may the 4th be with you

It's July--what?!  Seriously, how did that happen so quickly?  This week has been amazing though; with the 4th on Thursday this year, I only had to work TWO days this week.  I could really get used to that sort of schedule.  My little family is looking forward to celebrating Independence Day, grilling with friends and enjoying time together as a family.  Here are a few pieces of Americana that have me feeling festive this week:

Movita Beaucoup Peach Cobbler

Peach pie.  We were asked to bring a dessert to our friends' 4th of July BBQ, and like any good domestic goddess wannabe, you know I immediately consulted Pinterest for culinary inspiration.  While the red, white, and blue cakes and fruit confections are absolutely classic, I feel like it doesn't get more all-American than peach cobbler.  Harper, Dallin, and I hit the market earlier this evening to gather our supplies, and now I couldn't be more excited to try this recipe from Movita Beaucoup:

For the filling-

4 cups peeled and sliced fresh peaches (about 8 or 9 peaches)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon flour

For the crust-
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon brown sugar, for topping
whipped cream or ice cream for serving (optional)

To prepare:

-Preheat the oven to 425

-Combine all dry ingredients for cobbler crust in a bowl, and set aside.
-Generously grease a 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish. Place the sliced peaches in the dish and sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and flour. Mix gently and spread evenly in the baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes.
-While the peaches are cooking, cut the butter into the awaiting dry crust ingredients with a pastry cutter or your fingers, to make the texture like coarse crumbs. Add the buttermilk and stir to form a soft dough.
-Remove the peach mixture from oven and drop rounded spoonfuls of dough on top. Then sprinkle the top of your cobbler with the remaining tablespoon of brown sugar, and return to oven. Bake until the fruit is bubbly and crust topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes. 

-Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.  Yum!

Girl's Milleraies Striped Tee in gitan/ecume, $22.50
by Petit Bateau

Patriotic stripes.  Harper's Grammy Sue surprised her on Monday with this special tee from Petit Bateau to wear on the 4th, and it has taken all my willpower to wait for the grand debut.  Granted, Petit Bateau isn't exactly classically American, but let's be honest, it doesn't get much cuter or more patriotic than red and white stripes.  Perhaps my favorite detail is the little bow at the neck (the neckline and bow on Harper's tee are white instead of the red shown here).  As a side note, the Petit Bateau store on Newbury Street in Boston is closing at the end of this week.  This means that we have recently purchased some amazing Petit Bateau swag at even more amazing sale prices--but I am absolutely heartbroken to see it go.  Anyway... My vision: this tee, paired with little H's chambray shorts, and her red, white, and blue hair bow...hello, Miss American Pie!

Butler Please, $7.79
by Essie
Available from Target

Starry nails.  I was super bummed to miss viewing The Bachelorette with some of my favorite girlies this week, particularly as our TV night was also a patriotic nail painting party!  Sigh.  Nonetheless, I'm doing my best to nail it on my own this time, thanks to Essie's Butler Please, a nail color recommendation from my fashion icon friend, Aimee, who has it on her toes as I type this.  Called an "indulgent, bright blue," I'm totally loving it.  This blue is peppy, patriotic, and even a little nautical.  After another trip down the Pinterest rabbit hole, I've been inspired to take my nail painting party to the next level and to try this polished version of star spangled, using the reverse color scheme, all blue with one red (not just any red but Essie's Lollipop, another summer fave).  Pictures to follow!

Pinterest inspiration: 4th of July nails

From peach pie to stars and stripes, I'm looking forward to celebrating tomorrow.  I feel like I would be remiss if I didn't express my appreciation for living in the land of the free and the home of the brave--and for those men and women that have made those blessings possible.  Happy 4th of July--and may the 4th be with you!

