Month: June 2012

accessorize this dress: take two

‘Tis the season to get married.

As I mentioned last night, two women, two weddings, two dramatically different dresses, two requests for help with accessories. While I presented Chani with only two color options for her boldly printed dress, the green dress that Terra bought for her event is open to a whole spectrum of possibilities, even more that I presented here. (Don’t be shy. Add your ideas to the mix.)

Terra is the guest of a wedding in Buffalo, NY next Saturday. The groom is her “best guy friend” and the venue is a winery, though most of the festivities will occur indoors. Terra tells me she plans to wear nude peep-toe pumps with her kelly green dress, which further allows an open palette for her jewelry options. Now, I’m at a tiny disadvantage with Terra because I have never met her. I don’t know her style profile (sexy? girly? sophisticated? daring? conservative?) or what she might already have in her own closet that could work. But with that said, my ideas:

I love turquoise and green together, as if you couldn’t tell by the collage above. In fact, it was hard to limit myself to just one suggestion. (Believe it or not, I edited out some.) I thought of basing my entire recommendation on this color pairing, but I buckled under the pressure to provide options. Just in case Terra hates the color turquoise.

True confessions of a serious color addict: I also love orange and green together, as well as fuchsia and green.

If color-blocking is too bold for Terra, she could wear a necklace and earrings in which the gold features more prominently than the color of the stones. Gold and green are gorgeous together and she could easily deck herself in a multistrand gold necklace or layer a bunch of gold necklaces of varying lengths. Finding the right ones could be a fun project if she likes thrift or consignment stores. Or if she has a box of “vintage” pieces from her mother, grandmother, great aunts.

The main message I want to impart on Terra is that she really can’t go wrong, regardless of what she chooses. This dress is a blank slate and she can make it funky, edgy, pretty or bright.

What’s most important is that she make it hers.

accessorize this dress: take one

yellow or purple?

Yesterday, two different women asked me to help them figure out what accessories to wear with the dresses which they plan to wear to (different) weddings next week.

Request #1 came from my friend Chani, who shocked me in the process by wearing a gorgeous purple dress when we met up.

Me: I only ever see you in black or gray.

Chani: I know! But I was inspired by you to not buy this dress in black.

It turns out Chani went on a little shopping spree, buying the aforementioned dress and a little number to wear to outdoor nuptials in Charleston on July 8th. The dress is from Kate Spade, and it’s a swirl of purple, brown and yellow paisley. She plans to wear nude pumps, and while she doesn’t know this yet, I have the perfect little handbag for her to borrow.

Chani is moving into bold colors slowly, so I created two fairly conservative options for her. (And by conservative, I mean pulling from shades in the dress and not going totally crazy with something offbeat like turquoise.)

Option #1 – Yellow: I like the idea of making this sunshine shade pop. I’d recommend choosing between bold earrings or a bold necklace, but not both. If Chani opts for the earrings, I think she can go sans necklace. If she goes with the necklace, I’d wear a simple stud earring of some variety (and am happy to look up some options).

Option #2 – Purple: Perhaps considered the safer option for someone just breaking into color, these purple earrings both make a statement in their size but are not too dramatic in their shade. I couldn’t find a necklace for under the price of the dress that I thought would work, but if you have suggestions, Chani has the weekend to shop.

Lately, I’ve been into stacking bracelets or wearing one statement-y cuff. I’ve pictured examples of each, but there are a gazillion on the market to choose from in this category.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the second styling request, and of course, check in next Friday when I hope to have a picture to post of Chani in her complete ensemble. I’m confident there won’t be a hint of black or gray to be seen.

must have monday: the Treat

The Treat

I interrupt today’s planned item I can’t live without to bring you another must have that is on special today only with sizes selling out fast.

On the cusp of their annual July Jubilee sale, SimplySoles is offering this one-day special: 30% off five colors of the Treat by Bettye Muller. This shoe will not be included in the upcoming Jubilee, so today is your chance to get this perfect work or event shoe at reduced cost. Are you on your feet all day but need to be clad in a professional shoe? Do you stomp the marble halls of Congress, which we know can do damage not only on feet but on our shoes themselves? Are you wary of four-inch (or higher) heels that leave you limping by the end of an evening event? If you answered yes to any of these questions, do not hesitate to stop reading and start shopping.

Last summer, I bought the Treat in buff (unfortunately this color is only available for my size 11 friends) and then in the fall, her platino sister joined the collection. Today, I ordered the Treat in black and tan (the only of the five colors on sale that is still in my size) and in the fall, I plan to get the navy.

This shoe is not only beautiful, but truly comfortable. (You can hunt me down if you try it and find it not to be so.) This classic silhouette will stand the test of time in this city, regardless of which party controls what branch of government. In other words, while hemlines may rise and fall along with the political times, the Treat is bipartisan.

And since we need more of that spirit in this city, you should buy two pairs.

decisions, decisions

There will be real life photos of these items on an actual body (my body, to be precise) later. I promise. But I have yet to shower after doing morning shots (of resistance) at Biker Barre and am playing host to not only my own kids but to neighborhood friends who are still without power.

