Macho Watches

For most of my adult life I've been on the search for the perfect watch. Among other things, it must be oversized, chunky, and sporty...but not so-sporty that it has multiple "bells and whistles" I'll never touch nor understand. From the first moment I spotted Chanel's J12 Collection of watches, I've been pretty much consumed with the idea of having one casually hanging from my wrist one day. That "day" is still just a dream at this point so I must continue my search for the affordable, normal-person version.

At one time, you almost had to exclusively shop the men's watches because women's weren't nearly as cool - they were just too...girly, of course. Now, however, I'm noticing that watches are more and more being dubbed as "unisex" and this has been good news in my search.

Toy Watch has been an excellent score in the men's-watches-for-women trend. These watches are very cool, sporty and relatively inexpensive due to the fact that they are, despite appearances, plastic! The above are from the Sport Chrono Collection, which is graphic and vivid and comes in lots of facing colors including hot pink, white and purple in addition to these. $250

These 2 lookers are from the Toy Watch Oversize Collection. The black has a nylon band and the steel is acrylic hence the relatively affordable price tag of $195.

These classics from Timex are also really close to what I have in mind. The stainless steal version is the Women's Sport Luxury 3 Hand for $100 and the second is essentially the same watch but with a white leather band and face for only $80.

These are from Kenneth Cole and I daresay this white Old School watch is my favorite! There's just something really fun about it and it's only $95. The other is called Time Will Only Tell and even though it's big and chunky, it's also pretty refined. Would be a great work wardrobe staple.

Gap Jewelry??

Not sure how I missed this, but apparently The Gap has started selling jewelry??...albeit in very short supply and seemingly in such a way that no one on the planet can possibly be aware of it. You would literally have to stumble upon it on the website to know it was there at all. Apparently, they introduced their first-ever jewelry line earlier this month on July 7th in adult Gap stores nationwide, but honestly I haven't been in a Gap store in months for all the same reasons why the rest of the country hasn't either.

Hopefully the sparse offerings aren't a sign that this initiative is short-lived - it would be interesting to see this develop, especially if the price point stays under $30. These days, The Gap needs to do whatever it can to get customers in the door and if jewelry can help, so be it. I thought the below necklace ($29.50) and bracelet ($19.50) were the cutest of the pieces currently on the site and, again, hopefully we'll see a bit more down the line.

On an unrelated note: As I was snooping around The Gap site, I came across this really cute leather satchel pictured below. It is a little on the expensive side at $150, but would I say that if it wasn't from The Gap? Not sure, but it's cute.

Tie-Front Blouses

Everyone seems crazy about the tie-front blouse these days - eluxury even has a whole "Trend Watch" section devoted to them, which is where I found the lovely Zac Posen version above. So, it's no surprise that nearly every retailer currently has some iteration of this trend in store...some better than others, of course. I actually have a few of these blouses hanging around my closet from the last time they were all the rage and I'm thinking these will look great with all the super-slouchy trousers coming out for Fall.

Here's a peak at every type of tie-front blouse you can imagine from stripes to shiny to flowery. Happy shopping!

STRIPES: These are some of my favorites...obviously, because of my love of stripes. French Connection Frankie Stripe Shirt ($39.99), Old Navy Tie-Neck Top ($15.00), Gap Fitted Tie-Neck Shirt ($32.99) and ASOS Pinstripe Top ($108.15) and

SHINY: These shiny silks offer a dressier and sexier take on the tie-front blouse. Forever 21 Artisan Collar Tie Top ($22.80), Victoria's Secret Silk Charmeuse Top ($58), Newport News Silk Charmeuse Keyhole Blouse ($25) and Victoria's Secret Tie Front Blouse ($68).

FLORALS: Floral prints add an even more feminine touch if that's what you're after. Some of these would be really cute under a suit jacket or cardigan. New York & Company City Style Petal Print Mesh Top ($29.95), Victoria's Secret Tie-Neck Silk Blouse ($48), GO International Tie Front Top ($26.99) and Old Navy Floral Print Bow Tie Top ($24.50)

RANDOM FAVORITES: These are just a couple that I couldn't resist including....Anthropologie Gingham Blouse ($128) and French Connection Hissy Tie Shirt ($69.99).

Edie Rose by Rachel Bilson

If you haven't already heard, frequent CS fashion favorite, Rachel Bilson, is just about to debut her new collection - Edie Rose for DKNY Jeans - within the next couple of months. However, I must caveat this all by saying that the line is being categorized as "junior sportswear", which usually means "probably will not fit" and/or "inappropriate for 30-year old woman". Nonetheless, I am excited about this and hoping for the best.

