Playful Patterns

You may find it funny then, that I LOVE aprons! I know that might seem odd, since many fems still think the apron represents oppression… but you know what I think?? I think it’s just another fabulous accessory in my entertaining arsenal!

And so I began collecting them years ago… the sweet blue one that’s paper thin from the years my Grandma Neeley loved it in the kitchen. The vintage Portuguese apron I found at a little shop years ago. The gingham print Auntie Di made me when I got married. All of them have a story, all of them are precious and colorful and make me happy.

When you put an apron on you’re saying “I belong here. I’m doing the cooking. I’m so devoted to this meal that I plan to make an absolute mess in order to bring you something delicious and I need this apron to protect myself from the food shrapnel” It’s fully committing to your role in the kitchen and I love that!

So many burgeoning cooks I know are so afraid of “messing up” they wont even try for fear of a broken sauce or an overly salted entree. I’m here to tell you that they only way you’ll ever get better is to keep at it, keep experimenting and tasting and trying new ingredients. The only way you’ll ever get better is to make a mess in your kitchen! Just be sure and strap on your apron first, because at least then you’ll look good while your serving that wilted soufflé.

Need to start or add to your apron collection? Whether you want something for yourself or your little one, the Chic Boutique has a ton of adorable options!!

Bandeau Bra

Now those of you with beautiful, perky breasts un-touched by the spoils of breast-feeding or perhaps of gaining and losing, oh, say 35 pounds, have no clue what I’m talking about. When I say things like this about my chest, you, being the sweet friends that you are, will say, “you’re crazy, you have great boobs!” No really, you have no idea the amount of wire, padding and duct tape required to keep these puppies airborne. You also have no idea of the atrocities these two pull when they aren’t contained, or their disappearing act if I were to, say, lay on my back… I usually find them inside my armpit or thrown over my shoulder like a continental soldier. It’s sad, but true, and honestly, the more I’ve come to grips with the state of affairs, the less interested I am in wearing the contraptions necessary to fake my way back into my former glory.

So I set out on a mission to find a way to hold the girls in, without hoisting them up or causing me any unnecessary discomfort. After MONTHS or research, behold my favorite options for those who’d rather not wear a bra but don’t want to look like Drew Barrymore in that unfortunate Oscar moment from a few years back.

First of all, as odd as it sounds, my FAVORITE braless wonder is a tank top I got from Veronica M… I know, random, right? Veronica M has these tanks (not online, just laying around in their store) that are cotton blended with extra tight spandex. Not only does this thing hold in your girls, but it also holds in unsightly food babies from those tacos you had for lunch. At some point I need to go back in (God willing they haven’t discontinued these!) and buy 3 in every color. They’re that fantastic!

Seamless Tube

Now the mother load… Free People has a line of intimates that are going to blow your mind!! Not only do they come in every fabric from floral to neon yellow, but they have TWO different great options that I love. The Seamless Tube is both a shirt AND a bra and comes in a ton of great colors. I wear this all the time layered with a few other shirts or under an oversized sweater.

Then there’s the Bandeau Bra (see pic up above) that’s basically a rubber band for your breasts. Granted, neither of these options are going to be fantastic support if you actually have much to support. But, if like me, your boobs are the ghost of their former self, these are going to change your life!

Out of the Closet

We’re movin’ on up… to the closet! There is just NOTHING that makes me feel more fabulous, pulled together, and in control of my life than an organized closet (no, seriously, I’m not even kidding). Reorganizing my clothes reminds me of all of my favorite pieces: that great vintage bolero I bought when I first moved to LA, the funky fuscia skinny jeans I keep meaning to rock out, or that to-die-for sweater I splurged on from Free People… getting them in order and in the right “department” keeps them fresh in my mind. It also reminds me how blessed I am to have all of these gorgeous clothes since I spent a good part of my life in hand-me-downs and Goodwill specials.

