...it's Spring 2015: Florals

Yes, kind of obvious, spring, flowers.  You get it.  But this spring, there are SO many florals to be worn in SO many different ways.  Shoes, dresses, t-shirts, clutches, scarves, lions and tigers and bears oh my!  

Clearly I'm tired of my neutral palette and feeling the need for color (or could it be the 4' snow drifts out my back door?!).  BUT - what I realized last year with these shoes...

Image from barneys.com.

...is that my neutral wardrobe can be completely updated with a floral piece!  A couple of things with florals...

• Get one or 2 key pieces.  I have those shoes and I purchased a dress for Easter that's a floral pattern.  I think that's enough.  Well, maybe a scarf?  
• Floral doesn't have to mean "prissy".  Those Givenchy black floral pumps in the Polyvore set below are killer - imagine them with black jeans, black blazer with white t-shirt under?  HOT.
• If you end up with a floral dress or another piece that has a large amount of floral, minimize everything else.  I'm wearing my barely-there sandals on Easter to go with the floral dress I purchased (not unlike that Ted Baker dress below).  Make all other items neutral - jewelry, shoes, purse.  
• A floral scarf can cheer up any neutral outfit!
• An understated floral top can be a nod to the trend if you don't want to jump into the deep end (with an all-over print dress).  And if you don't want to scream floral, pair with a neutral blazer for a little edge or structure or a cardigan.  Both let the floral 'peek' out.

Play with these items next time you find yourself at the mall!  Think spring! ~ JH

W2WW Spring 2015: Florals

Ted Baker dress / Vince sleeveless top / Banana Republic sleeveless top / Ted Baker black t shirt, $69 / J Crew white t shirt / MANGO short sleeve top / Reiss white pants / MICHAEL Michael Kors white pants, $230 / Ted Baker underwire swimsuit / J.Crew short shorts / Givenchy leather shoes / Manolo Blahnik heels & pumps / Brooks Brothers ballet flat / Givenchy clutch / Ted Baker scarve, $105 / Ted Baker tech accessory, $45 / Old Navy lightweight scarve

...it's Spring 2015: Pink

Lisa and I had a first, great shop this spring on Thursday with the one-and-only Loren Munro at Bloomingdales.  Maybe because we're sick and tired of the snow, winter sweaters and winter boots, but one thing stood out to us:  pink.  Theory had some great blush/tan/pink items, Ted Baker had some lovely pink and floral pieces, and Vince had some yummy pink cashmere.  Even I, the queen of neutral, got in on the act.  A Vince sweater with a MaxMara scarf and a Ted Baker t-shirt - all in pink.  What is the world coming to?!

Lisa has been known to dabble in pink, so she had no trouble jumping into the pool.  Next time you are out, gravitate towards a springy pink.  See some of our favorites below. ~ JH

W2WW Pretty in Pink

Theory three quarter length sleeve dress / Vince cashmere dolman sleeve sweater / Tory Burch striped sailor shirt / Vince pink long sleeve t shirt / Maje long sleeve top / Ted Baker pink tee/ J Crew collar jacket / Calypso St Barth clothing / Theory slim fit twill pants / Givenchy flower print pumps / Tory Burch ankle strap shoes / J.Crew j crew shoes / Zippered tote bag / Ted baker purse / Mary Louise Designs pink gold earrings / Burberry scarve / Leopard print shawl

…it's Spring 2014: the Blue Oxford Shirt

Yes, it sounds so plain and easy, and it's just that!  I kind of became a little obsessed with finding a perfect one for spring.  Easy to wear and easily accessorized!  And I knew I was onto something when I read in Bazaar that it was one of the 10 Key Pieces for Spring.

I satisfied my obsession at my Saks appointment with a Boy Band of Outsiders oxford.  Yes, it looks PLAIN AND DULL in this photo.

Image from gaaie.com.

But roll up the sleeves, do a "half-tuck" (tuck the front of the shirt in your pants and leave the back out, add a tank top and unbutton the front to the tank, and it's a whole different look!  Check out these images for inspiration!

Images from pinterest.com.

