Hints of Style

I seem to spend quite a bit of time driving on Route 1. Whether its meeting with a client, buying some vegetables or grabbing a quick mocha, my errands have me gravitating towards this stretch of roadway.
Most times I take a direct path to my destination without taking notice of too many places or happenings on the way.
But today was different…
I made a concerted effort to stop at a store that I’ve been meaning to check out since it opened 6 months ago.

Spree.

Located at 126 Boston Post Road (Rt 1) in Darien, this new addition to the block is the accomplishment of Lindsay Westbrook, a local woman with a long standing desire to start her own store.

The space is simple and effortless as are many of the styles she offers. You’ll find premium denims by DL196, color filled dresses by Francis and from Plenty by Tracey Reese, as well as soft, silk blouses from Madison Marcus. Scarves, bags, belts and jewelry are merchandised between wonderful watercolors on canvas throughout the store.

I get the feeling I’ll soon be making a direct path towards this new destination…
next time I’m on Route 1.

I just returned from a quick weekend away in Chicago where I ate, shopped, ate, people-watched, ate, and stayed at a wonderful, new boutique hotel, The Wit. Perfectly located in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood, its convenient to the theater district, delicious restaurants and some of the best shopping in the downtown area.

So I DRAGGED myself into a few stores.

One of which was H & M. Now, I realize we have a few H & M’s here in Connecticut, but an urban branch always brings out the best in fashion assortments and designer “capsule” collections.
Versace for H & M was lavish…and still is. Marni, the newest collection soon to be released at H & M, is the stunning sum of styles by designer Consuelo Castiglioni. It offers an eclectic elegance very similar to the authentic collection itself.

“I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints,” Castiglioni said. “As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colours, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic and adding sporty utilitarian elements.”

I do hope to see a small sampling of the line at one of our local H & M stores, but if not, I just might have to spend another weekend away in Chicago!

(Take a look at the Sophia Coppola directed commercial for a hint of Marni styles landing on March 8th)
Marni at H & M

(As well as the Spring 2012 Lookbook – thanks to Lucky Magazine and Fashionista)

Marni for H & M Lookbook

I have always cheered for the underdog. Whichever team has the least chance of winning is definitely the one I hope leaves with the trophy.
It was no different last night as I was flipping channels between the Knicks’ game and the Westminster Dog Show. On channel 716, I was living in Lin-sanity watching Jeremy Lin come out of nowhere – no college basketball scholarships, no draft options out of Harvard. no contract from any team in the NBA until now – to have another spectacular game by beating the Raptors with a tie breaking 3 point buzzer beater.
Amazing.

The Dog show wasn’t quite as exciting, but it was still a “game” with 7 players and only 1 big winner.
We watched with anticipation as the lone judge compared the canines to see who was closest to perfection for the title of Best in Show. We all had our favorite among the finalists.

Mine was the Dalmatian named Ian.
Mainly because the breed has never won the grand title at the Westminster Dog Show.
That and the fact that there were 101 of them who looked so cute and lovable on the big screen when I was a kid.

But it wasn’t meant to be. The judge spotted Malachy instead – the four year old Pekingese whose breed has won 115 times.
Obviously, I wasn’t rooting for him at all ; )

Luca Luca Spring 2012

MARC by Marc Jacobs Hillier Hobo Bag @ www.endless.com; www.net-a-porter.com

Big Spot Dress from Whistles @ www.us.asos.com

Polka Dot Boho Blouse from Free People in Greenwich, Farmington;

Aquilano-Rimondi Dot Knee Length Skirt @ www.yoox.com

Copsey Polka Dot Flat from Lela Rose for Payless in Norwalk,

What could better than an early morning walk with my dog and breathing in the crisp, cool air on a sunny February morning??

Besides sipping a hot cup of fresh brewed coffee while lounging on the sofa with my dog at my feet…I guess nothing.

But early this morning I did take the pup out for a throw-a-thon in the park and it was actually quite beautiful. At one point in the middle of the 172 balls tossed, I looked over the river and saw something that really caught my attention…three kayaks in primary colors stacked on their stationary rack with their reflections gleaming in the water below.

And as odd as it may sound, it reminded me of an Calvin Klein advertisement I recently saw in this month’s In Style magazine.

So I took a picture, threw a few more balls to my boy, and headed home for some coffee on the sofa!

Rag & Bone Zip Capri Jean @ Saks Fifth Avenue in Greenwich, Stamford, www.saksfifthavenue.com

Sofia Capri Jeans from Lucky Brand in Westport, Greenwich & www.luckybrand.com

The Cropped Skinny in neon blue from 7 for all Mankind @ Havana in Stamford,

Sanctuary Charmer Skinny Jean @ www.revolveclothing.com and Lord & Taylor in Stamford, Trumbull

Each year our local high school hosts a fashion show fundraiser to cover the expenses of their senior class party.*
Clothes are generously lended from area boutiques such as Darien Sport Shop, REI, Vineyard Vines, Worth and Loehmann’s for the guys and girls in the show.
I volunteered to be one of the “store moms” and assist the models with choosing their outfits from my given store…Loehmann’s in Norwalk.

