holiday dresses in black...

so here we are with my last post of ideas for holiday wear...hopefully you have rsvp'd to all your events...because you now have plenty to wear...my last post focuses on black dresses...whether strapless...backless...halter...short, long or somewhere in between...most of us have some hanging in our closets...why not rev them up...try a new pair of shoes with your dress...or a different necklace then you normally have worn with that dress...sometimes...all we need is a new accessory to revive a dress that has been ignored for a while...

here are some examples of holiday dresses in black from the fabulous finds consignment boutique...as always...if you see something you like...click on the link below the picture...and it will take you right to that item...but be sure to take a look at all we have...there are a lot more in the boutique...so happy shopping...

kenneth cole

georgio studio

ralph lauren

walter baker

white house black market

abs evening by allen schwartz

laundry by shelli segal

stepping up the preppy...

do you remember the preppy look?  the polo shirts and cable knit sweaters?  if you have still got some...laying around the back of your drawer...why don't you pull them out...and revive the look?  

while the whole preppy look is rather sporty and casual...nothing says that you can't mix it up a bit...so why not pair that polo shirt with a flirty skirt and heels?  talk about revving up an old polo shirt...right?  

same kind of deal with that comfy cable knit sweater...how about pairing it with a nice skinny jean...but add a bit of glamour with a sexy pair of metallic sandals... or satin flats...

those pearls?  inter-twine them with some of your favorite gold chains...or other statement necklaces...adding a little bit of the unexpected to the classic pearl necklace...

when it comes to stepping up the preppy...it is about taking that sporty casual look and adding a nice combination of modern with classic...taking the casual and adding some upscale pieces...and all of a sudden...that polo shirt...that has been sitting in that drawer...feels new again...

big pony tropic purple polo
ralph lauren

put together: in black & white...

one of the easiest ways to put an outfit together...and look very well put together...is the lovely combination of black & white...so simple...yet always chic...always classic...always right...

top and pants - ralph lauren black label
bag - valentino garavani


blouse, pants & shoes - dolce & gabbana
belt - salvatore ferragamo

photos scanned by moi
harpers bazaar - november 11 issue

men's corner: step it up in the sock department...

one of the ways gentlemen can add a bit of fun to their corporate look...without going overboard...is through the socks...in fact...back in my corporate america days...when i would diligently take the train to work in the city...i would always make a point of noticing men's socks...i think it revealed a bit of their personality...

so why settle for boring black, brown or grey socks? add a bit of pizzazz...and fall trends...whether it be polka dots...plaid...stripes...maybe even an argyle...step it up a bit...

here are some favorite's i picked out on the nordstrom website...

tommy bahama 'shaken not stirred'

ted baker

hugo boss black wide stripe

polo ralph lauren 'mini neat'

pretty in pink...

here we are...almost half way through the month of october...i don't know where the time is going...and of course...since the first...i've been meaning to do a post on october being national breast cancer awareness month...

wanted to share a few brands that are helping in contributing funds through their sales...to benefit organizations that are searching for a cure...

exclusively at saks: elie tahari "key to the cure" tee for $35...see pic below with the lovely jennifer hudson...a soft cotton tee with a key-filled heart...and "where there's love, there's life" printed on the front...the best part...100% of the sales of this tee go directly to breast cancer research...

photo source

and we have ralph lauren...where a portion of the proceeds from the sale of all pink pony products supports worldwide initiatives for cancer care and prevention...

if you have some favorite brands that have specific items picked out for national breast cancer month...please feel free to add them to the comments...

and most importantly...be sure to get your regular exam done ladies... =)

think pink...

this month marks the 10th anniversary of ralph lauren's "pink pony" campaign for cancer care and prevention as a worldwide effort to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer...many have seen his iconic pink-colored polo player logo...at this point...it is not only seen on the classic polo...but on everything from cashmere sweaters to scented candles...and the best part...with 10% of the proceeds benefiting this fund...

i still remember the first ralph lauren polo i bought with the "pink pony"...i had never been much for touting brand names/logos on my clothes...but i loved the reason behind it...and i loved the big pony logo...i still have it...and still love it...

on the 10th anniversary...i love the quote on the ad campaigns by ralph lauren...

