Although I was holed up in the ER for 5+ hours the night before, I was able to be talked into following through with my FNO plans by my always-convincing husband (and the promise of his support in some light spending – I mean, economy encouragement).
He may now be regretting his encouragement – oops!
My goals for the night were to score some free cocktails, meet some fashiony-types in Milwaukee, and explore some of the boutiques that I haven’t been to/haven’t been to in a while, and FNO delivered in force! It was refreshing to see that although advertising for the event and Milwaukee’s participation therein was overall sparse, the stores themselves had been doing their part, drawing up signs, shirts, and info pamplets.
Since the camera on my (lame) phone sucked it up, my plans to tweet the night away with pics was a big ol’ FAIL; here’s how the night rounded out:
Goldi (shorewood) – Bright and huge with super shabby-chic decor; offered clothes by Kenzi (better selection than Macy’s) and Mac & Jac, shoes by everyone from Nine West to Merril (gag). I was disappointed that the staff seemed to be treating the night as business as usual; although they had special events (hair consultations, drinks, and a shoe trunk show), the employees provided no info on them and the overall energy level was low.
Aala Reed (brady st) – Small, with a well-edited selection of high-end guys’ clothes. The staff was extremely helpful and the specialty drinks (Paul had a great scotch on the rocks) definitely added to the light atmosphere. Paul was drawn to several Gant shirts in unique prints, but the prices were too high for us so we moved on.
Miss Groove (brady st) – Festive, but LOUD; the x-Rated/lemonade cocktail was great, but the scantily-clad and overbearing shot girls serving them would have been more appropriate on Water St than a women’s boutique/undie shop. The clothing was on the young, too-bright side for me, but I’d definitely return the great, high-end intimates.
Uncommon Items (brady st) – I was lured in by a funky cocktail dress displayed outside, but was disappointed to end up as the sole patron in a glorified head shop. We didn’t stay long.
Detour (brady st) – After a couple of not-so-great visits to the brookfield location, I’ve been avoiding Detour. We decided to stop in only after I spotted an adorable salesperson in a witty little ‘fit, and had to talk to her. (I have to describe the ensemble because it was so young, so perfect, and fit her personality to a T – blast my phone for its crap pic-ability! She was wearing a slouchy dark grey heathered tee, with a slouchy tiny-floral print skirt/jumper thing (?-I know, it had a flouncy skirt and long, thin, suspender-esque straps – weird, but so chic and fresh!), black tights, and a great patent bootie). All the hipsters were out, drinking free PBR and munching on candy, but my hunky husband couldn’t squeeze into the fun plaid shirt he liked, which, even in a Large, was cut more to fit a skinny emo kid than for Paul’s hotness. I found a FAB Susana Monaco top (which I’m now actively stalking online), on sale, but sadly in a size 2. Detour definitely won me back though, with the help of its fun staff, great finds – and the almond joys didn’t hurt either!
Miss Ruby (water st) – The best stop to find bridesmaid dresses that your friends will actually *want* to wear, Miss Ruby is adorable – if your girls have the budgets to support it. We went with more affordable options for my wedding, but I was pleased to have an excuse to return to the store in FNO, and was even more pleased to find a much larger selection of ready-to-wear cocktail dresses than in the past. She had a trunk show for a local custom dress maker happening, and the designer was adorable. Unfortunately, said designer had no cards available, and we didn’t have the time to spare to design a dress right then.
Luscious (water st) – One of the few “plus-sized” boutiques the city has to offer, offering clothes for sizes 10 (which is NOT “plus”) to 22, it had already won points with me for replacing the horrid “Red Shoe” occupying the spot previously. The adorable (and also not plus-sized) staffers were inviting and offered 10% discounts for the night, as well as coupons with any purchase for $10 off any future purchase. I found a funky, long, printed chiffony vest that I couldn’t live without (it will be too cute over a tee and skinny jeans, belted, with boots!).
