RL Spring 2011

I find myself coming back to one spring 2011 collection image – one that didn’t necessarily catch my eye or snag at something in my mind at first – but I’m thinking about more and more as the dead of winter drags on.  Almost like a fashion brain worm.  The image pops into my head at odd times, perhaps because I’m longing for warm spring weather, or perhaps because I’m reading Brideshead Revisited this week.  The book is conjuring daydreams of 1920’s British countryside estates, art deco fountains ringed with boxwoods, champagne cocktails on Venetian patios and steamer cruises across the Atlantic.  The image I find myself stuck on is Mario Testino’s photo of the Ralph Lauren Spring 2011 collection for Vogue.

The clothes in the image aren’t particularly my own dressing style, or even things I would normally find overly appealing.  Lots of cream and ivory, lace and crochet, layers of Stevie Nicks, Victorian hem lengths and frontier sharp-shooter.  But the more I study it, the more I think it’s gorgeous and charming.

I may be recalling it because recently I, along with a lot of my friends, online acquaintances and female contemporaries, are revisiting our 1990s rot grrl ideologies, sensitivities and aesthetics (I think it's time to bring back my amazing high school zine, BFF!)  Knee-length pinafores, crushed-velvet empire-waist dresses, fishnets and combat boots were my uniform in high school and early college.  Horn-rimmed glasses (I’ve noticed an explosion in popularity of Warby Parker frames), calico prints and peter pan collars – all things I wore nearly to death between 1990 and 1995.

The Ralph Lauren pieces in Testino’s photo, along with more from the collection, evoke a lot of those 1990s feelings and associated memories in me.  The collared dresses, high-necked frocks, modest long sleeves, calico, floral lace, crochet, and dresses that look better with boots than with heels.  All using five or six fabrics in two or three tone sets to create a true wardrobe.  It feels like they were all designed and made for real women, women I know myself.

Lauren’s collection also contains aspects of fashion from every decade since I was born: 1970s color palette, textures (satin, suede) and long lean silhouettes; 1980s hem lines, crisp white preppiness and Dynasty-style shimmer; 1990s vintage-look slips, layering and redefining of femininity; and the 2000s “post-fashion” fashion, where cyclical trends fall apart, and “decade” style transcends decades.

And this is what I discover at the crux of this collection – an esteem for what went before it and the women who are going to wear it.  A designer who has a seminal style, helped along with incredible longevity.  A blending of the last 30 years into something that is classic, beautiful, memorable, and best of all: wearable.

local music i enjoy

Sun Airway - ethereal, catchy, gorgeous, clever.

Reading Rainbow - garagey, Brit-poppy, balanced, 90s nostalgic (maybe that's just me).

Party Photographers - short songs that kinda stab your ears and/or dig into your brain like a grapefruit spoon.  Ramones-y. 

beginning bread

Over the last year or so, my husband and I have been focusing on being more self-reliant in the kitchen, making things from scratch, and perfecting recipes.  We now regularly make our own BBQ sauce, hot sauce, salad dressings, juice, pasta sauce, popsicles, pickles and more. 
One thing I've been very interested in, but a little intimidated by, is mastering a variety of breads and baked goods.  I remember my paternal grandmother's hands kneading a wide range of doughs - for biscuits and gravy, slippery dumplings, pie crusts, cinnamon bread and sourdough.  She could look from across the room and tell if a dough needed water, flour, butter, or more (or less) kneading.  And this is what I want: to know breads by touch and sight.   I went through one of my favorite cookbooks and picked out a bunch of recipes I want to try this month, and started Saturday night with a simple cheese bread.  It turned out GREAT.  Next up: a seven-grain wheat and southern buttermilk biscuits.  Yum!

spring shoes

Ankle boots $270:

Ankle boots $50:

 Black strappy wedge sandals $132:

Black strappy wedge sandals $80:

Black strappy wedge sandals $50:

new favorite thing that i need desperately

Need Supply galaxy-print "convertible" dress.

meet mark.

