In Living Color: In the Navy

Remember when Dorothy opened her front door after landing in Oz?  Technicolor is where the fashion world lives this season.  Intense, amped-up color is on fingertips, eyelids, and in closets everywhere.  We’re told to turn up the volume on our wardrobes, and sometimes loud is fun.  But, if you’re shy or more traditional, you may find yourself wading in a sea of sleepy neutrals, blending into the background while bright sprays of psychedelic prints prance by.

I’ll share a little neutral know-how from In-Style magazine.  Their crew has great advice on working the neutrals.  Today’s focus is on navy--the color of tradition and conformity.

Navy makes everyone think of sailors, police officers, or Catholic school uniforms.  However, classic navy looks fresh when allowed to go a little nuts.  Most of us think of pairing navy with red, but there are other vibrant colors that make navy pop.  A jacket in Valencia orange can juice up a navy sheath dress, a double bubble pink pencil skirt will add snap to a fitted navy jacket, and a sleek kelly green cashmere cardigan will look great layered over a navy blue tuxedo blouse.  I love jewelry, and wouldn’t hesitate to wear stacks of gorgeous turquoise stones with a statement sapphire necklace (in my fantasy life).

So, go forth and be daring.  Punch up those neutrals and turn some heads!

Who You Calling a Fossil?

You are your bag; it broadcasts your story to the world.  Believe it or not, a bag reveals many facets of your personality.  Therefore, it should be a classic style to ground the look of anything you wear.  Every woman needs a bag that works as hard as she does. 

I found this dark tan pebbled leather Fossil messenger bag at a Ross discount department store.  In my experience Ross is a powerhouse for housewares, but pretty anemic in handbag selection.  So imagine my surprise when I spotted this fabulous bag on the rack!  It’s well constructed, with brass hardware, a sturdy woven canvas shoulder strap, lining, a generous external pocket (perfect for a notebook), and lots of inside pockets which make it easy for me to stay organized.  Check out the adorable charms on the side!  The jingle drives the annoying neighborhood dogs crazy, and that’s alright with me. 

This stylish workhorse compliments my everyday style, and is a bottomless pit.  It carries a wallet, lunch (and a snack), two cell phones, gym clothes, Altoids, hand cream, sunglasses--and I'm going to try to stuff the kitchen sink in there next week.

Walking Blues

Just got these adorable platform sandals from Naturalizer.  They have a strong 1970s vibe that recall KC & The Sunshine Band--“…I want to put on my my my my my Boogie Shoes!”  They are amazingly comfy so it’ll be hard not to boogie in them every day.

In this season of Rainbow Brite colors, this cool hue will be the perfect accent for everything in my summer closet.  Look for me on the next Soul Train train line in these kicks.  They’re just in time for my Summer in the City.

Here Comes the Bride

Ann and Dave (center) on their wedding day

Getting married is fun!  And, if that ain’t so, why do so many people do it?

The wedding day is a rosy high-wattage day for everyone involved, especially for brides.  Perfection is in order--everyone wants to look fabulous.  Women often rely on the ancient adage, “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” to be at their bridal best.  My friend Ann covered most of those bases when she visited The Wardrobe Boutique to pick out a wedding outfit for her marriage to her longtime partner.

The Boutique has a sweet selection of formal wear including bridal gowns which span the continuum from confection to sophistication, elegant ball gowns, and slinky cocktail dresses. Ann found a pale silver cocktail dress featuring an elegant capelet that framed a sexy deep V-back (something old). We also found a pair of never-worn silver high-heeled sandals to pair with that gorgeous dress (something new).  Her daughter chose a pair of dangling earrings with blue stones for her (something blue).  She also found a stunning royal blue halter dress for herself.

Once again, Ann worked the cheap chic angle and came out absolutely gorgeous.  The Boutique can meet many of your special occasion wardrobe needs, so bring that party invitation with you next time you stop in. Surprises await!

By all accounts, the wedding was a lovely beginning to a lifetime of love and laughter.  Best wishes to her and Dave!

3 by Three

Went to an amazing trunk show by 3 by Three yesterday.  What a treat!  3 by Three is a collaboration between three talented textile designers--Melissa D’Agostino (tie-dye inspired design for a new mind), Rachel Sherman, (funky, sexy, chic) and Janell Wysack (beautiful cozy wovens and knitwear), who brought their beautiful and stylish stuff to a house full of women seeking their own style. 

I drooled over ruched T-shirts and appliquéd pencil skirts in saturated colors, elegant but modern black silk LBDs that tickled and skimmed the body, cotton knit shifts in desert colors, and adorable little shrugs. All of the available pieces can be glammed up or dressed down.  My favorite item was Melissa’s cream- and slate-colored body-conscious maxi dress featuring a pattern that reminds me of a ribcage (so I‘m a little silly).

Here's one of Rachel's denim pencil skirts.  It's gorgeous, flattering, and I can't wait to wear it!  Also ordered one of Melissa's jersey knit hoodies.  I'll show it to you when it arrives.  It'll be great for summer travel!

These beautiful one-of-a-kind wearables celebrate some of the best of local design.  As 3 by Three’s promotional piece says: “...artisan fashion is alive and well in cities such as Philadelphia and across the country.”  Check out the website and see for yourself.  Click through and swoon!