TV Dinner in Style August 23, 2009

Bring the dinner table to you with this pair of Test Pattern TV Trays ($31.98). This cultural icon withstood the test of time to join you for a TV dinner at home. Measuring 19″ x 13″, each of the trays has an edge to keep your food on the table, not on the floor. The trays stand 25.5″ tall.

Test Pattern TV Dinner Trays ($31.98)

Little Black Dresses August 21, 2009

The ultimate little black dress (LBD) is the one wardrobe essential that just about every woman has. Dallas-based stylist Valerie Elizabeth is trying to show just how helpful a little black dress can be when putting together outfits on a budget without sacrificing style in her ‘Little Black Dress Experiment’. She chose to sport a Valerie Shift Dress by Ellie Grace and each day a different MICHELE watch. I can imagine wearing one piece every day so long as my washer and dryer were in top form, but I wouldn’t have nearly enough watches. I look forward to watching what else Ms. Elizabeth does with her LBD this month.

For me, I went overboard and have several LBDs, but there are only two that really get worn event-after-event. Not surprisingly, the two favorites have been in my closet for about a decade. They beat out the others because of their simplicity, versatility, and comfort. Simplicity because the lines are clean and there are little to no frills. I have one LBD that has pleats at the bottom and a sweatheart neckline. It makes for a cute party dress, but overall lacks the je ne sais quoi to make it a perennial favorite. My two favorite LBDs have no pleats, bows, sashes, or designs. The lack of frills makes them more versatile, so I could wear either with quiet jewelry and a black blazer to attend a business meeting or funeral or toss on a colorful pashmina and strand of pearls for a wedding. Versatility also comes in the form of fit since most women do not stay the exact same weight and shape, having clothes that fit and flatter in spite of a ‘feeling fat’ day is a huge benefit. Comfort comes into play with that since it’s easy to enjoy an event or be more involved in a function when you’re comfortable. There is one last thing that is not a requirement, but I certainly enjoy about one of my LBDs and that is washability. One is machine wash (gentle cycle on cold, hang dry) and the other is dry clean only.

I know that you are probably eager to find out what two LBDs have captured my heart, so I’ll tell you the brands – Ralph Lauren and Kookaï. Since the pieces were purchased at different times over eight years ago in Washington, D.C. & Paris respectively, it is doubtful the same design is still available, but the designers are still making great dresses so it’s worth a look. My other LBDs that are fabulous, but not simple, versatile, or comfortable enough to be favorites are from Dolce & Gabbana, Janeville, Laundry by Shelli Segal, and Gap. Of course, a LBD doesn’t have to be black, dark navy can be just as suitable and even more flattering for some.

Here are some little black dresses that are in stores and online now:

J.Crew’s Stretch Wool Rose Shift Dress ($168)

Tiana B.’s Black Drape-front Dress ($44.99)

Donna Ricco’s Ruched Empire Stretch Satin Dress ($148)

Maggy London’s Crepe Sheath Dress ($98)

BCBG Max Azria’s Matte Jersey Wrap Dress ($98)

Lauren by Ralph Lauren’s Matte Jersey Dress ($124)

Tahari by Arthur S. Levine’s Crepe Sheath Dress ($108)

Little black dresses

My One and Only… Fleece August 19, 2009

Last week, I confessed my clothes horse tendencies and that more isn’t always better. I also asked you to share your favorite ‘go to’ item of clothing (or accessory, if you’d prefer). For me, that item has become a zip-up navy blue fleece by Armor-lux. It has a fitted cut flattering my figure, bright red lining for my love of color, and cozy softness. So far, so good – no pilling or issues.

I was in France on holiday expecting warm weather and found my lightweight cardigan unsuitable for the Breton weather (a lot like Irish weather as it happens). Finding some time, I searched the shops for something warmer. I saw many MANY such items, but knew that it was silly to get something I wouldn’t wear again considering the price of things (and the limited space in my luggage/closet) so I set my sights on something I knew would suit a need I had in general.

I entered one store and saw the perfect fleece…in dark pumpkin orange. I can wear some shades of orange, but not dark pumpkin. The shopkeeper must have known that too because she brought me to another rack which held the same fleece in a navy/red combination. Ta-da! The price tag read €65, a hefty price in some respects, but not if the item lasted for years to come. It is now the thing I grab as I am running out the door. I love it so much that I barely touch my fleece-lined raincoat now (don’t worry, it will be my favorite again come autumn) and carry an umbrella for the rain. For over a year, I had been wanting a more fitted zip-up cardigan that was washable, warm, cheery yet neutral, and lasting – now I have it.

