FALL FASHION

I spent a lot of time in the car this weekend.  It provided the perfect opportunity to look at the September issues of Vogue, In Style and Elle to name a few.  As I have mentioned in previous posts I love looking at all of these magazines and trying to interrupt the themes, how these "looks" can be worked into my wardrobe.  It was especially fun this year because I knew I would be sharing my observations with all of you on this blog.

Brocade (especially gold brocade) will be everywhere from pants to jackets to peplum tops.  The first store I thought of for this trend was Zara:
http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/us/en/zara-us-W2012/269212/868549/BROCADE%2BTROUSERS
http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/us/en/zara-us-W2012/269189/908066/BROCADE%2BPEPLUM%2BTOP

Navy will be very predominant and can easily substitute for everyone's go to black item (I like to pair black and navy together).  This is a beautiful navy lace dress from Nordstroms:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/adrianna-papell-lace-overlay-sheath-dress/3217574?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=NAVY&resultback=472

Clean lines and bright clear colors in coats are a welcome change from the basic black or grey we often see.  Winter is dreary enough so having a fun happy colored coat to put on every morning would be a great way to start your day.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/helene-berman-asymmetrical-collar-coat/3321889?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=995
A classic JCrew coat:
http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/outerwear/wool/PRDOVR~49622/49622.jsp

Riding boots are again not only practical but very chic.  I could be quite happy with these beautiful Tory Burch boots on the Nordstroms website:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/tory-burch-elina-riding-boot/3297054?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=COCONUT&resultback=259

Leather is everywhere this season and provides an instant update to your closet.  Pick one item only  (per outfit) be it a skirt or top or accessory.  Nordstroms's house brand, Halogen,  offers an inexpensive option that can be worn with skirts, jeans or pants:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/halogen-mixed-media-shell/3281688?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Navy+Peacoat%2F+Black&resultback=217



Lots more clothes and accessories recommendations coming.  What is on your fall wish list?

SUNDAY FANCIES

Sorry I am a few days late with this week's Fancies post. A family medical emergency had me out of town most of last week. Without further wait, here are some things I fancy:

I do not even care if I can walk in these, happy to just sit and let them be admired:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/kate-spade-new-york-lisa-pump/3271298?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Pink&resultback=3417

Who doesn't need one more pearl necklace?? I certainly do:
http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/jewelry/necklaces/PRDOVR~22599/99101918130/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~0~15~all~mode+matchallany~~~~~pearl%20necklace/22599.jsp

The only item Blair from the Atlantic Pacific blog and I can both wear:
http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/jewelry/bracelets/PRDOVR~48738/48738.jsp

Its been a VERY long week and I would be happy to enjoy any or all of these champagnes:
http://chandon.com/wines.html

Hopefully life is now back to normal and I can post again soon.  I try to never forgot the blessings in my life but last week reminded me to appreciate every single moment I have with the people I love.  

FRIDAY FANCIES

Some of my fall wishlist items:

I NEED this coat:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/kate-spade-new-york-suzette-coat/3337124?origin=PredictiveSearch&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=389

A girl can dream:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tory-burch-alaina-boot/3297046?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=292

This just makes me smile and cannot nor should not be on any serious list of mine, I can pretend I have a life where I could wear this:
http://www.katespade.com/marybelle-skirt/1NMU0047,default,pd.html?dwvar_1NMU0047_color=142&start=33&cgid=clothing


And for the Grand Finale:
A Chanel handbag will always be on every wishlist I make:
http://www.chanel.com/fashion/7-bags-chanel-accessories-1,1#7-bags-chanel-accessories-1,1

Please share in the comments below some of your wishlist items. 

Have a fun and safe weekend.

FRIDAY FANCIES

Time again for Friday Fancies.  Fun things I saw this week and wanted to share with you.  I had a wonderful 5 days in my favorite city, Chicago.  Celebrated my birthday, saw my handsome sons as well as my wonderful soon to be daughter, spent time with good friends and had several fabulous meals with delicious wine.

