it's Fall 2013: Gray Area

Image from lyst.com.

One of my favorite colors is happening right now. Gray is a super cool and classic alternative to black, white and navy.  Every shade of in the gray spectrum is in and can be worn as a head to toe neutral (like the outfit above) or mixed with other colors of the season.  Check out my 'how to wear gray' guide below. ~ LB

W2WW - Gray for Fall 2013

Chinti and Parker long sleeve sweater / A.P.C. sweatshirt / J.Crew petite top / Nordstrom vest waistcoat / J.Crew tall stretch pants / Nina Ricci ballet shoes / Tod's loafer, $390 / Givenchy handbag / Longchamp leather handbag, $505 / Michael Kors bracelet / DIANA BROUSSARD necklace / raen polarized sunglasses / Massimo Dutti scarve / Old Navy scarve / Gray slouch beanie / Essie nail polish / Essie nail polish

Back in Paris?!

I took a mini-break this past weekend and jetted over to Paris for 3 days.  3 dinners, 3 lunches, 3 days to shop.  Oh wait, one of the days was Sunday, and other than in the Marais, there is no shopping to be done on Sundays.  Oh, and I was on a get-away with my dear husband, who didn't want to rabidly shop.  Not shocking.

How did I get any shopping done?!?  I consolidated the brands I wanted to look at (Massimo Dutti, Comptoir des Cotonniers, COS, Vanessa Bruno, Eric Bompard, Malene Birger) and figured that if I went straight to Galeries Lafayette, I could probably knock out a bunch of shopping in one place!  Brilliant! 

My tired husband and I arrived in Paris center on Friday morning around 9:30am, and headed straight to Galeries Lafayette after breakfast.  I was on the hunt for a couple of things and doing a little research as well.

With my research hat on, I wanted to visit Massimo Dutti, which is part of Zara's parent company.  I had seen an ad of theirs in Vogue, and liked the coat I saw so much that I started to check their stuff out online.  Price point was great, and I was really excited to see the store-in-store at Galeries Lafayette.

Unfortunately, in person, the clothing wasn't as fabulous.  It was the fabric (itchy) more than the cut of the clothing.  Maybe that's something to watch for in the future!  I'll stay tuned.

Then I put my errand hat on and raced over to the Eric Bompard section.  Yes, I love their cashmere, and this fall, I had been looking for a long, self-belted, black cardigan.  After more-than-a-little online research, I thought that the Kimono sweater was the one for me.  And sure enough, it was! (Please ignore the post-overnight-flight-room's-not-ready-ponytail.)

Image from eric-bompard.com.

Fitted sleeves, fitted at waist, and actually had an inside tie to keep the tucked flap of the sweater from shifting.  Dear husband made a face when I told him this was an investment piece, which it is.  I hope to wear it for years to come.  I had to continue my hunting there as Lisa wanted to expand her Eric Bompard v-neck sweater options; I picked up a light gray classic v-neck for her as well.

Image from eric-bompard.com.

After pawing a leopard coat in the Malene Birger section (didn't fit; was too boxy) and being disappointed with the fall lines of Comptoir and COS, I figured dear husband was running out of steam and patience, and a lunch break was needed.  I hated to leave Galeries Lafayette - the building is something else.

Over the next two days, I had some fun stops in random stores that yielded some good stuff.  While dear husband and I explored the Canal St. Martin area (beautiful!)...

... I wandered into an Antoine et Lili store.  Kind of whimsical for adults (there is a home and a kids line too), but I fell in love immediately with this cheap and cheerful, 28 Euro, silk scarf.  Totally useful!

Image from antonieetlili.com.

And later on Saturday, I found myself on rue St. Sulpice in the Vanessa Bruno store, fawning over their bags.  Again.  But for fall, they are SUEDE.  And I am a sucker for suede.  So I picked up a gray one of these. (The one on the very bottom is gray.)

Finally, I did a quick City Pharma run for Lisa's Nuxe lotion and yes, more Bioderma.  

OK, maybe I am a horder.  

I'm not sure when I might get back to Paris.  I kind of knew this weekend might come together this past summer, so I was definitely looking forward to it.  Going forward, who knows?!  Until then, I'll cozy up in my sweater(s) and scarves and every now and then, look at this photo from my run on Monday morning...

...or our walk through Luxembourg Gardens on Saturday afternoon.

À toute à l'heure! ~ JH

Unless noted otherwise, all images from Jennifer Houston.

it's Fall 2013: Plaid

Plaid is upon us ladies.  The fashion world is mad for plaid this season.  We will be seeing tartans and checks in everything from shoes and sunglasses to skirts and pants.

