The Dotted i

This past Saturday, not only did the forecast turn from rain to sun, but I had the chance for a little "me" time to accomplish some of the fun items on my to-do list!  Love it.  I found myself in Concord Center, one of my favorite places and the most quintessential New England town you could imagine (seriously, I had to refrain just now from putting an e on town).  I have passed The Dotted i on many occasions, but as I typically have my baby girlfriend in tow, I've refrained from checking it out; after all, pre-toddlers and packed little stationery shops aren't exactly a match made in heaven.  But since I was flying solo, I couldn't resist. 

The Dotted i is the sweetest little paper boutique and now also my new favorite place.  It is packed with endless opportunities to add your monogram to just about anything: bags, tumblers, necklaces--oh my!  Plus, an array of perfect, preppy stationery and the ability to place custom orders.  Talk about crossing your Ts and dotting your Is.

While I stopped in to purchase a graduation card, these two must-haves from The Dotted i are now on my to-buy list: 

This Kate Spade post-it note set.  The three neon colored pads aptly read: Things to Do, Places to Go, and People to See.  Because whose desk organization wouldn't benefit from clever catchphrases in equally catchy neon?

People, Places, Things Sticky Pad Set, $25
by Kate Spade New York
Available at The Dotted i

Also, I'm obsessing over The Dotted i's amazing custom monogram necklaces.  In case you are thinking that all monogrammed jewelry is created equal, this is much, much more.  The monogram is done in acrylic, and you can choose your color from one of a rainbow assortment.  Then it sits on a delicate little gold chain.  The price-tag pushes it towards "splurge," but if I've ever seen a splurge-worthy monogram necklace, this is totally it.  

Acrylic Block Monogram Necklace, $78
by Moon and Lola
Available at The Dotted i

After my successful shopping mission, I picked up milkshakes at one of our favorite ice cream shops and another Concord gem, Bedford Farms, to take home for Dallin and Harper.  Chalk it up to the obsessive compulsive within, but few things give me more satisfaction than checking items off my to-do list.  Especially when there is shopping involved, and the day ends in ice cream.  Done and done.  

Episode 12: Boston Fashion

Boston
Photo from Rishi Raj Photography

Today I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon on Newbury Street with my sister, Annie, getting a head start on our holiday shopping.  In addition to our favorite spots, we took the opportunity to pop into stores that we had never been to before, sometimes with our own wardrobes in mind and other times in search of a Christmas gift or two.  It was such an amazing day that I was reminded of how much I love my home city of Boston--and how thankful I am to have been able to enjoy it in such good company.


Boston may not be known as a landmark on the fashion scene, yet I am constantly inspired by the people who surround me, even the people I see on the street.  Today, Annie and I saw both fashion dos and don'ts.  Perhaps my favorite "do" was a casual fall layered look, a girl wearing army green leg warmers over her black leggings and tucked into her brown boots.  While her look wasn't anything earth shattering, the comfortable ease of the layers struck me as a fun way to incorporate color and texture in an everyday outfit.


On the other hand, the most notable "don't" was a girl wearing a faux fur jacket that redefined the word "oversized," dwarfing her tiny frame so much that she looked as though was drowning.  I believe she was probably channeling that bohemian Mary Kate Olsen vibe, but the thing about that is that you actually have to be Mary Kate Olsen to make it work (and even she ends up on the "Fashion Police" page of US Weekly sometimes).


As and aside, amongst the dos and don't, this was indeed a triumphant day; my lovely, flat-shoes-only sister purchased her very first pair of heels--or wedges, to be more exact.  Her new Tory Burch wedges fall solidly into the "do" category, and as a lover of the highest high heels, I was proud to be a part of the buying experience--and thankful to have had the opportunity to spend the prettiest fall day with my sister in our favorite (and ever fashionable) city.

My sister rises to new heights!

Sophie Wedges

by Tory Burch

Lady Luxe

Remember back in grade school when the new girl immediately sky-rocketed to popularity, leaving all the other girls in her class in a dismal cloud of dust behind her? Well, Lady Luxe is the new girl in my 'hood, and while there isn't much competition, she's still made one hell of entrance!

But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself; allow me to explain... As you may already know, I love love love discovering new boutiques in and around the Boston area. I'm especially partial to vintage and/or consignment shops, which feel like the grown-up version of treasure hunting. You never know what might be hiding on a shelf or rack, and I suppose it's the thrill of the hunt that gets me. Lady Luxe is just this type of shop, and I dare say that part vintage lifestyle and part modern hipster equals one very cute new girl.

