FRIDAY FANCIES

Hello all, what have you seen recently that you want/need/LOVE ????

I thoroughly enjoyed the documentary Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorfs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_tlLasDH3A )  Have you watched it? The personal shopper from Bergdorf's has now written a book and altho I just started reading it today, I can already recommend it.

One more book recommendation:  The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin.  Historical fiction about Charles Lindberg and his wife Anne Morrow Lindberg.  It is our book club's selection for September and I am anxious to see if others found it as fascinating as I did:

Speaking of pink...well we were not directly discussing pink but isn't it always somewhere in our thoughts???  Who doesn't love a pretty pink coat:

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Coats-Jackets/Coats/WE462/Womens-Claudia-Coat.html?NavGroupID=2

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Coats-Jackets/Coats/WE449/Womens-Eliza-Coat.html?NavGroupID=2

An animal print bag would be adorable with a pink coat:

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Accessories/Handbags,-Clutches-Wallets/AM217/Womens-Draycott-Bag.html?NavGroupID=1

In honor  of NY Fashion Week I leave you with this thought:

FALL FASHION FAVES

Its September, New York Fashion Week is in full swing and that means we all need to start thinking about blazers, cozy cardigans, boots, pumpkin spice lattes and Christmas music.  OK, maybe a bit too early for the music but everything else speaks fall to me.  I have plowed through most of the September fashion magazines (InStyle, Glamour. Marie Claire and soon Vogue, need to gear up for that one) and have a few observations:

1.  Longer length skirts are BACK and I could not be happier.  Here are a few I find delicious:

Boden USA

JCrew Pencil Skirt, a CLASSIC

2.  Maxi dresses are still going strong.  I like maxis and wear them BUT...of course there has to be a "but" here..they can be very difficult to walk in unless the perfect length.  Should one be clumsy, its very easy to get your shoes tangled into the back or front of your dress and such a fall is not graceful nor pretty...I perhaps have had experience with this "look" and do not recommend it.

Pretty as always, Anthropologie

3.  Long long long cardigans have returned.  Does the thought here apply that if you wore an item the first time it was in style mean you cannot wear it again?  Who said that?????  Certainly not me...so I just may be sporting at least one of these:

Anthropologie again

4.  Boots and booties are the perfect footwear for pretty much everything in your closet from jeans to skirts to dresses, casual to fancy:

Cole Haan - Nordstroms

5.  Grey is the new black.  Burgandy and dark green are huge this season.

JCrew cardigan

6.  Cozy knits.

Who else but Kate Spade?

What is on your fall wish list?  Please share with us in the comments section.

LINK LOVE

Hello - Where is the summer going????  Has it even really been summer??? I wake up early in the morning and at 6 AM the past few mornings, the temperature has registered in the mid 50s'...unbelievable.

Todays link love is a collection with no theme, just things I find interesting and hope you do too:

Two "new to me" blogs (I know, I know..the last thing I need is MORE blogs to look at):

http://www.theclassycubicle.com

http://www.caphillstyle.com

Given my philosophy of buying quality not quantity, I found this article very informative.  Have I ever told you this is my philosophy???  One thought to help decide if an item is worthy of your closet is to be honest with yourself,  would pay full price for the item?   If that answer is no, then let it go irregardless of the "bargain":

http://into-mind.com/2014/05/04/how-to-assess-the-quality-of-garments-a-beginners-guide-cheat-sheet/

Several friends have recommended the memoir below that speaks to the mother-daughter relationship.  So far I am enjoying it very much:

Before I say bye for now,  wanted to share a few thoughts:

FUN NEW FINDS

Its been awhile since I shared some fun new discoveries with you all.

I am working hard to give up Diet Coke.  Instead of cola.  I drink lots of water, sparkling in particular.  Well...last time I was at Nordstrom's cafe I discovered their Sparkling Cooler (mix of tea/lemonade/club soda).  Oh my...so refreshing and tasty.  I mix together equal parts of Crystal Light iced tea, Crystal Light lemonade and water.  Fill a glass with half of the Crystal Light mixture and half club soda and you will have a fabulous new summer drink.  Don't forget a pretty glass and straw.