Summer Things

With Memorial Day weekend come and gone and Boston temperatures over 90 degrees for three consecutive days this past week, I think it's fair to say that summer is here.  Some years, I feel like summer comes and goes without me having the chance to acknowledge or even properly appreciate it.  I resolve that this year will be different.  I have grand plans for beach days, delicious summer menus on the grill, and summer fashions.  Here are 5 of the things that I'm already excited about:

Glitter Nail Color
in Candy Shop, $19
by Deborah Lippmann
Available at Nordstrom

Nail care is a crucial part of the summer, and today I finally had the opportunity to get a much-needed mani/pedi.  Now I'm feeling far more summer-ready.  And speaking of summer nails, while I don't yet have this amazing nail lacquer from Deborah Lippmann in my collection, I'll stress the yet because I'm thinking it is a must.  Growing up, I was obsessed with the game Candy Land, particularly with the character Queen Frostine who I felt was my game character doppelganger.  This polish is like Candy Land for grown-ups, a light pink with candy colored glitter flecks throughout.  Let's be real, this is a party for your nails, and after finally seeing The Great Gatsby this weekend, I am ready for parties AND glitter.

Peach Bruschetta with Ricotta and Prosciutto
Recipe thanks to Williams-Sonoma

When I look at the Williams-Sonoma catalog, I genuinely want to be more domestic.  Of course, life always seems to get in the way, and we wind up eating quesadillas or cereal most nights.  Summer resolution?  I will make this peach bruschetta with ricotta and prosciutto.  According to WS, it involves 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cook-time.  Now that is a timeline I can commit to!  Plus, doesn't this picture make you want it to eat it, like NOW?  Here's the recipe so you can:

Ingredients:
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
4 slices country-style bread, each about 1/2 inch thick
1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 large peaches, pitted and each cut into 12 slices
6 Tbs. ricotta cheese, lightly seasoned with kosher salt
3 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto
1 1/2 oz. arugula
Maldon sea salt for sprinkling

Directions:
-In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the vinegar to a simmer and simmer until reduced by half, 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool.-Preheat a panini press on the “sear” setting according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Generously brush both sides of the bread slices with the 1/3 cup olive oil. Working in 2 batches, place the bread on the panini press, close the lid and lock the top of the press so the bread is not being compressed. Cook until browned on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside.
-Working in 2 batches, arrange the peach slices on the panini press, close the lid and cook until the peaches are nicely marked on both sides, about 2 minutes.
-Spread 1 1/2 Tbs. cheese on each bread slice. Drape the prosciutto on top, dividing evenly, and top with the peach slices. Put the arugula in a small bowl and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Top the bruschetta with the arugula. Drizzle with the reduced vinegar and sprinkle with Maldon sea salt. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

Lounging poolside with my girl

Lounging poolside.  Okay, for us, that means Harper's little pool in our backyard.  On Friday afternoon (day 2 of aforementioned 90 degree temperatures), like most Bostonians, I was beyond hot.  Not even day 2 of ice cream treats offered sufficient cooling, and that's when you know you're in trouble.  So we decided it was time to break ground on our swimming pool--and obviously we went with the top-of-the-line kidney-shaped pool!  That's just how we roll in the Wilson family.  Seriously, sitting inside that tiny pool with my sweet girl was exactly what I needed.  I have a feeling it was perhaps the best summer investment ever made.  Oh, and Harper's watering can to go with it, of course.

Printed Tee-Shirt Dress
in Egyptian Turquoise, $35
by Diane von Furstenberg for babyGap

Wishes really do come true!  One of my favorite fashion icons, Diane von Furstenberg, did another limited collection for babyGap and Gap Kids this year.  Her Explorers Collection features graphic prints in bright, cheerful colors that are fun and youthful.  Obvi, I couldn't resist getting something for little H.  It was hard to pick just one, but Harper just had to have this printed tee-shirt dress.  Is it wrong to want one in my size too?

Lululemon hits the tennis court!  Until today I had NO idea that Lulu did tennis wear.  Fortunately, my super stylish friend, Aimee, filled me in--and how cute is this Hot Hitter Dress?!  I played tennis during my middle school years but haven't been on the tennis court since, and lately I have really been wanting to get back to it.  What appeals to me about tennis is that it is a sport you can play forever.  My grandmother played until she was in her late 70s; how great is that?  Of course, the fashion doesn't hurt either; who doesn't love tennis whites?  Especially from Lulu, with irresistible design coupled with amazing moisture-wicking, breathable fabric.  Now, to get back on the court...  

