Lovely People, that is. A label I just landed on from my best online resource, Racked.

Check out these gems on super-duper sale. Not a long post, but a worthy post for you today. Click. Love. Buy.

I can picture these under jeans, with leggings, miniskirts or any skirt. And if you're daring, you can wear them with tights in the fall and winter.

Pretty colors against neutral tan. Open peep-toe with leather strappings to securely hold your foot in place. Tapered heel, double buckle. Add all this up and you get a delicious shoe.

Or, just let me dress properly for you, dear rain.

I was catching up on the last three days of Women’s Wear Daily and listening to the not-so-gentle pitter patter of rain drops on my window A/C unit. I thought to myself, what am I going to wear when I leave the apartment today. I have eggplant colored Hunter rain boots. So my feet and legs are safe. But I hate every single umbrella I own. It’s a collection of pathetic $5 black umbrellas that never open right bought in emergency from the street vendor combined with branded silver and red umbrellas from various magazines and websites that I’ve worked for and my friends have worked for.  There was one earnest umbrella purchase, a clear plastic dome number that makes me feel like a 6-year old girl. It’s cute, but c’mon. And so, I went in search of the umbrella that would allow me to schlep in the rain, elegantly.

Here’s what I came up with.

Umbrellas.net. A site dedicated to lovely, fashionable umbrellas to carry any woman through  modest  downpours, tempered drizzles, and torrential pseudo-tsunamis. My faves…

Classic black/white/red combination printed on clear plastic gives an airy feel over your head when you hold this up to shield from the rain. The slight dome shape is more protective than the shallower quality of cheaper versions. The hook handle makes for easy "holding" and hanging upon arrival home. Finally, the pattern of birds and flowers provide prettiness. It's something all women need on a lousy-weather day. $54

This beautiful white brocade number is divine and heavenly on its own. But what really makes this stand out is the exquisite handle. It's a combination of wood and metal, topped off by a fine metal/mesh globe that feels sturdy and secured in the palm of a perfectly manicured hand. A bit pricy at $175 but it is an accessory and you can't frown upon a well-made accessory. Just because it's raining doesn't give us an excuse to commute any less beautifully.

Another angle, to see the handle.

For the travel bug in you, this number collapses and expands with the touch of a button on the handle. And the neon colour pallete literally gives you "sunshine on a cloudy day."

Posted in Accessories Tagged: umbrellas ]]> http://callastyle.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/rain-rain-im-ready-for-you/feed/ 0 ZG Clear Read Floral Umbrella Vintage White Brocade White brocade with handle Travel Umbrella http://callastyle.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/my-new-boots/ http://callastyle.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/my-new-boots/#comments Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:53:28 +0000 Zovig http://callastyle.wordpress.com/?p=343 ]]>

I just bought these amazing new boots from the DKNY store here in NYC. As I was strolling, I decided to go into DKNY to browse and look at all the fall garments adorning the shelves, draping lovingly over racks, and boasting their rich colors and supple fabrics to passers-by. Then, I saw the boots. They made me stop, look, grab, touch, buckle and unbuckle, and ask urgently to have them in my size.  Ashley, the lovely sales woman happily obliged and giggled at the slight pleading in my voice.

She brought them in my traditional size 8 and, as any good sales person would do, one half size up. She knew that they run small and didn’t want me to lose my momentum at the first pair feeling just a touch snug.

She was right. I tried the 8s. They were stunning but snug. I tried the 8.5, slipped them both on and was immediately transformed into from a 5′2″ sassy woman to a 5′8″ GLAM-azon/contestant for America’s Next Top Model. Even my walk changed as I approached the floor-to-ceiling mirror.

There was no question. I was buying them. And here they are–my new boots. Love them with me, won’t you?

I will wear these boots with the following: Dresses with tights. Leggings. Skirts. Flared-leg pants and jeans. Shorts in the fall & spring. To work. Out for the night and back again.

New to me, but maybe not to others, is a little store in downtown Manhattan, birthed by the French (of course, because that’s where high fashion starts) called Comptoir des Cotonniers (literal translation: Counter of the Cotton Ones).  This store was introduced to me by my friend Anita a few months ago. I’ve only been once, but I will return.

