Are You A Poppy Girl?

With the exception of my amazing Whitney Watch, I've never been much of a Coach girl. This is a judgment-free zone so I'll just say it: if I'm going to have an item covered in the letter C, I want nothing less than Chanel. That said, I was pleasantly surprised to learn of Coach's new Poppy line.

Adapting to the times just like the rest of us, Poppy's price point is a little more manageable than your traditional Coach item. But even better is that Poppy embraces a fresh, youthful style--full of bright colors, metallics, and fun patterns. The overall look is so irresistible that I'm wondering why Coach didn't do this earlier!

In an interview in the July issue of In Style, president and executive creative director, Reed Krakoff, discussed the inspiration behind Poppy: Poppy has a preppy vibe, but with a kind of punky sensibility that comes through in the details. We mixed sequins and patent touches with Pop Art-inspired prints, for example. And there's quirky hardware and retro shapes for bags and jewelry.

Krakoff's description justly identifies the appeal of Poppy: the fusion of the preppy and punk; naughty and nice; and princess and rebel. What girl can't relate to that?

I immediately fell in love with the New Poppy Jacket, a navy wool blend jacket with oversized gold button details and a funky zebra print lining (for an added pop! to the Poppy style). While adhering to a traditional blazer aesthetic, this jacket adds just enough irreverent spirit to make the Blair Waldorfs of the world shake their heads. It's a great statement piece, complimenting a pair of faded skinny jeans and gold flip-flops just as well as it would a white pleated skirt and navy espadrille wedges.

I'm also loving the Skyla Flats in a bold hot pink, which make me think of a little-school-girl-all-grown-up. I just adore the flirty resin bow with gold detail at the toe, which makes this flat stand out from the standard line-up of ballet flats.

The cherry on top? The baubles and bangles from this collection may be the most tempting array of sparkles I've seen in some time. Just try to say "no" to the New Poppy Flower Necklace, a bib-style necklace of blooming flowers in an array of boldly colored stones with an unusual copper finish.

Are you a Poppy girl? With the same ease that Dorothy felt in an ocean of poppies, I have fallen in love with this collection. So go ahead: have your Poppy and wear it too!




Images in order of appearance: (1) Coach's Poppy Slogan, photo courtesy of Coach (http://www.coach.com/); (2) New Poppy Jacket, $398, also available at Coach; (3) Skyla Flats, $158, also available at Coach; (4) New Poppy Flower Necklace, $248, also from Coach.

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/.

Lolly Loves Leather

When Kate Beckinsale appeared for the 2009 Calvin Klein Womenswear Fall Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week in February, it seemed that everyone was shaking their finger at her little leather dress. A little too reminiscent of Underworld, perhaps? I couldn't disagree more. I loved the fact that Miss Kate--who typically embraces a sweet, demure image when it comes to dressing for red carpet events--found her inner fierceness.

I had almost forgotten about this luscious leather look when the image jumped out at me again from the pages of June's In Style, in an article on "Hot Weather Leather." The concept is certainly an intriguing one. I can't help but have flashbacks to my trip to Paris at age 15 when I toured the Palace of Versailles in August wearing my dad's vintage leather pants (can you say rock star?!). A fabulous 15 year-old to be sure, but definitely HOT in the sweaty, uncomfortable definition of the word. This memory makes me question the logic of "hot weather leather." Nonetheless, it is a fabulous look. It's bold and different, while also being timeless in a rocker/biker sort of way since there will always be a place in the fashion world for the rebel.

In order to make it a successful summer look, however, a fashionista needs to get a little bit creative to avoid melting. Personally, I love the way glamorous Gossip Girl, Taylor Momsen (another 15 year-old who loves leather!), mixed aesthetics by pairing her cropped leather jacket with an intricately embroidered ivory bubble dress--pulling the look together with black leather shooties. Conveniently, if the temperature rises too much, off comes the jacket--problem solved.

Another lovely leather look was Kate Hudson's high-waisted leather pencil skirt, which she rocked at a Berlin press event for Bride Wars. The fact that her skirt was leather added a bit of pow! to the sleek, feminine silhouette of her pencil skirt. On the practical side, even a leather skirt is still a skirt--allowing for much-needed air circulation during those hot summer months. For this look, she upped the ante with her black ruffled blouse, for nothing screams "glam" like black on black. Of course, the dark lips and bedroom hair don't hurt either.

Amazing but true: hot weather leather is totally possible--and completely fashionable. Move over little black dress! Next on my to-buy list is a little leather dress just like Kate Beckinsale.







