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 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

...packing for Paris in April.

Oui, again.  And I cannot wait!  Not only to have another trip over there, but guess who will be there at the same time?  Yes, my partner-in-crime and co-blogger, Lisa!  Incroyable!  We have one entire day set aside to shop together, sans mari ou les enfants. That might seem like a lot of time, but for Lisa and I, it's as quick as a heartbeat.  We are planning and strategizing.  We will definitely keep you up to date on our adventures.

But, back to packing.  I actually pulled up last year's posts on daywear and evening wear to re-check what I had packed then.  Turns out that it's going to be a lot of the same ideas.  

For daywear:  It's tricky.  I like to look polished; after all, you never know where wandering might lead you.  The weather will change from 40s and raining to 60s and sunny.  Definitely sticking with my trench (I have a new one from J.Crew.  Check it out.) for outerwear. I will also pack an assortment of Eric Bompard sweaters along side Vince cotton tops to go on top of a variety of AG jeans and Michael Kors pants.

For evening wear:  I think I'm going to stick to the formula of pants + silk top + heels + clutch + jewelry = dinner outfit.  It's easy to pack and wear.  Of course, I don't see myself bringing less than 3 pairs of shoes to interchange between dinner outfits, but one can always dream, right? And, even though I usually bring a dress, it's more often than not left in my suitcase the entire time.  

I put together a Polyvore set with actual outfits I will be taking.  I think I'll be good to go.  Stay tuned for our findings in the City of Lights! ~ JH

W2WW - Packing for Paris

Diane Von Furstenberg chiffon top / Tory Burch cashmere cardigan / Vince top / Vince linen top, $320 / Vince top / Michael Kors t shirt / J.Crew coat / Vince cropped legging, $1,540 / AG Adriano Goldschmied jeans / Vince stripe pants, $370 / AG Adriano Goldschmied / Reiss tapered pants / DL1961 Premium Denim straight leg jeans / Jimmy Choo snakeskin pumps / Manolo Blahnik pumps / Isa Tapia strappy shoes / Tory Burch leather heels / Pretty Ballerinas ballet flat shoes, $195 / Lauren Merkin black clutch / Longchamp nylon tote bag / Cartier stainless steel watch / Gold earrings / Hermès black jewelry / Necklace / Morra Designs disc earrings / Love Quotes Scarves oversized scarve / Banana Republic cotton shawl