Shop It To Me Contest Underway – $3,000 Shopping Spree up for Grabs!

 

Www.Shopittome.com – the internet’s best personal discount fashion search engine that’s not only thorough, but FREE! – has just launched their biggest promotion to date: The “Shop With Confidence” Sweepstakes! They’ve teamed with American Express Premium Return Protection to offer one lucky fashion-lover a $3000 shopping spree with Whitney Port! That’s not all — each day through April 2, they are giving away an AmEx PRP subscription and $100 to shop Whitney’s No Regrets Spring Picks! That’s something to win every day before the big prize is up for grabs! Now, how to enter:

Complete the following steps:

1. Follow @ShopItToMe and @AmericanExpress on twitter
2. Tweet the following phrase: Want to win a $3000 shopping spree w/ @whitneyeveport? Follow @shopittome @americanexpress & RT to win:http://bit.ly/fgu5Rz #NoRegrets

So get to it, fashion-philes! And good luck!

Fashion for the Regular Folk.

Do you want to know why I love Marcus Wainwright and David Neville of Rag and Bone? First, because they are nice, ordinary married guys with tots in tow. Not drama queens. Not sunglassed, gloved vampires. Second, because they’re not prone to such vitriol as that of Dior’s most famous former Musketeer, John Galliano (yes – you’ll remember him as the man who said, ”I love Hitler.”) In fact, they are reputed to be on a friendly, first-name basis with all their employees, and have blessed us Yanks with their good taste and growing industry by coming across the Pond and establishing a home base in New York.

But also, I love Marcus and David and the simplistic, but edgy designs of Rag & Bone because their clothes are infinitely wearable. They make fashion make sense. They reflect the reality of our everyday lives – how we look (or aspire to) on the weekend, at the office, at a party. They cite American Ralph Lauren as a brilliant designer (an excellent choice, and one far different from those kooky avant-garde types so often hailing from England) – a designer who is also committed to beautiful, livable fashion.

In the January edition of Vogue, Neville said, “There has always been a solid realism, and a credibility, to what we do.” And with no formal fashion training (and roots in the burgeoning designer-denim craze of the early 2000′s where they were based in Kentucky), the pair has taken to creating things like chunky sweaters, bomber jackets and plaid skirts, interspersed with menswear tailoring, flowing tanks and crisp, pleated shorts. “Normal” clothes. Clothes that just about anyone can wear. Think J. Crew. But smarter. With a whole lotta fashion street cred.

There is of course, the occasional electric blue legging thrown in for flair. But let’s face it people, this is fashion. Not investment banking.

There are no gold tuxedos, no feather headdresses, no face paint or mirrored masks or rotating gyroscopes (I think you all know who I’m talking about).

(Some looks from the FW’11 collection).

It’s nice to know there are designers who take the reality of our lives into account when hitting the drafting board.

So to Marcus and David, I say, “Cheers.” Visit their e-commerce site here.

Right on Target…Again.

I’ve oft praised the genius behind Target’s GO international designer collaborations. Now, we lucky shoppers will be able to snap up 34 offerings from past collaborations from the likes of Proenza Schouler, Rodarte and Thakoon. They will be available online starting March 13th, and in stores in April.  There is a surplus of dresses among these easy pieces which doesn’t bother me in the least: I think a dress (leggings, tights and knee-high boots optional) is THE perfect seasonal transition piece.

But with big names and little price points (think $50 and under), they won’t last long. So hurry up, y’all.

For a full retrospective of past (and soon to be current) looks, visit Fashionista.com here.

Polka Dot Perfection

Marc Jacobs’ collection at NYFW channeled something of a post-apocalyptic “The House of Mirth” what with all those tiny, constraining hats, high collars, dark booties and long, body-skimming skirts. With a predominance of black, white and grey, his collection wasn’t without its share of polka dots, giving what would otherwise have been a touch costume-y, a modernity (some bloggers called it “twisted” – I disagree) that was all Marc. 

For complete images of his show, visit Style.com here.

What do you think?

On Writing

 

It seems a fitting start to every year: an exposition on why this whole thing started. You know, it actually started a lot earlier than I’ve maybe let on.

When I was 11, I wrote a letter to Marguerite Henry – the author of the “Misty” pony series.  It went something like this: “I love you, you are a great writer. I love horses, too. Do you think I’ll be able to write like you one day? I love you. P.S. I want a pony. Sincerely, Sarah.”

I was horse-crazy and book-crazy and one of four kids, so reading came cheaper than riding.  I read (mostly books about horses) because I loved the escape words offered, their little size and mighty power.  I loved reading something so rightly summed-up that I could leave a page and walk around with the sense that I had a tad more insight into the way the universe was always intended to work – as if someone had finally, correctly described what I had been feeling but couldn’t quite articulate.  I wanted to do that for other people. 