Women's Wear Daily is reporting that the launch will feature "15 pieces, including a sportswear mix of button-down tops, sweaters, jackets, T-shirts, dresses and two jeans styles — a straight leg and a skinny leg, both available in a dark wash. The entire line will wholesale between $19.50 and $49.50 per piece, which is in line with the DKNY Jeans range. The color palette is made up of mostly simple black-and-white, with a pop of yellow." The collection should start showing up in Macy's, Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom's in September. We'll keep a look out and report back with first impressions once it arrives, of course.

In the meantime, here's the few preview pictures I could find. Honestly, I'm feeling pretty underwhelmed by these pictures. With the exception of the jackets, which I would like to take a closer look at, nothing else really interests me. But, again, I'm going to stay optimistic that the other pieces we're not seeing here are really exciting.

Style Envy: Kate Bosworth

It feels like Kate Bosworth sort of just blossomed into a fashion fixture overnight. Even her Sunday-morning-walkin'-the-dog outfits are now scrutinized and dissected for the masses. What I like about her style is her incredible simplicity and her consistently streamlined silhouette. There's never any "fuss" to her.

Here are some of my favorite looks, though I have to admit I almost excluded a few that were clearly taken during her "scary skinny" phase....I had almost forgotten how bad things got for a while there...but the outfit could not be ignored!

Fun details can breath new life into the LBD! And, her black-on-black ensembles always look edgy, not scary.

Conversely, she does sweet white and lace well, too. I have to admit the headpiece worn with the flapper-inspired dress wasn't something I originally liked on Kate (and she's worn this more than once!), but I'm slowly coming around to it.

These are some of my favorite looks from Kate - I love a great black/white combo and she knows how to work this look without ever being mistaken for wait staff.

Here are some more colorful ensembles. ..always youthful and never over-the-top.

Prints are worn pretty sparingly. These are the types of prints I can actually admire because the colors are usually muted and sophisticated.

A girl after my own heart! I love stripes!

Girlish details (a ruffled neckline, a statement necklace) are smart and always balanced by simple hair and makeup.

Style Lexicon: Ruching

I consider myself somewhat of a fashion geek. It's not enough for me to casually flip through a fashion magazine. I actually have to mark pages like a maniac so that I can carefully "study" them later. And, if there happens to be a word I don't fully understand - a sewing technique, a fabric variation, a color - well, then I have to get to the bottom of that. Not only do I need to know what the word means, I have to know how to pronounce it and what it actually looks like and feels like. There are more ridiculous ways to spend your free time, trust me....

So, every once in a while I'll share a tidbit I've learned or come across under the post title of "Style Lexicon: __________". Consider it your fashion "Word of the Day" because you never know when you might have an unexpected lunch with Karl Lagerfield and you'll want to know what you're talking about. So, let's begin....

Today's Style Lexicon Feature: RUCHING

Ruching (pronounced ROOSHING) is French and literally mean "to gather, ruffle or pleat". It's sometimes also spelled as "rouching". Basically, a strip of fabric or ribbon is gathered in a repeat pattern and as the gathering thread is drawn up the strip forms scallops or petals. Ruching is a labor-intensive, time consuming technique that, like many other art forms, is experiencing a resurgence in current fashion trends. Here are some pretty pictures to illustrate the art of "ruching":

French Style 101: La Redoute

For those not already hip to La Redoute, it's considered "France's favorite shopping source...for designer fashion, chic apparel, shoes, accessories and more- it's like shopping Paris wherever you are, whenever you want to." La Redoute has been in business for 75 years and is a household name in France with a long history in the fashion world. They even offer limited-time collections by world-class designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor & Rolf, Jean Paul Gaultier and Ungaro.

Did I also mention that La Redoute is très cheap? So, I guess it's like the French version of H&M, only you can actually order online, which already makes La Redoute much less frustrating than our beloved. Granted, not everything on the site is what I would envision as the height of French fashion (why so many peasant skirts??), but there are definitely a few French-girl-staples to be had. Here's a few I'm eyeing:

Retro Sweater $49.99

ET VOUS Tie-neck Knit Dress $29.99

Sailor’s Tank $9.99

LAURA CLÉMENT Stretch Straight-cut Jeans $19.99

LAURA CLÉMENT Retro Sheath Dress $44.99

SOPHIA KOKOSALAKI Wool Crepe Vest $34.99

Pencil Skirt $24.99

Reptile Foot Fetish

One of my favorite fashion secrets is the versatility of a reptile-print shoe. The trick is that even though they're exotic and rich-looking, they are essentially "neutral" and thus can be worn with everything. Plus, we all know that when outfits are too "matchy" they look outdated and predictable. This is such an easy way to add a little chic-ness to any outfit that needs a "little something" and even to those that don't.