Luci (water st) – was open later than all the others, with a 10 p.m. closing time, so we vowed to return, but forgot to do so
Retique (broadway) – This “up-scale Goodwill” store promised a featuring of their “vintage collection,” which made it a must-see for me. Unfortunately, the feature had concluded before our arrival, although no end time was mentioned; it also appears that it was kind of a hokey dress-up show in old costumey clothes and none of the items were available for sale. The staff was pleasant, but we didn’t stay long.
Factory (broadway) – This offshoot of Valentina marks the first in-city venture for the chic mainstay of the ‘burbs. Some of the merchandise seemed out of place in the flashy, mod store – rough, vintagey items in drab shades of cream, mixed among amazing Vivienne Tam dresses, for instance. The clientele was notably older than our other stops, although the wares were mostly young and hip. I appreciated that they’d stocked current editions of the new 4PM Magazine, and really appreciated the delicious cocktails!
Lela (broadway) – Lela is another of the shops that I had a weird experience in and have avoided since; however, like with Detour, my experience last night has definitely changed my perception. The staff was bustling and helpful, and the mood was appropriately festive, with other patrons adding to the mood. This is also where we broke the bank on the purchase of a gorgeous Eva Franco dress – sigh- it’s love, really. I’m hunting for a picture, but the internets are failing me, so I’ll describe the lovely: rich navy Supplex-esque fabric, cut with a deep v-neck and slightly tulip skirt, and pyramid-studding embelishment as the waist. I hate to toot my own horn, but toot toot! I looked hot! I may have also been hit on by a tipsy (female) customer in it, but I haven’t decided if that’s a pro or a con toward the dress? She was cute, even though she blabbed endlessly about a pair of “PRADA BOOTS, I’VE ONLY EVER WORN THREE TIMES.” slit.my.wrists.
WHEW! What a busy night – what a great way to try out new shops – what a fabulous start to NYFW!!
I’ll be out and about from at least 6 to 9 p.m., and am thinking of heading out afterward to celebrate the greatest excuse to shop this year – be sure to say HI if you see me! (I’m thinking that Kenadee’s, Water Street Brewery, or even somewhere on North Ave would be fun…?)
Stay tuned, and we’ll play show and tell with our FNO finds next week!
I’m still waiting to hear back from Rachel Zoe via Twitter about who this fab-fab-fab leather jacket is by.
[screenshot from BravoTV.com]
Although I *know* it’s probably/definitely WAY out of my price range, I can’t stop thinking about this bad boy! (If you know, PLEASE holler at a girl!)
Besides this jacket, my days since Sunday – actually, since last Sunday, have been spent daydreaming about one Ms. Taylor Jacobson, aka: Taylor from The Rachel Zoe Project (henceforth referred to as RZP) aka: the grumpiest 20-something I’ve ever heard of!
[photo from BravoTV.com]
- sigh – again -
In a very NOT Ellen/Portia kind of way, I can’t get enough of this girl! Who else would be able to punk that wicked Stella McCartney from 2006 like he has here. I love that Tay-Tay surprises us with her eclectic taste, especially since before seeing Taylor with that check top, I would have a) never even conceived of Taylor being into such a non-black piece and b) never thought to have styled it as such on my own. I would probably have worn it tucked into a high-waisted pencil skirt (charcoal-colored?), or worn it under a wool jumper for work?
I won’t even get myself riled up with getting into her hair (mostly because my cut is supposed to be a longer version of hers, BUT ISN’T! My last stylist told me that I’d need to to some damage first by bleaching out my healthy chestnut hair, in order to get it chunky-punky-chic like Tay’s. I declined, but am still bitter about it…).
Last week she wore such a bitchin’ blazer at the end of the episode, with a vague animal print (?) concentrated at the bottom…I obviously can’t get over that either!
Here are some other shots of the fabbest of Zoe’s assistants:
UGH! Great ‘brows, T! And who else could get away with Wayfarers during dinner??
Can’t wait until next week, for more of her style (and ‘tude!)!
You might not know (yet), but I sure do – and I even know what I’ll be wearing:
After searching everywhere for one of these bad boys, Gilt has finally come to my rescue – again! Anna and I will be twins!
