A Penney for Your Thoughts

Boy, did I get a surprise when I checked out JC Penney recently. I haven’t been a Penney’s shopper for decades.  Didn’t even know that they’d changed their moniker to “JCP.”  My memory of its stores included style-free women’s clothing that was decidedly uncool. So, although I’d heard about Penney’s hip new TV campaign, it was the opening of a new store in a nearby mall that really piqued my curiosity. 

I walked into a clean, brightly lit store brimming with the cutest, most colorful fashions!  And everything’s affordable, with most dresses in the $25-35 price range. I found good quality and expanded sizes! 

Unique items from Nicole Miller, Lulu Guinness, Bisou Bisou, Allen B, and Mac + Jac fill the racks.  My favorite piece is a Nicole by Nicole Miller leather shoulder bag in royal blue, emerald green, or Sunkist orange.  Roomy enough for everyday use and less than $100!   

Here’s a partial list of the goodies I saw: 

• Adorable '60s-inspired A-line and sheath dresses
• Black lace pencil skirts (my favorite daytime style statement).
• Sexy black pleather dresses, jackets, and skirts (this is some fine faux skin).
• Classic wrap dresses (pick up one today--you’ll be gorgeous in it tomorrow).
• Strapless party dresses in gorgeous jewel tones (the 2012 holiday party season is just about over, but now’s the time to stock up for future occasions).
• Pine green suede tuxedo jacket with leather piping
• Super fun sequined tops and skirts (great for one more round of “Auld Lang Syne” and one more glass of champagne).
• Tweedy cuffed slim trousers (you know they’d be perfect with your favorite booties).

Budget-minded fashionistas should pay a visit!

Happy Holidays from Casual Friday!

There’s a kinda wide-eyed open-mouth wonder for many during the Christmas holiday season.  Breathtaking fantasy land shop windows, outrageously delicious smells, and twinkling lights on quiet nights can be mesmerizing.

Here’s the three-year-old me on Christmas.  Daddy is in the background.  Check out the look of absolute amazement.  Happily overwhelmed, unsure what fabulous gift to play with first.  The tea set?  The silken haired doll wearing a pink lace pinafore?  What about that shiny red tricycle--can I ride it now??

My holiday wish for all includes enchantment, joy, and peace within.  Embrace your loved ones.  Let your inner child come out and play.

A Leaf from the Family Tree--Lucille!

Aunt Cille in the 1940s

Meet Lucille Faison, my great aunt, my grandmother’s sister and best friend.  Aunt Cille was a woman of constant style and good taste.  She was born in Winston-Salem NC, and settled in Washington DC as a young woman. 

I loved sleeping over at her apartment when I was a kid.  She always had a tin of barbeque Fritos waiting for me; her apartment was cozy and immaculate; she had a box stuffed with office supplies that I could use to explore my creativity--staplers, colored paper, pens and pencils, notebooks, and rulers.  Santa even visited me at Aunt Cille‘s!  One Christmas Eve when I was a very sleepy six-year old I thought I saw Santa leaving gifts under her pink artificial tree!  Probably one of her boyfriends wearing a red suit.

My auntie was tall (5’10”) and slim, and would have been a runway sensation in today’s world.  She was an elegant party girl who loved beautiful clothes, but couldn’t find any that fit well.  In the 1930s African-Americans weren’t permitted to try on clothing in DC department stores, so she created the wardrobe that she wanted.  She window-shopped exclusive shops, studied the structure and detail of garments she admired then went home and made them.  Her closets and armoire were stuffed with tasteful day dresses, gorgeous evening dresses, and Sunday-perfect suits. 

In her heyday she was the “hostess with the most-ess,” a popular dinner companion and dancing partner.  Her dance card was always filled, and her house parties featured riotous laughter over the card table, lots of trash talk and tales, and rockin’ good music. 