Hot Hitter Dress in Aquamarine/White, $98
by Lululemon

The first official day of summer isn't until June 21, but it feels like summer is already upon us.  With my newly painted nails and fashion and culinary inspiration, now all I need is a tan!  

Good Things Come In Small Packages: DvF for babyGap

Diane von Furstenberg and babyGap Exclusive Collection

Since Harper was born almost four (!!) months ago, I've been in a baby time warp, which is why I have once again neglected my poor Unheeled for much, much too long.  But the silver lining--in addition to my adorable baby, obvi--is that I have become well versed in the ways of baby fashion!  So you can imagine how excited I was to receive an email from babyGap a couple of weeks ago announcing a limited edition collection from Diane von Furstenberg exclusively for babyGap.  

DvF babyGap Floppy Sunhat, $20

The collection has since been released, just this past Thursday actually, and as I was already up at the crack of dawn feeding the baby, I took the opportunity to multi-task and signed on to the babyGap website from my iPhone first thing.  I couldn't help but marvel at the way the iconic DvF wrap dress was translated into fun, youthful apparel and accessories for the itty bittiest of Gap wearers, from wild leggings featuring bold prints, to graphic onesies, and the most most irresistible baby wrap rompers.  It took every ounce of willpower to not snatch up every DvF item in Harper's size, but baby girl already has a bigger wardrobe than I do.  Instead, I took a more practical approach (impressed?) by filling an accessory gap in her upcoming spring and summer wardrobe with a floppy sunhat--perfect for lounging poolside, of course.  Being the self-proclaimed fashionista that I am, it is only natural that Harper gets to know the wonders of DvF as soon as possible.  And it's true what they say; good things really do come in small packages!

Diane von Furstenberg and Baby Gap Exclusive Collection

Psst...  Word on the street (well, maybe just the Gap website) is that the DvF for babyGap collection is almost sold out so you'd better get shopping--after all, you don't want your itty bitty fashion star to miss out!

Episode 6: Jeans For Dress-Up

When I was growing up, there was a distinct separation between casual clothes and dress-up clothes.  Dress-up clothes were for church, parties, airplanes (remember those days?), and weddings or funerals, whereas casual clothes were for pretty much all other occasions.  This separation was just as important as cardinal fashion rules like wearing a slip under a skirt or no white after labor day.  In fact, even into my angsty teenage years, I pretty much subscribed to this wardrobe dichotomy.  It wasn't until I moved to LA for college that my staunch New England fashion preconceptions loosened a bit, and I discovered there was an entire style spectrum in between casual and dress-up.  During my four year stint in the City of Angels, I learned a lot about fashion--not to mention, life in general--but perhaps the most important fashion message was that you can (and should) wear jeans for dress-up, and it is for this revelation that I will be eternally thankful to my one-time home of LA.

Some ponder important life questions like: what came first, the chicken or the egg?  As for me, I wonder whether jeans for dress-up inspired the designer denim fad (a trend that is happily alive and well today) or if the designer denim fad made it okay to wear denim to dinner and a movie?  Regardless, I learned about both during my undergraduate years, and my wardrobe has never been the same.  I hoard designer denim like, well, a hoarder--and there have even been times when my husband has had to set some harsh limits for me, like no more jeans until I get rid of some that I already have (sigh).  But I digress... 

The beauty of jeans for dress-up is that they are as stylish as they are comfortable, and when I'm wearing my favorite denim, I never feel more like myself--which is precisely how any girl wants to feel, regardless of the occasion.  Interestingly enough, denim has a spectrum in and of itself.  That is to say, there are some pairs of jeans that I reserve for casual wear and others that are more appropriate for going out.  The difference between the two, of course, is further reinforced by footwear choice: Uggs or heeled leather boots, Converse or Louboutins, flip flops or flats, and so on.

