you had me at hello: when a good pair of shoes is all you need...

yes...i do love sam edelman shoes...most of my flats are by sam edelman...they are comfortable...chic...a little bit of that something extra special thrown in...and voila...a great flat...

so as i was perusing my march issue of town & country...i knew when i turned the page and saw this...that something good was going to follow...

scanned by moi

but i had NO idea that what i saw...would have me at hello...when all you need is a good pair of shoes...obviously these shoes spoke to me...it took me a while to realize the model had nothing else on...but what else does she need? she has got the perfect pair of shoes...

and yes...they will be mine...

scanned by moi

instant travel...

your suitcase is your closet when you travel...and at times...i must admit...i have packed like i truly did bring my whole closet...only to bring it all back home unworn...add to that an achy back...when i started traveling for business in my corporate america days...i literally was on the road three weeks out of the month...and being that i had my suitcase to contend with...and all my "work" stuff...ie: laptop, brochures etc...i learned to be creative with my packing...

so here are a few things to think about when choosing clothes to pack...
- how much room does it take up?

- does it match with other pieces you're bringing?

- will it go day and evening?

- can you wear it more than once?

- does it wrinkle easily?

for example...my corporate america days...i pretty much lived in suits...i usually looked for suit fabric that was seasonless...like a lightweight wool...that made it possible for the suit to work both warm and cool climates...a dark suit with matching pants and skirt could be deconstructed to create a variety of looks with few accessories...i would pack a top that could stand on its own without the suit jacket...i would also pack a dressier pant and fun chic shoes to pair with my suit jacket out for a nite on the town... business dinner with clients...

all in all this works with casual wear as well...pair a few tops with that flouncy skirt...etc...

ideal travel fabrics bounce back after being crushed...who wants to spend time ironing clothes when you get to your destination? or worse yet...looking like a crumpled mess...if you so choose not to iron =)

do you have some great travel tips to share? please do...

photo source

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...

photo source

advanced style...

one of my most favorite blogs to read is...advanced style...ari seth cohen (the creator of the blog) roams the streets of new york...looking for stylish older "folks"...and stylish they are! the blog is full of great pics...great video's of some of these stylish folk...

to me...there is nothing better then a passion for fashion at any age...but really...what it boils down to...is having enough respect for oneself to care about the way you look...no matter what age...

take a peak...great representation of unique style...color & flair...

last week...a short film was posted that had a nice array of several of the participants...i watched it over and over...such style...such fun...such expression of oneself...

fashion should be fun...and this video shows that ever so clearly...enjoy!



photo source

fashion funnies: the right shade of lipstick...

this lovely was sent to me by my fabulous aunt...
enjoy your weekend!!

no...i haven't seen your lipstick...



why would you even ask me that?
i am so insulted!
every time something goes missing around here...
everybody looks at me...

color blocking with your separates...

the march issue cover of elle magazine was...in a word...fabulous! did you happen to see it? if not...i scanned it for you below...i have to say...i am really loving this whole color blocking that has been showing up on the runways as well as fashion magazines...

there is something about the intensity in pure...undiluted color...worn alone...the shock value of a bright...even moreso when fearlessly mixed...

so how to mix?

it depends on your bravery level... =) i've written before about wearing different tones of the same color...this would be a great first step...

if you want to venture out further...a great way to pick corresponding colors is by looking at the color wheel...opposite colors on the color wheel make for great color combo's...

but ultimately...all we need to do is look at nature...or pictures...or...well...all that is around us...for example...when you look at a bed of flowers...and you love the different color combinations...why not incorporate that same color combo into an outfit...

here are some wonderful color blocking combinations to inspire you...

what colors have you put together to form a color blocking outfit with your separates?

love all the colors!


my favorite color combo


actually anything with green...i love...

great gucci ad

photo credit: all scanned by moi...elle magazine

window display: a mannequin of cards...

sunday...while walking down the ave...sipping my skinny hazelnut latte...chatting it up with my oldest niece...we came across this lovely window display...at the papyrus store...now...i have always loved papyrus cards...especially the "fashionista" ones...but who would have thought that they would go all out and have a maanequin made of cards...

fabulous!

photo taken by moi