From NYC, could the latest trend in beauty bars be headed our way?

The family took a four day getaway to NYC to get in the holiday spirit and enjoy the sights - Christmas Tree at Rock Plaza, windows at Saks, the Rockettes (actually excellent and tacky, as anticipated), Bradley Cooper (we rode together in an elevator and yes, I talked to him and yes, he is as spectacular as all get out).  A little early Merry Merry for me.  

The girls and I headed to one of our favorite spots for a manicure in the beauty playground that is underground at the le Parker Meridien.  Tenoverten is a cool spot for some pampering with an unrivaled selection of colors and brands of nail polish to choose from.  We love our local Miniluxe, but when in NYC, a nail care at Tenoverten is a treat not to be missed.

Image from Lisa Bida.

Image from leparkermeridian.com.

Apres nail care, we walked around a bit and saw some familiar and new additions to the beauty wonderland. 

Drybar, founded in 2009 and now a chain of 43 stores, offers blow outs only.  No cuts.  No color.  I’m familiar with the concept and frequent competitor BeStyled for a quick fix. Check.

Image from Lisa Bida.

Next was Blushington, a new concept makeup and beauty bar.  Whoa!  Ok, this is kind of cool.  Professional makeup applications at reasonable prices. I like it!  I once had my makeup professionally done for a big birthday party and it truly looked awesome.  They offer great brands like Becca, Kevyn Aucoin, Eve Lom and all natural Ilia, plus air-brushing.  Not sure how that works as I’m clearly a makeup novice.   Pick your “look” from the menu and off you go.    Full face is $45, TV ready $75.  LOL.  They also offer faux lash application and maintenance services like waxing, and lessons so you can try to recreate the look at home.  Blushington has 5 locations and this is its first NYC location.

Images from Lisa Bida.

Moving along the beauty underground, we encounter "coming soon”  - Skin Laundry, that is aiming to take laser and light therapy out of the doctor’s office for fast, affordable service.  Treatments claim to leave skin deep cleaned and toned, and with frequency, improved acne, decreased redness, dullness, hyper-pigmentation and photoaging, leaving skin smooth, even and firm.  I’m in.  Treatments start at $50.  Apparently, $40-$50 seems to be the magic range in which we feel comfortable parting with cash for a beauty indulgence.    This will be their 10th location, with other outposts in CA and Hong Kong.

Image from Lisa Bida.

Images from skinlaundry.com.

All brilliant right?  So as our beauty repetoire extends beyond hair to skin, WW2W predicts we’ll see these chains or their competitors opening up shop in Boston and potentially, Wellesley by 2017.  You heard it here first! ~ LB

…you want a fresh clutch, tote, or handbag.

My family and I went to NYC over the Christmas break, which was a ton of fun but not the shop-mani-cocktail-dinner event that it usually is with the girls.  Walking by my favorite shops (and into the hours-long-line for the Ferris Wheel at Toys R Us) was torturous.  I did manage to drag the fam into the new Clare Vivier shop on Elizabeth Street for a little look-see.

Image from style.com.

Clare Vivier is a CA-based designer who is known for her simple, well-made leather bags, particularly for her signature fold-over clutch that sells like hot-cakes in stores like Bergdorf and Steven Alan.  She has two stores: one in LA and this new one, opened three months ago, in Nolita right down the street from Tory Burch.  She describes her new store as "inspired by French glamour mixed with L.A. vibe."  Right up my alley and down my street.  

The store did not disappoint. 

Witness her signature Foldover clutch...in every possible leather and color combo.   This blue with red zipper is jaw-dropping gorgeous and would play well this spring with a low key uniform of navy, stripes, blue and white jeans. The cream is simple perfection.  The gold and blue stripe with snazzy bow can work with a dressed up or down outfit.

The Carryall in washed canvas is just divine and can be personalized with initial monogram.  Looks like a great beach tote!

I've been bag-shopping for a cross-body satchel and this Duffle Petit just might fit that bill.

The Gosee Clutch is simpler cross-body style that can still hold the essentials. White for summer.

Sac Bretelle is slim and cheery, perfect for just the basics.

GASP! Simple Tote in Ponyhair!  I die 4 u.

The Grand Pochette:  to be worn with all white and accompanied by an ocean view and vodka cocktail in hand.   LSB in gold monogram would look divine, no?

She had some lovely jewels and fun things from other LA designers in her store.  Cannot wait to go back. ~ LB

PS from Jen - Went Lisa sent this to me, I about had a heart attack.  Dear Husband actually purchased the Leopard-print foldover clutch for me for Christmas this year.  Lisa had no idea!  Proof positive once again that Lisa and I share the same brain. ~ JH

...you are traveling to Paris - daywear.

