what i love about mondays

What I love about Mondays?  Okay, not much.   But one of my personal goals at the moment is to feel more grateful, complain less, and generally be a more positive me.  So with that sentiment in mind, here are a five things that are making me happy on my least favorite day of the week:

1.  Boston Strong.  My limited edition Boston Strong bracelet arrived in the mail from Rue La La!  As a born and bred Boston girl, pride in my home town runs deep my blood.  Last year, after the tragic bombing at the Boston Marathon, Boston Strong took on new meaning for me--and the rest of this amazing city.  I was beyond excited when Rue La La (a Boston business, if you didn't know!) announced their partnership with Alex and Ani for this limited edition bracelet.  100% of the net proceeds from sales of this bracelet support the One Fund Boston.  Tough.  Proud.  Strong.  Love love love.

2.  Eat cookies for breakfast.  So what if another personal goal is to lose 5 pounds and tone my abs for beach season?  This chocolate oatmeal raisin cookie recipe from my girl Martha was too tempting to resist.  Harper and I baked yesterday afternoon, and we added a twist on the recipe by mixing butterscotch, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate chips into the batter instead of plain old semisweet.  I mean, you gotta live a little, am I right?  Which is why I also feel that it is okay to eat a cookie for breakfast.  Or four.

3.  Remember where you come from.  With Mother's Day approaching, my mother and the many women who inspire me have been on my mind.  My grandmother, who will turn 93 later this month, is one of the most amazing women I have ever known.  The things she has seen and done during her lifetime are enough to take your breath away.  Her example helps me realize that I have a long way to go, and I hope I can make the journey with the same grace, poise, and tenacity that she has.  She recently shared this photograph with me (she is the little girl in the center holding that precious little dog), and I fell in love with the snapshot of her life--and America--at a different time.

4.  I dream of Louis.  Earlier this year, when I had just returned to work after having my sweet baby boy, I was having a difficult time juggling the demands of work and home--and also trying to avoid feeling like a hot mess.  One of my coworkers challenged me to do something just for me--to settle on a goal I could work towards over time.  For some, this could be something heroic like trying to change the world.  But as a firm believer in and subscriber of retail therapy, this meant starting a bag fund.  So now I stuff wads of cash under my mattress and dream of Louis Vuitton.  Just kidding!!!  But I am saving my money instead of falling prey to little purchases here and there, in hopes that I will be able to buy myself a fabulous new handbag by the end of the year.  It is an exercising in saving, willpower, and--best of all--fashion.  I'm visualizing a classy future like this:

Of course, my reality will probably look more like this:

But a fabulous bag makes everything look good, right?  That's what I'm banking on.  

Have a great week, friends!

Belle of the Ball

If you can believe it, spring is just around the corner (March 20 to be exact), and there is no time like the present to begin your spring cleaning. For some, that means hauling out the broom, mop, and Windex for your own version of extreme makeover home edition, but for fashionistas it means something much, much different: time to clean out the closet! And the timing couldn't be more perfect, with the Belle of the Ball fundraiser extending from now until April 1. Now you can make room for some new spring looks and lend a helping hand at the same time by sharing your super chic dresses with those in need.

Celebrating it's 6th year, the Belle of the Ball fundraiser is a prom dress collection drive that aims to collect, clean, trendy, gently worn gowns and outfit 300-400 junior and senior high school students who otherwise would not be able to attend their prom night. Here's how it works:

• Dresses can be any size, but they must be in good condition (ie. no rips, holes, broken zippers, or stains).


• Remember that the dresses will be given to high school juniors and seniors so they should be both trendy and age-appropriate.


• The dress collection takes place between now and April 1. For your convenience, you can drop off dresses at any Anton's Cleaners of Jordan's Furniture location during this time period.
  

I know we all remember how important prom was during our high school reign, and now you have a chance to help a new generation of young ladies (hello, fashionistas-in-training!) look and feel fabulous on their special night. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: doing good is always in style.

Special thanks to the lovely Lizzie for the heads-up on this amazing cause!

Image thanks to Belle of the Ball, sponsored by Anton's Cleaners. For more information, visit the official Belle of the Ball website by clicking here.

If You're A Barbie Girl...

If you're a Barbie girl, then this will be the ultimate tease: Christian Louboutin and Barbie have joined forces in celebration of Barbie's 50th birthday. If turning 50 means special treatment from Monsieur Louboutin, then count me in.

According to Stephanie Cota, Senior Vice-President of Marketing of Barbie at Mattel, it is a match made in runway heaven, for Barbie has a long history of working with various designers and artists who use Barbie as a muse. It was a natural for Barbie, not only with her fashion heritage, but also because of her passion for shoes. She has a billion shoes and we needed to do something special for her shoe collection.

