Red Denim and Lace

Lately almost every time I go to put an outfit together I'm faced with the reality that my wardrobe has begun to resemble what hung in my closet in the late 80's/90's.  Truth?  I'm not sure how I feel about it.  More often than not I'm tossing on a few outfits before finally settling on one, and somewhere in the process there is mumbling about Madonna.  Maybe some things are better left in the past?  The influence she had on fashion then--and consequently now--is undeniable.  When I see Lourdes running around in lace, droopy crotch pants and hightop sneakers it especially hits home.  Man it's crazy how fast time flies.

In any event, it was great to don my red denim again last night.  The biggest challenge I have with them is not enough tops.  Fortunately I was able to snag the best long sleeve lace top at Forever 21 back on that wonderful day when the lace blazer and I found each other.  I'm not one to be wearing a sheer lace t-shirt so I just layer a thin black tank beneath and head out.  Works perfectly.  Even better?  Remembered these awesome Steve Madden platforms I stalked down about a month ago...all sold out nationwide when there they were in Kentucky for about $30.  The last pair.  In my size.  Kismet! Just in time for the weekend.  Here's to a great one.

~Details:  J.Crew-Denim Jacket, Forever21-Lace T (similar), J Brand-Skinny Twill, 

Steve Madden-Platforms (similar on sale!), Free People-Sunglasses~

Cool, right?  He killed it on the camera last night.

And with that I bid you farewell until Monday.  Oh.  And just wait until I tell you about how Target is refusing to allow me to return an online purchase or even print up the online receipt to provide EVIDENCE of purchase (aside from the box it was mailed in, all the packaging, and the packing slip with my name and address on it *cough cough*).  Does anyone have any contacts higher up over there?  I'm at the end of my rope and just want a refund.  Ugh!!

Never Say Neverrrr

Fresh on (and no not off because it's not entirely gone) the heels of Head Cold 2011 more recently referred to as Bieber Fever, the Chef talked me into going out on Friday afternoon for some fresh air.  After being cooped up for a week I was relieved to be in the warm sun. Next thing I knew what was supposed to be a late lunch turned into me standing in line for an impromptu viewing of Black Swan.  I can't lie:  seeing some chick rip the skin off her hands in order to don the noir tutu was not high on my list of priorities (don't judge).  So as we walked away I mumbled, "Gee I kinda wanted to see Justin Bieber's movie.  I bet it's pretty good...".  To my shock the Chef stopped, spun on his heel and exchanged the tickets.  True love.

Cue the crazy pills because I really do have Bieber Fever now.  No jokes.



There was only one person under 25 in an almost full theatre, and we sat in front of the team who made the trailers for his movie...all decked out in purple 3D glasses.  Yes, I'm 14 again (and couldn't be happier) - and was so buzzed out off the movie that I almost forgot I was sick - so on Saturday I ventured outside yet again for a little more Vitamin D down at the docks.

~Outfit details: Tucker by Gaby Basora - Blouse, JBrand - Cargos, Swedish Hasbeens - Super High Peep Toe, Anthropologie - Sunnies~

Melinda Maria - Mademoiselle Pod Ring

It only seemed right to don something with at least a little purple in it.

I mean Justin wears it...good grief I've lost it.

Except I think my 5 year old niece is going to think I'm pretty cool.

Close-up on the Super High Hasbeens - you will never regret.  

I was stopped 3x on Saturday afternoon alone.  Totally comfortable, cute staple.

Speaking of never regretting (and never saying neverrrrr) this was my first Tucker piece and
it remains a favorite.  The vibrant color and flow of the blouse make it
a total go-to.  As long as I'm wearing it I'm sure I'll stay One Less Lonely Girl.

 Long live the Chef (in my sunnnies ha!)...who clearly knew that only Bieber Fever could mend a fever?

Ba-by, ba-by, ba-by oooooooooooh!  Oops wrong song.

I'll be back tomorrow with more tales because shortly after this I went to fill up on dark chocolate at See's (any excuse seeing as Jillian's on hiatus due to fever and it is Valentine's Day weekend mmmkay?) and some crazy woman felt the need to haul me over mid-mall to school me on the finer points of "skinny denim's out ya know.  It's really all about a wide leg these days."  Excuse me eyeliner sister?  Can't you see I have Bieber Fever and don't really care?? I about fell over in my tracks.  Can you imagine if I'd been wearing my whites?

