Bonjour!

by Lauren

Salut! and sorry for my radio silence – I have been all over the globe traveling and most recently have arrived in Paris… where I promptly (and accidentally) locked my laptop in a safe and couldn’t get it out.

Paris has obviously been divine.  My favorite sights have been les jardins des tuileries and the incredible architecture that defines the city.

Hat:  Otte New York

Obviously the shopping has been insane.  Aside from the standard French storefronts – Chloe, Celine, Chanel, Hermes, Maje, Sandro – we have been obsessing over Claudie Pierlot & Gerard Darel.  These brands do have a couple of stores in the states – but they are tough to find.  I think you’ll see Claudie Pierlot cropping up a bit more in the US, as they are part of the the killer Maje/Sandro duo.

Katelyn and I have both purchased a couple of jackets from each of the above mentioned stores.  Since my new job starts in a month I have focused on blazers that I can wear to the office and then pair with (my favorite) shorts and silk pants for going out on the weekends.  The structure and quality of the jackets here is unparalleled in the US.

Generally speaking, the French footwear is nothing to drool over.  However, Katelyn and I both found a sick pair of lace up, cut-out booties at Gerard Darel (above) and had to have them.

I am pretty confident that this fall is all about minimalism, and as such, have been taking notes from the French who have mastered this style.  My fall shopping thus far has focused on chic silk pants, structured tops, leather accents, and loads of mixing neutral colors – white, black, & tan.  The key to pulling this look is finding pieces that fit you perfectly… and if they don’t – making sure they are altered to fit you perfectly.  Think about menswear – the men who look the best are the ones who take simple, classic pieces and have them tailored to fit their bodies at every crease, seam, and cuff.   Investing in a few staple pieces for the fall will get you a long way – try to find silk trousers, and interesting shirts (see above) that you can mix and match – this will lend  a ton of outfit options for day and night without feeling like you are buying an entirely new closet.  The great thing about minimalist style is that the pieces you buy this season can be mixed in over years to come when styles change because they are usually basic with a twist.  I will post some more ideas on this in the weeks to come!

ASOS Round up

by Lauren

Honestly my love for ASOS grows fonder by the minute – I find that their stuff is affordable (obviously) and unique!  I find it can be hard to find pieces by  mainstream designers that aren’t already being worn by your friends / other bloggers etc… but ASOS has proven to be a good solution for that.

I have had great success with my ASOS purchases this summer and thought I should share a few of them.

I love this little swing blouse with the crochet collar.  I have been wearing it with  this cute pair of ASOS mint shorts (below).

This ruffle collar blouse is a bit too dramatic for the summertime, but I think it will be the perfect amount of fall “flare” with skinny pants next month.

I have already mentioned this dress on the blog, but I absolutely loved it when it arrived.  Like I’ve mentioned, I think a dropped waist silhouette is playful and different against a sea of strapless dresses.  I got the strawberry, but I am tempted to get the black too.

{Note: this runs big by ASOS standards.  Go down 1 size}

Tuxedo Shirt

I haven’t purchased this but I think it’s super cool.  It’s the perfect Saturday night shirt for fall and would look great with your waxed jeans.

Derby Days

by Lauren

So… spring means horse races.  And often times that means you need a fierce dress and fab hat to match.  Unfortunately for me, I will not be able to attend any horse events this spring (which kills me), but alas the legal world calls… Admittedly, that means I have not really been on the look out for cute spring dresses, however there are quite a few that have caught my eye.

This spring, the dress trend is all about pretty florals – I can imagine that Gold Cup & the Kentucky Derby will be full of flower print dresses.  For some, that means you want to avoid & for others that means you want to embrace – so I am trying to show a mix of both.  I have also provided some hat suggestions.  I typically err on the side of the more utilitarian in the hat department – e.g., a sunhat that I will be excited to wear again, over a hat with tons of silk flowers that I will throw to the back of my closet only to be seen upon my next move.  However, for those of you who are going ALL out – I have some fierce options for ya.

*Remember shopbop is 20% off with WEAREFAMILY13 – I am posting this immediately instead of waiting for the AM so you have extra time to consider shopping there! 

Troubadour Cap Cana Dress

I adore the color, the back, the tiers, the sleeves – this dress is divine & this is probably my # 1 pick.

