W2WW Around Town - Warby Parker open in Boston.

Last year, Lisa wrote a great piece about Warby Parker and their cool new eyeglass frames that you can sample in your home; you select up to 5 frames, they ship them to you for free, and you have 5 days to check them out.  $95 for prescription glasses - can't really beat it, can you?  

After success with pop-up shops and at 2 other brick-and-mortar locations in New York, Warby Parker opened at 83 Newbury Street, between Berkeley and Clarendon, this past Friday.  (Conveniently upstairs from Georgetown Cupcakes.)

Image from warbyparker.com.

I was in the city this weekend with a friend for a mini-break, and we happened upon the 'grand opening'.  Yes, we were lured in by mini, blue velvet cupcakes with eyeglass motifs on them, but we really loved the offerings.  The store was packed! 

Image from Jennifer Houston.

My friend, in need of new sunglasses, discovered that all sunglasses were $95 and prescription sunglasses where $150.  Excellent!  After trying on about a dozen pairs, she went back to the first ones she tried on, these cool Boyd sunglasses.

Image from warbyparker.com.

Out we walked, new sunglasses in one hand and a cupcake in the other.  Perfect Saturday afternoon, no?!  If you find yourself on Newbury Street, stop by to check them out.  ~ JH

Paris 2013 - What we saw.

And, back to report on our trips to Paris in April.  This is a quick list of what we saw, so keep your eyes out for these items and trends in the near future. 

Cobalt pants

Even my husband noticed.  Quote: "Is the new uniform blue pants and a white top?"  Everywhere.  With ballet flats.  With white t-shirt. A uniform.  Except, unlike this pic, they always had a scarf around their necks.

Image from comptoirdescotonniers.com.

T-A-S-S-E-L-S 

On purses, on shoes, on zippers.  Anything that could have a tassel did.  And you KNOW how we love our tassels!

Images from comptoirdescotonniers.com.

Skinny Jeans

Rolled up, cropped, yet all SKINNY jeans.  SKINNY and possibly damaging to one's blood circulation.  It was a little weird not being able to tell apart an American from Parisian from sight alone.  Honestly, we missed the elegant French.  

Love of Everything Brazilian

This took us by surprise.  Bon Marche (the Mecca) had an entire Brazilian theme going on...lots of bright colors.  Different Brazilian designers and products were scattered all over the store with special displays and the Parisians were eating it up.  Lisa said there was a jewelry counter in Bon Marche FULL of Brazilian bracelets that was PACKED by French women when she was there alone one day.  Get your Havaianas out because they were, no joke, selling for 26 to 55 Euros in Bon Marche.  Honestly, I think with the Olympics in Rio in 2016, we are going to see A LOT of Brazilian influence in style, so keep your eye out and an open mind! 

Images from lebonmarche.com.

Flat Booties

Mon dieu!  But it's spring.  Time to swap out for sandals or at least ballet flats.  Short, below the ankle and flat.  Worn with impossibly skinny jeans (see above). I will definitely be getting a pair of these for fall. 

Image from mytheresa.com.

Car Coat

Sure, there was the requisite trench but also lots of other great mid thigh looks that were chic.  Lightweight fabrics, leathers, and suedes too.  Jen and I were petting this lovely one at Gerard Darel.  Purrr.

Image from gerarddarel.com.

That's the overview - stay tuned for what we actually bought! ~ LB & JH

W2WW News Flash - 3.1 Philip Lim + Target!

One of our favorite designers, Philip Lim, is launching a capsule collection with Target.  

Image from fashionologie.com.

After a huge bomb with Target's Holiday collection, expectations are exceedingly low.  One can only hope that PL will ride that like a mule and deliver a purchase-worthy collection in stores on September 15.  Check out the sketches of the collection and/or video of Philip Lim discussing the collection. Save the date! ~ LB

My new 'go to' foundation garment.

I'm a huge fan on Mad Men.  I read a great interview featuring Jessica Pave (Megan's, Don's wife) while getting my hair done at the salon.  And something she said in the article stood out to me, reminding me to share this tidbit with you.  What did she say?  "...foundation garments can make or break an outfit...".

Just two weeks ago, I would have said, "meh".  Hey, I grew up in the 70s and had many a braless summer.  Now I pine for my flat, pre-twins baby belly but have never badly enough to subject myself to the torture of Spanx.  Even the word Spanx makes me shudder and brings up thoughts of the girdles my grandmother used to tie herself into.  That all changed when I met, 'Slim Cognito' from Spanx.   Say 'hi' to 'Slim'. 

Image from nordstrom.com.

This little number is lightweight, breathable and not binding in a way that makes we want to rip my clothes off.  I'd go so far as to say it is comfortable.  I wore it under a silk jersey dress the other day and literally got a dozen compliments on the dress. I have to think some of that had to do with my favorite new little undergarment.  So thanks Jessica, for reminding me to share. ~ LB

it's Spring 2013: Silk Track Pants

Really?  Silk track pants?  Jen, have you lost your mind?  

I have to say that Lisa and I have been a little curious about these pants.  Call them pajama pants or track pants if you want, but they are DIFFERENT!  And that's what we like!  What defines a silk track pant?  They are usually pull-on, with a drawstring at the waist, made of silk or viscose.  Designers like 3.1 Philip Lim, Joie, and Vince make really great pairs of them.  They have an casual look, but the material tends to keep them chic.