I have been meaning to pop into Lady Luxe since I first noticed it last summer. Its location on the Belmont/Cambridge line means that it couldn't be more conveniently located (for me, at least), but I tend to always pass it en route to another destination and just never seem to have a moment to spare! But today was the day. After a rendez vous with some of my very besties, we popped to see what we could see. The sunny vintage shop is bigger than it appears from the street, housing a mix of retro clothing, accessories, and housewares that all possess a suprisingly striking modern appeal.

The treasure on this particular treasure hunt was, without a doubt, an Oscar (de la Renta, to be clear) cap sleeved sheath dress covered in matte finish gold sequins. While it may have been quite literally worth its weight in gold (I kid you not, this dress was heavy!), I'm pretty sure I could have made it look light and effortless. While the price tag of $185 was hardly unreasonable, I had a sneaking suspicion that my adorable husband might disagree with my appraisal so I kept my wallet tucked safely inside my handbag. This time. But I'll be back. After all, who doesn't want to be just as luxe as the new girl?

Psst... If you need to see it to believe it, Lady Luxe is located at 31 Belmont Street in Cambridge, MA--and they're having a sale all through out the month of January! Click here to visit their Facebook page for more details.

All images thanks to Google maps.

Crush On This...

Valentine's Day may still be a month away, but it's never to early to start crushing. Especially when the crush in question is Crush Boutique, a coveted Charles Street fashion destination. When I first stumbled upon the garden level boutique after it opened in 2007, I felt as though I had discovered a hidden gem (literally--as it's partially hidden from the street). The cozy store is home to bold designs, bright colors, and boho/blinged out accessories that you'd be foolish not to crush on.

Like my personal style, my track record at Crush is all over the place, with past purchases ranging from chunky bracelets, to a preppy plaid dress, a hippie chic red peasant top, and dash of designer denim... However, on my most recent shopping excursion, I fell for a more subtle item: a ridiculously soft, burn-out tee in a grey-green that could've been custom made for me (it wasn't). Chatting with store co-owner Rebecca Penner, I learned that Crush had recently received their own branding, and said tee-shirt was just one example. Let me assure you, these girls know their stuff! The tee-shirt had me at hello, but I wasn't in the mood to try it on so Rebecca explained the fit and sizing of their line and suggested wearing my tee under a boyfriend blazer with a pair of heels to dress it up. Priced around $40, it was too versatile (and too soft!!) to turn down. Oh, and did I mention the customer service?

By now, you may be tempted to venture out into the elements in search of your own crush-worthy purchase, but with nearly two feet of snow slamming Boston today, there's no need to go all kamikaze snow bunny! Rather, the girls at Crush have made it easy to stay warm and fashionable with Crush online, their online store that boasts "one-of a kind accessories and unique pieces" that can be yours with the mere click of a mouse. But whenever the snow does finally stop, make some room in your schedule for a Charles Street fashion outing. After all, Valentine's Day is just a month away, and you'll want to be sure that you're looking crush-worthy too...

Images thanks to Crush (www.shopcrushboutique.com).

Style In Spades

Just last week, this fashionista counted herself lucky, with a visit from her favorite Washington-born friend, Annie Rose. A fashionista in her own right, Miss Annie can always be counted on for a shopping date. There are few people about whom I can say this, but I think the lovely Annie Rose enjoys shopping as much as I do! One of the many reasons we're such good friends. But I digress...

With shopping ranking high on our to-do list, we ventured to Newbury Street--where a stop at Kate Spade was absolutely mandatory. Now, let it be known that I could digress further (about how dear Annie also appreciates etiquette a la Kate Spade and all things nautically inspired--a kindred spirit for surrre), but I'll try to stay on track. Inside the store, I felt transported to a well-mannered fashion mecca. From the blatantly Jackie-O inspired dresses, to the irresistibly cute mittens, to the rows upon rows of heels and handbags that I would kill for (were I not a law-abiding lady, of course)--it was an honest miracle that my wallet didn't go up in smoke!

Fortunately, while some Kate Spade fashions can err on the pricier side, as a brand, they are also hip to the times and offer a range of more affordable accessories that also have style in spades. Like tights. Simple? Yes. But this one article can go a loooong way towards polishing and perfecting a look.

