Our May Obsession - a Cross-Body Bag.

Lisa and I had the good fortune to escape for 36 hours of shopping and relaxing last weekend.  We hit some new stores (Viola Lovely in the South End) and some tried and true favorites (Calypso, Saks).  All the while...obsessively looking for the perfect cross-body bag.  What do we want in this bag?

• Small enough to be light, but big enough to hold our wallet, iPhone, sunglasses, and key.
• Maybe a pop of color.
• Chain or leather strap - doesn't matter to us.
• We would prefer to have a discreet logo - ok, Lisa would prefer that; I'm ok with a logo as long as it works into the bag.  Like that Gucci cross-body.  I'd be perfectly happy with that.

We found a couple of good ones, but nothing that jumped out and said 'Yes! I'm the one!  Pick me!'  Here is what we are contemplating - any thoughts on our choices?!

We spent a lot of time in Marc by Marc Jacobs on Newbury - good price point, fun colors.  Logo was an issue for Lisa on some of them, as was a flap that would make it tricky to get in and out of the bag.  While we loved the colors this bag came in (Prussian Blue and Soccer Pitch Green) and the TASSEL, the flap wasn't completely accommodating.

Image from marcjacobs.com.

This one was great too - comes in a ton of colors (in store and online at various retailers), was light weight.  But, I fear it was small for me; only my wallet fit in the bag. 

Image from marcjacobs.com.

Over at our new haunt, Viola Lovely, deep in Boston's South End, our friend found (and purchased) a great bag by Clare Vivier.  Cross-body and shoulder friendly, great colors, good price, and fit more inside than either of the Marc bags did.  The Moyen Messenger bag really fit the bill, but there was only one, and she saw it first.  We love the pop of color and the separate cross-body and shoulder straps.  

Image from clarevivier.com.

Over at Neiman Marcus, we found these Tory Burch bags, the Thea bag.  Yes, of course we were drawn to the tassels.  And the color.  But not the logo, and they were a little wider than we would like to have.  Ok, maybe I could get over the logo.  That orange one is pretty fabulous.

Images from nordstrom.com.

We played with the Chloe Marcie Round Cross-Body bag (both small and medium sized) at Saks.  Loved the shape, lack of huge logo, comes in 11 different colors (online)!  But the small wasn't big enough and the medium might have been too big.  

Image from saks.com.

Like Goldilocks; we couldn't find one that was 'just right'.  The search continues while the obsession remains.  We'll let you know what we find.  And let us know if you find anything worth looking at. ~ JH

...attending a corporate black-tie function.

Believe it or not, I started this post a year ago, and figured I should finally get around to wrapping it up!  This weekend, I will join my husband for his company's annual 'black-tie optional' party.  It's usually fun and in a fabulous location (and the band last year ROCKED!).  And I LOVE to dress up.  Even though it's optional, most men wear black-tie to this event, which leads me to the point of this post:  what to wear to an event like this?  You never know when the company has a table at a black tie event and suddenly you're invited.  

Last year, I was fortunate to be able to 'reuse' a gown.  It's a Badgley Mischka gown I purchased on sale at Neimans 2 years ago; it's navy blue crepe with a cowl neckline and heavily beaded waistline.  It fit like a glove when I purchased it, and last year it still fit like a glove.  Phew.  This is the latest version of it, except mine is sleeveless and hangs straight to the ground.

Image from bloomingdales.com.

This year, I wanted a new gown as I really couldn't see myself re-wearing the above dress for 3 years running!  I hunted around, submitted frantic late-night orders on Saks online, but didn't find anything that made me look like I was in my 40s.  60s, great - tons out there!  20s - fabulous options.  But for us in the middle, it was a tough go.  I want to look appropriate, yet elegant, youthful and chic.