My Armor-Lux Zip-Up Navy & Red Fitted Fleece

Less is More, More or Less August 13, 2009

Having a tough to fit figure in my youth, finding clothes that fit perfectly and flattered and suited my age/gender could be a formidable challenge. And as I grew up, I didn’t always change sizes so more clothes joined the other clothes in an effort to dress for my age. Next thing you know it’s time to have clothes for an office too, adding to the collection. It took me a while to realize that just because something fits me doesn’t mean I am responsible for giving it a home (especially when it is a horrible color that doesn’t do me any favors). I’d love to blame Cinderella for making me think that if the shoe fits, wear it, but I think it was just that most styles didn’t fit me growing up so when something did it was exciting. This, along with taking good care of my clothes so they last forever, resulted in an apparel collection that could have been mistaken for a second-hand clothing shop or TV show wardrobe department. I clung to my collection for as long as possible (and still do in some respects), but then the time came to go our separate ways when I found out we were moving overseas.

I had been on month-long trips living with just what fit in a big duffel bag. It all came down to what I needed every day and lightly peppering that with things I just plain want around. Deciding to only bring five suitcases and knowing that favorite bedding, household goods, and gadgets had to be in the mix meant that 75% of my clothes had to go. Salvation Army and Goodwill gladly gave them a new life, some cherished items were stored with parents, and I mourned the loss of some things for the months that followed. But then something strange happened… I forgot about some things and I replaced others. It was the replacing that struck me as most interesting. The pieces that I used most often were not always the ones I thought best to bring. After all, I was moving to a European city, I had to wear my stylish clothes not the tee shirts and jeans I got away with in the States. Arriving in Cork City, I quickly learned that personal style is what matters here. You can wear just about anything so long as you are being true to yourself. Adopting that new philosophy, I turned back to my old ways and slowly replenished what I had left behind.

Yes, I’ve accumulated more clothes, but also learned what works for my personal style and what doesn’t. For instance, I may adore a fluttery top and the color may flatter me and the cut is forgiving so I don’t feel self-conscious, but it’s polyester fabric makes me miserable on a warm humid day and the same forgiveness can also play on the expectation that a woman wearing such styles have a bun in the oven. Eek!

After so many years with the same habits and consumer behavior, I won’t change overnight, but in this and future posts, I will share how I am working towards living with less and making the most of what I have. Don’t worry, fans of the gift ideas and fun personal shopping tips won’t be disappointed – on the contrary, I will be posting goodies with more consideration given to things that last. After all, who needs to know where to buy ten v-neck pullovers when you can only wear one at a time.

Until next time, I leave you with a question… What is the one piece of clothing you reach for again and again? And, if it has lasted countless wearings, who makes it? I’ll share mine next time!

Items of Note August 10, 2009

“To write a good love letter, you ought to begin without knowing what you mean to say, and to finish without knowing what you have written.”  Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Though not all letters are love letters, unless it is a professional correspondence there is probably a bit of love behind it. From elegant notecards to funky homemade stationery, your paper choice can say nearly as much as your words. Our etiquette advice is more common sense than anything… Use appropriate stationery for your purpose. Do not use a cartoon notecard for a condolence letter and forego the Hello Kitty stationery when thanking someone for a job interview. If you can’t afford nice stationery or don’t have occasion to write often and, for this reason, only want one set sitting around choose something simple and neutral such as a monogram, basic trimmed edge, or anything monochromatic and Cranes.

Stationery, note cards, and pretty paper seem to be as enticing to me as high-heeled shoes are to most women. Where some admire the grace with which they can sashay across a room in stilettos, I consider how the ink would fall on the grains of the paper. I know I am not alone, so for other stationery fans out there this post has some of my of-the-moment favorites.

Otis And Bean offer delightful letterpress note cards sold individually for $4 each, but for $15 you can buy your favorite five.

Sweet Perversion Designs lets anything be an excuse to write with a set of ten ‘Hello’ cards($14).

Viva La Violette loves cupcakes as much as I do and has the Set of Eight Personalized Cupcake Note Cards ($11) to show for it.

Ink Spotts has a whimsical 20-Card Folded Note Set ($20)

Top Left: Otis and Bean; Top Right: Sweet Perversion Designs; Bottom Left: Viva La Violette; Bottom Right: Ink Spotts.