Before I go, and I mean this sincerely, you should totally go see Bieber's movie.  He can dance and sing - we're talking natural ability - and is 16, almost 17, year old charming.  The story is told documentary style and is an incredibly inspiring journey about a small town Canadian kid from humble beginnings.  You may not know this if you're a newer follower, but I grew up in a small town on the Canadian prairies, so to see how far this young person has come is remarkable.  At the risk of sounding like a swoony cuckoo bird, I'm just going to admit it:  I've become a Belieber.

Just in time for Valentine's Day....One Less Lonely Girl

Coat of Many Colors

When I was a kid my parents would get us up for church on Sunday mornings and all I could think of was, 'get me hence to Sunday school for the stories' - my favorite of which was Joseph and and the coat of many colors his father Jacob made especially for him (even then it was all about the fashion).  

I remember being in town in the dead heat of summer with my mom (small  prairie towns near our farm) and asking if she could make me a coat like Joseph's.  In my mind I saw a brightly knitted zigzag (missoni before my time, anyone?) coat that came all the way to the ground...purples, reds, pinks, yellows and greens.  I can still envision it now.  I think she responded with something like, "ask grandma" because my grandma was a crocheter extraordinaire and we were besties.  For some reason I never asked her but would, from time to time, wrap myself in the brilliant colored afghan blanket she had made me pretending I had a coat just like Joseph.  And the dream of that coat lived on, tucked away in a corner of my mind, for years.  It reared it's head when Dolly Parton sang 'Coat of Many Colors' (even though my I claimed my ears bled I loved it), and later when a friend surprised me with tickets to see Donny Osmond perform in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat for my birthday.

About a month ago a Free People sweater caught my eye...The Technicolor Dreamcoat.  My heart sped up at the title and I gave it a click.  There it was!  My dream had come to life some 20 years later!!  Unable to take it anymore, a couple weeks ago I stopped into Free People and tried it on...then last week when Shopbop had their sales codes I scooped it up!  And last night I slept with it next to me on my bed.  It is everything I ever imagined and more.

Free People-Technicolor Dreamcoat, James Perse-Cotton/Cashmere Thermal, J Brand-Houlihan,

Banana Republic-Boots, Brandy & Melville-Bag

 The lapels in front give way to fringe that runs to the bottom of the sweater.

 It is warm and cozy and the colors are wonderfully soft, yet vivid.

 

 Dean Davidson-Turquoise Ring, Free People-Locket Necklace (from about 4 years ago)

I threw it on with my fringe bag (and other ring from LF) yesterday and almost burst 

into tears when I saw how great they looked together.

Twirling, swirling, colored fringe perfection.  

Christmas came early this year.

I'd like to thank God, Free People, La Mia Vita for hosting the Shopbop Giveaway I won, Shopbop for giving the gift certificate away and having an amazing deal last week, my credit card company, UPS for delivering the sweater, and my late grandmother for the afghan that kept the dream alive! (you'd think i just won a grammy)

And then she walked off into the sunset and never looked back.

The End

Stapled

And no I don't mean my abdomen.  Although if donuts keep swirling 'round my gluten-free mind you just might find me under the wheel of the gluten wagon at Le Donut say around, oh, 3am right smack on the dot when Mr. Le Donut let's the glazed cinnamon twists out of the glaze.  Not that I'd know anything about that or anything.  Ahh the good old days last week.

Rather, what I am referring to in this case dear friends is the neeeeeeed for appropriate staples in the wardrobe.  Now before you run off or slip into a coma (if you're even remotely like me the words "wardrobe" and "staples" cause inevitable head nodding) just bear with me a moment as I feel your pain and share a tale that occurred yesterday.  I had a meeting that required me to leave the house (work required rarity) - and before 10am.  This is a red alert in Carrie-land.  I am not a morning person.  As a matter of fact my mind does not even function properly until 10:30 or 11am - it must be in the DNA because I've been this way since birth.  In addition to this early morning allergy - I don't own a suit (waves victory flag!).  Even the word makes me break out in a hive.  For 8 years I have consulted with one of the most fancy-shmancy retained executive search firms in all the land and successfully avoided the suit.  You don't understand dear people...this feat requires the attention of Guinness Book.  I am the last of a dying breed - a population of one.  How have I done this you ask?  With craft and skill and diversionary prowess, friends.  Last week I feared my city of "Hell No To Suits - Population 1" may have been on the verge of extinction when I (was coerced into) agreed to meet the President of a company.  For one entire day I fretted and sweated the possibility of having to purchase the suit ixnay.  But victory was mine when I dove into my closet with fierce determination and came out with a slough of basics that resulted in a brilliant outfit that in no way, shape or form said "I belong to 'the man' " (one of my biggest fears ever).  And so I say to you fine women - incorporate at least these simple staples into your wardrobe and you too will be victorious.