I have a couple of guidelines I like to follow:

• If an event is 'black tie' wear a long dress.  Yes, you can probably get away with a short cocktail dress that's on the formal-side.  But if it's black-tie (not optional), long is a must.
• When shopping for a dress for an event like this, ask yourself, do I look glamourous, elegant or sexy?  If 'sexy' is the answer, move on from the dress.  Sexy is the last thing you want to be at a corporate event or corporate-sponsored fund-raiser.  Think about what Catherine Middleton would wear.  Elegant is what you should aim for.
• Skip a strapless gown.  See bullet above.  One shoulder dresses are fine.
• Favor bold neutral colors (navy, black) and jeweled colors (emerald, plum) over loud ones (red, hot pink).
• Make sure your dress is comfortable.  You don't want to be pulling at your dress or fidgeting in it, do you?  When you are in the dressing room (not at home), ask the sales person for a pair of heels to try with the dress/gown.  Walk around the dressing room.  Sit down.  Can you sit comfortably?  Does the dress bunch weirdly when you sit down?  Don't rely on Spanx to fix dress bunching.  However, rely on Spanx for everything else.
• In fact, wear some kind of Spanx.  Simply put, they keep everything smooth and in place. 
• Tailor your dress!  Wonder why the stars look fabulous on the red carpet?  Their gowns and dresses are fitted to them!  Not just hemmed, but nipped and tucked in at the waist, shoulders adjusted, you name it.  Make the dress your very own.
• 5" stilettos are fabulous, but 3 1/2" heels are good here.  Think peau de soie as the material for your shoes rather than suede or leather.  If new, wear them around your house for a while before the event to break them in.  
• Don't forget accessories.  It took me longer to find the right accessories for that Badgley Mischka dress than it took me to find the dress.  And the accessories can come from the most random places.  The earrings I wear with it came from Neiman Marcus, while the cuff bracelet came from J. Crew, on sale.
• A manicure is mandatory.  A pedicure is too if your shoes have open toes.
• Never, never, never wear stockings with open toe shoes.  
• Clutch is necessary for your phone, lipstick, tissues, etc. and does not need to match your shoes.  
• Outerwear:  If you have a fur, it's time to use it.  If not, make sure your best cashmere or wool long coat has been dry-cleaned recently.

This year, I set out to Saks to return 5 (yes, late-night gown shopping is trouble) gowns, ran into a fabulous lady named Claudine who has helped me before, and voila!  A new, fabulous gown in an hour.  

Images from Jennifer Houston.

I love it!  And I did have it hemmed and taken in at the waist.  Wearing with peau de soie black pumps, a silver cuff, and diamond hoop earrings. 

Image from nordstrom.com.

Image from bloomingdales.com.

And Claudine instructed me to have my hair blown out a la Meg Ryan; since the dress is sleek and straight, my hair should have texture.  And that I should have navy/black nail polish on.  I love all of her suggestions!  

Compared to a lot of other dresses I saw, this was fun rather than stiff.  To get further use of dress, Claudine said I should put tall, black, heeled boots on with it and a black leather jacket for a fun night out.  Don't think I haven't been thinking of a new black leather jacket since then! ~ JH

...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

W2WW News Flash - CUSP section open in Neiman Marcus Natick.

Wandering through Neiman Marcus in Natick this week, I was thrilled to discover that an 'in store boutique' of CUSP was being completed.  CUSP is an outpost of Neiman Marcus featuring a contemporary and well-curated collection of young and emerging designers.  I love CUSP; there are lots of different price points and designers' pieces are mixed together. In the Boston area, we are fortunate to have one of the 6 stand-alone stores in Chestnut Hill.  

Now, in Neimans in Natick, I can simply wander up to the second floor and check out all the fabulous fashions CUSP has to offer, including their own line of accessories.  Just look for the totem poles! (And thanks to Neimans for allowing me to take photos.)~ JH

Love their accessories tables!

Images by Jennifer Houston.

Holiday 2012: Gift Guide

One of my friends asked if we could share some ideas for gifts as the holiday season approaches.  Gifts for ladies (sisters, aunts, cousins, friends) in the form of accessories and other fun finds.  We love giving (and receiving!) and were happy to assemble this list.  Maybe we can get a little holiday shopping done at the same time. :-)  By price-point, these are some of our favorite finds this season!  Happy shopping!

Under $50

I found this first gift item in J.Crew while standing in line to check out.  I almost bought several just to have gifts 'in case'.  My iPhone gets drained regularly, so what girl wouldn't LOVE to have a back-up battery in her purse/tote?  Love the prints and colors, especially this cheetah.  At $39.50, it's a great gift!

Image from jcrew.com.

This set of 3 gold bangles is another great find at J.Crew.  For $39.50, it's totally useful gift which I have given before.  Every girl needs these in their jewelry drawer.

Image from jcrew.com.

Another fun gift I've given to others (and to myself) are these fun Farmer's Market Baskets from Anthropologie, priced at $14.00.  I have several on my counter holding shallots and garlic and a bigger one ($20 each) holding avocados.  These are the smaller ones pictured below.

