Friday, May 28, 2010

Happy Memorial Day


Wow it has been a long week and I am very much looking forward to the long weekend. I spent Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Carlotte NC on a business trip and arrived back late last night. I have to go into work today but the office manager said we will get to got home early. We don't have any big fancy plans which is good since it has been very cold and rainy here in the bay area. I'm going to leave you with this fun picture which reminds me of how a holiday like this should be spent!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Now that's Cute!







In my previous post I continued my rant about the general blehness (I made that word up) of the recent J Crew rollout. I even went into a my local B & M on Saturday, without my kids with the stated intention of buying something, sancationed by my hubby! (A practically unheard of event that may never occurr again) Nothing. I've posted before about how I was feeling the love for Talbots and how suprised I was. Then I got an email about their summer rollout. Love it! I could spend a fortune. I even recognize my all time favorite Jcrew model. Is there a Talbot version of Crewlade? I think I might be on it!

Friday, May 21, 2010

New arrivals, meh

So with much excitement I was awaiting this latest rollout of new arrivals at Jcrew. It's summer! And since summer is something we are sorely lacking here in the Bay Area right now I was looking forward to at least pretending I had somewhere to wear great summer stuff. Maybe a new bathingsuit? So this morning I jumped on and meh. Not exciting. It all looks the same as the rollout before, tattered ruffles, muddy boring neutrals, slouchy rumpled and very short skirts. The few things I did like are way over priced. Maybe I'm just cranky and tired on a Friday after a very long week at work but really not feeling it. Thoughts?

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Final Score Claws 5, Mudcats 4!

Just an update to yesterdays post. The SMLLA Blueclaws beat the Mudcats 5 to 4 yesterday! I have to say it was great to see the boys reupt from the dug out cheering on the player who stole home to win it for us. It is a really great group of boys and nice parents too which can be rare in Little League. We play again Saturday so Go Blueclaws!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Go Blueclaws!


I am sure that in the past I have mentioned my oldest son, A, is very into baseball. As in totally obsessed. As you can imagine that means we spend a lot of time at the Little League. I'm even on the board but that's another story, lets not go there. Well after 2 years of T-ball, 2 years of machine pitch (our league calls it A-ball) we are now in the Minors. It is the division for 9 to 10 year olds where the kids pitch but before they get to majors which is the big deal. Anyway this year we are in the hunt. There is much watching of other games and checking of standings at our house and through the 3rd and 4th grade at our school. In fact, if the San Mateo Little League American Blueclaws can win tonight we may have clinched the number one sport in our division and more importantly for the inter-city tournament in June. We have 2 more games after tonight but both against teams we have beaten earlier in the season. Tonight is the test. It seems silly to be so obsessed with whether a 9 year old wins a baseball game. Our parents won't assault refs or coaches nor will we berate the kids if we don't win but still. This team is a particularly nice group of boys who cheer each other on and are really excited about the game which has made it particularly nice to be involved with. So Go Blueclaws!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Talbots?




I have not thought about shopping at Talbots in ages. I always thought of it as geared towards a much older clientel. But clearly they have been revamping their image. Also J Crew (long my favorite) has seemed like they are veering more and more into a trendy teeny bopper look. The latest few rollouts have looked like something Forever 21 would roll out, at 3 times the price. Add that to the declining quality over at the crew and I have started to look elsewhere. I spotted this pretty web ad on Yahoo this afternoon and check out this pretty yellow pencil skirt I found. I like the look of the models on the website too. They are smiling, standing up straight and they look like they might have eaten this month. There is a Talbots on my way to the train station. I might be checking it out. What do you all think? Is this is a horrible idea destined to make me feel old or is it a smart, savy move?

Friday, May 14, 2010

What to wear for?

In another week I have to travel from San Francisco to Charlotte for a business meeting. The itinerary says business casual. The purpose of the meeting is compliance and marketing and there will be several big whig present. It's a very short trip, flying on all day Tuesday, meeting all day Wednesday, meeting Thursday morning and then running to the airport to fly home so we can all be back in the office Friday.

I'm thinking I will wear my navy minnies on the plane with my white tuxedo shirt from JC so I can wear ballet flats. Likely I'll change into that same outfit to fly home. But for the meeting? I hate business casual because that can mean so many things. Here at the office in SF I usually wear a pencil skirt, cute buttondown or tee and a cardigan. I do hear that they are more formal in the Charlotte office. Add into the mix that many of the other attendees are old boy network brokerage firm types and several years older than I as well. I'm going to play with polyvore and I'll post some thoughts over the next few days but I'd appreciate your thoughts! Thanks and Happy Friday!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Does fashion have to change at 40?