It is a French-made ready-to-wear line for women with bright and rich colors, simple patterns,  a girly, whimsical (yet timeless in style) aesthetic, and all the best blends of silks, cottons, and the like. They sell shoes, bags, dresses, pants, tops…the French works.

Here’s the frenchie-411 on my faves:

Wear in the summer with ballet flats or in the winter with tights, boots, a turtleneck layer and high-waist belt!

Oh how dreamy and Mediterranean are these blues?

Stunning color, simple yet girly ruffles and a drapy, comfy style that is to die.

Trench for the Fall. Bag for all Seasons (and everything but your kitchen sink).

I own this top! Oh, the beautiful silk is loose and sexy, the color is universal for all skin tones and the wide neckline flatters most women's silhouettes.

We’re into the dog days of NY summer right now and I can’t live without flip flops. I wear them to the beach and to run errands. I wear them in the shower at the gym and down to do my laundry. I wear them at my summer share house. I wear them in the apartment when I am doing chores. I wear them; oh, do I wear them.

My favorite brand of casual flips are Havaianas.

They come in countless colors and designs, stay on your feet, the rubber doesn’t give you blisters, and the straps are remarkably slender making them sweetly elegant. The best part is how affordable they are with some of the prettiest ones being under $25. Below are some of my favorites.

But before I get to my faves, I have flip flop etiquette to share.

In NYC, women often wear them to commute to and from work (saving our soles from sore feet caused by long days in our various strappy numbers, up and down subways steps and over sewer grates).  But please, please, take them off when you get to work. They are not professional and they do make that horrific noise with each step.  If you must wear flip flops, buy leather or jeweled versions that are more upscale and just as comfy.

And now, my picks… (I haven’t linked all the images because you can simply go to Havaianas site and be dazzled by all of the choices yourself.  I do and I am.)

Scarves! Next to rings, bracelets, necklaces, handbags, shoes, and belts, scarves are my favorite accessory. But it currently has bubbled to the top of my pool of adornments as my current favorite.

Let’s explore because a life without scarves is a life not worth living.

An organic silk chiffon short scarf can be the perfect dose of color to an otherwise simple neutral top. The scarf can be tied in a short, taut bow, dangle loosely to the side (as pictured) or just tie two points behind your neck for a drapey/cowel-like effect.

A long, skinny scarf like this, made from silk chiffon can be wrapped several times around your neck like a faux-turtleneck. Alternatively, you can wrap it one single time, loosely with both ends in front. I even love to tie these in my hair and let the ends hang down my back.

This boho-chic number can be used for warmth on a crisp spring morning and then transforms into an accessory against a crisp white shirt or tank top. Heck, I'd even pair this with a hot pink top (you risk looking like an Easter egg, but who cares?). I like to pair scarves like this with a comfy v-neck t-shirt and my favorite jeans on a Saturday afternoon of movies or errands.

This viscose scarf can provide warmth with your best pea coat or driving coat in fall weather. With the pom poms and ruffle-y layers of fabric, it's feminine and functional, chic and cozy.

How beautiful--a-spring-made-from-wool-for-the-winter! This wrap (super wide as it is long) drapes casually over your shoulders for an effortless pop of color to layer over your coat and again over your shirt when the coat comes off. The colors are delicious and bright, successfully reminding you that spring is just around the corner.

Linen is a natural fiber, lightweight, comfortable and high quality. This casual scarf should be loosely draped around your neck, or for some drama, over your head 50's-style for a ride with the top down in a convertible (if you have one).

Possibly one of the most famous designers of scarves, pictured above is the signature colorful, geometric silk of Pucci. This is a scarf masterfully turned into a top. If you're not this daring, you can certainly tie it around your neck and pin it with a beautiful golden broach. This is a pricey accessory, but Pucci says instant class and will never, ever go out of style.

Make no mistake–scarves are not just for warmth. I’d argue that’s the last thing they’re for! They’re an accessory, a necessary one. They come in all price points, lengths, widths, and functions. There are umpteen books dedicated to just tying a scarf.

Go.

Buy.

Play.

Continuing on through my Loves in wardrobing and accessories, I bring you these juicy nuggets of fashionable, useful perfection.

