Street Chic

I came into contact with this striking lady at a friend's 60th birthday party held at a very dapper downtown loft.  Eyeing her that night, I remembered I had spotted her at a previous cocktail engagement.  I found out she is an SMU professor of Asian history so she is obviously masterfully intelligent but also has quite a smart sense of fashion too.  I love this ensemble she is wearing.  On a recent journey for business to the Far East, she had this beautiful dress handmade in China.  I love the cut with its slight cocoon effect in the back which reminds me of pieces from a favorite designer of mine - Lanvin.  The color is so crisp in this saturated yellow (she even had a long coat in the same color) and when paired with black helps create an overall graphic feel.  The simplicity of her long chain jewelry (which feels very Marni to me) and monochromatic knee boots give the ensemble a sleek modernity.  To top it off, her chic bob haircut (which she also got while in China) only cost her five bucks.  If I had known university would have taught me the value of a dollar and looked so fashionable while doing it, I would have signed up years ago.

Marvelously minimal

Perfect pairing

Thought

Coats for winter come in so many different shapes - from maxi-coats to shrugs and everything in between.  Not surprisingly, I have just about all kinds, but one of my favorites is a classic, mid-length coat because it can be worn with lots of outfits and silhouettes and works great with most body types.  It layers easily on top of all those great winter pieces and still allows for most of the bottom half of your outfit to shine through and be seen.  They come with lots of variations - double or single breasted, with or without hoods, rounded collars, peaked lapels, cuffed sleeves or not, and the available fabrics and textures are endless.  For men, Prada did tons of varieties as mentioned above, but Miuccia outdid herself with the creamy yellow patent leather ones with the knitted sweater collars peaking over the top (I'm in love).  For women, Marc Jacobs showed some in the most gorgeous neutrals that go with everything.  They have a slight feel of something you found in your grandmother's closet (unfortunately not mine) and are luxurious enough to last that long!  Some even come trimmed in shaggy fur and sequins and are shown with tie belts.  Whatever kind you select for this season, it's sure to be one you will enjoy for toting around the city or slinking to a cocktail party.

Coat by Elizabeth and James

Cap and scarf by Louis Vuitton, Pants by Proenza Schouler, clutch by Jil Sander 

Teetering tall in Burberry boots

David's coat by John Galliano

Driving in patchwork and tweed with unfinished hems 

"Shard" fabric detail - AMAZING

Some Chicken and Some Teasing

We were graciously asked to attend lunch at a close friend's house for Thanksgiving.  Upon arrival, I was greeted at the door by a miniature rescue Chihuahua named Misty wearing what looked to be a Michael Simon holiday sweater who gave us a rather slow tour (due to her portly stature as she loves table scraps) around the property.  While mixing and mingling about with guests and family members, I caught eye of another dog (that was picked up on the side of a major freeway) snuggling up in my teal colored Chloe leather jacket - this stray dog has got some high dollar taste!  Meanwhile outside the window and through some Roman shades, I spot one, two, no three chickens running about the back yard.

Misty the Chihuahua

Ginger - you ain't takin' my coat!

Goldie the hen

After finishing a welcome cocktail, we were summoned to grab a plate and help ourselves.  The china and crystal were pre-set on the table for sixteen.  I sat worrying if the number of birds outside made their way inside because at last count there were only two.  Not wanting chicken strips today, I was assured Goldie the big hen was probably laying her egg for the day.  After a delicious meal, I was feeling like it was time to scat like a cat (they had two of those also) so the family could have time to socialize before the football game,  but not before I grabbed one of those bite-size blueberry cheesecakes for the road.

Yummy blueberry and cherry cheesecake treats

It had dropped 40 degrees outside (welcome to Texas weather) so I ran home to check on our baby and take a rest for a second before piling back on the layers and layers of clothes similar to Viktor and Rolf's winter collection featuring Kristen McMenamy as their living doll (check it out on their website - brilliant!)

Martin Grant overcoat, Chloe teal leather jacket, Stella McCartney pants

Practicing a pole routine (around this dead tree)

Then, on to the Magnolia Theater to see Burlesque, the new movie starring Cher and Christina Aguilera.  It was fun to view Cher back on the big screen in a major role.  The show reminded me of a melting pot of Cabaret and Chicago (but not quite as polished) with a little Showgirls mixed in.  It was equally fun to see the costumes (I'm sure Bob Mackie's hands are hurting from all the sequins), wigs (not just on Cher but the entire cast minus Stanley Tucci's bald head), and the old school burlesque numbers along with a few current ones.  I guess honestly to heat up a winter night, a little t and a always does the trick.

Burlesque - the movie

Pick

For those unexpected tchotchkes, there's no place like Grange Hall.  They have everything bizarre that is unbelievably beautiful from little knick-knacks to books to precious jewelry, and everything in between.  I have pieces throughout my home from my finds there, and some of my favorites are this art piece by one of the owners - Jeffrey Lee, and these very old taxidermy spiders that David can't stand to dust around so I have to break out the Swiffer Picker Upper to get in those hard to reach crevices, but honestly the craziest stuff in my entire house (including my kooky boyfriend) have become my ultimate faves.

