters
1 sprig mint

Method:
Crush sugar and 4 raspberries with a spoon in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
Add bourbon, juice, liqueur, and bitters, fill with ice; shake to chill.
Strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass filled with ice, and garnish with remaining raspberry and mint sprig.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

CCCXIV.

My imaginary closet additions from Shopbop:

Tory Burch

A.L.C.

Zeffira

Charles Albert

Citrine by the Stones

Dara Ettinger

Jules Smith

Michael Kors

Rachel Pally

Theory

Tibi

Velvet


A.L.C.

K. Jacques

Steven

CCCXIII.

Only four more days and then I leave my job at the Gallery. It's about time I get inspired again. For the following two months, I will finally finish a few things I've been putting off:
  1. Wine cork corkboard
  2. Sand and stain my wooden twist stool/side table
  3. Drawings
  4. Drawings
  5. More drawings
  6. Sell almost everything
Meanwhile, I'm already decorating my imaginary apartment. I picked up a vintage brass bar cart topped with glass and a removable tray top. It was the deal of the century because you seriously can't find anything like it for under $1000. Google it, I promise. When I got home, I carefully wiped the metal and found a Made in Italy stamp on it so of course my enthusiasm went overboard. Thanks to Pinterest, this article explains how to perfectly stock your bar cart. I have a feeling my next purchase will be a fancy decanter. Must... fight.. the urge..

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

CCCXII.

Have you heard of Christopher Stott? His paintings are incredible! My dad just bought Vintage Swedish Telephone (just below) recently and I cannot wait to hang it. Check out his website here.