Although I’m crying inside at being scheduled to head to NYC in OCTOBER instead of September (hopefully The September Issue will still be in theatres? -If it hasn’t been released locally, at least?), I’m psyched to see what the metro Milwaukee area can come up with! I asked my *very* favorite boutique, Faye’s, if they’re going to be doing anything special for the event and was disappointed to hear that they’re not currently planning anything. Still go there though – they’ve got the best designer goodies in the city!
Luckily, it seems that lots of other Milwaukee hot spots ARE taking the FNO challenge! While I was calling around to shops this afternoon, I discovered that a blog devoted solely to FNO in Mke has popped up – thanks, FNO!
To summarize, the following boutiques ARE participating – I’ve even tagged my favs for your reference (and maybe also to schedule my night – hehe!):
third ward
* freckle face – we may stop in to see if we can get a deal on our dream stroller(!)
juju gifts
* stephanie horne – best spot for DVF in the city!
shoo
flaire
lela
* home market
grotta & co
club charlies
neroli
* blush beauty – I love these chicks! The lash bar is fab, and they’ve got Laura Mercier’s full line, including body!
a woman’s touch
* broadway paper – I’m partial to their Snow & Graham products
* metropawlis – while there are way too many dog strollers (?) here, they have the best toys and treats for our chew-happy puppy! Here’s a gratuitous puppy pic while I’m thinking about him – AWWWW…
fratello’s – a restaurant, but they’re hosting a trunk show for Metro Eye
buddy squirrel
* re:tique – I try to stop in to this “upscale GoodWill” when I’m in the Third Ward – and have even come away with some goodies. Their FNO lineup includes items from the “vintage vault,” so I’ll definitely make an appearance.
downtown
* miss ruby – the best spot for bridesmaids’ dresses (if money isn’t an issue)
So since I’m “saving” money for this adorable rug (in yellow!), which my dining area need-need-needs in order to differentiate itself from the living area…and since I haven’t been shopping in SO LONG, I managed to finagle a stop at Old Navy on our way home from Madison this weekend.
Although I’m not typically a big Old Navy shopper, I’ve always had a soft spot for their basic tees since I wear out one after the other of them. This trip, I found myself drawn to so many pieces that were perfectly cut and on the *cheap*; I’ve literally lived in them all week long, so you know I had to share!
These jeans are *amazing*! As a hippy/thighy/big bootied girl, I’ve never been able to wear the Express jeans that my friends raved about, or the premium denim I tried on and on again every time I stopped into Bop while in college. Instead, I’ve been a devotee to Gap’s Long and Leans, Banana’s trouser jeans, and even the limited edition Mossimo Premium straight-legs that I found at Target a couple of years ago. I couldn’t turn this pair down even though the lack of stretch in the denim forced me to get them a size (or two!) larger than I typically wear in order to get the maximally slouchy fit. Please note, I style mine differently – either with Havaianas or my Tory Burch Reva flats.
I went completely overboard and bought this pocket tee in six colors! I’ve taken to wearing this color, with the front tucked into my Weekender jeans, and no jewelry but a big men’s watch and a pendant on a long, thin chain.
I’ve also been pairing these items up. The top was another multiple-purchase because it’s got a great drape like a silk version would have, but I prefer the matte of a knit and the ease of wear in the cotton version. With the skirt pulled up high and the top slightly bloused, it’s the perfectly mussed way to embrace summer’s end. In my opinion, at least…
And lastly, I was more than a little disappointed to not have been able to find these flawlessly cut skinnys in my size. I love them, as does my sister, even though she’s a size 6 while I’m a 14. The sizing sucks, but the jeans are fab!
On that note, it’s off to bed for me – Good Night!!
Since saying that I’m “not fond” of my job is the underwhelming and under-honest way that I answer when asked about it, it goes without saying that I relish any little spark of interest to break up my weekdays…sigh…
Unusally I give myself a jump-start by reading blogs (I’m on such a DIY-blog kick, loving: YHL and LGN), and the occassional downer when catching up on news, but on Monday, I was happily greeted by the arrival of The Zoe Report!
