Looks Like Spring, Feels Like Winter

This morning we had the promise of close to 50 degree weather.  It's all a tease since we're supposedly getting many inches of snow on Friday but yesterday's color splash inspired me to keep it up.

Kate Spade top, Zara skirt, Valentino shoes, necklace from Skinner auction

I bought this bright pink skirt from Zara this past weekend and decided to pair it with this lovely Kate Spade top.  You can't tell from the picture but I have on Spanx nude fishnet tights.  I don't like to wear regular nude hose, it feels a bit too matronly for me.  But a very subtle fishnet did the trick.  The only problem with the tights is that the toe wasn't reinforced and by the end of the day one of my toes was protruding through the tights.

RED Valentino coat

These shoes are my absolute faves right now.  I can't wait until it's officially warmer and they can make more regular appearances in what I wear.

I almost wore my tan Zara coat until I spotted this and realized it was the same pink as the skirt.  Plus I adore its whimsical girliness.

I Love Color

I love color, can you tell? Sometimes I like to feel sleek and sophisticated in blacks and greys and neutrals but bright colors can alter my mood.  On a rainy day, they bring me out of a funk.  If I'm tired, as I was today after two close to sleepless nights, they bring me back to life.

Zara top, DVF skirt, Christian Louboutin new simple pumps

This morning I woke up knowing I wanted to wear this fuschia  DVF skirt with a contrasting red/orange top.  I had initially planned to wear another top of a similar color (seen previously here) but this flutter sleeve Zara top caught my eye so I wore it instead.  

Accessories from Elisha's shop

One of the perks when one of your greatest friends has an accessories boutique is that someone who knows you very well always has you in mind when buying for her shop.  That was the case with the jewels I wore today.  Elisha was at one of the accessories shows in NYC and bought several things with me in mind.  I bought all of these pieces yesterday from her not quite thinking I would wear them all together but the pile it on mentality won out this morning.  The purple of the big center stone in this necklace plus the orange side stones couldn't have worked better with my crazy color blocked outfit today.

And here's one final photo to give you a better closeup of the ring and bracelet.

Regrets, I've Had a Few

I had a lovely weekend in NYC which included meeting the darling Style on the Couch.  We had a jaunt through the meatpacking district and spent some time in one of my very favorite stores, Jeffrey where I tried on these electric blue YSL peep toe platforms.  Oh the color, the platform, the curve of the heel.  What will I do without you?

Photo kindly taken by Style on the Couch

I resisted the urge to buy them but have been dreaming of them all weekend which means I may just have to hunt them down.  I should have listened to my sister's advice to buy them since she knew it would be inevitable!

Fashion Show to Benefit Boston Big Sister Association

Denise Hajjar Fashion Show

to benefit Big Sister Association

of Greater Boston

  

The award-winning, Boston-based designer is debuting her Spring/Summer fashion line, and you're invited!

This fun night of fashion will feature guest models from the Big Sister community. Ticket sales benefit Big Sister's mentoring programs for girls.



DATE: Tuesday, March 29, 2011


TIME: 6:00 p.m. 

LOCATION: Denise Hajjar Boutique
Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel
138 St. James Ave.
Boston, MA 02116

Tickets are $50.
Click here to purchase online.

Make it a Girl's Night Out!

Not So Mellow Yellow

Yesterday I woke up to a wee dusting of snow with the morning weather person's promise of a bit more to come.  Cold and snow be damned, I wasn't going to let that dampen my outfit plans for the day.  After work I had a fun blogger event at Louis Boston to go to (that I posted about here) and there was no way I wasn't somehow incorporating some summer brights into my outfit.

Ann Taylor sweater, Kate Spade skirt, Miu Miu sandals, MAC Lady Danger lipstick

I stayed basic with a black cashmere sweater but added a big ole pop of bright yellow with this Kate Spade meredith skirt.

Coach and Chanel necklaced, Kenneth Jay Lane cuff, Essie fifth avenue nail polish

Here's a closeup of the yellow and cream printed fabric.

Miu Miu sandals

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not provide the obligatory gratuitous shoe porn shot.  I am so loving these python Miu Miu sandals.

Happy Friday all!

Louis Boston

Louis (prounounced Looooeeez) is an institution in this town.  For years it was housed in the fabulous Museum of Natural History building on Newbury Street but last year moved to its new location on Boston's waterfront.  I'm the first to admit my laziness when it comes to leaving my neighborhood.  When you live and work within three blocks plus have so many fantastic restaurants and shops within a stone's throw, who can blame me?!  But I will say the jaunt to visit Louis' waterfront location is well worth the trip.

The space is open and airy and uncluttered yet filled with loads of sumptuous goodies worth drooling over.

 

 I loved the contrasting grey and fluorescent green of this lace Alessandra Rich dress.

A pastel sequined Graham and Spencer skirt would have found its way home with me if not for its postage stamp size.

I'm loving this silk chiffon dress with splashes of light blue by Jonathan Saunders.  It's so floaty and flirty and feminine.

Ever the shoe fanatic, I couldn't help but ogle these Jason Wu beauties.

