Monday, July 30, 2012

...attending a wedding in Scotland.

Hi everyone!  We are back and digging into fall fashions!  Before we start with a series on 'what 2 wear this fall', we received a fashion question from a reader:

"My brother is getting married in Scotland - early November. So it will be a little chilly. I have a vision of wearing a green dress, as I feel I look good in green. My budget is around $300. Where could I get the perfect green dress. ... Also after having twins my body is less than perfect, so not too clingy.  Thanks in advance for any advice."

Happy to help! Lisa can relate to working with a new, post-twin figure.  Her twins are 6 years old now, she has learned about cuts that work best for her and believes in the power of Spanx for special occasion wear.  We feel that green in textures (velvet, lace, silks) will be fresh and on trend this season, though there's not a ton in the stores yet as we head into August.  But, the first round of fall dresses is out, so we jumped in to see what was out here.

First stop was Reiss.  This UK company produces great dresses that are around that price point and perfect for weddings and other such occasions.  If you are Kate Middleton, you wear Reiss a lot.  We found this intruging, 2-layer dress, which should work well for 'no clinging' with the structured underlayer.
Images from reissonline.com.
It's such a different dress that it caught our eye.  Stick a black blazer or wrap over it if you need to cover shoulders for a church service, add some black pumps, and it's done.   At $340, it's a little over budget, but it's worth a look.  Disclaimer:  Reiss has a very strict, 14-day return policy, so if you order, you have to be able to turn it around quickly if the dress doesn't work for you.

The next dress we found is out-of-budget-bounds at $475, but so fabulous we had to show it.  Found at shopbop.com, this Issa faux-wrap, silk jersey dress (a favorite fabric) has tons of ruching in the belly area, long sleeves and a great v-neck.  
Image from shopbop.com.
The best part about this dress is that it's a classic that you will wear for YEARS.  A perfect investment dress.  Issa runs a little on the small size, so if considering it, order up one size.  Note that shopbop.com also has a tight return window of 15 days.

If the Issa dress price is too much to swallow, consider looking at Rent the Runway, currently featuring an Issa wrap dress in a fabulous green for rental at $125.  (We haven't personally used Rent the Runway before, so if anyone out there has, please let us know about your experience.)  The feedback on the Issa dress was amazing.  

A little more sea-green, this Donna Morgan dress is well within range at $148 at Nordstrom.  The asymmetrical waist is flattering, and the fit information says to order up one size.  I'd pair this with nude heels, gold earrings and bangles.
Image from nordstrom.com.
A little 'warmer' dress for November-in-Scotland weather, this Tory Burch Kathy silk dress stood out to us.  Right on budget at $295, it's perfect for a wedding, and we love the emerald green color.  I'd style it with a big, gold cocktail ring, drop gold earrings, and a nude pump.  It's hard to see in the picture, but it has a keyhole neckline.  We can see this dress at holiday parties too.
Image from net-a-porter.com.
(Note that Net-a-Porter has a tight 14-day return time frame as well.)

Zara just got in a lovely green, lace dress with gathering at the waist.  The price is most certainly right at $89.90.  Sizing runs a little smaller at Zara; be aware.  We like the emerald tone of the green and lace will continue to be big through the fall and holiday seasons.
Image from zara.com.
Lisa also spied this printed, sequin dress at Zara, with a more structured look, but still enough room in the a-line skirt to move around in.  And, at $99.90, it's another dress that's wedding-worthy and well within budget.
Image from zara.com.
Finally, we looked at J.Crew's fall offerings and liked the Louisa dress in silk chiffon for $250, either in gallery green or monterey pine (shown below).  The pleating at the bust and skirt are universally flattering.  
Image from jcrew.com.
There you have it - the best of the green dresses.  Good luck with shopping and let us know what you find.  We'd love to see a photo of the final outfit! ~ LB & JH

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

W2WW News Flash - Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts on Friday, July 20th.

Image from nordstrom.com.
In the middle of beach and sun and fun, a great opportunity for fall clothing presents itself each summer.   I'm talking about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.  It happens each July, and for a limited time, fall clothes (yes, current season!) are on sale for a limited time.  They return to full price once the sale is over.  This year, prices are marked down starting Friday, July 20th and return to full price on August 6th.

Usually an annual rite, I use the benefit of my Nordstrom credit card and shop Early Access; if you have a Nordstrom card, you too can log in and have early shopping access!  Here are some of the items that intrigued me for this fall (although you might not be able to click on the provided links until Friday if you are not a Nordstrom card-holder).