The white woven.

I remember one of my most fave clients ever advising me to

invest in this magnificent staple.  She was and is brilliant.

At first you cringe, but then you wear it with skinny minnie

poplin stretch pants and loafers on an "off day" and realize you're still cool.

WIN.

 The Boyfriend Blazer

Or the Ludlow Jacket from J.Crew is a great alternative, too.

This way you provide the "illusion" of the suit, but never actually 

don the pants.  

Instead opting for dark colored skinny denim.  

Black or midnight blue is best so as to remain professional, but 

also still have casual ways to get full use of the pants

and not relegate them to that icky part of the closet known as "work clothes"

Shudder.

Here is where the fun really begins.  

Invest in a good pair of black knee high boots and a pair of heels.

If there is one thing I have learned in consulting 

it is that hair, skin, nails, shoes and bags speak volumes.  

If you are well-groomed, carrying a chic handbag and 

wearing a killer shoe - they won't even remember your non-suit.

But they will always recall "those shoes" and "that bag".

 The bag.  I actually first bought this bag in brown and because 

it was so amazing later picked it up in black as well.  

They do go on sale so keep watch vigilantly.

I've had mine for 3 or 4 years and they are my go-to bags.

Client meetings - yes, but also for daily living.

And let us not forget the statement necklace.

Sometimes you may opt for a cashmere shell or silk camisole in place of 

that woven.  In this instance especially the statement necklace will keep

the outfit from being too casual thereby masking the lack of woven.

I would also sing the praises of all of J.Crew's cashmere in photos right now, 

except their server seems to be blocking this at present.

All I can say is you will never go wrong investing in cashmere - 

especially when it is on sale.  It lasts forever and never stops being classy.

Now don't get me wrong - a beautiful suit is a treasured thing to own, but I don't have $1500 lying around to get one I want (and then several more so I can wear daily if need be).  Instead I have been very successful for several years meeting company heads who didn't bat an eye at my non-suit provided I was still dressed polished and professionally in basics.  What did I wear today, you ask? J.Crew Black Boyfriend Blazer - sleeves rolled displaying pinstriped lining, charcoal grey Vince silk camisole, Gorjana 'Tree of Life' necklace, J.Crew skinny denim, Banana Republic Black leather knee-high boot, Foley + Corinna Mid-City Tote in black, hair pulled back in sleek low ponytail.

I would've taken a picture, but it was early and I couldn't really see straight.  And by the time I got home I had to work and then quickly turn around to leave for evening class.   There wasn't even time to read your blogs.  Monday.  But today's a new day.  Yay for Tuesday!! Is it Friday tomorrow?

Quit Playing Games With My Heart

I spent a good portion of a few conference calls perusing the Anthropologie website in every effort to cheer myself up over yesterday's sobering post that was deepened by a big ol' dose o' Monday.  Blech.

Now that I have Anthro's 15% off coupon burning a hole in my mind and on my desk I've allowed myself to be temporarily swept away to fall days where I skip through colored leaves in the most fantastically supple leather boots you ever did see, eventually collapsing in a crunchy pile - of leaves not boots, while warm apple turnovers bake away in my gourmet kitchen and chic grey cashmere pillows miraculously appear on my white couch just in time for cozy movie marathons and yet another episode of Felicity where she appears fresher than ever back for another year at UNY (and it is UNY in Felicityland so get there and get the dvd's if you haven't already - they'll change your life).

The reality is I probably won't see a colored leaf that isn't burnt and brown here in SoCal, and I'm not falling into a pile of anything that could potentially cause a broken hip - deal with it - but Felicity, apple turnovers, grey cashmere and cozy days are imminent (sans the gourmet kitchen - damn you money fairies).  And what better way to conjure up the images than dressed in some wonderful Anthro finds that just so happened to be purchased for 15% off?  See?  I'm getting there...:)

Imagine it...

