Black Flats, Neutral Scarf, Jeggings, and the Perfect Fall Handbag

People who know me know that in a couple senses I am an old lady - I can't hear and I wear flats on the regular.....I probably own 6-7 pairs of Sam Edelmans (formerly of Sam and Libby - the famed bow flats we all wore as little girls) and they are by far the most comfortable and durable shoes I own. And I am HARD on my shoes. The Sam Edelman Calypso has it all - black patent, quilting, and small bead work gives this pair a luxurious and classic feel, while keeping the typical edginess of SE's by the finishing details in the interior and twine bow on the toe. On Zappos right now for the reduced price of $95! These will be a staple in my closet for fall into winter.

Besides my affinity of older ladies, most of my friends understand

my addiction to scarves. In a basket in my room and also in my spare bedroom closet I have a plethora - every trip I take I collect one and every winter I knit at least a couple (including infinity scarves which I will blog about as the cold weather sets in). Today I picked up a neutral colored linen/cotton one that I know will work with pretty much everything in my closet and compliment my fuscia Rebecca Taylor dress that I am wearing to a wedding this weekend. Kelly Ripa shows it paired casually with a bright yellow shirt....

Jeggings - yes leggings/jeans are A-MAZING. I still wear and love

my Citizens of Humanity black matchstick jeans from last year, but looking for a similar fit in a dark, crisp denim was tough. After searching all summer for what I knew would be my uniform for the fall, I finally found them at Urban Outfitters. They are Levis and fit like a glove - so comfortable - perfect length - and the best part is you can eat/drink as much as you want while wearing them because they are JEGGINGS after all....delish!

Lastly, it's been awhile since I invested in a handbag (embarrassingly since last spring!). I have been researching a new bag called orYANY. The company is based out of NY, but other then that I don't really have any history on the brand other then that the bags are gorgeous. Check out the stone colored one - easily goes with black or brown....

soft and versatile - can be worn two different ways, on the shoulder or across the body. As a commuter, I use cross body bags quite a bit, after all, as an old lady, convenience is key! orYANY bags are sold at Neimans and retail around $300-500.

It's Time to ROMP Miami in this ROMPER!

Shopping yesterday with my bride-to-be friend, Whitney, we were casually perusing the sale section of Anthro yesterday when I came across this fabulous romper. Black and blue stripes with a sweetheart neckline and perfectly placed little pockets, this number accentuates my small upper body while disguising my bigger butt and hips. Next best part is that it was on sale for $49.95! The line was long at Anthro so I started off buying a size 6, tried it on at French Connection (our next stop) and found that it was swimming on me - I immediately exchanged it for a size 2 and I couldn't be happier! This romper is about to take Miami in less then a month......now what shoes should I wear with it? Any ideas or comments?

Whitney also scored a sexy little dress for our Miami excursion - this bright green really pops on her skin tone and will look gorgeous with an additional item that I have in mind for her to wear! That will remain a secret though....stay tuned.

The Grand KOOBA.... *Sophie Tote"

Okay, so I know that I have already put up two posts tonight, but this one is a must. THE handbag for my spring wardrobe. $325 SRP, beautiful. Unexpected detailing. Only available on certain websites and absolutely perfect, just like Kooba always does. www.pinkmascara.com

Mexican Mama

Recently two of my friends went to Mexico and loved it (one bought a timeshare). It got me thinking...years ago I used to have all of these great bohemian tops that were super light and airy in the summer time, paired with cute shorts or boyfriend jeans. My quest for Mexican blouses began...and in my search I stumbled across a very cool site called www.greatgreenapple.com. There is something enticing about the fact that it has limited quantity available on each design - it drives home the fact that these pieces are handmade and unique. Frustrating as it may be to find an embroidered pattern that you love, only to find out that it's sold, don't fear - scroll a little bit down the page and another one is right at your finger tips! www.etsy.com also has some decent options, but beware of authenticity, it appears some are made in Thailand?

South Beach Bound

My girlfriends and I are heading to West Palm Beach and Miami at the end of April for a fun celebration before Whitney gets married in June! Being a true New Englander, my idea of sexy is a tight pair of jeans, an ever so slightly revealing top and heels.... obviously not going to cut it for a night in a city filled with beautiful, tanned women! My version of sexy-cute was found at Free People in the form of the Patras Ruffle Dress. It is understated, but for my style - it works and hopefully after one day of being in the FL sun I will have some color! Rows of ruffles and a vibrant grape purple color (shown here in black), cheers to many drinks with good friends....

LOVE AFFAIR FOR SPRING: ZOIS BELLFLOWER BAG @ Anthro

I am completely in love with this handbag and I need to have it. Have to have it. This is the type of bag that you can wear with sweatpants and a t-shirt and still look beautiful. It just makes sense. Seriously. I am in love. End of Post.

Chi-Town's Roscoe Village: Boutique Haven

On a recent trip to Chicago my friend Amy and I took a whole day to wander around her neighborhood - Roscoe Village - popping in and out of boutiques. This city was often visited by my grandmother and grandfather on his many trade show trips, and I recall my grandmother saying how much she loved it! She grew up w/ very meager means so when my grandfather's frozen food company became profitable they got to travel quite a bit domestically. She even became a pilot and chartered her own single prop airplane. 

As I walked thru Roscoe Village, I realized that there is not one neighborhood in Boston that has sweet little boutiques that offer cool just hit the ground brands at affordable prices. Someday when Lillian Alice is feasible I hope to be the beginning of a new pocket of store owners.  For the present I will learn from those that are successful.... the likes of Cinnamon Boutique who carries Puella and Tulle. Or Glam To Go which is an interesting mix of accessories, children's items and select clothing brands.... like Dame Designs and Kevia, bold out of the box pendants and bracelets. 

To be or not to be? Tano or not Tano??

I am constantly on the lookout for up and coming handbag designers. I found Isabella Fiore about three years ago and fell in love with their bags, Aaneta followed shortly thereafter (a mother/daughter team who creates beautiful leather bags).....now, an affordable bag hits the Neiman Marcus website - TANO. LunaBoston has been carrying this line for years and they are very unique, but casual and so reasonably priced that it will become your every day bag! As  low as $275.00 @ neimanmarcus.com or $159 @ tanobag.com. Bold purples and greens make up this season's brightest of leather..... 

Also check out Melie Bianco Woven Fapover Clutch...gorgeous and only $64!! 

20 degree balmy November day brings winter white hats and big scarves.....

Briefly looking at the 25 degree temperature outside my bedroom window this morning I realized it was time to bust out the necessary cold weather gear. I have been hesitating to wear Alice's 1960's crotchet/knit slouchy beanie because I wasn't sure it was my style even though I adored it. The thing I didn't quite get was that the hat paired with a scarf knotted and tied in all different directions was just the right look to keep me warm and stay true to who I am. On my 1/2 mile walk to the bus I kept catching glimpses of the hat in shop windows and not only was it adorable, but it was my Alice.....

The above hat, from Banana Republic, is very similar to the one my grandmother made 40 years ago. The scarf is a gorgeous print that you can find at Anthropologie and is tied exactly the way it should be, messy and warm.

To get me through the cold months - these are a few of my favorite things!

The Ben Sherman Chichester Swing Coat with the perfect BC Footwear fushia flats I snagged in NYC last weekend... an unexpected print with a bold color has an updated 80's meets 2000's chic-ness! Love it.