FRIDAY FANCIES

I hope all of you had a fabulous week.  Lets look at a few things that will inspire us:

I KNOW...its only mid October but it makes me happy to know the holidays are coming and that soon stores will have decorations out and Christmas music playing:

I do not treat myself to Starbucks very often (too expensive and too many calories) but...I had my first  Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate of the season.  The only thing that could make it even better is being in a red cup:

I just made a batch of pumpkin muffins, some with chocolate chips and some with vanilla sugar on top.  Love the smell of baked goods in the oven.  If you would like the recipe, please make a comment below and I will be happy to share:

Have you ever purchased anything from Boden?  I am considering this sweater coat.  Should I get the pretty pink (which is distinctive and thus cannot be worn too often) or the navy which will be a practical addition to my wardrobe?

Boden also has sold beautiful velvet coats forever.  I have always admired them.  This past summer while browsing in an antique store I lucked out and found a wonderful black velvet coat with a yellow lining and the most interesting collar that is made for a BIG SPARKLY broach:

Enjoy your weekend.  Our family will be cheering on Notre Dame and the Cubs.

LINK LOVE

The case for expensive clothing:http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/10/the-case-for-expensive-clothes/408652/

Liz Jones, a former editor of Marie Claire shares her thoughts on the fashion worlds perceptions of women: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-38390/What-I-think-fashion-world.html

Our book club just read The Nightingale.  We thought is was extremely well written and a fascinating story : 

Inspiration on how to tie fall scarves, hopefully a few are new to you: http://hellonatural.co/how-to-tie-a-scarf/

23 things an author wished she had known at age 23 (I think many of us echo her thoughts)

http://www.mydomaine.com/life-lessons-hillary-kerr-2015/

Early Fall Looks

Last week I had a few hours to browse in stores and see what "looks" retailers are showing:  

1.  Ponchos- YES THEY ARE BACK...plain colors, small plaids, large buffalo plaids, buttons on the shoulder, buttons on the side, belted and unbelted, fringed,etc etc.  I am not a fan of ponchos..oh yes I had my moment in them, 10 plus years ago but found them (for me) to not be flattering at all.  If one is 5'10, 25 years old and size 6, of course they look good but what doesn't?  That said if you have that look going for you, why would you ever hide it under a poncho????  Another complicaiton one might face is handbags...do they go under or over a poncho...I think the only real solution is an oversized clutch (shout out to my friend Katie who always loves a large oversized clutch).

2.  Culottes- you may know them as gauchos... call them whatever you like, I just call them unflattering for most of us. However I have to say I have seen some women wear them well, especially with great boots, tights and a long vest.

3.  Vests- long, short, wool, cashmere, boucle, with a faux fur collar, with a scarf, these are also EVERYWHERE.  I think some styles can be flattering and certainly update one's outfit for Fall 2015.  The problem for many of us is trying to decide what to wear under a vest ...a blouse, a turtleneck (definitely not for me and my chin/neck area), a tee????  Its enough for me to choose my skirt or pants and a top and accessorize as well as choosing  footwear...I really do not need any more decisions to make when I get dressed.

4. Boots-  Boots and booties are everywhere in every color and fabric.  One somewhat new (for this year) is the amount of over the knee options being offered; fabulous look for some woman ( I wish I was one of those women).

5.  Faux Fur-  detachable collars/stoles, scarves, vests, jackets, coats, all can be yours in faux fur.

6. Blanket Scarves -So so many oversized scarves.  One can wear them wrapped and wrapped and....wrapped around your neck ( they are BIG) as well as a poncho or any other way your creative mind can think of.

What is on your fall wish list? 

Skin Care Class at Sephora

Did you know that Sephora offers free makeup and skin care classes?   I recently attended a class on skin care and learned a few things that I will be sharing with you.  You must pre-register for the class on line, in person or via a phone call.  It was recommended we come to the class with a clean, make up free face.


When I arrived at the class at 9AM on Sunday morning, it was set up to accommodate 18 participants.  Each "station" had a large make up mirror, make up brushes, a hair band to hold your hair away from your face as well as a disposable cotton cloth.  A staff member spent time with each of us individually to discuss our skin issues and concerns, type of skin we feel we have and what we hope to gain from the class.  She or he then picked out a makeup remover, cleanser, mask, eye cream, serum and moisturizer.