Oui!  I'm heading to Paris in a couple of weeks and I cannot wait!  Over the next few weeks, I hope to write about the questions we all ask ourselves when preparing for a trip like this:

• What do I wear on an overnight flight?
• What on earth do I pack?
• How many bags am I allowed to check? (Ok, might not write about this, but it's a question that has been frequently popping into my head!)

Let's start with what to pack for daywear.  I'll be walking miles everyday and will want to be blister-free and look fashionable at the same time.  Whether I'm going into Boston, down to New York, or over to Paris, it's the same look.  In Paris, there's a little more pressure to be tailored and elegant.

So - since it's April, I'll start with outerwear.  After all, I'll be in some kind of jacket most of the day while traipsing around, and it needs to look good.  I'll start by packing my rain jacket, a Postcard one I found in New York last spring when I found my winter coat.  It hangs to mid-thigh, stylish, cinches at the waist, and was a GREAT purchase.  It looks similar to this Moncler one at Bloomingdale's:

Image from bloomingdales.com.

Additionally, I'll be packing my short cotton trench coat.  I purchased it about 3 years ago at Comptoir des Cotonniers, after trying on every Burberry short trench I could get my hands on, only to find that they really didn't fit me well at all.  (Altering was an option, but Burberry trenches have very narrow shoulders, so the entire body of any trench I purchased would have needed altering.)  So, I settled on this one, and love it:

Images from comptoirdescotonniers.com.

Between those 2 jackets, I think I'll be set.

Now, onto outfits.  I'll have to pack scarves, and layer, layer, layer.  I'll be out the door of my rented apartment relatively early and out all day, so I need to be prepared for cooler mornings and warmer afternoon temps.  Back to playing meteorologist.

The good news it that Parisians have embraced jeans!  Phew.  10 years ago, not so much.  2 Thanksgivings ago, jeans everywhere.  That's a huge relief, since I kind of live in them.

So, I'll be packing some white jeans - my J. Crew Bootcut white denim...

Image from jcrew.com.

...and some AG Ballads...

Image from agjeans.com.

...and some DL1961 straight-leg jeans that look great with ballet flats.  That and a couple of black ankle length pants should do the trick.

Next, tops.  There will be navy v-neck sweaters in my bag, along with a chambray blouse from J. Crew, a crisp white blouse, tank tops for layering underneath, some linen Vince sweaters, and scarves, scarves, scarves.  Some fun day jackets, like that Milly one I picked up during my Nordstrom shopping appointment back in February.

Image from nordstrom.com.

I won't be packing any t-shirts.  Blouses (with scarved tucked in the neckline) and spring sweaters are the way to go in the day.

Shoes are the last important piece of the puzzle.  While I've been on a heel-craze, it's not really going to help me out in Paris during the day (but stay tuned for dinner attire!).  Too many cobblestones and miles to cover.

I have been on a hunt for a great neutral wedge to wear during the day...any of you who follow my Pinterest boards have been inundated with images of neutral wedges.  I think I've finally found the pair.  These Tory Burch Sally Wedges are just what the doctor ordered!  2 1/2" heel, relatively neutral color tan (I wish it was lighter), a rubber sole, comfortable, and all of my longer pants fall perfectly with the heel height.  So, I'll be traipsing around Paris in these in a few weeks!

Image from toryburch.com.

To cope if the weather is less than perfect, I'll include some patent leather ballet flats for those days.  Similar to these French Sole ones at ASOS, the patent is great in wet conditions while continuing to be stylish.  And most Parisians are running around in ballet flats too!

Image from asos.com.

Finally, I just might back a pair of booties I purchased this past fall - Comptoir des Cotonniers tan suede booties - I have a feeling that they'll come in handy on a cooler day.

Image from pinterest.com.

That's it for daywear!  I guess I'm going to have to print this as my packing list. :-) ~ JH

What to add to your spring wardrobe? Item #5 is...

...a pair of colored jeans.

More than a few of our readers are ready to jump on this trend and have turned to us for advice on where and what color to buy.  When I look at the pants in my 'transition' closet, it's all denim jeans, white jeans, black cropped pants.  There is the occasional trouser in white, navy, black.  Oh, yes, and there is a tan one too peeking out from the back!

I'm a huge fan of neutrals.  I really can't help myself.  But this year, I'm venturing out and adding some color to my spring wardrobe.  Knowing how many neutrals I have, I'm starting with a color that will match what I have already.  I purchased a pair of these red Tory Burch cropped denim jeans last month, and love wearing them (plus, they are easy to find in my otherwise neutral closet).

Photo from toryburch.com.

These will look great with all of my navy tops and sweaters, some greys with scarves, and of course, white.  I love the cut of these; I have them in white and they are a go-to for me so I thought I'd stick with a style that works for me and add color.  Lisa fell in love with these and had to pick them up too.  We'll have to follow our etiquette rules when pulling these out of the closet.  But, in all fairness, Lisa picked up a pair of red pants at Agnes B in New York City last spring, and I had been coveting them for a while.