Jenni Kayne

Okay, its Jenni Kayne so it is going to break the bank, but if you are doing something ultra fancy like box seats at the Kentucky Derby (hi, Jessie) you can probably justify the purchase.  Plus WEAREFAMILY13 gets you 20% off until 4/18 at midnight.  I love this dress, if it were the same price as the one above it (& if sleeveless looked good on me) it would be my # 1.

Halston Heritage

I think this is super chic, and with the right hat, it would be a perfect Derby look.

Malene Birger

Because of the fabric, this is probably better suited for a more casual field-type affair such as Gold Cup.  A simple fascinator or sunhat would complete this look.

Rachel Zoe

I love the way this dress incorporates the mod trend so elegantly.  This would look fierce with an equally captivating black or white hat.

Shoshanna

I am normally not a huge Shoshanna person, because it just doesn’t fit me properly!  But there is no denying the lace + color of this frock are springtime perfection.

Madison Marcus

I have it on good authority that this dress is SUPER cute in person.  I love the colors and I love the lace overlay.  It runs a tad big so if you are deciding between sizes, go down.

Red Valentino

I mean what’s not to love?  Probably only the price point. (it’s also here & here).  This is Derby Perfection Obsession.

Nordstrom has an entire page devoted to derby head attire & it is reasonably priced!  The other site I have happened upon is Hat A Tude, which has beautiful hand-made & unique creations.  Lastly, the Neiman Marcus in Palm Beach had some beautiful fascinators, I have failed to take note of the brand, but if you happen to have an NM in your town, that is also worth a drop by.

I really like this BCBG fascinator, and its only $38 – you could wear this with a dress that is a bit more on the minimalist side, to look ultra ladylike, or you could wear it with a boldly printed dress for a “look at me” punch.  It would look really cool with that Jenni Kayne frock.

Of all of the super “Derby” hats, this one caught my eye & held it for over a week. It’s stunning.  This with the lilac Shoshanna, the Troubadour, or the Halston Heritage?  I die.

For me, I prefer a giant bow over a ton of flowers – this one rocks, IMO.  I think its fiercely chic to hide behind a giant black and white hat with a stately bow.  I want this.  Now. 

I highly recommend browsing http://www.hat-a-tude.com/ for your perfect Derby hat, if you are going all out.  And below, a few of my favorite sun hats for those who are doing Gold Cup or just want to be more understated.

Eric Javits

There is 100% classic and will enable you to look chic at the beach or out shopping, for eternity.

Eric Javits

Where this one lacks in Derby punch, it makes up for it in versatility – tie a scarf around it for gold cup, put a big bow on it, and then remove the flair (or keep it!) for a day at the beach or errands around town.  I love this hat and have been dying to add it to my collection for years.

The Dressy Sweatshirt

by Lauren

One of the trends I am really into right now is the dressy sweatshirt.  When done correctly the look can be vibrant, chic & unexpected.  Done incorrectly and well… you just look like you didn’t get dressed for the day.  Since sweatshirts typically have a bit of volume, you need to be careful about what you put on the bottom – tailored and structured bottoms are best – think: non voluminous shorts and pants.  You don’t want to look bulky.  The other key is to add some baubles – dress it up with a statement necklace or big earrings.

This striped sweatshirt comes in multiple colors.

I love the color of and quilts on this one!

Anything slightly patriotic makes my heart sing.

The great thing about this trend, is that when it dies – you can recycle the sweatshirts into your gym, PJ, and lounging wardrobes!

Outfit Brainstorming

by Lauren

This Friday I am hosting a Charm & Chain trunk show at Urban Chic in Georgetown.  Obviously looking fierce is top priority so I am stressing about the appropriate outfit.  Since Charm & Chain is a jewelry retailer, it will be important to wear something that can be accessorized heavily.

I definitely know I want to wear a pair of Jean Michael Cazabat shoes I scored on sale from Zappos last winter.  I was obsessed with them, because they really punch up an outfit – but feel like I really have not gotten enough wear out of them.

The ones I have are two tones of gray – and really make a statement, so I want to wear something a bit more understated to balance them out.  I am getting inspiration from two outfits that I have seen recently.  The first is this Rachel Zoe jumpsuit:

 

As we know, I love a onesie – I think this is so sleek and since it is starting to get chilly in DC, I know I will be comfortable temperature-wise.

The second outfit I have seen is this cute, dropped waist Sandro dress – I think this would look fab with the shoes, so long as the dress proportions are on point.  I spotted it at Bloomingdales a few weeks ago, but did not have time to try it on – it looked great on the rack (much better than in this screen shot).

