Equine Fashion

I'm a big fan of the equestrian or riding boot. It's a stylish accessory that can be dressed up or down. When going casual, you can tuck your jeans into them and wear with a long sweater. You can don your boots with a pair of opaque tights and winter shorts (or mini skirt). You can wear them with a dress. I've even worn them with contrasting colored knee high socks that peak through just above the boot. They also offer more comfort than the high heeled boots- sparing you the bunion surgery- youch! I like dark colored boots myself- black or brown.

These "Cinch" black riding boots by Golden Goose are great! They feature genuine leather with a worn effect, a buckle fastening that sits at the back of the boot, a rounded toe and it sits just below the knee.

Price is £520.00

check them out here:
Golden Goose , Cinch riding boot - boot - golden goose - riding boot Stylehive BM 248218 #:248218

or here:
http://www.brownsfashion.com/product/fashion/shoes/shoes/86277.htm

The Drambuie Den: The Spirit Lives On

I was invited to an attitude-filled, fun-filled, stylish night of Drambuie cocktails and complimentary hors d'oeuvres the night before Halloween. The event was located at Level V, a subterranean bar lounge stationed under Vento, a swanky italian restaurant on Hudson Street in NYC. As I descended the staircase I was greeted by 4 attractive hostesses all in black, each carrying a tray of yummy Drambuie elixers. The bar lounge was a long and luxuriously dark, dungeon-like space with stone walls, low tables and cherry colored couches. To each side of the hall were small, private rooms, reserved on most nights for the elite or famous with it's own sound systems, but tonight it was ours for enjoying. The DJ was spinning a fabulous mix of 80's and 90's dance and R&B tunes to start, that I hadn't heard in a long time. By the end of the night he had run the gammut from The Shins, Tom Tom Club and Mary J to Beyonce, Rihanna, Kanye West and yes, Timberlake.

I normally try to stay clear of any venue located in the meatpacking district of NYC because it usually consists of obnoxious 20-something year old's who simply know they look good and want to be seen and whose primary purpose for the night is to get loaded and get layed. However, I was in the company of good friends and tonight's crowd was an eclectic mix of attractive men and women in their late 20's to early 40's. A well-rounded, working crowd from financiers and business folk to designers and artists. Our collective goal was to enjoy Drambuie inspired treats.

The Drambuie Den spared no expense. Aside from choosing a chic venue and an attentive DJ and hostesses. We were not subjected to an obnoxious moderator, trying to educate us about the drink. Rather we were treated as we aught to have been, as people. People who already know about Drambuie. It was a 3 hour affair and though the lounge was packed wall to wall with people, there were un-ending rounds of cocktails and platters of delicious hors d'oeuvres. The cocktails featured were The Drambuie Fizz, Drambuie & Ginger, The Dolce Vita and Drambuie & Soda. The Fizz was a mixture of Drambuie, lemon juice, crushed ice and a splash of club soda. The Dram & Ginger was simply Drambuie and gingerale (my personal fav). The Dolce Vita was a champagne aperitif with 3 parts champagne to 1 part Drambuie. The Dram & Soda was simply Drambuie, club soda and 2 lime wedges.

The hors d'oeuvres featured various dips and sauces made with Drambuie as well as finger foods that paired well with the drinks. They included a sausage and pumpkin pastry puff, foie grois, the cutest mini lamb burgers complete with mini sesame seed buns and carmelized onions, a mini filet mignon on a ruffled potato chip, a puff pastry with fennel and chocolate dipping sauce, finger sized reuben sandwiches with a delicious drambuie basil dip, baked goat cheese with sliced pears and honey, filo crusted shrimp with sweet drambuie dipping sauce, chicken fingers w/ a creamy sauce.

The Legend:

A zealous Scottish prince, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, thwarted in his attemps to reclaim the British throne, flees across the Scottish highlands to elude the persuing troops and avoid capture. He escapes thanks to the kindness of the highland clans. His gift to them? The recipe for Drambuie Liqueur, a blend of spiced honey and aged Scotch whiskies in a formula kept secret by the MacKinnon family since 1745. This finely crafted Scottish liqueur has a rich taste and an adventurous heritage. Once the revered spirit of a daring individual, it is now for all to enjoy.

They're So Cheesy!

For your next wine and cheese party or any party for that matter, why not serve up a good time with these really "cheesy" Smiley Cheese Knives by Patina Store. Sometimes the little kid in us wants to come out and play. Happens to me all the time! The whimsical smiley faces are sure to get a giggle out of everyone, even the serious cheese enthusiast won't be able to contain a smile. The set of 4 are made from high-quality stainless steel. The set comes with 1 cheese fork and 3 cheese knives. It measures 7.5" x 6.25" and can be purchased for $22.00 at http://www.patinastores.com/Products/Smiley_Cheese_Knives_066532.cfm

"Silly" you say? "Darn right", I say! After imbibing a few glasses of your favorite wine, these cheesy guys might become your new best friends.

