Me in Melange

Layer Cake

My personal new favorite fall fashion sensation? Layering. The sensation of light, luxe layers that float against the skin and create a long, loose, and very lengthening line. (How's that for alittle alliteration?!)

But it's true! This season's new loose ankle pant, with or without pockets, a tapered leg, a little slouch in the hip, and topped off with a silky tonal tank and soft jacket, or vest, or cardigan is a powerful, ageless fashion statement. Strength is simplicity. The lines are clean, sleek, and oh-so-chic! We are totally coo coo for Eileen Fisher's new rayons and merinos, her light and luxurious tencel-cashmeres, and the universally-flattering silhouettes that are both exquisitely modern, and timeless. Ooooh la la, we love to layer!!!

 

My scissors meets my new Hard Tail tee!

I've just taken my scissors to my new hibiscus size medium Hard Tail tee....and transformed it into a just-above-the-elbow-sleeve, hit-at-the-waist tee with a relaxed fit.   LOVE IT.  I've long been obsessed with their cotton/lycra fabric, how it washes, wears and feels.  They only do two versions of a tee in this fabric, the long skinny tee, and the long sexy v-neck.  My work around involves a pair of scissors and because the hems along the sleeve and waist hems are raw, you can cut them to whatever length you want.  I can wear an XS in the Hard Tail tee for a nice smooth, fitted look that is great for layering.  I bump up to a small if I want something less fitted, with a bit more breathing room....and then up to a medium or even a large if I want to cut it up (and have a nice easy fit), or even sleep in it (yes, I think these are fabulous to sleep in too)!   It might be the only tee I ever need :-).  It's a bit intimidating to take a pair of scissors to a tee you just bought with your hard earned money, but once I started doing it and realized that I could tailor the sleeve and body length to fit my needs perfectly, I never looked back.  Go slow, start conservative, and you won't regret it!

Signed, ME {LV}

The Hottest Grandmere in the World

Bonjours mes cheries! Here is a little Paris glamor to inspire you mid-week. We've been fascinated by the glamorous life and beautiful look of Carine for years, and now she is a global fashion super star! Being a 57 year-old grandma sure doesn't slow her down, if anything she gets better and better with age, as do we all! Sometimes I think we need to reach the age of at least 50 in order to really start to live La Vie en Rose. xoxoxo DR

Denim Days

While we're celebrating the turn of the season with our "Denim Days" sale I thought I'd show you a few of my latest favorite denim looks.

Jeans are just.....essential. Our wardrobes are basically built around jeans. Of course we also have in our closets many dresses and skirts, leggings and trousers, but let's face it: JEANS ARE KING. Or Queen, as the case most likely is. 

Besides the fact that denim is beautiful, comfortable, versatile and just plain cool, it also comes in a huge variety of styles, and for that we truly bow down and thank the denim gods.Truly.

Here are some examples of great fall outfits using different jean styles. In these looks there are sexy, slouchy boyfriend jeans, distressed skinnies, cuffed ankle length and hot moto-style zip jeans. They ALL look great with a heel, but you can change the mood of your jeans with just a shoe. A loafer looks preppy chic, a motocycle boot, biker glam, and a ballet flat as sweet as a little french fille. 

Take a look at our amazing new arrivals for all kinds of layering options to go with your beautiful new denim this fall! We are in love with the new cashmere tops and merino sweaters from Velvet and Margaret O'Leary, as well as the wonderful, more grungey=cool plaid tops and whimsical printed blouses. And guess what? They all are PERFECT with denim! 

Enjoy your wardrobe this Fall! There is so much to creatively combine and mix and match, but one thing consistently makes the "must-have" list, and that is...you guessed it....DENIM. oxoxo DR

 

Replacing Guilt with Gratitude

To the left is the Margaret O'Leary Aran jacket, due in September, it's one of my favorites, and an absolutely fabulous Margaret O'Leary fall piece.  It's on my fall "indulgence" list.  

Amanda and I had a discussion yesterday that popped up because the Margaret O'Leary St. Moritz jacket, $595, sold out in a heartbeat.  A friend was in the store and said to Amanda, "wow, I hope those women who were fortunate enough to get that jacket realize how lucky they were".  She had been marveling at the jacket and simultaneously marveling at the high price tag---yes, this pieces was no small purchase. So if you got one, just know, everyone else is envious.  But it got me thinking...and that statement she made really hit home for me.   

