W2WW Around Town - Warby Parker open in Boston.

Last year, Lisa wrote a great piece about Warby Parker and their cool new eyeglass frames that you can sample in your home; you select up to 5 frames, they ship them to you for free, and you have 5 days to check them out.  $95 for prescription glasses - can't really beat it, can you?  

After success with pop-up shops and at 2 other brick-and-mortar locations in New York, Warby Parker opened at 83 Newbury Street, between Berkeley and Clarendon, this past Friday.  (Conveniently upstairs from Georgetown Cupcakes.)

Image from warbyparker.com.

I was in the city this weekend with a friend for a mini-break, and we happened upon the 'grand opening'.  Yes, we were lured in by mini, blue velvet cupcakes with eyeglass motifs on them, but we really loved the offerings.  The store was packed! 

Image from Jennifer Houston.

My friend, in need of new sunglasses, discovered that all sunglasses were $95 and prescription sunglasses where $150.  Excellent!  After trying on about a dozen pairs, she went back to the first ones she tried on, these cool Boyd sunglasses.

Image from warbyparker.com.

Out we walked, new sunglasses in one hand and a cupcake in the other.  Perfect Saturday afternoon, no?!  If you find yourself on Newbury Street, stop by to check them out.  ~ JH

Paris 2013 - What we saw.

And, back to report on our trips to Paris in April.  This is a quick list of what we saw, so keep your eyes out for these items and trends in the near future. 

Cobalt pants

Even my husband noticed.  Quote: "Is the new uniform blue pants and a white top?"  Everywhere.  With ballet flats.  With white t-shirt. A uniform.  Except, unlike this pic, they always had a scarf around their necks.

Image from comptoirdescotonniers.com.

T-A-S-S-E-L-S 

On purses, on shoes, on zippers.  Anything that could have a tassel did.  And you KNOW how we love our tassels!

Images from comptoirdescotonniers.com.

Skinny Jeans

Rolled up, cropped, yet all SKINNY jeans.  SKINNY and possibly damaging to one's blood circulation.  It was a little weird not being able to tell apart an American from Parisian from sight alone.  Honestly, we missed the elegant French.  

Love of Everything Brazilian

This took us by surprise.  Bon Marche (the Mecca) had an entire Brazilian theme going on...lots of bright colors.  Different Brazilian designers and products were scattered all over the store with special displays and the Parisians were eating it up.  Lisa said there was a jewelry counter in Bon Marche FULL of Brazilian bracelets that was PACKED by French women when she was there alone one day.  Get your Havaianas out because they were, no joke, selling for 26 to 55 Euros in Bon Marche.  Honestly, I think with the Olympics in Rio in 2016, we are going to see A LOT of Brazilian influence in style, so keep your eye out and an open mind! 

Images from lebonmarche.com.

Flat Booties

Mon dieu!  But it's spring.  Time to swap out for sandals or at least ballet flats.  Short, below the ankle and flat.  Worn with impossibly skinny jeans (see above). I will definitely be getting a pair of these for fall. 

Image from mytheresa.com.

Car Coat

Sure, there was the requisite trench but also lots of other great mid thigh looks that were chic.  Lightweight fabrics, leathers, and suedes too.  Jen and I were petting this lovely one at Gerard Darel.  Purrr.

Image from gerarddarel.com.

That's the overview - stay tuned for what we actually bought! ~ LB & JH

W2WW News Flash - 3.1 Philip Lim + Target!

One of our favorite designers, Philip Lim, is launching a capsule collection with Target.  

Image from fashionologie.com.

After a huge bomb with Target's Holiday collection, expectations are exceedingly low.  One can only hope that PL will ride that like a mule and deliver a purchase-worthy collection in stores on September 15.  Check out the sketches of the collection and/or video of Philip Lim discussing the collection. Save the date! ~ LB

My new 'go to' foundation garment.

I'm a huge fan on Mad Men.  I read a great interview featuring Jessica Pave (Megan's, Don's wife) while getting my hair done at the salon.  And something she said in the article stood out to me, reminding me to share this tidbit with you.  What did she say?  "...foundation garments can make or break an outfit...".

Just two weeks ago, I would have said, "meh".  Hey, I grew up in the 70s and had many a braless summer.  Now I pine for my flat, pre-twins baby belly but have never badly enough to subject myself to the torture of Spanx.  Even the word Spanx makes me shudder and brings up thoughts of the girdles my grandmother used to tie herself into.  That all changed when I met, 'Slim Cognito' from Spanx.   Say 'hi' to 'Slim'. 

Image from nordstrom.com.

This little number is lightweight, breathable and not binding in a way that makes we want to rip my clothes off.  I'd go so far as to say it is comfortable.  I wore it under a silk jersey dress the other day and literally got a dozen compliments on the dress. I have to think some of that had to do with my favorite new little undergarment.  So thanks Jessica, for reminding me to share. ~ LB

it's Spring 2013: Silk Track Pants

Really?  Silk track pants?  Jen, have you lost your mind?  

I have to say that Lisa and I have been a little curious about these pants.  Call them pajama pants or track pants if you want, but they are DIFFERENT!  And that's what we like!  What defines a silk track pant?  They are usually pull-on, with a drawstring at the waist, made of silk or viscose.  Designers like 3.1 Philip Lim, Joie, and Vince make really great pairs of them.  They have an casual look, but the material tends to keep them chic.

So, while trolling around Neimans last week, a mannequin caught my eye.  The mannequin had on a pair of these pants that I kind of liked.  This was not a purchase that was intending to make (in fact, I was just 'returning' some items - don't you hate when that happens?).  But, these Rebecca Taylor pants fit perfectly and I matched them up with a silk-back Vince sweater.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Image from vince.com.

There are a lot of these on the market right now.  Give a pair or 2 a try next time you see them.  But how to wear them?  I wouldn't pair these pants with a silk top; it's too much silk.  A slightly structured sweater (linen, summer cashmere, cotton) would work best.  A heeled sandal or pump finishes it well.  I plan to wear the outfit above with a long, gold pendant necklace and ankle strap, black heeled sandals.

Check out the Polyvore set below for inspiration! Don't be scared! ~ JH

W2WW - Silk Track Pants

Rebecca Taylor / 3.1 Phillip Lim silk pants / Elizabeth and James / Vince / Joie / Vince