Finally!!
While I’m sad-sad-sad that she’s copyrighted her trademark phrases, which would most-definitely crazied-up this entry a bit, I’m thrilled to be acosted by Rachel (yes, we’re on a first-name-basis) in all her caftaned glory each morning.
In addition to the catchphrases, Rache’s daily newsletters are also littered with the funkiest of fashionPorn. This week’s picks included:
Brian Atwood’s F09 Lola Platform – the shape is to DIE for. the leopard print she featured is so over the top. SO ZOE.
Anita Ko’s Pyramid line – while I’ve been feeling the pyramid stud trend for a while, it’s been hard for me to integrate the hardcore styling into my accessorizing. I’m completed obsessed with this bracelet, which, when worn beside a classic gold chain watch, would do the trick perfectly.
Skyn ICELAND’s firming eye gel pads – the only one I wasn’t feeling this week since a) I don’t struggle with poufiness or dark circles under my eyes, and b) seriously? I love the chick’s crazy style, but her skin doesn’t exactly look like it’s the epitome of health. This is the one area where I’d go with Gwynnie’s Goop over Zoe’s.
Raquel Allegra’s Shredded and distressed tees - you’ll have to check the newsletter for the image here, as I haven’t been able to track it down for your viewing pleasure. I love the backstory on the designer and her artistry, but am leery of the Zoe’s styling tips, which recommend wearing them in biker-on-biker fashion, complete with leather. I fear this would be too much for me, and think I’d probably sport it bloused and tucked into a tulip skirt (satin for night?), accessorized with blackened silver/gunmetal grey chunky, layered chains – YUM! I have the *exact* necklace in my mind, but the internets are failing me! This one from Target would do though:
I am looking forward to a Zoe-filled end of my summer, what with the nuggets of crazy I’ll be blessed with each morning AND the return of the Rachel Zoe Project – sign me up!!
Finally, here’s a little shoutout to my girl, Rachel. Girl, I want to thank you. You brought styling into the mainstream and I’m pretty confident that had I been so aware of your work eight years ago, I would have gone in a very different direction with school. As it is, I know what’s possible partially because of you whereas before, I always tied a career in fashion to designing, which, with my complete lack of drawing or other artistic skills, was definitely not in the cards for me. Now, I’m setting my sights further (I’ve applied for two styling positions with Kohl’s Corporate – fingers crossed!!).
First Fashion Memory: This is actually my very first memory ever (how appropriate!) I’m right around three years old, maybe a little younger, and my family is living in North Carolina because my dad was in the Marines. My mom and I are in the car and I’ve got a takeout spaghetti container on my lap. It’s warm on my bare legs. I’m wearing a purple skirt (courduroy?) and matching purple jelly shoes. Suddenly, my mom slams on the breaks (until recently, I thought we had gotten in an accident). Spaghetti and red sauce are everywhere – even on my jellies! I cry/sob/wail, unknowing that jellies need nothing more than a spray with the hose to be restored to their eighties awesomeness. Since I could not say “purple” or “jellies” properly, I am actually crying/sobbing/wailing about my “PUWPLE GEWWIES!!!” Aw – speech impediments are cute on toddlers (NOT for the courier I met with yesterday – yesh).
First First Day of School ‘Fit: It was *HOT* and another testament to how I rocked the 80′s like no other! A dress: white top with sweetheart neckline and super fresh puffy short sleeves; the skirt is black and white, some kind of print, with red rickrack trim. I wore RED TIGHTS and black patent shoes. My mom had french braided my long hair the night before and brushed it out in the morning, then it was in a half-ponytail adorned with a red, white, and black shoelace hair clip.
Don’t hate.
First Wardrobe Malfunction: On my first first day of school, I tripped on my way into school after my mom dropped me off, and tore a wicked hole in my amazing red tights. I spent the entire (half) day hiking up my tights and pulling down my dress in attempt to cover the offending rip. I had fun and made friends, and officially cemented myself as “the pretty girl” but that didn’t stop me from bawling when my mom picked me up because apparently I thought she’d kill me for tearing the majestic tights.
