W2WW News Flash - Head to T.J.Maxx - New Designer Arrivals in store now

There may be 89” of snow on the ground here in Boston, but I’m thinking spring!  

With yet another blizzard on tap for the weekend, it was time for another day of snow forts, hot cocoa, movies and Legos.  So my hub and I loaded the kids in the car to Toys R Us for a Lego shopping spree.   Shopping for clothing YES!  For Legos, not so much.  Oh look!  It’s a T.J.Maxx next to Toys R Us.  Drop me off people.  

I bee-lined straight to the Runway Section.  If you’re not familiar, Runway is separate section in the store that has designer clothing at 1/3 of the original price.  Usually it’s one season behind or sometimes, current season.   

It was eerily quiet (as most sane people were already home and hunkered down).  Just me and racks and racks of New Designer Arrivals.  Hello Vince and Helmut!  My dear, dear friends, Rag and Bone, and Theory.  DVF, Missoni, Tory Burch, Moschino.  Clothing! Shoes! Purses!

Images from Lisa Bida.

 I spy with my little eye some Valentino and Chloe with a sale tag on it….

Image from Lisa Bida.

Time was limited so I need to work fast!  Here are some of my favorite finds.  I’m a sucker for navy and white stripes, as you know, and this Tory Burch dress is a cute find. $99.

Image from Lisa Bida.

Rag and Bone Prairie Shirtdress in black and white.  Gorgeous skirt dress from Rag and Bone.  $199.  Originally $495.  No white in my size. :-( Adore!

Image from dreamofadress.com.

This Gucci Bag is crazy amazing.  Love everything about it.

Image from Lisa Bida.

Vince Double V neck white linen sweater, $99 (originally $225).  Wear it with faded or white jeans, sandals or heels.  Done!

Image from bloomingdales.com.

Helmut Lang, black and white silk front tank, black jersey back.  $99.  Very cute transition top that can be worn under a blazer to work or black sweater for a more casual look.

Image from bloomingdales.com.

In the hopes that someday summer will come, I tried on this red La Blanca swim suit to cheer me up.  $30, originally $115.

Image from bloomingdales.com.

If you’re in the Northeast, grab the shovel and dig yourself a path to TJMaxx.  There’s some deals to be had! ~ LB

Stepping a little out of our comfort zones.

Lisa and I teamed up this past Thursday for a fall shopping appointment at Saks in Boston with Claudine Eaton Lewis, personal shopper.  We've shopped with Claudine before, and every time she pulls us a little out of our comfort zone.   This time, Claudine set us up for Fall 2014!

One of the first things we tried on was this Elie Tahari blouse-detail cashmere sweater.  Not sure either of us would have pulled it off the rack.  While it wasn't a great fit for me, Lisa rocked it.  Over leather leggings or waxed jeans, I think it will become a work-horse for Lisa.  The back is pleated and totally cool.

Image from saks.com.

We've been guilty before of purchasing the same thing, and we are guilty again.  Several times over.  Egad.  We definitely have to call each other if we're at the same event.  First up?  Helmut Lang asymmetrical wool top. So cute, very flattering.  And we both had to get it.

Image from saks.com.

And I thought the top looked GREAT over these Helmut Lang bat wash leggings.  And I will wear these leggings a ton, tucked into boots, with drape-y sweaters, etc. So useful. 

And speaking of boots, the next find was really out of my comfort zone.  Originally, I went into the appointment wanting a pair of classic, black, heeled boots.  I actually don't own a pair (SHOCKING), and thought I needed to fill that big void.  Claudine said "Why?  Why not get something more hip, cooler, updated?".  Like these, Stuart Weitzman croc-embossed, knee-high boot?  At first, I balked. They are REALLY out of my comfort zone.  But I put them on.  With a dress.  With leggings.  And I thought, where have these been all my life?!?!

Image from saks.com.

When I looked to Lisa for confirmation, she stood silently.  I couldn't get a read on what she thought.  I thought, 'oh dear, she hates them' and thought back to the time in the early 2000s in New York when I was obsessed with grey, suede slouchy boots and Lisa wouldn't let me get a pair.  When I said that I thought I loved them, she smiled, and said 'YES'!  

These are the great moments when you realize what personal shopping is all about.  Claudine knows me, knows what I have, and likes to push me.  Had I walked by them on display in the shoe department, I would have kept going.  In fact, they aren't even on display because Saks Boston has about 3 pairs of them left.  She brought them out to me.  Made me try them on. And they were fabulous.