As I shared with you recently I have been spending the majority of my time this summer sprucing up our home.  Two fun wall decorations I am considering are:
Plate wall art which just makes me happy to look at:

Mirror groupings really can add so much in design and texture to a room:

 

I have been listening to  podcasts (most from the Diana Rehm show) via NPR's website.  See I really do more than follow Suri's blog,  watch reality television and read People and Us Weekly. This link is to an interview with Chris Bohjalian (a favorite author) about his new book:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-07-09/chris-bohjalian-close-your-eyes-hold-hands

I want to hear all about your summer and the fun activities that have occupied your time.  Please tell all of us about a great book you are reading,  a trip you are planning or a wonderful day spent with friends and/or family.  I cannot believe its mid July already.  So in the remaining weeks I plan to visit the beach, lunch again on the beautiful patio at Brewsters in New Buffalo, attend as many outdoor concerts as possible, finish painting the downstairs rooms in our home and lounge with my LARGE stack of magazines on the deck.

FRIDAY FANCIES

Hello all, have some wonderful media suggestions for you:

My husband and I went to a fabulous movie this afternoon.  I highly recommend it.  At the conclusion the entire audience clapped. When was the last time you saw that happen in a movie theater?

Have you heard of the documentary 112 Weddings?  It is also fabulous.  A wedding videographer re-visits couples years after their wedding to see how their lives and marriages have played out.  The link I have shared is to a trailer for this HBO documentary:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4A07vLA-dI&feature=kp

For some reason I resisted watching the DVD "Saving Mr. Banks."  I cannot  tell you why,  perhaps because I thought is would be a silly story about Mary Poppins.  Yes, it is about Mary Poppins but it definitely is not silly.  I have linked below to an online review site:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/saving_mr_banks_2013/

I enjoy listening to books on CD while driving, especially when I will be in the car for a few hours.  I am currently listening to Mindy Kalings book "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" and it is beyond hilarious:

What have you read and/or watched lately that you enjoyed?  Please share your recommendations in the comments section below.

FRIDAY FANCIES

Love this chocolate brown maxi dress from Anthropologie.  Have you noticed how difficult it is find clothing in a true brown?

I NEED, WANT, DESIRE, HAVE TO OWN this darling lampshade (when it goes on a 50% off sale, that is, please please Anthropologie, make this happen).  Seriously isn't this just the cutest, happiest little shade you have ever seen???

Love this Kate Spade dress for someone (not me, that is for sure).  It would be adorable for a rehearsal dinner or fancy party:

Thank you Kate Spade for this fabulous thought:

I'M BACK for LINK LOVE

No excuses, life has been busy and blogging has not been at the top of my priority list this summer.  However I realize I miss it and so..... here we go ..........again...........................

I think the debate will go on forever:
http://m.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2014/07/why-pepsico-ceo-indra-k-nooyi-cant-have-it-all/373750/

Lets drop the topic of guilt and instead focus on happiness:
http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/7-things-remarkably-happy-people-do-more.html

Getting ready for a serious closet clean out and this article helped me decide what stays and what goes:
http://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/2014/04/how-to-look-current-fashion-trends-to-keep-or-retire-for-2014.html

I have been focused on sprucing up our home the past few months.  Enjoyed this post from one of my favorite blogs:  http://www.apartmenttherapy.com
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/simple-ways-to-make-your-home-a-haven-202024

LINK LOVE

After A While

Author: Veronica A. Shoffstall

After a while you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning 

And company doesn’t mean security,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts

And presents aren’t promises.

And you begin to accept your defeats

With your head up and your eyes open

With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.

And you learn to build all your roads on today,

Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans,

And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn

That even sunshine burns if you get too much.

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,

Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure,

That you really are strong,

And you really do have worth.

And you learn and learn,

With every goodbye you learn.