Plaid takes me right back to my favorite Woolrich scarf that I wore to death in college.  Then there's that classic burberry scarf that I picked up at the Duty Free Shop at Heathrow in the 90s, that I still own and will be dragging out shortly.   

If you live in New England, you have to have one piece of plaid in your fall wardrobe.  How to wear plaid this season?  You may see me in a pair of Zara plaid pants or a fun Uniqlo jacket.  Or swaddled in this gorgeous cashmere blanket from One Kings Lane.  You will not see me in a plaid pleated mini skirt or wearing plaid-frame ray bans.  But they are out there!

Play it easy and go with the preppy vibe.  A plaid shirt will do what your demin shirt does and so much more.   Try layering it under a chunky sweater with jeans and a vest.   

W2WW Plaid Outfit 

Theory sweater / Patagonia down vest / Joie mid rise skinny jeans / Tod's red moccasin / Tote bag / Watch / Made heart charm / Accessorize crystal necklace / Ray-Ban green sunglasses, $200 / MADEWELL Flannel Boyshirt in Fence Plaid

Plaid is a classic that can add that much needed pops of color to the uniform of the day.  Here are some of my favorite scarves.  Throw one on with a sweater, cardigan or jacket and your outfit and mood will be transformed! ~ LB

W2WW Plaid Scarves

GANT blue crew neck sweater / Burberry / Burberry accessory / Madewell scarve / J.Crew tartan plaid scarve / Scarve / Lands End scarve / Cotton scarve / Gap Exploded Plaid Scarf - olive

W2WW Around Town - W2WW Blogger hosting W by Worth trunk show

In the past, I've mentioned a line of clothing that is shown and sold in trunk-show format by Worth representatives in homes 4 times a year: spring, summer, fall, holiday.  That clothing brand is W by Worth, and the line is literally coming to my living room next week!  W by Worth is quality clothing that is classic, on-trend and that will work in your wardrobe for a number of seasons. 

From Tuesday, September 24th through Tuesday, October 1st, W by Worth stylist, Heather Steele, will be hosting both the Fall and Holiday 2013 lines at my house!  So fun!  

So what does this mean?!  How does this work?!  Heather will have sample sets of the fall and holiday clothing lines.  Expect about 5-6 rolling racks of clothing:  sweaters, dresses, pants (some of my FAVORITE pants come from W by Worth), scarves, blouses, etc.  Ladies can make appointments with Heather to stop by, browse through the clothing, try on what you like, and order those items if you find something you love.  There are outfits and items for the ladies who lunch, those who bring home the bacon, and everyone in between.  Heather is a stylist and can help put together looks that work together and/or with other pieces you already own.   

For me, it's going to be a problem.  Playing with clothing in my house for a week.  Sounds like DISASTER for my wallet.  

In preparation, I've been trolling around their website.  These are a few of the looks that have caught my eye.  

Contact Heather for an appointment - don't be intimidated by the 'appointment'.  It just makes it easier to see who is coming when.  I certainly hope to see some of you all there and see what outfits you fall in love with.  And don't mind me if I can't help myself and start styling! Can't wait! ~ JH

All images from wbyworth.com.

it's Fall 2013: Short Booties

Unlike my blogging partner, I'm not physically capable of wearing ballet flats after the first frost.  I need socks otherwise I'm in a state of perma-cold!  I also start wearing gloves around the same time.  ($1 at A.C. Moore, I get 10 pairs of black every season and am never at a loss when one inevitably goes missing.)

Enter the short bootie!  It's a versatile addition to the closet since it can be worn with ANYTHING while you can still comfortably navigate cobblestones, bike paths, soccer fields, and neighborhood streets.  Short height + short heel = fashion perfection!

Over slim, boot-cut jeans, they are a great option instead of sneakers or clogs.

Image from girlaroundtown.net.

Image from calypsostbarth.com.

Pants are still slim and cropped (or rolled to a crop) this fall, so booties help you get a few more weeks out of white jeans as you transition to fall.  Pair with cropped gray or black pants as fall and colder temps roll in.

Image from thestyleup.com. 

Image from calypsostbarth.com.

I wear dresses and skirts to work and short booties are a fresh alternative to tall riding boots.  Pippa's got a wedge going on with tights.  I'm more of a shift/tunic girl with bare legs and booties.

Image from girlaroundtown.net.

Image from calypsostbarth.com.

Skinny, skinny leggings can be tucked in and worn with a big coat or sweater for a great fall vibe, or with a dressy tunic for nights out.

Image from girlaroundtown.net.

Image from calypsostbarth.com.