It may be time to dust off the old Barbie collection--even if you chopped all their hair off before realizing, sadly, that Barbie's hair won't grow back (but I'm not speaking from personal experience or anything). The Barbie Collector site dishes that the premise behind the Louboutin line is that Barbie (international fashionista that she is) spent a year in Paris with Christian himself, exploring his favorite places and experiencing his fashionable world. What's more, Christian Louboutin has actually designed three new Barbies, soon to debut. As part of Barbie's Louboutin-inspired makeover, she also gets four pairs of itty-bitty Louboutins to call her own--equipped with their own little boxes and shoes bags.

No doubt, these limited edition dolls will go like, well, limited edition Louboutins! And the VIP pre-sale list is already closed so it looks like we're just going to have to be patient. Be sure to stay tuned for details, and click here to sign up for the exclusive designer update from Net-A-Porter. Ahhh, life in plastic--it's fantastic.

Image: Louboutin for Barbie, email from Net-A-Porter (www.net-a-porter.com). Quotes and additional information from Barbie Collector (www.barbiecollector.com) and M.I.S.S. (www.missomnimedia.com/).

Where the Wild Things Are

With Halloween barely a week away, I've been thinking a lot about costumes. This year, my husband and I have the privilege of attending a Halloween wedding, where festive attire is encouraged. Despite my best efforts to talk my beloved into a theme costume, he has decided upon Max from the infamous Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak's childhood favorite that was recently adapted for the big screen. And while I will not be dressing as a wild thing, that doesn't mean I can't incorporate a little wild thing into my day-to-day fabulousness.

So where are those wild things, you wonder? Allow me to introduce a few of my favorites--and don't worry, they're friendly...

Within the animal kingdom, I'm partial to leopard print. I love the way the warm golds and browns contrasts against black. I'm especially in love with these leopard print leggings from Marc by Marc Jacobs. As functional as they are fun, they are pictured here with a sporty blazer, white tee, and basic black flats--but could just as easily work underneath a little black dress with a pair of heels, or with a chunky sweater and a pair of high boots. The possibilities are indeed endless. Unlike my man Tim Gunn, who professed his dislike for leggings on Project Runway a few episodes back, I am all about the versatility of leggings. Especially these.

But as you can see, there is more than one way to play the wild card. This stunning animal print dress from Chloé allows you to truly embrace the animal within, while amping up the elegance factor by way of ruffles and silk. As an alternative, Stella McCartney's ankle boots offer a fresh take on zebra print. Made of black and blue canvas, they are nothing if not edgy. With a less-than-sky-high stiletto heel, I envision wearing them with skinny black suit pants for the ultimate in high-power business/fashion.

The moral of the story is that there is a wild thing inside each and every one of us. In the world of fashion, this is fairly standard, but we all know that life off the runway can be a little different sometimes. Not so, in this case--at least, not with an arsenal of animal print in your wardrobe. So now, in the words of dear Max, Let the wild rumpus start!

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Image from Where the Wild Things Are, from Warner Brothers Pictures, 2009; (2) Leopard Print Leggings $68 from Marc by Marc Jacobs, available at Nordstrom (http://www.nordstrom.com/), photo from Cool Spotters (http://www.coolspotters.com/); (3) Animal Print Silk Dress $1,920 by Chloé, available from Net-A-Porter (http://www.net-a-porter.com/); (4) Animal Print Ankle Boots $675, by Stella McCartney, also available from Net-A-Porter.

Sugar Coat the Cold

Winter has come early this year--at least in Boston! I could hardly believe that it was actually snowing when I awoke this morning. Is this some sick joke? Perhaps. Whatever the case, it's official: the cold weather wardrobe is in full effect.

Growing up in New England, my siblings and I spent years braving the cold in massive, shapeless--yet totally warm (thank you, Momma)--winter jackets. In fact, my sister and I even developed loving nicknames for one another (Cherry and Periwinkle) based on the colors of these trusty puffer jackets. It wasn't until years later that I realized it was possible to protect myself from the elements and retain my fashionable dignity at the same time. What a relief!

For the past several weeks, I have been donning blazers and cozy sweaters to keep me warm against the early morning chill, but with the first dusting of snow on the ground, it's time to bring out the big guns: hello, winter coats! Fortunately for the weather-conscious, these days, there are dozens of options out there to help you sugar coat the cold.

Winter Coat 101: When investing in a stylish winter coat, remember that it needs to last you alllll through the season. This means two things. First, it can't be a total snooze fest--that would defeat the whole point of being a fashionista! That said, you don't want to go too crazy either; versatility is the name of the game. In an effort to find middle ground, I've come up with a few favorites...

1. Stadium Cloth Winnie Jacket: Brighten up the dark days of winter with this cozy canary yellow coat, equipped with crest-emblazoned metal buttons for an added military flair.

2. Short Didi Coat: Straight off of Diane von Furstenberg's Fall 2009 runway collection, this oversized cocoon coat is made of a cozy wool/mohair blend to keep you warm as the temperatures plummet. The classic lines are made playful with the multi-colored plaid pattern, for a city-chic reinterpretation of classic lumberjack.

3. Indina Jacket: If subtlety is not part of your vocabulary, this is your jacket. Made of Mongolian fur and leather, it is pure glamour and completely fierce.