Now ...for a bit of fashion link love (which is the reason for this blog but always happy to throw in some life thoughts too):

http://fortyplusstyle.myprivatestylist.com/blog/dynamic-diagonals/?utm_content=buffer4aaeb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer  

Love this blogger's use of color in her wardrobe:

http://www.akeytothearmoire.com/tagged/Pink 

What are your favorite blogs?  I love blogs and learn so much from the 10 or 15 (cough cough....a few more than that perhaps) on my list of daily reads

CLOSET CLEANOUT PART 1

Why is it so difficult to clean out my closet and purge items I no longer wear, are no longer in style, not flattering and/or no longer fit?  Is there a sentimental attachment to some of the clothes?  After college I desperately wanted a DVF wrap dress but on a social worker's salary that dream was not going to happen.  So guess what?  I bought the pattern, purchased her fabric and made two wrap dresses.  I loved them, the man I was seeing (my current husband of 30 plus years...I say current to tease him a bit,  a private joke between the the 2 of us).   LOVED those dresses too.  He  often left notes on my desk with sweet compliments.  Another dress with wonderful memories is a long red dress I wore to an office Christmas party. That red dress made me feel wonderful.  OK, that is a grand total of 3 ..why do I have all the other junk hanging in there?  No attachment to an awful velvet dress I purchased at the  last minute for a New Years Eve party after discovering what I had planned to wear was not going to work.  No special memories of the many items I purchased due to the great price but also knowing as I  pulled out my credit card that they were not the smartest purchases.  I think I often heard my mother in the background whispering in my ear "save it, someday you will need that  __ __ __ (fill in the blank; coat, sweater, skirt...etc etc)."

When one's closet is overflowing, you often cannot see the jewels that are in there.  I think writing this post has helped me understand that part of my reluctance to purge clothes is because I am then forced to face up to some unpleasant truths:  1.  The money I wasted on clothes that were never flattering and barely worn  2.  Some items just don't fit anymore and I don't see me wearing them in the foreseeable future.  3.  What if I "need" those clothes  tomorrow or next week/month/year and they are ..GONE...  4. Can I trust myself to make better decisions in future purchases?

Do you also have a closet  full of items that need to BE GONE???  If you have also wrestled with this dilemma and found a way to deal with 'Clothing Overload' please share with us your success stories in the comments section below.  Next week I will share with you  in a Closet Cleanout Part 2 post some of the strategies that I have used ; both the hits and misses.

FRIDAY FANCIES

Who doesn't love to have a nice coffee table book to browse through?  Some fun recommendations below.  I am especially drawn to  #8, #20 and #24.  Have been in a huge redecorating frame of mind past few weeks:
http://www.elementsofstyleblog.com/2014/05/24-great-coffee-table-books.html

 

I need another scarf like I need a _ _ _ _ _ (please fill in the blank and BE CREATIVE) so of course have put this on my Anthropologie wish list.  If it gets a 75% price cut it WILL be mine:

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/31108343.jsp#/

 

 

As I confessed earlier in this post I am busy choosing paint colors, searching for a new coffee table, etc etc...love Home and Garden Television Magazine for design ideas:
https://subscribe.hearstmags.com/circulation/hgtvmagazine/images/hgt_cvr-reg.jpg

Speaking of home design/redecorating I have several new blogs (new to me) that I am enjoying:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

http://theinspiredroom.net/

http://honeyandfitz.com/


Hope you all have some fun weekend plans on this beautiful holiday weekend.  We are enjoying the fabulous weather (FINALLY...I barely leave the deck as I am afraid the sun will disappear) and also treating ourselves to a quick day trip to Chicago to listen to some New Orleans Jazz while sipping wine...feeling very fortunate for all the wonderful people and experiences in my life.

LINK LOVE

I know I need encouragement in this area of life, how about you?
http://gluttonforlife.com/2014/05/13/work_in_progress

Shop less????  She makes a strong case for this...but...its my hobby.......would I have to substitute something ......like......exercise???????????  Not sure I am willing to go in that drastic new direction:
http://40plusstyle.com/how-to-shop-less-and-get-a-better-wardrobe-a-style-interview-with-debbie/

I am sure none of us are guilty of a single one of the fashion crimes on this list are we?
http://www.50shadesofage.com/2014/01/15/biggest-fashion-faux-pas/
I just could not resist this pic to share with you....the black eye makeup, the frizzy hair, the ruffled sleeves...too funny:

So now that we have covered what not to do, lets look at what we all should be doing in our wardrobe selections:
http://www.thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/master-art-dressing/

“A woman’s dress should be like a barbed-wire fence: serving its purpose without obstructing the view.” 

