Text Conversation #2

Since our first replayed text conversation was well received, we thought we'd share another one.  This one, about shoes.

Scene - Lazy Saturday.  Jen still in pajamas and robe.  12:03pm.  Lisa texts Jen a picture.

Lisa:  'Thoughts?  Rachel Zoe.  Insanely comfy but not sure if too horsey.  Can see with white.  Commuting too.'

Jen: 'Really like.  They are a little more material than I'm used to seeing on you, but I likey.'

Lisa: 'Yeah, me too.  That's what the concern is.  But they are easy to walk in.'

Jen: 'How much were they?  On sale?  Full price?'

Lisa: 'Unlike these which are just cute. Tory.  Need another pair of espadrilles.  These or the navy ones from J.Crew? 150 for Zoe. 130 for Tory.'

Jen: 'Honestly, I think the navy J.Crew is better for what you want to wear them with.  Keep the Zoe at 150.  I like them!'

Lisa: 'Oh, and I got these wedges and just adore.  These are out of the holding area.'

Pause in conversation to share our definition of 'holding area' with you:  If Lisa or I purchase something we aren't sure about, we each have a corner in our bedroom/closet we call the 'holding area'.  Either an item eventually comes out of the holding area in and into rotation OR that item is returned.  Items that go directly into rotation are no-brainers and loved.  Items that go straight to the holding area need more consideration.  Clearly, these shoes are out of the holding area and into the closet for keeps.  Back to conversation.

Jen: 'You have been holding out on me!  Where are all of these from?!'

Lisa: 'Agreed.  Thank god you are available for consult.  The holding area is all backed up.  I've been cyber shopping.'

Jen: 'Where? Nords?  Neimans?  I guess you skipped the science museum (where her family was heading this afternoon) in favor of sorting through the holding area.'

Lisa: 'Nord. NM. Saks. Crew.  Bad girl.  Yes, skipped trip.  Much better for my karma.'

Jen: 'Holy cow.  What else is in there?'

Silence.  I think she might be buried under a pile of shoes.  ~ JH

Holiday 2012: Party Attire

We are all in that pre-Thanksgiving lull right now before it all heats up.  That's right ladies, the Holidays (with a capital H) are upon us, and now is the time to sort out what outfits you might need this holiday season.  Not in a panic on a Saturday in December, 3 hours before a party.  Now.  I had a shopping appointment yesterday at Nordstrom with the lovely personal shopper Amy Swartz;  she pulled a room full of outfits as well as some skinny black coated jeans I needed and nude shoes (STILL searching for perfect nude pumps).

Images from Jennifer Houston.

I settled on 2 outfits and I'm having a debate with myself about whether or not to share them here.  After all, I'll be running into some of you on the holiday scene and want my outfits to have some sense of new-ness!  So, instead of going straight to what I bought, let's talk instead about what's out there this year.

Gold (and all strains of metallic) is (are) huge this year. I saw a lot of items in gold or with gold details.  And sparkle!  I actually purchased an item that was made with a gold/bronze metallic fabric and a dress with gold threading through the material. This top from L'Agence at Nordstrom was darling, but I just couldn't pull it off.  Over a pair of crisp black pants, it would be heavenly.  Please, someone try it so I can admire it!

Image from nordstrom.com.

I peeked into Club Monaco on Lisa's suggestion and they had some lovely holiday items (she thinks they have a great holiday line right now, and I agree).  The Rebecca dress is really on trend, with it's 'pale orchid' color and lines of sequins down the front.  It looked really easy to wear. 

Image from shopbop.com.

And yes, I know, it looks really short.  But you never know, and it might be a great tunic look when paired over leggings and heels?!  I actually considered trying that today but was running late and didn't have time to try.

I picked up a champagne-colored silk tunic this fall and have worn it to dinner events over black, cropped pants and heels with a gold, pendant necklace.  It's a simple, easy outfit to wear.  Here's one by Vince that is similar.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Take the gold out of the top and into a skirt, this like jacquard skirt from Zara.  Highlight the skirt detail by neutralizing the rest of the outfit with with black pumps, black tights, and a black blouse. 

