Ode to Chanel

I'm sure it's clear my love of all things Chanel.  I never really realized until I started doing the blog thing that each day brings a little bit of Chanel into my life.

Sara Campbell dress, Stuart Weitzman boots

I got to work today and one of my colleagues commented on how much she loved my dress, then asked if it was Chanel.  No, it's not but I bought it years ago when Elisha worked for Sara Campbell.  Loved it then, love it now, especially when accented with my Chanel accessories.

Chanel bag

I wore the first Chanel bag that I ever bought for myself and it's still one of my most favorite bags.

Chanel necklace, Louis Vuitton ring, Kenneth Jay Lane cuff

I finished it all of with a Chanel pearl necklace, Louis Vuitton inclusion ring and Kenneth Jay Lane cuff bracelet.

Weekend Wishlist

I feel like it's been ages since I've had a day off of work.  Since I've been so overworked and exhausted lately, I decided to take Friday off and treat myself to a long weekend.  What long weekend would be complete without at least a little bit of shopping?  Here's what's on my wishlist.

Christian Louboutin Egoutina studded leather boots, $1,495
Mulberry Postman's Lock riding boots, $895
Dolce Vita "Dickson" Boots with Strap - Tall Boots - Bloomingdales.com, $270
Stuart Weitzman "Clute" Quilted Tall Boots - Tall Boots -..., $575

I really want a pair of black riding boots.  Preferably with a cool detail like the ones above.  I especially love the studded Louboutins but I'm definitely not in the market to spend that much.

Surface to Air Shawl Coat, $675
Rebecca Taylor Belted wool-blend cape, $625
Camel Wool Melton, $695
Ultimate Military Cape, $190
Smythe 'Cadet' Wool Blend Coat, $995
Apparel Classic Clothing at Talbots - Single-breasted coat, $329

I've also been eying a few camel coats but the more I think about it, perhaps I might like a fun cape instead.

And on a different note, I saw these fantastic Ann Taylor tweed pumps in November's InStyle mag and thought I could really make use of these.  It looks like I might have my work cut out for me this weekend but shopping is the good, relaxing kind of work. 

Ode to my shoes

OK when your closet looks like this, there is no room for complaining.  However, it does make it somewhat difficult to keep track of all the fabulous shoes that one might have.

Somehow in my sleep it came to me...I love these gorgeous patent and gold Louboutins and for the life of me, I cannot remember the last time they saw the light of day (or the light of the moon at night as the case may be).

The very familiar Kate Spade chubbie, J Brand waxed jeans and reburbished gold Chanel bag

So tonight's outfit was planned around wearing the Louboutins from the archives of my closet.

Camellia earrings from Elisha Daniels

Camellia ring from Elisha Daniels and Kenneth Jay Lane cuff

Chanel brooch

Tiered top from Banana Republic (very Issey Miyake)

Paper Dolls

Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Barbie

OK, so I'm not usually one to wax poetic about kids and all that yada yada but while I still have no strong desire to have children of my own, I do have the most darling and adorable niece that one could wish for.  Since she will someday be the beneficiary of what will by then be a collection of vintage Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs (and more) bags and accessories galore, she needs to be schooled from a very young age.  And who better than me is there to provide such an education?

Different Like Coco by Elizabeth Matthews

What better way to start a young girl's education than a children's book about Coco Chanel?  This was the very first gift I gave my niece; in fact she received it while she was still in utero.

I'm constantly buying clothes that she'll wear once and grow out of.  I will certainly continue to do that but if I want to keep up with her fashion education, I've got to really think about how to accomplish this.

Cat Burglar Barbie by Christian Louboutin

Dolly Forever Barbie by Christian Louboutin

Thanks to my sister (who is my partner in crime in the spoiling of the niece), I was alerted to the fact that Net-A-Porter has Louboutin Barbies.  What fashionista eight month old can live without such a thing???

Givenchy Barbie

Every Barbie needs a classicly chic evening gown for dates with Ken.

Jonathan Adler Barbie sofa

And a stylishly decorated pad for entertaining Ken (et al).  So why not a hot pink Jonathan Adler sofa (reminiscent of the bright orange Jonathan Adler chair)?

Bootylicious!!

A fashion lover's job is never done.  When given a challenge, who am I to say no?!

