wardrobe updates

You were all (all three of you readers out there) waiting for me to eat my words from this post, weren't you? That's ok, I was asking for it. So, no, although I didn't need anything new for spring, I did want to make a few updates, especially in the shoe department. While I love ballet flats and they will always be a classic, I'm loving the pointy-toe-D'orsay-flat trend. 

These are from Chinese Laundry and I picked them up at TJ Maxx. I couldn't find this exact pair online, but these are similar. Also wearing Diane Von Furstenberg "Hanky" top (various discounted options here, here, and here) and James Jeans "Twiggy" jeans. Adorable baby for display purposes only (he's wearing a lovely number from the BumGenius Elementals line).

Have you made any updates to your wardrobe recently? I have a few more
that you'll see soon enough...

PS This post contains affiliate links.

a winter respite

I'm not getting my hopes up that it will last, but the recent break from the cold has been much appreciated. A simple walk around the neighborhood feels like the most incredible, amazing experience in contrast to what came before. 

I was finally able to get outside to take some photos! Last weekend, I flew to Atlanta to hang out with both of my sisters (travel post coming soon) and I picked up this necklace at Zara. I'm in love with it - just the thing to pair with an otherwise simple outfit.

My simple outfit consisted of the Diane von Furstenberg Hanky blouse that I recently snagged on eBay, my maternity jeans, and my well-worn Steve Madden Intyce boots.

Bruiser even got in on the action.

Just so amazing to feel fresh air without 17 layers in between said air and my skin. That is all.

the most versatile top in the world

Title sung to the theme of Prince's "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World", of course. So, this DVF top is not only great for casual, dressy, winter, and summer, but apparently also for six months pregnant. I think this one's going to last me all the way to the end.

Paige (non-maternity) jeans, Lucky Brand booties

I wasn't sure what shoes to wear. I tried out short booties, and even though I asked my husband for his opinion, and he liked these shoes better, I completely ignored him and went with another option, black patent and metallic flats.

Paige (non-maternity) jeans, BCBG flats

Poor guys, they just can't win. My theory is that by asking, and hearing an answer, it clarifies what I really thought (i.e. wanted to hear). In my defense, it was a rare 40+ degree day and I wanted to take advantage of it (clearly it was not today or yesterday, thanks winter).

I love this top so much, I decided I needed another one. Neiman's has it in green and white. If you search Diane von Furstenberg Hanky Top on ebay, you'll find more, which is where I just bought the white version for $42 - score! The print on this one is African tulip if you're interested.

Stay warm, y'all.

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september clothing budget

This month's shopping was about filling holes or replacing favorites that were past their prime.  Here's what I bought (clockwise from left):

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1) A black A-line shift dress is a piece that never goes out of style, is flattering on most body types, and can work easily for multiple types of occasions. I have/had two: one with three-quarter sleeves from H&M and a sleeveless one from Uniqlo, and they were both getting worn to the point of embarassment. I decided to splurge a little bit on this dress to replace those - Diane von Furstenberg at half off via the Outnet. I'll have it forever. ($175)

2) Everyone needs a fun party dress, and I definitely needed something to spice up my wardrobe a little. Since I mostly seem to be dressed way up or way down these days, this was a good buy for me. It's already made its debut, and prepare to see it at lots of holiday parties IRL. This Parker dress was a find from my new favorite consignment store Byrd. ($80)

3) This white top from JC Penney was probably actually the least necessary of the three items, but after seeing it on fellow St. Louis fashion blogger Pysche with a great statement necklace, I was hooked. Tops like this come in so handy for client meetings or for volunteering at Dress for Success, where I need to look put together, but not necessarily totally business-y. I've also had the photo below (of Ann Fulenwider, editor of Marie Claire, pardon the scan from a magazine page) saved in my inspiration files for a while now, and this is the perfect top to recreate this look. Isn't it amazing how three simple pieces like a white top, black pants, and a beautiful necklace can look so sophisticated?

My total this month was $280, a little over my budget like last month, but I'm hoping things will get balanced out over the next few months as I revert back to my winter wardrobe, which should be pretty well set. How do you think I did? Check out all of the other budgeting bloggers on Franish!

review: the ellements of personal style

You all know that I believe before you can really assess your wardrobe or add to it, it's necessary to define your style. Sometimes it's helpful to see how others have achieved this, even if their style is 180 degrees away from yours. Here's a book that does just that: The Ellements of Personal Style by Elle Magazine editors Joe Zee and Maggie Bullock. 

This book is different from other instructional fashion books because there are no lists of "must-haves" or discussions of body types. Instead, this book focuses on the personal style of 25 "icons". There are a few that I'm not entirely convinced by - Ashley Green? Lea Michele? I doubt that these young starlets have really solidified their personal style (maybe Joe Zee knows something I don't) but aside from them, the majority of the women profiled are true fashion icons. 