Sophia Loren

NEW MAKEUP FAVES

Hello-I have spent a fair amount of time recently (OK, ALOT of time) sampling makeup and have some fun new recommendations for all of you:

As much as I HATE to admit this,  my eyebrows are fading away due to grey hairs.. and the Anastasia's  brow gel I have been using is just not lasting all day so have  now added the Anastasia Brow Wiz into my morning makeup routine:

Are you like me and like the easy application a gel eyeliner pencil offers?  That said I don't want a harsh line,  I want to be able to soften it, particularly under my eyes.  Say hello to a fabulous option, Trish McEvoy's gel liner...and it comes with a smudge brush...PERFECT:

 

I have 2 concealer options for you, still trying to decide which one is the best.  

Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer. You will need to warm this up a bit in your fingers before applying as it is a bit heavy in consistency but coverage is amazing:

Chanel Correcteur Perfection (very creamy, great color options and good coverage)

Love "They're Real" by Benefit Mascara:

What are your favorite makeup products?  If you have any suggestions for a daily moisturizer, please share in the comments section, as I am on safari for this...hopefully one that erases wrinkles, plumps the skin, takes at least 25 years off my skin's appearance and is reasonable in price...hahahaha....I know...dream on Miss Fancy Nancy......

FRIDAY FANCIES

Did you think I had given up the blog business??  Absolutely not!  Life has been busy with a little bit of fun travel (than you Anna, Brian and Molly), end of school year rush, etc etc.  Anyway, the blog posts will now begin again.

My fave summer nail polish last year was Tart Deco by Essie.  However I discovered a new favorite yesterday as I rushed to a badly needed manicure.  Isn't this the PERFECT pink/coral color?  Its also from Essie and named "Love Every Minute":

Have you made your list of beach reads for this summer?  If so, please share as I am always in the market for book recommendations.  Our bookclub pick for May looks very interesting:

I have to say I am a bit surprised that maxi dresses continue to go strong this spring/summer.  I honestly expected them to be gone by the summer of 2014 but they are EVERYWHERE:

 

Will you be wearing a cute hat this summer?  I have purchased mine (not the one below, but LOVE this one) and this may the weekend to break it out:

Have a wonderful weekend and I promise to be back on Monday, refreshed and ready to blog away.......

FRIDAY FANCIES

I am obsessed with Courtney Kerr's hair (and pretty much everything else about her) :

Love this beautiful spring scarf from Anthropologie:

Great eyelet tunic from Talbots in black or white.  It absolutely will be a foundation piece of your spring/summer wardrobe:

http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/product_details.jsp?id=prdi32147&rootCategory=cat70016&catId=cat440044&sortKey=Default&section=Regular&conceptIdUnderSale=cat70016

ON MY WISHLIST

Hello fellow fashionistas!  Just a quick question...have you all ever felt like you don't want anything you can afford and cannot afford anything you really want??  That experience leads to today's blog post.  I am going to share with you some things I am loving but realistically cannot buy unless I either find out of an unexpected trust fund and  inheritance or Anthopologie, West Elm, JCrew and Nordstroms offer me a 95% coupon good for the rest of my life. 

Ah...Tory......I so love your pebbled leather handbags (I not even going to show a Chanel...why break all of our poor little hearts?)

 Love Nordstrom's cologne department, so fun to spritz myself with all of the fabulous scents, Narcisco, Tory Burch, Chanel Mademoiselle,  I want them ALL.....

 

 Lela Rose designs the most beautiful, elegant, feminine clothing for women:

Kate Spade and bows...those words just go together don't they?

You may be thinking at this point that all I ever think about is clothes and makeup, etc etc...well you would be wrong, sometimes I give serious thought to lounging in the sun on a chaise with a cold glass of my favorite prosecco in a pretty glass:

With that wonderful thought I will say bye for now.