First of all, go through your closet once a quarter. A closet filled with t-shirts that make you feel frumpy and pants that are two sizes too big/small are going to hide the great stuff you should be wearing. Remember, you can’t receive anything in life if your arms are full. And if your closet is full of stuff you never use, you won’t really know what you have or what you need. Ask yourself… have I worn this in the last 6 months? Does this make me feel great?? Is this piece timeless, and well-made? Don’t allow yourself to hold on to crap simply because it was sooo expensive when you bought it in 11th grade, or you’re positive you’ll fit into a size 2 again some day. Be honest with yourself and ruthless with your decisions… chances are once that clutter is gone, you won’t even miss it.

Ah-Shoooo

Secondly, categorize. Everything in my closet is organized by style… dresses with dresses, pants with pants, and within that are subcategories: silk long sleeve blouses, silk short sleeve blouses, etc. I’ve heard that some people organize by color but I can’t even comprehend this: when I get dressed I think “I want to wear a tank” not “gee, I want to wear yellow today”. But I guess if that’s your deal, then go with whatever works for you. The same goes for shoes, bras, panties, pj’s, whatever. Get it together and keep it together.

Thirdly , just like Mommy Dearest, I believe in NO WIRE HANGERS!! Seriously, if you’re old enough to drive a car you’re old enough to scrape up the money for matching hangers. Target or Walmart could hook you up with nice plastic ones (please use all the same color for the love of God!) for pocket change

Colorful Closet

Lastly, can I just say that your closet is a “room” just like any other. I took great care in picking out this peacocky teal paint for my closet walls. It’s fun and sassy (but still masculine enough for my husband) and it makes me happy when I see the bright happy colors of my dresses bouncing off it. Plus it’s a room that only you see, so go crazy!! Hot Pink, Jet Black… make it as unique as your clothes!

Behind Closed Drawers

I realize that not everyone out there shares my particular affinity for a well organized closet or pantry, but I believe that might be becuase you don’t realize how much being organized could change your life. No seriously… when pieces of your life are in chaos, it becomes symptom of a greater issue. The clutter grows and multiplies and only causes more mess (be it physical, emotional, financial, what have you). On the contrary, getting a handle on the clutter can do WONDERS for your disposition.

We’re going to start with the closet… the essence of your sartorial persona. Specifically, the jewelry drawer. Ladies (and gents) listen up…  YOU WILL NOT WEAR IT IF YOU CAN’T FIND IT!! And in this economy, you’d be shocked about how organizing, categorizing, and taking stock of what you have already can make you feel like you’ve doubled your wardrobe without spending any cash.

Chain Gang

I’m lucky enough to have two drawers specifically devoted to my jewelry, a luxury for an accessory whore like me! (special thanks to my uber-talented carpenter father-in-law) but today’s re-org project was all about necklaces. I HATE when my necklaces get tangled… I hear my mother’s chiding voice in my head “you don’t deserve nice things if you don’t take care of them” so I finagled my own set up here. I lined my drawer with cork (a whole roll from target was maybe $7) and this allowed me to put in sweet notes from my husband or that tear-out of the Versace shoes I covet, or an inspiring quote (“well-behaved women seldom make history”). Though the real reason behind the cork is that it works so well to hold everything in place… I simply organized by style, color, etc. and laid each piece out neatly and then pinned them in place with thumbtacks (otherwise every time I close the drawer they slide all over hell and Georgia!).

Having a place for everything (and everything in its place) means less time searching for the perfect pendant and more freedom to mix and match and pair things you might not have thought of before. Also, it’s amazing how getting just a small piece of your life in order makes you feel so accomplished and in control.

What about you Chic Readers, any of you rocking well-organized (aka OCD) jewelry drawers like me??

We decided to brainstorm ideas and decided that shopping for a man can be really tough. They’re not easily wooed by bags, don’t melt over fragrances, and probably don’t care if the jeans you buy them are “IN”.  Men are pretty basic for the most part and don’t really focus on themselves the way women do. I think Christmas is a perfect time to introduce some luxury and style into your guys’ life without making him feel alienated.

