My September Obsession - The Open-toe Bootie

A friend wanted my opinion about a pair of booties before making the purchase and sent me a picture of these gorgeous thangs for approval.  

Image from parlourx.com

The air is pretty thin up there in the expensive shoe stratosphere and it’s comforting to have someone check your chute before you jump.   The shoe is the Celine Bam Bam.  They were a revelation.  The black leather upper with slightly edgy zipper.  Sleek silver heel in a wearable height.  All balanced with a natural leather sole.  A basic with a twist that could be dressed up or down.   Bam bam indeed.

She had an anniversary party and styled them them with cropped black track pants and a lovely layered Lafayette 128 top.  Very simple. She was definitely on to something.  I started playing with looks and saw a workhouse that would go miles in the fall wardrobe.

Instead of a basic pump or flat booties, I’m thinking outside my comfort zone this fall.  It's all about basics - a favorite white blouse with jeans, easy sweater over leggings - and pairing it with a killer pair of booties will totally elevate my look from the same old thing to fabulous.  These Vince peep toe booties  will fill the slot nicely with a variety of fall looks.

Image from bloomingdales.com.

I am a summer girl through and through but I’ve got to say, I’m glad it’s Fall. ~ LB

W2WW - Fall Bootie Looks

Tory burch dress, $495 / Whistles hi low dress, $165 / Zara red dress / Vince blue sweater, $400 / Burberry long sleeve top / Wallis black top / Uniqlo crewneck sweater, $45 / Vince leather jacket, $1,480 / Zara coat / Theory cropped pants / AG Adriano Goldschmied distressed jeans / Vince high heel booties / Vince tote, $685 / Whistles white purse / Lanvin tassel necklace / House of Harlow 1960 pendants necklace / House of Harlow 1960 leather jewelry / Zadig Voltaire scarve, $190

...it's Spring 2015: Florals

Yes, kind of obvious, spring, flowers.  You get it.  But this spring, there are SO many florals to be worn in SO many different ways.  Shoes, dresses, t-shirts, clutches, scarves, lions and tigers and bears oh my!  

Clearly I'm tired of my neutral palette and feeling the need for color (or could it be the 4' snow drifts out my back door?!).  BUT - what I realized last year with these shoes...

Image from barneys.com.

...is that my neutral wardrobe can be completely updated with a floral piece!  A couple of things with florals...

• Get one or 2 key pieces.  I have those shoes and I purchased a dress for Easter that's a floral pattern.  I think that's enough.  Well, maybe a scarf?  
• Floral doesn't have to mean "prissy".  Those Givenchy black floral pumps in the Polyvore set below are killer - imagine them with black jeans, black blazer with white t-shirt under?  HOT.
• If you end up with a floral dress or another piece that has a large amount of floral, minimize everything else.  I'm wearing my barely-there sandals on Easter to go with the floral dress I purchased (not unlike that Ted Baker dress below).  Make all other items neutral - jewelry, shoes, purse.  
• A floral scarf can cheer up any neutral outfit!
• An understated floral top can be a nod to the trend if you don't want to jump into the deep end (with an all-over print dress).  And if you don't want to scream floral, pair with a neutral blazer for a little edge or structure or a cardigan.  Both let the floral 'peek' out.

Play with these items next time you find yourself at the mall!  Think spring! ~ JH

W2WW Spring 2015: Florals

Ted Baker dress / Vince sleeveless top / Banana Republic sleeveless top / Ted Baker black t shirt, $69 / J Crew white t shirt / MANGO short sleeve top / Reiss white pants / MICHAEL Michael Kors white pants, $230 / Ted Baker underwire swimsuit / J.Crew short shorts / Givenchy leather shoes / Manolo Blahnik heels & pumps / Brooks Brothers ballet flat / Givenchy clutch / Ted Baker scarve, $105 / Ted Baker tech accessory, $45 / Old Navy lightweight scarve

...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

My October Obsession Part 2 - A Black Fall Jacket

When I first wrote about this obsession a few weeks ago, I still hadn't made a jacket decision. I had 4 or 5 jackets to return to a variety of stores and nothing was staying.  Until we attended that Saks fashion show.  And I ran into personal shopper Claudine.  Who put me in a room and made me try on this.

Image from vince.com.

I realize this doesn't really fit ANY of my bullet points...it's wool (thought I didn't want wool) and it's not belted (thought I wanted a belt).  But it is light-weight and it's long enough to cover most of my longer sweaters.  The leather sleeves are edgy, and it looks great over everything from jeans to dressier bottoms.  And it's super cool.  I gave in.  And I love it. ~ JH

Reunited and it feels so good...

...unless you are my wallet, in which case, you took a beating.  

As I was returning more black coats to Bloomingdales 2 weeks ago, I was distracted by a blonde woman.  I caught her out of the corner of my eye.  I recognized her.  Was it?  Could it be the devil herself?  Yes, it was.  It was Loren Munro, our original stylist and co-star of our series on 'Demystifying Personal Shopping - Part 1'.  I squealed with delight!  Loren Munro Lush (married since we last posted about her) was back in town and had recently started working at Bloomingdales.  Amen.  After a quick text to Lisa, I immediately made a shopping appointment with Loren for the next week.

That appointment was last Thursday.  I know, you are wondering, does Jen REALLY NEED MORE CLOTHING.  Honestly, no.  Don't tell my husband I said that.  But it is LOREN after all and I couldn't wait to see what she would pull together for me.