I've always battled with feeling guilty for indulging myself.  I think that women are socialized that way to a certain extent.   That guilt replaces gratitude.  It could just be me--maybe I'm the only one who does this.  Rarely does this guilt ever actually stop me from indulging, BUT it always diminishes the pleasure, and it's a really sad way to appreciate how lucky I am.  Some of it might just be in our nurturing biology, we tend to take care of everyone else first, and we come last...and when we do put ourselves first, we feel like we should be putting someone else first.  Or like my sister says quite frequenly, "I feel bad enjoying this when other people can't".  You'd think she would have given all her money away by the truck loads of guilt she carries, but she doesn't actually give all her money away, she just carries the guilt.  Not very useful in the end, for anyone.  

Well, I am renewing my promise to myself to do a better job of replacing my guilt thoughts with simple thoughts of gratitude.  I LOVE my decadent cashmere purchases (by the way, NO, I don't have the St. Moritz jacket, despite wanting it).  These delightful purchases make me feel good, they put a smile on my face in the morning, and I thoroughly enjoyed them.  I am entirely grateful that I can make those purchases too, I should treat them with the reverance they deserve by fully appreciating the fact that I can enjoy them, that I am in a place to enjoy the luxury (whatever that is.....a cashmere sweater, an over priced double latte, an expensive jumbo-sized red Kitchen Aid mixer you don't need) :-).   In that feeling of gratitude there is such a positive message too, one that serves the world so much better than any feeling of guilt, or a feeling that you "shouldn't"--because it totally ruins the fact that you "did".  Gratitude recognizes yourself, it recognizes others, it recognizes beautiful things of all sorts....material things sometimes, people, actions, emotions, nature.  It's the most wonderful of emotions.

So here's to my gratitude right now for Margaret O'Leary sweaters and my Hansen's rootbeer, which I'm drinking right now and thoroughly enjoying!!

Signed, ME {lv}

Summer to Fall Transitions

I love this time of year because it's so much fun mixing my summer wardrobe with the new fall pieces I'm collecting. Although the weather is still hot, there are cool mornings and evenings where I can throw on a light, cotton sweater over my slub tank and ankle jeans, maybe add a soft scarf and feel perfectly pulled-together in a season-straddling kind of way! 

 

A great way to combine summer and fall in a knit is to try the more open-weave sweaters we've seen this year. I have a short sleeve open-weave black sweater which looks cool with a black cami underneath and adds some textural edge to a pair of boyfriend jeans, skinny jeans or layered under a cool leather jacket later on. I also have a large, soft cotton sand-colored scarf that is in an open weave and has just a touch of the nautical in it, working for th esummer and with cool denim jackets in the fall!  

Maybe it's global warming but I'm finding it easier to rock a fall look during late summer these days. I think the heavier, warmer items are finding a smaller window of wearability and designers are creating more layer-friendly looks, pieces that integrate well into your year-round wardrobe. We are loving the amazing silk blends, fall cottons, light creamy cashmere and merinos we're seeing, and in the wonderful colors of fall too! 

Go forth and be fearless with your creative combinations. Mix patterns, mix stripes with florals, be bold. You'll bring some of summer's festive vacation mode into fall's more studious style, which we think is a wonderful thing!  xoxo DR 

 

 

 

Introducing: Looks We Love!

 

Oooh, guess what?! We're starting a new section on our website called "Looks We Love" that will feature whole outfits and ensembles that we think you'll love as much as we do!

These looks will be updated regularly and will combine new arrivals and sale items, accessories and other pieces that would work with it. Right now we have looks from Anni Kuan, Prairie Underground, Indigenous and more! 

There will be a link to each piece so if a look strikes your fancy it will be easy peasy to shop it! A great way to see some combinations you might not have thought of, and get easy access to both regular and sale items! This we LOVE!

This link will take you to the new section and you can also find it on the left hand side of our home page in the drop down menu under "Categories"! 

Check it out! xoxo DR

Ingenious Indigenous

I'm kind of excited about Indigenous (which comes tomorrow) because #1, it's adorable and I love the mission of this company (cool clothes AND cool things for the world), and #2, I think their convertible jacket might just be...well...brilliant.  Three pieces, one jacket.    Sneak peek....

One jacket, remove the arms, you've got a vest, remove the body, you've got a shrug.  See what I'm talkin' about?  Ingenious.  We are getting it in black---how essential right?

 I am also super excited about the Chateau jacket, sneak peek pic on the homepage of the site.  VERY cool crimson detailing on charcoal grey.  Thought this would definitely get worn a ton, I can't wait for mine!        

This coming week is going to be fun...Indigenous, Anni Kuan, Curator, Pete, Margaret O'Leary (and who knows what else)!!

Signed, ME {lv}