Personally, I was immediately drawn to the Tonal Argyle Tights in coral (don't let the name fool you, this color is RED--pure and simple). I wore them just yesterday with a simple black pleated skirt, black cardigan, and black ankle boots. The pop! of color beneath the pleats of my skirt made an otherwise basic outfit so much more. Not for nothing, Kate Spade's tights are "one size" so I was worried that they wouldn't be long enough for all 5 feet and 11 inches of me; fortunately, they are designed to stretch so they would easily fit a petite fashionista as well as a tall girl like myself (sorta makes me understand that whole Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants concept).

If textured tights aren't your thing (gasp!), there are other options. Kate's Solid Opaque Tights come in a bold teal that offers a lovely contrast to the more traditional fall colors. Also, her Drop Needle Tights are made from a comfy cotton/spandex blend and feature a darling polka-dot print. Pick from grey with bright pink dots or brown with soft blue dots; either way, they couldn't be more fun.

Whatever you do, give those boring nude pantyhose a rest already. This season, add some snap to your look (and stay much warmer, added bonus!) with a few go-to pairs of multi-colored/patterned tights. I guarantee it: even if you wore the same black dress every day (not recommended, unless we're talking about The Uniform Project), swapping tights, shoes, and accessories would make you look entirely different. BUT...with great patterns and colors comes great responsibility so use it wisely, little grasshopper.

Psst: Right now, enjoy free shipping on ALL orders from http://www.katespade.com/!

Tonal Argyle Tights $28; Drop Needle Tights $38; both from Kate Spade (http://www.katespade.com/).

Vogue vs. Verité

One of the reasons I love September? The September issues. Any fashionista worth her salt will tell you, September means the biggest, best, and brightest from all your favorite fashion magazines--and for many, Vogue is the crème de la crème.

The very sad elephant in the room, however, is that the state of the economy has hit the fashion industry hard (think Mack Truck), evidenced in--among other things--a noticeably slimmer stack of glossy pages this September. This grim reality means no couture gowns, no shoes priced at nearly four figures, and (tear) no Chanel handbag--not this year, and probably not next year either. As my mother so aptly phrased it the other day, the world has gone from vogue to verité.

Fortunately, it's not all gloom and doom. As my man Nietzsche once said, One must still have chaos within oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star. In this particular scenario, the star of the (fashion) show is keeping it local. For those independent boutiques who have not crumbled under financial pressures in the last year or so, they have never shined so bright.

One such place is Bessie Blue, a sunny boutique in the center of Belmont. Bessie Blue is the type of place where vogue meets verité, offering a range of apparel and accessories for the everyday woman.


If it sounds too good to be true, you couldn't more wrong. Take a peek inside my shopping bag... After a recent visit to Bessie Blue, I walked away with an amazing wrap sweater by Laurie B. Made of super soft cotton and a dash of cashmere, it's ultra cozy--but also totally edgy, as it can be worn two ways: wrapped up around the shoulders or long and luxe. If you're a babe on a budget, a two-for-one look like this is the best cure for the recession blues.

Thanks to the très chic trio of Lee, Lone, and Ashley, Bessie Blue is able to do what few other boutiques of its kind have mastered: walk the fine line between cutting edge trends and ready-to-wear fashion. From handbags and hoop earrings to skinny jeans and scarves, Bessie Blue offers something for every woman. Mothers and daughters can shop together and then leave the store, shopping bags in hand, still friends. I've seen it happen. But if you don't believe me, then you'll just have to see for yourself. Go ahead, put a little vogue in your verité.




Psst: Bessie Blue is open 7 days a week, located at 21 Leonard Street in Belmont, MA, and available by phone at (617)489-4900. When you stop by, don't forget to join their mailing list for updates on sales and promotions!

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Vogue Paris September 2009 cover; (2) Bessie Blue store interior, photo courtesy of Trinity Building and Construction Management (http://www.trinitybuildingboston.com/).

Get Your Pistachio Fix

Every year in May, hoards of high-heeled Boston fashionistas flock to the South End for Stylefixx, a girls' night out devoted to fashion and lifestyle. For me, the best thing about Stylefixx is that Boston area designers and boutique owners set up booths to showcase their wares--and this is how I get my Pistachio fix.

Pistachio by Marisa Danielle is a collection of redesigned vintage jewlery and accessories, very Daisy Buchanan chic. Each piece is a unique work of wearable art, reminiscent of a bygone era with a contemporary twist.