So after I read “Mustang,” I wrote Ms. Henry to thank her for penning something that helped me to see meaning and structure and beauty in the world in a way that, to use a tired cliché, changed my life.  It’s the same reason I’m writing now. Not because Praying for Prada is ever gonna be War and Peace.  But because I want to help point the way for other people – to set off that little hum of recognition in someone else’s heart that makes them laugh or think or cry or just live more fully because they feel as if someone, somewhere gets it enough to describe it well. 

I wrote in college to get a journalism degree.  I wrote in law school: dry, wordy briefs with lots of Latin and “hereinafters.”  But it wasn’t enough.  No one feels any kind of sweet fulfillment when they get to the plaintiff’s conclusionary paragraph in her motion for summary judgment. Instead, all the non-lawyers just pretty much want to hang you.

But that sick feeling of needing to write kept right on with its fingers around my throat, daring me to sit down and get to it already.  So the blog was born.  

It’s no secret that I’m insecure. I struggle daily with the notion of whether there’s enough horsepower in this machine to make something decent come out.  There are times when I am witness to some haunting relational complexity, or something as simple as the bark on a tree, and I hear the words to describe it in my head.  Sometimes, I think they could be lyrical or entertaining, and when I’m very lucky, even accurate.  But these days, after years home with little children, I’m the one hanging my head at dinner parties because I hadn’t heard William F. Buckley had died, or skulking off to Wikipedia because I can’t seem to remember what in God’s name Robert Stone ever wrote or what desiccated means.    

But I’m still writing. The fact that it is about fashion is secondary. The writing itself, is primary.

The best thing about a frigid morning

…is a warm muzzle. Its too bad all he really wants is the bag of treats.

I was always a sucker for a redhead.

Top it Off

You’ve seen that Target commercial, right?  A harried mother stares dreamily at a cap and is suddenly transported to some bucolic fall scene with a stand of apple trees, cable sweaters and falling leaves. The motto? “You totally wear hats.”

I am myself, a “hat” person. I have quite the collection, in fact - from newsboys to fedoras,  cowboy hats to bucket hats and everything in between. In fact, I just snagged this fur trapper number from Michael Kors at Bluefly.com:

Hats are not only the consummate statement-making accessory, they’re the perfect accompaniment to this season’s frigid temps.  Take for example, the:

1. Fedora – Menswear is the thing right now. Pair it with something feminine and don’t skimp on the eye makeup – the brim is just right for keeping other people’s peepers on yours. Just make sure to keep hair trailing around your face or you’re liable to look more K.D. Lang than Carmen Kass.

2. The Knit Cap – Seasonally appropriate, cozy, and tomboyish, it works best pulled back on your head, particularly for those of you with bangs. Any lower, and you’re going to look like you’re about to rob the Rutters.

3. The Wide-Brim – Twelve thousand photos of Rachel Zoe can’t be wrong. Go for big hair and big sunglasses to match the hat’s volume. Keep everything else scaled down.

Best sites for affordable hats?  WWW.Jcrew.com, www.Urbanoutfitters.com, and www.asos.com.

So go on. You totally wear hats.

To face unafraid the plans that we’ve made

You want to know what I’ve been wearing lately? My pajamas. I’ve been wearing them a lot.

Take today for example. I woke at 8 and promptly went back to bed at 1 – and slept until 4. I’ve turned down an adjunct teaching position in legal writing. I’ve demurred on a chance to contribute to a major spring style issue. I’m standing on the precipice of 2011 in a pair of flannel sleep pants and an oversized robe – like some Michael Keaton caricature from “Mr. Mom.” If I could grow a beard, I’m certain it would be hitting my navel.

Exactly one year ago, I proclaimed, much as George Castanza did in that memorable Seinfeld episode, that this would be the “year of Sarah.” I was going to make changes. I was going to grab life by the throat and start living it. Little did I think I’d be spending the first few days of December of that same year in a hospital bed with mastoiditis, shingles and meningitis. One spinal tap, 20 vials of blood and a lymph node biopsy later, every one agrees there is something wrong – but can’t quite figure out what.

I’ve flipped lovingly through the pages of my December Vogue and angsted over end-of-year sales online, thinking it might be a good idea to shower before doffing something pretty.

My oldest son was diagnosed with autism this year. My youngest, with a language disorder. I have a stack of neck-high rejection letters, evidencing fiction that wasn’t palatable enough for any number of literary journals nation-wide. 

