Friday Buy Day 3.20.15

Shannon and I went to a really chic baby shower last night at a wine bar.  It was a semi-casual affair, being the mom's second child, and was a great excuse to get together with friends and enjoy some adult beverages and yummy food, and celebrate the baby girl-to-be.

When I was getting dressed for the occasion, a dress was calling my name but I couldn't quite find the type of dress I had conjured up in my head. It was a warm evening, and the event started at 6 PM so what I wanted to wear (that sadly was not in my closet)  was a Springy and special outfit that was worthy of this fun and celebratory event.  The night called for one of those "in between" ensembles:  I didn't WANT to wear jeans (although I did) but a sexy LBD wasn't the right outfit either.

Ultimately, I ended up wearing an Equipment eyelet silk blouse, tucked into Paige skinny distressed jeans with embroidered ankle strap pumps (although never planned, Shannon and I showed up looking like twins).  The look worked...but it made me realize that I wanted to dedicate this week's Friday Buy Day to cool pieces that could work for a stylish day ensemble (work or lunch, etc) and could also work for something like an evening baby shower at a bar.

Here goes...

I love this look (the blouse from the top pic, the skirt from the bottom pic).  The boxy cotton top with the cool drawstring detailing on the side with the eyelet pleated mini-skirt.  It is a fresh, modern and on-trend.  This outfit is work appropriate if you work in a creative capacity (sorry Finance girls) as the mini-skirt is really not that mini unless you are quite tall and the blouse provides full coverage.  Pair it a gladiator style sandal or platform wedges (yes, they're back in a big way for Spring) for a daytime fete, or up the volume with black ankle strap heels and deco drop earrings for an evening event. All white is here to stay and this whole outfit is under $150...now it's just the tan I have to start working on.

This floral dress from Asos caught my eye because of the playful print and the sophisticated shape.  This is another piece that, depending on how it is styled, can be more conservative, or more edgy.  For a conservative luncheon, it looks great as shown: simple heel and a nude, pouty lip.  For a night celebrating at a cool wine bar, I would up the edge factor and pair it with booties (those Isabel Marant ons that were suggested awhile back...on sale of course..would be great) and a black leather moto jacket.  Saturate your lip in a dark raspberry or classic red and be on your way.

Come On!  The last time I was this excited about a tube top was 1999.  I am dead serious...they were in heavy rotation during my days at USC.  But, now that I'm a grown-up, I am thrilled to find that the Australian designers at Camilla and Marc have designed an elegant and sophisticated strapless top.  If you look closely, you can see the asymmetrical belt and the soft draping of this awesome piece.  

I absolutely love the idea of it paired over wide leg trousers, and the polka-dot ones shown in the picture are a steal from Asos priced at $81.  Long over long is a big trend right now and this ensemble feels very modern and current without feeling trendy.  This would've been the perfect outfit to wear last night!  For an edgier look, I love this strapless blouse over leather leggings with a cropped blazer.  Right now, all sizes are available except 44 and it is on sale for $185 from $370.

Hope you enjoyed this week's picks and feel free to enter your email address if you'd like to get these tips delivered directly to your inbox.  

Friday Buy Day

It's Friday Buy Day again and we don't have much time to waste with chitter-chatter.  There are tons of goodies on sale right now all over the web...J. Crew sale is additional 30% off the sale price and one of our other favorites, the Outnet, is having a clearance sale!  We have to share our top picks before they are sold out!!

First up, Rails plaid button down.  A lot of button-down style shirts can look boxy or manly.  Rails always gets it right with the perfect amount of tailoring through the middle for a slimming, but not tight, fit.  This blouse is made of a super soft weave and looks great with moto jeans and booties for a relaxed but edgy ensemble, or can be paired with skinny sweats and sneakers for a Saturday morning.  It comes in Raspberry/Navy or Cobalt/Navy with all sizes left.  At under $90 it is a great purchase you will wear regularly.

Next up, this funnel-neck sweatshirt from J. Crew.  I love the drawstring neckline, slouchy fit and pockets.  A perfect compliment to the Rails button-down mentioned above if styled with jeans and boots or jeans and high tops.  I would also wear it over a denim button-down with black leather leggings and a statement earring to make it more work-appropriate.  At 59.99 with an additional 30% off the sale price, it is a must-buy (especially for all you mommies).

I know it's loud, but what's the point of a statement necklace if it doesn't make a statement?  I love this with an equally bold printed dress for a wedding, or as the only shot of color for an all black ensemble.  At barely over $100 from $560, this necklace is sure to sell out soon.

Okay, now back to more practical items.  I LOVE these Current/Elliot stiletto biker jeans.  Day. Night.  Doesn't matter.  Love the wash, love the length (ankle length is the best for sneakers and stilettos), love the distressing and love the zippers.  For day, tuck in a plaid button down (see above) with flats, and style with a slinky blouse and embroidered high-heels for night.  Jeans are hard to buy online, but if you know that Current/Elliot is a nice fit for your body type then I would recommend buying these NOW!  All sizes left.  Only $148 (from $248).

Moto.  Midnight.  McQueen.  Need I say more?  This suede moto jacket by McQ for Alexander McQueen is only $399 (from $2000...all sizes left except 42) and is incredible.  Wear it over a feminine dress to add some edge, or pair it with a tee, and denim.  You're done.

Lastly, this chic and ethereal blouse from Parker (now on sale for $100 from $248).  100% silk, slightly bohemian with blouson sleeves and an effortlessly cool drape.  Tuck it into a pencil skirt for work, or wear with skinny black jeans and leopard booties for an evening on the town.  Timeless and feminine for the win.

Hope you've enjoyed this week's Friday Buy Day.  Get off the blog and on to shopping.

Friday Buy Day

It's funny, like most women I know, every time we go on a trip we are inclined to buy something new...even if the climate where we are headed is the exact same climate as the place we live. This week, Jack Ryan is headed to LA....and even though it is supposed to be 61 and raining (insert tear) which is the EXACT same weather as I am sure it will be in SF, our shopping inspiration is derived from weather that is 78 and sunny.  And so, for this week's Friday Buy Day we thought we'd bring you some cool pieces (on sale of course) that we want to take with us to LaLa Land. The power of positive thinking must not only be practiced in your mind, it must also be practiced in your packing. 

Here Goes:

First things first.  An oversized Panama Hat.  We are in LA afterall.  And whether my positive thinking works or not for the weather, a large hat is mandatory in the land of palm trees and movie stars.  We love the nubby texture and the cream color.  At under $40, it is a great deal and looks just as chic with denim and a button-up as it does with a swimsuit and a cover-up.

Speaking of a swimsuit, we love this one  It is sexy and classic and on sale.  You can never go wrong with a black bikini that has some interesting details.  I guess we'll be wearing this in the hot-tub if the weather decides to be uncooperative.

Almost as mandatory as a hat, is a pair of slightly distressed cut-offs.  One of our favorite looks right now is the Texas Tuxedo (denim on denim).  We love these with a denim button-up (in a lighter shade) a thicker leather belt and a cool pair of booties or sandals.

Oh, and for that night out at Chateau.  What to wear?  A romper of course.  This Zimmerman romper is sophisticated and sexy.  The button front allows you to adjust how much you would like to expose and the length of the shorts is spot on...not too short (trashy) and not too long (boring).  The lace panels on the sleeve are feminine and elegant.  We would pair these with deco drop earrings and a minimal strap heel.  Elegant, sexy, chic (and of course, it's on sale).

So, for any of you who are headed to LA soon, take our cues and get to shopping.  For all of those who are not, channel your positive thinking and plan a trip to a place that is 78, sunny and dappled with palm trees.