Pull Yourself Together:
Winter Skirts vs. Ratty Jeans
January 3rd, 2012 By

It’s a new year and we all have resolutions. I’m bound to end up breaking most of mine by the time I finish writing this entry. (Resolution #4: Stop eating fried rice on top of my keyboard).

So, let’s try something I’ve been mildly successful at for two days: Wearing winter skirts. The thing I enjoy about this time of year is being warm, cozy, and covering up the 4lbs worth of booze weight. But lately, my go-to winter outfit of choice—jeans and oversize grandpa sweaters, has left me unsatisfied. Namely because there’s a hole developing on my favorite pair of pants, which is forcing me to not only question my outfits but also wonder whether I possibly have mild depression. Which is where skirts come in. Last week I went to a thrift store to find something to wear on New Year’s Eve. I was looking for something that would compete with those flashing 2012 glasses. Instead I left with three of what one would call, ‘sensible’ wool skirts. I haven’t stopped wearing them. Now, there was a time where I would have found them to be way too conservative, but I now realize that it’s all about the right length and what you wear them with. A great pair of tights and a cropped sweater makes them look modern and feminine. Way more feminine than a pair of jeans hanging by a thread.

clockwise, l-r: PETITE CLASSIC MINI IN FELTED WOOL, $98.00, J.Crew; SESSUN TAMMY SKIRT, $99.99, Urban Outfitters; TWEED BELLTOLL SKIRT, $98.00, Madewell; M MISSONI BLUE WOOL SKIRT, $179.85, my-wardrobe.com.

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The Non-Statement, Statement
Bag To Trump Them All
November 18th, 2011 By

I love statement bags, and after almost seven years working at Lucky Magazine, I own enough to prove it. But the bags I carry day in and day out seem to be ones that “say nothing.” For years I carried around a metallic leather Madewell tote that reminded me of the classic Fendi logo shoppers—the size and shape was perfect, with rather skinny shoulder straps that were remarkably strong—I could fit everything a stylist/young mother could cram into it, sometimes even a soccer ball…at the same time as my laptop. The bag became wonderfully patina-ed when the metallic-ness wore off, and it looked quiet and rich. Like magic, it blended in with my entire wardrobe.

Now that I no longer live the fast paced NYC editor’s life and instead roam around a smaller city doing the freelancer thing (and my old Madewell bag bit the dust), this slightly updated, more rugged version will be my new trusty go-to. Don’t laugh—I know this sounds like copy Elaine from Seinfeld might write for the J. Peterman catalog, but whether I’m at home running errands or hopping a plane to one of the coasts, all I need is this one bag. Total perfection.

THE LEATHER TRANSPORT TOTE, $148.00, Madewell.

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Pull Yourself Together:
Have Your Back
November 16th, 2011 By

You know those teenagers that carry their backpacks on one shoulder? I can’t stand that. It makes them look self-assured and I don’t think anyone under the age of 20 needs to be that confident. When I was in high school I always looked like I was about to go skydiving: Wearing both straps and terrified. In my older age, my love for the backpack has not swayed. It’s the best kind of bag to travel with because, let’s face it, my back isn’t what it used to be—lugging around twenty magazines, every Trader Joe’s snack known to man, and all the other crap I think I need on a plane starts getting a cumbersome. Plus, I think the rule now is that anything not in some way attached to your body requires an extra fee.

clockwise, l-r: ABINGDON BACKPACK, $138.00, J.Crew; BAGGU CANVAS POCKET BACKPACK, $32.00, Urban Outfitters; HERSCHEL SUPPLY CO. LITTLE AMERICA BACKPACK, $85.00, Revolve Clothing; THE LEATHER RAILWAY RUCKSACK, $235.00, Madewell.

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When life gives me lemons
I go shopping.
October 14th, 2011 By

So, if you ever decide to move across the country, come talk to me, because I have lots of tips. Namely, you have to keep your sense of humor because it’s a logistical nightmare, and even with the best, most compulsive planning, nothing stays on schedule. Case in point, we shipped our car through Dependable Auto Shippers. They picked it up from our house on September 29, and gave us a delivery window that would land it at our door here in Los Angeles today, October 14. Seemed like a pretty generous window to me! Well, friends, our car is still sitting at the origin port in New Jersey, and nobody can tell me when it will be loaded on a truck and shipped our way. Thinking it would be wise to put two small bags of clothing in the car to see me through until our boxes arrive (5-10 business days and counting!)—since we flew with two cats (more on that later) and didn’t have the capacity for a proper carry-on, or the time to check something—I literally have two days worth of clothing. The unthinkable, the laughable, the absurd has happened: I actually, by necessity, have to go shopping. If you were to watch wardrobe box, after wardrobe box, after wardrobe box leave my apartment earlier this week, you’d know how flat-out hysterical this.