Dear Chic Readers, here are some xmas gift ideas as per Erika and I;

1) This is something that most men don’t even think twice about.  A bathrobe.  Seriously, a nice soft bathrobe can make such a difference… not only are they comfortable, but they can really keep a guy warm when getting out of the shower on those chilly mornings.  I personally love a white cotton bathrobe. And if you want to make it extra special, go ahead and add his initials.

The men's line comes in blue

2) Skincare! I think this is crucial for men.  Most men don’t even think twice about their skin; they shave with soap, they sweat, they don’t protect it from the sun.  There are several products that I have personally used that honestly make a world of difference. I would say my favorite product line is Kielh’s for men.  Their facial fuel (moisturizer) leaves the skin feeling super soft and their shaving cream is unparalleled. Every Christmas, Kielh’s puts out gift sets so it’s a great way to introduce the product line. I’ve also used (and really like) Baxter of California. Target even has the Jack Every Man collection which works nicely as well.

3) Can I just say that I love jeans. I think every man in the world owns a pair of jeans, and if they don’t they should. Jeans are a great gift for any guy, specifically Levi’s. Not only are they affordable, but they come in tons of fits, washes, and are forever fashionable. They can be dressed up, dressed down, torn, dragged, and they age amazingly. I personally like the 511 (skinny), but one model you can’t go wrong with is the classic 501. Better yet, you don’t have to deal with those sparkly-gross atrocities that Christian Audigier puts out. Barf.

4) Leather goods. You can never go wrong with anything leather. Anything as simple as a messenger bag gets an instant upgrade once it’s done in leather.

5) Fragrance. I know this is a tough one and I generally don’t like to buy fragrances for anyone. It’s such a personal thing that I’m always afraid of gifting it because they might hate it. I do, however, own a ton of cologne and these are just some of my personal favorites.  You’re probably going to laugh, but Paris Hilton’s Paris for Men cologne honestly smells amazing. All these recommendations are nicely balanced so none of these colognes are too fruity or spicy. Here are others that I HIGHLY recommend: Calvin Klein Intense, Dolce & Gabbana The One, Banana Republic Black Walnut, Channel Homme Allure Sport.

Dolce & Gabbana's The One

The good thing about gifts like these is that you can go fancy or affordable. There is a ton of variation in between so choose accordingly. Hope you have fun shopping!!!

Sliced and Diced

All right Chic Readers,

It’s been a while since I’ve had to pull out my soap box, but some misguided celebrities have forced my hand. I feel I MUST say something, lest you think this new fashion trend is something to aspire to instead of just another mistake like the one-shoulder dress. I’m talking about CUTOUTS.

Where did these come from?

Why are normally fashionable beauties wearing these on the red carpet?

Don’t they understand this look can only be pulled off by Call Girls and Animated Vixens?

The thing is… I know you’re all about to start shopping for your holiday frocks and that fabulous New Year’s Eve gown, and I just want to make sure you know that this look is terrible. First of all, you need the PERFECT body to pull it off, and even some ladies with the perfect body have some “spillage”.

Also, this is SUCH a fad ladies… next season you wouldn’t be caught dead in something this trendy, so why waste money on it now?!

Two terrible trends too much!

Chic

Hello Chic Readers!

I have taken several trends classes and the rule of thumb is when a trend is coming to an end, the trend that follows will be the exact opposite.  If the trend of the year is bright makeup, the following trend will be subdued makeup. It’s just the nature of the beast. Trend analysts rely on this model to come up with the newest “it” look, product, or service.

Today’s trending topic is ::drumroll:: men and women’s bottoms!

I’m sure we all remember that back in 2000, the look to have was “boot cut” jeans.  EVERYONE wore boot cut jeans in every possible variation of  a “dirty” wash.  Then came the skinny jean which has maintained a presence for at least 4 years.  Like the boot cut jean, the skinny jean quickly gained popularity that everyone, including yours truly, is a fan of. I  do, however, feel that the skinny jean has now gotten way mainstream and therefore is on its final leg.