As the instructor explained each step of skin care, she demonstrated on a member of the store's staff while also explaining why each product was important and the correct way to use it.  One example that  surprisingly made sense to me is that we need a 2 step cleansing ritual.  The first product is to remove makeup.  I was a bit skeptical when they suggested a Clinique Cleansing Balm  ( I

stopped using Clinique products long ago thinking they were mainly for teens) yet I have to admit it did exactly as promised.  My makeup melted off.  The second step is to cleanse your face once the makeup is off.  We next tried various masks depending on our skin care concerns.  I tried Glam Glow and liked it quite a bit.  This mask can be applied 1-2 times per week to both add and maintain moisture.  On to a serum (Coop Row Sauce), then a toner (Fresh Black Tea Instant Infusion Treatment Toner) and finishing with eye cream (Algenist Eye Cream Renewal Balm)  and face moisturizer (Philosphy Ultimate Miracle Worker). The final product was an SPF 45 balm (Dr. Jart)

2 items new to me were the Foreo which is an electric  silicone facial brush that is much like a Clarsonic.                         

  :











and the Clasonic Opal used to apply eye treatments and creams:

The final piece of information I found helpful was the amount of product we should be using:

Cleanser and moisturizer- Pearl size

Eye cream - Rice grain

Serum-Nickle

I hope you enjoyed this post and found it informative.  Do you have any skin care recommendations or questions?  Please share either or both in the comments section below.

FRIDAY FANCIES

One would think I would have a million faves stored up to share with you but that is not the case, my new persona will be one of careful selection, thoughtful decisions...ok who am I kidding????  I could do 100 Friday Fancies and not even touch the list I have accumulated.  So here we go.........

Fall 2015 is fringe and fringe is Fall 2015; these will never grace my feet for so so many reasons which I will not bore you with, just feast your eyes :

Jenny Packman makes the most beautiful dresses and for the small sum of $4800.00 it could be hanging in your closet:

Who doesn't love sequins? Who loves them more than anyone else you know ????  Yes ...ME... this blog isn't called Fancy Nancy without reason and I just may have treated myself to this fabulous jacket from Anthropologie:

Most things in life change but you can count on the fact that my love of tulle and pink and shimmer will never change and when those loves are all combined in one item...I have NO WORDS:

I promise lots more posts to come and leave you with this thought:


you know when someone asks "why are you so dressed up?" and you have to literally explain to them that this is who you are

FRIDAY FANCIES

Hello all my fave fashionistas, today is another post on things I fancy

Thanks to Liz at the Ft. Wayne Ann Taylor Loft for sharing some exciting news with me about the store/company.  I used to hesitate to order from them because of the high shipping costs.  Well...its a new world in Loft Land.  You can order from the store and receive free shipping.  So...out of your size?  Out of your most flattering color?  Dying to own that "on line only" item that will complete your closet and your life?????  No longer a problem.  Go into any Loft, place your order and receive FREE SHIPPING (isn't that music to our ears??).  Free shipping means more to spend on shopping.

Speaking of Ann Taylor Loft, I just ordered this comfy maxi dress.  Its light, airy, in a pretty navy, wide enough straps to cover undergarments and right now on sale for 50% off:

Did you know that Three Oaks MI has their own theater festival?  Neither did I ... until Thursday when I saw that John Mahoney was in a play at the Vickers Theater.  So sad, it was already sold out and believe me I tried EVERYTHING to get a ticket.  Here is a link to their other summer productions:

http://www.threeoaksfestival.com


Could I ever do one Friday Fancies without including Anthropologie?  I am guessing not.  I was in the store in Chicago, saw this platter and the love affair began...have been dreaming of it on my kitchen counter, sitting upright in one of those cute little spoon plate holders Anthropologie sells...I think seeing this message every morning as I begin my day could change EVERYTHING...see how good I am at rationalizing purchases?  Its not mine yet, but it will be...when it goes on sale.  I love it so much I even made the image below the biggest one on this post

I love pink, I love New Orleans and I really love pretty dishes...Thank you Anthropologie:

Well, I love these enough I am going to make their image large too so can see just how beautiful they are...I want all of them...every single plate, bowl, platter, pitcher, etc etc.