Images: (1) Kate Beckinsale from the 2009 Calvin Klein Womenswear Fall Fashion Show during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York in February, courtesy of Reuters (http://www.blogs.reuters.com/); (2) Taylor Momsen, also photographed at New York Fashion Week, photo courtesy of fellow blogger, Style Maven (http://www.stylemaven.typepad.com/); (3) Kate Hudson in Berlin for a Bride Wars press event, photo courtesy www.catwalkqueen.tv

Catch the Wave: Island Chic

In preparation for our family trip to Block Island this past weekend, I had--as any beach-going fashionista would--ordered a new bathing suit.

In the days leading up to the arrival of my new swimwear, I envisioned myself wearing the black, strapless one-piece with my favorite Chloé sunglasses and perhaps a cowboy hat, while lounging on the beach, or reading on the deck. When it arrived, I anxiously ripped open the package to try it on.

Hmmm...I had remembered the suit was supposed to be strapless, but not topless. Was I really so tall that my torso was too long for a one-piece? Apparently so. I sadly resigned myself to the fact that a new bathing suit was not in the cards for this particular island-bound fashionista.

After my swimwear fiasco, fashion was--as it usually is--very much on my mind when I boarded the Block Island ferry. In typical Lolly fashion, I couldn't help but observe my fellow island-goers, curious about this summer's dominant trends. After all, island wear tends to follow certain patterns. For instance, if you're bound for Nantucket, I would be willing to wager that your Vera Bradley duffel contains at least one Vineyard Vines item and perhaps a pair of Jack Rogers sandals. No, no, rest assured that I do not have ESP; these are just the rules of island fashion.

However, Block Island is somewhat of an anomaly in this way. Sure, you have your trend groups. There are the surfers who faithfully rock Billabong and Quiksilver; the beach hippies with their faded cut-offs flip flops; the outdoorsy types with their Northface and Life Is Good gear; the Vineyard Viners; and the Juicy Couturers--but not one of these groups is more represented than the other. Whatever you find yourself wearing and wherever you find yourself wearing it, you can simply be as you are. The lack of a defined "island fashion" is, in itself, the Block Island style.

This is not to say that my island adventures were uninspired--very much the opposite. Thursday afternoon, my sister and I decided upon a very ambitious 10 mile run around the island. As we ran, we had the opportunity to watch the passers-by: on their bikes or mopeds, in cars, and sometimes on foot.

As one rather elegant woman peddled past on her bicycle with a man who I can only assume was her equally dapper husband, her look caught my attention. With her sun tanned glow and yellow windbreaker, she wore a pair of sturdy yet handsome white sneakers, cropped pants, and a functional yet delicate white tunic. She fit right into the backdrop of weathered shingle homes, green hills, and salty ocean air, and she was a complete fashion plate.

This nameless cyclist is, in my mind, the emblem of the Block Island look: fresh, clean, and classic. The best part about this style is that it is attainable to absolutely everyone with just a bit of wardrobe consideration.

Wanna know how? Start with those irresistible cut-off denim shorts you made using your very handy Lolly guide. If you opted for knee-length as I did, then cuff them at the bottom (I suggest a 1-2 inch cuff) to add a bit of polish to your carefree look. If you went mini, then I'm guessing no cuffing is possible... Next, throw on a brightly colored tank top for a little pop of color beneath a white tunic. No tunic? For a quick, wallet-friendly substitute, borrow a white oxford from your boyfriend or husband. Keeping it feminine, top off your look with a skinny belt at your natural waist. Viola!--island chic. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3. And now, fearless fashionista friends, it's time to catch the wave.




Images: (1) photo of Block Island, courtesy of Kwaree Blog (www.kwaree.com/); (2) Jack Purcell Distressed Sneakers in white $65, from J. Crew (www.jcrew.com/); (3) Lighweight Oxford Tunic in white $59.50, alson from J. Crew.

Fashion At Home

After spending the last three years living in a charming little carriage house that amazingly fits two very tall individuals, my husband and I have started thinking about spreading our wings-- and have thus begun the dreaded...apartment hunt.

On the one hand, the very thought of moving causes panic and dread to wash over me: all the boxes, how to fit the furniture back down that tiny staircase, getting to know a new place...