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

Let me be clear, however - this year has not been devoid of its wonders. I’ve seen Miami, Boston and Las Vegas for the first time. Matt was promoted. I saw an entire riding show season through and placed 4th in my division overall. And I wrote – more than I ever have.

So this post is an homage to change, of sorts. And to the value of dedicated years – years in which our intentions are strong, in which we face unafraid the plans that we’ve made – because we know Who’s got our back.

My dressing hasn’t been terribly creatively lately. But that will change. I just bought a killer pair of riding boots that I’m planning on wearing over my shredded Current Elliott skinny jeans with a D&G dogtag necklace.

All in good time. All, after I’m out of my Pj’s.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, my friends. Thank you for your support and your love. 

Here’s to a bolder, brighter 2011. May it be your year, too.

Rachel Zoe for QVC.

 

Normally, I associate QVC with the likes of “Quacker Factory” or Hummel figurines, but my favorite Hollywood stylist has gone Ba-Nah-Nahs with her new collection for QVC. Rachel Zoe has entered the 2nd year of her merchandise line, with a collection launched this year and last during New York fashion week. My top pick from the current collection was the faux-fur vest which – aside from being totally on trend (70′s styling+ fur pieces = an A+ in trend assimilation) – won’t break the bank at $79. It’s also a great alternative to your traditional fall coat and will LIT-RALLY go with everything (if this lingo confuses you, tune in to the Rachel Zoe project on Bravo to get yourself up to speed).

Another favorite of mine was her pebble leather fringe bag, seen here in a candid (or, IMO totally staged) street shot. It’s available for $179 and in 3 colors at QVC.com. 

The collection also includes a black wool floppy hat that looks pulled from RZ’s own closet, plus coats, scarves, jewelry and handbags ranging from the deletable (see: hammered horseshoe necklace) to the detestable (see: sequined beret). But be forewarned, if you’re looking for closet staples, look elsewhere. This is an accessories-only line that promises big, trendy impact. Wardrobe basics are in short supply.

Take a look at her entire collection on QVC.com here.

Work.

WRONG. Just so wrong.

Also WRONG. Where did 20th Century Fox find all those blazers??

When I started in advertising after a stint in litigation, my friend Susan said, “I had a hard time believing you were a lawyer. You dressed WAY too cool.” This is probably because I’ve never been the boxy black suit type. It was satin skirts, platform heels and ruffled scarves instead. Apparently, it made an impression. I’ve never heard “lawyer” and “cool” used in the same sentence.

My brilliant and beautiful Chicagoan friend Sarah has a problem. Think of this as a ”Praying for Prada Mailbag” entry of sorts. She wrote me recently:  ”Fashion Emergency of the highest degree… How does one dress to be the Director of Institutional Municipal Bonds after a 2 year Wall Street ‘hiatus???’ Farewell awesome cage peep toe booties… hello classic black pumps?” How is Sarah going to make it work without looking like a working Wall Street prole? (By the way Sarah – congrats on your awesome new job. I had to google “institutional municipal bonds.” I’m kind of like the Rebecca Bloomwood of lawyers, minus the green scarf.) 

So, some ideas:

(1) Eschew the skirtsuit. Seriously. I just dumped a ton of these on Goodwill’s doorstep. They haven’t been cool since “Working Girl.”

(2) Pick the Pantsuit (and make it camel). Masculine tailoring is hot right now and camel is the perfect color. Bonus? You’re legs are covered for that balmy Chicago winter.

(3) Say it with Shoes. If you’re looking for fashion bang in a typically buttoned-up profession, I would push the envelope a bit with your kicks. While the cage peep-toe booties are probably pushing it TOO far, the classic black pump doesn’t have to be black, OR a pump (though I have a pair of suede platform black Tahari pumps with tiny gunmetal stud accents that would be perfect for you!). Bow-front kitten heels, metallic ballet flats, and closed toe platforms are fantastic, as are Oxford pumps.  

(4) Tie it up. I’m obsessed with tie-neck blouses right now – this hits the 50′s and 70′s trend spot-on. They’re feminine, professional and timeless. Pair it with a pencil skirt or a pair of flowy 70′s-style trousers.

(5) Bring the belt. A skinny leather belt over a fitted cardigan, or a waist-cinching corset belt over a sweater dress say “serious AND stylish.”  

(6) Make a statement: Invest in a statement coat. A swing coat, leopard pattern or cape packs a punch while covering up something more conservative. Plus, you’re headed for sub-zero temperatures, so you’re gonna need it.

Corporate raiding doesn’t have to be ugly. Sometimes, it can be downright gorgeous.