4. Wool Ruffle-Front Coat: I adore this lovely wool coat, which is taken from traditional to flirty with the addition of the bias-cut ruffle at the center-front placket. The subdued color is ideal for day or night, work or play--but with the ruffles, it's anything but boring.

5. City Cape Coat: This winter cape is a breath of fresh air among racks and racks of your standard coat. With sharp military inspiration in the double-breasted silhouette and button belt in the back, you'll be certain to stay warm and chic beneath the oversized collar and front slant pockets.

6. Puffer Jacket with Faux Fur Collar: For those who like to stay sporty, this puffer jacket ups the ante with a faux fur collar and hood. Yet,the true allure of this jacket is hidden in the details, with its zippered cuffs, ruffle trim and elbow patches--because sporty and posh should always be in the same sentence.

Decisions, decisions! Admit it, you're feeling a teensy bit excited about fabulous outerwear, aren't you? With endless possibilities promising endless fabulousness, soon you'll be singing, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" But until then, you've got some shopping to do...

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Me!; (2) Stadium Cloth Winnie Jacket $248, from J. Crew (www.jcrew.com); (3) Short Didi Coat in plaid multi $585, by Diane von Furstenberg (www.dvf.com); (4) Indina Jacket in black $725, also by Diane von Furstenberg; (5) Wool Ruffle-Front Coat $268, also from J. Crew; (6) City Cape Coat $695, by Elizabeth and James, available from Bloomingdales (www.bloomingdales.com); (7) Puffer Jacket with Faux Fur Collar $378, by Juicy Couture, also available from Bloomingdales.

Fashionable Philanthropy

Fact: 33 million people now live with HIV/AIDS. Clearly, this isn't what I like to call a "fun fact." Fortunately, we are not helpless in the fight against AIDS--and now we can fight fashionably, thanks to Bloomingdale's. Beginning next week, from August 27 until August 30, Bloomingdale's is holding its Fashionable Fundraiser In Black and White, benefitting amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research.

As the staggering statistics about AIDS are black and white, so too is the theme of the Black and White fundraiser: an homage to classic films. A special movie lounge will be set up in stores, where attendees can watch black and white films and play fashion-themed games for equally fashionable prizes. Of course, fundraising is the real name of the game, as Bloomies has pledged $75,000 to support amfAR.

Don't worry, you can get your philanthropy on during the event too. Test your knowledge by completing a movie trivia card; for each card completed, $1 will be donated to amfAR--up to $10,000. Plus, knowing how much we fashionistas love the word "exclusive," amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole has designed a tee-shirt exclusively for this event. You can find yours at the "Good Deeds" wall (bet you've never seen one of those before!), and for every tee purchased, another $25 will go to amfAR.

It's all in the name of a good cause. Since 1985, amfAR has been committed to the fight against AIDS and has invested upwards of $290 million towards its mission. Through their research efforts, amfAR has contributed to major advances in the study and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

As if you needed another excuse to shop at Bloomingdale's, now you have one--and a very noble one at that. You can score 15% off a great selection in stores and make a difference while you're at it. Looking good and feeling good about it? I, for one, am sooo there. After all, philanthropy is always in fashion.

• Psst: For a VIP ticket entitling you to 15% in store and online, click here. For more information on amfAR, visit them online at www.amfar.org.

Credits: AIDS statistic and Bloomingdales fundraiser image from amfAR, online at www.amfar.org.

Sew Cool

On my list of things I wish I could do, you will find sewing somewhere close to the top. I envision myself in a small but chic workspace, buzzing away on my Singer machine, creating some elaborate couture dress that will dazzle all of the fashion world. I'll admit, this fantasy reads a little bit like the fashionista's version of Cinderella.

The truth of the matter is that I actually do own a sewing machine--and it lives comfortably in the trunk of my car since my apartment is too small to fit the machine anywhere. One of these days I fully intend to take lessons, but until then, what's a girl to do? If you're a wannabe seamstress like me, read on.

This weekend, the Somerville Arts Council and Fusion Ethos Fashion presents Sew What?!, an event dedicated to fashion, art, shopping, and even a Swap-o-Rama. Swap-o-Rama? Sounds fancy, right?--like the Lollapalooza of shopping and/or swapping--which actually isn't too far from the truth. At the Swap-o-Rama, attendees can explore creative re-purposing (so hot right now--and eco-friendly to boot!) through the recycling of used clothing as part of a community clothing swap and do-it-yourself workshop. And you know how I loooove DIY!

If you are an inventive fashionista who finds herself with a free Saturday, look no further--this is THE event. Bring your unwanted clothing for the ultimate in fashion DIY:
Who? you
What? Sew, What?!
Where? Central Plaza in Somerville's Union Square
When? Saturday (June 27, 2009) from 3-7 pm--rain date is Sunday 6/28
Why? because true fashion is worth a little elbow grease!

So mark your calendar for an event that is just SEW cool--you wouldn't want to miss it.

Image from Sew, What's New?, a blog devoted to sewing: http://sewwhatsnew.ning.com/.