Image from zara.com.

Enough about the gold; you get the idea.  Other things I saw today were sequins, and lots of them.  Not bad-wedding-sequins.  I tried on a couple of things with complete sequin coverage, like the Annabell Sequin top from Tory Burch.  Very easy to wear and full of holiday fun!  I had brought a pair of my black dress pants and black heels with me today, slipped this on, and could have gone to any holiday function straight from there (see me below).  It also comes in this amazing aspen green (green is very hot - see below); the black bow coordinates immediately with your black pants and voila!  Outfit!

Images from toryburch.com.

And here I am in that top at Nordstrom. (With a lot of nude pumps lined up!)

Image by Jennifer Houston.

At a lower price-point, J.Crew has this darling polka-dot sequin top, again, another easy outfit.  Comes in black with white dots, and like this, winter white with black dots.

Image from jcrew.com.

For those who dare, there are more than a couple of full-on sequin dresses out there this year.  No accessories needed; just pumps!  Rachel Zoe has one (also short, but if you have the legs, rock it!) as does Diane Von Furstenberg with her Merano long-sleeved dress. 

Image from bloomingdales.com.

I am amazed at how many sequins there are out there this season.  Check out CUSP's 'The Party Shop' collection of festive attire, ranging from sequined bags and shoes to jackets - tons of sparkle. 

Another big find this afternoon was 'Green'!  Apsen, forest, pine, and all the shades in between. I was a sucker for these rag & bone jeans (like I need another pair of jeans) but they fit so well, I fell in love.

Image from nordstrom.com.

I digress.  For holidays, I saw lots of green in many forms.  First, this Gibson blazer at Nordstrom is great over a column of black.  Very sharp and fun!

Image from nordstrom.com.

Lace was the last 'big thing' I noticed today.  In tops, dresses and skirts, here are a couple of pieces that Amy showed me today.  The Joie Marelia Lace top was fun; I already have a lace t-shirt in my closet, so I didn't need to add another even though it fit really well.

Image from nordstrom.com.

This navy lace dress, the Zarita by Diane von Furstenberg, would be great for a corporate or work holiday party.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Finally, combining 2 trends in one item without being tacky, this Cynthia Steffe sleeveless belted lace dress is a great option if you are craving the green with your lace.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Hope you enjoyed the mini-review of my shopping trip today; feels like you accompanied me to my appointment!  Let us know what you are finding for your holiday looks out there in retail-land! ~ JH

...attending a college reunion.

With my husband's 25th college reunion in just a few days, my attention is turning to my closet and what to wear.  This isn't just a one night affair, slam-dunked with a LBD (translation:  little black dress).  Oh no, this is a 5-Day event during the course of which, the pendulum will swing from commencement exercises, cocktail receptions and garden party to a reception with the University President and Dean, a Family Field day, a dance party, and a concert with the Psychedelic Furs and English Beat.  Might as well just pack up the whole closet and call it a day.

If you've got a reunion, graduation or wedding coming up, here's a sampling of what I'll be doing:

Do get a mani/pedi!  For manicure, I like nude nails so when they chip during your stay, it won't be so noticable. My fave is OPI Bubble Bath which also comes in gel. I'm partial to red toes right now before we get into summer, but anything goes on the toes!

Image from thislovegame.blogspot.com.

Because I am a person who like CHOICES, to dress on whatever whim I'm feeling or change with the weather that is blowing through Cambridge at the moment, I'm going to bring lots of OPTIONS.

For cocktail reception, enter LBD. This Rachel Zoe silhouette is really is divine, with just the right amount of drape across the tummy to make it all work.  With a white blazer if it's cool.  Add these gorgeous Jimmy Choo snakeskins and all done!

Image from nordstrom.com.

Image from saksfifthavenue.com.