I asked Loren to pull some out-to-dinner and holiday looks for me.  And when I arrived, a large, fully-stocked dressing room awaited me.  Lots of goodies.  

And as in the past with Loren, the first outfit was a home run.  An out-to-dinner look, date or girls-night-out.  Or a hostess outfit.  Blue silk top by Reiss over high-rise, skinny AG Farrah jeans with Prada pointy toe black patent pumps.  Oh, and throw on that Vince grey wool coat too.  Oh, and tuck this navy clutch by Whistles under your arm.

Loren is a DRUG DEALER when it comes to clothing and I'm her addict.  Honestly, I would never be able to pull this all together for myself, out of 4 separate departments.  Would I really pick up that clutch by itself and say 'I have to have this'?  No.  But with the entire outfit, it just works.  That's the beauty of personal shopping; find someone with great style who knows all the merchandise in the store.  That person can pull it all together.

For holiday, Loren pulled several cute and sparkly looks.  This tunic by All Saints is staying.  Over leather leggings (which I already own, and no, we are not too old to wear them) and the same Prada pumps, I'm ready for December.  

This is a look that I'm still trying to get used to, but that's what shoppers do to you; they pull you out of your comfort zone.  This sequin top by Whistles is insanely cute and has a silk back.   Not sure if I can personally pull it off, but I love how edgy and different it is.  Wear over those skinny jeans for a fun night out, or cigarette-leg black pants for a more 'grown-up' look.

Ah, it was a good day.  Too good.  I might have to slow down my shopping, but just a little. ~ JH

...it's Fall 2014: Shearling

Never mind that I'm still wearing shorts and t-shirts, trying to squeeze the last out of my favorite summer duds.   I've found a reason to stash summer and embrace fall.  Vince.  Shearling. Coat. To. Die. For.  Totally gorgeous and chic.  I would wear this with every single item in my closet.  Given the hefty price tag, I'm looking around for other options.  Exhibit A - Vince shearling coat.

Image from saks.com.

This is the season of shearling.  You'll see it everywhere from earmuffs to socks, but I'm sticking to outerwear.  Shearling is a skin from a recently sheared sheep or lamb that has been tanned and dressed with the wool left on.  It has a suede surface on one side and a clipped fur surface on the other. Shearling can be made from real sheepskin or from synthetic fibers. Real shearling breathes and is more flexible than synthetic shearling however, synthetic can look fabulous and is "PC" if you're a vegan.

I love the tonal cream coat and sweater paired with leather or waxed leggings.  The fuzzy shearling is out there but the classic cream color and cut make it an elegant classic with a twist.

Image from pinterest.com.

Wow, love the combinations here of textured wool and leather trim in the coat and bag...but not worn together. That's a no no.

Image from polyvore.com.

Image from barneys.com.

We're seeing lots and lots of shearling lined vests.  Whether real or faux, it's a cool look for fall when you need a little extra layer.  Throw it over a heavy sweater for a warm, layered look. Pair with jeans and a big ole' scarf and you're done. 

Image from pinterest.com.

I purchased a white faux shearling vest with black leather trim last season and wear it  with all black.  When worn over the ubiquitous striped sweater and winter white trousers that I own hundreds of, the look gets much more interesting and fresh for fall. 

Image from net-a-porter.com.

Vest-with-a-column-of-white look.  The vest is the star, so keep it simple underneath.

Images from net-a-porter.com.

If you're looking for a little shearling love for your feet, j'adore these Ash booties.  They can be worn rolled down or up and have a hidden wedge.  Feet will be so warm and toasty and look amazingly stylish.  Must have!

Image from shopbop.com.

Another look from Elie Tahari, the Calder Shearling, that can be unzipped and folded to expose the shearling.

Images from bloomingdales.com.

Happy fall! ~ 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.

Romper Room

I know what you're thinking, but hear me out.  

A romper, really?  Lisa, are you off your rocker?  The last time I wore a one-piece top and short set was, oh, 1972 maybe?   I am clearly not a kid anymore and the romper seems more suited to gazelle-like, twenty-somethings in dark shades strolling Newbury Street on a sunny afternoon.

On our epic 36-hour mini-vaca whilst browsing the racks at Saks, Jen pulled out this very cute Vince romper for me.  

Image from bloomingdales.com.

Really?  

LB:  "It's so short."

JH:  "Just try it on."

LB:  "I'm too old for this."

JH:  "Just try it."

LB:  "And I will wear this...where?", as I pull it on like a onesie.

JH:  "Everywhere."

LB:  "Oooh, I kind of like likey.  I think you may be right!"

The comfort + cool factor is a winning combination for me. Note: I will not wear this buttoned up like the model but with a bit of an open collar.  Add some silver jewelry....long silver Stella and Dot pendant, 

Image from stelladot.com.

a Robert Lee Morris Silvertone cuff,   

Image from lordandtaylor.com.

and the J.Crew Lillian Metallic Low Wedge.

Image from jcrew.com.

Flats are too severe, the wedge gives just a bit of height.  And viola - here I am!

Image from Jennifer Houston.

Sidebar...one of the many reasons I love this woman is that she gets me thinking outside the box and dressing outside my comfort zone.  We hope you are inspired to do the same! ~ LB