I know you regular readers are most likely getting sick of hearing me complain and whine about my upcoming 40th birthday. For some reason it is really bugging me. But since we are half way through May which means June is next month and my birthday is at the end of June, I guess I'm going to have to go through with it.

So, my big question is does your fashion/sense of style have to change at 40? Like all the looks you see in the magazine, how to wear something at 20, 30 and 40. Now I get the obvious ones, no more mirco minis, no more short shorts. But honestly, I didn't wear those when I was 20. And I am not talking about the rule my grandmother keeps mentioning like cutting my hair short, covering my arms etc. She keeps bringing me pictures of Hillary Clinton. Trust me, not going to happen. No, I am thinking about those fine lines, those of so subtal distinctions. In my mind I know that Juen 29 will be just another day and I'll keep going same as I am now, mostly but I can't help but think I am missing something key. Any thoughts?

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Happy Mothers Day to All!


Happy Mothers Day to all you moms out there. I know Mothers Day is tomorrow but I just got home from the elementary school carnival (of which I was the chair) and I am taking a few moments of welld eserved quite time. I have to marvel at all the things moms do. So hats off to you!

Friday, May 7, 2010

In which I become and Impressionist







I swear I just went to Jcrew to return the crackle pencil skirt that didn't fit. I had no intention of being seduced by the Impressionist print pencil skirt. I love my sunshine peony skirt and I have the pretty pink and brown flowered one from last summer. I have successfully resisted the Watercolor Pastiche skirt and the Waterfloral purple one.






Well the road to hell is paved with such visits to Jcrew. My favorite PS was there and already knew I would love this skirt. I didn't even have the kids with me so I couldn't use that excuse. Of course I love it. I've styled it with a white tee and three different cardigans above, a longer navy one, my lilac jackie and the melon celosia. It also rocks a denim jacket. My PS said it would go to work with a white dress shirt and navy or black blazer. I mostly wear cardies to work since my office isn't that dressy but still the possibilities appear endless. What do you think?

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Do you have a SIgnature Color?

Remember in Steel Magnolias when Shelby (Juilia Roberts) says "I like pink, pink is my signature color"? It got me thinking, what is my signature color? Does a signature colro say something about you? If I had to pick the color I have most of, its probably navy blue. But then I thoguht deeper, is your signature color what you wear most or is it the color you feel happiest in. The color that makes you smile when you put it on? Yes, I wear a lot of navy, but navy is the base. The colors surounding the navy are yes, bright pink, bright kelly green and the occasional shot of bright yellow. I'm a brights girl. By brights I don't mean neon but that pure, clear color that stands out without punching you in the face. So yes, pink is my signature color. What's yours?

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Ten Steps to Upgrading your Look

We all have those mornings when we stand in front of our closet and just stare. These days almost always coincide with me yelling at the kids to hurry up and then missing my train. Anyway, the point is we'd like to have less of these right? Here is a good plan to get you on your way.

1. Clean out your closet and be ruthless. If it doesn't fit (and I mean now, not 5 pounds from now) or you haven't worn it in 2 seasons, chuck it because you aren't going to wear it. This is true no matter how cool it is or what a great deal it was. Give it to charity, your sister or sell it on Ebay but get ride of it! I am especially prone to this one as I sometimes buy things for the life I wish I was living as opposed to the life I actually live. Possibly the only exceptions to this rule are a perfect classic dress (doesn't have to be black) and a totally classic suit. I have both hanging in my closet. As long as they are classic in shape/style, even if you only wear them once in a great while, hang on to them.

2. Next, reorganize your closet. This is a crucial step. No walk-in closet? No problem. Consider some extra garment bars to double your hanging space. The Double Hanger Deluxe (available at Bed Bath and Beyond) are a good start. Find some inexpensive wall hooks from Home Depot or the drugstore and mount them in strategic rows on bare wall or door space. Buy some stackable shelves for your shoes. Another good idea is to be good to yourself and buy luxurious but inexpensive hangers that protect your clothes and do double-duty. I confess that I fall down here sometimes but I strive for a well organized closet. It's ideal if you can keep all the same colors together or group by style, up to you but try and come up with some system so you can find that red pencil skirt when you need it!

