Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Dear Daddy Likey: Short on Shorts, Over Short Shorts



Dear Daddy Likey,

I went shopping to find shorts to wear for this summer, and I was greatly disappointed by what I found. I am 5'11, and I am mostly leg. The shorts that everyone seems to be selling hardly cover my butt cheeks. I am at a loss as to where I can find shorts that cover more than my lady parts. Something mid-thigh would be nice. Got any suggestions?


Signed,
Short Tempered

Dear Short, I mean, Tall, whatever,

Boy can I relate. Well, actually, I can't, because I'm 5'3" and mostly torso, but I hate shopping for shorts too, so I think we can still be friends. I agree with you that this shorts season has been particularly brutal. Just the other day I blushingly picked up a particularly immodest pair of underwear only to realize that they were SHORTS, meant to be worn on the OUTSIDE. "Oh my!" I crowed like a Victorian missionary, and decided to focus on the following two shorts shopping strategies.

Suggestion #1: Find the Bermuda (Shorts) Triangle

God, I hate the name Bermuda shorts--it evokes an awkward and confusing mix of imagery of Old Navy ad campaigns and South Florida retirees that makes me feel dizzy and enraged. Therefore, for the remainder of this post I will call them Nebraska shorts. Anyway, Nebraska shorts (aahh, that's better) hit just above the knee, are super flattering and just as comfortable in hot weather as those crazy chocha shorts.

If you love your legs, try a crazy pattern or a bright color. If you don't, a pair of black, khaki, or vertical pinstripe Nebraska shorts will look effortlessly chic while concealing thighs and preventing the dreaded chafe (in related news, my friend Lindsay and I decided to start pronouncing it chafé in an effort to make sweaty thighs sound elite and Parisian). Add a simple tanktop, a couple necklaces, and ballet flats and you'll be the talk of the town (for looking good, not for accidentally flashing your lady bits to the local minister).

Now, the tough part--where to find these elusive little buggers. I hate to enable those awful Old Navy ad campaigns, but the store does deliver. They have a huge selection of Nebraska shorts online and varying lengths in store.

These come in like fifty different colors (OK, four), can be worn cuffed or uncuffed, dressed up or dressed down, and they're on sale for less than twenty bucks. Not bad.

Love the details on the pocket--these would be so cute with a black tank and sandals.


Also check out J. Crew's sale section in-store and online (I'm pretending their regular priced section doesn't exist...It's just too painful...) for semi-good deals on cute, mid-thigh length shorts. And keep in mind that if you don't love the length of your Nebraska shorts straight out of the store, most styles look good (or even better) cuffed or rolled up to your desired length.

Suggestion #2: Make your own.

Yep, that's right--get out your patterns and sewing machine! Tooootttaaallllyyy kidding--the last attempt I made at sewing was an embroidery of my name that got me so flustered I spelled it with three N's. Of course, if you are the type who didn't think I was joking about the whole sewing machine thing, I salute you, and also if you want to make me some shorts, that would be great.

But when I say "Make your own," I mean, get out a pair of scissors and an old pair of jeans, and cut off the bottoms. Extraordinarily difficult and complicated, I know, but if I can do it, you can do it.

The cutoff is my all-time favorite shorts style and an integral part of my daily summer uniform. They're free (a hard price to beat!), you choose the length to flatter your body, and if you cuff them and wear a plaid button-down you, too, can achieve my life goal of looking like one of the characters from Now and Then.


I'm gonna go watch that movie right now, actually. For real. Gotta go.


New in Plus - Paige Premium Denim



I love jeans. LOVE them. My office allows them on days when we don't have clients coming in, so I try to take advantage of that as often as possible. So imagine my surprise when I find out that Paige Premium Denim, one of the HOTTEST straight sizes jeans lines, has started making plus size jeans. This may be old news to some of you, but what with getting married and going on my honeymoon last month I've been a little out of the loop.

Paige Premium in Plus Sizes! This is c-razy! Interestingly, the jeans are exclusively being sold at Nordstrom.com. The site says they run a little small and you should order them a size up. Right now they are carrying 2 styles, "Mandeville Canyon" and "Las Palmas", both dark-ish rinse bootcut. You can see click on them both below:


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The Mandevilles are pictured to the left and sell for $198, while the Las Palmas on the right are $209. It's a steep price to pay for jeans, and the jury is out on whether they are worth it (I am going to have to buy a pair to see).