(Side note: I’m just going to say I was way overdue to be the one house that had power restored almost immediately after a storm. I’m sure it will never play out this way again, but I hope by offering electricity to those in need, I’m keeping on the good side of karma.)

Anyway, there’s nothing like a house with four boys ages six to ten to make you want to girl-out and create outfits.

As previously mentioned, I made a good dent in my summer clothes woes at the Periwinkle pop-up boutique this week (you have few hours left if you haven’t dropped in yet). Now the only so-called problem is that I have options.

On the left is a (fitted, I promise) t-shirt dress. Floral. I know right? Not what I usually gravitate toward. But this dress has an ease that I love, and I would try to edge it out with jewelry and shoes so that it isn’t too sweet in execution.

In the middle is a tunic, but not one that is too long (peril to the short woman). The fuchsia sash (which would also work with either dress) adds a nice pop of color. The only drama with this top for today is that I gave away my white shorts last summer and consigned my white jeans earlier this year, so my options for what to wear on the bottom are limited.

The dress on the right is my favorite. I might need to get it in additional colors. The v-neck extends deeper on the other side, which is actually the front, but I plan to wear it backwards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the many pairing possibilities with navy.

I could wear the green chunky necklace or the orange one. (How badly do I need this marigold beauty from my friends at SimplySoles?)

I could use the sash that goes with it or I could swap it out for the fuchsia one.

Or I could even stay neutral with accessories and wear my coral espadrilles.

Maybe some combination?

Just in writing this post, I’m sure the navy dress is the one I will wear to tonight’s dinner party. If you have styling preferences or ideas, please feel free to share.

Otherwise tune in later to see what I decided. And don’t be surprised if I have a glass of bubbly in my hands. Sparkling wine is, after all, the perfect accessory for summer.

bathing beauty

Image from http://www.polyvore.com/bathing_beauty/set?id=51563525

It almost seems cliche to write about h0w much women hate trying on bathing suits. But really, this task cannot be understated.

I already did a bathing beauty post last summer on this topic, but have been asked three times this week to offer some guidance on how to make this essential summer purchase. Plus, I was inspired by DC Celine’s recent bathing suit buying experience. So while I’m the worst person to give bathing suit shopping advice (after all, as you can read in last summer’s post, I will wear the same hated suit for years in a row just to avoid having to buy another hated suit) I will attempt to provide some direction to those destined for a pool or a beach this summer.

First of all, if you need a suit, and you find one you like, buy it right away. I failed to learn this lesson last summer. Two weeks ago, I had three different bathing suit options in my electronic J. Crew shopping cart, but I was hemming and hawing over sizes, colors and whether or not I can get away with a bikini. J. Crew decided for me, since as of this morning, the green polka dot bikini pictured above is no longer in stock in my size. The green and navy stripped one-piece is backordered until August. The J. Crew version of the pictured green Norma Kamali (a dream purchase I would only make if I planned to spend the summer on the French Riviera) is no longer available in a color I want, and alternative colors aren’t available until, you guessed it, August.

The moral of the story is: buy your suit now.

My other advice is to consider what level of activity you plan to do in said bathing suit. Strapless is good for working on the perfect tan but maybe not for playing with active kids in the water.

Obviously, level of coverage is important as well. I happen to belong to a pool frequented by a number of professional contacts, thus you won’t find me in super revealing styles. But if your pool and/or beach is the hot spot for singles, by all means, opt for the string bikini.

If you can’t find what you are looking for, take your search beyond the usual places. I found last summer’s suit at Zappos, and had delivered next day to destination number two of my New England vacation (too late for a day on the beach in Ipswich but just in time for the pool in Maine).

The bottom line is only you are going to know whether a certain suit works for you, and it may take some trial and error to find the right one. If I find the perfect suit this summer, I plan to buy it in multiple colors so that maybe I can make it another five years before having to undertake this arduous process again.

Unless, of course, I get an offer for that Norma Kamali-worthy summer on the Riviera.

Thanks to Alison Gary of Wardrobe Oxygen for teaching me how to make collages for my blog. You will see more images in my posts thanks to her creativity and willingness to share.

lashing out

I need another beauty service like I need a hole in my head. I already have a hair appointment every 4-5 weeks when the grays start to betray me, multiple waxing services every 3-4 weeks, manicures and pedicures regularly, personal training sessions at Fitness Together and spin + barre classes at Biker Barre almost daily. (Do fitness expenditures fall in the beauty services category? I think so as they do result in a more beautiful body and improved frame of mind.)

I also have a plethora of beauty products, although I’m more conservative than you probably think I am. For example, when I find an eyeshadow palette I like, I use it everyday until it runs out. I do have my regular products that get purchased routinely, such as primer, tinted moisturizer, my awesome sunscreen I use on my face everyday, loose powder, pressed powder, blush, bronzer, highlighter, mascara, eyeliner… oh and an army of lipsticks and glosses.