Non-leather bags with popping patterns:

(Splurge) – Orla Kiely: I’m seeing this bag, in every style, on the shoulders of some fabulous women all over the city.  Young, older, funky and more conservative, it doesn’t matter the woman. This bag has a style and a pattern to fit your mood, functional needs and overall aesthetic preferences.  The fabric is canvas (100% cotton) and they’re coated for extra strength and durability (and you can take a sponge to them to clean them up!). Below is one of my favorite styles.

(Steal) – Jane Marvel:  Marvel’s bags are the same concept (coated cotton canvas in sumptuous patterns and striking colors) but with a lower price tag. This make the bag more palatable to my taste buds and in this economy, yours too. Below is the style I personally own (in the Stars/Night pattern).

Sweatshirts that act as everyday, work and play clothes

Don’t know about you, but the older I get, the more I value comfort as much as style.  Long gone are the days when I’d sit all the live-long day in a stiff button down blouse.  Now it’s all about fluid materials that move with me and allow for maximum comfort but are still pleasing to my body shape and appropriate for my everyday activities (a la work!).  I own both of the items below.

Brooklyn Industries Iris Zip Fleece: The off-set zipper and oversized, bias collar, and 3/4 length sleeves give this sweatshirt (really, a faux-hoodie) chic and urban details. And, if you choose the alternate colors (i.e. not heather gray) and pair it with trousers (denim or classic), you’re bound to be cozy, comfy, and polished.

Smitten One Button Belted Sweatshirt: I own this one as shown in the classic heather gray. But the big button at the collar and the tie waist along with the trapeze style make this the new, comfy swing jacket.  This is perfect for the in-between seasons. Heck, I’d wear this to and from the gym. It goes anywhere!  I like to put it with a short neck scarf to add color near my face and either a rich-colored pair of pants or pencil skirt and heels.

I must blog about how much I dearly love sample sales. There is nothing so exhilarating as getting a 90% discount on coat, a pair of $500 boots for $45, or a t-shirt that should have originally been $10 anyway but had a retail mark up of 1500% for no good reason.

There are of course the traditional brick and mortar sample sales as well. In New York, we’re blessed because they happen daily, sometimes top secret and sometimes highly publicized.  But they’re there if you want to find them. These warehouses are packed tightly with racks upon racks of the season’s over-stock from some of the world’s most sought after designers.  I will go. And if I can’t go, I will send a friend, who I trust, with impeccable taste (i.e. my friend Teresa), to shop for me.

You can check out sites like Racked.com or TopButton.com to find out when and where sales happen (again, mostly in NY and LA but sometimes other big cities). You can also scour NYMag.com for sale information as well. I tend to walk a lot in Manhattan and sometimes I walk right into one identified only by an 8 1/2 x 11″ sheet of paper that says, “Marc Jacobs sample sale, 2nd floor” in blue sharpie.

If you don’t have access to the real-life versions, there are a few signature sites that offer truly amazing online sample sales (and I literally have an order a week coming into my office). My favorites: GiltGroup.com, HauteLook.com and RueLaLa.com.  Everyday at 11 am and 12 pm ET, the sales start showcasing a new designer, and a countdown clock that details just how few precious minutes I have to throw things into my virtual cart before some other obsessed-maniacal-fashionista-turned-monster gets my cashmere wrap sweater in royal purple with sequins at the collar ticks back the seconds. It’s insanity I tell you. The only glitch, you have to either be invited by a current member or sign up for a wait list. But if you can access them, you’re golden! Brands like Ella Moss, Beyond Yoga, Marc Jacobs, Free People, Alice + Olivia, Citizens, True Religion, and Walter. Then the heavy hitters: Vera Wang, Zac Posen, Judith Ripka, Botkier, Prada, and Hermes…oh, the list continues and my head spins.

Is the economy bad? Hell yes. This is why sample sales are so crucial. You’re getting a realistic price for the clothes you love. I say take advantage of this. Get online. Get to the sales. Shop the samples and look good even when the state of our country’s economy sucks.  It can’t all be doom and gloom.

When I think of the notion of mixing and matching, a great many arenas come to mind.  You may be thinking I’m talking only colors. Yes and no. Along with colors, I mix and match (MandM) with my food–strange combinations of edibles to create a meal (i.e. gardenburger and a bowl of oatmeal). I MandM with my friends–I don’t have a “group” of girls a la SATC but rather a my friends are an aggregate of different women with different careers who vary in age from 25 to 65.  I MandM with my home decor–essentially I go for what I like and try to harmonize pieces in the same room through placement and size.

