Ode to a ballet flat.

When the 'Brown Santa' (i.e. UPS delivery person) tossed the pink package on my doorstep yesterday morning, I was giddy with delight.  Inside?  A new pair of Pretty Ballerina ballet flats!  I'm still not sure how I/we discovered this small store in NYC, but I'm so happy we did!  It was years ago, and I ended up purchasing 2 pairs of flats, one of which was the snakeskin ballet flat.

Image from prettyballerina.us.

I wore these to DEATH.  I lost a pair once (I think in Puerto Rico?!).  I reordered them.  I still love them.

One of the best thing about these shoes is that once you know what size you are in a certain model, you can reorder them in any color or print and they will fit the exact same way.  I'm a 'Rosario' size 39.  Period.  When I'm trolling the website, I click 'women' and then 'Rosario' under 'Model'.  Click, click, free shipping.  Done.  I have 4 pairs of Rosarios 'in rotation' right now.  Other models include the 'Lena' model has a pointed toe, the 'Shirley' has an elastic band around the shoe's opening and a round toe, and the 'Faye' is more of a smoking slipper. 

After an extensive search this spring for a perfect black ballet flat (criteria: rubber sole, structured shoe but not too 'fancy'), I just had to go back to my standard.  And the prices?  Under $200, which is less than the Tory Burch Reva ballet flat.  So today, these lovelies arrived.  Hello new shoes!  Welcome to my closet.

Image from gisy-schuhe.de.

If you find yourself in NYC, check out their stores - the original, shoe-box-sized store is on 1034 Lexington at 74th Street and their new 'flagship' store is located at 27 East 67th Street at Madison (there are also stores in Beverly Hill and Palm Beach).  And figure out what model and size you are for future purchases!

Note:  The return policy is 'tight', like 14 days tight.  And they are shipped with a bag taped like shipping paper around the shoe box.  It's not as easy of a transaction as a Zappos one would be, but it's worth it. ~ JH

it's Fall 2013: Camouflage.

Years ago at the day-after-Christmas-morning-sale-at-Saks, I found a pair of gorgeous, Prada camouflage flats. 1/2 off the sale price.  I shrugged, said 'why not', and purchased them.  I've loved them over the years, but it's only recently that camouflage has become mainstream.  I'm going to live in them this fall.

Fall 2013 is the season to shop it and wear it!  Camo is everywhere.  J.Crew has already sold out of their camo pants for fall.  The Gap I was in today had also sold out.  My oldest daughter even got in on the act and fell in love with these camo leggings.

Image from splendid.com.

But just because some looks have sold out doesn't mean you have missed out.  There are tons of great options out there!  Some of my favorites?  Let's start with these Pretty Ballerinas pointy toe ballet flats.  What do you wear them with?  A column of black, black cropped pants and a top, with a denim skirt.  Heaven!  If I didn't already have camo ballet flats, I'd be on the phone in a heartbeat.  

Image from prettyballerinas.us.

And what about this tank, layered under a sweater, black jacket or long cardigan?  A subtle nod to the trend if you don't think a pair of camo pants is the answer for you.

Image from piperlime.com

Or heck, go for the full pant.  These pants by Baldwin Denim aren't skin-tight and have nice lines.  I kind of love them.  (And they are on sale.)

Image from shopbop.com.

How to wear camouflage?!  Here are some thoughts:

• If you have a camo pant/legging - think of black, deep navy, jean or chambray, white, light gray, or light pink tops to pair with them. I really like a light pink - can you see putting a J.Crew pink v-neck sweater on top of the Baldwin camo pants?!  I can.  I think a pink softens the 'tough' of the camouflage.
• If you have a camo jacket, keep the rest of your look neutral underneath.  That's a lot of print you are wearing already.
• Use camo as a 'pop' in a tank under a sweater or jacket or on your feet with a fun pair of flats.  I've worn my camouflage flats with jeans and black skinny pants.  (Maybe I should pair them with white jeans or winter white cords.) A camouflage scarf would be a fun way to dip your toe in the trend also.

Whatever you decide, don't be afraid to try! ~ JH

W2WW: Camouflage

Christopher Kane camo hoodie / DKNY crew neck pullover / Madewell camo jacket / TEXTILE Elizabeth and James skinny jeans / rag & bone/JEAN slouch skinny jeans / Baldwin Denim boyfriend jeans / Sam Edelman flat shoes / Anniel ballet shoes / Clare Vivier clutch / Roffe Accessories fringe shawl / Glam Bands elastic hair tie / Alternative Print Short Sleeve Crew Tee Shirt

...you keep losing items of clothing.

Seriously, did I hit 40 and start losing my mind?  Don't answer that! Over the past few weeks, I've been cleaning out my closets (I have several TINY closets in which to store my habit, er, clothing) and switching over clothing from winter to spring.  There are 2 items missing that are 'work horses' in my spring wardrobe.

Missing Item #1:  Pair of Pretty Ballerina snake-skin ballet flats.  

Image from prettyballerinas.us.

Super neutral, spring staple.  I went to put the box in my bedroom closet and found it to be empty.  Where are they?  Puerto Rico?  Jamaica?  I wasn't too concerned though, because Pretty Ballerina makes the same style of ballet flats in the snake skin still.  And mine needed replacing to be honest.  

What is Pretty Ballerinas?  From their website, I quote "Pretty Ballerinas is a brand of ballerinas and flat shoes launched in 2005 via its own website, PrettyBallerinas.com.  Although the name is relatively new, the shoes have been made in the same village on the Mediterranean island of Menorca by the same family since 1918.  Each shoe shape is named after a female screen or music icon to help customers remember which shape suits them best."

There are 2 store fronts in New York city (1034 Lexington at 74th and 27 East 67th at Madison) and a new one in Beverly Hills.  If you are in the area, I highly recommend stopping into one.  I ordered the same pair of shoes that I'm missing, and they should be arriving today.  Phew.

Missing Item #2:  Vince Linen Sweater.

ANOTHER staple missing?  Where is this one?  This would be a loss because I LOVE it, and it looks great over my Vince leather leggings.  I've searched everywhere and cannot find it.  

Image from lastcall.com.

In a vain effort, I started a massive internet search to see if it could be found or replaced by something similar.  I googled 'Vince Linen Sweater', and after searching through dozens of the wrong items, found it.  On a site that I didn't know existed.  Lastcall.com.  By Neiman Marcus.  Lots of stuff out there.  It looks like they have a lot from their CUSP stores out there from prior seasons.  But who cares?!  My sweater was out there!  I ordered 2 sizes and they will arrive this week.  YIPPEE!  

In the meantime, if you find either of these items, please return them to me.  I miss them a lot. ~ JH