 

One of my fabulous friends has some black patent booties that are about to be retired.  And sad as she is to see them go, she knows their time has come.  But oh, she laments, what do I replace them with?  No need to fret a moment longer over this.  Here are some options.  Now, while I might die over the Lanvin wedges (I'm a sucker for just about anything Lanvin), I know the price will give most a heart attack.  Second only to the Lanvins are the Louboutins, and while totally crush-worthy, they too are more than most people spend in a month on housing.  So if you're not apt to break the bank for the ever fantastic booties, I would go for the Pedro Garcia versions.  They have the perfect platform that makes the four inch heels seem, well, not quite like four inches. 

Lanvin Wedge Ankle Boot
$1,190 - barneys.com
Wedge booties »

Christian Louboutin Dahlia 100 patent leather ankle boots
$895 - net-a-porter.com
Pointed toe boots »

Pedro Garcia Susan patent-leather pumps
$495 - net-a-porter.com
Patent shoes »

Modern Vintage $250 Shoes.com
$250 - shoes.com
Modern vintage shoes »

Patent Wedge Zipper Ankle Boot by Mini Market
245 GBP - my-wardrobe.com
Wedge booties »

KG by Kurt Geiger Women's Camillo Lace Up
$107 - endless.com
Patent leather shoes »

Buckle-Trim Patent Ankle Boots at Spiegel.com
$79 - spiegel.com
Patent leather boots »

Back in Black

Brian Atwood Maniac

I was asked recently about where to find a black pump. I immediately thought of the Brian Atwood Maniac that I had posted about here.  And then it dawned on me that not everyone wants to teeter around on such extraordinarily high platforms.

Since every girl needs at least one fabulous pair of black pumps, here are my picks for black pumps in different heights and at different price points.  I personally have been prancing about town in the Louboutin New Simple Pumps and I LOVE them.

Christian Louboutin Bianca Back-Zip Pump, Black
$845 - neimanmarcus.com
Christian louboutin shoes »

YSL Platform High Heel Pump in Black Textured Leather
$795 - ysl.com
Yves saint laurent shoes »

Christian Louboutin New Simple Pump
445 GBP - brownsfashion.com
Stiletto heel shoes »

Rock & Republic Women's Celina Pump
$295 - endless.com
Pointed toe heels »

BCBGeneration 'Tinas' Platform Pump (Nordstrom Exclusive)
$90 - nordstrom.com
Patent leather shoes »

Stuart Weitzman Madison at Zappos.com
$298 - zappos.com

Hurricane Season

A weekend away requires several magazines, my kindle, possibly my ipad and ipod.  This weekend also required Louboutin new simple pumps, Chanel cross body bag, Top Shop dress, BR 5 pocket leggings

As anyone who has ever lived in Florida knows, we are in the midst of hurricane season.  What most people don't know is that in Boston's South End, hurricane season can come at just about any time.  The most recent strike was Hurricane Lissy in a flurry of packing for a NYC weekend.

A NYC weekend should be relatively low maintenance especially when one considers the fact that my accommodations have more than the necessary amenities.   I usually stay with my sister and her husband which requires me to bring no toiletries, very few lotions and potions and just about no hair styling tools.

But anyone who knows me well knows that packing light is not a skill that has ever come naturally to me.  While I have gotten much, much better over the years, I still have a very strong desire to have the perfect outfit, accessory, lipstick, etc for every occasion.

So despite the fact that I was only going for two days, the act of packing takes me days of thought about what to bring, numerous checks to weather.com and several hours of actual packing time.  Not to mention the untidy bedroom I arrive home to as a result.

The Maniac

For quite some time I've had my eye on these Brian Atwood Maniac pumps.  Six inch heels, one and a half inch platform....they are fierce!  First I thought I wanted them in nude but now as we get closer to fall I'm thinking black.  Do I have a death wish?  How high is too high?  And don't forget on top of teetering around on very high heels, I have Boston's brick and cobblestone sidewalks to navigate.  Death wish?  Maybe.  But at least I'll look good dying!

Update:
This past weekend I visited one of my very favorite people...Monica who works at Saks and sells me most of my shoes.  She had a pair of the uber-fantastical Atwoods.  I tried them on and they really didn't seem THAT high or treacherous.  However she also had several other similar pairs of shoes awaiting my arrival.  I ended up with these Louboutins.  Not quite as crazy as the maniac, but with 5 inch heels, not quite tame either. 

Christian Louboutin New Simple Pump in black patent calf