Cheap & Cheerful - Everlane

There have been a couple of articles over the past few weeks about how Angelina Jolie has been shopping this online store, Everlane.  Vogue.com even had an article about it.  She, and other actors, created a stampede for their Petra tote bag and therefore, a wait-list for it last year.  See it pictured below:

Image from dailymail.co.uk.

So what the heck is Everlane?

Image from everlane.com.

It is simple, quality clothing at a good price.  Their tag-line is this: "Radical Transparency:  Know your factories.  Know your costs.  Always ask why."  According to their website, "We spend months finding the best factories around the world - the very same ones that produce your favorite designer labels. We visit them often...this hands-on approach is the most effective way to ensure a factory's integrity.  We believe customers have the right to know what their products cost to make...we reveal our true costs, and then we show you our markup....Being online only, we eliminate brick-and-mortar expenses and pass these savings onto you."

Ok, I'm curious.  A little late-night shopping reveals that they sell solid basics: t-shirts, cashmere sweaters, gorgeous leather bags.  For a lot less than a lot of stores. (Except maybe the leather bags, but they are lovely.  The large Petra tote is $365, but stated to retail at $1,300.)  They have free shipping for purchases of 2 items or more.  Strictly for blogging research (wink, wink), I quickly click 2 items into my cart, a navy v-neck t-shirt and a grey, short-sleeved sweatshirt.

Images from everlane.com.

The t-shirt is $15 and the sweatshirt is $30.  Crazy, right?!  

They arrived quickly and I'm keeping both.  The $15 t-shirt is great; it's no 'tissue' tee, but it's not heavy either.  The perfect weight.  (I wonder if they have the perfect white t-shirt?!  Might have to "research" that!) The short sleeve sweatshirt is boxy but cute. Just as advertised.  Great material.  

If you are looking for good basics, it's worth a look.  Beware to check the sizing - things seem to run small and I definitely would have ordered a different size had I not looked at the sizing charts!  Enjoy, and report back with your finds! ~ JH

What we took away from the Saks "Key to the Cure" fashion show.

Jen and I were off to Saks this past Thursday morning for a "Key to the Cure," a fashion show and shopping event sponsored by Friends of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support the fight against women's cancers.  Shopping is even more enjoyable and when some of our dollars go to a good cause, all the better!

There were some very fun and very wearable looks for fall/winter 2014.  And you don't have to spend gobs and gobs of money to recreate these looks.  Here are the key themes to work into your wardrobe this season, along with some Cheap and Cheerful alternatives:

Leather in all silhouettes - Yes, this is a trend that is not going away.  If you don't already own something in leather, march yourself out and find something!  You won't regret it.  There are lots of affordable options out there and lots of ways to wear it.  The white shirt underneath this dress by The Row takes this to a daytime look.  Wear it without and you're good for a night on the town.  Note the touch of leopard in the belt and bag.  Which brings us to the next trend....Leopard - high quality, small quantity.  Again, animal prints are still trending and a very wearable neutral.  

Your Cheap and Cheerful alternative?...Tahari faux leather dress.  On sale for $84!

Image from neimanmarcus.com.

'Fit and Flair' - as coined by Manager Gretchen Pace,  a fitted dress with a bit of flair can hide the belly and be super comfy.  Yes, it's a little short but this model was close to 6' tall...so don't be put off as the dress will work for us mortals.

Cheap and cheerful...a striking blue knit dress from Trina Turk.  Love it!

Image from bloomingdales.com.

Outerwear - Don't forget about outerwear.  It's what most people see before they see your outfit, especially here in New England where we are full into light coat season.  Think a fun color, like pink or bright red, to add pop to your outfit.  

Cheap and Cheerful....Calvin Klein Notch collar coat available at nordstrom.com.  Look at how it dresses down with a tee shirt and jeans.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Camel - Love the camel coats in the show.  Such a timeless look.  This one is from MaxMara.   We all own lots of black....a drapey, loose coat over a structured column of black, perhaps belted,  is a classic that will take you through the season. 

Cheap and Cheerful...a dark camel dust coat.

Image from chicnova.com.

Slouchy pants - It's time to get on the slouchy pants bandwagon.  We've seen them for over a year now - I own 2 pairs myself - and women love the comfortable + chic combo.  These are gorgeous Lanvin ones paired with a J Brand camisole and jacket with Giuseppi Zanotti heels.  You don't have to wear heels - I wear mine with flats and you can too.

Cheap and Cheerful...J.Crew has a two styles I like.  Here's one.

Image from jcrew.com.

Colored Exotics - remember Jen's new gray lizard boots?  Well this look was all over the runway today...in clutches, shoes and more.  Love the burgundy color of this lovely Nancy Gonzales clutch.

Cheap and Cheerful..Alexander Wang croc clutch in red.  (Cheap as compared to the Nancy Gonzales one.)

Image from barneys.com.

Classic coat - a la Chanel.  Awesome.  Throw it over leggings, wear it as a dress, I love this pieces for it's versatility.  There is not Cheap and Cheerful for this coat. Just be inspired.