However, I can't write a denim article without mentioning Svoboda Jeans, the plus size premium denim pioneers. Jessica Svoboda is constantly making new fabulous styles of her premium jeans, and I've got like 4 pairs (and soon to be more). I need to get my hands on the Trouser jeans before they completely sell out, and I love the new Sailor Trousers too!! I've pictured them both below:


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The Kate Trousers on the Left are $118 and the Sailor Trousers on the right are $148. And for the sake of full disclosure, Jessica Svoboda is one of my closest friends, however I can testify that the jeans are as good as you've heard.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Dear Daddy Likey: Don't Make Me Pull A Kim Kardashian



Dear Daddy Likey,

I'm so happy that you've found a swimsuit that you love, and that flatters a part of your body you're not thrilled with. But I have a different problem altogether. My waist measurement is a 26 but my hips are a 42, meaning that I don't mind wearing bikinis because my stomach is okay, but my hips and thighs are all wobbly and squishy and dimply. (Cute, I know.) And there is NO swimsuit for that problem! I hate having to wear a sarong until the second I get into the water, and I don't want to go all Kim Kardashian and actually TAKE A TOWEL INTO THE WATER WITH ME, but I don't know what else to do!


Please help me! Are there any creative solutions? I can't think of ANYTHING!

Signed,

Stacy Sa-Wrong

Dear Stacy,


I'll be honest. My response to your query started out along the lines of, "Own it, girlfriend! Don't let anyone make you feel bad about your squishyness! Woo! Girl Power!" But then I realized that if I asked someone for advice about swimwear that camouflaged my stomach, and they said, "Wear a bikini! Own it, girlfriend! Don't let anyone make you feel bad about your Jack Black-sized gut! Woo! Girl Power!" I would have to track them down and strangle them with a conservative one piece.


So, with that in mind, I came up with a couple more realistic, less annoying suggestions for you.

Swim Skirts and Swim Dresses

For many of us, the term "swim skirt" triggers traumatizing visions of frumpy grandma suits, but a couple weeks ago, my friend Jess bought this swimsuit and showed me the light:

It's even cuter in real life, seriously. The gold details around the bust and the ruching at the waist really stand out.
Black Gold Stud Halter Swimsuit, ON SALE for $39, torrid.com

When she came over to show me and take a dip in the pool (which, because it's located in a condo complex with a large retiree population, has seen its share of scary swim skirts), I was blown away: it was glamorous, flattering, unique, sexy, and SKIRTED. And here's the thing, it wasn't glamorous, flattering, unique and sexy in spite of the skirt, but the skirt actually contributed to all of those things. Paradigm. Shifted.


My beautiful plus size readers can enjoy Jess' lovely swimsuit above and the equally chic skirted suit below:

Hot-Pink Star Print Halter Swimsuit, also ON SALE for $39, torrid.com

This one is so cute I want to wear it everyday, not just to cover up a little extra junk in the trunk:

How cute would it be with a simple black bikini top?
Coral Floral Flirt Skirt, $28, venus.com

Adjustable Gottex Skirted Bikini Bottoms, $74, nordstrom.com

If you like the look of the skirt above, but prefer not to spend so much, this two piece set is only $18:

Going Dotty Swimwear, Target.com

How freakin' amazing is this swimdress? You could wear it to the Oscars, and then go for a dip in the pool, and then wear it to the Grammys. SO chic.
Anne Cole Swimwear Shirred One Piece, $112, nordstrom.com

Also check out this amazing DKNY swimdress, which is kind of cuter than any of the regular dresses I own, on sale at Macy's.


Board Shorts

These can be a little tougher to work into your swim wardrobe unless you already prefer a more athletic look, but with a million different cool prints and varied lengths, you're sure to find one that fits your style.

Board shorts are a much better option than wearing a towel into the water, if just for the simple fact that you won't be clinging to a giant waterlogged piece of cotton while sinking to your death and shrieking "Don't look at my thighs!!" Pair them with a bikini top or slip them over a one-piece, and you've got yourself a hip-covering and functional swim ensemble.

Here are two bright and crazy options (my personal favorite), but just google "boardshorts" for about seven billion different options, including solid colors, designer, and knee-length styles.

Billabong Flower Child Board Short, $38, swell.com

Roxy Polka Party Boardshort, $37, amazon.com

Feel free to share your suggestions for Stacy in the comments!

Short Sleeve Sweater with Printed Collar and Cuffs



Short Sleeve Sweater with Printed Collar and Cuffs

Crisp and fresh, this sweater will bring a polished look to any summer outfit.