"breast cancer is not just a woman's issue - it affects all of us; the brothers, husbands, fathers, children, friends. pink pony is our effort in the fight against cancer"

october is breast cancer awareness month...what will you do to support this vital cause? think pink!
photo source

you had me at hello: i salute you...

i have been obsessed with getting a bold officers jacket for a long long time...but most of the ones i see...are just not right...well...this month...as i do every month...i'm flipping through my 10+ fashion mags...and i come across this gem...

hello...

my scanned pic below does not do it justice...it is a beautiful vibrant red...don't you just love the tiny rounded gold buttons? and...of course...the perfect amount of gold trim at the collar and sleeves...my hopes would be to find a vintage officers jacket...but i'm in no rush...these things take time...

this beauty...by ralph lauren...is very very close to what i am looking for...and although i have not seen it in person...you had me at hello...

lavished at christmas time...

yes...i was lavished at christmas time...seems a lot of my friends are asking what i got...so i thought i would share with you my lovely gifts that i received that are "fashion" related...feel free to share yours as well...it may give someone a great gift idea for a birthday coming up...

as most of my readers & friends know...i love audrey...and...lucky me...got one more book to add to my collection...she is one classy lady...



i love these cocktail napkins i got...won't they be perfect for a girl's nite get together??



hold on to your seats...i am now the proud owner of my first croc bag...les sigh...if you are wondering what the difference is between croc & alligator...here is a post on "is it an alligator or crocodile?"



my lovely niece got me this beautiful necklace...she knows her auntie...love the pearls...they go with everything!!



and one can never have enough gloves...love the color of these...



more bling bling...



and then the hot boots...thanks mom & dad!



after a long nite in the hot boots...i can come home to this luxury...my younger brother's tradition...every year...a new pair of slippers...these are so lady like...no? every girl should have their favorite pair to slip into...only the best for you...



this is actually two necklaces my girlfriend got me...chains & pearls...so coco chanel...goes with everything!!



"little luxuries in a large box" so fun to open...each little luxury was individually wrapped...included in the big box among many beauty items...was a nail file with some bling bling :-) and these cute parisian pics...and...



if you recall i had posted the luxe list - luxury gifts for women...the question was "which would you choose?" and i of course was drooling over the chocolate trunk...a girl can dream...right?? i got this little gem...which actually i am thankful for...a little chocolate is all i need...5 pounds of chocolate, 350 pieces of rich ganache, and four tins of Aztec hot chocolate may be a bit much... =)



and then this precious gift...from my younger niece...it is not fashion related...but it was made by her in shop class...my beautiful new cutting board...made with love...by melissa...and as if this wasn't enough...



she engraved it...awww....love that girl!!

puttin' on the tux...

men always fuss about dressing up, (well...not all...but most...) yet they look so delicious in tuxedos...and...most women love a man in a tux...so why not skip hearing them fuss...and wear a tuxedo yourself? you are certain to look fabulous, too...and feel like a sexy woman of mystery and intrigue...

how can you find a men's tux that fits? well you probably won't...every so often a designer such as yves st. laurent or ralph lauren will come out with a high-priced tux outfit for women...



but i think a better bet is to find yourself an oversized vintage tuxedo in a resale shop and take it to a tailor...have it cut down to fit your own curves perfectly...and accessorize to your heart's content...don't stop at the tuxedo itself...find some elegant cufflinks to wear and a jazzy silk cumberbund to wrap around your waist...perhaps wear a flouncy skirt or silk blouse to make the outfit more feminine looking...

and by all means...don't forget...wearing one piece at a time jazzes up a casual outfit to perfection...

black velvet...

what do you really need to get along in life? air, water, food, shelter, and some black velvet...yes, black velvet...along with a nice crisp white shirt...

it was a sultry actress and torch singer marlene dietrich's basic outfit - a ruffled white blouse and black velvet pants...

this go-anywhere, do-anything outfit has been reinterpreted every decade, from twiggy in the sixties to a new ralph lauren variation every season...

just years ago, sharon stone caused a sensation at the oscars when she put together a long black velvet skirt, her husband's white shirt, and a diamond-encrusted lizard pin on the back of the skirt's waistband...now that is a memorable look...

with black velvet pants or a black velvet skirt and a stark white shirt, you can go anywhere on a moment's notice...no need to fuss over what you are going to wear because, like the air you breath, it is already there...