Don't be a Quitter.

So here we go again. round and round we go with the mommy mess versus fabulous blogger dispute,  seems like I should be able to do both. And, yet I cant seem to pull it together to even find my computer half the time. Although I have to admit I'm pretty good at being a hot mess mama. Slobber on the shoulder, check. Wiping baby boogers with my sweatshirt, check. Unkempt top knot bun, check. Asleep before most people eat dinner, check.
So, for the the fabulous fashion blogger? Eh, I guess what I'm good at is faking it. I love clothes and I love buying a special piece or accessory that will distract from my messy life. For example, I'm running out the door this morning, after showering with the baby because I had no where to put him down without insuring that he wouldn't eat garbage or destroy the house, I throw on my "you're too f'ing old to wear these overalls", a tee, and top it with a linen blazer (that i took out of the dry-clean bag in my car). I justify my "ensemble" by wearing my gorge Illvesta green mirrored shades and swearing that i'll make it back to put make up on in an hour. So three hours later and a million errands in between I'm at the DMV for what I thought was just a vision test to renew my license. Then the women says "sit down and face the camera." What the hell!?? Just like that I am having my driver's license picture taken just weeks away from my 40th birthday in OVERALLS and no make up, hair un done and unable to hide my ridiculousness with my sunnies. Fail. Point DMV.

I guess I'm supposed to be telling you how NOT to fail in daily fashion. But sometimes you need a reality check. Sometimes you fail. Even with a closet full of options, it's easy to get caught with your overalls down around your ankles so to speak.

Madewell Overalls

Illvesta Sunnies

Rails button down

(replaced the dirty blazer after dry cleaning drop off)

The search begins...

Yup. It's that time again. 

The search for the perfect winter coat begins. Not quite as exciting (or as cheap) as looking for my summer cover-up. But none the less, one of the most important, time consuming and time sensitive purchases of the year. So, do you get it? This and paying your taxes...essential. Very important. Stressful. And now, I sound slightly neurotic. 

My search was stimulated by the amazing coats at Carven's Fall show.  And for the love of God, don't even say, "who's Carven?" I may have to smack you. They are 50's wrap coats in candy coated colors that make you say f-winter. Oversized and over the top. Obsessed. And I'm going as far to say that if you don't feel equally as crazy for it, I just can't like you. Really, we can't be friends. 

So I feel like I'm going B-A-N-A-N-A-S looking for this coat! It almost has me wishing for winter. Almost. 

Collector of Memories

Collection...

As I get "older" I start to contemplate what I will leave behind. What kind of legacy will there be? What will my children remember most about me? What little things can I leave for them to comfort them when I am gone?

What will some day make them smile the same way I do when I see a pair of Wayfarer Rayban sunglasses? My father left behind not only a love of wayfarers but a small collection of them. Some I have gifted to his dear friends and family in remembrance. But a couple pairs I hold dear to my heart, saving them for a sunny beach day, a drive in his old mercedes convertible, or a 16 year birthday gift for my son.

Sure their will be some jewelry, some out of style fur coats, and a salvaged pair of Manolos. But I have decided that the most fabulous thing that I can pass along is my love of small spectacular and unique clutches. So, I am going to do my best to choose wisely and fabulously over the next 50 years to create a memoir to go with them; wonderful dinners with my husband, out of control girls nights, vacations to far away places, peaceful walks on the beaches of Delray, dancing queen moments at concerts in Canandaigua, movie nights with my kids, and holidays parties at the Club. Each paired with a perfect companion, a jeweled box, a silky envelope, or a tasseled roll.

Memories are what make you fabulous.

Charlotte Olympia Details

Day Clutch

Reese Hudson Bondage Clutch 

(my new favorite companion)

Anya Hindmarch

Bao Bao by Issey Miyake pouch

Charlotte Olympia Perfume Clutch

Fabulousness in Oz

Diane Von Furstenburg

Givenchy

Mary Katrantzou

Bao Bao Shopping Tote to put them in! 