I’ve loaded up with items from the Anthropologie sale online, which should be descending early next week, but in the interim, you’ll find me tomorrow morning, waiting for the doors of Heist to open, one of my hands-down, favorite boutiques ever. (Why do you think I decided to live within shouting distance of it in Venice?) I will be scouring the racks for Vanessa Bruno blouses and Raquel Allegra tops, and will most definitely be leaving with this Gregory Parkinson tie-dyed tank. Next, I’m going to meander over to Century City, because I love a mall with all my heart (and due to a dearth of them in New York, I’ve been deprived of their pleasures for far too long). I will be stocking up on t-shirts at Juicy Couture (they’re really good, because the sleeve is perfect and slightly fitted, but they’re slouchy through the body), rail-straight jeans at Madewell (I own six pairs), and this tie-dyed dress by Splendid at Cusp (clearly having a tie-dye moment, huh?). And because I only have spin shoes (true story), one pair of Nike Jordan Phat Low, and some ballet flats, I think I need this pretty Pour la Victoire pump, and yet another pair of Sperry Top-Siders (for riding my bike to work!). It’s going to be a proper haul…perhaps I should make a video about it?

 clockwise, l-r: GREGORY PARKINSON TOP, $195.00, Shop Heist; BASIC V-NECK T-SHIRT, $58.00, Juicy Couture; SPLENDID TIE-DYE MAXI DRESS, $148.00, Cusp; SPERRY TOP-SIDERS, $85.00, Shoes.com; POUR LA VICTOIRE “DAINA” PLATFORM PUMPS, $175.00, Bloomingdale’s; RAIL STRAIGHT JEANS, $98.00, Madewell.

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Alexa Chung for Madewell
Goes Live!
September 22nd, 2011 By

There seems to be as much frenzy surrounding the British style icon’s second capsule collection for Madewell as there was for the Missoni Target collab: Point being, the Alexa Chung mini-collection is probably going to sell out fast. If this is your idea of the best thing ever, shop now. Now, now. Otherwise you’ll be hunting eBay for the piece that got away, and paying twice the price.

 

I’m keeping an eye on this bias-cut silk skirt. I own a lot of silk skirts, and have to say that they’re a pain to keep clean—they show every wrinkle and drop of water—but, what can I say, they’re a bit of a siren song for me. And I need cords: I may be shedding the fall of New York for the perma-72-degree-weather of LA, but I still want to embrace the change of seasons in small ways.

l-r: ALEXA CHUNG FOR MADEWELL GRANDMA SKIRT : $180.00; ALEXA CHUNG FOR MADEWELL THORA CORDS: $110.00, available at Madewell.

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Madewell.com:
Go Shopping with Gigi
September 14th, 2011 By

So one of my closest friends, Gigi Guerra, is inarguably also one of the biggest style inspirations kicking around in my life. Not only is she hands-down, the best shopper ever (she is like a walking metal detector for ferreting out amazing things at flea markets, one-off boutiques, global crafts fairs, and the local CVS), but she always, always looks great, in the most offbeat, authentic way. I could wax on and on.

After she left Lucky ( where I tried, unsuccessfully, to be her mini me), she went on to work for Madewell. So now, of course, shopping at Madewell feels like shopping Gigi’s closet: Not only do I love about 80 percent of everything they turn out for their house label, but they do pretty spot-on collaborations, too. Don’t believe me? Check out the “Labels We Love” section on the site.  I’ll be snapping up two of the Share With…Le Minor, dip-dyed pullovers: Like a traditional striped tee, but so much cooler. And every time I wear one, I’ll feel like Gigi hand-picked it for me.

SHARE WITH…LE MINOR PULLOVER: $105.00, Madewell

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seaofshoes’ Jane Aldridge gives us her beso January 26th, 2010 By

Jelly Garcia dress and sequin tube top from Mango

Jelly Garcia Dress and Sequin Tube Top from Mango

I’ve been an avid reader of Vanity Fair for years. And, while I haven’t quite adjusted to the absence of the beloved Dominick Dunne, the magazine rarely disappoints. The February 2010 issue, featuring photos of Tiger Woods by Annie Leibovitz, was no exception. In it, Jane Aldridge was featured as a Bright Young Thing for the work she’s done with her incredibly influential blog, seaofshoes.com.

We reached out to her to get a read on her current crushes. Herewith is Jane Aldridge’s “be so”.

What are your favorite jeans?
I like Madewell’s no stretch matchstick jeans. They have a nice high rise and a beautiful wash.

What’s your “go-to” pair of shoes for around town?
You can’t beat Dries van Noten shoes for beauty and comfort. I switch between a pair of pair of buckled leather slingbacks and a pair of yellow patent sneaker wedges at the moment.

Whose bag(s) are you carrying right now?
Currently I’m carrying a gigantic Burberry bucket bag that is pieced together with little gold rings. It was a great deal at an outlet store. It weighs about ten pounds on it’s own.

And your scent of choice?
I love Serge Lutens fragrances; they are very heavy and old-fashioned. I wear Serge Noire.

What stores are you drawn into?
Here in Dallas, I go to many thrift stores. I go to Barneys to buy shoes; American Apparel for underwear and shirts.

What color is your new black?
I like pale shades of grey green. It’s hard to come by in clothing.

What’s your favorite LBD (little black dress)?
An 80s puffy sleeved princess-waist dress that I got in Austin.

iPhone or Blackberry?
iPhone.

Ray-Ban Aviators or Wayfarers?
Aviators.

What’s was your New Year’s resolution?
To take good care of myself and people I love, and make more money.

And, of course, what’s your be so?
“be so friendly.”

We couldn’t agree more. Thanks for the interview; email or text us when you’re in town!

Chanel ponyhair herringbone boots, F21 tights and Zara Lamb Fur Vest

Chanel Ponyhair Herringbone Boots, F21 Tights and Zara Lamb Fur Vest

Animal jewelry outfit #2....the fox and the horses.

Animal Jewelry Outfit #2....The Fox and the Horses

 

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