My April Obsession - Slide Sandals

Maybe we are a little obsessed sometimes.  (For example, I just figured out, with a little Buzzfeed help and $5, how to make GIFs.  Watch out!)

.gif from youtube.com.

Well, the current obsession is the slide sandal.  They are everywhere, and as one friend concluded: "They are nice way to update your summer wardrobe."  A sentence like that can totally push me into a purchase.

But which one?!  I've ordered 2 pairs (one more on the way) but haven't yet found the right one for me.  But maybe some of these are right for you!

I started with Ancient Greek Sandals because I had read in either Vogue or InStyle or Marie Claire (etc.) that this brand was hot.  Enough said.  So, I ordered these babies to start:

Images from net-a-porter.com.

However much I loved them in the photos, they didn't do a lot for my feet.

Images from Jennifer Houston.

The last ones looked like slippers.  Not what I'm looking for.

I'm waiting for these See by Chloe sandals to be delivered.  Will the smaller amount of leather in the front make a difference?  Will the thick sole?  I hope so. 

Image from shop.nordstrom.com.

In the meantime, check out slides next time you are shopping, either online or in store.  For now, contemplate this selection below.  I will too!  Let us know what you find! ~ JH

W2WW: Slide Sandals

Common Projects slide sandals / Ancient Greek Sandals pull on shoes, $260 / K. Jacques k jacques sandals / Diane Von Furstenberg suede shoes / Gladiator shoes / Cole haan shoes / Joie slide sandals / Ancient Greek Sandals pink sandals, $190 / Espadrilles shoes / Maiden Lane leather shoes / Maiden Lane pink sandals / Tory Burch jelly sandals / Dolce Vita black shoes / Forever 21 sandals

...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

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

Our May Obsession - a Cross-Body Bag.

Lisa and I had the good fortune to escape for 36 hours of shopping and relaxing last weekend.  We hit some new stores (Viola Lovely in the South End) and some tried and true favorites (Calypso, Saks).  All the while...obsessively looking for the perfect cross-body bag.  What do we want in this bag?

• Small enough to be light, but big enough to hold our wallet, iPhone, sunglasses, and key.
• Maybe a pop of color.
• Chain or leather strap - doesn't matter to us.
• We would prefer to have a discreet logo - ok, Lisa would prefer that; I'm ok with a logo as long as it works into the bag.  Like that Gucci cross-body.  I'd be perfectly happy with that.

We found a couple of good ones, but nothing that jumped out and said 'Yes! I'm the one!  Pick me!'  Here is what we are contemplating - any thoughts on our choices?!

We spent a lot of time in Marc by Marc Jacobs on Newbury - good price point, fun colors.  Logo was an issue for Lisa on some of them, as was a flap that would make it tricky to get in and out of the bag.  While we loved the colors this bag came in (Prussian Blue and Soccer Pitch Green) and the TASSEL, the flap wasn't completely accommodating.

Image from marcjacobs.com.

This one was great too - comes in a ton of colors (in store and online at various retailers), was light weight.  But, I fear it was small for me; only my wallet fit in the bag. 

Image from marcjacobs.com.

Over at our new haunt, Viola Lovely, deep in Boston's South End, our friend found (and purchased) a great bag by Clare Vivier.  Cross-body and shoulder friendly, great colors, good price, and fit more inside than either of the Marc bags did.  The Moyen Messenger bag really fit the bill, but there was only one, and she saw it first.  We love the pop of color and the separate cross-body and shoulder straps.  

Image from clarevivier.com.

Over at Neiman Marcus, we found these Tory Burch bags, the Thea bag.  Yes, of course we were drawn to the tassels.  And the color.  But not the logo, and they were a little wider than we would like to have.  Ok, maybe I could get over the logo.  That orange one is pretty fabulous.

Images from nordstrom.com.

We played with the Chloe Marcie Round Cross-Body bag (both small and medium sized) at Saks.  Loved the shape, lack of huge logo, comes in 11 different colors (online)!  But the small wasn't big enough and the medium might have been too big.  

Image from saks.com.

Like Goldilocks; we couldn't find one that was 'just right'.  The search continues while the obsession remains.  We'll let you know what we find.  And let us know if you find anything worth looking at. ~ JH

W2WW News Flash - Calypso Friends & Family thru April 15th + Tory Burch opening store in Natick Mall

Quick News Flash of 2 things we love!

First, we received an email today that Calypso Friends and Family sale gets you 25% off regularly priced merchandise thru April 15th! 

Image from calypsostbarth.com.

Online, use the code SPRINGFF14.  Time to pick up some AG White Stilt jeans for summer.