But don't get me wrong.  Now that I'm all grown up, I love playing dress-up just as much--if not more--than I did when I was a little girl.  But with the exception of church, the really fancy occasions are few and far between, and the occasions that call for just a little something special are far more frequent.  And this is how I rationalize all the jeans that I already own--and all that I still want to buy...  So thank you, LA LA Land, for teaching me about casual couture and the absolute necessity of jeans for dress-up.  My fashion sensibilities will be forever indebted.


High Waisted Skinny Jean in "adore me" wash, $125
By J. Crew



I Am Thankful For My Fashionista Friends, Episode 1: The Newest In Fashion From UGG Australia

Happy November, fashionista friends!  It's hard to believe that the end of the year is fast approaching, but as you may be able to judge from my recent lack of blog posts, life has been busy--and time is just flying by!  That being said, November is here, and to me, that means Thanksgiving (yum!).  So it is in the spirit of thanks that I have decided to devote the 30 days of November to express my gratitude to the family and friends who never fail to inspire my style and lift my spirits.  And today is episode one...


Just this past weekend, Massachusetts was hit with a freak snowstorm, and since my husband and I stubbornly insist upon keeping the heat off until at least November, we sought refuge from winter's early arrival with our coziest clothes, blankets, and hot chocolate.   And of course, I turned to my Uggs.  


I remember when Uggs first came into fashion during my college years, and I swore that they were the ugliest footwear ever.  That is, until I returned home for the Christmas holiday from sunny LA to my family's new home in the chilly hill towns of Western Massachusetts.  The Uggs my mom gifted me that Christmas became a survival staple for me that year, and I have never looked back, incorporating various Ugg styles into my wardrobe year after year.

Bailey Button Ankle Boots in black
by Ugg Australia, $160
Available at Bloomingdales

This fall, I was inspired to add a new pair of Uggs to my collection after seeing a dear friend's little daughter wearing a pair of plum colored Bailey Button Ankle Boots.  As it turned out, the fun color of her boots wasn't available in adult sizes, but I am loving my Baileys in basic black with black shearling.  Although, I will forever treasure my chestnut colored Classic Tall Uggs, I was excited for a shorter pair that could be more easily worn beneath pants, rather than tucking my pants in.  The versatility of the Bailey style also appealed to me, as I have the option of wearing them with the shearling cuff up or down for two totally different looks.  This past weekend, with the unexpected snowfall in full effect, I paired my Baileys beneath a maxi skirt and found myself discussing the merits of cozy footwear with my lovely friend, Kira, a fellow lover of all things Ugg.  And in the spirit of thanksgiving, I am thankful to Kira for sharing the newest in Ugg fashion with me: the Tularosa Route Detachable Boot with Removable Knit Overlay.

Tularosa Route Detachable Boot
with Removable Knit Overlay
in chestnut by Ugg Australia, $249.95
Available from Nordstrom

As Kira explained to me, the Tularosa offers an update on the classic Ugg boot with the addition of a removable cable knit overlay that can be worn pulled up over the leg.  After my post on Hunter's basket weave welly socks last month,  it probably doesn't come as much of a surprise that I love the look of the Tularosa's knit sock component.  And to that point, the color pairings of the removable cable knit overlay and boot are an added bonus.  While it's hard to beat the classic pairing of chestnut and ivory, I also love the chocolate with chocolate, as well as the black with grey.  Basically, you can't go wrong.

Alternative view of Ugg's Tularosa Boot

So how many Uggs are too many Uggs?  I'm not sure that such a limit exists, especially when each pair is cozier than the last.  My approach is to always embrace variety by choosing distinct colors and styles to keep things interesting--while staying warm and cozy, regardless of plummeting temperatures and snowy surprises.  Three cheers for the newest in fashion from Ugg Australia--and many thanks to Kira for sharing.

Boho Booties

Roan Wedge in brown, $140
by Betsey Johnson
Available from Free People

I've been on the look-out for some brown ankle boots for some time now, but with the exception of the Rachel Zoe pair that I simply can't afford, I've been striking out.  That is, until I spotted these wedges by Betsey Johnson in the October edition of InStyle magazine.  Called the Roan Wedge, these lace-up suede ankle boots feature a 5-inch heel, as well as a 1-inch hidden platform, and they are available in brown, blue, and black--but of course I've got my sights set on brown. 