Take a look at it here:
cheese knives Smiley Cheese Knives by Patina Store - patina - epic products - smiley cheese knives Stylehive BM 250910 #:250910

This Little Piggy Went to Market

As far as handmade products are concerned, it's always about the details. Almost anyone can slap a couple of pieces of fabric together and stitch it with a needle and thread and call it handmade and original, but not everyone can construct a handbag pattern that will become an original and stylishly designed item.

Highlighted here is an indie designer, Moop, featured on Etsy. Moop's market bag has a beautiful styling with well stitched seems and pleats across the face. It's made of a midweight brushed canvas in sage green and lined with a lighter sage green cotton fabric. The inside has 6 pockets and 2 D-rings for clipping keys, pouches and other small items. It is spacious and strong enough for a laptop, groceries and books. Great for the budgeting college student as well as the ever ready working woman.

Approximate dimensions:12" across the top, 13" deep, 16" across the bottom. When holding the strap in the middle, the bag hangs about 14" down.

Price is $74.00 and unfortunately only 1 left in stock, so hurry!

Find it here: Etsy :: The market bag in two shades of sage - indie designer - designer - etsy Stylehive BM 248905 #:248905

Recent Splurge

I've been busy preparing for November market and a few weekend trips that have kept me away from my blog for a while, but I'm back! I just couldn't stay away for too long.

In light of the recent opening of the BCBGMAXAZRIA store on 5th avenue and 40th street, I had determined to mark the occasion with a browse through. I hesitated at first thinking it was just another clothing store and I could find better things downtown or online. I did eventually go in. The decor inside was sparse, illuminated by the bright white walls and ceilings. Assorted alibaster skinned manequins were posed multifariously in BCBG garb throughout the store. The sound of uptempo, heavy bassed music resonated all around me, coaxing me into a jubilant, sociable state of mind. I knew it was playing simply to entice me into investing my hard earned money in some fashionable, trendy accoutrement. Ultimately, it worked!

Frankly, it wasn't just the music or the mood I was in that did it. As I browsed I found quite a few items I could see myself wearing. A couple of silk blouses here, a few trousers and dresses there, I tried on several and made my decision based on fit, style, material and price.

I chose a beautiful pewter colored blouse. I'm currently overdosing on grays but I just can't get myself to commit to brighter colors lately, so pewter it was. It's an adorable smock blouse with a pleated scoop neckline, puffy elbow length sleeves with stitched cuffs, a drop shoulder ruffled seam and a button and loop closure on the left side of the hemline. It fits great, I could wear this out to a party, to dinner, for drinks, to work, with slacks, with jeans, with or without a belt, tucked into a slim skirt, with heels or with flats. I could accessorize it with jewelry or wear it without. Maybe I'll wear this to Thanksgiving dinner! The material is viscose rayon/ polymide and is machine washable. It's just so cute!

I paid about $180 for it at retail and that will go a long way. It was a delightful treat for myself and I had to share it.

If you're NOT near a BCBGMAXAZRIA store, you can find it online at:
BCBGMAXAZRIA Pleated Neck Top - - Nordstrom.com - silk top - silk blouse - bcbg Stylehive BM 246913 #:246913
OR
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2943587?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=bcbg+in+Women%27s+Apparel&origin=searchresults

Out with the old, In with the new

Since I despise clutter and over-crowding of drawers and closets, about twice a year I go through this ritual of throwing out old clothing to prepare for the next season. I never actually throw them out, I donate them to my local salvation army. Over the years I've also honed my skills at shopping for quality clothes that:

a.) stretch or shrink as little as possible when washed
b.) that still look good even when I'm bloated or put on a few pounds and
c.) that are big enough to be layered with other clothing yet fitted enough to be worn alone and still compliment my figure.

My method for sorting out is simple:
a.) if it doesn't fit anymore (for whatever reason)
b.) if I haven't worn it in a full year
c.) if it's completely out of style and can't be salvage or recyced

it goes in the big black garbage bag.

Since I'd recently gotten rid of alot of long sleeve tops I treated myself to a mini shopping spree. My recent purchases include a steal grey top by Flux Nouveau and a mink colored top from Bread and Butter.

The steal grey kimono jacket is double layered with a waist tie, open kimono sleeves and is 100% MicroModal fabric. Needless to say this top is attractive but it's also comfortable and layerable for when it starts to get chilly out.

The mink colored top is a really cute one with a tie at the neckline, elbow length bubble sleeves and is also made of MicroModal fabric. It's a good feeling to get things that you're excited about wearing. Both tops pair well with slacks or jeans.

MicroModal material is a feather light fabric that is a natural skin hugger. It's properties are similar to cotton and the starting material for MicroModal is beechwood from sustainable managed forests, so it is a natural fabric. It blends well with fine fibers like silk and cashmere and can be spun into fine yarns to make even the finest of lingerie items.

Here are the places to find these shirts.
http://www.aerluxe.com/fluxnouveau.html
http://www.revolveclothing.com/DisplayProduct.jsp?product=BREA-WS7&c=BreadandButter