I'm having more surgery tomorrow morning, nothing major, but I'll be recovering for a couple days.  Normally I do a little "retail therapy" when this kind of thing comes around, but I am in MEGA money-saving mode right now (good for me, right?)

Well, I still needed to do a little bit of frugal splurging (I just made up that concept, I'm sure) so I got myself a stack of magazines (Elle, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Lucky...) and decided to hit one of my favorite online stores - meet mark.

Great makeup (and now skincare too), fragrance and hair care, at extremely reasonable prices.  He also offers hook-ups, one of my FAVORITE things in the world - I can carry around a facsimile of an entire makeup case in my purse.  I've got eyeliner and eyeshadow on one, lip gloss and acne spot treatment on another.  He also has brushes now, which is very cool.

And right now, meet mark has free shipping with an order of $35 or more.

new Lykke Li video - "I Follow Rivers"

Love this. Smiled when she took off her shoes, got weepy at the end.
Also, MAY SIXTEENTH.

date night

My husband and I went on a sushi dinner date night and this is what I wore:

ASOS "wing" dress, black belt, black leather-panel leggings, black suede ankle boots

wearable gardening

I love the idea of this, but probably wouldn't wear it.  Still love it.

Spring trend: denim

I normally cannot stand denim clothing, unless in jeans form.  But there is a great deal of denim on the market for the spring, and some of it is decidedly non-repulsive.  So I will share what I like with you!

ModCloth Bobby Jean denim dress

Chloe dark denim wedge

Talbots J'Adore denim/linen jacket.  I LOVE THIS. 


Stella McCartney denim tunic

Forever 21 pinstripe denim dress

Loft "inky wash" denim leggings

And my favorite, the Talbots Champs-Elysees skirt!

Valentino Spring 2011

Sometimes you see things that people create, that they make with their hands and minds and hearts, that make you feel happy to be alive.  Happy to be on this planet with people who do amazing things.

The Valentino Spring 2011 collection is one of those things for me.  I gasped out loud when I saw some of these pieces.  The black lace skirts, the polka-dotted belted dresses, the camel-colored swiss dot/lace front dress.

This:

Neutral but not stereotypical, timeless but not boring.

color scheme inspirations

I started watching the show "Pillars of the Earth" on Netflix this weekend.  I found myself really fascinated by the medieval British crusaders flags and national and royal flags.  Lots of great color scheme inspiration to be found there.  I particularly like the robin's egg blue and marigold.

Book Club

Starting Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited tonight, in preparation for the first meeting of my book club.
Excited!

Christian Dior Spring 2011

Gahhhh, the colors.  So gorgeous, will weep.

Zara - spring collection

Zara's spring collection is out, and um, I guess I'll be putting a second mortgage on my house.
Everything, everything, everything.
Splashes of color, polka dots, striped hems, gorgeous silhouettes, and an intriguing selection of leather.

new music

Tennis- beach bonfire lo-fi, The Sundays if they were happy, interesting bridges that snap you back to attention, summer road trips to the shore, geography nerdism, jangling and serendipitous


Puro Instinct - LA psych-glam, NuRoRuWav, a la Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, valley girl blond, bored affect, lovely melodies, these chicks know from the 80s (despite being born in the 90s), a little spooky, could listen all day. Puro Instinct on bandcamp.

live music madness

I'm collecting a stack of tickets for live shows in March and April (traditionally a time for bands I want to see to tour, I always assumed because of SXSW).  So far:


Tennis and La Sera on Friday, March 4th at Johnny Brenda's
Dum Dum Girls on Saturday, March 5th at Johnny Brenda's
WILD FLAG on Sunday, March 6th at Johnny Brenda's (maybe I'll just move in for the week)

Elephant 6 Surprise Tour on Thursday, March 24th at First Unitarian

Mogwai on Wednesday, April 20th at Starlight Ballroom

restaurant week

Last night some friends took to me to Tweed for a belated birthday celebration.  The interior of the restaurant was very nice - I loved the color scheme (slate blue/gray and ivory), orchids, half-circle booths (soooo convenient for conversing!) and lighting.  The appetizers were great - we tried the salmon tartare (my favorite), lollipop chicken wings, and cheesesteak croquettes (which were as excellent as I'd heard).  I had a kir royale (brut champagne and Chambord, yum!) and a Bisous - a sparkling white wine (blanc de blanc) and St. Germain cocktail, which I am now obsessed with and will be drinking well into the spring and summer.