$29.99 ; (sale) at Ann Taylor.




Monday, July 14, 2008

The Only Danger: Being Hugged By Giant Pandas




Bamboo Applique dress


Naomi sent me this link, from Ramona West Vintage. I love that applique -- so pretty and fresh.

The dress is $65, and measures B37/H43.

I wish it had pockets, because I think it would look great with these random shoes I bought on eBay over the weekend:

Joan & David Circa T-strap sandals

After I hit "Buy it Now" I realized that I didn't remember the last pair of shoes I'd purchased in a real store, which is pretty weird. (And I count discount chains like DSW and Loehmann's when I say "real stores".) I don't have particularly hard-to-fit feet (8.5, you are my friend) and I'm willing to pass along failures pretty speedily (or turn around and relist them if they don't fit). Has anyone else decided they can do all their shoe-shopping on Zappos and eBay?

Robin Phillips Jewelry



Handmade Cloisonné and Champlevé Enamel Jewelry

Robin Phillips has a passion for designing and creating handmade enamel jewelry, as well as gold and silver jewelry. One of Robin's specialties is Cloisonné enamel and silver jewelry. Cloisonné is an enameling technique, in which the colored areas are separated by thin wires of either pure gold or fine silver. The wires also create a design within the piece of jewelry.



handcrafted jewelry pendant

'Lily' Cloisonné & Champlevé Enamel Brooch/Pendant

This piece shimmers with depth of color. It comes with a handmade finding that slips over the pin so the piece can be worn as either a brooch or a pendant.

$950 AUD



Cloisonné and Champlevé Enamel

The term Cloisonné is derived from the French cloison, meaning partitioned cell. Champlevé refers to a technique where a recess is made in the silver either by incising, etching, or making a framework that is soldered onto a fine silver plate. In this process, thin metal wires of either fine silver or gold are first laid down to separate the enamels from one another. Wet enamels (finely ground glass and lead) are painted onto the plate of fine silver using the cloisons as dividers.



After the first layer of color is applied, the piece is ready to be kiln-fired at somewhere between 760 - 850 degrees Celsius. The enamels continue to be built up and fired repeatedly until the colors become vibrant, and there is a feeling of depth to the piece (each piece may be fired over twenty times).



Using a series of diamond files, the piece is then gently filed (from coarse to very fine) to remove any excess enamel and to reveal the cloisons. Then a series of diamond papers, up to 12,000 grit, is used. The piece is then cleaned with a glass brush, allowed to dry and placed near the kiln to warm up for its final firing.



enamel jewelry technique

'Tulip' Cloisonné Enamel Brooch/Pendant

The colors in this piece are vibrant! This piece is hand-engraved and set in Sterling Silver with 18k Gold 'bubbles'. It comes with a handmade finding that slips over the pin so the piece can be worn as either a brooch or a pendant.

$1100 AUD



Robin's handcrafted Cloisonné jewelry, and particularly her pendants, are vibrant with color and imagery. Much of her inspiration comes from natural imagery such as landscapes, light, movement, organic shapes, and often a specific theme or a certain gemstone. Her fine enamel gold and silver jewelry is available at high quality craft and jewelry stores, and select craft shows.



designer silver brooch

'Splash' Cloisonné & Champlevé Enamel Brooch

This little brooch was inspired by the ocean at dusk.

Materials: Fine silver and vitreous enamels.

$695 AUD



Robin Phillips received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, majoring in pottery, in America in 1973. She then worked for a number of years making pottery, and as a pottery teacher. Moving to Sydney influenced Robin's decision to study the art of jewelry design and jewelry making under a master jeweler. Her desire was to design and create original enamel gold and silver jewelry using her own individual style and skills.



Robin's fine handmade jewelry is created predominately from gold and silver, and consists of a collection of one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces. Her clients have commented that the pieces they own will become family heirlooms, handed down from generation to generation.



Women have been wearing fine jewelry for personal adornment for centuries. Robin believes that women who love jewelry want it to be well designed and finely made, whether it is gold or silver jewelry, diamonds or pearls, emeralds, opals, or Cloisonné.



Artist Statement

I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the USA in 1973 majoring in pottery, and worked as a production potter and pottery teacher in the US for some years. After moving to Sydney, I studied under a master jeweler and made the transition to jewelry design and making.



