Tag Archives: style

Inspiration is Ageless…as is Style

My 40th Birthday in NYC (top, Jean Paul Gaultier for Target)

When I began this blog, I wasn’t sure where exactly I would go with it.  Fashion?  Lifestyle?  It started off with just being inspired to write again after reading the Cupcakes and Cashmere blog.  Once the flow of writing came out, then my husband and son inspired me to write about the things I love.  I also thought of the passing of my father and how it affected myself, my mother and sister, remembering  how fleeting life is and that we must enjoy everything in this world with the people we love the most.     

I then started to worry about how I want to present myself as a 40-year-old new wife and also mother of a very young toddler.  I never want to appear as if I was either trying too hard or that I should present myself a certain way because I’m not in my 20’s or 30’s.   

Further reading brought me to The Glamourai and Karla’s Closet blogs.  I was reminded that style and beauty are ageless.  I know I have “found myself” now that I’ve approached that milestone of 40.  I know what I like and dislike.  I’ve weeded out all of my insecurities about what people think of me.  This drives me to do the things that make me happy.  Part of that happiness comes in the form of creativity and artistry.   Even in my 20’s, choosing a major of visual arts in college set me apart from my friends who chose more “conventional” paths.  I wasn’t going to settle for anything less.  

I have always been complimented by my friends on my style, which is an offshoot of my creativity.  Some of the best compliments I received was when I was pregnant.  I vowed to limit the amount of maternity clothing I purchased because I didn’t want to stifle my creativity with my clothes.  I did well up until 6 months.  Even then, I didn’t let the  introduction of maternity clothes limit my ability to experiment and make every outfit unique.  I made sure to shop at places like Topshop which offered clothing that was a maternity version of their regular lines.  Friends and co-workers said that they told their friends about my pregnancy style, which made me feel infinitely great.  I definitely want to remain stylish at every point in my life, even through pregnancy.  

While pregnant, I went on a trip to London and saw the first “Sex and the City” movie on the plane ride there, not having seen any of the episodes during it’s run on HBO.  During my maternity leave from work, I watched all six seasons of “Sex and the City”. These women were my age, and still fabulous!  When I returned to work four months later, another friend at work mentioned that she wasn’t sure what happened during my leave, but it seemed that my style “got dialed up”.  My inner Carrie Bradshaw was released.  I was inspired.   

The bottom line is that I just need to trust myself.  Approaching 40 doesn’t mean that who I am as a person goes away because of what is expected when that milestone is hit .  It’s realizing that after all the experience and learning I’ve done to this point, I have to trust that if it has gotten me this far and has only improved, I must be doing something right.  

Thanks to all who have inspired me and continue to inspire me.  As in the words of  the Glamourai Manifesto:  I shall go forth and live glamorously!

2 for 1: Great Clog Blog and a Shoe Discount!

Charli-C in Black Suede - Jeffrey Campbell

I entered a contest through a blog entry at Jeffrey Campbell’s official site, which was through another blog called “Every Clog Has It’s Day“.  When entering the contest, I mistakenly thought that the entry was from the JC blog and only realized after not winning that it is its own blog (click on the link or check out my Blog Roll).  

What a very cool blog all about…clogs!  This gal truly has a love for the shoe, and why not?  I’ve always liked clogs myself (I own 3 pairs) because of the vintage feel and bold look they provide any outfit.  Stylish and natural (due to the wood), it provides a sort of whimsy feeling for me.  I think of my bakya (wooden clogs) from the Philippines when I was 8 that I bought at the palenke (marketplace).  My family took a trip there and I brought back a pair of the colorful shoes.  I wore them until they couldn’t fit.  They were beautiful:  I remember the carvings in the heel and embroidered upper fastened with nails…I think I’ve found my source for all things to do with the wooden shoe.  What a great blog Lindsey and thanks for that little trip down memory lane! 

I didn’t win a pair of Jeffery Campbell’s shoes, but I did get a great discount at a site called Lori’s Shoes out of Chicago.  While you had to enter the contest to get the deal I did, first time visitors get $10 off of your purchase of $75 or more by taking a survey located on a link at the site or by entering your email to subscribe to their newsletter. 

(UPDATE:  I just bought the Jeffrey Campbell pair pictured in this blog!) 

Enjoy this 2 for 1 entry about a great shoe blog and a great deal!  I’ll surf a little on both while my little one is taking a snooze.

Clubhouse Cool

 

H&M shirt, Crazy 8 onesie, Greendog denim shorts, Stride Rite sandals

Even Dominic likes a nice relaxing weekend.   On Saturday, we went to a friend’s birthday pool party.  While we didn’t hit the water, we found a comfy and cool daybed/couch by a window in the clubhouse overlooking the pool area.  He snacked on fruits and played with the blinds.

Ah to be 18 months old…

Fashion Rocks

Ian Curtis Dress – Idil Vice

In my search for Joy Division memorabilia on Ebay earlier this year, I stumbled upon a dress that was probably one of the coolest items of clothing I had seen in a long time.  It wasn’t a concert/band t-shirt that someone somehow manufactured into a dress.  This was a dress with the actual print on it.

I searched the designer and found out her name is Idil Vice, a Swiss native who is designing in Manhattan.  This Joy Division/Ian Curtis dress is from her Fashion Rocks line, which she calls, “a very stylish alternative to the printed rock t-shirt!”

Of course, seeing the Joy Division section prompted me to look for other bands that I like.  I found that Sex Pistols skirt, as seen in my “Net-a-Poseur” entry and a very nice Billy Idol skirt.  There is even a picture of Gwen Stefani wearing a Specials vest.