I've learned this lesson by enjoying three joyous years with the perfect pair of Nine West reptile print peep-toe heels that I happened upon at TJ Maxx. By now, these shoes have complemented nearly everything in my closet and have been resoled 3 times as a result. But, I'm starting to accept that it's time to say goodbye - a shoe can only take so much - and I'm on the market for a replacement pair. Here's my progress so far - feel free to weigh in on your favorites....and, no, the above Christian Louboutins are not an option, unfortunately.

Payless Krime Exotic Print Platform Sandal - $12.99

These may as well be free they are so cheap. These are really cute and great for summer.

Women's Mossimo® Vida Peep-Toe Pumps - $26.99

These are really fun. I love the side cutouts and platform bottom and even though the colors are a little wild, they'll still work as a neutral.

Forever 21 Mystic Patent Pump - $27.80
I'm sort of on the fence about these, but for some reason I keep going back to them. They just seem very cool to me and versatile for the winter wardrobe, too, which I struggle with.

Rampage Maria - $50
A classic pointy-toe dress pump - the most wearable of all for sure. A great investment.

Chinese Laundry Attitude - $49.99

Another great investment - the super metallic finish will make these even easier to wear.

BCBGirls Fairy - $98

I know, these are a little on the pricey side, but I couldn't resist - they are my favorites!! I thought they were just really unique and super stylish.

Label Lovers

Surely if I was the proud owner of this lovely Yves Saint Laurent Downtown Leather Tote, I would feel like a million bucks. Well, maybe not a million, but at least somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,500...because that's how much it costs. Yikes.

If you feel like you simply can't go on without knowing what it feels like to wear a mortgage payment on your shoulder, then Bag, Borrow or Steal is for you. Bag, Borrow or Steal allows you to enjoy the designer accessories (handbags, sunglasses and jewelry) of your dreams, without having to forgo incidentals such as food and electricity. For example, I could "borrow" the above YSL bag for a whole week for only $98 ($66 for members). This still feels pretty steep for a 1-week "fling", but admittedly there are some other, more affordable options (see below) that I could maybe justify for a special event.

Chanel "Naked" Shopper Handbag

Non-Members: $51.00/week or $123.00/month

Members: $31.00/week or $90.00/month

Gucci 'D Gold' Large Hobo Handbag

Non-Members: $44.00/week or $104.00/month

Members: $26.00/week or $75.00/month

Juicy Couture Botanica Charm Necklace

Non-Members: $20.00/week or $53.00/month

Members: $14.00/week or $40/month

Tory Burch Resin Clutch

Non-Members: $18.00/week or $48.00/month

Members: $12.00/week or $35.00/month

Botkier 'Gladiator' Tote

Non-Members: $45.00/week or $115.00/month
Members: $30.00/week or $90.00/month

Style Envy - Lauren Santo Domingo

Socialite Lauren Santo Domingo is a former editorial assistant at Vogue and vice president for Carolina Herrera. She bears an unmistakable resemblence to my favorite fashion icon ever - Carolyn Bessette Kennedy - so maybe that's why I'm such a fan of her look. Lauren is always very put-together and simply exudes "uptown elegance". There's no doubt that Lauren has the inside track to the world of high fashion and it certainly shows.

Also, she was recently married to the seriously rich Andre Santo Domingo in a lavish, and much-talked about wedding in Cartagena, Colombia.

Ikat Attack

I'll be honest, this ikat print trend has taken me a while to warm up to. At first, I wasn't even sure what "ikat" meant, much less how it was pronounced. (It's ē-ˌkät, by the way.) But since then, it's really grown on me. As long as it's worn in a very unstudied, casual way (a la Rachel Bilson above) you can really pull off a great "boho luxe" look, but I'm less thrilled with the louder and more "dressy" interpretation below on Katherine Heigel. It just feels a little too cartoonish for my tastes.

Nonetheless, here are a few great deals on ikat pieces, ranging from the "subtle touch" to the full-on ikat commitment, depending on your tolerance for prints. You decide!