 

Please share your thoughts, picks, and suggestions!!!

xx

 

Trend to Try #4: Black on Black on Black

by Lauren

This fall I am all about black.  I know that does not sound novel but Fall 2012 demands some mixing of blacks and experimenting with different fabrics and hues.  There is something ferocious about rocking all black.

Here are a few things I am coveting:

We know I love Mother jeans – seriously, they are the best.  This pair is on sale at Shopbop and has a bit of a black fade.  I think the black fade is perfect for pairing with other black pieces.  If monochromatic is more of your thing – Mother also makes them in a jet black.  I am also a sucker for Rag & Bone’s high waisted denim.  High waisted jeans are super chic and perfect for layering.  Even if all black is not the trend for you, black skinnies are a winter wardrobe must.  For an edgier take on mixing blacks, check out some leather trimmed black leggings.

I also think these Rebecca Taylor pants are perfection for mixing with other blacks.  The reptilian print gives them dimension, which is perfect for achieving a monochromatic black head to toe ensemble:

So once you have the black skinnies or the black trousers – throw on a black silk blouse  (I love this one by Iris + Ink – note sizes are UK and a UK8 = US4) or a tank, if you want to layer.  I actually think a a black t shirt is also appropriate if you plan on wearing a silk blazer or leather jacket.  If you want to get a little more dressed up, try a leather peplum tank.

This BB Dakota Jacket is great for layering over a soft tank or black tee because of how drapey it is.  Plus it is only $98 (plus no tax and no shipping!)

Really there is so much you can do with your black layering pieces.  You could throw a leather pencil skirt into the mix – it would look great with the black blouse or the leather peplum shirt, for a sophisticated evening out.

Killer Outfit

by Lauren

When Whitney and I were shopping in NYC at Bloomingdales, I absolutely fell in love with this get up.  The web images don’t quite capture the detail on the top but it is a rich, tweed with a leather trim detail and of course a big peplum skirt.  The accompanying rocker leggings with the leather detail complement the top perfectly.  These two pieces are pricey – but they are great outfit inspiration for a get up this fall.  Plus, the pants and top can obviously be separated and worn with blouse or your favorite jeans (respectively) and a killer pair of heels.

Rebecca Taylor Rocker Leggings

Rebecca Taylor Peplum Top {disclaimer:  I am not sure why the bloomingdales site is describing this as a dress – but the dress is most definitely in another window.  Nearly 100% certain this is the top}

Summer Staple

by Lauren

A few months ago, I encouraged my sister to purchase this Kenneth Jay Lane necklace during the Shopbop Friends & Family sale.  What I really should have been doing was encouraging myself to purchase it.  She has gotten so much wear out of it and I always borrow when I am with her.  The color and weight of the necklace add a great dimension to many summer pairings.  Most recently I wore it with AG white jeans (similar) and a white lace top by Joie, which is one of my all time favorite purchases.  I feel GREAT whenever I wear this shirt and it goes with everything – a few of my favorite pairings:  a tight, high waisted skirt; black leather shorts; colored jeans; cream lace shorts – I could go on!

Blazer Plug

By Whitney

I am always on the hunt for great blazers that I can wear with just a pair of skinny pants and a t shirt and usually Zara is my go to.  I’ve started a mini collection of fun colorful blazers and I try to lean towards ones that can go with workwear as well.  This past week I was attending a conference where I had to look fancier than business casual but I refused to wear a boring black suit so my suitcase was full of statement necklaces from Baublebar and tweed jackets from Zara.

I loved this jacket from Zara for summer.  It’s $130 but I promise it will be worth it as this jacket can take you from work to play to weekend trips so easily.  The crisp pure white lightweight tweed looks awesome with my navy jbrand twill skinnies and a bright pastel top underneath.  For work last week, I wore a black Nanette Lepore trumpet skirt (from a suit) with a mint Ann Taylor sleeveless blouse and a Lilly Pulitzer scarf because it was about 50 degrees inside and I love adding pops of color.  Next up?  Possibly a black and white combination.

Whitney @ Work

by Lauren

I’m taking the liberty of posting this photo of Whitney’s work outfit.  Since it’s shopbop friends & family I will go ahead and endorse a purchase of this Bop Basics Blazer.  Albeit not the most well made piece, (all the more reason to score it at 20% off) its dashing good looks more than make up for its flaws.  I love this for work & play!  Whitney, you look great today!