Louis fills a fashion and shopping void in Boston with designers not found elsewhere in our lovely little city.  Whether you're actually in the market to buy or just to be inspired, go check it out!

Spring Mix

Talbots jacket, DVF top, Joe's jeans, J Crew shoes

Little by little, I remove winter from my wardrobe and add more spring.  I had every intention this weekend of making the official winter to spring switch but I just never found the time.  I did however find some time to lug a bag full of stuff to Second Time Around (one of the local consignment shops).  Spring officially arrived yesterday and our gift in Boston was to be greeted with snow.  But I just don't care.   The snow boots are tucked away and the extra warm jackets are relegated to the back of the closet.  Today I wore a little spring yellowish gold jacket from Talbots with a short sleeve DVF top in a contrasting fuchsia.  I wore it with a pair of bootcut Joe's jeans and J Crew high heeled oxfords.

Terry Ross ring and chunky necklace from Elisha Daniels Shop, Chanel pendant necklace

I accessorized with a big chunky Terry Ross ring and a multi chain necklace from Elisha's shop plus a Chanel C pendant necklace.

Target Go International and Skinner Finds

My weekend's activities involved a jaunt in the zipcar out of Boston proper to do some bargain shopping at Target.  I was really hoping to find some home things but I struck out in that department, instead ending up with two dresses from the Go International designer collection.   This one is a polka dot, sheer sleeve Jovavich Hawk for Target number that I think is darling. 

Jovavich Hawk for Target dress, Danskin leggings, Chanel flats

Sara Campbell coat, Miu Miu bag

 

I wore my fun dotted dress with my fave new necklace which is my latest and greatest item of jewelry from last week's fine jewelry auction at Skinner.  Thanks to my friend Lani of Mon Petit Chou Chou, I was schooled in the ways of picking up fabulous auction finds from Skinner.  I bid online in advance but one of these days, I'd really love to get there to see the action first hand.  How gorgeous is this necklace?!  

Stanley Hagler necklace from Skinner, Nars schiap lipstick

Here's the much better photo from Skinner's website.  Look at the detail of the seed pearls in the bow.  I just love it.

And I posted the other day about the gorgeous green glass bead and crystal bracelet that was my other Skinner acquisition but I think that too deserves its closeup.

Saturday Night In

Sometimes I love having a Saturday night at home to myself.  After a day of schlepping around the 'burbs to go to the likes of Target, Home Goods and TJ Maxx, I really appreciated the night in.

I so enjoy having fresh flowers, especially bright yellow ranunculus.  They are so happy and spring-like and they give me an extra pick me up.

The night in was spent whipping up an easy dinner (mozzarella and tomato and pasta with broccoli and chicken sausage), watching The Fighter (really good flick) and drinking some wine.

No matter how hard I try, I am not capable of sleeping in.  Having several hours to spare after a 6:30 AM wake up, I spent the wee hours of the morn using up some ripe bananas by making banana bread.  My butt whipping trainer was pleased to be the beneficiary of my morning's labor and I was greeted by the smell of fresh baked banana bread after my session at the gym.

Happy Sunday all!

Lady Danger

I love following the fashions and style of magazine editors.  There is one thing that I always notice about Joanna Hillman and that is her perfectly painted matte red lips.

Photos Harper's Bazaar

Harper's Bazaar was kind enough to share her secret with us and it's MAC's Lady Danger.  It's the perfect bright coral red and it is fabulous!

So here I am in my new MAC Lady Danger.

Spring Fling

Winter and I had an unrequited love affair.  Winter loved and didn't want to leave me, but I was just not that into it.  Spring arrived today ever so briefly, but winter tried to mark its territory with its strong and gripping winds.  You know that kind of love; the kind that you try to pry yourself away from but you have trouble escaping its grip.

DVF top, Zara pants, Kate Spade shoes

But together my wardrobe and I broke free.  I wore a bright melon colored DVF top with Zara pants and (gasp) peep toed Kate Spade platforms from last summer.

Talbots jacket, Kenneth Jay Lane pin

I topped it off with a Talbots jacket and I really must give a shout out to Talbots.  Up until a year ago, I wouldn't have even set foot in the store.  But there's one close to my 'hood that's also right across the street from my office.  So inevitably I would pass it in my travels and at some point, there were a few things in the window that drew me in.  It has definitely stepped up its game and added many reasonably priced items that have become wardrobe staples for me.

Subversive for Target necklace, Rachel Zoe for QVC ring, bracelet from Skinner auction

I accessorized with a Subversive for Target necklace, Rachel Zoe for QVC ring and this gorgeous bracelet that is one of my latest and greatest jewelry acquisitions from the recent Skinner fine jewelry auction.

Equipment

Never a day goes by that I don't want to wear something fabulous, but some days comfort rules my choices.