I will say bye for now...cannot think of a better way to end my post than with the pretties above.

LINK LOVE

Today's links are a mixture, no one theme.  I hope you enjoy them:


Do you ponder the difference between Cava, Prosecco and Champagne?  If not, you should.  Nothing is more delightful on a warm summer evening than a sparkling refreshment in a pretty flute:

http://vinepair.com/wine-blog/champagne-vs-prosecco-vs-cava/


Do you also ponder the difference between being a caring and loving parent vs a helicopter parent?  I believe parents who coach every team their child is on, attend every practice, volunteer in the classroom daily, etc etc are not raising their children to become mature and independent which in the end is what we all should want for our adult children:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julie-lythcotthaims/helicopter-parenting-is-a-trap_b_7586656.html


Preston Davis, a woman who has worked in the fashion world for quite a while, shares her shopping rules.  While many of are not buying Valentino shoes, I think the same rules apply whether its a designer item or a  TJMaxx find:

http://keepitchic.com/2015/06/11/shopping-rules/


I really enjoyed this article.  To me "polished" means some thought has been put into your wardrobe. I believe it reflects confidence, good taste and a general love of fashion:

http://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/2007/12/how-does-one-get-the-polished-look.html

LINK LOVE

I took a brief break for a fun little excursion to visit a very dear friend in Charleston.   What a fabulous city, definitely  a FANCY FAVORITE...hmmm we may have a new category here on the blog.  Anyway, its now back to the business of blogging and here are some interesting articles online in the past few weeks:

My love affair with Anthropologie continues and this made me laugh out loud:
http://suburbanturmoil.com/the-anthropologie-catalog-americas-only-legal-hallucinogen/2014/04/24/

As I told you in a recent post I began reading My Paris Dream and promised to report back.  I am  enjoying the book and  recommend it.  The link below is to an interview with the book's author, Kate Betts:

http://thechicagochic.com/summer-read-my-paris-dream/

My female friends are very important to me and I enjoyed reading other women's thoughts on friendship:
http://nymag.com/thecut/2015/04/25-famous-women-on-female-friendship.html

Signs of a genuine friendship:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/04/qualities-of-real-friends_n_5709821.html?ir=Healthy%20Living&utm_campaign=090414&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-healthy-living&utm_content=Title


I leave you today with this thought:

FRIDAY FANCIES

I will soon be traveling to Charleston to visit a dear friend.  Our plans include touring southern homes, shopping, laughing and drinking wine...not necessarily in that order:

Will you please buy this and wear it for both of us?  You know of my admiration and love for anything and everything tulle:

Already reserved this at the local library; thinking its similar to the Bravo channel but in book form:

http://nypost.com/2015/05/24/inside-the-bizarre-life-of-an-upper-east-side-housewife/



Speaking of some of my fave television shows such as Meet the Press, 60 Minutes and pretty much everything on Bravo, this is my current viewing obsession, SOUTHERN CHARM:

BUCKET LIST

Happy Memorial Day.  I hope all  of us are keeping in mind the thanks we owe to the brave men and women who have served our country.

I happened to speak with my wonderful neighbor and friend, Mary, this afternoon.  Shared with her a fun experience last weekend at a panel and book launching by one of my favorite authors, Jen Lancaster.  Jen (as her good friends, such as myself, like to call her) asked each attendee to write on a piece of paper one item on their bucket list.  I have MANY MANY MANY on my list; visit Paris, visit Italy, visit Maine,  stay at a beach side cottage for a week with cute restaurants/shopping nearby and lots of time to read and drink pretty cocktails under an umbrella, start a Bravo night with friends who are also serious about their television watching habits, etc etc etc.  After briefly scanning this long list it was difficult to pick just one and commit to it.  However I choose to write  "Have wine with Jen Lancaster" because 1.  It could happen that exact day  2.  I wanted her to know what a fan I was (my 2 BFFs who were with me...used the phrase "stalker" but...not at all the case in my mind) .  Guess what???  My card was picked,.  Jen filled up my glass with wine and we toasted...it was amazing and fun and something I will always remember.


