Hello All and Happy Saturday! Saturdays are very odd for me now that I am not working - every day feels like Saturday - sort of!
We have a relaxing day in store - working around the house, reading and then going to a friend's house for dinner. All good!
Yesterday was a quiet day - I repotted plants that badly needed repotting, Barry made wild mushroom risotto and I started thinking about Spring. Again. I do not think I have ever thought this much about Spring before - I believe it is the combination of having time enough to see the world around me and the bloody cold weather!
Musing 1: British Vogue
I read the February issue of British Vogue yesterday. While I do not read British Vogue with any regularity, I find it very interesting, as the aesthetic and tone is so different from Vogue US.
It appears that British Vogue is really trying to bring back the supermodel. For many years, as we all know, fashion magazines have only featured movie or TV stars on their covers. I personally miss the days of Christy, Linda, Naomi, Cindy and Heidi. I think Kim Alexis was on every issue of Glamour I ever read as a teen. I always loved seeing how differently the models would be styled. And they were so beautiful!
I do not know if this is a british actress on the cover, but i don't think so - i am sure someone knows - I googled and could not find it out and I only have the issue on my Ipad and couldn't find it. There is a whole spread in the magazine about 4 British "it" models and "ittest" of all is Cara Delevigne, who was voted Britain's Model of the Year for 2012 (I know all this because I googled it - my son is certainly aware of her and filled in the rest!). She is found everywhere I read these days and she certainly racked up the most frequest walker miles at the Paris fashion shows. It feels as if they want Miss Cara to be the next Kate Moss, so I will interested to see.
There was also an article in the magazine about Frugality. It appears that very high end fashionistas are being forced to shop their closets and choose only one $2000 or $3000 item per season due to the poor economy. Who knew we had so much in common?
There was also a lovely article about Damian Lewis from Homeland and his lovely wife, Helen McCrory. I have quite a crush on him. The most interesting thing to me is that when I was googling to get a nice picture of them to insert here, at least 80% of their pictures have them turned in or touching each other. I would say this is a couple that actually love each other very much! (Now I say that and suddenly they divorce next week - sure hope not...)
Musing 2: Spring Wardrobes
I have been reading with interest that some of my favourite bloggers are making their spring fashion lists. Do you recall Fabulous Florida Mommy's wonderful series on planning for a new season's purchases? If you missed it, by all means go here. The other parts can be found here and here.
Oh I made a fall list all right. But as I joked a couple of weeks ago, I needed to not only make my list, but have FFM hold the money for it so I wouldn't keep going and buy more than I needed to buy. Which I did, sadly. I am pretty sure I bought 3 times as many things as were on the list. But just like those Jennifer Hudson Weight Watcher commericals, we fall down and get back up again! This year I am on a budget and I am sticking to it. I have also decided that this time of year is too early for me personally to make a list or buy anything, at least until I get a good lay of the Spring 2013 fashion land. I think last year I bought early and then I just kept buying as cute and pretty things kept rolling out.
One thing I came across yesterday that I LOVE are these Chie Mihara shoes. I know many of you swear by this brand. I have never had them on my feet. These have a 2.5 " heel and there is something about them...I am afraid however they might be too trendy? They are very expensive, $410 CDN, so I would not go near them until they went on sale, but would love your opinion? Oh wait - you say I should look at all my spring and summer clothes from last year before I even consider buying them? Yes - you are right. But I can already imagine several things that would go with them divinely....What do you think of them? We can't go near sandals around here until early June, but these could be worn beginning in April...
Chie Mihara's OSHARE shoes can be bought here. I have re-christened them OSHAREWITHWENDY! (GF - that one was for you!)
Musing 3: Flowers
Tulips have started showing up in our grocery store and I am buying a bunch every week. This time of year, when the weather is so wretched and the light is so poor, I find that having flowers constantly on my table makes me happy. Since my own tulips won't bloom till late May, these give me a taste of things to come!
How about you? What are you doing this fine Saturday? Any deep (!) thoughts on supermodels, frugality, spring wardrobes or tulips?
Have a safe and happy day out there!
We have a relaxing day in store - working around the house, reading and then going to a friend's house for dinner. All good!
Yesterday was a quiet day - I repotted plants that badly needed repotting, Barry made wild mushroom risotto and I started thinking about Spring. Again. I do not think I have ever thought this much about Spring before - I believe it is the combination of having time enough to see the world around me and the bloody cold weather!
Musing 1: British Vogue
I read the February issue of British Vogue yesterday. While I do not read British Vogue with any regularity, I find it very interesting, as the aesthetic and tone is so different from Vogue US.
It appears that British Vogue is really trying to bring back the supermodel. For many years, as we all know, fashion magazines have only featured movie or TV stars on their covers. I personally miss the days of Christy, Linda, Naomi, Cindy and Heidi. I think Kim Alexis was on every issue of Glamour I ever read as a teen. I always loved seeing how differently the models would be styled. And they were so beautiful!
I do not know if this is a british actress on the cover, but i don't think so - i am sure someone knows - I googled and could not find it out and I only have the issue on my Ipad and couldn't find it. There is a whole spread in the magazine about 4 British "it" models and "ittest" of all is Cara Delevigne, who was voted Britain's Model of the Year for 2012 (I know all this because I googled it - my son is certainly aware of her and filled in the rest!). She is found everywhere I read these days and she certainly racked up the most frequest walker miles at the Paris fashion shows. It feels as if they want Miss Cara to be the next Kate Moss, so I will interested to see.
 |
| It turns out if you are really beautiful, you can wear anything and still look good... |
There was also a lovely article about Damian Lewis from Homeland and his lovely wife, Helen McCrory. I have quite a crush on him. The most interesting thing to me is that when I was googling to get a nice picture of them to insert here, at least 80% of their pictures have them turned in or touching each other. I would say this is a couple that actually love each other very much! (Now I say that and suddenly they divorce next week - sure hope not...)
Musing 2: Spring Wardrobes
I have been reading with interest that some of my favourite bloggers are making their spring fashion lists. Do you recall Fabulous Florida Mommy's wonderful series on planning for a new season's purchases? If you missed it, by all means go here. The other parts can be found here and here.
Oh I made a fall list all right. But as I joked a couple of weeks ago, I needed to not only make my list, but have FFM hold the money for it so I wouldn't keep going and buy more than I needed to buy. Which I did, sadly. I am pretty sure I bought 3 times as many things as were on the list. But just like those Jennifer Hudson Weight Watcher commericals, we fall down and get back up again! This year I am on a budget and I am sticking to it. I have also decided that this time of year is too early for me personally to make a list or buy anything, at least until I get a good lay of the Spring 2013 fashion land. I think last year I bought early and then I just kept buying as cute and pretty things kept rolling out.
One thing I came across yesterday that I LOVE are these Chie Mihara shoes. I know many of you swear by this brand. I have never had them on my feet. These have a 2.5 " heel and there is something about them...I am afraid however they might be too trendy? They are very expensive, $410 CDN, so I would not go near them until they went on sale, but would love your opinion? Oh wait - you say I should look at all my spring and summer clothes from last year before I even consider buying them? Yes - you are right. But I can already imagine several things that would go with them divinely....What do you think of them? We can't go near sandals around here until early June, but these could be worn beginning in April...
Chie Mihara's OSHARE shoes can be bought here. I have re-christened them OSHAREWITHWENDY! (GF - that one was for you!)
Musing 3: Flowers
Tulips have started showing up in our grocery store and I am buying a bunch every week. This time of year, when the weather is so wretched and the light is so poor, I find that having flowers constantly on my table makes me happy. Since my own tulips won't bloom till late May, these give me a taste of things to come!
How about you? What are you doing this fine Saturday? Any deep (!) thoughts on supermodels, frugality, spring wardrobes or tulips?
Have a safe and happy day out there!
I am not sure about those Chies. They are cute, but I can't think of a single way to wear them. What are your ideas? Are you thinking of these for work or other wear? It isn't the color that's confounding me, it's the white (or maybe it is a softer ivory?). I don't know how to wear true white shoes. This is why I rely on this crowd because I always learn something new. If you can think of ways to wear them, I'd check back on them to see if they go to sale.
ReplyDeleteI am being a homebody this weekend and the snow is contributing. My car is a bit of a sled in the snow so it's best I don't take it out for a spin (pun!!). You would probably laugh at the small amount of snow that is causing so much trouble here (5"?), but it is cold enough to turn it into ice on the roads, and it is quite hilly, so that is a bad combination. I got home unscathed yesterday so I'd better not push my good luck!
Cate, I hope you are feeling better! If you are still under weather, it's best thing to stay in and rest anyway.
DeleteHey Care - hope you are on the mend! I was thinking of:
Deletemy Ivory capris, jeans - blue and white, cotton pencil skirt from last season in that orangey-pink shade, yellow skirt, white shift dress, navy, and that was starters. However, am not sold and especially for price so really appreciate folks' thoughts and i have lots of time to change my mind as I would not buy these until they go on sale and later in spring!
Thanks GF & WMM! Wendy, you have great ideas for the shoes so definitely keep a watch on them and will them to go to sale. I like that heel height. I've never had Chies on my feet either, I have never encountered them in person and never ordered them to try on.
DeleteAREN'T YOU PUNNY! Love the flovers, always WMM. My current, cheapie favourite is a row of salvaged Orangina single serve bottles with a sunny Gerbera each.
ReplyDeleteDani and Tiffany Rose have converted me to Chie. I can attest that her heeled oxfords are super comfy and walkable. However, given the prices, I think they are worth waiting for end-of-season sales, which do happen. Idon't do pink so won't flavour that decision, but do make sure they go with lots in your closet - and that you still <3 them after 14/30 days.
Finally, re. FFM's wonderful list, 4 things I have found that help - posting a printed copy near your computer (no fudging, less surf sale shopping); attaching a budget to each item (and adding up the total); sharing with a closet confidante who will keep you honest; and having a set amount for one "pure fun" or big investment item so that staying on target doesn't seem so hard.
Happy Saturday. Tell B. I want risotto when I come round to help with yard sale-ing please. (One of few things DH does not like - texture/ooze - so we very seldom have it at home.)
Oh great ideas! I am not sure I even NEED anything for Spring, so may be wide open there. I really did buy too much and still only wore half of it in last couple of years, so am being brutal this year! Plus hubby and I are doing budget together (his flying lessons, my clothes, EVERYTHING) so that helps me stay true!!!
DeleteI hate to be a bad influence, but it seems like a unique pair of shoes like these could make the clothes you already have feel new.
DeleteHeehee! Oh Cate you made me laugh out loud! I may try and see if they are somewhere in NYC and give them a whirl! I actually need to try the brand on to be sure they are comfy too! I couldn't find them last time I was in NYC
DeleteLovely tulips Wendy! Tulips are my favorite. I can't wait to get some to brighten my house and my mood. We are all sick for the second time this month and its really making me sad. I hate seeing my little guy sick. Soo ready for spring!
ReplyDeleteI have 2 pairs of chie sandals, both I got on sale so I think it's worth to wait for the sales. Look on amazon for deals. Sometimes their prices change daily. I think those shoes will be on sale by late March, early April.
Lol @ the shopping problems of supermodels. I guess it is really tough to do in their world:)
Have a great weekend!
Oh and chies run an entire size small for me, just an FYI. Try them so you know your size before the sales hit.
ReplyDeleteOh A - so sorry to hear you are all sick again! ANd I am like you - I hate it when little ones are sick! I hope you all rest and get better soon! Many thanks for the advice on Chies - I definitely need a test drive re: sizing before ordering - I am looking for comfort in addition to pretty!
DeleteI agree. I am a true nine but take a 40 in Chies.
Deletethanks BB!
DeleteThat is a model on the cover of British Vogue. Can't remember her name (Natasha?) but she is famous for her cat eyes and has been a testimonial for the Lancome makeup line for a couple of years. I miss the supermodels too!
ReplyDeleteAh, Spring! All the store windows here are in full spring mode, it is so hard to divert the eyes! At least the prices are so crazy to keep me away. On my spring list right now I have a pair of colorblocked shoes (black/white). I am still looking at those 3.1 Phillip Lim d'Orsay but waiting for at least a promo, they are freaking expensive! Unless I can convince my husband to give me sjoes instead of flowers for Valentine's Day!
Oh Ema - I cannot imagine my husband giving me shoes, much as I would want him to!! Thanks for the supermodel info - I am so tired of all the actresses now being the fashionistas - I miss the days when actresses made mistakes!
DeleteI forgot I can't comment on those Chia because I don't own any and Oxford shoes are not my style. The colors seem tough but it looks like they go with a lot of spring items you have. Go with your heart!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ema! Of course, by the time I actually get new spring shoes, I will have fallen in love MANY times!
DeleteFrequent walker miles-- you are too much!
ReplyDeleteI like the shape of those shoes, but not the color combo so much. For that price. Do they come in a 'nude' shade?
Sitting here in triple cashmere, eating a hot bowl of Red River ( Canadian! the best),I am enjoying winter for the quiet,but doing some spring dreaming as well. You NEED tulips at this point. GArden dreaming and planning is so satisfying and there is not one thing I can do in this weather to action any of it-- love the time! Six weeks of daily asparagus and daffodils start in April-- cannot wait!
I know I need a dress or 2; just could not find any last year ( but I don't really shop so my fault-- need suggestions) My budget has changed due to semi-retirement; I'm at the time is better than money stage, I think.
Lane - I am really with you! Even in the last month, not being at work, I have spent a fraction of what I normally would have, when I would wander the shops at lunch time once a week or cruise the JCrew site for some new treat to wear to work! If I decide to go on and do something different, I will NOT need anywhere near the kind and type of clothes I had. As long as you have a couple of suits (which I have) per season I think I would be fine!
DeleteThose are such excellent posts by FFM on the list idea. I've got one for the year and it includes gifts from my MrBP as well (for the bigger ticket items).
ReplyDeleteI think Damian Lewis is super-dashing. It's hard not to have a crush on him after seeing him in Band of Brothers and in Homeland. His wife is totally adorable. I think she was in the Harry Potter movies?
I have fresh flowers in my living room, they are never prettier than at this time of year.
I really like those Chie's. I'm not planning to buy any this year as I have quite a few pairs already, and they are such great shoes I find that I buy less in that category over all. They are so comfortable. I size up a half in Chie's. They do go to sale, and check Browns.ca as well, they have easy returns. Not sure if they have the spring line up yet!
I hope you have a great day!
You're right, she was Narcissa Malfoy in the last 2 or 3 films Dani. I had not realised as I always think of her as Cherie Blair in The Queen and Special Relationship. With that poor haircut and wardrobe. Adorbs IRL.
DeleteThanks Dani! It was a great article about them and the stress (and joys - being asked to sit at the Obama table at the state dinner for David Cameron for example)of him leaving in the US away from them for certain time each year.
DeleteI will keep me eye out to try on Chies and watch pricing. As I said to Ema, by the time March comes I may have fallen in love many times!
xoxo converted me to Chies. it's a dangerous addiction, you may never want anything else. Surprisingly, Lord and Taylor has a small but Interesting selection of Chies and also is always having sales and specials. And of all places, Amazon! I used to order from a store in California, but then had a peculiar experience - after waiting 5 months for a refund and getting really goofy explanations like they use a small bank which is slow on MasterCard turnaround - gosh, the charge went thru instantly - I finally asked MasterCard to look into it and got my refund, plus another goofy explanation. Then I got an email from the store owner telling me how my lack of patience had caused them problems with MasterCard. I thought about replying, oh, boy, did I think, and then decided that since I had my money, I would just not buy there any more. Noblesse oblige.
ReplyDeleteother sources I like for Chies - Simply Soles, they're on the east coast, sadly not in New York, sign up for emails and they have good sales, and right now there is sale mayhem going on.
as I read back what I wrote I realize it sounds like I buy Chies all the time. They are in fact a great and seldom treat, and I stalk and pounce. And like Dani, I find that I buy fewer shoes. I've thrown out my crap shoes, won't donate them, just because people are poor doesn't mean their feet should hurt too.
Thanks for all the great sources Fred! I have given away so many shoes in the last few weeks it is not funny. I think you are right on about giving awful shoes to the donation bin. Now if I put on shoes and then take them off (Aldo loafers - arrgghh) then I know they must go. I really am at a point where I should only buy one pair of shoes each season (shoes, sandals, shoes boots) and that would do it, and then just keep cycling. Wait - I see the beginning of a list....
DeleteLove the shoes, and think they'd work with virtually anything. They don't need to "match" - they're very Spring, and really "shoe art". I wouldn't even hesitate to mix them with other patterns.
ReplyDeleteDamian Lewis is very crush worthy, and is my newest crush, Kevin McKidd - all of a sudden - red heads from the UK!
Oh Kathy - I SOOOOO love Kevin McKidd - have loved him for years. Very crushworthy!
DeleteI am with you on shoes - if they are comfortable, they could be such fun. The key for me now is walking comfort - they can't just be comfortable standing still. I know - that sounds crazy - but in the past I have bought shoes I could "just" stand in for work or cocktails. Dear frigging God!!!! No more! Am I the only person who has ever done that? I saw so many starlets walking the red carpet at the Golden Globes who could not walk in their shoes. Embarrasing!
Limo shoes-- only work if you have one.
Deletenot yet!
DeleteThe Chie Mihara shoes may seem trendy but if they are your style you will wear them forever. I have been buying Chie shoes for many years already and every pair still gets some action.
ReplyDeleteGravity Pope does have regular sales so you could ask them when the next one will be. It's usually 15% off regular priced merchandise but then you may not be able to return if they don't work. Maybe you can find them in NYC to try and buy. Chie's used to consistently fit very small but they recently modified production of their lasts and now most are TTS but it would be good to try them regardless. There is a different colorway available on Amazon France, see them HERE. Chie Mihara often makes different colorways for specific stores so there could be more coming. If you find a better deal in a U.S. store you could ship them to your NYC hotel and if they don't work out, ship them back while still in the U.S.
As you can tell I strongly support buying well-made, comfortable and stylish Chie Mihara shoes! Totally enabling here.
The flowers are lovely and that may be just the thing we need to brighten up the days around here as it sure has been gloomy. Tulips are the perfect choice to invoke spring thoughts. Regarding your first musing, I don't read fashion magazines or participate in the cult of celebrity at all. In my family such activities are considered unhealthy.
Hi xoxo, many thanks on the heads up - I love the french colourway as well! I have got to try on a pair for sure!
DeleteAs for cult of celebrity - totally respect that. I guess that would put me in the unhealthy category, as I do love a good fashion magazine now and then!
I don't mean to sound like I'm making a judgement call, it's just how I was raised and believe me, most people find it odd if I tell them. I guess we all have our little quirks so please forgive mine.
DeleteNo oneis quirkier than me! All good!
DeleteI watch many old series on Hulu when I am working to meet a deadline, and I just discovered LIFE this last wave of work. I was addicted and it stars none other than Damian Lewis and guest appearances by his wife. Very entertaining. I love the colors of those Chies- I am not a convert yet- I still have my fantasy shopping money firmly set aside for a pair of Ferragamo Varinas. Boring, but they have been calling my name for 20 years. Tulips are lovely. Don't mix them with other flowers and keep them away from fruit and they will last much longer.
ReplyDeleteThanks KnitYarns - they are safely ensconced away from Kitchen and I cut them every few days to try and make them last! Ah Ferragamo - love, love, love...
DeleteI had not heard of this show so now am going to look them up!
How funny that you posted about British Vogue, I just got a copy of it this week and when I read that buying less article, I immediately thought of everyone here. While it was annoying in the way that all Vogues are annoying, if you toned down the cost, I think it was pretty relatable - buying less but better, buying more basics, de-pilling cashmere sweaters (ha), annoyance with polyester linings and increased prices for lower quality, etc.
ReplyDeleteThose shoes would really suit you. Though perhaps a little casual for your purposes? I have yet to try these mythical Chies.
No spring wardrobe thoughts here, yet, though Ema's post about the new boho get me thinking about summer dressing. I think my project for the moment should be altering some of my spring/summer pieces to make them wearable - shortening straps and fixing dropped hems on summer dresses. I am so annoyed by dropped hems! Even my "nicer" dresses lose their hems.
That is all. I hope you have a nice weekend. I should be studying but am reading the internet instead :)
Abby good luck on the studying! I am off to clean! I am sure I will have lots of wardrobe re-purposing when I dig it all out later in March - there is always so much that doesn't quite work! Thanks for your thoughts!
DeleteOur mags are so much sarkier than yours, the letters in US magazines blow our minds, they are so sycophantic!
ReplyDeleteI never used to like Gingers but Damien Lewis has changed my mind.
I'm just not a Chie fan, I don't like their lines, so I'll sit that one out.
Tabs - my hair is coloured ginger, so that makes two you like?
DeleteLike many, I pack my spring/summer clothes away in the fall and promptly forget what I have as I start looking at all the catalogues, e-mails, and such this time of year. Before I know it, I have made a purchase that sooo closely resembles something I already own. And of course I can't wear it for at least 6 more weeks. I think I need to make my list while I'm packing the stuff away. Just my opinion, I am not a fan of oxfords and bare legs (I.e. spring and summer). Unless you have really long legs and a short mini, they make ya look stumpy. I do favor Chie's just not sure of that color combo.
ReplyDeleteThanks BB!
DeleteI am sure I will have to look at a lt of shoes (AKA frogs) before I know the one! Thanks for your thoughts!
I no longer read fashion magazines except at the dentist or hairstylist. I'm tired of looking at prepubescent girls tarted up like adult women who have been air brushed to death.
ReplyDeleteWhew, I'm glad I got that off my chest :-)! I liked the "super model" era too. That being snarked/said, I can't speak for British magazines, my dentist is a cheapo who only buys US ones. Honestly, they also show such impossibly expensive clothes that have no correlation to my lifestyle.
The Chie's sound like they would play nicely with several things already in your wardrobe, so with that criteria covered, I say watch and pounce when you find them on sale. I only have one pair of them and I must be odd (of course I am) because they ran large on me.
On a sweeter note, your Tulips are so pretty!
Thanks! To be honest, I don't read a lot of fashion mags, but would be lying if I said I wasn't drawn to this one because of Damian Lewis and a couple of other articles! While I never care about the clothes per se ( in that I will never have that kind of money), I am often interested in how things are presented visually.
DeleteAnd thanks - love the tulips, too!