Madewell makes a super skinny jean in red too.  Check these out, at $88.  I love how they used the cheetah print ballet flats as a neutral here too.

Photo from madewell.com.

If red's not your color, J. Crew is featuring their toothpick jean in 5 vivid colors.  Here is the neon persimmon.

Photo from jcrew.com.

They also come in a cobalt blue, 'festival' green, and a light citron, which I just have to show you.  How good would these look with a navy, black, gray, chambray, or white top?

Photo from jcrew.com.

And, if skinny legged jeans don't appeal to you, think about these boot-cut CJ by Cookie Johnson jeans in apple green at Nordstrom.

Photo from nordstrom.com.

Not to completely overwhelm you, but Nordstrom has an entire link to all of their colored jeans, in all lengths (long, cropped), cuts (skinny, straight, boot-but, flare) and rises (low-cut, mid-rise).  It's a little overwhelming for me too, but fascinating to look through.  Click here to check it out.

Whatever you decide, be sure to make your decisions FAST!  Not only are these colorful hues selling out at lightning speed, but mid-March transition weather is begging for brights to liven up our spirits. Let us know what your pair of colored jeans turns out to be! ~ JH

Demystifying personal shopping - Part 1.

My foray into personal shopping started several years ago with (ahem) my 20th high school reunion on the horizon.  The reunion was in November, and I knew I wanted to look great without looking like I had tried too hard.  Tall order.

I had been trolling around Nordstrom in the months prior and this one salesperson, Loren Munro, helped me with a couple of things here and there.  With the reunion coming up, I got my nerve up and approached her in the store one day.  "Do you help dress people for events?"  The answer was 'yes', and I told her what my situation was.  Turns out that Nordstrom provides this service for free.

We made an appointment, I gave her my sizes, and I told her that I would love to have a dress but not too formal, not sleeveless, and that looked great.  (Full discloser - I also said that I didn't care how much it cost too look good. Bad, I know, but I really wanted a great outfit.)

The appointment rolled around. I had no idea what to expect.  I was nervous. I asked Lisa to come with me.  I was to meet Loren on the second floor and have her paged.  I did as I was told, and was ushered into a dressing room full of dresses and outfit combinations she pulled in advance for me.  Pairings that I would have never thought of or dared to try on on my own.

The first outfit I gravitated toward turned out to be the one I purchased.  An M Missoni knit dress, topped with a 3.1 Philip Lim black wool ruffled cocktail coat.  Cocktail ring to match too.  All there, from different departments, pulled together. I loved it, Lisa loved it, I purchased it, and never looked back.  (Being the clever one that Loren was, she also stocked the room with a couple of other items I just couldn't leave there.)

I went to my reunion in that outfit, feeling polished and put together.  I was hooked on personal shopping.

Over the next few years, not only did I become a regular client of Loren's, but Lisa did too.  Turns out that having a stylist in your corner was a good thing. That Philip Lim cocktail coat apparently never even hit the store floor - it sold out to personal shopping clients that same day it arrived, happily, the day of my appointment.  A pair of Jimmy Choos that I couldn't justify buying for full price?  Months after I had tried them on, I received a call from my contact in the shoe department (who I met via Loren) that a pair had been returned, in my size and they were now on sale, 60% off.  Did I want them?  Oui!  Lisa snagged a rag & bone jacket that was sold out within moments of their July Anniversary sale with Loren's help. (Certain fall items go on sale for a limited time during Nordstrom's July Anniversary sale and then return to normal price.)

Loren was amazing, and being so, got promoted and moved out of state to greener pastures at other Nordstrom stores.  What were we to do?

I called the store manager and asked her who she recommended.  Amy Swartz was the answer.

So, Amy and I (and Amy and Lisa), have seasonal appointments.  One in February for spring/summer, one in July for fall, and a little one in October for holiday.  I email a list of my needs to Amy prior to the appointment, tell her the price-point that I'm comfortable with (although she just knows now - that was at the beginning), and make a date.  I arrive for the appointment, and she will have a dressing room full of options, all different price points, including shoes and accessories to experiment with.

I have my February appointment on Monday, and CANNOT WAIT.  There are several things that make this personal shopping experience worthwhile:

• Amy knows the stock on the floor and what's coming in.  She pulls pants from one department, a top from across the store, and shoes from downstairs.  It would take me hours to do that on my own.
• It's efficient.  I'm very specific about what I need.  If the store has it, it's in that dressing room for me when I get there.  No hunting around.
• Things can surprise you.  I bought a $69 dress that looked like a million bucks one fall. I've also made investment purchases that will last for years.  Taking the store departments out of the shopping experience makes you really look at the item of clothing for what it is.

