bring the brooches out...

the uses for brooches are vast...i tell you...vast...whether you peruse through your grandmothers jewelry box...or hunt some down at the local thrift store...what a fun way to update any old blazer or sweater...

but don't stop there...the more the better...how about trying for a cluster of brooches?  mix and match 3 different ones and create a wonderful arrangement on your blazer...whether you stick to pearls and rhinestones...or go for some color...what an easy embellishment...

thinking that is not quite your look?  how about attaching one to a necklace you have...perhaps your pearls could use a nice brooch...or add to a simple chain or leather string necklace...instant statement necklace...and you choose the color and style...

pin one to an otherwise boring clutch...how about adding it to a belt?  or pin it to the waistband of your skirt or dress...get the idea?  so many options...all with a tiny brooch...give it a try!

and if you have some innovative ways to wear your brooches...please leave ideas in the comments...so others can try them out as well...

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from work to play...

while there are fewer and fewer professions...where women or men for that matter are wearing suits...they have been slowly trickling back in as a strong trend...and even more so for the fall season...while i think everyone should own a good suit or two...how do you make it look less like work...and more feminine when meeting friends or that someone special...for dinner...

to take that suit from the boardroom...to a sexy look for dinner...start with a nice suit...menswear inspired...which means...clean lines and sophisticated fabrics...

next...add some feminine underpinnings...how about an embellished camisole...a blouse (think vibrant jewel tone colors) or better yet...how about a sexy bustier...peaking out from underneath your suit jacket...like this lovely item...

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next...time to swap out the pumps you wore all day..nothing wrong with them...but how about putting on some strappy heels?  instantly changes the look of your suit...

and while we are at it...put away the big handbag...yes...you know the one that carries all your belongings?  how about replacing that with a lovely clutch...

add some sparkle in the way of dangling earrings...a cocktail ring...and looks like you are ready to paint the town red...

brooch it up...

the piece that at one time...seemed to be in every ladies jewelry box...now...can be found in so many wonderful places...whether you are looking for a new piece...which many stores carry...or opt for something older...whether found in your own grandmothers jewelry box...an estate sale...thrift stores...or flea markets...the nice thing...is that you can really find some that suit your style...

so if you are all about color...go for the gusto...find it in a beautiful favorite color...or bursts of colors in one piece...is metallic more your speed?  gold, silver or bronze...take your pick...perhaps you are a pearl girl at heart...look for something like the picture below...

and what to do with these lovely pieces?  while a jeweled or metallic brooch can add instant glamour to a simple black top...don't stop there...add it to your coat...or dress...pin it to a simple clutch purse...for an instant update...

if you are already a brooch girl...share the way you wear them in the comments section...inspire others...

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shrimpton/marketa limited edition clutches...

what can be better then mixing a little vintage with contemporary...introducing the shrimpton/marketa "limited edition" clutches...les sigh...so many colors to choose from...click here to see them all...vintage fabric from shrimpton couture collaborating with new york bag designer marketa psenickova...

photo credit

basically...every bag incorporates a vintage fabric detailing used for the interior pocket material...cherie...the owner of "shrimpton couture"...one of my most favorite places to shop for vintage...has personally selected the interior vintage fabrics...cut whole cloth from unusable vintage dresses that are beyond repair...

i don't know about you...but that seems like a great way to re-use some beautiful pieces from days of old...

hello clutch...

"how about clutching it?" was one of my posts back in 2010...click on the link if you'd like to see my top clutch purses...that i use quite frequently...

seems they haven't gone away yet...and although i will never be completely ready to say goodbye to my purse...clutches are they way to go...when you don't want the bulk or worrying about the extra weight...what i love is that the newer ones are definately made big enough to actually hold your things...

when you've got a busy day...and carrying alot...sometimes a clutch is just what you need...especially when you are already carrying a briefcase or laptop case...a clutch can nicely fit in...and save you some shoulder pain as well...

the key is knowing what your essentials are...when finding the perfect clutch...make sure those essentials fit..be it your favorite lipstick, phone, car keys...

and then as always...have fun with color...texture...and size...see if you can stop at just one...

diane von furstenberg 'tonda' printed cotton clutch
nordstrom

you had me at hello: golden cluster...

usually my "you had me at hello" moments happen in a quiet setting...i'm sitting on my couch...relaxed...looking through fabulous fashion magazines...and as always...it happens...i turn that page...and there it is...whatever it is...at that moment...that gets me...that beautiful shoe or bauble or jacket or full on outfit...

today...well...was very chaotic...unloading my car of groceries...getting mail out of the mailbox with both hands full of grocery bags...may i pause a moment and say that i wasn't in a hurry...so what possessed me to do all this at once...well...i can see my mom shaking her head...

but back to the story...so as i'm trying to put all the mail on top of the grocery bags that are in both hands...everything topples over...i mean...EVERYTHING...now normally...i would be pretty upset...but as i looked down at the mess that was now everywhere...the november issue of harper's bazaar was open to this absolute lovely...well...it SO had me at hello...that i...for a moment...forgot about my tiny accident just moments before...

now the thing is...it is kind of like saying i need another pair of black shoes...although i can always justify why "this" pair is different from all my others...i have several gold clutch purses...but this one...is very different...and well...not really a clutch...and plus...it had me at hello during a very hectic moment...

coach bag
scanned by moi

baggage...