This Diane Von Furstenberg investment clutch is less of an investment at $298.90, rather than the regular price of $465.  The black version is timeless, and of course, I'm completely drawn to the tassel!
Image from nordstrom.com.
If you were wanting to get a new pair of jeans at a great price, these AG 'Hope' Jeans (a slim bootcut fit) are a great buy at $109.90 (original price, $175).
Image from nordstrom.com.
Stock up on our favorite Hanky Panky thongs - $14.90 a pair rather than $20 each.
Image from nordstrom.com.
Or dabble in fall's hot colorblock-ing trend (more on that later!) with this Vince Camuto dress, originally $160, but $105.90 during the Anniversary Sale.
Image from nordstrom.com.
Whatever it is you'll be craving this fall, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale kicks off the season this Friday!  ~ JH

Monday, July 16, 2012

W2WW On the Road - Cape Cod


Image from margoshome.com.

While Jennifer heads north to Maine, my summer travels for many years have taken me to Cape Cod.   And once I get here, it’s bathing suits and flip flops – nothing “fashion” about it, which strangely enough for someone who loves a good outfit, is ok by me.  The one addition I’ve made to my summer wardrobe since I landed is a shocking yellow and black life jacket that coordinates perfectly with our new fleet of equally bright yellow kayaks.  When I dry off and do venture back into town, I will be making the rounds to my favorite haunts, two of which are all about home décor.  After a few days on the Cape, I always get the itch to redecorate my 1927 Colonial in blues and whites and accent with shell encrusted accessories.  And lots of weathered wood.   Eek.

Maiden Voyage at Mashpee Commons is just the kind of cramped little place I want to poke around when I’m in that beach frame of mind and need a shell-serving-dish fix.  It’s an eclectic mix of tableware and table linens, lamps, pillows and decorative accessories for the home, all with a seaside theme…mixed with antiques and the latest in fashion jewelry.  A great spot to pick up a hostess gift or a little something for yourself. 

If you’re in Osterville, stop in at Margo’s.   I first discovered Margo’s when I was on the hunt for Dash and Albert rugs and discovered they were a dealer.  The store makes me want to redo my entire house in B-E-A-C-H – the curated mix of furniture, window treatments, lamps, lighting, and linens from Matouk, all look so very harmonious and so very Cape Cod.   
Image from margotshome.com.
Image from margotshome.com.
I’m always on the hunt if you’ve got a favorite shop on Cape Cod to share, please do! ~ LB

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

W2WW News Flash - Next Target Collaboration Announced


Image from juggle.com.
We had to take a break from our break to share some exciting news (which a good friend shared with us)!  Make a note to set your alarm early on Saturday, December 1st for the next Target collaboration.  This time, Target teams up with...
Image from neimanmarcus.com.
...and 24 designers at once!  The holiday collection will be available both online and in store at Target AND Neiman Marcus.  Designers ranging from Tory Burch to Oscar de la Renta to Brian Atwood will be featured.  For a complete list and more details, check out the announcement on nymag.com.

Our calendar is already marked.  Now, back to our previously discussed break. ~ JH

Saturday, July 7, 2012

...back soon.

It's that time of year...if you've noticed, we've been a little quiet this past week (unlike those birds outside my window).  Taking a mini-break from writing, email, etc.  Hope you are taking a break too!  But, fall fashions are hitting the stores and therefore so will we!  Back in a bit! ~ LB & JH

Friday, July 6, 2012

...you have bags under your eyes.

I first thought about this post at 4:36am on Monday morning when I was abruptly woken up by the cacophony of noise outside my bedroom window.  A great breeze kept all of my bedroom windows open all night, and the birds decided to have a party on the tree directly outside as the sky started to brighten.

As I was tossing and turning and trying to go back to sleep (which I think I did around 6:00am - ugh), I knew I'd look a little less-than-fresh in the morning.  Would sunglasses do the trick?  No, time to call out the big guns this morning.  I reached for my trusty, anti-puffiness gel - Lierac's Diopti Anti-Puffiness Gel.
Image from cvs.com.
I cannot even remember how I was introduced to this product, but a couple of swipes of this under your eyes works wonders; you can feel the bags disappearing from under your eyes.  You can find it in your local CVS store, or online though several retailers including Amazon.

Not exactly a post on fashion, but just what the doctor ordered. ~ JH