Plume Dandy

9.17.2009

add some sparkle to your life!

Appeal to your inner beauty pageant contestant and throw on some sequins. In small doses it adds some texture and some interest to top off an outfit. Here's a few of my favorites:

This navy asymmetrical dress from Phillip Lim is perfect with just a touch of gold sequins.

This Alice + Olivia tank with attached sequin scarf would look great with skinny jeans and a motorcycle jacket.

I love this goddess-inspired dress from Haute Hippie!

There's also a lot of sequined accessories to add a little pop to your look:

These sequin pumps from Dolce & Gabbana would look killer with a mini black dress.

This statement bib necklace from Anthropologie has a vintage flapper feel.

9.10.2009

hours of fun...

While most of my iPhone apps these days are ones designed to occupy my kids in a pinch, I have recently stumbled upon a new one for myself. With the Fake Conversation app, you can set your phone to receive fake phone calls. You can choose the ring tone, time of the call, caller's name, and most importantly the conversation topic. On a bad date? Don't feel like dealing with the girl at the mall kiosk who wants to know if you have natural nails? Try the "excuse to leave" call. When your phone rings, you simply repeat after the voice on the phone.

"Hey"...
"Why, what's going on?"...
"Oh my God"...
"When did this happen?"...
"uh huh"...
"Do you need me to help out?"...
"No, it's no problem"...
"Yeah, I can leave now"...
"I understand"...
"ok"...
"I'll call you soon"...

Or, if you want to sound more important than you are, try the fake conversations that make you sound like a doctor, lawyer, fashion designer, media mogul, music producer, sports agent, or wall street trader. There's also the ever-entertaining "Animal in the house" call or "the coverup" call.

Oh... the possibilities are endless!

9.07.2009

spotted...

Perhaps almost as exciting as the season premiere of Gossip Girl on September 14th, is the Anna Sui Gossip Girl-inspired line for Target premiering the day before. She has created 19 looks based on the individuals styles of the female characters from our favorite guilty pleasure. Here are my favorites for each:

Blair: all it needs is a headband and a bitchy glare!

Serena: sophisticated without trying too hard... and showing considerable less cleavage than S would!

Jenny: picture with some smudgy black eyeliner!

Vanessa: hippie-chic on a Brooklyn budget!

9.04.2009

Chalkboard Calendar Inspiration

Does anyone remember "If Lucy Fell"? Well, if you happened to miss this 1996 Sarah Jessica Parker/Ben Stiller romantic comedy, check it out...if only for the giant wall calendar that Lucy (SJP) and her roommate Joe paint on the wall each month. While I do not remember much about the plot of that movie thirteen years later, that wall calendar has stuck with me.

Since painting and repainting a wall in my house didn't seem very practical, I have been looking for a way to get the same effect but without all the work. Then, I stumbled upon this chalkboard calendar from Martha Stewart awhile back and loved the concept. I loved the idea of a giant blackboard wall calendar that was both functional and fun. I did not, however, love the idea of making my own chalkboard paint in different shades of gray or the tedious process of taping and painting little gray boxes on my wall. So I combined my "If Lucy Fell" wall calendar with Martha's concept and came up with this:

We painted a large wall in our kitchen with chalkboard paint from Benjamin Moore. I found letters for each day of the week and nailed them to the top of the wall. The fabric "M" and "T" are from Anthropologie. The cardboard "S" is from Paper Source and the rest are from Urban Outfitters. I used a level and liquid chalk markers to draw the calendar and fill in the days with all of our family's activities and appointments. The kids love to see what's going on the calendar for the upcoming month and ask me to draw pictures that correspond to the activities. So, much like "If Lucy Fell", calendar day is something to look forward to at my house too!

8.28.2009

maternity threads

Last night's episode of Project Runway, where the designers were asked to create a look for a then-pregnant Rebecca Romijn, got me thinking about what's out there for pregnant gals this fall.

While there are still plenty of frumpy, empire waisted, tie-in-the-back frocks out there to be had, there are also some super-cute and trendy options too! Here are a few looks inspired by what's hot this fall:

This western-inspired plaid tunic by Maternal America would look great with a pair of black leggings, like the ones from Nicole Ritchie's new line for A Pea in the Pod, and a comfy pair of ballet flats.

Even pregnant girls need a boyfriend! Try these cute maternity boyfriend jeans by Paige Premium Denim. Pair with a fitted tee, this chunky Vince sweater and a pair of oxford peep toes for a comfortable weekend look.

This belted cowlneck knit dress from Gap Maternity would be perfect for the office. It could be worn with a cute wedge heel in the summer and then some tights, booties and maybe a fabulous wool trench like this one from Isabella Oliver when it gets chilly. Very Betty Draper!

8.27.2009

hip hip...

Fashionista (and recessionista) moms rejoice at the news that Stella McCartney will be teaming up with Gap to launch a line of children's clothes at Baby Gap and Gap Kids in November 2009. In addition, Hooray by Cynthia Rowley will be carried in 155 Babies R Us stores nationwide and online starting in September. And, for those not tightening their purse strings, stay tuned for Holmes & Yang, a line of women's and children's clothes designed by Katie Holmes and her stylist, Jeanne Yang debuting at Maxfield in LA later this fall.

8.25.2009

My Fall Musts- part 1

For some, the end of August means one last trip to the beach or shopping for new notebooks and pencils. For me it means my semi-annual closet purge. Three bags of Goodwill items later, I am forced to assess what I need to add to my closet for the upcoming fall season.

First and foremost, I need a great pair of black distressed leather motorcycle boots. And since I can't afford the pair to the left (Golden Goose, New Char lye Wrinkled Pull On Boot- $1265), I'm on a mission for a pair within my price range. Here is a pair that might work:

Nine West Dominick Boot ($189- piperlime.com)

Next a fabulous pair of boyfriend jeans, like these from Current/Elliott:

The quintessential black blazer done long and a little oversized, with a classic menswear pinstripe fabric inside the cuffs. Perfect over a girly dress or with a tee and a pair of skinny jeans. $215 at J. Crew.