Can't take the country out of the girl...

You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl.  Okay, I may have grown up in Ohio, but it was in a suburb.  Not as country as those who have teased would like to think, but those farm jokes never get old.

However, I did grow up with a father who would have liked to believe that he was a transplanted cowboy.  Therefore, he always added a touch of country to his most suave ensembles... usually in the form of cowboy boots.  I never really put two and two together until just recently.  I don't think that it is any accident that most of the boots I own have a western flair.

The cowboy thing, my addiction to J. Crew, my undying love for dresses and dressing up makes for a very interesting take on the trends.  A perfect example would be my recent dinner ensemble.  It was my anniversary last week (eight years!), and on this very stormy evening Greg (the hubs) and I decided to take our girls out to dinner.... we couldn't get a sitter.
My need to dress up, the rain and the fact that G&E were joining us, led me to an ensemble that even had Greg making comments.  Men!  Will they ever understand?

I started with a very poofy, taffeta J. Crew miniskirt.  There she is...

I added a pinch of preppy (Tippi sweater), a touch of elegance (jewelry) and whole lot of western flair (Frye boots and belt).

Drenching rain, some cocktails and very well-behaved daughters resulted in a fun evening and terrible looking hair!

I am starting to think that it isn't just a coincidence that Emma adores her pink cowboy boots...

                                                                                                                                     - Allison

Beat the Heat: It's all about the Fabric!

It certainly didn't take very long, did it?  Summer has begun, and coming in right on its heels is the oppressive heat.  I know that in my neck of the woods, where it is humid and hot, all cares about fashion go right out the window at about 90 degrees and above.  It isn't a surprise due to the fact that you feel like you are walking around in a wet blanket and dripping with sweat all of the time.

Unfortunately there isn't much you can do to beat the heat. If you are lucky enough to be by a pool, ocean or have very strong air conditioning, it's not so bad.  For everyone else, I have one little secret that might help keeping you look good... washable silk.

I have come to discover that washable silk becomes your best friend during a heat wave.  It is light, airy, doesn't cling and can get wet... no worries.  Technically, the garments may not be 100% silk.  Sometimes you might find a cotton/silk combo or possibly modal/silk, etc... it doesn't matter.  The key is that there is a silky smoothness to the fabric that keeps it from being clingy... such as a cotton tank might feel when you start to get hot and a little sweaty.

I realized this a few years back when I purchased a sundress at J.Crew.  Not for the material, but because it was on sale, pretty and had a loose fit (I had just had a baby).  I soon discovered that this was one of my best purchases ever... the breeze blows right through it, it doesn't stick to me and if I get it wet, it dries quickly.  I have come to depend on this dress every summer, and when I am finished wearing it, I throw it in the wash.

Once I discovered the beauty of this fabric, I am always on the lookout for new pieces.  Unfortunately I haven't been able to find too many, but J.Crew usually seems to have a few...

The Silk Cami - in other words, your new best friend.  This went to Disney me last year and was a life saver.  I would have one if every color if I could, however, they always sell out quickly.

The Silk Ruffle Cami is a new addition at J.Crew, but serves the same purpose.  Its a bit more professional looking, and could take you from the office (layered) and then out on the town (add earrings, ditch the outer layer).

I am in love with this Silk Stripe Maxi Dress.  Perfect as a beach cover up or for just looking cool while hanging out.

I have recently discovered that Boden makes quite a few lighter weight, silk blend pieces. They are on the more conservative side, but perfect for those heading into the office everyday.  One of my favorites from Boden is the Glamorous Maxi.  Shhh... it's on sale!

There is really no easy way to look good when you are sweating buckets (just sayin'), but at least washable silk can help!

  

                                                                                                                      - Allison

*Photos courtesy of jcrew.com and bodenusa.com.

Outfit Idea: Dressing Up Shorts and more...

Hump day, already?  Where did the time go?  The past week had been such a whirlwind!  I was hoping to be able to share some experiences day-by-day, but after a visit from Mimi (AKA my very chic mom, Patty), an adventure in dressmaking, attending the most beautiful wedding ever and exploring the Fairfield, Westport, Southport area of Connecticut... I just didn't even have a chance to touch my computer for the last 5 days.  This might be a first for me...

To begin, last week I had promised an outfit idea for dressing up shorts.  I finally got the chance to do this on Friday night.  I attended a very fun get-together the night before the wedding.  The dress code was casual chic and the weather was really nice and fairly warm.  Shorts seemed to be the perfect answer to my usual what to wear dilemma.  I was ready for a fun night!

I was very excited about my look.  My only issue was that I bought my Zoe Karssen tee a little big to wear with skinny jeans.  I wish it were a bit tighter with shorts, but I'll live.  I brought my black boyfriend blazer in case I got chilly.  It was a fab evening!

Meanwhile, I decided to put some old fashion design skills to use... I was very excited about my dress, but it would have been better if I hadn't waited until the last minute!  More on that tomorrow...

And, to attend a wedding on the beach in Fairfield, CT with a very talented and creative bride at the helm is priceless!  A perfect day doesn't hurt either...

                                                                                                                                  - Allison

Outfit Idea: Neon Brights

Nothing beats the rainy day blues like a healthy dose of bright yellow.  I absolutely love this color, but it is so hard to find.  I recently found a fantastic of shorts in the most perfect shade of neon yellow/green, and now I can't stop wearing them.  Seriously, it is becoming a problem.

Besides the color, I have a new found obsession with shorts.  They really are perfect for running around town.  The only kicker is finding a pair that are not too short and not too long.  I can honestly say that it is next to impossible to find cute shorts with an inseam of 4 inches (my desired length) without spending a fortune.  When I discovered these Double Serge shorts at J.Crew, I had to have them ASAP.  Besides being perfect, they are a great weight and can be dressed up or down.  I'll prove it on Friday's post...

Back to my day look - I am off on an adventure in NYC this afternoon, so I thought that a chic shorts ensemble would be just right.  I added my denim shirt and my Viv's... I also love pointy toe flats with shorts.

I was ready to go and then it started raining... really hard.  I got soaked while picking my little one up at school... ugh!  

Goodbye cute flats.  Hello, wellies and pearls.  Oh well, I still love my neon shorts.

                                     

                                                                                                                                - Allison

*Photo courtesy of jcrew.com.

Outfit Idea: Audrey & the Vintage Tee

Due to some crummy weather lately, I have been wearing my jeans a lot.  So much that I am starting to get a bit tired of dark denim.  I even pulled out my "vintage" sevens (thankfully they fit, or that would have been another story completely!) to change things up a bit.  Yesterday I woke up and just couldn't do it.  I had to wear something else.

I started digging through my closet, waiting for inspiration to strike... and sure enough, it did!  I yanked out my trusty Minnie pants and suddenly got very excited.  My Minnie's always make me want to channel Audrey Hepburn.  How can you not think of Audrey when wearing black ankle-length skinny pants?  It's just like Jackie O, white jeans and Jack Rogers or peanut butter & jelly... they just go together.

I decided the perfect complement would be my new "rock n roll" tee and a different pair of pearls (a much chunkier pair!).

My Viv's...

And, then I just needed a jacket or sweater of some sort... I pulled out a sweater jacket from J.Crew.  I have had this for years (it worked really well when I was pregnant).  I loved it for this ensemble due to the styling... it gives me the feeling of the ladylike feeling of the late fifites/early sixties - the neckline has a slight funnel shape, it has large buttons and 3/4 length sleeves.

(P.S. Sometimes your head gets cut off when your daughter takes your picture...)

The perfect outfit for a lunch date, a meeting, pickup or the playground!

                                                                                                                  - Allison