Next up, the garden party.  Picked up this very cute dress at Sara Campbell in Wellesley the other day.  It'll be perfect in the 80 degree heat we're expecting.   I'll pair it with navy wedge espadrilles and a navy sweater or white blazer. 

Image from saracampbell.com.

Just in case, I will also pack this J.Crew pink lace top and Alice and Olivia white pants which will be a good back up for any occasion for the warm weather this week.

Image from pinterest.com.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Concert night?  The Psychedelic Furs/English Beat concert is begging for jeans and a t.  'nuf said.

Top it off with a great purse.  The chain and tassel detail on this Rebecca Minkoff bag will be perfect to hold lipstick, cell, $, and license (though I don't suppose they'll be carding at a 25th reunion) for all reunion activities.

Image from shopbop.com.

And off I go on Wednesday!  I hope to report back with pics of fabulous fashions from the forty-something set in attendance! ~ LB

Demystifying personal shopping - Part 3.

Holy cow.  That was so much fun!

I arrived at Nordstrom in the Natick Mall at 11:00am on Monday, all ready.  Skinny jeans in bag?  Check.  Snake skin pumps?  Check.  Lisa en route?  Check.

I found Amy Swartz, the stylist with whom my appointment was, as I turned the corner from the elevator, we hugged, and she took me to the dressing rooms in the Collection section of the second floor.

This is what I found.  Dozens of outfits, all in my size, all waiting to be tried on! Outfits hanging,

shoes, accessories, handbags lined up in front of the mirror,

and more outfits!  Look at all those skinny, black cropped pants!

90% of the items that came home with me I would have NEVER picked up from the rack!  That's the beauty of personal shopping.  Amy hit the ball out of the park!  

The Highlights

I don't own anything green, so this was a stretch.  But a great one!  Put a white tank or camisole underneath, tuck in (yes, tuck in!) to white pants, and I have a fabulous cocktail party/dinner outfit.

Photo from joie.com

Next up, a jacket from Milly.  Cute over navy pants, cute over white pants, cute over jeans with a navy tank underneath.  Love.  Would have never picked it out in a million years.

Another great jacket, by Elie Tahari, over the most fabulous pair of black skinny pants by Rachel Zoe.  Those are my own snake skin pumps too.  And I will replace the fabric belt with a 'hard' belt, probably a matte black leather one.

I also picked up a couple of transitional sweaters (great for layering well into May here in New England), a couple of my favorite tank tops to refresh ones I have, a cute black jersey dress, the white Tory Burch cropped jeans I wanted, and this cute set of gold, hammered bangle bracelets.  They were too cute to leave behind, and for $38, a deal.

Photo from nordstrom.com

The Low Lights

And, for all of those clothes, there were definitely 'low lights'.   One thing to keep in mind about personal shopping is that not everything in the room will look fabulous on you.  I can't believe I'm even posting these photos. Here's a sample of what I will NOT be wearing this spring.

Drab, grey blazer.  Weird cut in the front.  Very bad.

Really bad Tory Burch dress.  Frump central.

What's Next?

While I knocked quite a bit off my spring shopping list, there are still some holes to be filled.  The appointment was a little too early in the season to look for non-tee-shirt tee-shirts, so I'll be on the lookout for those later in March, early April.  I tried on several pairs of neutral wedges/espadrilles only to find my foot is 'in between sizes' - how can that be?!?  So bummed.  There were so many PERFECT pairs in the room.  

And, of course, other 'must have' items have come to light.  Great orange cork wedges?  Did I know I needed these?  Not until I tried these on.  A small part of me is grateful that they didn't fit.  Another part of me is already adding them to my mental 'to search for' list.

Stay tuned for a Part 4: our first guest blogger! Amy will offer her inside view as a stylist on the finer points of working with a personal shopper.  If you're curious how personal shopping works and looking for inside tips on styling for spring, this is one post you won't want to miss. Thanks to Amy for a great morning!