While walking in Lincoln Park I saw this bike in a window and could not help but smile.  Pink bike in  a Lilly Pulitzer pattern and green handles:
http://www.vandesselsports.com/?page_id=19

Its almost time for me to return to work after a fun summer off.  Who wouldn't want to return such a pretty desk and stylish chair?  My desk DOES not look like this but I can dream:
http://blog.westelm.com/2012/08/09/kelley-roberts-parsons-desk/

Thanks to The Glitter Guide for a reminder that fall fashion magazines are starting to appear on newsstands, one of my favorite times of the year:
http://theglitterguide.tumblr.com/post/24489538035

Finally a general principal in life, TULLE IS ALWAYS APPROPRIATE:
http://theglitterguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/catherine_the_life_styled114.jpg


Have a wonderful weekend!

LESSON LEARNED

I went shoe shopping last weekend.  As much as I love to shop for anything at any time I do not look forward to trying to find stylish shoes that are comfortable.  Years and years of wearing inexpensive high heels has taken its toll (just as my mother warned).  I suffer from plantar fasciitis (would like to say this is from running but it is from previously mentioned high heels) as well as a broken toe that  that I got while attempting to lift a 100 lb.golden retriever (another story, another post). I have tried many "comfort" brands i.e. Cole Haan Air, Dansko and Mephisto to name just a few.  The end result has been a lot of money wasted and I still do not have options I consider fashionable.  I refuse to spend $150.00 plus on shoes that I want to hide under pants so no one sees them.  Oh for the days of being able to walk into any store, see a cute pair of black stilettos or animal print wedges and as quickly as I could whip out my credit card and sign on the dotted line, the shoes were mine to wear and love.

Your Present:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/kelsi-dagger-lillian-pump/3368193?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=CRANBERRY+LEATHER&resultback=1733

Your Future:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/finn-comfort-java-clog/2964336?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=TOFFEE&resultback=569




LESSON LEARNED-Buy good quality shoes and skip the cheap ones no matter how cute they are.  Otherwise you too will be walking through the comfort shoe section trying to decide if the black sensible loafers or the white tennis shoes will be going home with you.

FASHION CLUB REPORT

The first official meeting of the Fashion Club was a success.  13 women attended.  The Talbot's stylist shared with us that jewel tones will be big this fall; lots of forest green, cranberry and navy.  She chose  pieces from the store's early fall collection for us to preview.  My immediate impression was "classic".  Corduroy blazers, button down blouses with elbow patches, knee length skirts that wavered between A-line and pencil style (which should be flattering for almost all of us).  Members had several questions about hose styles; is is true nude pantyhose are back in style (since Princess Kate has been spotted wearing them on occasion)?  The  group consensus was tights are still more flattering and stylish on most women (we all laughed when one woman said she never knew nude hose has gone out and are now back in again).  On the topic of tights we discussed a question about whether someone over 40 could wear colored tights?  There was no definitive answer on this...obviously we are not going to wear them the same way someone in her  teens or 20's would wear them.  I think if you pair i.e. dark eggplant (purple) tights with a dark grey skirt and complimentary shirt/jacket or sweater and tall boots, its a "fashion do".  I asked whether booties are still big this fall and was told that knee high boots will be seen much more often, paired with dresses and skirts.   The next meeting of the Fashion Club will be on October 3 at Talbots. The topic will be Closet Orphans.  These are items you loved when you made the purchase and intended to wear often.  However those lovable orphans are left unworn because either you do not have a coordinating wardrobe piece to wear with your "orphan" or maybe you are not sure they flatter you.  Group members were encouraged to bring in some of their "orphans" to our second meeting for ideas and feedback.

See you on October 3rd!

FRIDAY FANCIES

I am starting a new feature on the blog.  Every Friday I will link to some items I "fancy".  Some weeks I might have multiple links and other weeks 1 or 2.  It depends on how many things I see that I think you will enjoy looking at too.  If you want to share your "fancies" please add then in the comments section below so we can all enjoy them.

A very good friend (thanks Laura) sent me the link to this blog and I laughed till I cried:
http://pintester.com/2012/08/the-side-chignonI/

I have been in a redecorating phase lately and love looking at this blog for inspiration:
http://theinspiredroom.net/

I spend way too much time and money here:
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp

Have a wonderful weekend.  More posts early next week.