Urban Outfitters Ikat Big Square Scarf $20

Forever 21 Ikat Clutch $24.80

Topshop Ikat Stripe Long line Cami £25.00

Wet Seal One Shoulder Ikat Dress was $24.50 NOW $12.25

ASOS Ikat Dress was $60.56 NOW $38.93

Kid Stuff - Tea Collection

As a mother, I do occasionally have to shop for someone other than myself...really, I do...and, children’s clothing can be painfully expensive considering how fast the little people tend to grow.

So, I was excited to come across the San Francisco-based Tea Collection. Tea Collection is all about versatility - their Daily Tea collection is full of coordinating pieces that can be mixed and matched to create several different outfits. So, Tuesday’s leggings can be worn again with Thursday’s dress, etc….Plus, the internationally-inspired look of Tea Collection is remarkably on-trend (think tiny tunics and flowy Batik dresses), but in a totally playful and kid-appropriate way. Right now, you can get up to 75% off during their Summer Sale and shipping is free when you spend $100+.

As with most kid's clothes, the girl's stuff is much cuter than the boy's, but such is life...

Avery 5-Piece Set was $105, NOW $47.50

Amelie 4-Piece Set was $69 NOW $34.50

Wagadugu Stripe 2-Piece Dress was $45 NOW $29.50

Sunset Dip-Dye Dress was $59 NOW $39.50

Kate Moss' BIG Earrings

Since everything Kate Moss wears seems to be a sign of "things-to-come", does this recent picture mean that BIG earrings are making a comeback? Admittedly, these she's wearing are really...really big, but as long as the earrings are super light-weight then no one gets hurt. I love this look so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Here are some inexpensive (and not so large) versions below (from top to bottom): Claire's Boutique Gold Plate Chandelier Earrings ($7.50), Forever 21 Royale Earrings ($4.80), Esty - Golden Peacock Earrings ($24.00).

Etsy

I'm ashamed to say that I'm just now getting around to visiting Etsy.com even though I've been hearing about it for a while. I was so impressed with the site right from the start - clean and easy to navigate. I'm just starting to nose around the jewelry section and already I've found a few things that I really LOVE. This is a great site for one-of-kind, Anthropologie-esque pieces at a great price (and a fun way to sell your work for those creative types out there.) I'm just scratching the surface of the gazillions of things you can find on Etsy so expect another post about other categories soon.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces of jewelry so far. From top to bottom: Long Opalite and Gold Chain Necklace ($45.00), Hammered Sterling Silver Earrings ($32.00), Constellation Cuff by Stamp ($34.00), Jadite Glass Cocktail Ring ($15.00) and Chalcedony and Sterling Silver Earrings ($21.00).


For those of you not yet familiar with Etsy, it is a website that allows users to buy and sell handmade items. Similar to eBay, the company charges users a flat listing fee (of 20 cents per items), and takes a commission of 3.5% off all items sold. Etsy has a very slick Flash interface, which, combined with a smart taxonomy for listing items, makes it easy for users to find items, and helps sellers improve visibility. Items are listed under broad categories, such as Accessories, Clothing, Art, etc., and further listed under user-defined tags. Since its launch in June 2005, the site has continually added new widgets and features, and has seen corresponding growth. As of December 2007, the site boasts over 100,000 registered sellers, and has seen over 2 million sales.

Style Envy - Selma Blair

Selma Blair has such a simple approach to her style both on the red carpet and on the street, but there is always a twist...something edgy and different that makes her fun to watch. Even though she clearly has a penchant for the preppy, there is something offbeat about her interpretation. I always have thought that J. Crew (on sale, of course!) is a great place to shop for Selma's style.

Some of the keys to her look:

• Neutral colors and classic fabrics
• A great tailor - her clothes are always a perfect fit
• Lace, pearls and other "girly" things
• Very minimal make-up and hair
  
• Preppy basics - turtlenecks, cardigans, classic dresses
• Offbeat accessories

Design*Sponge - Inspiration

Design*Sponge has become one of my favorite sites to visit for inspiration of every kind. It is a daily website dedicated to home and product design and features store and product reviews, sale and contest announcements, new designer profiles, trend forecasting and store/studio tours. In addition, Design*Sponge features a unique section dedicated to covering student design, national and international design shows.


My favorite part is that the site is updated constantly throughout the day (with an average of 6-10 posts a day) and I've subscribed to receive the e-mail updates when new posts go up. It's a great place to find DIY projects and inspirational people and things.