I was a little disappointed with the entrees - my lobster ravioli (while obviously made with fresh pasta and a very nice brown butter sauce) was almost cold when brought to the table, and the orcchiette was replaced with rigatoni for two of my friends' entrees, and no one explained why.

The desserts almost made up for it though - I had the cheesecake with bourbon-praline sauce (bourbon and pecans?!  yes please) which was delicious.  We also tried the poundcake ice cream sandwich and the peanut-butter and chocolate ganache bar, topped with peanut gelato.  Wonderful!

Tonight I'm taking my husband to Zama for a sushi date night.  We have high hopes, as Zama is well-reviewed, in-demand, and the menu looks nothing less than extremely impressive!

great product alert

Laura Mercier's hydrating foundation primer has changed my daily face routine.  Since I've been using it (about 10 days- and you only need a tiny amount per day) I have noticed a marked difference in my skin.  I don't even feel like I need foundation anymore!  It smooths, shrinks pores and moisturizes without leaving an oily residue, or feeling thick.  It also hasn't caused any breakouts or redness - a true miracle, as I have extremely sensitive and breakout-prone skin.

After I put it on, my skin immediately feels much softer, smoother and somehow cooler... perfect for the mid-winter doldrums I've been having - my skin has been alternately overly dry and overly oily, with increased redness and some breakouts.  But the primer does exactly what it advertises - it makes foundation and powder go on more easily, last longer, and look more natural.  I've noticed better coverage and "stamina" out of my foundation (I use Clinique SPF 15 redness solutions makeup), to the point where I'm no longer using concealer.

Sephora currently has Laura Mercier's hydrating foundation primer in the 3.4oz size for only $40 (for a limited time), so get it while you can.

Out on the town - Jan 2011

Black sheer lace tank (Donna Karan Dress), vintage denim flares, taupe suede cowboy boots

Black extra-long tee (H&M), Pilcro stretch cord leggings, black suede ankle boots (9 West)

Trying on NYE outfits

Sheer lace tank (Donna Karan Dress), tiered miniskirt (U.O.), textured tights, Jeffrey Campbell 99s

Strapless ethnic-print dress (Forever 21), black cardigan (Macys), textured tights, Jeffrey Campbell 99s

Black sleeveless tunic (Nordstrom Rack), Blackmilk "galaxy" leggings, black buckled ankle boots

Gray ribbed tank, blue over-sized sheer tee (Gap), galaxy leggings, black suede ankle boots (9 West)

sale @ Barneys

Barney's is having a gargantuan sale right now.  Like, 50-70% off Alexander Wang, Lanvin, Christopher Kane, Opening Ceremony, PS, Marc Jacobs, Jil Sander and more.

AMAZING!!!

pre-fall 2011 collections

This look, from Nina Ricci's pre-fall 2011 collection, made me die.
And now my ghost is posting it on the internet.

There are lots of other great items and ensembles in this collection!

post-holiday bargains, part 2

I went to Zara during my lunch on Monday to check out their current sale.  I desperately need bottoms - skirts and pants - in my new-er size, and couldn't pass up the chance to get some of their nicer stuff at 50-70% off.

I found a really nice olive green knit A-line skirt, which is perfect for the winter.  Very thick and heavy knit, ideal neutral olive/military green, and fits like a dream.  I wore it today with a maroon tank, black crewneck sweater, black wool tights and black boots.

