W2WW Friday Funny

Oh yes.  Men trying on Spanx.  You are welcome. ~ JH

My September Obsession - Brogues and Oxfords

My September obsession started back in August with a photo of a W by Worth outfit at the Fall 2014 show. This is what started it all:

Image from wbyworth.com.

I thought, well, I have a ton of jeans I can roll up just like that, and those shoes are pretty cute with that look.  Brogues, oxfords, whatever you want to call them.  They were interesting.  Hummm...

I'm always looking for something between the ballet flat and the boot.  Easy for everyday wear in the fall and cooler months.  Heck, in 2012 we discussed it!  So I made a mental note to keep an eye out while shopping and try on a pair or 2 when I saw some.  It was love at first sight at Steven Alan.  I fell in love with these Rachel Comey brogues even before they were on my feet.

Images from Jennifer Houston.

I LOVE the perforated toe box and the color.  Problem?  Steven Alan stocked them in whole sizes only.  My size?  8 and a 1/2.  Grrrr.  A very helpful salesperson told me she would call their buyer and see if she should get my size.  I left her with my phone number and crossed my fingers.

About a week later, I got the news.  Steven Alan didn't order half sizes, and while she hated to send my business elsewhere, she told me that rachelcomey.com had them online.  

I pause to say this:  When experimenting with a new 'look', I like to purchase at stores with more liberal return policies.  That way, when I get the item home and play with it, I can return it if it doesn't work out.  I put these items in the 'holding area'.  Once they make it to the closet, they are staying forever.

Rachel Comey online has a very short, 14 day return policy.  EEK. But my love for these shoes won and with a few clicks, they were mine.  

Now what do I do with them?  I texted Lisa a few times to see if I should keep them.  I had a friend over to look at me style them.  I looked around online.  I think I've figured out how to wear brogues this fall:

• They look great with rolled up jeans - denim, black, white - any color will do.  They are an everyday, work-horse shoe.
• Because of the structure of the shoe, they need to be paired with a less structured outfit or top.  Think silk blouse, unstructured sweater.  Pair these 'tough' shoes with something more 'delicate'.
• The right day dress looks amazing with them. Again, stick to unstructured.  
• If your look is still a little too masculine, add a scarf to soften the look even more.
• Skip socks.  Just saying.

Check out these inspirational looks I found on Pinterest:

Images from pinterest.com.

I put a Polyvore set together below with more ideas.  Try on a pair next time you see one - you might be surprised! ~ JH

W2WW - Wearing Brogues 

Vince shirt dress / Vince high low dress / Steven Alan tee shirt dress / Madewell blue dress / Vince brown sweater / Equipment button down shirt / Vince wool cardigan / J Crew sweat shirt / AllSaints coat / DVb Victoria Beckham boyfriend jeans / J.Crew blue jeans / Rachel Comey oxford shoes / Rachel Comey flat shoes / Frye oxford / Frye oxford / Cole Haan oxford / Madewell oxford / Madewell oxford / Sam Edelman oxford / TOMS wingtip shoes / Madewell leather bag / Burberry silk scarve / Étoile Isabel Marant loop scarve / Tory Burch scarve

My August Obsession - Veronica Beard Blazers

While most people I know are in beach/vacation/bathing suit mode right now, I'm in a full-blown-fall-fashion state of mind.  Call me crazy, but it's in the stores and ladies, NOW is the time to start shopping!  Especially for the hard-to-find transition outfits for fall.  I am trolling websites, stores, and trunk shows looking to fill the gaps in my wardrobe.  And as you all know, blazers have been a complete obsession for many years.  With the perfect navy blazer snugly hanging in my closet, my attention turns to finding the perfect black blazer.

My August obsession actually started back in May when Lisa and I had a 36-hour mini-break from our families, which really is a 36-hour shopping fest.  Just saying.  At any rate, we were in Viola Lovely in Boston's South End, when I happened upon a Veronica Beard blazer.  These are not 'normal' jackets.  These are super-cool and edgy jackets.  These are AWESOME.  

Images from veronicabeard.com.

Blazers with faux hoodie linings (and sometimes, faux cuffs!)!  Ok, they call them what they are: dickeys.  (And I hate that word - almost as much as I hate m-o-i-s-t.)  But think of the possibilities?!  Neat black blazer sans dickey for a cleaner look; black blazer with cool hoodie over jeans while running around town.  The options are limitless!