At Stylefixx last year, I left with a funky yellow 1970s-ish button hairpin--and Lizzie with the more traditional pearl version that she, in fact, was wearing at a wedding just this past weekend. This year, I fell in love with (and subsequently brought home) an elaborate cocktail ring, featuring a cluster of pearls and iridescent beads sitting atop a chunky gold band. India set her sights on a fabulous blue coral print headband, ornate with a shimmering blue rhinestone brooch. Meanwhile, Talyn snagged a delicate ring with a single black stone embedded in a thick gold setting. All three of us are basically obsessed with our purchases.

Fortunately, Stylefixx isn't the only place you can find these tasty accessories. For you locals, Mint Julep in Harvard Square boasts a solid selection of Marisa Danielle's Pistachio creations, as do several other Boston area boutiques. For those of you lovely ladies who choose to live elsewhere (for reasons unknown to this proud Boston girl), Pistachio is also available in New Hampshire, Maine, Ohio, California, Washington, or Oregon (see the Pistachio website for a detailed list of retail locations)--or you can minimize your carbon footprint and shop online!

Whether it's a necklace, ring, or headband, Marisa Danielle's designs are infused with tradition and style--and will add a fun, retro punch to your wardrobe. Plus, there is something for everyone. While India, Lizzie, Talyn, and I (four of your five favorite bloggers!) each have our own distinct fashion sensibilities, we all covet these wearable accessories-turned-art. As an added bonus, since each item is one-of-a-kind, you can revel in the fact that no one else will have it.

Now, aren't you craving just a little taste of Pistachio???

Fashion photo from Pistachio by Marisa Danielle, available online at www.pistachiofashions.com.

Step Into the Closet

All this recession madness has a girl feeling just a tad bit guilty about updating her wardrobe. I mean, can't the economy just turn itself around already?! Since I'm not holding my breath on that one, I would suggest an alternative: step into the closet.

Reading the March 5 edition of Stuff Boston, Erin Souza's "Spring Fashion: Retro Renewal" stopped me in my tracks. HOW is it possible that a gem like The Closet exists on Newbury Street, one of my favorite stomping grounds, and I never knew about it? There's nothing quite like designer fashions at a "gentle" price to ease the recession blues. Yes, I was actually running down city blocks to make it in the door before closing time (I kid you not).

Located at 175 Newbury, between Dartmouth and Exeter, The Closet had sadly slipped my notice due to its garden-level location. Forgive me--I'm a tall girl, and sometimes I forget to look down (like when I almost stepped on an innocent child at Whole Foods last week!). Lesson learned.

Inside, let me assure you that The Closet boats a far, far better selection than my closet. Racks upon racks are packed with designer duds: sweaters, denim, dresses, tee, skirts... However, The Closet separates itself from other resale boutiques of its kind in two distinct ways.

1. Menswear: There is a whole section devoted exclusively to men's fashion. Finally, a boutique that my husband might actually be interested in! Shockingly, Jimmy Choos and Chanel sunglasses pour moi don't exactly get his blood pumping, but his very own section of the store is another story.

2. Handbags, handbags, handbags: It is a handbag heaven. There aren't just a few bags to quickly survey; you actually have to hunt, and by doing so, you may find the treasure you seek: a black leather Armani hobo with a black acrylic chain strap? Yes, please.

The only "con" to speak of may actually be a "pro"--that is, if you have more than 15 minutes to spare; there is SO MUCH STUFF! I was overwhelmed by the selection, almost to the point of paralysis. My weakness as a shopper is that sensory overload occasionally gets the best of me. If the selection is too large, I often don't know where to start. You can avoid my plight by giving yourself all the time in the world in The Closet to scan the racks to find exactly what you're looking for.

At the end of my journey into The Closet, I walked away with a gorgeous navy-and-white striped cashmere cardigan, label unknown, with medium sleeves and a bateau neck. My plan?--To rock it with my Maine hunting hat, leggings, and pleated skirt for the ultimate Holden-Caulfield-escape-from-prepschool-esque look. Mission accomplished.

Psst: Visit Stuff Boston http://stuffboston.com for fabulous fashion and beauty tips from Boston's insiders. The full text of Erin Souza's article, "Spring Fashion: Retro Renewal" is available online from the Stuff Boston archives.


Bloggers! The Closet has its own blog: http://www.closetboston.com/blog/.