This was my favorite look of the show.  Stella McCartney Dress and eternally chic split front sweater from The Row. Effortless.  Comfortable. So so fabulous.  Replicate this look with a neutral shift dress, long swingy cardigan, black sheet tights and your favorite heeled boot.  Another trend to note is the pointed toe bootie. Points are back and are very elongating to the leg.  

And there you have it!  Look into your closet with new eyes, find the holes and get a few key pieces to freshen up your look this fall. ~ LB

Unless noted, all images from Lisa Bida.

W2WW Around Town, News Flash, AND Cheap & Cheerful - Lou & Grey at Natick Mall

We really couldn't pick a category for this one so you KNOW our find has got to be GOOD.  And it is!  Lisa and I, both separately, wandered into a new store in the Natick Mall, Lou & Grey.  Located next to Ann Taylor and across from Madewell, it looked cool.  Tons of neutral colors (which TOTALLY appeals to me!).

Image from Jennifer Houston.

After wandering around and making a pile for the dressing room, I began to talk to the store manager.  She told me that Lou & Grey is an Ann Taylor company (in fact, their e-commerce site is a tab within the Ann Taylor Loft site), but with it's own designer. The Natick store was the second 'brick and mortar' store (first in Westport, CT) in the country.  

Humm, new and different?!?! Everything Lisa and I LOVE.  According to their website, "This is a clothing label born out of instinct.  We noticed women no longer want to choose between style and comfort, work or weekend wear - so we created an edited line of easy, texture-rich essentials for every day."

BINGO.  And guess what's even better?!  The price point!  The most expensive item I can find online is a jacket for $89.50.  I tried on a couple of things and ended up with 2 tops.  The first top is a doubleface, longsleeve t-shirt.  $39.50.  Will look great in early fall with white jeans.  

Image from loft.com.

The other top is a grey, cotton sweater (not found online) that I'm wearing right now, as I type this.  Great weight for this time of year, soft, with a split hem. $59.50.  With my white jeans, brogues, and a scarf - I'm updated and ready to go.

Lisa picked up a pair of pants which she claims to LOVE. These twill drawstring pants are the epitome of style and comfort.  And $59.50.

Image from loft.com.

While paying for my purchases, I chatted a bit more with the manager.  Not only do they have clothing, but have small home goods (think hostess gifts) and jewelry by American designers.  I loved the trays of jewelry laying around and the candles, books, and pillows mixed in with the clothing.

Images from Jennifer Houston.

For a little more information on the company, you can check out this Boston Globe article from September 17th.  Lisa and I highly recommend that you check out this store; it's going to become a go-to for us. ~ JH

Cheap & Cheerful - Splendid Sandals

While perusing my local Moxie store last week, I picked up a really cute sandal.  No, I really don't NEED a new pair, but these were good.  And a matte gold metallic.  And, when I turned them over to see how much they were, I was shocked.  $68.  I immediately asked for them in an 8 1/2, tried them on, and almost walked out of the store in them.

Image from nordstrom.com.

The Splendid Edgewood sandal is adorable, completely useful and really affordable.  Moxie just received a shipment, so they have tons of stock.  They also come in black with the cork wedge at Moxie.  If you don't live near a Moxie (Wellesley or Boston), try nordstrom.com where they show them in white, coral, and the gold.  Enjoy! ~ JH

Cheap & Cheerful - Robert Lee Morris Soho jewelry

(Starting a new 'category' today - our 'Cheap & Cheerful' selections - when we find something inexpensive and fabulous, we'll let you know as soon as possible!)

Oh, hello goregous!

I've been in love with Robert Lee Morris (RLM) and his simple, classic silver and gold creations since the 80's.  I couldn't afford his work then, but had the pleasure of working with this 2-time CFDA award winner on his tabletop collection for Reed & Barton.  I still happily cut my cakes with his amazing pie/cake set.

Seems RLM has been busy, designing for the Olsen twin's Elizabeth and James collection and selling his business to a big company. Hello Soho - the new lower-priced line of silver-plate and gold-plate pieces of surprisingly good quality.  I am totally in love!  There are some great every day pieces that add a lot of pretty without a lot of $.  Find his creations at Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor, Macy's, and on his own website.  Here are some of my favorites:

$30, and each bangle falls perfectly on my arm.  Bloomingdales is sold out.  I might have gotten the last set!

Image from bloomingdales.com.

$28. Simple silver.  On sale at Bloomingdales for $19.60.

Image from bloomingdales.com.

$35.  To match the bangles.  Also on sale at Bloomingdales right now for $24.50.

Image from bloomingdales.com.

How would this amazing collar look on anything black? $45.

Image from bloomingdales.com.

Love this circle, pearl pendant for $42.

Image from macys.com

Very cool cuff with hinge - on sale at Bloomingdales for $40.60.

Image from bloomingdales.com.

Didn't see this one in person, but at $65, I hope it fits the bill for a subtle, gold, chunky necklace.

Image from bloomingdales.com.

Or, is it this one, for $50 with an adjustable chain?

Image from bloomingdales.com.

And what about these cute earrings for holiday?  $28?!

Image from bloomingdales.com.

Jen fell in love with this bangle set.  $42 for all three!

Image from bloomingdales.com.

As you can see, we have some shopping to do! ~ LB