I'm digging the Roan's distinctly bohemian vibe, and I love the autumnal feel of the rich brown.  I envision wearing these boho booties with flared jeans or even a pair of skinnies--and with a price tag of $140, they're totally reasonable.  Still, I'm slightly hesitant... I'm wondering about their versatility.  Could I wear them to work--or are they too youthful, maybe too hippie?  Or would they be fabulously intellectual, perhaps even professorial, with a pair of wool pants and a cozy sweater?  Let me know your thoughts.  After all, I simply couldn't bear a footwear fiasco.

Love It or Loathe It? Episode 8: Silly Bandz for Adults???

I simply had to laugh when I saw that Silly Bandz made the New York Times fashion headlines in my iGoogle today! For those unfamiliar with Silly Bandz, they are essentially rubber bands--in an array of bright colors--that are shaped like objects such as a peace sign, a guitar, or an animal. They are designed to be worn on the wrist, but they revert back to their original shape when taken off. Apparently, they have been the hot item amongst today's youth (much like I snap bracelets were in my day--can I get an Amen?) for some time now--and according to today's Times' article, Older Audience for Child’s Bracelet Is Not a Stretch, adults are now getting in on the silliness too! In fact, my adorable college-age sister told me that one of her friends wears a single silly band on her wrist--and that it serves as a fun conversation piece.

Anyway, with my love of bracelets no secret, I'm sort of intrigued by this still-rising trend that has taken over one demographic and moved right on to the next. But now I want to hear from YOU! The question for today's episode of Love It or Loathe It? is (appropriately) a bit silly: Silly Bandz for adults--love it or loathe it? And why? Send me an email or post your comments!



Image: an edgy adult wearing Silly Bandz just like the kids, photo from The New York Times article, Older Audience for Child’s Bracelet Is Not a Stretch by Kayleen Schaefer; full article available online by clicking here.

On Coolhunting

True story: when I was little and my dad was a 27 year old single dad with no idea what to do with a two year old girl, he used to entertain me by taking me to jump on the beds at The Conran Shop on Beacon Street in Boston. Although some parents would have recommended the park (and to be fair, we did that too), this turned out to be an excellent way to occupy me. The Conran Shop was more than just an international furniture shop- it was one of Sir Terence Conran's fiefdom of leading boutiques selling cutting-edge furniture, a curated selection of books, and other lifestyle wares for selective consumers. Although a TGI Friday's has replaced Conran's on Newbury Street, the empire is flourishing in the UK and I have had the chance to confirm my memory of its awesomeness at the Marylebone branch in London several times.

A few years later, when I was a teenager, I remember reading a story in a fashion magazine about coolhunting, or the profession of basically having a nose for what's next. The idea that this was a career baffled me then, but as I've gotten older I've begun to notice that some people not only have a great eye and keep their ear to the trend ground- some people just seem to have a sixth sense about what's about to explode. Are they taste-makers or taste-sussers? Arguably, all magazine editors, store buyers, literary agents, and people in the advertising industry are to some extent coolhunters, but I'd say there are a few superlative arbitors lurking- Simon Doonan or Scott Schuman, for example (to be fair, I like Garance Dore much more). In a sort of ironic meta-michrochosm of this field, Malcom Gladwell, himself a sort of intellectual-pop culture coolhunter, wrote his breakout New Yorker article on this pseudo science, through the lens of sneaker culture and the footwear supernezes who find the most badass footwear around- and thus inform the preferences of the masses. For perhaps a more ubiquitous pop culture reference, I refer to the scene in The Devil Wears Prada in which Miranda Priestly schools Andie about the reasons for which her sweater is blue.

But I digress.

