clothing collection of my dreams

It's like Christmas!!!!!!!!  A Downton Abbey clothing collection is going to launch later this year!!!  Brilliant!  Simply brilliant!

fall wardrobe

I love this time of year! This is the one season that motivates me to run out and update my wardrobe for the change in weather. Here are my top must-buy items for fall:
1) Cords- I need to seriously replace my threadbare cords and khaki is the perfect neutral.
2) Sweater- Looking for more of a Parisian stripe rather than nautical. I love the wide boatneck on this one.
3) Scarf- I love this cozy, oversized scarf.  I could practically live in it!
4) Bracelet- I am looking for a chunkier bracelet that I can wear all season that will look cute when I push up my sleeves but not get lost in the heaviness of a sweater. These leather bangles fit the bill!

perfect silhouette

My friend and I are always bringing up the idea of creating uniforms for ourselves (maybe because I am always admiring the fact that she manages to find the same silhouette dress everywhere she shops, which undoubtedly looks amazing on her). The idea of finding your perfect dress silhouette and reproducing it over and over again in different fabrics does seem like a kind of no-fuss, dream scenario. Then all you would need to focus on is accessorizing! I think the above silhouette might be mine... square neckline, empire waist, aline skirt, hitting just below the knee. I envision my dresses being made of a more structured cotton, but this is a start...

outfit inspiration

Well, I was supposed to be attending a Wine Feast & Auction fundraiser for the Delaware Theatre Company tonight, but it looks like the impending blizzard has ruined those plans. But I can't waste the outfit inspiration I pulled for this special event:I wanted to channel a traditional 1940s silhouette. Without actually having the vintage pieces themselves, this was relatively easy to pull together with a few modern pieces. I paired a bunch of old items in my closet (a brown tweed high-waisted below-the-knee skirt with flared hem from H&M, a short sleeve ivory sheer blouse from Old Navy, a fitted 3/4 sleeve brown cardigan from Target, a brown wide corset belt from Anthropologie, brown textured tights from Target, and orange T-strap heels from Nine West) to create a very curvy, streamlined figure. I finished the look off with some of my favorite antique jewelry (cameo necklace, marcasite teardrop earrings, etched silver bangles) and twisted my hair back with antique tortoise shell haircombs. The outfit makes me feel very polished and womanly. I definitely need to save this outfit for some upcoming special event... can't let a good outfit go to waste!

If you live in the area, have fun playing in the snow!

happy new years!

Now, I am not a go-all-out kind of New Years Eve girl but this year I have been dying for an excuse to wear sequins and sparkles, and what better day to do that than New Years Eve. Here's the outfit I am putting together for our low-key house party:I purchased a similar top from Old Navy in a tank version but this top is equally inexpensive (and on sale) at Ann Taylor Loft. I would also love to pair it with a similar necklace as shown... maybe some layers of long sterling chains. The rhinestone bracelet from Anthropologie has been on my wish list for awhile and I feel like I now have an excuse to buy it (especially with the gift card I received that is burning a hole in my wallet!). I am going to let the bracelet be the statement accessory and plan to pair it with simple diamond stud earrings and an understated sequined double headband. Not a crazy sparkly outfit by any means, but for someone who barely steps out in anything but solid earth tones and black, this is quite the departure!

Happy New Year! See you in 2010!

roaring 20s

My dream of having a themed 1920s party is finally coming true! My company's holiday party is taking this theme to the max, with gaming tables, dancing and booze, to celebrate this spectacular decade and our holiday season. I have been rummaging through my personal inspiration dedicated to this time period and I have so many ideas I feel like I might go into 1920s dress-up overload... the drop waisted dresses, the art deco jewelry, the elaborate hairpieces, the cloches, oh my!!!

I desperately want to rewatch the Great Gatsby to gather some more inspiration:

To live in this decade, just for a night... what a treat. I have always dreamed of dressing up and having my photo taken, in an Alfred Cheney Jonhston style:
But I know one thing for certain... I am definitely rocking finger waves. This style is usually only pulled out for red-carpet like events in my life, but I feel this might just be one of those occasions!

a little crush

Lately, I have formed a little crush on Zooey Deschanel. I love her laid back vintage style and I LOVE how she accessorizes her outfits... from her sparkly vintage jewelry to her cutesy vintage headbands. I am loving this image of her from the new cotton ad:...the bow heels, the sailor button shorts, the ruffled white shirt, the shrunken cardigan, the rhinestone bow necklace, the crown braid!!! In my dream land, this would be my most perfect outfit for a casual bicycle outing. I heart you, Zooey!

simply mad for mad men!

I was recently turned on to Mad Men and now I am hooked. This show, amongst it's other merits, is delicious eye candy. Joan being my favorite of them all, with her clothes, hairtsyles, make-up, and most importantly her bombshell figure. She makes me want to run out and buy a form hugging dress!