beyond the basic pant...

it was just a few weeks ago...that i was chatting it up about the colored jean...and although i have not found my perfect pair...i am now looking for that AND the perfect colored pant...think bright...

yes...the basic pant can be fabulous as well...pairing it with the right top & shoes...you can pretty much make a very glamorous outfit...but how fun to add some color...when everyone is wearing black, grey, brown or blue pants...go beyond the basic...and add a splash of color...

when you find the perfect pair...keep in mind...less is more...with the bright colored pants...think quiet shades for the rest of your outfit...including the shoes & jewelry...

here are the top contenders so far...

diane von furstenberg naples pants, lipstick

gucci ankle-length pants, tabasco

robert rodriguez wide-leg pleated pants

one blouse...three ways...

one thing i really try and teach my clients...is to look at their pieces in the closet...individually...and then create at least three different outfits...this is sometimes easier with some pieces...and harder with others...but with practice...it becomes a natural way to look at your wardrobe...

so many of my readers have been asking for more examples...as in pictures...so i went back to my binder...and found this great example...using one blouse...a weekend look...to the office...and then a fabulous evening look...

it doesn't necessarily always need to be to different functions...meaning casual versus dressy...sometimes...it is about creating three different casual outfits out of one piece...

but another thing to notice...in the following pics...i pulled these from lucky magazine september issue 2009...2 years ago...and yet...these looks can still work today...which is the other rule i like to follow...when you buy classic and good pieces...they will definately last you several seasons...and years...






photos scanned by moi - lucky mag september 09 issue

fashion funnies: life is like a pair of jeans...

found another great comic from the sf chronicle a while back...leave it to mom to put it all in perspective...

daughter: i had a dream about quill last night. made me wonder if he's "the one." how do you know when you're in love, mom?

mom: love isn't an event. it's a process

daughter: ok. but how do you know who to spend your life with?

mom: life isn't one journey. it's many trips

daughter: meaning?

mom: what works today might break tomorrow

mom: life is like a pair of jeans. some work forever, others seem perfect but never quite fit. some are sturdy, others need a lot of care. some get too small, go out of style or just lose their appeal. some you get rid of then wish you hadn't, others you keep and wonder why

daughter: wow. you are just full of momisms today

mom: yeah, they're a lot easier than actual answers

photo source

enjoy your weekend...

pan am...for real...

one of my dearest and best friends...knows how obsessed i am with the 60's...and we were chit chatting about mad men...and the new show pan am...and her hubby decides to show me a pic...of his mom & dad...his dad...being a realtor...back in the day...and this was a trip that they were awarded...also part of a conference...in lovely hawaii...

of course...i love that it is pan am...but more then that...i love love love how everyone was so dressed up...for hawaii! you just don't see that much in travelers now a days...

thought i would share...pan am...for real...

one of each...please...

this week...i've been on the nordstrom website quite a few times...looking for items for the blog...for a client...for different reasons...how delightful...that everytime i would click on there...i would be shown this lovely pic...

ok...one of each please...not only do i love the styles...but how can these colors not put a smile on your face? of course...i already have purple suede shoes...which have always added a nice pop of color to many of my outfits...so not sure how i can convince myself that another pair is needed...but the pink & plum? yes please!

photo source

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'

a terrific coat...

ok...i know for a lot of you...you are not thinking about coats...at least not here in the bay area...as we are having some rather pretty perfect eighty degree weather kind of days...but coat season will be upon us soon...and the days will turn chilly...

and although we may not be thinking about coats...they are already filling up the stores...

as your most public piece of clothing...your coat has a lot to do not only with how warm you are but with your mood...if you feel good about how you look coming and going...you're likely to feel good when you're there...what counts as terrific is up to you...

for some women...only black will do...another woman says she'll never go through another winter without a bright coat to cheer her up...for still another it's the ultimate classic camel coat or navy polo...

a good coat is a steep investment...but keep in mind that you really do wear your coat nearly every day for maybe six months or so a year...and that a good coat should last three years minimum...that's about 350 to 400 wearings...so when you think cost per wear...a terrific one is well worth a dollar or two (or even more) per wear...

burberry brit double breasted peacoat
nordstrom.com