A few years ago, I was casually perusing some homewares blog and came across the first of what would be many references to Colette. This Parisian concept store has a mega cult following, and I was so excited when Laura came to visit that we had the opportunity to check out the hype. It was the sort of hybrid place I love- a tightly edited selection of merch, cool music, sick photography, awesome staff. We bought a pretty rad blue nail polish by new cult fave Uslu Airlines and promptly decked out our previously nude nails. While we were in Paris, we also checked out another amazing concept store Lex raved about over at dtangled, called Merci. I shared Lex's enthusiasm- it was the kind of place with which you can't help but fall in love. A multilevel emporium of impossibly chic Frenchness, Merci showcases an eclectic selection of clothing for the ladies and the gents (think mix-and-match bikinis for girls, updated workshirts for boys, etc), two floors of ubercool home goods, and various smaller areas dedicated to such goodies as neon Repetto flats, bespoke Annick Goutal fragrances, and a darling pick-your-own selection of Caran D'Ache colored pencils. On our visit, I fell head over heels for a long chain necklace with a small heart-shaped pendant proclaiming "Merci La Vie" and continued to long for it in the next several weeks. I had an unexpected chance to spend another night in Paris en route back to London from Istanbul last week (thank you, volcano Esfsofijgosifogidoifjgaoijweoria) and carped the diem to return and acquire it. I also enjoyed a lovely breakfast in Merci's enchanting book-lined cafe - baguette and apricot preserves, natch (I bootlegged the proffered Escrire butter and smuggled it back to London in my makeup bag). Merci also takes the idea of concept store to a new level, donating all its proceeds- once it breaks even- to a charitable organization in Madagascar. C'est tres chic et c'est tres bon. Or is it bien?

I have a smattering of other concept store faves scattered throughout my fave cities- Liberty in London, Takashimaya and Henry Bendel (to some extent) in New York, even Carly Simon's Midnight Farm on Martha's Vineyard. They are just the places you go when you need the perfect thing and you need to rely on someone else's critical eye. I'd argue Anthropologie, Barney's, and even J.Crew sister store Madewell are almost scaled up/mass retail concept stores, but I'm open to being challenged on that one. Regardless, I highly recommend checking out your local concept stores, or dropping into one of these finds when next you find yourself in New York, Paris, or London- they are well worth a visit, even if just to give you a little peek into what's looking hot- or maybe more accurately, cool.

J'adore Paris!

Last week, I had the opportunity to spend three glorious days in Paris, though it took merely a few hours for Sarah and I to agree that Paris might be the most amazing city in the world. Between the food, the history, the gorgeous architecture, and the striking fashion--well, I die. But since this is a fashion blog, I bet you can guess where this is going...

The truth is, dearest fashionista friends, j'adore Paris--and the masses of lovely little fashion plates running wild all over the city. Comparatively speaking, I have never felt like such a hobo (hobo chic?--not so much...), and I have never been more inspired. Merely walking the streets, I was struck by countless trends, and while shopping--well, you can only imagine how much I could have spent (if I didn't have Dallin to answer to, OR Bank of America trying to freeze my spending--true story). But barred by my pledge to carry on my bags, I had to (somewhat)control my urge to splurge. Yet, fortunately for me, many of these fabulous Parisian trends can be replicated right here in the good ol' U.S. of A.--though they're probably a bit more fabulous on Parisian soil (sigh).

Allow me to share a few noteworthy fashions that you might wish to incorporate into your American wardrobe:

Stripes are everywhere. The classic Parisian look, embodied by a thin-striped boat neck tunic, is back, and arguably better than ever. In almost every shop Sarah and I visited, we saw versions of this timeless look, sometimes embellished, cropped or reinterpreted--though I'm partial to keeping traditional with this particular trend. I mean, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

Ooh la la, hello short skirts! With my height, I would likely be arrested (though perhaps not until I returned to the U.S.) if I were to embrace the much, much shorter hemlines favored in Paris. Mostly donned in the style of form-fitting minis, itty bitty skirts were everywhere, often wore over opaque--mainly black--tights, which makes this look a bit more wearable.