Color, texture and three-dimensional form were what initially drew me to work with clay and it is these same qualities that translate so well to metal. Although these mediums have inherent differences, both lend themselves to fluidity of form.



Both can be colored, either by glazing for pottery, or enameling or introducing heat to color precious metals. Both are very tactile materials lending themselves to a variety of finishes such as texturing, burnishing, high gloss, or a subtle satin.



Natural imagery such as landscapes, light, movement, organic shapes and simplicity of form continually inspire my work. I enjoy designing and creating my jewelry around a specific theme or stone, and often the stone dictates the direction the piece will take.



Using a combination of gold and silver adds depth and dimension, enhancing style, and simplicity. Living in Australia allows me access to exquisite opals and pearls which I love using in my jewelry.



Many of the pieces I make are one of a kind, and I am always changing my designs. I become bored making the same thing over and over, and I am always happy to take on commission work. I hope you enjoy looking at my work as much as I've enjoyed making it.


See full article
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Related Entries:


Jewelry Career Resources - 08 August 2006


Robin Steele Jewelry - 26 August 2006


Native American Inlay Jewelry - 14 January 2008


Susan Marie Designs Jewelry - 04 July 2008













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Sunday, July 13, 2008

An Imagined Conversation Between Myself and This Shopbop Model



Me: So, how are things?

Shopbop Model: Good, good. Things are good.

Me: How's the family? The family good?

Shopbop Model: They're fine, yeah, they're doing well.

Me: Good. And work? How's that going for you?

Shopbop Model: It's really great. This shopbop gig has got me some other offers and I think it's gonna be a really good year for me.

Me: That's fantastic! How about your love life?

Shopbop Model: Umm...Actually it's not so good. It's really bad, to be honest. It's kinda hard for me to talk about, but, well, I walked in on my boyfriend having sex with my mo--

Me: YOU'RE WEARING A TOWEL.

Shopbop Model: What?

Me: WITH HEELS.

Shopbop Model: Wait, this? No, no, this is a dress.

Me: Yeah, that's a towel.

Shopbop Model: But it costs $500!

Me: Yeah, that's a really overpriced towel.

Shopbop Model: But it has sequins!

Me: I bought a sequined towel once. From Hilo Hattie. It said "MAUI" on it in silver sequins. And it was a towel.

Shopbop Model: Really? Why would you buy a sequined towel?

Me: I don't know. It hurt really bad so I gave it away.

Shopbop Model: Good call.


Saturday, July 12, 2008

Let Me Introduce Hilary Clinton to Clinton Kelly!



You know the problem well, you can't block it from your mind. The low-long-hemmed unbuttoned jacket swinging away from the widest point of ample thighs/hips... Hilary Clinton and her “pantsuits” (more on that ridiculousness later)...



But it never happened, she never got a lifelong-style makeover from the gurus at What Not to Wear. What a picture, the secret footage, exactly like what I described above, the Clinton puns (there must be puns, I say) and... the bra fitting.



And now it's over. Not only might Hilary's political career be over, but she now has no hope of dressing her womanly body as it should. First legitimate female candidate for president of the United States?? Come on, she's not that female. (Her lack of humanity she increasingly displayed not withstanding, itself.)


What NOT to Wear: Old-Lady Pants Suits


What TO Wear: A nice pin-striped menswear suit. Hem cut at the actual hips (think where a baby rests against a woman's side, on occasion).


;-)


Clinton - forget flag pins, try on the stripes!



Friday, July 11, 2008

Give the bag a hand



I can't tell you how many e-mails I receive touting "the best accessory for handbag lovers", and naturally, I always look, and more often than not, it's someone else hawking the same old handbag hook we've all seen on late night TV (in gold or silver, shiny or matte finish...buy one for every handbag!...).
Yes, it's a useful idea in theory, but not one I'd use, so I just close the mail and move on.
But...I finally opened one of those e-mails, and found something on the same wavelength, but with a tongue in cheek aspect that appealed to me.
The aptly named, Purse Hand.

Yes, it's the same idea as all those other purse hooks, but, the Purse Hand does have an aspect most others do not. It can be customized by choosing one of 4 hand/hook colors and pairing it with one of the 40 available tile colors. I'm no mathematician, but that's a lot of combinations!
The chubby hand (which reminds me of a Middle Eastern hamsa) probably appeals to my superstitious side, as well as my punny inner self.
It's just cute, and it made me smile, so here, I share it with you.
As I said, it's not my thing, but for $24.95, I might give it a shot. It's the perfect price for a gift to give those ladies I know who are tough to buy for, but would definitely make use of a Purse Hand themselves.
Order one of owner Lydia's favorites, or design your own at The Purse Hand.