I also got a 70s-style plaid skirt, similar to this one.  However, the one I bought is a little longer, with a button placket in the front at the waistband.  It hits below the knee and will look fab with my brown vintage boots (though I love the shoes they have the skirt styled with, if I wore those shoes with a below-the-knee skirt, it would be Cankle City).

I was pretty bummed, as the two skirts I went looking for (this accordion pleated number and an even-more-perfect knit version) were no longer in stock.  I was ALSO bummed that even though I fit into a medium in their skirts and pants, I am somehow an extra large in their tops?  Not even form-fitting ones, but sweaters?  It's true that I have thin hips and pretty skinny legs.  BUT I am barely any bigger up top - I wear a small or medium in most places (small in those with vanity sizing like Old Navy and Ann Taylor Loft).  I picked up one of Zara's v-neck sweaters in a size medium and was pretty shocked - it probably wouldn't have fit over my head.   But, I am pretty much continually appalled at clothing sizes for women - they are SO terribly inconsistent, unrealistic, arbitrary and bizarre.  That's a rant for another day.

birthday dinner

My husband took me to The Inn at Little Washington for my birthday this year.  I've been wanting to eat there for more than a decade, and even more so since my cousin's husband Raf (who was a chef there for ten years) gave us a tour of the restaurant and guest house last October.  What better way to ring in your 35th year than in my beloved Virginia, at one of the best restaurants in the country!?

The dinner was fantastic - 7 courses of pure heaven, and pure perfection.  The best champagne, wine, food, service, atmosphere, presentation, and of course - desserts.  Even the coffee was the most delicious I'd ever had - served with chilled cream and real lumps of raw sugar.  Mmmm.  The holiday decorations were tasteful and gorgeous, there were candles and fireplaces in every room, and classical music was playing at the perfect volume. No detail was overlooked - even our menus were personalized and we got to take them home, along with a goodie box in the shape of the Inn, filled with delicious candies, cookies and fruits.

The funny thing is, a lot of people have asked me not what we ate, but what I wore.  I guess my friends and family know me pretty well!  I did buy a dress for the occasion, of course, and shopped around until I found the most unusual and most "me".   The one I fell in love with was Emma Cook's "fox" dress, which I wore with black opaque tights and Jeffrey Campbell's 99 wedges.

post-holiday bargain hunting

I went out after work yesterday for a little retail therapy session... one of my favorite Friday afternoon activities.  In addition to spending my Sephora gift card (which I did, splendidly!), I was hoping to find some post-holiday sales.  I hit H&M, knowing they'd be having their annual $5-20 sale.  I tried on 8 or 9 things, but none of them really struck me the right way - even the adorable red spaghetti strap swing-y top (which I was praying I was going to love) for $10.  Alas, it did nothing for my lack of a discernible waistline.  I did, however, find two great things for $5 each - and as an addendum to my last post, they were both long-ish basic tops.  The kicker is they're both from the H&M maternity line, Mama.

The reason they worked for me is they're not made with excess fabric in the front as maternity tops usually are, they're just REALLY LONG.  Apparently pregnant women continue to be a size 2 everywhere ..?  It makes no sense to me, but I cashed in regardless.  I am obsessed with tops and tunics that hit below the hip (I mostly wear low-rise pants and HATE to have even an infinitesimal chance of my stomach skin showing) and these are cut/made in a way where you can pull them down to almost mid-thigh (and the medium was still form-fitting, again confusing me as to how this is maternity wear?) or rouche it all up to hit at low-hip.  I got a white tank and a black tee, and I anticipate wearing them everywhere with everything.

