Finding Your Inner French Girl December 17, 2008

Years ago, I was given Entre Nous: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl by Debra Ollivier for Christmas from my mother. At the time, I thought it would be a novelty read with bits about style and being chic without trying, but it offered much more than that. I read it in bits, which works with its composition and how the piece is broken into sections and sidebars. Some may find it trite, but I found it to be lovely. I came away focused on quality over quantity. One major lesson was that one perfect-fitting and lasting little black dress is better than ten so-so-fitting ones. Also, it emphasizes that if on the go and hungry, it is worth waiting to get to a real bite than to grab greasy fast food. Which in itself is like an ode to the apple or portable granola bar to avoid succumbing to the unhealthy temptations on either side of the sidewalk. In any case, it is a good read and fun for anyone who has lived in Europe or wants to embrace her inner French girl. It is available in paperback for $10.04 from Amazon.com.

Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl by Debra Ollivier

Cashmere for $50 or less December 17, 2008

Something about windy and chilly winter days that makes me want to put on a soft wool or cashmere sweater, but then I don’t want anything to happen to a cashmere sweater in the course of daily life so I end up wearing wool. But what if that cashmere sweater were no more expensive than the wool one? That is what this post is all about, cashmere sweaters (and other goodies) for $50 or less.

Lands End has a classic appeal for all generations – pair with another classic for timelessness or pair with something funky or lively for personal style statement. They currently have lovely accessories including: Women’s Cashmere Baby Cable Gloves and Hat and Skinny Scarf ($19.99 each); Women’s Cashmere Plain Skinny Scarf ($29.50); Men’s Cashmere Rib Watch Cap ($29.99) and Cashmere Bear ($49.50). It’s never too early for cashmere with the Newborn Cashmere Hat & Bootie Set ($55.00) in pale blue (shown below), pale pink, or ivory (click here for True Navy, $29.50). But the savings is just beginning when you look at their Cashmere Overstocks! I like the colors of these Women’s Cashmere Baby Cable Gloves ($19.99). For $39.99 and under, they have: Newborn Cashmere Pants; Girls’ Cashmere Short Sleeve Cardigan or Long Sleeve Crew Sweater; Women’s Cashmere Mule Slippers; Women’s Regular Cashmere Shell Sweater. 

Old Navy may have their Performance Fleece tune stuck in your heads, but don’t overlook their cashmere. I have two friends who each purchased one such sweater a year ago and the sweaters had rich color, soft touch, and cozy warmth. Currently, they have quite a few cashmere items for sale, all for under $50! Women’s Cashmere Cardigans and V-Neck Sweaters are $35 each while Men’s XXL/XXXL Cashmere Striped Sweaters, Women’s Cashmere Turtleneck and Striped Crew-Neck Sweaters, and Women’s Plus Cashmere Scoop-Neck Sweaters are $40 each. Women’s Plus Hooded Cashmere Sweaters are $49.50 each and Women’s Tipped Cashmere Polos (shown below) are $25 each. I think the polos and cardigans are the best options for year-round enjoyment since the polo is great for a chilly day and cardigans are ideal for slipping on in overly air-conditioned buildings.

Overstock.com has cashmere as well in a broad range of current styles. The Shae Women’s Babydoll Sweater ($46.99) has a nice shawl collar and deep v-neckline and would be forgiving of those holiday pounds while maintaining a sweet look when paired with jeans or pants (would even transition nicely as a maternity sweater). Himalaya Trading Co. has an Raspberry Pashmina and Silk Shawl ($39.99) which would add a splash of color to any outfit and warmth to any day. I have a similar one and the bright hue seems to work with nearly anything.

J.Crew may not be expected to have cashmere for under $50, but they do if you broaden your search to cashmere blends. They have cleverly blended cashmere with wool and in some cases cotton to create super soft blends that cost less than pure cashmere. An example of the ultimate blend is the Men’s Spencer Cable Half-Zip Sweater ($49.99), which is a blend of wool, rayon, nylon, angora, and cashmere in a 7-gauge knit. It is also available in the Spencer Tall Cable Crewneck ($29.99). For women, there is the Cambridge Cable Crewneck Sweater ($29.99), V-Neck Sweater ($29.99), and Turtleneck Sweater ($29.99) or the Linda Hoodie ($29.99) (shown below).