How about the Bianka Blouse with a pair of JBrand Love Story Bell Bottoms?

Can you hear the leaves crunching beneath your knee high Miu Miu's

while your wavy tresses blow ever so slightly in the still-warm fall breezes?

Maybe you're out for a lunch with the girls on a semi-crisp day.

It's not cool enough for a jacket, but you still need 
a little something to keep warm.

Enter:  the Flower to Flower Vest

I'm imagining it over a fab fitted James Perse Scoop Neck Tee 

and my most fave J.Crew Ankle Stretch Toothpick Denim

(because those fit past the ankle on me)

Chances are I'll be in these sleek knee high Loub's 
or maybe a knee-high military?

I prefer a little height on the heel with this long sweater, personally.

 Just because it's fall don't say good-bye to the dress!

...or at least not the Paseo Ruffled Skirt (yes that IS leather!)

There are so many ways you could wear this!!

How about with this sheer fabulosity Padded Shoulder Blouse (tucked in) from Vince?

And this Rag & Bone Military Jacket over top?

A knee high sleek boot might also be in order with this one...I'll let you choose.

And before I run off...let me just say I almost forgot my name 
on one of the calls today

because I could not stop staring at/dreaming about the Loose Reign Boots!

Can you imagine???  Because I know I sure can!

Bring on the leggings/jeggings/skinnys, one of Isabel Marant's thermals - 
yes I have seen, touched, tried on and damn near died - 
and a fitted blazer or military jacket,

and you just might hear the following headline:

Southern California Woman Spontaneously Combusts Over New Fall Wardrobe.

Don't test me Anthropologie!! 

Update:  Everyone - I will not be commenting today.  I don't know if you read Bumpkin on a Swing's blog, but I learned this morning that she passed away and she is someone I considered a friend.  Just going to take a moment and reflect on a woman who had a highly infectious personality
and a real zest for life.  You should check out her blog.
Love, Carrie

Double Whammy

Have you tried on or purchased the J Brand Houlihan Cargo Pant?   I have to tell you I was completely resisting this one because of its popularity.  I mean who wants to see a bunch of people wearing the same thing you are?  Well, you can officially consider those famous last words because when Saks had a 20% off deal a few weekends ago I fell off the wagon and ordered the pants online - completely thinking I'd get them, try them on, not understand what all the hype is, and promptly return them.  Right.


FedEx showed up at my door with the Houlihans on a particularly rough day, so I just tossed the box in a corner of my office basically forgetting about it for a few hours.  Then, in a fit of exhaustion, opened it and tried them on when my bf spotted the box and asked what was in it.  Does the word 'elated' mean anything to you?  How about 'dream'? Because these pants are so amazing those words are the best ones I can come up with to describe how I felt when I put them on.  Okay and two more:  cheered up!!

The Houlihans have quickly become my "Pant of the Moment' and I find myself reaching for them just as much as I'm reaching for my Current/Elliott's which is no small feat!  I love that every time I put them on I think of Major Margaret Houlihan from M*A*S*H - she was such a bad ass for her time!  Now keep in mind I'm a little vertically challenged and the pants do stretch out a bit, but you get the basic idea from the following pictures.

Cute or what??  Even better - they are the perfect match for my new Christian Louboutin espadrille wedges - two other things that are synonymous with the word 'dream'!! When I saw the Louboutin wedges I couldn't get them out of my mind for 2 weeks.  Fearing sell out I took the Chef (my bf) with me to the Christian Louboutin store, as a voice of reason, to try them on (and so I wouldn't be uncomfortable around a bunch of people who can probably afford to buy multiples of those shoes while I carefully ponder one pair). 

It was finished before it started.  I put on one shoe and he said, "they're perfect. Get them."  Actually I strolled around in them in the store for a bit, but the proof is in the pictures.  These things really ARE perfection!  Notice I have used that word a lot in this post...

Be still my heart.

In the upcoming months temperatures are going to rise as we go into summer.  If you're contemplating the pants I would say go for it.  The fabric is an olive color (although they also come in several others) and it's not so heavy that you couldn't wear them on a breezy afternoon or cool evening.  With a heel, a flat, or a little flip-flop sandal the Houlihan is a major score!

If you have them or get them let me know.  I'd love to see what they look like on you and find out if you are loving them as much as I am.  Welcome to the bandwagon!

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