Each profile includes short bios, interviews, and intimate photos of the icons' closets, homes, and wardrobes. For each, there is a moodboard of an outfit with accessories in her style, a "fashion obsession", a "style study" of a few of her real life outfits, and a list of her favorite shops.

Here are a few of my favorites:

credit: Time Life pictures/getty images

Anjelica Huston: Iconic Simplicity

"Black and white is a good background for embellishment."

Credit: O.SCHMITT/BABIRAD/Sipa

Dita von Teese: Pinup Precision

"Her taste in vintage began in high school, as a matter of economics. 'I went to a vintage store and thought, Oh, I can make that look like a Westwood if I pinch in the waist and pad out the hips. That was my goal - to get that look for less.' "

credit: willy vanderperre

Charlotte Gainsbourg: Utilitarian Chic

"'My parents gave me this idea that you sort of find a uniform that fits you and feels comfortable,' she says - once you find it, you stick with it for years."

Diane von Furstenberg: Relaxed Glamour

"My mission in life is to empower women. I do it through fashion, through mentoring, through philanthropy."

PHOTO CREDIT: JOHN SHEARER/WIREIMAGE.COM

Milla Jovovich: Free Spirit

"...she dresses a bit like a child who happens to have an exceedingly well-stocked costume cupboard, following her heart instead of the trends and gleefully embellishing. 'Simplicity is hard for me' ".

 There are many more great women profiled, such as Erin Wasson, Christina Hendricks, Yvonne Force Villareal, and Janie Bryant - check it out and tell me what you think!

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wardrobe staple: dvf hanky top

As you know, I try to be really intentional about my purchases. This wasn't always the case, but I've learned through trial and error and noting when things never got worn and why. I really loved this Diane von Furstenberg top when I first saw it, but I took my time buying it.

Here's what sold me: I love this drapy shape. Even when (you'll notice I didn't say "if") I fluctuate in weight, it'll never not fit. The shape isn't trendy (like all the high-low stuff that's going on this season, for example), so it won't go out of style anytime soon. It's high quality. I am not a huge fan of florals, but I do like graphic, geometric prints, and this is a nice combination of the two. 

click for sources

One of the biggest reasons why I knew it would be a good buy was its versatility. I can wear it to work, for dressy events (above), and on the weekend (below).

It's also one of those pieces that I can go to when I'm not sure what to wear, and I always feel good in it. 

About the nitty-gritty budget details: I put a sale alert on it on every site it was available through www.shopstyle.com and waited for an alert to tell me it was on sale. Then, I went through ebates.com and got cash back by going through that site. The top originally retailed somewhere around $250 and by using all these sites, I paid about $106. It's certainly been a worthwhile purchase for me!

diane von something

Over the weekend, I had a chance to hang out with my friend Elise and her boyfriend John. Elise was wearing a cute long sleeve printed dress with a great cut - fitted through the bodice, with a waist tie and a flared skirt. When I commented on it, she said "thanks, it was given to me by a neighbor." We continued talking about it, how it had a great print (white tulips on navy) and how it looked very modern, not at all like a costume-y 60's dress. Then Elise's mom chimed in and to be honest, I don't remember what she said. All I know is that at some point she said the words
"Diane von Furstenberg".

​the label on elise's dress

Me: so, are you telling me that dress is a vintage Diane von Furstenberg?
Elise's mom: yes!
Me: Elise, why didn't you tell me it was a Diane von Furstenberg??!
Elise: who's Diane von Furstenberg?
Me: ....(jaw on floor)

I honestly don't know which was more shocking to me, that the dress was a vintage DvF or that Elise didn't know who she is!

​Diane von Furstenberg in her iconic wrap dress with Mr. Pop Culture himself, Andy Warhol

So, to review:

Diane von Furstenberg became a fashion designer when she was engaged to be married to the Prince of Furstenberg and said to herself that she didn't want to be known only for marrying a prince. Their marriage didn't last, but her career as a designer did. Von Furstenberg  invented the wrap dress and it became such a phenomenon that she was featured on the cover of
Newsweek magazine. 

Because the wrap dress was such an important influence in women's fashion, it is now part of the collection in the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Von Furstenberg took a break from designing, returned in 1997, and has continued producing successful collections since then.

Based on the information found here, it looks like the dress Elise has is from a very early DvF collection, probably late 60's or early 70's. Apparently the umlaut got dropped sometime during the mid to late 70's. Since DvF is famous for her prints and flattering dress cuts, it's not suprising that it still looks so relevant. Regardless of whether you know who Diane von Furstenberg is or not, you have to agree that Elise looks adorable in her dress and that her neighbor has fabulous style.