She worked as a housekeeper for decades for a wealthy family and raised their three children, but never lost her dignity and style.  Every day she dressed for work as if she was going to a high-paying office job.  Her prowess with a sewing machine inspired my Mom to get better acquainted with our Sears Kenmore sewing machine.  

Here's my favorite quote from her, “Good times don’t owe me a thing.”  I’ll drink to that!  She had the time of her life during her lifetime with no regrets.  Thanks, Aunt Cille, for modeling the graceful life.

Enjoy these pics of sassy, sensational Cille.

Aunt Cille (L) and her sister (R) and their beaus

Sunday Stylin'!

Necking!

Last month I bought two cute necklaces.  One is a vintage piece that grabbed my heart and makes me happy whenever I wear it.  It’s a heavy clear acrylic heart filled with crazy little gold flowers and triangles.  It swings from a long gold chain with the fervor of an intrepid heart, keeping its own rhythm.

The other piece is from contemporary jewelry designer Lenora Dame whose eye-catching creations caught my eye a few months ago.  These treasures can be found at Nordstrom, Anthropologie and Amazon.com as well as other fashionable retailers.  This necklace features clear glass beads stuffed with newsprint, alternating with big pearly beads.  I can add this piece to almost any outfit to make it an instant favorite!

The dainty gold chain and locket have been retired.  The contemporary statement is bold, sexy, interesting.  Check out the latest jewelry styles at your local retailer and create some excitement around your clavicle!

Let's Go Get Stoned

Rock and roll style is the stuff of legend and fodder for fantasies.  Guitar heroes and soul singers such as Hendrix, Prince, The Supremes, Sly Stone, and Madonna had profound influences on everyone's personal style.  Kinky, funky, cool.  Controversial, sexy.

A rock style retrospective takes you from neat little identical suits for men and bouffant hair, form-fitting satin dresses and inch-long lashes for women to feathers, leather, sequins, lace and denim for all.  I loved 1970s androgyny and was down with the grunge look which made everyone look like either a lumberjack or an orphan.

The Rolling Stones are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year and Thursday's NY Times featured a mini slide show of the group's styles over the years.  What a time capsule!  Who could forget Brian Jones's bowl haircut, Mick's body con jumpsuits that confirmed that he often went commando, or Keith's more recent turn as a pirate?  So, if you're reading this in your cubicle draped in drab gray and black duds, take a look at this and be inspired!

By the way, did you have a rock style icon?  Who was it?

My Favorite Item of Clothing

What else could a chilly Philly girl want?

Wait…I can only choose one?

Every cashmere sweater that I own is a favorite item of clothing!  Most of them were snagged at resale stores for between $5-20.  I’ve collected them in a rainbow of colors and assortment of styles.  I have long sleeves, ¾ length sleeves, sleeveless shells, v-necks, turtlenecks, crewnecks, boyfriend style pullovers, sexy wraps, and traditional cardis. 

Why do I love them?  They’re as soft as kittens but won’t shred my curtains.  I can cocoon in cashmere, cozied in an otherworldly warmth.  Cashmere is chic!  Cashmere sweaters are low maintenance!  Yes, you can and should hand wash cashmere.  Forget about dry cleaning!  It’s important to keep PERC out of your personal environment and even more important to keep your money in your pocket. 

The best deals can be found at resale shops in July when most fashionistas are focused on airy sundresses and halter tops. This is when gently used cashmere sweaters languish on racks.  My favorite spots in Philly to find these treasures include Second Time Around (STA) on Chestnut Street near 18th, Green Street Consignment at 7th and South Streets, and The Wardrobe Boutique at 19th and Spring Garden Streets.  Tip--when you go to STA check out the $5 rack in the back of the store.  Don’t be afraid to pick up something that has a bit of dirt--check to see if you can rub some it out before buying.  If it’s not an ink, blood, or red wine stain, you’ve pretty much got it made.

One of my co-workers recently said, “How many more cashmere sweaters do I need?”  My immediate thought was, “Why limit yourself?”