Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Street Chic: Ashley Olsen


The Olsen twins didn't start the street style movement, but they most certainly were the catalyst for our current fascination with the personal style of our favorite celebrities. Remember "dumpster chic"? 

Both Ashley and Mary-Kate have amazing personal style, but there is a distinct difference between the two. I gravitate toward Ashley because her look is more classic and less boho, which is generally what I go for. What I like most about her is that she knows what colors and styles work for her and she sticks with them. I know that's a lot of black, white and navy, but you have to admit, the girl looks damn good. Some of the pictures in this post are more than seven years old, and nothing looks tired or dated. To me, that's the hallmark of great style and good taste. 

Monday, April 28, 2014

Currently Reading: The Lost Art of Dress


The Lost Art of Dress by Linda Przybyszewski

My Mom found this at the MFA shop over the weekend and picked it up for me because she know's how much I enjoy reading about the history of fashion. Linda Przybyszewski, a historian and expert dressmaker, looks at a group of women, known as the Dress Doctors, who taught American women how to dress well on every budget and for every figure with tips on dressmaking and classic patterns. It focuses on some of my favorite fashion time periods like the 40's and 50's and I'm hoping to pick up some fun retro fashion ideas. I'm only a couple of chapters in but I know this book is going to be a keeper for me.


Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Let It Go


Saturday, April 26, 2014

Hey Did You Hear...


Sophia Webster's shoe collection for J. Crew will be available in May - The Fashion Spot

The dress code is set for this year's Met Ball - New York Times

Primark is coming to Boston - The Boston Globe

That Terry Richardson Facebook message was a fake - Fashionista

It was Grace Coddington's idea to put Kim Kardashian on the cover of Vogue - New York Magazine


Happy Saturday!!


Thursday, April 24, 2014

Thursday Night Cocktail: Tequila Mojito


Recipe and Image via Don Julio

Ingredients

1.5 oz. Tequila Don Julio Blanco (or your favorite white tequila)
0.5 oz. Fresh lime juice
0.5 oz. Simple syrup
Fresh mint, muddled
Fresh limes, cut into small pieces
1 oz. club soda
Mint sprig


Directions

Put all ingredients except club soda and mint sprig into a mixing glass. Add ice and shake vigorously. Add club soda, shake once, and pour into a highball glass. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Cheers!



Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Navy Stripes for Spring

Navy stripes are as old as the hills but they're still my favorite look for spring/summer. There's just something about navy stripes that always looks young and fresh despite being such a timeless style. Don't get me wrong, I love a fun warm weather trend, but every summer I always go back to my classic navy striped pieces. If you invest in a high quality striped dress, wedge or bag you can count on wearing it every spring and summer for the next five years. Talk about trend-proof!

Don't believe me? Check out this mini-history on navy stripes.

Picasso

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Street Chic: Coachella Edition


Coachella is starting to go the way of Fashion Week in the sense that the focus has shifted from the main event (the fashion shows and performers) to who is attending and what are they wearing. I have never been an avid festival goer (camping out in a field is not my favorite activity), but I must admit that I enjoy following the fashion at the two-weekend event. The key at Coachella is the right mix of fashion and function because standing all day in the hot, sunny California dessert just can't be done in six inch stilettos. These are my favorite looks from the past two weekends:

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Hey, Did You Hear...


A look at the changing fashion of Mad Men - CNN 

Lady Gaga's un-retouched Versace ad has been leaked - Fashionista

The CEO of Goop is leaving the company - Racked 

Lauren Santo Domingo is Pinterest gold - Vogue

All the looks from the Duchess of Cambridge's trip to New Zealand and Australia - The Telegraph


Have a great weekend!


Friday, April 18, 2014

A Look at Splendid's First Handbag Collection

I discovered Splendid a while back on one of my many (many!) shopping trips to Anthropologie with my sisters, and I've been a fan of their amazing t-shirts and classic comfy staples ever since. 


Having cornered the upscale market on stylish, comfortable clothing for women and kids, Splendid has branched out and recently debuted their first-ever handbag collection. The 53-piece spring/summer collection is full of fun, warm-weather colors in a variety of styles, including clutches, totes, wrist-lets and bucket bags that are great for both work and play.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Thursday Night Cocktail: Pomegranate - Key Lime Vodka Cocktail


Image and Recipe via Cooking Light

Makes 4 cocktails

Ingredients

1/4 cup sugar 
1/4 cup water
1 cup club soda
1 cup unsweetened pomegranate juice 
1/2 cup vodka 
3 tablespoons fresh Key lime juice* (about 3 limes)
Crushed ice
Key lime slices

Directions

Combine sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 2 minutes or just until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; cool.

Combine sugar syrup, club soda, pomegranate juice, vodka, and lime juice. Place crushed ice in a martini shaker; add about 3/4 cup pomegranate mixture. Cover and shake. Strain into a glass. Garnish with lime slice, if desired. 

*If you can't get your hands on key limes, you can always use regular ones


Cheers!



Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Street Chic: Cat Deeley


I only discovered British TV presenter Cat Deeley recently but I have enjoyed following her style transformation. What has stood out the most is the stark contrast between what she wears in the UK and what she wears while working in Los Angeles. Here in the States we have east coast/west coast style differences, but the style jump from across the pond is even more pronounced. I have to hand to Cat because she pulls off both styles perfectly. Two cities, two closets! 

I actually like the ideas of changing up your style when in different cities. There is most certainly something to be said for have a fashion "uniform" but I think it's fun to be constantly changing things up. I know if I had the closet space and wardrobe budget, my looks would be changing every day of the week!

Monday, April 14, 2014

SoulCycle at Chestnut Hill Square


A couple of week's ago I had the opportunity to take a spinning class at the newly-opened SoulCycle in Chestnut Hill. I had never done anything like spinning before, but I was thrilled to have the opportunity to check out the space. SoulCycle has quite the cult following in NYC and, despite my aversion to exercise, I was very curious to see what it was all about. 

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Find Your Calling


Saturday, April 12, 2014

Hey Did You Hear...


Michelle Williams' Second Campaign for Louis Vuitton has Debuted - Hollywood Reporter

Tom Ford Has Married Longtime Partner Richard Buckley - Glamour

Coachella Has Gotten Super Commercialized - Time

A Look Inside the LVMH Shareholder Meeting - Fashionista

Peaches Geldof Found Dead at Just 25 - The Guardian

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Thursday Night Cocktail: Traditional Sangria from Emeril Lagasse

 Recipe & Image by Emeril Lagasse via The Food Network

Makes 15 servings. You can always half the recipe for a smaller group.

Ingredients

2 bottles chilled dry red wine, like Rioja
1 cup brandy
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup superfine granulated sugar
2 oranges, cut into thin rounds
2 Meyer lemons, cut into thin rounds
3 Key limes, cut into thin rounds
2 apples, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
2 cups cold club soda

Directions

In a large pot or bowl, combine the wine, brandy, orange juice, and sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the orange, lemon, and lime slices, the apples and refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour. Remove from the refrigerator and add the soda. Serve in glasses over ice.

Cheers!


Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Street Chic: Vanessa Hong


I discovered fashion blogger Vanessa Hong when RduJour did a post on her personal style last month. I loved the outfits that they featured in the post so I quickly added her blog, The Haute Pursuit, to my regular list of reads. What I really enjoy about her style is the mix of high fashion with vintage pieces and lower priced brands like Zara and Mango. If you're into high end fashion and enjoy blogs that are heavy on personal style posts, I highly recommend checking out Hong's The Haute Pursuit. 

Monday, April 7, 2014

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Hey, Did You Hear...


Kate Moss is wearing her new collection for Topshop on the cover of Harpers - Harpers Bazaar

Dolce & Gabbana don't think Victoria Beckham is a "real" designer - The Telegraph

Conde Nast has settled a lawsuit filed by former interns - Fashionista

A look at the beauty routine of author Jill Kargman - New York Times

Gisele Bundchen is back on the runway - Elle 



Thursday, April 3, 2014

Thursday Night Cocktail: Ginger-Lime Soda


Recipe & Image via Martha Stewart

Ingredients

8 cups ginger beer
2 cups vodka
2 cups fresh lime juice
8 thin lime slices
 
Directions

In a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine ginger beer, vodka, and lime juice, and stir to combine. To serve, fill eight glasses with ice and garnish with lime slices. 
 
 
Invite some friends over tonight. This recipe from Martha serves 8! Cheers!

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

BHLDN Fashion Show at Anthropologie


I have always been an Anthropologie fan and when my sister Meg told me about BHLDN I fell in love instantly. If you haven't already heard, BHLDN is Anthro's sister brand that specializes in wedding and party attire.  I have no plans to marry in the near future, and therefore have no need for a wedding dress, but their non-bridal dresses and accessories are to die for! Perfect for stylish bridesmaids and wedding guests. 

My local Anthropologie in Chestnut Hill has just opened a BHLDN shop inside the store and held a fashion show last week in honor of the opening. Having loved what I saw on the website I was super excited to get the chance to see the dresses up close and check out the store within a store concept.

 These are some of my shots from the show. Please excuse the poor photography and runway view. My camera battery died and I had to resort to documenting with my iPhone.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Street Chic: Elle Fanning


I have always liked Elle Fanning. She is absolutely adorable, a great actress and quite the fashion force. I usually don't feature teenage girls on Street Chic posts (or on the blog at all now that I think about it) but I'm drawn to Elle because she manages to be both highly fashionable and age-appropriate at the same time. 

So many young women in the spotlight walk around half dressed in these garish, god-awful outfits (yes Miley, I'm talking to you) that are neither fashionable or age-appropriate. I admire the fact that Elle is leading the Hollywood fashion pack while still managing to look her age, a feat that is rarely seen in the entertainment industry.