Equipment blouse, Banana Republic pants, Chanel flats, Miu Miu bag

This past Monday, especially after a weekend where the time changed and I had a little less time devoted to the morning getting ready ritual, I wanted to keep it simple.  So I threw on the very silky Equipment blouse with some basic black pants and Chanel flats.  For those of you who are not familiar with the Equipment blouse, I highly recommend it.  I'm a big proponent of buying lower priced items at the likes of Zara, H&M, Forever 21 but when it comes to a classic blouse like this, the splurge is well worth it.  It drapes off of your body and feels super luxurious against your skin.

Chanel and Coach necklaces

I accessorized with dueling Chanel necklaces and a double strand Coach necklace.

Spring Has Sprung

I know, I know.  Spring doesn't really begin until Sunday.  And even when the start of spring is official, here in Boston we're sure to continue having wintry days.  We even got a light snow flurry yesterday for goodness sake.  But in my little world, I'm living in spring.  I declared as much this weekend to my sister telling her that my winter wardrobe is so last season (literally)!  She reminded me that I make such bold declarations annually but I'm willing to suffer for spring fashion.  Like a postal carrier's creed, neither snow nor rain nor wind will stop me from wearing my spring wardrobe.

Banana Republic shirt, Kate Spade cardigan, RED Valentino pants, Louboutin shoes

In the spirit of winter being over in my world, I wore some fun light pink spring pants.  I bought them recently at the Valentino store on Newbury Street.  I should mention that the store is filled with the RED Valentino line (and not the high high end line) which is more at the Kate Spade or DVF price point.  The pants were extra long so instead of having them hemmed I had them cuffed at the bottom.

Hermes belt, Coach necklace

The pants have this fun ruffle detail at the pockets which went along with the ruffle detail at the sleeve of my Kate Spade cardigan.

Happy spring!!

Accents of Pink

This past Friday in anticipation of a fun weekend with my sister, I brightened up my outfit with some hot pink.

Kate Spade shirt and jacket, J Brand ankle jeans, Miu Miu oxfords

I thought it was just a few pops of hot pink but when my sister arrived she thought I was especially bright.  I don't know if it was the bright pink lips care of Nars lipstick in schiap, the Kate Spade top or the Kate Spade jacket with neon pink trim.  And I wore my new fave Miu Miu oxfords which we're all going to be seeing a lot of.

H&M trench cape

I protected myself from the rain that day with this H&M trench cape.

Chanel ring and necklace, long necklace from Wish Boutique

And I adorned myself with a Chanel necklace and ring and another necklace purchased some time ago at Wish Boutique in Beacon Hill.

Sunday Supper - Orzo a la Lissy with Roasted Zucchini and Shrimp

I have an orzo recipe in my repertoire that I've been making for years.  I've made it and brought it to dinner parties many times as it's easy to make and can be served at room temperature.  A friend of mine who loves it (and anything really lemony) calls it orzo a la Lissy.

Cook the orzo in salted boiling water according to the package directions.  I usually use regular orzo but tonight to make it even healthier, I used whole wheat orzo.

While the orzo is cooking, prep all the other stuff.  Chop up some flat leaf parsley, juice and zest one lemon (use more or less depending on how lemony you like) and toast some pine nuts.  Also dice up some good quality feta cheese.  I buy French sheep's milk feta. 

Once the orzo is done, mix it together with the pine nuts, parsley, lemon juice, good olive oil and feta.  Add a little salt to taste if you like but remember the feta is pretty salty.

I served it with roasted zucchini and shrimp.

Into the Wild

My sister was up from NYC visiting this weekend so I've got some pictures for you out in the real world instead of from the confines of my apartment for a change.  One of these days I'll get the chutzpah to take my camera and tripod outside of my apartment.

Zara jacket, Joe's jeans, Chanel flats

It was a gloriously sunny, beautiful day yesterday so we spent the day romping around Newbury Street.  We gorged ourselves at the Parish Cafe and cured what was ailing us with a couple of bloody marys and then we were off.

Celine sunglasses, Miu Miu bag

Aris Geldis necklace, Chanel ring and pin, Elisha Daniels scarf

We hit Zara, Kate Spade, Chanel, Valentino and then made our way into the Prudential Center Copley Mall to hit Saks and a few other spots.

RED Valentino coat, Dior bag

After tuckering ourselves out and depleting our bank accounts, we rallied to meet friends for drinks at the Bristol Lounge and then dinner in the North End.  And I must tell you about our North End experience.  We had reservations at Vinoteca di Monica on Richmond Street.  Three of four of us arrived and they wouldn't seat us until we were all there despite the fact that there was no room at the bar to wait.  Meanwhile, they seated others at the two acceptable tables for four and then offered us a table no one would take.  You know those tables that are smack next to the host stand and in the way of the kitchen and servers?  You'd get jostled all night sitting there.  As we waited, even though they knew there was no room in the bar, they told one of my friends "Ma'am, you WILL wait in the bar or you WILL wait outside".  It was more than frustrating and I've never felt so unwelcome at a restaurant.  As my brother in law would say, we decided to "vote with our dollars" so we left.  We found ourselves at Artu where we were welcomed with open arms. 

Overall a great day, a not so great start to the evening, but in the end we laughed it off and were thankful for the company of great friends.  And thanks sis for taking the pictures, I miss you already!