Window Shopping

I've said it before, but I think it needs to be repeated.

I love Tiffany's at Christmas (and every other day of the year).

The 2013 Holiday Window Displays at the Fifth Avenue store are up & glittery & officially have me in the holiday spirit.

This year's vision: classic and charming apartments on the Upper East Side give you a peak at the holiday traditions that happen inside their hallowed halls.

I'm sold.

Inspiration:

 

Application:

 

 

 

 

Tiffany's, you never disappoint.
Let's play a game, shall we?

I spy with my little eye...
Mistletoe kisses
Children hanging stockings
A happy little cat
A Prima Ballerina (no doubt home from her last Nutcracker performance)
Piano duet
A baker in the kitchen (cookies for Santa, I'm sure)
Little Drummer Boy

Because who doesn't want to take a break from their day job to play a game of I Spy with Tiffany's?

Rules to Live By

J. Crew opened its first chain store in London (crazy, right?) last week, complete with balloon frill, bespoke cabbies & blooms galore.

It might be the most charming thing I've ever seen.

London is calling, I just can't find my passport.

In honor of their newest venture, The Guardian chronicled Creative Director Jenna Lyons' (style icon #2) 10 Commandments. 

Here's a few I've chosen to live by:

1. Don't divide your wardrobe into smart and casual, but mix them up.

"For example, if you have one of our flip-hem wool skirts, you can wear it smart and flirty with a blazer and shirt and jewels and a heel. But you can also wear it dressed down, with an oversized sweatshirt and New Balance trainers."

I haven't totally committed to the New Balances yet, but never say never. 

2. Freshening up your look doesn't always have to be about buying something new.

"We might have a sweater on sale for six months, and we'll shoot it in six

different ways for the catalogue, which comes out monthly. It's a

challenge, but that's where the fun is. We're all about suggesting new

ways to wear the clothes you have."

Love this rule. More bang for your buck!

3. Party dressing should never be head-to-toe shine and sparkle.

"If you're wearing a jeweled top, then maybe wear it with a menswear trouser and a loafer. Things that play off each other, instead of matching up, create a fun mood."

2012 Elle Decor // 2013 CFDA Celebrates Uma Wang // Grand Opening of J. Crew Bridal Boutique

2013 Great Gatsby Premiere // 2013 Met Gala // 2012 Met Gala

No head-to-toe sparkle? Sorry, Jenna, but I disagree. More is more!

4. Mix colours in your jewelry, as well as your clothes.

"Try a stack of bracelets on each wrist, and rings on both hands, in a mix of yellow and rose-gold."

Done and done.

5. A masculine element will make any outfit more chic.

"Menswear is at the heart of everything we do at J. Crew. Even if it's a very fancy, feminine piece, like a jewelled T-shirt, if you drill down you'll find a tailored shape at its root."

I am LOVING this...commandment? (NO.) Suggestion? Way of life? You get it.

6. Don't ignore all those fabulous neon orange and moss-green pieces because you are not confident with color.

"Colour isn't easy for anyone. It's not easy for me! It's a challenge. It feels good to embrace a challenge."

I don't know about THAT but if I haven't worn most of the colors in the crayon box in one day, I find myself feeling unfulfilled. 

A few rules of my own I'd like to add:

1. Pattern on pattern is mostly a good thing. (Case in point)

2. Don't pay full price for anything unless it's absolutely necessary. In which case, it is absolutely necessary. (Like if you absolutely needed this. Which you do.)

3. Go big or go home. (See what I mean?)

Follow J. Crew on Instagram for the best updates!

Lady Antebellum + Stevie Nicks

Do you guys like Fleetwood Mac? 

I do. 

I didn't know I did, but a few weeks ago, CMT Crossroads changed all of that.

Ladies & Gentlemen--the best collaboration. Ever.

Lady Antebellum & Stevie Nicks.

Yes, it is as good as it sounds.

I've been singing these songs for weeks. 

Feel free to watch the whole thing here (totes worth it, trust me).

Although all you really need to see & listen to is this:

Favorite song in the history of songs. 

Okay, so maybe just Top 10. 