...it's the stuff of life...both literally and emotionally...do you set out each morning with enough gear in your tote to run a fortune 500 company from your taxicab? or do you pare things down to the barest survival-kit essentials...wallet, agenda, keys, lipstick, and a packet of kleenex?

so today...as i was having breakfast with my dad...a woman walked into the restaurant...looking absolutely fabulous...great business suit...polished shoes...hair & make-up flawless...and then i saw it...the horror...her version of...i'm guessing a "business" briefcase...or maybe she thought no one would notice...and maybe they wouldn't have...except for...the fact that she walked in...met two other people...it was obvious that it was an important meeting...which she was leading...and the 4th chair...she put her lovely eye-sore version of a briefcase for all to see...it was a very discolored back-pack...had a tear or two in it...and she proceeded to remove folders from it...as she started her meeting...

i caught both the other people with her...looking at the back-pack...several times...so...did she blow the meeting? not sure...i mean...i give her credit...she looked very well put together...but...every piece needs to be thought out...and your briefcase should not be an after thought..unless it stays in the car...and doesn't see the outside world...or potential clients...

so what would have been a better option? i thought you'd never ask...because...really...there are so many options out there...when i worked in corporate america...and the briefcase was pretty much attached to me throughout the day...it was a purchase that i thought long and hard over...what look was i trying to go with...and most importantly...what was i going to be carrying around?

here are some great options...

- shoulder bag...the reliable shoulder bag with a handle...just in case...clean lines outside...lots of pockets inside...durable and practical...made from sturdy leather in a neutral color...a bag that can travel as easily to the office as to the stadum...

- tote...the ultimate traveling office...with room for your laptop...agenda...makeup kit...and assorted papers...it's bound to get heavy...make sure it has a shoulder strap that's comfortable long and allows your hands to be free...

- large envelope...sleek and minimalist...this bag is a good one for important documents...and is a feminine...lighter alternative to the traditional briefcase your father may have carried...the style is neat...tailored...and elegant...the only drawback? no handles or strap means it leaves you one-handed...

what i found helps as well...if you are in need of carrying around a briefcase...carry a small cluth...a great small bag to throw in your tote during office hours and use on its own at night or for important lunches...the clutch is a classic...so invest in quality and good design..it should last you for years...no need to be carrying around two large bags...right??

great options out there at so many price points...so leave your kid's backpack alone...make sure you are top notch for that next big meeting...

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how about clutching it?

so you've been running around all day...with your big handbag...on a side note...do you notice how they seem to get bigger and bigger?? which is great for lugging things around...but not so much on the back...if you know what i mean =) but back to my intro...so you're running around town...and then it's time to meet some friends for drinks and/or dinner...or perhaps you are off to a cocktail party...please tell me that you switch out your purse...it only takes a few moments...

and seriously...how much more chic do you look with your clutch...and not the big handbag full of everthing you have accumulated for the week?

what i love about clutches...well...their size for one...picture this...you are at the restauarant or bar...and your big shoulder bag...which i hope you don't place on the floor (so not good) and it ends up on your tired shoulder...getting heavier as the nite progresses...on the other hand...picture the clutch...safely tucked under your arm...freeing you to shake hands...hold a cocktail & appetizer plate with ease as you make your rounds in the room...

much.more.comfortable...no?

a clutch is also a great way to complete your outfit...need color? need texture? whatever your need is...it can be incorporated within your clutch...

some definate do's when looking at purchasing a clutch...make sure it fits your essentials...now essentials...does not mean...receipts, checkbook, wallet, sunglasses, make-up bag, and everything else you stuff in your big handbag...no! a clutch should hold essentials such as a lipstick, cell phone, identification, credit card, cash...etc...

here are my top 4 that i use the most...

of course i have one in leopard print (it's my neutral...you know) and black patent leather...
can't go wrong with this one

i adore this beauty with croc print & the "shining" crystal knob

the look of this one...i adore...but...it didn't fit all the essentials criteria...
the cell phone takes quite a bit of manuevering...sigh

and...when i need/want a pop of color...
nothing gives more pop then a red patent leather

do you clutch it?