And I can't wait to wear them with this Vince dress, which is sweater on the front, and pleated silk on the back.  And Lisa bought it too.  I will be accessorizing it with the grey boots and a great scarf (a la Claudine).

Images from vince.com.

These are the highlights among our treasures.  While our wallets definitely came home a little lighter, there really is nothing like a good shop.  ~ JH

W2WW Around Town - Loving The Street's Additions

I'm not sure what happened at The Street this summer, but I LOVE it.  When we left, The Street in Chestnut Hill had a couple of good things going - Shake Shack, a huge Calypso St. Barth, Splendid (daughter's favorite), and Pinkberry.  Today, my daughters and I ran down there to have lunch (Shake Shake) and check out back-to-school stuff at Splendid.  Quick trip - an hour tops, right?

WRONG.  I'm going to have to allocate MORE time for future visits.  As I pull up to make the turn across Route 9, I see that some stores have filled in.  Helmut Lang?!?!  Vince?!?!  Holy cow.  My personal favorites all lined up.  Huge stand-alone stores.

I dutifully did lunch and Splendid with the girls.  Seeing that I had about 30 minutes left in them, I chose to visit Vince.  They have only been open 2 weeks.

This Vince store is the biggest stand-alone I've ever been in, including some of the New York stores.  It makes the Copley store look like a kiosk.  The depth of the line was so impressive to see.  I couldn't wait to dig in.  But really, I couldn't.  Why?  Because the kids were digging in!  Yes my friends, Vince has a kids clothing line.  Good news:  It's fabulous.  Bad news:  My kids LOVED it.  Small but great selection of classic mini-Vince pieces (no, they did not get the leather jacket).

But, my older daughter got a sweater and top, and my younger daughter loved a t-shirt.  Oh dear, what does this mean to me and MY clothing budget?!

As I was checking out and explaining how I would have to come back without my dear children to really dig in, they had one other trick up their sleeve.  Turns out Vince is launching a HANDBAG line this fall!  Yikes!  I can't even imagine how cool these bags will be.  The assistant manager, Chrysten (on a first-name basis already), showed me a picture of one of the bags that will be out.  Kinda love it.

Image from Chrysten Fahey, Asst. Store Manager Vince, Chestnut Hill.

If you find yourself near The Street, beware.  I'm scared for myself. ~ JH

Unless noted, all images from Jennifer Houston.

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

...it's Fall 2012: Oversized Tops

I just had a personal shopping appointment at Nordstrom with the one and only Amy Swartz, and I have to admit, I came away with some things that I didn't expect to.   That's the beauty of personal shopping!

One thing that struck me were the number of 'oversized' tops out there that were purposefully oversized.   And, that they didn't look bad once they were on.  I've always loved a twist to proportions on clothing.  Labels like 3.1 Philip Lim and Vince do it frequently, and now I'm seeing it in the collections of more classic designers as well.  Definitely pair an oversized top with a narrow bottom, whether that's a skirt or pant.  

This coat by Helene Berman was adorable on...and one I'm still thinking about as I type this.  The cobalt blue is so forward, and it looked really cool over some skinny black pants with it's 'bubble' back and bracelet-length sleeves (which hit right above the wrist, as opposed to 3/4 length sleeves, which hit right below your elbow).  At $298, the price isn't bad for a wool/cashmere coat.  

Images from nordstrom.com.

Another item that DID come home is this Vince 'poncho' sweater.  It's totally oversized but looked great with some black cropped pants I had brought along with me (yes, it's perfectly fine to bring some of your clothes with you on shopping appointments - especially those items  that are orphans in your closet!) and a blouse underneath.  They only show the black online, but I love the camel I ended up with.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Image from Jennifer Houston.

Upon reflection, I've been purchasing some oversized items without realizing that I was really enjoying how they looked and how easy they were to wear!  Just earlier this week at the W by Worth show, I picked up this pale gold, charmeuse tunic, which will be an easy top to throw on over pants, roll up the sleeves, slap on some gold bangles, and head out the door to dinner.  (PS - It comes in midnight blue, white, black, and brown too.)

Image from wbyworth.com.

Another item that has tempted me is this oversized jersey t-shirt from Helmut Lang.  It probably looks great over jeans as well as over a skinny pencil skirt, as styled below.  Note that this t-shirt looks completely blah when alone...

Image from net-a-porter.com.

...but on a body with a pencil skirt, it looks great!  

Image from net-a-porter.com.

That's the thing with these oversized garments; on a hanger, they look awful.  On a person, they might just look great.  And they are SO easy to wear.  Be sure to pick out a piece or 2 this fall, just to try on.  You never know what you might find. ~ JH