Renewed Appeal of Size Appeal



So I've known about Size Appeal for a long time, and even purchased from it sporadically. But recently at Lee Lee's Valise (which I wrote about in my last blog) I had a chance to try out some of their newest stuff and I have to say I really like it!! It reminds me of a plus size H&M - affordable, disposable fashion in fun, funky colors and designs. These are not high quality long wear garments, they are seasonal pieces - but a cute top for twentysomething dollars, I don't mind! Lisa D (the owner of Lee Lee's) told me she is selling out of the Size Appeal stuff in her store and has had to order more! If you can't get into Lee Lee's to try it on, check out Size Appeal's website:



Left: Acacia Top in Mustard, $29
Middle: Elaine Top in Teal, $29
Right: Joanna Top in Blue, $29



Left: Captivate Dress, Black & Red, $68
Middle: Harriet Dress in Red, $52
Right: Serenity Dress in Black, $49

All available at SizeAppeal.com!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

4th of July Parade



Here are some photos from our parade. For a little seaside town, we have a great parade with nearly 30 fire and rescue vehicles, kids on decorated bikes and floats based on current issues in town.

Strathmere is trying to separate from Upper Township and join Sea Isle City. So this float was a Wizard of Oz theme - 'Toto - I don't think we're in Upper anymore' Complete with guys in braids and red shoes.






I'm not sure what the safari was for, but it was cool -





Cool truck - My Dad didn't put any of his cars in the parade this year.




Borgata is a casino in Atlantic City -




And finally, during the Winter the water tower was painted and there was a big fight over having a name painted on the tower. Some people didn't want any name on it, because they want to keep the town a secret (hence the shhhh) they even have bumber stickers with shhhh printed on them. These clever people made their own water tower for the pararde. You can see the real one in the left corner.



Wednesday, July 9, 2008

New year - new body?



Lisa 2004 and 2006Did you know that the number 1 most popular new years resolution is to lose weight? Just because you, my dear readers, are empowered and attempting to love your body (if not loving it already) does not mean that you aren't going to be tempted to undertake a weight loss regiment yourselves.

I am not going to try and stop you; as many of you know I have lost more than 40 pounds in the last 2 years by exercising and changing my eating habits.

But I highly encourage you not to go on a diet. Diets don't work! They are restrictive and boring and no fun. I am not on a diet. I just finished a fabulous vanilla and peanut butter swirl frozen yogurt with peanut butter chips. But I also did a kick butt workout this morning for an hour and half. It's all about balance, girlies.

I also encourage you not to try and get "skinny". I may have lost 40 pounds, but I am still a full figured fashionista. It's about health, not size 2 jeans. It's about energy to walk and run and do all the fun things you want to do. It's about living your life to the fullest - not rejecting or hating the body you have, but loving it enough to make it perform at its best, regardless of its size.


Weight Watchers: Small steps can mean big changes
Since this is a blog where I do make recommendations, I will make one now. I have lost my weight with 2 things: 1) A gym membership. 2)Weight Watchers. It lets you eat like a human being, and yet gives you the tools to lose weight. Amazingly, its not that hard (if you are truly ready to start), or that expensive. It may not work for everybody, but its the plan I have found that teaches you the most how to eat like a "normal" person, not a dieter. I am on the points plan (I think its called "flex") and I love it!

Oh, and if you have no desire to lose weight, that's cool too. Just giving you some food for thought!

Monday, July 7, 2008

evintage blog tag - Swingtown



Its Blog Tag Wednesday at the eVintage Society!. Fans of the 70s, rejoice!! Last week CBS premiered a new series called SWING TOWN. Set in 1976, the show features 3 couples and their families…..a childless couple with loads of money, toys and an open marriage….a young couple with a teenage boy trying to define their relationship….and a more conservative couple facing a changing world. It also features some fab 70s clothes and music! Lets talk 70s!


1) Show us your favorite 70s piece in your inventory, mens, womens, dress, lingerie…..whatever you LOVE!

Well, I don't exactly Love it, but I think it's a pretty cool print. Maxi Jersey Gown by La Mendola -


2) Define disco wear as YOU see it.