Art piece by Jeffrey Lee

Very old creepy crawly

www.urbanflowergrangehall.com

Thanks to all of you who have subscribed to receive email updates - love ya.  If you haven't, shame on you; there's still time to get on my good graces.  Eat some turkey bitches!

Gritty Gretel

As the story goes. . . 

The other night I was in a silly hurry to get ready for an awards banquet called The Fashion and Lifestyle Awards through Fashion Group International which honored new-comers and life-timers in the world of fashion, beauty, retail - well you get the picture.  So instead of washing my hair after five days, I decided to have a friend braid it.  David said it reminded him of Hansel and Gretel but a little grungier (so the night went).

Dirty braids

The line for valet was so long it reached over to a large freeway, so we opted to park three buildings over and walk to the party - BIG mistake because we were going to need bread crumbs to find our way back to the car when it was over, but the howling, tropical wind would have blown them away anyway so we never would have found them.  Dehydrated from the walk after finally getting inside, I meandered to the bar and spotted some familiar faces along the way.  Pink Memo founder Maxine Trowbridge (who was part of the fashion police) looked stunning in a perfect gray silk pleated dress and lipstick red Brian Atwoods.  Cakes and cookies were perched strategically on each table to entice you to stay a while and indulge.  I felt comfort through visiting with others at my table such as Allison and Courtney Edwards of Where Wear in the City who made the surroundings more familiar.

Some of MY favorite sweets

Balenciaga jacket, Michael Kors peach brocade pants, Miu Miu lace pumps

Satin clutch by Prada, gloves found at Intermix

Taupe belt - Hermes (of course)

Then, before I could blink in my Balenciaga, I spotted the witch with a "B" who has a way of putting a spell on everyone she comes into contact with so I nervously scoped out for the closest exit as she popped more candies in her mouth and made her way nearer.  We bolted out through the atrium that was filled with water features and palm trees like a coyote that found its way out of the forest trap.

Tropical trees

I'm sure the event was a raging success, but I'm even more thrilled that I didn't get burned this time by that brod who by the way is a little old to be cooking with an Easy Bake oven.

Easy Bake oven - www.hasbro.com

Pick

Hey listen, I'm normally the type of person who likes to go into a store to try on stuff because all those dressing room mirrors make me want to buy everything, but this time I wanted to avoid the masses so I clicked on one of my favorite internet shopping spots - Gilt Groupe.  You can find great designer digs at a really good discount, but buyer be warned, I bought David an Alexander McQueen piece that was shipped to me with a sensor still attached.  I had to scour the city for the proper sensor removal device to pop that sucker off, but he loves it now as much as his new Band of Outsiders cap that was delivered yesterday.  I'm just saying. . .

www.gilt.com

The packaging

Hot pink cap by Band of Outsiders (through Gilt Groupe) and blue coat (not through Gilt Groupe) by Burberry Prorsum

Lost in Charity

Local retailers were participating in a charity drive by giving a percentage off on purchases and allowing the money to go to some kind of cause, so we decided to get a jump start on our holiday shopping.  We arrived at a local mall where social women were packed in there like children waiting to see a twilight movie.  Not being one for crowds at all, we meandered our way around like the Candyland game and landing on various stores such as Gucci, Carolina Herrera, and Bottega Veneta.  Actually, I was dressed more like Where's Waldo and began to feel like him as the crowds started to grow.  I soon felt I was disappearing within it.  This kind of shopping behavior was a bit uncivilized.  People kept their eye on the prize as others assaulted the display cases and mishandled the merchandise.  Even as I was trying on a scarf, a woman picked up my Birkin as if she were interested in purchasing it.  FYI - they don't sell Hermes bags at the Gap, lady.  Way too much confusion over a 20% off savings even if it's going to a good organization so I'll stick to full price and right my own check to charity!

Northpark Center

Where the hell am I?

Go left?

Go straight?

Boy by Band of Outsiders sweater, L'Wren Scott jeans, Hermes Birkin bag, Fendi platforms

GAME OVER

Street Chic

I spotted this modish girl scouting out a local consignment shop.  She confessed that she gets some of her best stuff in places such as this.  (It also happens to be the one where I resale some of my pieces).  I also found out she is a fashion stylist who currently is on a sabbatical from the workforce.  She truly embodies what I consider to be an urban girl from her LD Tuttle shoes (which she found in LA) all the way up to her chic rounded bob.  She whispered to me that she's obsessed with layering her outfits, and I yelled back that I couldn't believe she found her Rick Owens mauve, leather trimmed number at a similar resale shop.  And, my heart skipped a beat when she told me it was a steal at only $75.00.  Does anyone know CPR?

Majestic Paris tank top, Rick Owens "sweater", and knitted leggings

Shoes - www.ldtuttle.com

Lanvin bag and perfect bangs