I totally plan to wear mine with white jeans, white cords, jeans, black cropped pants, black waxed jeans (did you get those black waxed jeans from Madewell? - just add a blue oxford shirt and ballet flats!).  Add a tank when it's cooler or a scarf, stack some bracelets.  Feeling it?! ~ JH

W2WW Blue Oxford Shirt 

Joie chambray top / Ann Taylor button front shirt / Uniqlo blue top / T By Alexander Wang pleated shirt / H M blue long sleeve shirt / Theory top / John Lewis sleeveless tank / Vince jacket / Foxcroft blue long sleeve shirt / J.Crew white straight leg jeans / Diane Von Furstenberg zip pants / AG Adriano Goldschmied ag+adriano+goldschmied jeans / J.Crew strap shoes / Prada animal print loafer / Givenchy black ankle strap sandals / Superga laced up shoes / Tory Burch cage sandals / Tory Burch ankle wrap shoes / STELLA McCARTNEY white flat sandals / Hermès wide bracelet / Hermès leather bangle / Cartier bezel watch / Hermès leather bangle / J Crew belt

Back in the saddle!

After a dismal holiday shopping season, Lisa and I decided to change things up and made a shopping appointment with Claudine Eaton Lewis at Saks in Boston.  (For local readers, you might know Claudine as she worked at J. McLaughlin for years in Wellesley. We were so happy to reconnect with her at Saks.)  Claudine was the one who hooked me up with the fabulous gown for the black tie event, and I was so impressed with her choice and styling that I wanted to see what else she could do.  Of course, Lisa HAD to join in!  While I can dress others pretty easily, I continue to scratch my head and wonder what I should be wearing.  Kind of like a wedding planner who never gets married.  

Anyway, Lisa and I were a little anxious; after all, we have a lot of clothing already and have some specific needs.  We also like to be a little surprised.  I sent Claudine this email before the appointment:

"Wanted to get a list of things to you for our shopping appointment...  What I really want are 2-3 outfits for walking around London/shopping in Boston/ladies lunch out.  I don't need dresses or skirts, just functional and fashionable everyday outfits - so I can grab and go and look great!  Might want to look at a spring outerwear option too - I have the classic trench, but might want something more updated.  I'm a little obsessed with complete looks rather than a piece here or there that end up sitting in my closet.

Brands I love:  Vince, Theory, Rebecca Taylor, some Marc by Marc Jacobs, Weekend Max Mara, 3.1 Philip Lim, rag & bone…but am open to try - just trying to give you a sense of what's in my closet."

I am so happy to say that Claudine filled some voids in my closet (especially for that transitional hell we call 'spring' in New England) and sprinkled in some surprises.

First item that both Lisa and I had to get:  Givenchy floral ballet flats.  Floral prints and patterns are everywhere this spring.  While we like to be current, I can't really see Lisa or myself sporting a floral dress or pants.  Not in our wheelhouse.  Claudine suggested these as a nod to the trend, while allowing us to stay true to our classic, neutral looks.  It was love at first sight.  And, they are so completely comfortable.

Image from barneys.com.

She told us to pair them with ANYTHING.  Black cropped jeans and a white blouse.  Jeans and a white blouse.  Take your basics and update with a floral shoe.  

I am always in DIRE need of layering for the spring.  Claudine totally nailed it with a Vince silk blouse (layered over a black tank) with a Theory cardigan layered over it (or not!).  I can wear this over black jeans or pants, white jeans or pants, cropped or long, denim jeans, the blouse only tucked into dressier pants with heels - all things I have in my closet already!  Oh, and with my new ballet flats!  Just saying.

Image from lyst.com.

Image from vince.com.

Lisa and I also fell in love with this totally soft and comfortable Helmut Lang asymmetrical stretch knit jacket.  Totally easy to wear, open and zipped, and again, over all the basic bottoms we have.

Image from nordstrom.com.

I know, you might be thinking "that's a lot of black".  For transition, I've decided that trying to make lighter colors work is a little back-breaking.  I think the floral flats will really 'lighten' up the palette.  In full disclosure, I also picked up an Alexander McQueen scarf (as did Lisa), a crisp white blouse, and an oxford blue blouse (also an item to have for Spring 2014) - all will be work-horse items in my closet!

Lisa hit a home run in Saks!  Seemed that everything she put on was magical.  If you recall, Lisa was really into ivory fisherman knit sweaters this winter. She wanted a linen/cotton/silk version of it for spring and fell in love with this ivory Helmut Lang sweater.

Image from lyst.com.

Lisa also picked up this beaded, silk 3.1 Philip Lim top that looked stunning on her!  She can wear it now with black leather pants and into the spring over white pants with sandals.  This was another Claudine pick that surprised Lisa - she said she would have never picked it up off the rack.

Image from ssense.com.

So many things to look at!  There's even more!  We highly recommend seeing Claudine for your shopping needs.  Not only did she 'get' what we wanted and our personal styles, but she's a lot of fun and completely honest.  As in, 'that's horrible, take it off!' honest.  Gotta love a girl who's got your back! ~ JH

...attending a corporate black-tie function.