I started to look for anything Depeche Mode, and I found it!  She created a dress and skirt from the “Violator” album, one of my favorite Depeche Mode albums ever.  I needed to ask a question about the sizing, and Ms. Idil Vice

Depeche Mode “Violator” skirt – Idil Vice

wrote back to me herself (I’ve had very good luck with that lately, check out my “About” section).  I’m still deciding which one I want:  If I get the dress, I can throw a cardigan, blazer or denim jacket over it; and if I get the skirt, I can wear whatever top I want with it.  Decisions, decisions!

Idil Vice has created items from so many different bands like The Ramones and The Beatles, to current artists like Lady Gaga.  She also includes television shows, movies, actors and pop culture icons (like Popeye and Elvira).  Her collection does not stop at skirts and dresses.  She has created jackets, hoodies, pants, sweaters, accessories and even baby clothing.  Here’s an amazing plus:  If you can’t find what you want, you can request it and it can possibly be made into a piece of clothing!

So if you want something other than the rock t-shirt, check out Fashion Rocks by Idil Vice.  Your inner rock star will thank you.

Update:  Please check out her blog (link in my blog roll).  Idil has added me to her “cool related blogs” section.  Thanks Idil!

Bloomingdale’s: Cargo and Carry

Blank Skinny Cargo Pants - Bloomingdale's

I’m loving the “Skinny Cargo” style that I’ve been seeing lately.  Bloomingdale’s has a nice section on their site called “Denim Alternatives” that shows off the brands they have for this cute trend. 

My husband loves the cargo shorts to play golf in and to relax in for our mini family trips on the weekends.  So now my son has adopted his relaxed style with his own little cargo shorts.  I’ve always liked that rugged yet urban/utilitarian look cargos have, especially now that it’s in a slimmer more stylish look which fits my taste a bit more. 

What I also found on the Bloomies site was their “Bag A Day” give away.   If you just found out about it like I did (how did I miss that email?), then you also missed out on a weeks worth of  “Bag A Day” entries.  Fear not my fellow fashionista!  There is still time to get in on the action until August 15th.  Just go to the Bloomingdale’s site and click on the link on the very bottom of the page to enter your information, or you can click here:  Bag A Day.  I’ve already started my entries…is it wishful thinking to start making room for in my closet for them? 

Endless Summer Wedges

Admittedly, I’m a fall kind of gal.  American football season begins, Vogue’s September Issue comes out, I like the cooler weather, and most of all I love the new lines of boots, jackets and sweaters that the fall will bring.  But since it’s still hot here in San Diego (sort of, it’s a bit grey these days), I’m gonna hang on a little to the heat by wearing my lighter summer wedges clear into Labor Day.  Granted, although we can wear pretty much anything at anytime here in sunny California, I always start to transform my wardrobe completely when the cooler weather hits.  Along with those Corlett wedges I got from Aldo (in the “Girlie Stuff” entry and below), here are some great wedges that I plan to add to my shoe collection before football season rolls around.

Endless summer?  Not too difficult in America’s Finest City.

Corlett Wedge – Aldo;  Alani Chain Demi Wedge Thong – Tory Burch;  ‘Snick’ Platform Sandal by Jeffrey Campbell  – Nordstrom;  Kava by Kelsi Dagger – Zappos;  Amber Wedge Sandal – MICHAEL Michael Kors;  Navy Stripe Calypso Canvas Wedge – Toms

Coach (coupon) of the Week

I think I’ll try the Coach Factory Outlet store at the Carlsbad Premium Outlet this time around to use the 20% off coupon that I received today in my inbox.  Then I’ll make a pit stop at the Juicy Couture outlet store and the Barneys New York outlet, too. 

The picture on the right should take you to a coupon you can print.  If you can’t click on the picture, click on this link to get your coupon:  20% off Coach Coupon until Aug 8

Happy shopping!

Last Call: 40% off One Item

More deals from my inbox!  Neiman Marcus really knows how to get to a gal.  Back to Last Call I go, because I just can’t pass up this one:  40% any one regular priced item July 28 & 29.

If you can’t print this email from the picture, click here:  40% Off One Regular Priced Item

Juicy Deal: 20% Off!

Juicy Couture has been one of my favorite lines for years.  I remember when I found out that Gela Nash-Taylor (one of the original founders of the line) is married to none other than John Taylor of Duran Duran, one of my all time favorite bands.  I thought, “All is right with the universe…”

But I digress (if only slightly)!  Here is a coupon for you to print out and get a sweet deal of 20% at any Juicy Couture specialty store until August 1, 2010 (full priced merchandise only).

If you can’t print out the picture, follow this link:       Go Couture Yourself!

Clutch Performance

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always liked clutch purses.  While I truly appreciate that one evening clutch that brings that special added touch to your outfit (my all time favorites are designed by Judith Leiber, of which I have 2 vintage ones), I also like that clutches are the perfect “grab and go” purse.  Last year, I found a Coach clutch/wristlet that can go from day to night in an instant (see featured image).   A nice plus about clutch purses is that you can find some that are small enough to fit in your main bag, so you can take it out in case you want to leave the larger purse at coat check or in the car.  They fit just the essentials, whatever that may be for you.  I tend to put money, my driver’s license, a check card or credit card (depending on the size, my whole wallet if it will fit), an elastic hair band, lipstick, compact and eyeliner in any of my cute little clutches (did you think I only had one?).  

Grab and go never looked so good!

Heart Ruched Clutch – Topshop; Rosette Leatherette Clutch – Forever 21; Liya Large Frame Clutch – Rafe New York; Flesh Studded Brittania Clutch – Alexander McQueen; Gianni Chiarini Mini Leather Clutch – Nordsrtom; Metallic Leather Wristlet – Coach (No longer available)