And speaking of tights... I have never seen more fabulous variations of leg-wear than the few days I spent in Paris. Beyond the spectrum of colors or your basic fishnet that you can get in this country, I saw tights that were bejewelled and/or embellished like you wouldn't believe. In fact, I got SO excited about shopping for tights that Bank of America (who I'm NOT so happy with right now for reasons about to be mentioned) put a hold on my card for suspect purchases as I went stocking crazy at the Gallery Lafayette. Don't worry, I just used my other card; stirrups and seams, anyone?

Military-inspired leather jackets: Moving beyond the basic appeal of the bomber style, Parisian fashionistas have appropriated all military finery to the leather jacket--often double-breasted, with a high collar, defined shoulders, and perhaps featuring antique brass hardware. From what I observed, this trend has carried over to London as well (which came first, I can't say), which bodes well for its arrival on this side of the pond, especially considering the exchange rate isn't exactly in our favor these days. I should also note that, though we're officially in spring, the temperature wasn't always so cooperative during my travels. Happily, this gave me the opportunity to see the military look applied to some fantastic wool coats as well. I'm seriously considering it for next winter...

Not for nothing, there were also many trends I observed in Paris that are also present here: Converse are everywhere, skinny jeans appear mandatory, flowing scarves abound, and red lipstick is as pretty there as here. It seems some trends are global, which made me happy--as I would hate to be a completely unfashionable globetrotter! But despite many similarities, there are clearly some things that the pretty, pretty Parisians have a leg up on. I'm happy to report that, after returning home, I feel a bit more dialed in--and ready to make a few choice purchases. What can I say? J'adore Paris!

Special thanks to the lovely Sarah Barton for allowing me to use some of her amazing photographs for this post!

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Metro sign, photo by Sarah Barton; (2) Macaroons, also thanks to Sarah Barton; (3) Striped Tunic, photo thanks to Modelinia (http://www.modelinia.com/); (4) Girl in military-inspired wool coat, another gorgeous photo by Sarah Barton; (5) My less-than-glamorous Converse and jeans, also by Sarah Barton.

Little Tees To Love A LOT

Do I have to remind you that Valentine's Day is just around the corner? Provided that you have left the house recently, I'm sure you have noticed: love is in the air--everywhere. So of course, lolly.brand is no exception! But no worries, I'm not about to get all sappy on you. After all, there are so many kinds of love--and not all of them are the cheesy kind that romantic comedies are made of. Today's post is about the special kind of joyful, protective love you feel for the little ones in your life, whether they be your children, your nieces or nephews, or the kids in the neighborhood that you babysit for. And so I ask: what better way to show your love than a little tee you love A LOT?

Back in the fall, lolly.brand revamped the signature Cupcake Tee with new colors, new sizes--a totally new look--so it was only fair that the lolly.girl tee received a makeover too! Now available is the (new) lolly.brand Signature Cupcake Tee for Little Girls. This soft, minty green tee features the lolly.cupcake in a bright, bubble-gum pink, a sinfully sweet color combination. And there's more! This sweet new style is now available in infant sized onesies--because sometimes good things come in reeeeally little packages!


I'm willing to bet that you won't find a sweeter way to show your little valentine how much you love them. But if your little valentine is a boy who isn't a fan of cupcakes or the pink/green color combo, brand.L by lolly.brand has this one covered. And of course, the brand.L Skateboarder Tee for Little Dudes is now available in infant-sized onesies too--too cute for words!

With styles this sweet, what better way to say "I love you" to your favorite little valentine? The tees might be little, but your favorite little-littles will love them--A LOT!


Images by Kelly Wilson: (1) (new) lolly.brand Signature Cupcake Tee for Little Girls $15; (2)brand.L Skateboarder Tee for Little Dudes $15, both available online from lolly.brand (www.lollybrand.net).

Every Girl is a Princess

Every girl everywhere is a princess, as Sara Crewe and Frances Hodgson Burnett would have us believe. But what defines a princess, and how she looks, or what she wears? After reading "Sick of Pink," an October article in the Boston Sunday Globe Magazine, I was reminded of another I read several years ago in the New York Times magazine about so-called "Princess Culture" and its effects on girls and color presentation.