Hope you like it as much as I do!

Watercolor Prints

I have an unreasonable fear of wearing prints...No matter how lovely the colors or the print, I inevitably end up feeling ridiculous and just....big and frightening. But this new watercolor / impressionist print trend has inspired me to live a little. I think the artsy look gives it just enough of a sophisticated edge to make this trend totally wearable and still bright and happy.

The above versions are Catherine Malandrino ($425), Badgley Mischka ($595) and Oscar de la Renta ($4,270), top to bottom. Lovely? Yes. Affordable? No. After all, this may not be something you want to wear next year.

As always, leave it to our friends at Forever 21 to knock-off a trend at the speed of light. Here are some of my favorites pictured below. From top bottom: Colorful Swing Skirt ($19.80), Watercolor Chiffon Top ($19.80), Paradise Bubble Dress ($22.80) and Tropical Halter Dress ($24.80), but there's plenty of other interpretations to choose from on the site. Forever 21.

Fun, right?

J.C. Penny Ruffled Shirtdress

This picture really doesn't do this adorable dress justice. I spotted this on a friend a few months back and it looked so great on her. The cut is so flattering and the halter neck and ruffled front make this such a fun and unique dress. And, my favorite part is that it has pockets! It's kind of a 1950's throwback and perfect for summer parties. It's currently on sale for $54.00.

For those not familiar, this brand is called American Living and is the in-house J.C. Penny brand brought to you by Ralph Lauren. The American Living line is Ralph Lauren in every way but name and you can really score some great classics for nearly nothing. As with all high-low partnerships, it takes a little digging but the bargains are unbeatable.

Payless Summer Shoes

As we all know, Payless is a funny thing. Sometimes, I visit and there is literally nothing I would wear if someone gave it to me for free. Then, there are other times where I buy 3 pairs of shoes at once. Well, this is a good time to visit your local Payless because the new arrivals look so incredibly cute. I actually spotted the pink Ruched Ballet Flats on a friend who was wearing them with skinny jeans and a t-shirt and when I heard she got them at Payless, I had to immediately check out what else they had. I'm sort of over wedge heels right now, but these orange Stacked Wedges would be such a great punch of color with white pant or even dark-colored jeans. The ivory Vogue Chopout Slings make for a perfect summer staple with shorts or long dresses and they are so Tory Burch-like that you would never guess they are only $19.99! And, I know the yellow Candy Glam Sandal may seem a little limited but I really like the graphic design on the sides and for $17.99 who cares if you only wear them once this summer?

Not sure if this is true at all locations, but mine is also running a "Buy One Pair, Get the Second Half-Price" sale so hurry over and scoop these up!

Steve & Barry's RIP

I know I'm incredibly late to the game but I just this weekend was able to finally visit a Steve & Barry's while on vacation in the Boston area. Like every other woman in the country, I've been anxious to get my greedy little hands on Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten line of clothing and accessories. Of course, I have read and heard numerous times how terribly underwhelming the experience is, but I wanted to see for myself. And, boy did I - it was TERRIBLE. There was literally nothing there! The racks were bare, the floor was covered in clothes fallen from hangers and the jewelry was in a tangled mess...all under gigantic posters of SJP promising "Fashion you can afford to love." So sad. And, this store apparently just opened in June! I actually forced myself to buy a pair of gold hoop earrings just out of respect for SJP....

So, I wasn't entirely surprised to read that Steve & Barry's has filed for Chapter 11 in Women's Wear Daily today, but still...the future was so bright. What happened? And, more importantly, will there be massive going-out-of-business sales that we should know about....at stores where there is actually merchandise, of course.

Target Dress

I was hesitant to post this dress when I first bought it because even though I liked it immediately, I wasn't sure how exactly I wanted to wear it. The above look with just the dress and black heels definitely wasn't right...I wanted a more casual/relaxed look to match the lightweight fabric. I was finally able to wear it today to a Fourth of July party to RAVE reviews! I paired it with the yellow Ann Taylor Loft cardigan mentioned a few posts back ("Cardigan Search") and it was a great combo - the bright yellow gave a little "life" to this understated grey color. And, of course, paired with my most fav gold gladiator sandals (also a Target find - See "Gladiator Sandal" post), it was a total hit. Lots of compliments. The whole outfit cost about $80! If you do like the dress and want to order it, just know that it runs really big so go a size down from what you normally wear. Another plus - very flattering cut for a post-baby body...or anyone struggling with an unruly midsection!