Off to unpack the shopping bags.  He-he-he. ~ JH

Unless otherwise noted, photos are Jennifer Houston's.

...you are meeting friends, after work, for dinner in the city.

I just had a call from a friend this morning who asked me this very question.  It's the "after work" part that's tricky, at least for me.  The friends who work are in "work uniform", makeup on, hair done, and, since I stay at home, I'm just trying to get dinner on the table for my girls before the sitter arrives.  I'm left with 5 minutes to pull it together and head out the door.

So, I try to keep 2-3 outfits, per season, that I can "go to", pull out, and feel good about myself and what I'm wearing. Oh, and put on in 5 minutes.  These are my winter thoughts.

Outfit #1 - Silk blouse, black pants, heels, clutch

I know, it sounds boring.  But it can be fun!  DVF (Diane Von Furstenberg) has some great wrap blouses, silk blouses, etc.  Years ago, in a small boutique that has since closed, I purchased a silk blouse by By Malene Birger for an unheard-of-at-the-time-in-my-budget $345.  It was a tough purchase at the time but, I have worn that thing to DEATH, and still love it every time I wear it.  And still get compliments.  That's what you want to invest in!

Here are some pieces I love for this look:

This DVF blouse can be used with black pants, winter white pants, jeans even.  Lots of uses for this investment.  Can be a fall-winter-spring item in your closet.

Photo from nordstrom.com

This silk blouse from Scoop NYC (store now open in Boston on Newbury Street!) has great button detail, and would transition well from black pants to white bottoms in the spring.

Photo from scoopnyc.com

As for black pants, I happen to love 2 pairs I own.  One from Nordstrom, their own Classique Entier brand.  Basic, they have them every season, and their white pair in the summer is a stable in my wardrobe.

Photo from nordstrom.com

The other pair I own I purchased from a Worth show.  The Worth line of clothing, both Worth and W by Worth, are sold out of representatives homes.  10 years ago, I used to help a friend with her W by Worth (then called Worthwear) business, and, disclaimer, a very good friend sells the line now.  I purchased my black "techo-gab" pants from a show last year, and have worn them to DEATH also.  It helped that I picked them up at one of their annual 'sample sales' as I'm not sure I would have made the investment otherwise.  I'm attending the Spring 2012 show next week and will report my findings.

Anyway, a neat pair of pumps, cute clutch (try oversized!), and you'll look fresh as you fight traffic on the Mass Pike.

Outfit #2 - Not-quite-cocktail-dress

When you want a little different, try a dress.  Nothing fancy or expensive, but a cute dress to throw on with opaque tights (Spanx!), a heeled boot, and you are ready go.  For this, I like a knit dress (I know, back to the knit dress, but tis the season!).  This one from J. Crew (under $200)  is reminiscent of one in my closet, that is now paying me to wear it.

Photo from J. Crew

I like how they've styled it with leopard clutch and neutral pumps, but you can also belt it, put a big necklace on, wear tights & boots.  Throw a scarf on.  So many ways to wear this basic.

Outfit #3 - Urban Upgrade

And then maybe you want to feel a little edgy.  Throw a blazer on over skinny pants with a blouse underneath.  Pumps.  Big Cocktail ring.  Something like this Rachel Zoe jacket:

Photo from piperlime.com

(I actually love the blouse too.)  Over a skinnier black pant - like these from W by Worth.

Photo from wbyworth.com

Maybe, if you aren't sporting a cheetah print blouse, a cheetah heel!  Or some animal print heel.  One of these would be fab.  The first is from Nine West, and is a low $69!

Photo from zappos.com

And what about these?  I own a pair of snakeskin pumps, and they have become a go-to-shoe in my closet.  These are by Kate Spade.

Photo from zappos.com

You can see that owning a few key pieces can take you out in 5 minutes to meet your working-girl friends.  You will get many years of use, I can promise that.  

Now, if we could just figure out how to not MAKE dinner for the kids, when we are GOING OUT to dinner ourselves. ~ JH