This brings me to a conclusion I recently recognized about Bucket Lists.  We  have items we can actually MAKE HAPPEN as well as items we can dream about that COULD happen.  It is important to write all of your dreams down and be honest with yourself about which category each one falls into.  Obviously I want to spend a week in Lake Forest hanging out with Jen and her husband Fletch but really don't have much control over that invitation coming my way, but its still on my list.   Wine with Jen at an event, DONE!!!  Learning to drive to Chicago alone and being able to spend time doing what I want to do, DONE!   Starting a book club with good friends, DONE, still going strong 14 years plus.  I still haven't been abroad but who knows, it could happen.  It may depend on how important that goal is to me and how willing I am to work towards it/save money and be creative in ways to get there.

I would love to hear about your bucket list items; those you have made happen and those you are working towards. Please share in the comment section below.

FRIDAY FANCIES

Happy Memorial Day weekend.  Finally the sun has come out and I am looking forward to lots of time out on the deck.

I went to see this documentary earlier in the week and highly recommend:
http://www.diorandimovie.com

While we are dabbling in the land of France, just started this book:
http://www.amazon.com/My-Paris-Dream-Education-Seduction/dp/0679644423
I will report back if its worth your time to read.

.

While in Chicago last week, my husband and I had a fabulous dinner at Le Colonial and I tasted a delicious martini, below is the recipe, ENJOY:

HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH MARTINI

15ml Chambord liqueur

50ml Finlandia® vodka

60ml fresh pineapple juice

Raspberry or a lemon twist to garnish

Handful of ice

Pour the Chambord, vodka and pineapple juice in a shaker.
Add ice and shake like a tambourine. Strain into martini glass.
Top with a raspberry. Or a lemon twist.
As you like.

What are you weekend plans?  Please share in the comment section below:

FANCY NANCY IS BLOGGING AGAIN......

Hello all, its been a long time since my last post.  I needed to take a break away for awhile to be re-energized and full of new ideas to share with all of you.  I hope you will read the blog, comment, ask questions and share helpful information you have with all of us.

I recently read a blog post from Angie's blog  http://youlookfab.com about maxi skirts and dresses.  They continue to be a strong fashion statement year after year, season after season.  Last spring I slipped on my solid black maxi skirt and top and for some reason thought I looked like a monk...in looks only trust me on this...I am definitely not holy enough to compare myself in any other way.  So..back to the topic at hand (I may tend to ramble a bit, if you haven't noticed....).  In this post Angie explains that solid columns of long skirts and dresses give the appearance of a uni-leg...that they need to have a dip or a slit or anything that would break up this solid color mass.  Ahhh.....that is it...that is why something felt off but I couldn't articulate what "that" was.  After you read the article and view the photos, please share your thoughts on this VERY IMPORTANT topic in the comments section  at the end of this post  http://youlookfab.com/2015/05/14/prevent-maxi-skirt-uni-leg-with-front-side-slits/

What are some other big summer trends this season?  I am seeing denim and chambray EVERYWHERE...dresses, skirts, rompers, jackets, shirts, pretty much every article of clothing and/or accessory.  Do you know the difference between chambray and denim?  Well, thank goodness for google and the ability to cut/paste this easy explanation of the two:

While chambray and denim  are often confused for one another, they’re not exactly the same fabric. A chambray is a plain weave fabric woven with a colored yarn in the warp and a white yarn in the weft. Like chambray, denim is made with a colored yarn in the warp and white in the weft, but is woven in a twill construction. The chambray’s warp and weft threads will alternate one over the other, while denim’s warp thread will go over two threads in the weft before going under one. Typically, you will notice a lighter color to the underside of a denim fabric, whereas the underside of chambray will appear much more similar to its face side. 

Other fashion items still going strong in the summer of 2015 are Birkenstocks, Gladiator shoes, midi skirts, handkerchief hems on both skirts and dresses and hair that is left loose and wavy.

Its good to be back.  I love discussing fashion, books, food and restaurants, movies, blogs (I may have a few I read..ahem...well more than a few what but do numbers really mean in the end??? ) and look forward to sharing all with you.

I leave you with this fancy thought: