Hi All!
I cannot believe it is already Wednesday! I also cannot believe it is the end of July!!!
It rained buckets yesterday and we did two things that always cause me stress:
1) we went down into our crawl space; and
2) we hauled a bunch of stuff up out of same-said crawl-space for an upcoming yard sale on Saturday.
We will talk more about the yard sale later in the week. Trust me, I will need therapy by time it is all done! I am thinking of flying Miss GetFresh down, as I think she is just the sort to whip a yard sale into shape!
But I digress....
Later this afternoon, chafing from the pouring rain, and being drawn by the clearing sky, I decided I would go for a little walkabout downtown while I waited to pick up my daughter.
For several weeks, I have wanted to recreate the following outfit that M posted on Pinterest:
You know I am not shy about stealing, so I decided to see if I could recreate this look myself..
It was slightly cool out earlier so I put on my J Crew featherweight cashmere cardigan from last year, so not EXACTLY the same...:
Actually, it was all old stuff: old BCBG t-shirt, Gap Body maxi skirt and Aldo T strap sandals. Nothing was bought in 2013, and all survived the great 2013 summer closet purge!
That is one cheerful looking chick!!!
And speaking of clothes, we have a new young designer setting up shop here in the city. In this era of big box stores and everyone looking like everyone else, this kind of thing is a breath of fresh air!
Her name is Celine Brideau, and in addition to creating her own line of fashion, she has been invited to participate in New York Fashion week. You can read all about her here.
So of course I went right down, since there are two things our small city needs: 1) better restaurants and 2) independent retailers!
She is just lovely and very talented. I liked a dress so much I bought it (a sweet jersey number for only $70) band will model it in the coming weeks. The theme of this summer's collection was Flamenco, but she told me that her fall line will be very luxe, very Russian royal family-ish.
I am getting more and more tired of the large chains, though I know that for most of us, it is the only way we can afford or access fashion. I really applaud this young woman and her enthusiasm. She is committed to creating and selling her own vision of fashion and I so want to support that.
I fear that I will eventually become Little Edie Beale, wrapping chambray around my head and leopard skin on everything else...
So yes, I will do all I can to support local designers. Now I just need to learn how to make shoes... then I will be all set!!!
How about you - are there local clothing designers near where you live? Do you purchase from them?
Have a happy Wednesday and Stay Safe out there!!!
I cannot believe it is already Wednesday! I also cannot believe it is the end of July!!!
It rained buckets yesterday and we did two things that always cause me stress:
1) we went down into our crawl space; and
2) we hauled a bunch of stuff up out of same-said crawl-space for an upcoming yard sale on Saturday.
We will talk more about the yard sale later in the week. Trust me, I will need therapy by time it is all done! I am thinking of flying Miss GetFresh down, as I think she is just the sort to whip a yard sale into shape!
But I digress....
Later this afternoon, chafing from the pouring rain, and being drawn by the clearing sky, I decided I would go for a little walkabout downtown while I waited to pick up my daughter.
For several weeks, I have wanted to recreate the following outfit that M posted on Pinterest:
It was slightly cool out earlier so I put on my J Crew featherweight cashmere cardigan from last year, so not EXACTLY the same...:
Actually, it was all old stuff: old BCBG t-shirt, Gap Body maxi skirt and Aldo T strap sandals. Nothing was bought in 2013, and all survived the great 2013 summer closet purge!
That is one cheerful looking chick!!!
And speaking of clothes, we have a new young designer setting up shop here in the city. In this era of big box stores and everyone looking like everyone else, this kind of thing is a breath of fresh air!
Her name is Celine Brideau, and in addition to creating her own line of fashion, she has been invited to participate in New York Fashion week. You can read all about her here.
So of course I went right down, since there are two things our small city needs: 1) better restaurants and 2) independent retailers!
She is just lovely and very talented. I liked a dress so much I bought it (a sweet jersey number for only $70) band will model it in the coming weeks. The theme of this summer's collection was Flamenco, but she told me that her fall line will be very luxe, very Russian royal family-ish.
I am getting more and more tired of the large chains, though I know that for most of us, it is the only way we can afford or access fashion. I really applaud this young woman and her enthusiasm. She is committed to creating and selling her own vision of fashion and I so want to support that.
I fear that I will eventually become Little Edie Beale, wrapping chambray around my head and leopard skin on everything else...
So yes, I will do all I can to support local designers. Now I just need to learn how to make shoes... then I will be all set!!!
How about you - are there local clothing designers near where you live? Do you purchase from them?
Have a happy Wednesday and Stay Safe out there!!!
It's funny you mentioned Edie Beale. I just watched the newest version of the movie and am fascinated. You'd think I lived under a rock!! She may have been eccentric, but she sure was confident of her personal style. I admire that!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I think large chains suck the life out of style. Just my opinion. And I do not think there is anything wrong with wrapping everything in Leopard. It's exciting to buy from local, emerging designers. I support that.
Hi Jennifer - I loved both the Grey Gardens documentary and the movie. So interesting!!!
DeleteI think that's why I like the blogs - real people trying things in real and fun ways (like M's polyvore set above)- I think as I have transitioned in style, I have discovered that trying to copy J Crew or other retailers looks makes me feel "not like me", more of a fashion victim, and I have discovered that my clothing style is getting simpler and simpler...
Look up the book Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design by Danielle La Porte and Carrie McCarthy. With this transition in life I am about to take part of, empty nester, I have found it helpful as a guide back to myself. You may or may not get something out of it, I am. Anyway, you look adorable as ever and personally am glad you did not wrap everything in leopard...just not a leopard or zebra or anything calf hair kinda girl here.
ReplyDeleteHi BB - I will definitely take a look for that book - sounds interesting!!
DeleteOh I have to say - I do like leopard print shoes - they are awfully fun!! Of course, you have seen "the real thing" and wonder if that has changed your perspective? I keep thinking it would be nice to have vegan footwear options that are excellent quality.
It would be fun to discuss the book with you but no pressure :) Not sure why I don't like the leopard print. There are some very nice vegan footwear out there...all the starlets need something to wear...but I do prefer leather and suede.
DeleteThat is the truth - the leather and suede looks good and breaths....I do have a pair of Franco Sarto winter boots that are amazing and non-leather - I wish I had bought them in every colour! Will let you know when I find the book!
Deletethey have 4 at my locals bookstore so will pick it up and once I have read - we can discuss - thanks for the advice!!
DeleteSo flattered Wendy and love your version of the set! In fact, I will have to wear that set today, as you have inspired me. I live that you are supporting this independent store. How refreshing it is to find something unique and not created with profit/shareholders/bottom line involved. Can't wait to see what you've picked out!
ReplyDeleteHi M - you know I do love your style and love to steal shamelessly from you! On the positive side, at least you don't have to run into my on the street! :-)
DeleteI am going to try it on again later this week and take some pictures as to how I would style it in the early fall. It was technically in her summer line, but is 3/4 sleeves and long and I look at it more as a april/may/September/October dress. I hope there are more good things in the fall line as I would like to support her!
Love your take on M's set, and adore that shade of blue on you!
ReplyDeleteHope you recover from your crawl-space trauma very soon.
Hi Ruth! We are going back in this afternoon - sigh....
DeleteI like that blue as well!
I want to wear that outfit too!! I can kind of recreate it with gray and white jersey. Did we ever determine where the skirt in the Polyvore is from? Your recreation is great, I love it! Good luck with the sale, that will take it out of you for sure. It will be over soon, that is the best i can do :)
ReplyDeleteI know - there is nothing so fine as watching strangers paw over things that even you yourself wonder "why the heck did I buy that?" Pure Bliss!
DeleteI will have to ask M where the skirt is from! mine was old gap...
The blue sweater is very flattering on you, you were wise to spare it from the purge.
ReplyDeleteI shop local boutiques frequently and also Sandra Angelozzi, who is a Montreal designer with Femme de Carriere shops in a few cities in Canada and the U.S. They have mostly career wear, dresses and some great accessories like scarves and layering camis. It's nice to see a designer move beyond the small boutique and develop a larger retail presence.
I'm at the saturation point with large chains too and I'm really scrutinizing everything I buy now that I've gone through such a major purge as well. I hope the new boutique gives you lots of beautiful choices.
HI xoxo - I will have to look for that shop - new one to me. I did hit one in Waterloo by an Ontario designer, David Findley - quite liked his things and bought a little peachy shell. Very, very nice things.
DeleteYour outfit looks so comfy, one can never go wrong with beige and white for summer. I remember when we were young all our dresses were made by the seamstress in our neighborhood. It was a joy to pick the fabric and the style from the dressmaking catalogs. Now I don't know anyone in our area who does that except for simple alterations. Good for you for supporting local designers, I hope Celine becomes successful. It's important to support local businesses particularly women entrepreneurs. That's my excuse whenever I buy from the local chocolatier down our block.
ReplyDeleteHI Marie - funny - my husband was THRILLED that I bought a dress from her as he feels the same way. This could be the beginning of sanctioned clothes shopping....
DeleteWe have designer Jill McGowan who started doing white shirts; she has been discovered by M Stewart but is still here, I think. There is a shop with linen only , made here, that I'm going to find today with my visiting sister. South Street linen, I think?
ReplyDeleteI love your "copy" outfit, you've given it your original verve.
Thanks Lane! I am intrigued by this Jill! You know I am searching for a proper and fine white shirt!
DeleteI see she has a store in Freeport - hmmm - fall roadtrip?
DeleteMake shoes - has me laughing, I'm imagining fabric and ribbons wrapped round your feet, I might even stretch to newspaper shoes.
ReplyDeleteI would love to make shoes - me and Daniel Day-Lewis - we could have our own little cobbler shop!!! If this whole writing thing doesn't work, well off I go!!!
DeleteHi Wendy, your outfit looks so comfy. There are a few small clothing stores in out downtown but no designers per se. I had a look for David Findley in Toronto - his store is in a nice area of Yonge Street, and, through the magic of street view, I can see that there are lots of other lovely boutiques nearby. Sounds like a plan for a day out!
ReplyDeleteI had heard of the book Style Statement a few years ago and it sounded like quite a bit of work, but BB has me thinking it might be worth a look at this stage in my life.
Hi Patricia - let me know what you think of David Findley! I thought there were some very nice, reasonably priced pieces - Dani - if you see this - was the peach top I wore at your dinner party!
DeleteI am off to go see if I can find that book!
M always has the prettiest polyvores. They are so inspiring. I like your interpretation Wendy. Very nice and that blue is a great color for you. I applaud your efforts to support independent retailers, and crsftspeople. They have such a struggle against the mass marketers. Oh, M. My friend's sister owns a shop called "Stitch Southhampton"
ReplyDeletehttp://stitch-southampton.myshopify.com/
and they are noted for their incredible bespoke white shirts. I have seen them at a trunk show, and they are gorgeous!
what a lovely shop and website! Maybe that will be my 50s - handmade items!!!! I may even have to learn to sew....
DeleteYou are right - M has the best polyvores!
I love this look on you Wendy! In fact I bought one maxi skirt in almost same color just because M set! :o) I love it with the blue cardigan and I will be coping that for sure :P
ReplyDelete