Image from anthropologie.com.

Pinkberry yogurt is one of my latest addictions.  Seriously, sometimes we make late-night Pinkberry runs for small cups of chocolate hazelnut swirled with peanut butter (with dark chocolate crunchies on top).  Yum.  If you have a friend near or far with their own Pinkberry nearby, why not send a gift of swirly goodness?!  From Pinkberry.com, you can both purchase e-gifts to be emailed, or have gift cards sent.  Brilliant! In amounts as low as $5, send a friend a tasty treat.

Image from pinkberry.com.

One of my favorite online stops is The Stationery Studio.  They have everything under the sun that's paper, from personalized cocktail napkins to party invitations.  I was recently trolling for gifts, and clicked on their 'Colorful Notepads' section under stationery.  For around $30, you can get sets of really lovely, personalized pads.  And who can't use more fun paper for mundane things like grocery lists?!

Images from thestationerystudio.com.

Under $100

I have loved these earrings for a while and they are still on my mind.  I'm not normally enamored with logo earrings, but these by Tory Burch are classically lovely while giving a little twist on a stud earring. They come in silver, gunmetal, or gold.  At $68, they make a present that I would like to receive. (The smaller logo earrings are $58.)

Image from nordstrom.com.

Every girl/lady needs updated cosmetic bags.  Lisa and I have always loved the cosmetic bags by Henri Bendel; they come in several sizes and keep going and going regardless of the abuse.  Between $48 and $132, they make great gifts, either one large one or a couple smaller ones.  In my purse right now, I am using 2 of them.  You can go with the classic brown and white stripe, or the current print, which is entitled 'NY Minute'.

Images from henribendel.com.

Who doesn't love a personalized gift?  If you have the time (20 day production time plus shipping time, so order soon!), iomoi.com has the best iPhone covers for $68.  Personalize using either a monogram or name (depending on the design) and impress your girlfriends or sister-in-law.  There are 60 different designs from which to choose! Be sure to know which iPhone version your recipient has before ordering.

Image from iomoi.com.

A friend convinced me that I needed one of these and after I bought one, I had no idea how I lived with out it.  Every lady should have a substantial wrap in their closet and this one by Nordstrom is $98 and comes in 9 colors.  While mine is a basic black, you can flirt with 'sandshell' or 'pine bark', as pictured below.

Lisa mentioned these jackets a few posts back.  Uniqlo puffer jackets are on trend, lightweight, and completely affordable at $69.90.  They arrive in little carry pouches, so the gift recipient will never know what's inside until they open it. So fun!

Images from uniqlo.com.

Under $200

I have been searching around for a golf cuff bracelet for myself, but one that's a little less 'Wonder Woman'.  I found this Kendra Scott one at Neiman Marcus.  For $150, it's a good price-point and lovely, timeless piece.  I can see this on any lady wearing a sleeveless sheath dress or silk top.  

Image from neimanmarcus.com.

If you know your recipient well, why not customize a Longchamp Le Pliage bag for her?  With a 3 week lead time, you can choose the bag size you want, the handle length (hand or shoulder), the colors (endless combinations), hardware color (golden, nickel or bronze) and any monogramming you want.  Lisa and I travel with the largest bag as our 'carry on' bag all the time.  I tried designing the largest bag and added initial embossing on the leather; my total bill was $192.50.  

Image from longchamp.com.

For a great evening bag (or day shopping!), the Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C. Shoulder bag would be a welcome addition under my tree!  The $195 price puts you right under the $200 mark, and on Nordstrom.com, it comes in about 8 colors.  I love how you can wear it cross-body, keeping your hands free at holiday parties in the future.  (I kind of love the grey!)

Images from nordstrom.com.

Fantasy gifts

Lisa's top gift desire this year is a (HINT HINT) Vitamix blender. Lisa 'juices' regularly and would love the treat of this blender which apparently purees anything in it to pure liquid - no lumps and bumps.  Honestly, it would be a great gift for anyone that blends regularly.  The Classic starts at $449, with the professional at $529.  Not a gift for your friend down the street, but one that you might want to leave clues for about the house.  Just saying.

Images from vitamix.com.

