Holiday 2013: Where is it?

You might be wondering why we have been SO quiet about Holiday 2013 attire.  Well, it's been quiet because we haven't really found anything that has WOW-ed us for Holiday 2013.  A lot of the trends are the same as last year:  metallics, leather, sheer.  Maybe a little velvet thrown in here and there, but nothing new and exciting to report.

So you know what we have done?  Gone shopping in our OWN CLOSETS for holiday wear!  Should we rename this a 'Cheap & Cheerful' post?  Maybe!

You see, I had a lot of holiday wear just hanging around in the closet, only having been worn 1 or 2 times.  Over the years, that's a lot of outfits.  So I made the decision to go "shopping in my closet" and replay some of the oldies but goodies.  

Some of my top items for reusing?!  How about this Vince, sequin t-shirt?  I wore it last week over long black Worth pants and black Manolo heels.  I've had it for a couple of years now, and it just works.  It was a good investment and I still get compliments on it.  Guess what?  Lisa has one too. 

Image from shopbop.com

I hope to wear this Tory Burch Metallic pencil skirt which I picked up last year.  With a sheer black top (with cami under, of course), it's still very 'on trend' for Holiday 2013.

Image from theoutnet.com.

I had to get the cost-per-use down on this lovely top by Gerard Darel.  Combining 2 trends - metallics and leather - it did the trick again this winter by attending a party, paired with skinny, black, cropped pants and black peau de soie pumps.

Image from vestiairecollective.com.

Here's hoping that you too have had a happy holiday season so far!  And recycling outfits can really only mean one thing - more to spend at the Saks day-after-Christmas sale!  ~ JH

Paris 2013: What we bought, Part 2

Even as I clicked the 'publish' button on the first post, I knew there were things I missed!  Oh well, dear readers, you will have to put up with another post on things we found in Paris.

I can't believe I forgot to include this one, which is a replacement item.  I left my Princesse Tam Tam bathrobe in Jamaica last Thanksgiving (along with other things - I have serious issues!) which I had purchased in Paris in the spring of 2012. Princesse Tam Tam is a great lingerie store in Paris that also has a swimwear line.  The robe is light cotton, knee-length, long sleeved, navy with a tie-waist.  It is, by far, the best bathrobe I've ever owned.  And not expensive either!  The total package. (They also had gray too, but I love navy.)

Image from princessetamtam.com.

It was actually the first thing I purchased upon arriving in Paris.  It packs well and is light-weight enough that you can dry your hair while wearing it without sweating.  Very important!  I was thrilled that they still had it a year later.  And while shopping with Lisa, we wandered into a Princesse Tam Tam shop where she promptly purchased one too.  She loves it just as much as I do.

(Do you see a theme here?  Yes, we have to call each other before heading out to events because we have so many same items of clothing.  But we always follow our rules of wardrobe etiquette.)

I digress.  While we were fondling that Gerard Darel suede car coat, I did happen to find a fabulous scarf!  It has TASSELS and lots of color (which, as you know, is a stretch for me).  Isn't it heaven?!

Image from maboutique.co.uk.

I think that's the end of our purchases.  We committed to seeking things that we can't find (at least easily) in the U.S., and I think we were pretty successful in staying the course on that. ~ 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