I’m not sure why my mom bought me a pair of gold metallic maryjanes when I was 7 years old, but I didn’t really care. I loved them. Considering most of what filled my closet was purchased in the Sears girls’ department, this was quite the fashionable breakthrough for my mom…and my future.
Over the years, I remained smitten with all things that sparkled and shined. Even in college, while designing a layout for the 5th Avenue Holiday Decor contest, my plans were aglow with sparkly stars and shimmering lights.
Now you don’t have to wait for the festive holidays or even a gift from mom to add a little luster to your look. This season is filled with sheen and gleam for both daytime and evening attire.
I didn’t save those shiny shoes, but to this day, I’ve kept that metallic maryjane memory in the back and front of my mind.
There are many fashion forward stores in the metropolitan area, but none have quite the reputation and history as Bergdorf Goodman.
the women's store
111 years ago, Herman Bergdorf opened a tailor shop and Edwin Goodman, his apprentice, soon became a partner in his business. Despite their creation of Bergdorf Goodman, the relationship was short lived. After a dispute over which location would be best suited for the store, Goodwin bought out Bergdorf’s interest in the company.
In 1914, Goodman constructed a five-story building at 616 Fifth Avenue, on the site of what is today Rockefeller Center, enabling him to become the first couturier to introduce American and French ready-to-wear to the consumer.
Today, Bergdorf Goodman sits beautifully on Fifth Avenue between 57th and 58th Streets.* After many changes in ownership, management and merchandise, this luxury goods retailer is still the soul of fashion inspiration and desire.
On Thursday night, The Plaza Hotel was filled with designers, socialites, celebrities and other fashion icons celebrating Bergdorf’s 111th birthday. And in keeping with the “111 Years Of Extraordinary” they are offering a collection of exclusive styles from exceptional designers for your shopping experience.
*Bergdorf Goodman Men’s Store in on 5th Avenue at 57th Street
I was driving home at around 7pm last night after shopping with a client when I realized I had not prepared…or even thought about, what to make for my family’s dinner.
An occasion like this usually leaves the door open for the boys to ask for yet another delivery of the oh-so-popular pizza.
Or just some chips and an ice cream chaser.
Luckily, in an effort to keep my family fed, I’m always ready with a few “go-to” dinner options that I pull out in a pinch.
For example, fresh basil in the fridge allows for the makings of a quick pesto to toss with tortellini or spread over a boneless chicken breast before cooking in a skillet.
Sometimes I’ll buy fresh, peeled, deveined shrimp and store them in the freezer for these type of nights. Saute in a skillet (or pop under the broiler) with olive oil, fresh minced garlic, salt and pepper and enjoy it atop a mixed green salad or quick-cook cous cous.
So where am I going with this you ask??
The same “go-to” theory works with clothing as well…”go-to” outfits.
Each season I like to put together 5 different outfits that I can turn to when time is of the essence or creativity is at a low.
Depending on your lifestyle, these outfits can be tailored to best suit your day to day fashion demands.
Here’s a few simple go-to solutions.
simple solutions from Barney's NY
Classic Cables mix with Statement Skirts from J. Crew
One year it’s brown.
Another year it’s grey.
And yet another, it’s burgundy.
Each fall and winter, a color tries to nudge out the classic black to become the next “New Black” for the season. These newcomers seem to have a freshness that adds life to the essence of ebony in every woman’s wardrobe.
Black is Back @ Zara
However, this 2012 season has brought back the fashion favorite. Black, in all of its glory, was seen on runways, in lookbooks and now on selling floors. From fringed and belted coats to textured slim and a-line skirts to leather pants and dresses, black will be an essential addition to your assortment.
Kat Curtin in Rowayton - pkcurtin@optonlineline.net; Joanne Lippman in Fairfield – jlippman@wbyworth.com; Kelly Peterson in Greenwich – kpeterson@wbyworth.com
Spa Week is as important to some as a national holiday. What better way to enjoy luxurious full-service spa treatments at some of these relaxing locations for only $50.
A bi-annual event devoted to pampering your body as well as your mind, Spa Week begins on Monday, October 15th.