Image from calypsostbarth.com.

Second, as I was walking through "Satellite West" (i.e. The Natick Mall) last night, I happened upon this, across from Burberry.

Image from Jennifer Houston.

Yippee!  A local Tory!  Looks like it's opening this summer. ~ JH

…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

...it's Spring 2014: Chic sneaks

"In the history of fashion, around 1800 to 1840 or 1845, women had flat shoes.  Even with a ball gown, they had flat shoes." Who said this?  Chanel genius, Karl Lagerfeld, said it in a video interview posted on Chanel's website.  In his Spring 2014 Chanel Haute Couture runway show, the models were all sporting sneakers.

Blinged-out sneakers will not be replacing high heels in my repertoire; however, I do like a good sneaker.  Especially with my latest crush on fashionable activewear, my scale is tipping toward the comfort cool of the sneaker in everyday wear.

Image from nydailynews.com.

Image from vogue.com.

The pairing of skinnies and sneaks in NYC this fall was everywhere.  I adore the look below and the quirky pairing of high-end fur with hi-top shiny patent kicks.  So chic and comfy.  The preppy pink pant gets a little edge with a waxed jacket and old-school Adidas samba shoes.

Images from Lisa Bida.

The season between boots and flip flops, which in New England is going to be a long one this year, look to the sneaker to add some fun and comfort to the mix and to bridge the gap.

I'm gaga over Tory Burch's simple, white soled quilted uppers in basic navy or pale green.  The pairing with a dress feels easy and fresh.

Images from toryburch.com.

For classic kicks, think canvas.  I like Superga 2750 and Keds which are the 'it' brands of the moment.  Check out the different stylings with Supergas!

Image from zappos.com.

Images from pinterest.

Jennifer's a big fan of Tretorns.  J.Crew is carrying a huge selection of sneakers at great price points.

Image from jcrew.com.

When it comes to wardrobe, go with skinnies that messy tuck into hi-tops to create an elongated leg.  Cropped ankle pants are a good choice (and a great choice for Spring 2014).  If you aren't a skinny jean-kinda-gal, think a skirt or dress.  Take down a fussy dress to daywear.  Skirts are a natural - keep them right below or at the knee.  

W2WW Spring 2014 Kicks

Tory burch shoes / New balance shoes / Superga sneaker / Tory burch shoes / Joie sneaker, $215 / Joie sneaker / Zara flat shoes / Keds shoes, $50

If it's good enough for Karl, it's good enough for me. ~ LB

Fitness meets fashion.

Not since college (or maybe ever?) have I been the person who does the uniform of work-out pants, a hoodie and sneakers.  I like clothing and fashion too much to cop out and get casual.  But there may be a seismic shift happening in my closet.  Wearing workout clothes 'round town is not only appropriate but getting more fashionable.  Now THAT I can relate to.

We're all working out more.  And then running from workout to groceries and lunch with friends.  Who has time to go home and change?  Thanks to better athletic fabrics and a focus on fashion from brands like Lululemon, UK-based Sweaty Betty and even Tory Burch, we can hop from one commitment and conceal, quite nicely, that we just did an a-kicking workout.

It's easy to elevate your basic black Gap or Lululemon legging with just one or two cool pieces.  I'm in LOVE with Stella McCartney's line for Adidas.  So edgy and you won't see yourself coming and going around town.

Check out the Stella McCartney for Adidas Performance tank.  I'm way into white right now.  This top fits the bill and is functional, and not to mention, exceptionally cute.  I would wear this with leggings and throw a cardi over it after my workout.

Image from adidas.com.

Hoodies are more in style than ever and the bright orange pop of this one by Stella is slick and fresh.  There's a neat zipper detail in the back that adds some flair.

Image from adidas.com.

Or this cute run crop jacket that can go from run to fun in no time flat.

Image from adidas.com.

For your feet, the Florisuga ballet flats have a rubber sole goes from street to studio workout and back again.

Image from adidas.com.

Live the Process, a luxury, active-wear brand, only has a few pieces but they are spot on, like these floral leggings and classic tank in taupe.  Check out the perfect drape on the back of the tank.

Images from livetheprocess.com.

Sweaty Betty will quickly infiltrate the US to deliver a new level high tech and high fashion activewear (including skiwear!) for a super cool look. The UK based company has just opened in NYC and Greenwich, CT, so look for stores in the Boston area by 2016.

Image from sweatybetty.com.

Here's a cozy hoodie from Sweaty Betty that's made it to my wish list.

Image from sweatybetty.com.

Now to decide, which one piece to add my workout gear this spring? ~ LB