Believe it or not, I started this post a year ago, and figured I should finally get around to wrapping it up!  This weekend, I will join my husband for his company's annual 'black-tie optional' party.  It's usually fun and in a fabulous location (and the band last year ROCKED!).  And I LOVE to dress up.  Even though it's optional, most men wear black-tie to this event, which leads me to the point of this post:  what to wear to an event like this?  You never know when the company has a table at a black tie event and suddenly you're invited.  

Last year, I was fortunate to be able to 'reuse' a gown.  It's a Badgley Mischka gown I purchased on sale at Neimans 2 years ago; it's navy blue crepe with a cowl neckline and heavily beaded waistline.  It fit like a glove when I purchased it, and last year it still fit like a glove.  Phew.  This is the latest version of it, except mine is sleeveless and hangs straight to the ground.

Image from bloomingdales.com.

This year, I wanted a new gown as I really couldn't see myself re-wearing the above dress for 3 years running!  I hunted around, submitted frantic late-night orders on Saks online, but didn't find anything that made me look like I was in my 40s.  60s, great - tons out there!  20s - fabulous options.  But for us in the middle, it was a tough go.  I want to look appropriate, yet elegant, youthful and chic.

I have a couple of guidelines I like to follow:

• If an event is 'black tie' wear a long dress.  Yes, you can probably get away with a short cocktail dress that's on the formal-side.  But if it's black-tie (not optional), long is a must.
• When shopping for a dress for an event like this, ask yourself, do I look glamourous, elegant or sexy?  If 'sexy' is the answer, move on from the dress.  Sexy is the last thing you want to be at a corporate event or corporate-sponsored fund-raiser.  Think about what Catherine Middleton would wear.  Elegant is what you should aim for.
• Skip a strapless gown.  See bullet above.  One shoulder dresses are fine.
• Favor bold neutral colors (navy, black) and jeweled colors (emerald, plum) over loud ones (red, hot pink).
• Make sure your dress is comfortable.  You don't want to be pulling at your dress or fidgeting in it, do you?  When you are in the dressing room (not at home), ask the sales person for a pair of heels to try with the dress/gown.  Walk around the dressing room.  Sit down.  Can you sit comfortably?  Does the dress bunch weirdly when you sit down?  Don't rely on Spanx to fix dress bunching.  However, rely on Spanx for everything else.
• In fact, wear some kind of Spanx.  Simply put, they keep everything smooth and in place. 
• Tailor your dress!  Wonder why the stars look fabulous on the red carpet?  Their gowns and dresses are fitted to them!  Not just hemmed, but nipped and tucked in at the waist, shoulders adjusted, you name it.  Make the dress your very own.
• 5" stilettos are fabulous, but 3 1/2" heels are good here.  Think peau de soie as the material for your shoes rather than suede or leather.  If new, wear them around your house for a while before the event to break them in.  
• Don't forget accessories.  It took me longer to find the right accessories for that Badgley Mischka dress than it took me to find the dress.  And the accessories can come from the most random places.  The earrings I wear with it came from Neiman Marcus, while the cuff bracelet came from J. Crew, on sale.
• A manicure is mandatory.  A pedicure is too if your shoes have open toes.
• Never, never, never wear stockings with open toe shoes.  
• Clutch is necessary for your phone, lipstick, tissues, etc. and does not need to match your shoes.  
• Outerwear:  If you have a fur, it's time to use it.  If not, make sure your best cashmere or wool long coat has been dry-cleaned recently.

This year, I set out to Saks to return 5 (yes, late-night gown shopping is trouble) gowns, ran into a fabulous lady named Claudine who has helped me before, and voila!  A new, fabulous gown in an hour.  

Images from Jennifer Houston.

I love it!  And I did have it hemmed and taken in at the waist.  Wearing with peau de soie black pumps, a silver cuff, and diamond hoop earrings. 

Image from nordstrom.com.

Image from bloomingdales.com.

And Claudine instructed me to have my hair blown out a la Meg Ryan; since the dress is sleek and straight, my hair should have texture.  And that I should have navy/black nail polish on.  I love all of her suggestions!  

Compared to a lot of other dresses I saw, this was fun rather than stiff.  To get further use of dress, Claudine said I should put tall, black, heeled boots on with it and a black leather jacket for a fun night out.  Don't think I haven't been thinking of a new black leather jacket since then! ~ JH