For those of you who don’t know, once something becomes mainstream and attainable to the masses, it pretty much ensures that the trend is on a decline. By then, the tastemakers (people who start the trends) have moved on to the newest thing… which will ultimately succumb to the same demise.

Not so much..

What I have been noticing as of late is this flouncy bottom look that both men and women have been adopting. While I don’t really mind the way it looks on a woman, I really hate the way it looks on a man.

Well, let me rephrase that… the trend on the rise is wider bottoms, but some men take it too far, I think. Some opt for a loose trouser that’s tucked at the bottom or just a loose trouser in general. Others opt for the extreme variation of this which is like a weird loose excess of fabric that just dangles and looks more like a skirt than anything…

I almost cringe when I see this on a man because there isn’t anything endearing to me about it.  I do get that it’s a very high fashion look and I *do* think that it’s only a matter of time until some mainstream variation comes out. Until then, I’ll stick to the skinnies.

it almost looks a kilt

So Chic Readers, do you think the man skirt is yay or nay? Do you think it’s just too early still?  I go with the latter. Discuss!

Btw these images are all from The Sartorialist.

Support Local Art!

Just kidding…it’s Unique LA, independent design and gift sale. This once a year event takes place THIS WEEKEND downtown at the California Market Center and features adorable creations from local designers. Unique LA is not your local church craft sale. This place is full of one of a kind clothing, jewelry, home decor, accessories, and art at affordable prices that are too good to pass up. I did basically all of my Christmas chopping at this event last year and did not hear a single complaint.

Want another reason to go? Detroit Sprinkles, my most favorite T-shirt company will be in attendance. This alone is reason to check out the sale. Avoid mall crowds and generic gift giving…Come on Chic Readers! Check out Unique LA this weekend and support local designers and artists.

As usual, the staff at Chic Events has differing opinions on what to wear to Thanksgiving dinner… hopefully our holiday outfits will inspire what you wear to grandma’s house tomorrow!!

Sleek and Casual

Erika Says: “I’m all about comfort and stretch for Thanksgiving Day. Leggings are a must! I definitely don’t want a constricting waistband while I’m shoveling stuffing. Boots and a big ole sweater will keep me looking pulled together and cute without trying too hard. The best part… if I go in to a food coma from turkey overload, I can just kick off my boots and crawl into bed. zzZZzZZZZZzzz…

Preppy and Perfect

Ivan says: “I love nothing more than to get dressed up for an event! Here’s how I plan on getting spiffed up for the holiday… understated yet fashionable Levi 511′s, a great pair of boots or some pointy oxfords, and a colorful luxurious sweater (a necessary splurge!)

Damsel in Denim

Rachel says: “I tend to be a little more casual when I’m spending the holiday with my own family… after all, my mom is happy to see me regardless of what I’ve got on… but that’s not to say I don’t still want to wear something pretty. I’m a denim fiend, so I start with a base of jeans and pumps (to dress it up a bit) and then I pair it with a great blouse like this one from Tucker. It’s so flowy and pretty (so it’s feminine AND it hides the post-turkey tummy) and if I top it off with a scarf I’ll be just warm enough for the “frigid” LA weather.

Ann + Heidi = 4 Ever

Oh Ann, you tease…

Today I walked out of my house to find a fancy black parcel on my front doorstep. This could only mean one thing… Ann Taylor is spoiling me again! Instantly, I filled with glee in the hopes that perhaps they’d sent me something from the holiday jewelry line that H Klum has been showing off, but what I found was far better! So fantastic in fact, that I’m not sure if I’m even supposed to talk about it.

I got the “Perfect Card.” That’s not a euphemism, it’s actually called The Perfect Card. It’s silver and shiny and gets me 30% off any full priced purchase at the AT stores. Readers, I don’t know what I did exactly to garner all this love and attention from Ann Taylor, but I’m totally grateful!

Stay tuned for a full report on exactly how badly I bruise my bank account with this new little incentive… I’m no fortune teller, but I see cashmere in my future!!