I also found the most perfect pants on sale at Anthro -  Pilcro's stretch cord leggings.  The corduroy is very fine wale - almost velvety.  The store had olive green and slate gray/blue in my size.  They look exactly like pants (front and back pockets, fake button/zipper placket) but are exquisitely stretchy, soft and comfy.  And made to fit like leggings at the top (read: elastic waist area) but fit like skinny cords at the bottom, scrunching up perfectly at the ankle.  I got just the slate ones, and am already regretting not getting the olive pair too.  They will be gorgeous with boots, but would also look amazing with a pair of wedges, like Jeffrey Campbell's khaki Sheman, currently on sale at Need Supply (I think I have to get on that...)

utter necessity, volume 1

Back in the fall, I found the most perfect tank top of all time. It resides in Target, and costs $9.  It comes in a variety of colors: black, gray, magenta, olive, plum, bright purple, navy, white and more.  The reason why it is so perfect, and essential, is that it lands at or below the hip - I DESPISE shirts that are cut short, when they land at your waistband or just below.  This one is ideal for layering or wearing with leggings or skinny jeans, as it hides the stomach/hip area extremely well.

It is also one of the softest cottons I've felt from a box store item - the tank feels already worn-in, and after many washes, hasn't faded or pilled at all, which is really saying something.  I initially got it in gray and olive, then went back for the magenta and white.  Now I want the navy and plum.  I mean, $9 for something I can wear every single day is fabulous! (I have found so many uses for them - under cardigans, with skinny jeans and a jacket, alone over a bathing suit, with leggings and a drapey cardigan, and once the weather warms up I'm sure I'll find even more).

You'll have to go to a Target store to purchase, as the Target website only has the olive in stock.  But as of Dec 29th, they were still in Targets in Virginia and Pennsylvania.  Stock up now!!

keeping it together

I pride myself on having a neat and organized living space.  I do a thorough cleaning about once every 7-10 days, but do upkeep/real-time straightening and light cleaning almost every day.   I live with four cats and have to maintain the level of cat hair, as well as their food area (which makes our kitchen floor pretty dirty) and their litter boxes.  But in addition to the cats, we have very little closet/storage space, so I also have to keep up with clutter, piles of mail, laundry and dishes.  I think of it as just a fact of life when you have a small, old home.

But over the last week I've been having a lot of issues with keeping up, because we are installing all new windows in the whole house.  So far the windows in the office, bathroom and one of the two in the kitchen have been done.  The bathroom is so small that we had to immediately clean up the space after installation, but the office is still a disaster zone (wood, insulation, sawdust, a shop-vac, two toolboxes, etc.) and the kitchen is practically unlivable.  The second kitchen window will be done today, but cooking lunch or dinner in there is impossible, so we're ordering delivery.  I just did the dishes, but there's no counter space because the kitchen table has been moved to access the window, and there's just... STUFF everywhere.  We still have cookies, cake and other food out from the holidays, the toaster and coffee maker are on top of the fridge, and it's just a big ol' mess in there.

This situation has made me consider how important an organized house is to me.  It's also made me realize how many problems I'd likely have with living in a house that was being remodeled. We are planning to expand/remodel our bathroom AND get new kitchen cabinets and counters this year.  I'm wondering how well I'll handle that, if it extends more than two weeks or so.  I really shouldn't be this annoyed by something that's only going on for a few days (a week at the most)... but I think it's that there are so many rooms in the house that are messy right now.  The only rooms with space to sit or stand are the living room and our bedroom - of course, those are the next rooms up for window installations (after the dining room).  Of course, we have to get rid of the Christmas tree before we can even consider starting in on the living room!  We are saving an enormous amount of money by installing the windows ourselves, and I believe it was the right decision.  But it has allowed us to drag out the process a little longer than is probably necessary.

So my coping strategy is to adapt my already-existing methods, but to smaller areas of the house.  I straightened up the kitchen counters and put all of the dishes away, which created a little bit of room.  I moved the cat food to the dining room, and took out the trash and recycling.  I took a big contractor bag into the office and filled it, took that outside, and dust-busted the floor.  Every little bit helps!  And it also is a huge benefit to have as much touch-down space as possible right now.

The other great thing that keeps me going is knowing how much warmer and quieter our house will be when the windows are all done - and how much money we'll save in heating and air-conditioning!