When I was a kid, I was in the 'Disco Sucks' crowd. Now I have a better appreciation of the music, but not so much with the clothing. When I think of Disco, I think of desperate people trying to get into Studio 54, bra-less girls in halter tops, men in platform shoes and polyester pants, blue eyeshadow, cocaine, Liza Minelli, Bianca Jagger etc.


3) What was your favorite look of the 70s? The maxi dress? Bell bottoms? Culottes? Do tell.

Well, I was wearing culottes in the 1970s, but only because I was about 10, and didn't know any better. My aunt had a ton of super tight pants with bell bottoms. She had to put them on when they were still damp and lay on the bed and use a hook to pull up the zipper. She also had a great collection of super high platforms - Mary Janes and a pair of really cool carved wooden ones still stand out in my mind. She drove a Camaro too. I thought she was very cool. If I were an adult in the 70s, I'd probably be wearing gauzey, clingy jersey dresses, with a scarf ties around my head and big sunglasses.

4) Your neighbors invite you to a wild party where there may be disco music. Do you go?

I don't go to any parties, and I call the police if the music is too loud (unless it's something that I really like)


5) Grant Show. Sexy then? Sexy now? No idea?

No idea who he is. Was he the guy who played Miles on Murphy Brown?


6) Romantic Gunne Sax Prairie/Renn Queen or Disco Diva? Whats your style?

Choose or die? I guess I would go with the Romantic look because disco is a little too skin-flashy polyester-sweaty for me.

Check out the eVintage Blog Tag every Wednesday. Follow the links to read the posts from all of the participating blogs. I was tagged by Vintage Joy and now I'm tagging Diary of a Mad Vintage Addict





Sunday, July 6, 2008

Color Theory



Our junior year of high school, my BFF Rachel and I took a color theory class at the local community college. Our teacher was possibly insane, and spent a few classes quietly crying in the corner. Rachel and I spent every class getting inadvertently high on Sharpie fumes and screwing up our assignments so bad that I failed a gray scale project (translation for those of you unfamiliar with the art world: I failed mixing white and black paint). The one thing I do remember from that class, the one thing that wasn't lost in a haze of permanent marker chemicals, is that blue and orange are opposites on the colorwheel, and therefore, they look mega good together.

Whenever I pair my favorite blue tights with my new orange shoes, I feel like that class was maybe worth it:

Tights: We Love Colors (Read my WLC rave review here)
Shoes: Nine West, from Marshalls

p.s. Does anyone else hate summer solely because you can't enjoy colorful hosiery without guaranteed death by heatstroke? I'm moving to Antarctica.

Ooh La La!



oo.jpgWhile wine and flowers are great, I always try and bring something personalized when I'm invited to a dinner party or event, and when I read about the Ooh La Spa Kit it just screamed my friend Christine's name -- she's a perfume guru, moving to Paris to pursue her dream of becoming a nose -- needless to say she has an amazing sense of smell and a keen appreciation for essential oils which is why I couldn't wait to try out the Ooh La Spa Kit with her! The at-home aromatherapy spa kit is super-cute (it's packaged in a circular box that folds open), and comes complete with everything you'll need (even a cloth headband to keep your hair out of your face!) for a do-it-yourself facial! Everything is in travel sizes, so it's perfect for those times when you're traveling and don't find any nearby salons or for a night of beauty fun with your girlfriends (no you never get too old for these!):) Available at Sephora for $52.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Blast from the past



The most I ever knew about Cacharel was that they made my favorite perfume, Anais-Anais, I was 12 and though I dutifully read Seventeen, Vogue, Harpers, and even the odd Cosmo swiped from my grandmother I had no idea that Cacharel was first a fashion house.
Like so many other almost forgotten labels (Lanvin, Chloe, Balenciaga, Biba, Members Only...), Cacharel is getting a second life of late and once I came across some handbags, well, you all know I'm a sucker for a resurrected label.

In a mustard color almost as forgotten until recently as the label, this shoulder bag is perfectly sweet, and simple. There are no over sized logos, or hallmarks, there is hardly any hardware at all, but that doesn't mean the bag is short on detail. Straps of leather tied casually to rings form the handles for the bag, leaving soft ends hanging for a scarf like effect. There are 2 straps on the sides, and some added stitching for some additional interest, but overall, it's a clean bag, that will work for many casual outfits all season.
And don't underestimate the color's versatility. Mustard is huge this fall, and works so beautifully with neutrals and browns that this may be an all season bag!
The Cacharel mustard handbag is $488 from TOFF Miami.