But be warned:  not all personal shopping experiences are the same.  Hooked on personal shopping, Lisa and I made an appointment at Bloomingdales in New York City last September.  We were assigned to a gentleman (who we discovered while we were there, worked in the men's department) who pulled maybe 5 pieces of clothing for each of us prior to the appointment time.  He insisted that we walk around the store with him and he would hold the pieces we selected.  What?  Really?  Wasn't that what we wanted him to do?  When it was clear he had no knowledge of the women's departments and wasn't going to put together any outfits for us, we left.  I purchased nothing.  Lisa bought one top, which she ended up returning.  2 hours of precious shopping time wasted.

Therefore, I'm really looking forward to Monday.  I'm prepping, and will post my shopping list soon.  Stay tuned for that, and the report on Monday! ~ JH

C. Wonder

There's a new retailer out there with some experience.  Last year, J. Christopher Burch, Tory Burch's ex-husband, opened a retail post called C. Wonder.  It's flagship is in Soho, with other posts in Paramus, NJ, White Plains, NY, and Garden City, NY.  His green is just like Tory's orange.  It's everywhere.  See?

Photo from cwonder.com

C. Wonder carries bold, color-crazy products, from women's clothing to home accessories.  Very preppy.  Particularly cute are the women's accessories, namely, bracelets.  The $38 enamel logo bracelet and $48 silver rimmed horn bracelets are fabulous.  I really, really, really should order the horn one.

Photo from cwonder.com

Photo from cwonder.com

Narrow leather belts can be customized (remember mass customization?!) with a leather belt and letter buckle.  Buckle is $28.  (Does this remind you of the Hermes "H" belt buckle?!)

Photo from cwonder.com

Their clothing items are true prep, with an infusion of color.  See my pick below, the Elbow Patch Intarsia Sweater for $78.

Photo from cwonder.com

I hope to visit the Soho flagship in May.  A good friend visited last fall and thought it was great fun.  In the meantime, they have launched their online sales site, so if you can't make it to NYC, try visiting their online store. ~ JH

...the weather outside is frightful.

Well, it's finally frightful with temperatures down below freezing.  And I'm beyond excited about my new winter coat - a Post Card coat.  I purchased it on a shopping trip in May with Lisa.  We were in NYC and we stopped in a Searle store.  Searle stores carry a diverse selection of women's attire and outerwear.

Photo from Searlenyc.com

I'm not a fur girl (but admire the coats of those who are), so I've always been on the lookout for a sleek, warm, fitted coat.  After lusting after another pre-school mom's coat last year, I asked her about it.   She told me that you can only get them in NYC at Searle, and that it's the 'NYC Mom coat to have'.

So of course we had to run into Searle, off season, and check it out.  Sure enough, they had a ton of styles, colors, weights.  It was the WARMEST coat I'd ever put on.  White goose down fill.  Water repellant shell.  Hidden rain hood in collar.  Zip up interior with snap placket over to keep out the wind.

Photo from Searlenyc.com

They are not cheap, so it was with a HUGE leap-of-faith (and some encouragement from Lisa) that I pre-ordered the black down-filled city coat for myself.

Final sale, no returns.  Glup.

It arrived in August.  Fortunately, I have no regrets.

The good news is, I've now seen them at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue in Boston, so no need for a trip to NYC.  But, stop by Searle if you are in NYC and check out the selection.  They are amazing pieces of outerwear, and I hope mine will serve me for years to come.  ~ JH

It all begin in a playgroup...

8 women, 8 children under the age of 2, plus some siblings.  All of us were new to our town and looking for friendship, companionship, and play dates.

Lisa and I found each other in these mornings amid toys, Goldfish, and coffee.  We didn't truly connect until we were pregnant again, me with my 2nd child, and her with her 2nd and 3rd.  Lisa was disappointed with local maternity clothing options, and her husband suggested a trip to New York City for a search of maternity clothes.  He suggested taking me along for the ride.

We took that trip.  And as we stood in the Kate Spade sample sale line and hoofed it uptown to see the Liz Lange store (finding an outlet upstairs that made us squeal with delight - and trust me, watching pregnant women jumping up and down with joy isn't a pretty sight) and made last minute spa appointments at Bliss because we just couldn't walk one more foot, we became good friends.

Our friendship has taken us from the local malls (we call them our 'satellite offices') to NYC to Paris in search of great clothing and accessories.  We have shopped until we've dropped, refueled, and pressed on.

Over the years, we've become 'stylists to the moms'.  We've helped many of our friends with closet clean-outs, shopping trips, outfit advice, and even lent our own jewelry when the outfit screamed for a black flower cocktail ring.  We've decided to turn all of these emails/phone calls/lunch conversations into a blog.  We hope you'll enjoy our conversations about and adventures in fashion.  Bonne journee! ~ JH