And on to my wardrobe – MandM-ing is great not only for color but for style of dress, texture, season, and occasion. What the heck do I mean? Below are some examples I hope inspire you to try to mix and match with baby steps until you are feel freer to play a bit of twister with your wardrobe putting together more interesting, visually appealing, and creative combinations of your clothes.  When you find yourself bored with your clothes, try some of these tips and you may save yourself from the “I have nothing to wear” syndrome.

Color MandM:

My personal view on color is that nothing has to “match” exactly, it should just “go”.  Colors should be harmonious but don’t have to be precise. Try using several shades of the same color or contrasting colors such as orange and purple, pink and blue or red and green.  You’ll see what a delightful pallet of sumptuous colors can do for your mood and how it can attract a great many compliments.

Style of Dress MandM:

Match up the Traditional style–known for its clean lines, conservative/businesslike style in mostly neutral colors with Feminine style – known for its delicate, pristine, and gentle appearance often utilizing softer, approachable colors and “girly” patterns like flowers or dots.

Trousers + floral blouse + ornate hair accessory + sweater vest + conservative flats

Season-Texture MandM:

Summer dress+ opaque tights + denim jacket + ankle boots.

Careful to keep your colors in harmony, that your silky dress doesn’t cling or get bunched up when you walk from the texture of your tights, keep your denim jacket tailored and the boots should stick to the ankle-height? Why? Because meeting your knee-length fluttery dress with leather may be too harsh of a juxtoposition. Let your tights be the bridge that marries the lightweight fabric of your dress to the heavier weight and texture of your boots. Keep in mind, you don’t have to utilize super-bright colors like I’ve pictured below. Keep it more consvative with neutrals, black tights and black boots.

The point is to combine unlikely textures for balance with seasons to extend the life of your clothes beyond just standard seasonal dictations.

In a few days, it will officially be fall.  If you live in a city that has distinct seasons you’re lucky. Here in NY, we get a few weeks of the transitional seasons and then wake up one morning to a dramatically different temperature.

That said, now that fall is nearly upon us New Yorkers, I am getting really excited about pulling my boots and leggings out, my attractive swing jackets and layers of many colors.  I find fall to be a key season in showing off your best wardrobe pieces because it’s cool enough to wear the fabulous fabrics of a cooler temperature, but not so cold that you need to cover up with that down coat.

Some of my current fall favorites are below. A good pair of booties, pretty and surprising accessories and making cozy part of your day wear are three things that make me look forward to sipping a hot coffee on a cool, overcast saturday morning of the fall.

Booties: Wear them with opaque tights and a knee-length skirt or underneath jeans. Booties give you all the height without all the added bulk around your calves. don’t like knee-high boots under pants; they cling to my pants when I walk! Booties are my alternative. Keep the shape classic and simple. A round toe with a moderate-weight heel will give you a bootie that will span many seasons of trends.  A black leather or suede are great choices (see below).  If you find one pair you really love, buy it in black and brown or tan. You’ll get so much wear out of them because they marry well with nearly everything in your closet – dresses, skirts, pants, and trouser shorts.

Scarves as accessories: they provide just enough warmth to block out the morning nip in the air. And, they can be worn all day in place of a necklace as an added element of texture or color to an otherwise simple outfit. A long sleeve t-shirt and a sleek pair of flat front pants with heels can be brought to an entirely different delicious level of delightful with a brightly colored scarf. Throw it over your shoulder in an effortless overlapping toss, knot it close to the neck for a choker-effect, or wrap it several times loosely around your neck to simulate a cowl.  Make sure the color is within your own best pallet because it will be right at your face. The right color can make you glow, the wrong can make you look sick.

Sweater Coats: Sweater coats are an ideally-cozy layer that provides warmth and the element of “I didn’t even think about my outfit this morning” chic. The example here can be layered with a classic oxford shirt in any color. Pop the collar and bring the cuffs out for added drama. Add on layers of fake pearls (or real ones if you have them!), or several chain necklaces for some edge to balance out the squishy cashmere.  Take it off when you get to your destination or make it part of your outfit.  Pair the sweater coat with denim, leggings, or your favorite black pants for a soft and supple layer of warmth in early morning fall briskness.