But then there’s so much I don’t do. For example, I don’t ever fake and bake. I don’t get blow outs (though I admit I would if my hair were longer). I don’t get facials with any regularity. My hair appointments are confined to cut and color; I don’t get extensions, perms or keratin treatments. My nails are my own. I don’t have a single tattoo.

So it’s with all this in mind that I’m contemplating adding a new beauty treatment to my regime.

I had been admiring a new friend’s eyelashes and finally got the opportunity to inquire about what kind of mascara she uses. I have been loyal to the Trish McEvoy Lash Curling Mascara for at least six years, but lately I have been in the mood for a bolder look. The problem is, I find every mascara except this one leaves that horrible ring around your eyes, even the ones that profess they don’t. Anyway, I was prepared for her to say Dior Show or Great Lash or one of the others I knew would disappoint me.

But instead I was shocked by her response.

New Friend: I don’t ever wear mascara or eyeliner (big heavy internal sigh from me) because… my eyelashes are totally fake! I have eyelash extensions.

I never even knew such a thing existed.

The technique involves gluing 75-125 eyelashes to your existing ones in a manner that leaves you with thicker, longer and more glamorous lashes. The results are stunning. (I’ve spent some time reviewing before and after photos.) I have never wanted hair extensions but I admit I’m very tempted to try out this procedure. It’s a financial commitment, but to have perfect Elizabeth Taylor-esque eyelashes that wouldn’t smear in the pool, run during a crying jag or melt off due to sweat would be worth it. And who wouldn’t love to wake up in the morning looking “totally done while being completely undone” to quote my lash mentor.

As a society, we go to great lengths to enhance our natural beauty, and while beauty is more than skin deep, feeling good about yourself radiates through and in the level of confidence you project. I’m all for feeling empowered by the choices we make, even those choices that involve a glue gun near ones eyeballs.

fashion happenings: update one

Last night, as promised, I attended the trunk show showcasing The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens. I am happy to report that I walked away with a new silk blouse. Of course, I wanted to wear said new blouse immediately, but given the high temps this week, I will probably have to save this long-sleeved beauty for a more temperate day.

If you know me, you are looking at this pattern and thinking “that is so not Chelsea.” I know, right? I don’t do floral. But I do love bold colors. And while this was not the blouse that initially called to me (that would be the navy pin dot version of the same style) once I had it on, I knew it would come home with me.

If you are still questioning my purchase, here’s how I plan to style it:

For work, with a white pencil skirt and nude pumps. (I don’t own this skirt, but I like the texture, which I think would carry from summer into warm fall days.)

For date night, with white jeans (I’m a huge fan of the Angel by AG) and an animal print flat. (I’m not sure this Loeffler Randall flat would work, but I want you to envision something other than leopard.)

For casual events, with white shorts (if I can find a pair that I don’t detest) and the J. Crew malta sandal.

It’s important even in a conservative town like Washington, DC that we push the fashion envelope when appropriate, and that is what this blouse does. It expresses personality. It will garner attention. It was just a teensy bit outside my comfort zone, which means I will wear it and be unexpected.

Best of all, together this blouse and I likely will not run into a woman in the Senate with an identical top. But even if we do, she and I will know we both bought a blouse from a DC-based designer who used to stomp the halls of Congress herself. She gets us. She gets our needs. And I hope she continues to make her blouses for years to come.

men’s wear wednesday: an alternative to suits

I don’t really have a solution to offer, but wanted to make sure I express my sympathy for all the men I saw (and the many more I didn’t personally see) slugging to work through the heat and humidity on this brutal first day of summer. While I did not see a single woman wearing a dress or blouse with any hint of a sleeve, all the men I saw were already melting in their long-sleeved work shirts, even before donning jacket and tie.

There are many times that I thank the stars I am a woman, no more so than this time of year. Our professional wardrobe options are so much more vast. Let’s be honest, most men can’t carry off the seersucker suit with Trent Lott aplomb. (I think you have to be a fifth generation southern gentleman to really own it.) Lightweight wool? Sounds like an oxymoron to me, but even though I know what is meant by the term, it still sounds dreadful on a day expected to be in the mid-90s. Even if your suit is indeed of a lightweight fabric like poplin, you still have to tie a noose around your neck from 9 to 5, Monday thru Friday.

I don’t have any great ideas for changing up what professional options you have for this time of year (khakis are not the answer). But I do have an idea that is worth consideration. Since we’re never going to get a “heat day” off from work in the summer the way we get snow days in the winter, perhaps the federal government could institute a policy of “no jacket and tie days.” It could be the summer equivalent to “liberal leave” during inclement weather in the winter.

Until that time, hang your shirt, jacket and tie on a hanger and wear something light and airy for your walk to work or walk from the metro or your car. Just don’t do what the guy I saw this morning did. He had said hanger with office attire on it, but opted to walk to work in his wife-beater. And while I feel bad for all you overdressed men out there, no woman wants to see a sweaty man in a tank top.