I honestly have not shopped at this off-price establishment in quite some time, so I dropped by to see what the store had in store. And wow, was I pleasantly surprised! They had new designers in their “Back Room” department as well as fun, young, creative resources such as Free People in the contemporary section.

And now thru Monday, February 13th take $15 off of any regular priced (but still off-price) purchase of $50 or more!

Here’s a peek at some of their key players to procure….

Rag & Bone, Dolce & Gabbana , Theyskens Theory, Michael Stars
See by Chloe, David Yurman, M Missoni, Vertigo
Heritage by Halston, Valentino, Rachel Zoe, Carlos Falchi

Loehmann’s Website

*This will be the 18th year Brien McMahon High School has held a post graduation party to keep kids off the roads for most of graduation night, a time when accidents are likely to happen. The party costs around $20,000. Entertainment and food is provided all night long and prizes are raffled off throughout the evening.
Tickets for the fashion show are on sale @ Brien McMahon on Highland Ave. or at the door on March 2nd. Show begins at 7pm.

As I was driving home yesterday around 6pm, I turned the corner and saw the most magnificent full moon rising between the tree branches.
A full moon high in the sky is beautiful in and of itself, but there’s something even more magical about the intense size of and incredible patterns within the bright ball. Tone on tone whites (and even light grays) are visible on the surface we see.

This same tonal effect was a top trend for this Spring to come.

Manipur Palazzos @ Anthropologie

Calvin Klein Spring 2012 Collection @ www.calvinklein.com and Saks Fifth Avenue

Zara Spring 2012 Lookbook @ www.zara.com and Greenwich, Stamford

Derek Lam Spring 2012 @ www.dereklam.com

Confession: I’ve been a die-hard Jet fan ever since I was 10 years old. My dad and I would watch their games and cheer on the team every Sunday afternoon only to witness another losing season.
Nothing has changed in that regard.

With that being said, I am from New Jersey, and seeing that the NY Giants players live, practice and play in New Jersey, I do feel I have to root for them in tomorrow’s Super Bowl.

With that being said, my husband is from Boston, Massachusetts and he’ll be rooting for New England in tomorrow’s game.

Enough said.

We have hosted as well as attended a few Super Bowl gatherings, but this year we’ll be watching from the comforts of our cozy couch.
Just add some guacamole and chips, a popular pop and a pair of these…

Hand Knit Mukluk Slipper Socks from Lemon Legwear @ www.lemonlegwear.bigcartel.com

Chalet Sock II Slipper Socks from Woolrich @ www.woolrich.com and www.sierratradingpost.com

Stripes and Solids Slipper Socks @ www.amazon.com

Patchwork Knit Boots from UGG @ Shoes N’ More in Greenwich, Westport. Hawley Lane Shoes in Norwalk, Stamford. Ente’s Bootery in Fairfield

Moose Slipper Socks @ Urban Outfitters in Greenwich, New Haven and West Farms

Today is Groundhog Day and as the folklore goes, if the groundhog emerges from his burrow and sees his shadow he will retreat back inside meaning that winter will last 6 more weeks. If he doesn’t see a shadow, spring is supposedly right around the corner.

Even though we’ve had such a mild winter, to bring spring on sooner we need not to see any shadows in fields of Punxsutawney, PA.
Meanwhile, cosmetic companies are already showing some of the prettiest shadows for your lids this spring 2012 season. Like apparel, the colors are bright and refreshing. Lavenders, pinks, and even blues shaded the lids of many a model on the runways this season while grays added a smoky finish for an evening look.

Oh, and by the way, he DID see his shadow this morning….and it wasn’t lavender ; )

Be Discovered Eyeshadow Palette by Smashbox @ Sephora in Greenwich, Trumbull, Danbury & Farmington
also @ www.smashbox.com

Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in Champagne @ Benefit Cosmetics in New Canaan, Greenwich & Westport

Goddess Perfect Eye Shadow Trio by Pur Minerals @ Ulta in New Haven, and www.purminerals.com

Shimmer Eye Shadow in Lhasa by Nars @ Spacenk in New Canaan, Lexington Ave, NYC and www.spacenk.com, Lord & Taylor in Stamford, Trumbull

Smoky Eye Shadow Palette by e.l.f. (eyes. lips. face.) @ Target in Stamford, Trumbull and www.target.com and www.eyeslipsface.com

Les 4 Ombres Eye Shadow in Enclosion by Chanel @ Saks Fifth Avenue in Greenwich, Stamford;
Betteridge Jewelers in Greenwich; Macy’s in Stamford