Although I might be partial to Dixie Chick's version. 

Can we bring them back?

They sang several other songs (Stop Dragging My Heart Around might take the cake), & the harmonies are PERFECTION in every single song.

Seriously.

I'm not asking for an encore, but I'm expecting one.

Bravo!

VicTory

Isn't that title just so hilarious?

I thought so.
But it's absolutely true. 

In my spare time (of which is shrinking to miniscule amounts by the hour), I decorate homes that I don't have. So when the Tory Burch Home Collection debuted just a few weeks ago, I'd already managed to plan a living room makeover for a living room I don't have. The Collection triumphs (just like the title says).

Tis a trifling thing.

You've seen Tory's Southampton home right? So you understand my excited & furthermore understand that it's well -placed, correct?

Tory's parents are both avid needlepointers (didn't know that was a thing but I'm ready to join the club)--these pillows (handmade, of course) are based on cushions they gave each other years ago. As Tory explained, they learned to needlepoint on a six-week cruise in the Mediterranean. Well, if that's where I need to go to learn, by golly--Bon Voyage.

Apparently, I'm super into lucite & have always loved #allgoldeverything so this Collection hits the nail right on the head for me. I'll take one of everything & two of each pillow.

Tory photographed at home by Noa Griffel

I'll also take that dress she's wearing. And that velvet sofa.

Who am I kidding? 

I want the whole room!

My Sister's Keeper

I've got a spot in my heart for the Ephron sisters. I've mentioned my love for Nora, & if my bookshelf is any indication, I don't plan on loving her any less in the near future. 

I read all of Nora's books last year (I Feel Bad About My Neck & I Remember Nothing rank high on my list of favorite reads); I treated myself to a performance of Love, Loss & What I Wore as a "Happy Birthday to me!" gift this past April & I've watched both Sleepless in Seattle & You've Got Mail in the past 4 days alone. I recommended Nora's memoirs to a friend before I was even halfway through her thoughts on hating her purse: "If I ever write a book," I said, "it will read just like Nora's."

But it's Delia who's making my head turn this month. The October issue of Vogue houses Meg, Nora & Me, a portrait of the three days it took Meg Ryan to record Delia's latest audiobook of Sister Mother Husband Dog (etc.) in New York, three things quintessential Ephron: words, the Big Apple &, well, Meg Ryan.

Can I be honest here? We're all friends, right? 

I'd never cried while reading Vogue & never felt that need to. I might have gotten a little teary reading this.

The piece, nestled between an excerpt from Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (she's back!) & the issue's FLASH section, is appropriately categorized as nostalgia; a sort of sentimental longing crept in & before I knew it I had tears in my eyes. It's the perfect peek into the bond Delia shared with her sister & an honest account of the moment she realized she'd have to live life without her.

I'd copy the whole feature here if I could, but, alas, you'll just have to go & buy the glossy yourself (Sandra's on the cover & is fierce!).

This turned into an expose & I'm okay with it.

"Getting Nora to change her mind was like trying to reverse a very strong current."

"All work/meetings/adventures should begin ideally with the possibility of friendship, & in the case of women, maybe even sisterhood." 

"Did I have all the fun I could? Did I work hard enough? Did I thank everyone enough? Did I honor my sister in all those ways? And in the book itself? Or is it only my standards I have to live up to now?"

I picked up Delia's book yesterday. I'll let you know how it goes. I've prepared myself to love it almost too much. Here's hoping!

Tour de France: Marant Style

Hear ye,  hear ye! 

This is the official announcement of the unofficial conversion wherein this blog becomes less about not being a fashion blog and more about being a fashion blog.

Accept it.

Embrace it.

Move on.

You know what I love? Collaborations. Meeting in the middle. Melding of the minds.

This, my friends, is gonna be a doozy.

Isabel, meet H&M.

H&M, thank you.

November 14th marks the official launch date where the French designer Isabel Marant & a company favorite, H&M, rub elbows, swap stories, and give us something to pinch pennies for. Marant takes all the hip, cool (did I just use those two words in the same sentence?) Parisian street style our hearts could want & makes it accessible to Americans such as ourselves. I pine over most everything she creates; I recently joined the wedge sneaker club thanks to Ms. Marant. Granted they're Fake Its, but it alludes to the fact that I'm a fan, right? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? What can I say, I like the aesthetic.