Yet, on the other hand, I can't help smile as I imagine how every little inch of our yet-to-be-discovered new home (albeit, rental) will come together. So I was relieved to be nudged away from dread--and towards excitement--when I received an email from Sarah B, one of my favorite NYC fashion insiders who, despite the demands of her busy high-power-business-woman life, somehow finds the time to stay on the up-and-up when it comes to fashion forward styles and home interior fabulousity.

Sarah's email highlighted the posh pad of London stylist and interior designer Abigail Ahern--as in Atelier Abigail Ahern, which is "one of the most definitive, hottest places to shop in the UK," according to Elle Decoration magazine. Located 40 miles outside London, Abigail's home is actually owned by her sister, Gemma, and the Ahern sisters recently joined forces to give the space a total makeover. The result, clearly, is nothing short of amazing.

I love the way the space pairs down a more traditional style (cool gray walls and floor, overstuffed bookshelves, bead boarding, pristine crown molding) and then infuses the classic look with contemporary pops of color and funky decor (hot pink coffee table, low-hanging yellow lamp, furry and metallic throw pillows). The effect is a home that looks completely livable while remaining positively chic.

The aesthetic of this space inspires the home decor diva that I never knew was inside of me! Fashionista? Yes.... So why not bring my work home with me? The fact that I'm still in the rental stage of life slightly limits my options; I mean, I can't go knocking down walls or anything craaaazy. But the possibilities really are endless, and can be accomplished through the details--colorful home furnishings and accessories to contrast yet accentuate the clean, simple structure of any rental.

Coco Chanel once said, "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Mademoiselle Chanel had it exactly right (do I sound surprised?): fashion is the way we live. The moral of the story? If you put your mind to it, you can have fashion at home.

Images and inspiration from Sneak Peek: Gemma Ahern, article from Design Sponge, www.designspongeonline.com.

Black Tie: Fashion Etiquette Not Optional

While we live in an era touting inner beauty, it would be a lie to say that appearance doesn't matter--and what would that mean for a fashionista anyway? I mean, don't rob a girl of her whole raison être! In the immortal words of Mark Twain, "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society."

Speaking of society, let's talk artsy elite, shall we? This past Saturday marked the date for the Museum of Fine Arts' Summer Party, and in true artsy fashion was themed as a masquerade ball, a black-tie fundraiser featuring fine art, music and dancing, and a silent art auction. Proceeds from this annual gala benefit the Museum Council Artist-in-Residency Program and also provide operating support for the MFA and its collections. As if we could say no to a masquerade, India and I were in attendance at this fabulous, sold-out event (obvi)...

Of course, as a black tie event, this gala merited a very specific dress code that we spent months preparing for--as well as all of Saturday afternoon in hair and make-up. Etiquette goddess Emily Post dictates the following for black tie attire:

• For men, black tuxedo jacket and matching trousers; with a formal (piqué or pleated front) white shirt; a black bow tie (silk, shiny satin or twill); a black cummerbund to match tie, or a vest; dressy suspenders to ensure a good fit (optional); black patent shoes and black dress socks; no gloves.
  
• For women, formal (floor length) evening gown or short, dressy cocktail dress.

I have to admit, I was surprised that Miss Post actually allowed the short cocktail dress faction into the black tie fold. I was sure she was a traditionalist! But, long or short, there is a certain degree of formality that is required of any black tie attire, and we were a little bit shocked to notice the number gala-goers who didn't understand this concept.

While I can concede that the short dress was not the black tie fashion faux pas I originally thought it to be, there were numerous other fashion etiquette violations. Since I'm such a blatant mean girl, it's worth noting that you can do all sorts of watching and judging from safely behind a mask when you're at a masquerade ball (added bonus!), which is precisely how we observed the following black tie DON'Ts:

-short to the extent that underwear was visible (don't you feel the breeze?)

-too short for your age (if you have grandchildren, I shouldn't be able to see your thighs)

-long dresses wrapped around the neck for some scandalous dance-floor grinding (why this is wrong should be self-explanatory)

-opaque black tights with mini-skirts (not only is it not winter, but let's be real about the definition of "formal")

-wedding gowns (if you could wear it to your wedding, then save it)

To be fair, I too harbored some misconceptions about black tie etiquette. Though the Milla gown was spot on, who knew that I could have rocked my black on black floral Marc Jacobs cocktail dress? But there is just no excuse for these other offenses--especially when it comes to a museum gala. Did the guilty parties not get the memo that this was a classy event?