If a very serious gift is to be given, then a classic Chanel Reissue 2.55 bag is at the top of my list of fantasy gifts.  Oh, wait, is this about giving and not receiving?!  Any lady would love to have one of these in her closet.  I'm a fan of the 2.55, but in the original, Reissue, version. Coming in 3 sizes, the Reissue has the original Chanel clasp (no CC lock), chain shoulder strap (no leather entwined), and all the lovely details that Coco put into this bag (like the zippered compartment on the inside of the front flap where Coco put her love letters).  A classic now and forever; a forever gift.  Priceless (but really in the thousands, depending on size). 

Image from myfashionjuice.com.

Whatever your holiday gift-giving needs, we hope this has helped!  Happy elf-ing! ~ LB & JH

Packing for the Caribbean in the Fall.

Let's be honest - it's not exactly 'resort wear' season at stores right now.  Halloween?  Yes.  Holiday dresses?  They are coming in.  Cute leather jackets for fall?  Absolutely.  But resort wear, not so much.

With 2 upcoming Caribbean trips this fall (yea I know, poor me), I need to make my packing lists and see what holes I have and how I can fill them.  In October.  In New England.  I made the tragic mistake of NOT shopping the end-of-summer sales fully knowing that I have 2 Caribbean trips on the horizon.  Maybe this post should be called 'What 2 Pack When...'.  So, let's see what I have versus what I need.

I'll start with the obvious:  beach and pool.  I have bathing suits, coverups and flip-flops,

Image from jcrew.com.

so I'm set there.  A beach bag, a beach read, 

Image from goodreads.com.

some bad magazines (US, People, In Touch), sunglasses, 

Image from nordstrom.com.

and beach hat rounds it out.  From my June bathing suit shop, I think I'm set here.

Outfits for evening shouldn't be too difficult to find.  I'll need some dresses for evenings with a pants outfit thrown in just to be sure.  Strappy heels, bangles, maybe a wrap if the evening is breezy.  About week ago around 10:30pm, I found myself trolling the 'sale' sections of websites, like nordstrom.com and neimanmarcus.com (great return policies!) trying to find more cute, silk, breezy cocktail dresses.  Out of 3 dresses, I found a silk Elie Tahari one that might fit the bill for evening wear.  Thoughts about it?  The jury is out on this one.  I have some great, nude, strappy sandals that are good with it.  

Image from nordstrom.com.

Image from ebay.com.

Between this dress and a couple of others (like this Milly one from 2 years ago), I think I can make it through the evenings.  

Image from nordstrom.com.

But what about non-pool-day-wear?  I don't own a ton of it. (How can there be an entire line of clothing out there that I haven't exploited?!) I'll need several outfits for trip(s) to spa, breakfast, lunches, shopping.  I have basics, but no real 'resort wear'.  Tunics and shorts are fine, but maybe it's time for me to really dip my toes in the resort-wear-pool.  In October, this is next to impossible.  

However, a trip to the Natick Mall on Tuesday yielded some answers.  Wandering from Neimans (returning dress #2) to Nordstrom (returning dress #3), I stumbled upon the Tommy Bahama store.  Tommy Bahama?  I totally forgot about it.  But wasn't it all 'old lady' clothing?  I ventured in.

Much to my surprise, they had some REALLY cute things.  Linen drawstring pants (of which I own exactly zero pairs), linen sweaters and tops, dresses, tunics.  Granted, there were some not-so-cute things, but overall I was pleasantly surprised.  I had only a few minutes, so I tried on a couple of things.  This linen/gauzy sweater over the white linen drawstring pants was so cute.  I can imagine wearing this down to the spa, to lunch, or out shopping.  Both came home.

Images from tommybahama.com.

They had tank tops (albeit a little more than I want to spend on a tank top) to refresh the post-summer tanks in my drawer.  I grabbed a navy one and checked out so I could race to school for pick-up.

I have to head back there this weekend and dig in.  If I can find a few more cute outfits, I'll be set.  I really want to check out this silk shirt; it looks so yummy!

Image from tommybahama.com.

And this skirt looks like just the thing to wear with a white top and silver sandals down to breakfast, doesn't it?

Image from tommybahama.com.

Finally, I need to find this entire outfit and check it out.  I love the skirt (and it would be perfect with my new navy tank)!

Image from tommybahama.com.

So, I think I have it covered.  Beach and pool?  Check.  Evenings?  Check.  Daywear?  Another trip to Tommy Bahama, and I should be good to go.

Now, if I could only figure out where I put my non-mommy-cute-beach-bag. ~ JH