First Time Considering a Career in Fashion: I was 7-ish years old at Christmas time. The only things I asked Santa for were Fashion Plates – and the real designer ones (NOT the barbie ones that my sister got, or the sports? ones my brother got – yuck!). I played with them INCESSANTLY while wearing my mom’s Pick N Save cashier smock, belted with a woven hedband/belt I made in arts and crafts class, because apparently designers dress like they’re blind – and homeless? I *just* decided to stalk ebay in search of these bad boys!
Pure early 90′s freshness.
First Designer Moment: It was the early 90′s and I was OBSESSED. With LA Gear. I had the sweetest shoes, just like the ones below, but in pale pink and white. Lots of kids had these, sure, but did they have matching jeans?! I think not. These jeans were awesome beyond their time, and on the sexy side for my child self – pale blue denim with the side seam panels CUT OUT (!) and pink and white twisted fabric/shoelaces? to mirror the twists on my kicks holding the jeans together. I DIE. You could see skin – so scandalous!
You’re jealous; I know.
First Fashion Risk: Picture 1996. I’m 13 and superbly awkward. I’ve got a variation of “The Rachel” atop my grape and since I’m not allowed to use a blowdryer or hairspray, it’s doing nothing for me. Picking out and outfit for my cousin’s outdoor wedding in July, I select a black dress with brightly colored flowers on it. Typical, I know. But the shoes! I surprised EVERYONE (in my head) by selecting black, low and chunky-heeled slides with panels of CLEAR plastic across the front! Crazy, I know! I am feeling sophistocated, stylish, and confident. I get up the nerve to ask my aunt’s boyfriend’s son, who I’ve been in love with for a solid year, if I can cut in while he’s dancing with another cousin. He says sure and she says, “Wait. Who were you dancing with? Usually we trade partners when you ‘cut in…’” I am mortified. I spend the duration of the song realizing that my outfit is not all that great, my skin is bad (I’m not allowed to wear makeup), and the humidity is at war with “The Rachel.” It’s a low day in my adolescence.
Don’t fret; I’m searching for the incriminating pics!
I can’t help it – although untoned and definitely not ideal for the cut, my arms can’t help but reach and reach again for one-shoulder dresses!
My compulsion has been unsatiated for a while now, as I’ve officially been on the hunt for the perfect single-shouldered frock since Winter ’07. No, I wasn’t inspired by the Spring collections (at least not in regard to this dress), I was inspired by this:
(Picture to come)
Yep – that’s me, a bit thinner, but I must say, pretty freaking elegant as toga-clad drunkards go. My friend, Jason’s, Super Sweet 27th Birthday was the reason for my self-swathing in the fab navy jersey you see here and I’ll admit it, that was one night that I felt wonderful about how I looked!
Still searching for a similar feeling dress, I recently purchased this bad boy to wear to my dear friend, Kate’s, rehearsal dinner party!
Though I was salivating over it before even putting it on, I was sorely disappointed to fit that it didn’t fit. NOT, “it’s a bit snug”-small, but sausage-casing-can’t-even-get-it-zipped-because-it-fits-like-it’s-two-no-three-sizes-too-small! Whew! So while my favorite tailor/aunt ponders methods of making it fit-damnit! (I’m considering black inserts on the sides – thoughts or suggestions??), the stalk is back on for a back-up.
My outfit is on the boring side today, and if we’re being honest, on the matchy-matchy side as well…
I started off knowing I’d wear the new Tory Burch Revas which greeted me on the kitchen counter upon my arrival home from work Friday.
I know – I’m the luckiest B ever, for having the cutest husband around, who’s also more understanding than I ever could have hoped for, of my expensive taste. Believe me, if I could clone him and disperse him to all my single and lovely girlfriends, I would…but since I can’t, I’ll remind you that he’s mine!