If you have great legs, wear them with shorts!

Image from hereyouarefw.com.

Image from calypsostbarth.com.

Deciding which color as been the big challenge for me.  Consider camel suede or colored leather.  I tend to wear white, ivory, grey, and camel a lot.  Non-black suedes and darker leathers offer texture, richness and contrast where black can fall flat.  Plus, how many pairs of black boots do you have in your closet?  Be honest. Yep, we thought so.

Check out my Polyvore set below for inspiration and ideas!  Happy shopping! ~ LB

W2WW: short booties

Elizabeth and James long boots / Alberto Fermani ankle booties / Madewell black mid heel boots / Ankle booties / Burberry ankle booties / J.Crew ankle booties / J.Crew ankle booties / J.Crew polishing boots / Jack Wills black floral boots / Tod's tods boots / Madewell boots / Sam Edelman ankle booties / Tod's tods boots

it's Fall 2013: Camouflage.

Years ago at the day-after-Christmas-morning-sale-at-Saks, I found a pair of gorgeous, Prada camouflage flats. 1/2 off the sale price.  I shrugged, said 'why not', and purchased them.  I've loved them over the years, but it's only recently that camouflage has become mainstream.  I'm going to live in them this fall.

Fall 2013 is the season to shop it and wear it!  Camo is everywhere.  J.Crew has already sold out of their camo pants for fall.  The Gap I was in today had also sold out.  My oldest daughter even got in on the act and fell in love with these camo leggings.

Image from splendid.com.

But just because some looks have sold out doesn't mean you have missed out.  There are tons of great options out there!  Some of my favorites?  Let's start with these Pretty Ballerinas pointy toe ballet flats.  What do you wear them with?  A column of black, black cropped pants and a top, with a denim skirt.  Heaven!  If I didn't already have camo ballet flats, I'd be on the phone in a heartbeat.  

Image from prettyballerinas.us.

And what about this tank, layered under a sweater, black jacket or long cardigan?  A subtle nod to the trend if you don't think a pair of camo pants is the answer for you.

Image from piperlime.com

Or heck, go for the full pant.  These pants by Baldwin Denim aren't skin-tight and have nice lines.  I kind of love them.  (And they are on sale.)

Image from shopbop.com.

How to wear camouflage?!  Here are some thoughts:

• If you have a camo pant/legging - think of black, deep navy, jean or chambray, white, light gray, or light pink tops to pair with them. I really like a light pink - can you see putting a J.Crew pink v-neck sweater on top of the Baldwin camo pants?!  I can.  I think a pink softens the 'tough' of the camouflage.
• If you have a camo jacket, keep the rest of your look neutral underneath.  That's a lot of print you are wearing already.
• Use camo as a 'pop' in a tank under a sweater or jacket or on your feet with a fun pair of flats.  I've worn my camouflage flats with jeans and black skinny pants.  (Maybe I should pair them with white jeans or winter white cords.) A camouflage scarf would be a fun way to dip your toe in the trend also.

Whatever you decide, don't be afraid to try! ~ JH

W2WW: Camouflage

Christopher Kane camo hoodie / DKNY crew neck pullover / Madewell camo jacket / TEXTILE Elizabeth and James skinny jeans / rag & bone/JEAN slouch skinny jeans / Baldwin Denim boyfriend jeans / Sam Edelman flat shoes / Anniel ballet shoes / Clare Vivier clutch / Roffe Accessories fringe shawl / Glam Bands elastic hair tie / Alternative Print Short Sleeve Crew Tee Shirt

Wanted: A basic sweater that is not basic.

You are not navy or gray.  Or black.  You are easy to wear and comfortable.  You make me look fabulous and put together.  I can throw you on with skinny jeans in any color.  Or trousers and a jacket.  Or layer you under vest or big comfy sweater.  You make those blue suede wedges I got last year look even better this year.  You can share the spotlight with a necklace or look fab without one. 

Hello Joie silk animal print top.   Your mix of silk body and wool sleeves is genius.   Your shades of gray, black and white are perfection.  Welcome to my closet.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Image from Lisa Bida.

It's out there this year.  The non-basic, basic sweater.  Love this Tory burch top and whole look from head to toe.

Images from toryburch.com.

Check out the Polyvore set below to get some other ideas.  Purrr.  ~ LB

PS - In full disclosure, Jen also purchased the Joie sweater, completely on her own and separately.  What's the etiquette here?! - JH

W2WW: "Basic" Sweaters

Tory Burch woven top / Equipment leopard print sweater / Joie sweater / Tory Burch crew neck t shirt / Hermès turtleneck top