With options ranging from full body massages to a Spiced Eden exfoliating scrub and pressure point pedicure to a 5 pack of core fusion classes, this week is sure to keep you feeling well…and well-thy!
Here are just a few of the participating spas in our area
I have to admit, I wasn’t aware of how popular purses made from decorated cigar boxes had become. I glanced at a few on www.etsy.com, a online haven for creatively handmade items for sale, but never dug deeper into the actual development of each handled box.
Once decorated for the purpose of advertising the contents inside, the cigar box was packaged in quite a variety of shapes, sizes and images to attract the consumer’s eye.
Today, this same shaped bag appeared in models’ hands for the Fall, as well as upcoming Resort seasons.
Obviously the Rowayton Library was hip to this happening. They’re hosting “Make Your Own Cigar Box Purse”…a lunch time craft event for adults tomorrow from 11:30 – 2:00pm in their Community Center.
Here’s a link to make your own cigar box purse and the phone number for Rowayton Library …there may still be an available seat with all the fixings at your fingertips.
I haven’t posted this week…instead I spent a few days with my mom who was having a knee replaced in a New Jersey hospital. While she was in surgery, I found myself with quite a bit of down time to read Web MD magazines, eat packaged corn muffins, and notice nurse attire as they hurried by attending to many demanding patients.
There was one pair of feet that scurried by close enough for me to see the shoes peeking out from under her scrubs. A standard shaped clog with a trendy twist.
Sven Original
The vibrant color orange was the perfect complement to her navy blue cotton 2-piece “pantsuit.” But it was the studs embellishing the strap that really caught my attention. Fashion and function was meeting in the middle of an Ocean County cafeteria.
Studs can be seen shining on every classification of clothing this fall season. From leather jackets to ballet flats, these often metal, sometimes colored plastic, protrusions are popular accent pieces to add to your wardrobe.
Most of us, at some point in our lives, will be touched by the effects of breast cancer…whether a loved one, a friend, a neighbor or our self.
This disease isn’t divided by race, religion, demographics or socioeconomic backgrounds, but rather only by the stage in which it is detected. With an emphasis on education, self-breast examinations and annual mammograms (when of age) early detection could be the difference between life and death.
Although there have been many strides made to stop the progression of the illness, a cure has yet to be found.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month and throughout Fairfield County there are many ways in which we can get involved.
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* Wacoal fit specialists will be on hand at Lord & Taylor and Macy’s to help you determine your true bra size. Specialists will help you find the perfect bras for all y For every woman who participates, Wacoal will donate $2 to Komen for the Cure to help fund breast cancer research and community outreach projects. No purchase necessary.
Macy’s, West Farms Mall, Farmington, Oct. 12
Lord & Taylor, 110 High Ridge Road & Long Ridge Road, Stamford, Oct. 30
* Mitchells of Westport will be hosting its 2nd Annual Pink Aid Luncheon with a Ralph Lauren Black Label fashion show, delicious gourmet lunch, as well as live, silent and Pink Chair auctions. A touching benefit you won’t want to miss.
* Pink Pony products at Ralph Lauren support a worldwide initiative for cancer care and prevention. With a portion of the purchase price being donated directly to the cause, Ralph Lauren enables you to wear your support with style.
* Saks Fifth Avenue and Jay Strongwater have come together to create a new heirloom locket with 5% of the retail price of each piece sold donated to support the work of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The lockets are handcrafted in brass-plated pewter and embellished with sparkling Swarovski crystals.
* Agabhumi in Stamford and New Haven has chosen the Bennett Cancer Center of Stamford as their focus for the month. 30% of all proceeds from their pink fresh water pearl bracelet will benefit the center. This handcrafted piece was created on a nickel free, lead free chain.
* The Breast Cancer Embrace Pendant at Darien Sport Shop “is made with rose colored Swarovski crystals and is a symbol uniting all women who have been touched by breast cancer. A portion of all proceeds are donated to support this cause.”
* Through a cause merchandise program and partnerships with world-class women’s health organizations, Kohl’s is helping to fund research, raise awareness and educate women about the importance of regular exams and prevention. They have an extensive line of merchandise ranging from totes to t-shirts to travel mugs with 100 % of the profits supporting the fight.