Since I’m doing flats, pants are out of the question (as if I ever wear them anyway; dresses are my uniform), and since it’s Monday, I can get away with being on the casual side…a short-sleeved black knit dress with ruched dropped waist made the cut, topped by a printed cardigan in ivory with a tan and black graphic floral. My fail-safe long gold chain with raw quartz stone pendant made the cut, as did my birthday present from my (brag-worthy) husband:
All was well until I added the kicker, my trusty black leather Banana bag – with sleek GOLD hardware. The husband busted me out – I looked matchy-matchy in the matching shoes/handbag way that I despise. I can’t find a picture of the bag online, as I got it to replace my stolen bag after the wedding back in October, but maybe I can remember to take some pics tonight?
I was going to go reverse shopping/returning my my lunch break, but have been to ashamed to leave the office – tear. I kid! Although I’m disappointed in my honest mistake/lack of will to change purses, thus avoiding this debacle, it was my drive to blog that prevented my journey out…
After a much-needed chill weekend, FINALLY, I realized this morning that since the weather here hasn’t much resembled “summer” for a while, I should be taking this time to cultivate my summer style. I am confident that while we haven’t seen the 80′s in too-too long, they will eventually (in August?) make another appearance. I’ll be READY for it!
Although I recently posted a guide to spring dressing, which has been my bible tuhus far this “summer,” it looks like one for actual summer is needed on its heels (or, on it’s espedrilles, since we’re talking summertime!). My picks are:
Braided Belts – For the most part, I’m so over big, chunky belts; I’m also rather high-waisted, so I can’t wear them, as they end up riding right under my bra. I LOVE a skinny braided belt though, and favor the ones from Old Navy (no longer available online, but they’re only $12 if you can still find them!). I wear them over cardigans, over casual knit dresses (like Anne Hathaway in the final scene of Bride Wars – love it!), over shirt dresses and shift dresses to create a waist – and I have them in medium brown, dark brown, and white, as well as a funky jersey one in peachy-gold from American Apparel.
Natural Hair – For me, natural = weird wavy/curly, so on a day to day basis, a great blow dryer is necessary, and since I’m all about embracing my (nappy) texture in the summer, so is a good beach spray. I’ll admit, I’m still rationing my since-discontinued John Frieda Beach Blonde spray, so I switch off between that and Bumble & Bumble’s Surf Spray. When my crazy texture needs some help, I break out my trust flat iron to straighten bangs, and to get a perfectly imperfect curl sans curling iron. Finally, in the summer heat, my sometimes-oily roots need the help of a dry shampoo in order to make a blowdry last more than a day. For now, I’m mixing baby powder and B & B’s hair powder (the old-school, non-spray version, since the spray nozzle “update” is gross!), but will be trying Oscar Blandi’s shortly as well…Such work to look so low-maintenence!
Sun Protection – great shades are a given, and I’m partial to my Pradas!
Also needed, a hat – I usually go for floppy, but this season, I’m feeling the linen fedora I scooped up at Banana. Since I’m less than bikini-ready, I get extra coverage with either a white long-sleeved, v-neck tee, or a little sundress (I’m obsessed with Tibi’s, but since I haven’t yet mastered shopping on Gilt, I’m left still craving the easy style of their one-sleeved tunics…)
A Tan! - Fake, obviously! While I’m partial to the next gerneration of Mystic tan offered at only one of our local tanneries (it’s amazing – you get a skin prep layer first, blowdry, tanning from four directions, blowdry, anti-aging/skin-softening mist, and then a final dry – NO STREAKING!), for my budget’s sake, I stick with the plain-old spray tan offered elsewhere. When I’m really in a (pasty) rush, I reach for my trusty TanWise Foam:
After trying sprays and loations from Neutragena to Bliss Spa, I’ve found that nothing compares to this little angel. The foam is tinted so you get believable color immediately, and it’s super easy to avoid streaking. It’s the only thing I use to self tan, although I try-try-try to go to the pros when possible!
On that note, I’d better get back to work…On second thought, I’ve got another entry idea to hash out – here’s hoping that this one makes it out on schedule!