Paris Chic, I think I love you.

 

Aren't you so inspired? Bring on the fringe boots, prints & patterns, & leather EVERYTHING!
Vogue is right--start making your wishlist now!

"I think my clothes are speaking about me better than anything."

Bingo. If I could sum up my life in a nutshell.

Marant with H&M Creative Advisor, Margereta van den Bosch, in Paris.

Save the Date, kiddies!

Time & money well spent.

Keep Calm & Kerry On

If you've been out & about (which I assume you have) for any length of time in the past 9 months that is the year 2013, then you've noticed a little something I like to call the Kerry Washington Takeover.

I have to admit. This post has been a long time coming.

And rightfully so--Washington slays as Olivia Pope, (Scandal Season 3 premieres October 3rd!!!) the love-to-love Fixer & resident it-girl of Primetime TV; she's incredibly intelligent (think Manhattan's Spence School & a double major in anthropology & sociology from GWU, where she received an honorary Doctorate last Spring & just so happened to give a stellar Commencement Address); she gives great advice (even if those questions are semi-ridiculous); she's hilarious (no, really--she's funny); she's making history; she's probably one of my most favorite people that I've never met (I know, I know).

BONUS: she sings. Kerryoke! And--she's the Guest Judge on this season's Project Runway Finale. Hey-o!

Women aren't crazy when they say, "I want to be Olivia Pope."
What they don't realize?
The literal translation of that statement is, "I want to be Kerry Washington."
I don't blame them.
(She's my choice to play me in a movie of my life.) 

Girlfriend is EVERYWHERE.

Exhibit A:

18+ glossy covers in 15ish months.
Vogue's next. Remember you heard it here first!

Did I mention that she's nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in Sunday night's Emmy Awards? Excuse the lyrical delineation, but the girl's on fire.

ANDDD... she was just voted People's Best Dressed Woman in the World. Makes total sense.

Here's why:

BET's Black Girls Rock! 2012 in Marchesa

2013 Independent Spirit Awards in Giambassita Valli

Elle Cover Party in Lanvin // Django Unchained Paris Premiere in Rochas // 2011 Emmy Awards in Zuhair Murad

2013 TCA Press Tour in Giambattista Valli // 2012 American Music Awards in Stella McCartney // The Details Hollywood Premiere in Mary Katranzou

2013 Teen Choice Awards in Stella McCartney

2013 CFDA Fashion Awards in Jason Wu

The issue hits newsstands today! Also? I would wear every single dress seen above.

Best Dressed Woman, indeed. 

Who even knew I cared about a title like that? Consider that challenge accepted.

You guys. I think she's going to win the Emmy. I can feel it in my gut (How Olivia Pope of me). She's in good company though. If she does win...prepare yourself for Monday's post.

There's lots more fangirling where this came from!

Step Into My Office

Since I'm not at Lincoln Center wearing sky-high pumps & a glitzy arm party for Fashion Week (cue weeping & wailing & tearing of clothes), I'm spending the next week or so totally engrossed in all things Big Apple. Most recently, I've taken a lovely fascination with Moda Operandi, the firm that takes the runway's best collections (think Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, DKNY) & makes them available for purchase--even pieces that don't make it to the retail buyer's sales floor. You can order online through their e-commerce boutique, or (if you're thinking what I'm thinking) make an appointment with a stylist at the downtown office. And, if you're lucky, you might even see founder & Vogue Contributing Editor (& it-girl) Lauren Santo Domingo, one of my style icons. Seriously! My Matchbook Profile even says so. 

This month's Architectural Digest took a tour of the company's Manhattan office & I am in love. A fiddle fig, neon sign, pale pink walls, John Robshaw & Jonathan Adler?

Say no more.

Don't you love it? I'm pretty confident I could get a lot of work done in any one of these spaces. As a fun bonus, check out this exclusive AD Pinterest board curated by Lauren herself!