Jewel Tones

They’re back again this season. This holiday staple of rich hues looks good on everyone. Whether you add a dash of color with an accessory or go all out, you can’t go wrong in jewel tones.

Color Blocking

Taking jewel tones and bright shades to the next level, Color Blocking is combining multiple colors together for a dynamic, geometric look.

Mixed Textures

Mixing Textures creates depth in an ensemble. Pair silk with leather and wool, a heavy tweed with an airy tee, or try varying weights in knits.

Attention to Detail

The heavy exposed zipper, contrasting stitching, bright colored trouser sock… whatever your fancy, find a way to make a big statement with a small detail.

Outerwear Goes to New Lengths

Coats are coming in every shape and size imaginable. Single and double breasted, belted, short, long, puffy, thick or thin, you can’t go wrong in coats this season. Anything and everything goes.

Until I can find a way to somehow get my fabulous self to New York’s Fashion week in person, I’m excited to experience the next best thing: David Wentworth’s new show “Behind the Light: Inside NYC Fashion Week” which opens on Saturday, November 12th in Ballard at Suite 300 Skin Care.

David will be featuring images he shot while on assignment for the Village Voice this last year. I’ve been privy to a couple preview pictures and they are OH SO amazing. His approach was to bring the viewer backstage behind the big production and get a glimpse of the fashion and beauty that takes place before the show.

I can’t wait to see the entire collection.

And speaking of Fashion Weeks, here are a couple pictures of my favorite looks at the recent Bellevue Collection Fashion Week.
The entire production was nothing short of inspiring. Showcasing trends for the upcoming season, I can’t wait to explore new textures, frills, and styles for Fall and Winter.

Color Blocking

Textures and Layering

Holiday Sparkle and Frills

I recently moved (again) into a new home. It’s a tradition I’ve sadly kept on an annual basis since college. Each time I move, I promise myself I’m going to stay put longer than 12  months… “this time….” And while the moving part of relocation is a huge pain in the a**, it’s also a great opportunity to clean out my closet and attack my inner hoarding tendencies.

I have a knack for holding onto things for YEARS after they’ve long gone out of style. My thought process is that if a certain item was popular at one point, it might be again in the future. After all, trends only recycle themselves.

My latest closet rediscovery is the very first “expensive” purse I owned. My grandparents bought it for me when I was in 8th grade, much to my mother’s chagrin (Back then it wasn’t the norm for 13 year olds to own couture… my how times have changed).

The purse is a Coach shoulder bag of their classic Willis design. It’s unlined, unlogo-ed, unglamorous and built for function, in the same way that Hunter boots and Uggs once were, before they too were marketed to appeal to the masses.

Boxed among other wardrobe discards, I’ve carried this once beloved purse around with me from house to house knowing someday I’ll be inclined to bring the bag back into circulation.
That someday was today.
It’s much smaller than the usual purses I carry and it lacks amenities that I’ve grown accustomed to: cell phone, sunglasses, and key holders. But I’m already falling in love with it again. The sense of nostalgia, the comfort of a full shoulder strap, and the buttery feel of the worn leather are a perfect accessory for my fall wardrobe.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who felt the time to revitalize the classics had come. Turns out, Coach also had the same idea. They re-launched a collection of five original designs in September.  Interested snagging a timeless handbag for yourself?

The limited edition styles can be seen here.

I realize that downtown Seattle is filled with many scary and steep hills. Combine this with rain, cold weather, and a long morning wait in line at your local Starbucks, it’s no wonder the temptation is so strong to wear a comfortable shoe as you walk from the bus stop to your building.

I get it. High heels are the devil. They hurt. They wear out easily. They slip. They’re a disaster waiting to happen. (But they are also oh so fabulous!!!...  I digress)

HOWEVER, this my friends, is never ever… EVER acceptable.

This look, made popular by working women in the 80s, was terrible from its inception. Unlike our career driven predecessors, we have many options of comfortable footwear to bring along for the walking commute. Which means the athletic shoe should stay where it belongs: in the gym.

If you’re looking for an alternative, I have a few suggestions:

• Foldable ballet flats
• A comfort-based pump suitable for the entire day like Born, Cole Haan, or Naya.

Naturalizer’s ‘Clava’ pump, available at Nordstrom

If you want a warm, rain appropriate option, I love the more fashion forward silhouettes for wellingtons that have come out in recent seasons. They are more slender on the leg, and are tailored to business attire (See last year’s post on rain gear) Some even have removable fleece liners.

AWKWARD.
MTV’s hilarious new show. It reminds me of a lighter millennial version of My So-Called Life. It’s singlehandedly brought my teen vernacular into the 21st century.

The first season just wrapped but you can catch every episode online at MTV’s homepage.

Drop it Down Sister and Blow Out the Flame