So, while trolling around Neimans last week, a mannequin caught my eye.  The mannequin had on a pair of these pants that I kind of liked.  This was not a purchase that was intending to make (in fact, I was just 'returning' some items - don't you hate when that happens?).  But, these Rebecca Taylor pants fit perfectly and I matched them up with a silk-back Vince sweater.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Image from vince.com.

There are a lot of these on the market right now.  Give a pair or 2 a try next time you see them.  But how to wear them?  I wouldn't pair these pants with a silk top; it's too much silk.  A slightly structured sweater (linen, summer cashmere, cotton) would work best.  A heeled sandal or pump finishes it well.  I plan to wear the outfit above with a long, gold pendant necklace and ankle strap, black heeled sandals.

Check out the Polyvore set below for inspiration! Don't be scared! ~ JH

W2WW - Silk Track Pants

Rebecca Taylor / 3.1 Phillip Lim silk pants / Elizabeth and James / Vince / Joie / Vince

...more about Paris later.

A funny conversation happened today between Lisa and I.  It's this kind of exchange that led us to start this blog, and I can't think of a better way to get our heads back into the blog than to share it with you for a good giggle.

Scene:  Jen in Nordstrom, Natick Mall.  Lisa at work.  12:12pm.  Lots of texting.

J: "Question: do I get a Louis Vuitton Damier Neverfull bag (that's the lighter, checked LV logo) or hold out for taupe, Hermes Garden Party bag?  Champagne problems.  Or a white Goyard."

Louis Vuitton Neverfull - Image from pixelsthoughsandwords.com.

Hermes Garden Party bag - Image from polyvore.com.

Goyard Tote - Image from iposhmoda.com.

L: "You don't strike me as an LV girl.  White Goyard....purrr.  Garden party is lovely.  Will you be comfortable putting it down on the grass/sand/cocktail-filled table at the Ramp (my summer 'kitchen')."

J: "Why yes, that's exactly where it's going."

L: "I live for these kinds of dilemmas....Don't do LV."

J: "I hear u, but was tempted in the mall.  Plus, it's easy.  Hummm.  Thinking hard.  Might have to visit Goyard.  Doing recon.  Neimans having a good sale.  Got Tory (as in Tory Burch) white cropped pants for $64.  Not that I needed them (more white pants)."

Tory Burch Cropped Pant - Image from toryburch.com.

L: "Does Isabel Marant make bags?  Her new line went up in the window the day before we left (Paris) and it was stunning."

J: "Having purse dilemma.  Hummmm. Will research.  (Dear husband) putting pressure on me to pick birthday gift.  Also, have my Vanessa Bruno (tote purchased in Paris) which would b perfect for Ramp."

L: (Referring to the Tory Burch Pants) "Oh you stinker.  Did they have other sizes?  I could always use a good pair of white cropped."

J: "I think they had a 28 in the white cropped."

L: (Back to purses) "I saw this darling bag on a couple of women in Paris.  Leather, with the big zipper and 2 luscious tassles hanging off.  Don't know the maker." (Back to pants) "I could use a 28.  Will call my friend Deb at NM."

J: (Referring to purse) "I think I saw one.  Can't recall maker." (Referring to pants) "Want me to sneak back to Neimans and get them?"

L: "Yes, if u have time.  Thx."

J: "Grabbing salad.  Will head down after."

L: Texted lots of hearts.

L: (Back to purse conversation) "Chanel bag perhaps?  Has nothing to do with summer.  Just sayin."

J: "Looked at those.  A little dressy.  Want something more casual.  Looked at some Pradas too.  Meh.  Should have gone to Apres Midi du Chien (a Parisian brand of bags). Damn it."

L: "Yeah..."

Scene: 1:06pm.  Neiman Marcus.

J: "At Neimans.  Someone has them on in the dressing room.  Am stalking them (not REALLY stalking).  Stay tuned."

L: "That's my girl!"

J: "Got them!  Hahaha.  I will warn you they might be big on you."

L: "I'll give them a try!  You are awesome.  I can swing by today btw 5-5:45."

J: "K.  I'll be home. Perfect."

Just like our blog states, we are: "Two friends, with hours of phone calls and dozens of emails about fashion, outfits, and attire..."  This is what we do and have done dozens of other times - we talk fashion and accessories.  We research, rationalize, and reason.  And that's what we'll continue to do. Welcome back. ~ JH

Where does the time go?

Here we are, a solid 12 days from the last post.  Yes, Lisa and I are back from Paris.  Yes, we had a good time, both together and with our families.  

But honestly, with the events unfolding back in Boston, both at the Boston Marathon finish line and in Cambridge and Watertown later in the week, our heads and hearts were back here in Boston.  Thank goodness for CNN International; we could keep up to date.

On Tuesday, April 16, Lisa and I met at 9:00am outside of the St. Germain des Pres metro stop in Paris.  We left our families behind for a solid day of shopping.  But before we headed out, we stood together and talked about home, the Marathon, and what had happened.  We were both in a state of disbelief, wondering how this could have happened in our hometown (which, after living here for 18 years, I consider it my hometown; Lisa's a native).  And over the course of the day, we checked Facebook and our CNN apps for updates.  Yes, we shopped and covered lots of square miles.  But it was tempered and a little less giddy than it would have been otherwise.

The next few days were spent sightseeing, walking, enjoying the glorious weather and spending time with our families.  During my 'free time', in which I would have blogged and taken photos, I was consumed with watching the news, and writing about fashion and trends seemed more than a little trivial.

We are getting our feet back under us and will come up for air soon.  We are looking forward to sharing our finds and fun.  

Image from time.com.

Until then, give a big hug to Boston. ~ JH