3. Boost your basics. As a public service, I would like to make a formal request that you don't wear sweats and fleece out unless you're exercising or performing outdoor chores (or running a very short errand with the least possible exposure outside of your car). I hear people howling at me know but really, lounge attire is to lounge, as in at home, not Safeway. And it's perfectly okay to wear tennies with your track suit, jeans, or courduroy mini, just don't wear plain white aerobic sneakers with everything, for the love of God. I really can't stand to see white leather Reeboks or white fabric Keds with suits or nice pants. Heaven help you if you put them over white socks and black stockings. I totally understand, I feel your pain. I take the train to work and walk downtown to my office. I have bad feet. Thankfully, there are so many comfortable yet stylish alternatives. Ballet flats, happen to be my absolute favorite multi-purpose shoe. I'm positively hooked on this style. They literally go with everything. Just find the right texture and details and you'll go from yoga to work to cocktails in the same fantastic flats. One pair is all you need in your favorite color, but honestly, you can get them so cheap, splurge on a couple.

4. And speaking of feet, buy better shoes. Repeat after me "cheap shoes hurt" I can definitely understand why women go nuts over shoes. With red, pink, green, ivory, camel, coral, and varieties of cheetah, python, and zebra, I am living proof that a great, unique pair of shoes can make or break your outfit (and possibly your day). Some mornings, I pick a pair of shoes first then work an entire outfit around them. . Shoes can truly make or break your outfit.

5. Upgrade your accessories. This is the fun part. One showstopping ornament could take the place of 10 so-so baubles. Belts. Gloves. Scarves. These can all be spiced up. Why settle for strictly functional when there are vast quantities of colors, textures, and metallic finishes available? Let's talk about hair accessories. Headbands aren't limited to fifties-era housewives. The silk scarf isn't just for the French. Barettes aren't only for schoolgirls. Why leave your hair and neck naked? Tie on a burst of color or clip on some bling.

6. Buy a good coat. It doesn't have to cost $1000 and up. It just has to be elegant, sharp, and classic, all at the same time. A good rule of thumb is find a classic winter coat and a classic trench. If you live in a mild climate a trench may be all you need. Get one in black, navy, olive, camel, or even ivory and you will be able to wear it with everything. Better to have one incredible couture-worthy coat than 5 mediocre ones.

7. Branch out of basic black. Find other colors that make you look sexy, slim, and sophisticated. Wear a ravishing little red dress. Discover a shade of green that complements your tone. Become a pink lady or wear your sunny disposition on your sleeve with yellow. Substitute navy, olive, or camel as the staple neutrals in your wardrobe. Frankly I much perfer navy to black. Ivory goes with almost every color in the world. It's okay to wear black sometimes. Just don't wear boring black. Punch it up with colorful pieces here and there. And don't wear black to black-tie events. Or cocktail parties. There are plenty of stunning shades to show off at formal events. Reserve all black for funerals and have fun with your wardrobe the rest of the time.

8. Never buy anything that doesn't fit, flatter, or feel good on. You'll never wear it. Trust me, it has taken me years to learn this. And I still do it from time to time. That is not to say you should overlook articles that fit your shape but are a little long, or don't hug all your curves in exactly the right proportions. That's what tailors are for. If the overall fit is right, it's not terribly difficult to hem or take in a garment. But ideally, shop for your body type. And please love that body type, if you are curvey, embrace it, flaunt it. If you have great legs, work them, toned arms, wear short sleeves. Please don't waste time longing for what you do't have, love what you already have.

9. Upgrade your undergarments. When was the last time you were fitted for a bra? Did you know that your bossoms can change size and shape every few years? Many department stores and even Victoria's Secret do fittings. Furthermore, do you think that all celebrities and supermodels have the bodies of lingerie models? Of course not! They wear strategic undergarments to reshape their assets. A push-up bra here, seamless tummy-taming panties there, derriere-lifting stockings under there, and so on. There are body-enhancing solutions to almost every body part you'd like to improve.

10. Buy only fabulous, striking pieces that make you look like a million. Never buy anything so-so again. From now on, put every potential purchase through the desert-island test: if you could only take 5 items from each category with you to wear for one year, would you take this piece? If you can't answer yes, then don't buy it. There's no point in buying more so-so stuff that will take up precious closet space. That's how you got yourself into the perpetual "I have nothing to wear" rut in the first place! It doesn't matter if it's on final sale or practically free. You don't need more clothes. You need better clothes. Only fabulous pieces that earn their keep season after season need apply.

There. That should get you on your way to looking like a million bucks! Never have nothing to wear again!