Regardless, it was a masquerade for the ages, and there were just as many--if not more--gorgeous gowns and well-executed ensembles than there were fashion fiascoes. Perhaps my favorite look was actually one of the short, formal cocktail dresses (yes, I did learn my lesson). This fashion-forward masquerader wore a more formal amalgamation of a trench dress, made of brushed silk in a light champagne color, with delicate cap sleeves and a flirty bubble skirt. If I only knew the designer I would snatch one up for myself! As it is, I have already spent too much time searching Google Images...

Then, at the stroke of midnight our horse-drawn carriage turned back into a Volvo, and two tired masqueraders took off their masks (and shoes) and made their way home. However, I'm already thinking about next year--and who knows? Maybe I'll give a shortie a chance, something you might never have expected to hear from a tall girl. More attention on the shoes, right?

PS. Looks like we played our fashion cards right! Check out the event coverage from Boston's own Stuff Magazine at http://stuffboston.com/photos/partypics/category11454/picture399296.aspx and fellow blogger Finance Foodie at http://www.financefoodie.com/2009/06/mfa-summer-masquerade-party-boston.html!

Images in order of appearance: (1/2) Laura and India--with masks and without; (3) Mary-Kate Olsen wearing a white bubble dress and platforms with hot pink accents, image from http://www.styletips101.com/; (4) Lauren Conrad wearing a black and crimson floral-inspired bubble dress, image from http://meshandlace.typepad.com/.

Diary of a Mad Masquerader

Dear Diary,

The wait is over. Tomorrow marks the date for the Museum of Fine Arts Boston's Summer Party Masquerade, and my wardrobe is finally ready. It hasn't been an easy task, let me tell you...

First and most importantly, there was the question of the dress. My infuriating quest for a dress ultimately became a battle of Milla vs. Palma. Last Saturday, I held both dresses in my possession and weighed my options. It is worth noting here that both J. Crew and Diane von Furstenberg seem to favor models measuring under 5'11". I know this to be true, for these two gorgeous, floor-length gowns transformed before my very mirror into ankle-length dresses. Even without shoes on.

I settled on Milla, whose straight silhouette is far better suited for an ankle-length fit--which brought me to my next hurdle: the shoes. Such is the life of a fashionista. You should know that I don't mess around when it comes to shoes for formal occasions (just ask Kristen Stewart), but my gown brought me to a tricky crossroads:

On the one hand, I could go with flats so as to avoid calling attention to the fact that my gown fell a bit short (literally). This would mean playing it safe--something in the gold Tory Burch Reva Ballet Flats genre.

On the other hand, I could embrace my height and crank up the dial a bit with a pair of killer heels. This would mean taking a risk, which is the responsibility of every self-proclaimed fashionista. Do you even have to ask what I decided? As a wise friend reminded me, the dress is too short, regardless, so buy a pair of fabulous shoes and let 'em show! Obvi.

With this in mind, Lizzie and I hit the Burlington mall on the hunt for a pair of outrageous gold heels. With metallic being so hot right now, you would think this would be a snap. Not so much. I was forced to admit that a girl should never call Nordstrom for a Bloomingdale's job. Empty-handed, we headed towards the light (or, in this case, the black-and-white-tiled glory of Bloomie's).

What you might not realize is that "gold" is not as straightforward as it would seem. Shiny gold, matte gold, warm gold, cold gold--and nothing quite right. Feeling a little like Goldilocks, all grown up and shopping for shoes instead of porridge, the "It" shoe was just beyond my reach...

On the verge of hyperventilation came Lizzie's epiphany: why not choose something totally outrageous and actually earn my fashionista title? YES. And this is how I fell in love with Tory Burch's Anamarte Strappy Wedges. These industrial chic wedges feature dark pebbled leather the color of a coconut shell, criss-crossing every which way across the foot, and closing with a sturdy buckle at the ankle. And if you thought 5'11" was tall, just add the 4.75" cork wedge! Who needs floor-length gowns anyway?

Oh, Diary, it's amazing that, with just a simple shoe purchase, my masquerade look was completely transformed! While I was originally channeling demure elegance, now I'm all about blending aesthetics. My statement shoes will just the right amount of edge to my look, and my accessories will--of course--bring it all together: gold heirloom bangles a la Lizzie, a vintage-inspired charm necklace handmade by Talyn, simple hammered gold hoop earrings from Belmont's Bessie Blue, and my grandmother's vintage beaded clutch. Absolute perfection.

XOXO,
Lolly

Images: (1) Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) Boston, photo from www.mfa.org; (2) Tory Burch Anamarte Strappy Wedges $310 (on sale now!), available at Bloomingdale's (www.bloomingdales.com).