Summer Style Rewind

A fabulously stylish friend posted a picture of the beautiful model Marisa Berenson on facebook...reminding him of me. Called "the girl of the seventies" by Yves Saint Laurent, she later became a film actor in movies like Death in Venice and Cabaret. It wasn't until recently that I began to realize that we share a love of Kaftans, golden tans, over the top statement necklaces and top knots. Basically, I want to be her when I grow up. Oh, whatever, I know that I'm supposedly all grown up.


Mostly, I am insanely jealous of her jet-setting lifestyle and glamourous gowns. What I would give to have her Valentino kaftans and Bvlgari jewels! But I will find away past my jealousy to admire her colorful spirit and boho style.

Fashion is a revolving door, and looking back into the archives can give you a new point of view.

Pathetic.

                               

Pathetic.

So I have found something more depressing than hanging out at a suburban mall in the grey cold winter. Hanging out at the suburban mall before the stores have opened. Full of elderly mall walkers, baby strollers pushed by sleep deprived (and fashion deprived) mothers, and lingering homeless people.

Wow. And I was there too.

With my boogery toddler, my lulu lemon leggings, my Uggs, and my black down coat. No make-up, not one hair in place, and not even a trace of lip balm. AHHHHH!!! That hurts. To catch a glimpse of yourself through another's eyes. Silently screaming..."This is not the real me!! I'm fabulous, fun, young(ish), and smart!"

(My inner and more fabulous voice) "Um, no your not, you're at the mall at 9:45 in the morning. And you have no reason to be there." I didn't even need anything! That's the saddest part...I was just there yesterday scrounging for anything remotely worthy at Gap kids and J.Crew. So what did I do? I scrounged more mall sales at Janie and Jack and Pottery Barn Kids. That was after I raided Target for anything related to Easter.

"Shame, shame, shame Ms. So-Called-Fabulous. Go to your room, strip down to your granny panties and put on a sequin gown with glittery sandals, and think about what you've done."

Spring? Where are you!!???

courtesy of the fashionista.blog.com

Spring? What Spring?

Flowers? Where?

Showers? Only the white fluffy kind.

I am DONE.

Logically I understand that we will probably have more cold days than I can handle, but in my heart I expect to see the sun. I want to pull out my spring flats and put away my damn black leather boots! My fur coat has become cumbersome and my leopard hat annoying. I have worn out my velvet pants, I have pilled my turtleneck cashmere sweaters, and my plaid button down just seems dated. Everything looks too dark, drab and depressing.


I guess the only thing to do is to look for Spring jackets (not coats, we will now refer to them as "jackets") to brighten up the dreary days. My advice? Put on a heavy sweater underneath and suck it up while sipping on a frozen margarita.

Carven's Lavender Fields

Alexander McQueen perfection

Christopher Kane in Neon Crepe

Rebecca Taylor Neon

My girl Kelly Wearstler in studs 

Polka Dots by Monclear

3.1 Phillip Lim

Everyday Style

As you all may gather I am a huge proponent of everyday style. I don't expect everyone to have it ALL together, but I do expect that you add one item into your everyday that makes you feel fabulous. It could be as simple as a bright red lipstick, a mirrored aviator, or a leopard hat. Just ONE! 

I couldn't help but drool over the amount of color and joy that photographer Tommy Ton captured in Paris this past week. I love the simplicity of a lux fur and a ski hat, the beauty of over-colored nonsense with a simple jean, the elegance of white pumps and rolled denim, the importance of a great jacket and a confident strut. 

the only thing that matters is her jacket. 

Army brat meets the secret garden. 

Ski hat and fur, not just for Aspen anymore. 

One perfect jacket can change the world (well, maybe just the day :) 

Umm, just incase you were feeling overly confident about your Spring shoe collection. 

Mismatched plaid and leopard 

My personal favorite, hey if you're going to have to have the little monster attached to you, best make sure he's as fabulous as you. 

colors that make you smile. see. 

just kicking it in Paris. simple lux. 

Note to self this Spring, ROCK the white pumps with everything.