"What's wrong with being a princess, mommy?" is the question raised by Peggy Orenstein's young daughter--to which she responds, most everything. Everything that surrounds her daughter is about being a princess, about being clad in pink, and Orenstein's complaint is that Cinderella, pretty as she may be, "doesn't really do anything." Is Peggy right? Who are these princesses, as far as role models?

As a former Disney princess girl myself, I'd say I turned out all right, but I did hit a phase where I began rejecting pink. To that point, I also find it interesting that Ariel dolls are marketed wearing a pink dress that she wears in the movie for probably fewer than five minutes. I guess it's kind of tricky to market a standing figurine with a green tail and sea shells--perhaps not the most conservative option. Details, details. But as Orenstein points out, even Mulan is marketed in her pink dress attire, which she actually rejected in order to fight for her family's honor.

In a search for some non-pink princess friends, I found this altered image of Cinderella. After the pink dress the mice sew for her is destroyed, her ball gown is white, maybe even pale blue, and at no point after that do we see our heroine in pink. So what gives? Where did this picture come from, Internet? Can a princess only be a princess if she wears pink?

It wasn't always this way with pink. As Orenstein notes, When colors were first introduced to the nursery in the early part of the 20th century, pink was considered the more masculine hue, a pastel version of red. Blue, with its intimations of the Virgin Mary, constancy and faithfulness, was thought to be dainty. Why or when that switched is not clear, but as late as the 1930s a significant percentage of adults in one national survey held to that split. Perhaps that’s why so many early Disney heroines — Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Wendy, Alice-in-Wonderland — are swathed in varying shades of azure. (Purple, incidentally, may be the next color to swap teams: once the realm of kings and N.F.L. players, it is fast becoming the bolder girl’s version of pink.)

Which brings us to what struck me this past week: the Globe Magazine article discussing the implementation of pink during the month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Some survivors have reached a point of exhaustion and are tired of seeing it everywhere and having it remind them of their disease, remind them that they are waiting for their CT results (an excruciating process which I experience alongside one of my closest friends, a two-year Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor). But a color, triggering? Especially one as cheerful and well-intentioned as pink? Distressing!

So what's the problem with pink? Certain fashionistas, like our gracious blog host, swear by it. I have nothing but love for the pink garments I own. Late last night, over pizza bagel bites and relationship moans, my Beloved Housemate and I ended up realizing that we both had pink bedrooms as young children and eventually rejected the color and went for others (my bedroom at home is now blue, but at school, it's a combination of purple and green). We also discussed the fact that, though we had Barbies, they served as a device to act out our own stories (camping Barbies, in my Beloved Housemate's case). We are now distressed that pink and Barbies are no longer simply a vehicle for imagination, but rather a part of a greater pink lifestyle.

For me, the verdict is this: I love pink. But not everyone does; the way some feel about pink is how I feel about chartreuse. And perhaps we should take into consideration how we suggest things (like an appreciation for pink) to the younger members of society. They may love it, they may not, but let's give everyone a fair chance for love towards all colors. Some men pull off pink better than anyone I've ever seen, and some women rock burgundy and navy like it's a profession. Love what you love.

In the end though, every girl everywhere is a princess--pink, blue, purple, or otherwise.

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Sara Crewe from A Little Princess (http://www.stars-now.net/images/movies/alittleprincess/lieselmatthewsthen.jpg); (2) Ariel from The Little Mermaid (http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f112/drsd2kill/LITTLE%20MERMAID/MERMAID15A.jpg); (3) Ariel dolls as marketed by Disney (http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/12/19/magazine/24cinderella.2.190.jpg); (4) Alternate Universe Cinderella (http://thetorchonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/cinderella.jpg); (5) Breast Cancer Awareness Pink (http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Third_Party_Photo/2009/10/01/pink_big__1254425291_3471.jpg); (6) Belle from Beauty and the Beast (http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/6600000/Belle-beauty-and-the-beast-6615760-300-336.jpg); (7) Still from A Little Princess (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/3007972433_9ceaeb2883_o.jpg).