Here's why I'm obsessed:
1.  I need a black blazer desperately.
2.  I love the idea of a cool, multi-purpose jacket.
3.  They sell different dickeys separately, so you can change your look whenever you want.
4.  Viola Lovely didn't have my size at the time, so I'm DYING to try one on!

Basically every day, I've been going to their website waiting for the classic jacket to be in stock (pre-order only now).  And I'm waiting for the lovely ladies at Viola Lovely to call when they receive their shipment of blazers.  And I wait and wait and become more and more obsessed.

So while you are sitting on a beach reading this on your mobile device, I'm at home contemplating when I can get my hands on a Veronica Beard black classic blazer, with a grey, sweatshirt hoodie dickey.  Stay tuned. ~ 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.

An old friend, rediscovered.

I had some time to troll around Newbury Street before a hair appointment last week and wandered into Steven Alan.  Thank goodness!  I always forget how much I LOVE this store, and I hope that by writing about it, I'll remember to visit every time I'm close by. 

Images from Jennifer Houston.

Why do I love it?  They describe themselves well:  "Steven Alan is a multi-brand retailer carrying a curated collection of clothing, accessories, apothecary, and home items for both men and women".  VERY well curated at that.  They carry some of my favorite designers - Clare Vivier, Band of Outsiders, Isabel Marant, and their in-house brand, Steven Alan.  They carry lots of designers that are new-to-me - which I love.  They have great basics.  It's a very cool vibe.  Clean lines, great materials.  Fantastic staff (at least at the Newbury location).

What did I check out this visit - these brogues by Rachel Comey.  I didn't think I was a brogue shoe girl, but maybe I am?  They are hunting for my size and I hope they find it.

Image from Jennifer Houston.

This cool dress.  It was a little short for me, but oh how I loved it.  With the shoes. 

Image from Jennifer Houston.

Image from stevenalan.com.

Next time you find yourself on Newbury, wander in.  You'll be glad you did. ~ JH

Lisa takes to the high seas for fashion!

Not one to let a small thing like the Atlantic Ocean stand in the way of a good trunk sale,  I ferried over to Martha's Vineyard 2 weeks ago for the Sisco + Berluti trunk sale at the very vintage/modern/funky home store Brickyard in Vineyard Haven.

These are my new favorite stacking bracelets this summer.  Think turquoise, pyrite, red coral, white coral, antiqued bone, blue sodalite, brass porcupine - the semi-precious gems and bead combinations are endless - punctuated with sparkly gold stardust or pave beads. I could easily create an elbow-length stack.  Their trunk show was full of their amazing signature bracelets and since I'm in full-blown summer mode, my choices were true to the season:  White coral, double wrap turquoise, gold pave stack, plus an unusual brown bead speckled with gold as a transition to fall.   Lucky me the lovely Lisa Sisco was on hand to customize each bracelet for my tiny wrist and voila, perfection!  

Best of all was a sneak peak at some gorgeous - and I mean GORGEOUS - necklaces for fall.   Each was handmade by Lisa or sister Carolyn Berluti and were unique, one-of-a-kind creations.  I love, loved the tassel theme, especially the brown beaded one you see here.  Layer a few over a simple sweater and you are done.   I was on a mission for bracelets and did not shop the necklaces as hard as I should have.  Lisa Sisco told me that we'll see more necklaces for fall and a trunk show at Impulse in Wellesley this fall.  Hooray! 

Lisa and Carolyn were troopers about the littles creating stacks.  Kids bracelets are the rage at Impulse. 

~ LB

All images from Lisa Bida.

Text Conversation #5

Fashion doesn't rest, even in summer.  The following text arrived the other morning, directed to Lisa and me:

Image from Jennifer Houston.

The item in question?

Image from amazon.com.

Lisa and I didn't really have to confer on this one.  Lisa texted back while I called our friend directly:

Images from Jennifer Houston.

Whether or not we love them, these thong Birkenstocks are hot and actually, can be cute with the right outfit.  Think white linen pants and a red pedicure.  Actually, all linen pants wold be fabulous.  Think jean jacket over tank-top with long skirt.  Think maxi-dress with jacket.  Here are some Pinterest images for inspiration:

Images from pinterest.com.

Stick with the silver, white, or graphite colors of the Birkenstocks and change up your casual summer looks! ~ JH