Pretty Polished

April 01st 2011

A skirt for all reasons and seasons

There is nothing I love more for work than a special blouse paired with a slim fitting pencil skirt. Particularly a skirt that isn’t too bold so as to take away from the delicate silk or pattern of my top. However, I am always envious of my stylish roommate’s selection of truly beautiful skirts, especially one in a gold-ish wool that she always looks perfect in. The fabric is what changes the skirt from just a boring one for work (of which I own many) to something she can wear to drinks, a Broadway show or just about anywhere. I recently saw this lace skirt at JCrew and was nervous that the lace might be cheap looking (something to always consider when buying a lace piece that isn’t super pricey) but when it arrived this week, I was dead wrong. This skirt fits well; it is slimming enough without being tight (that “pulling” look is not okay). The lace is not flimsy looking by any means and has a floral embroidery detail that is quite pretty. Today I’ve paired it with an ivory Kate Spade blouse from the fall and a bright blue cardigan with some simple jewelry. Nothing intricate but the skirt speaks for the details in my lack-of-print outfit. The discount below should help your wallets! 20% off of your purchase of $150 or more in stores or online through Tuesday (Code SUNNY).

Heirloom Lace Pencil Skirt - On sale from $148 to $118 available at JCrew

-WH

April 04th 2011

Bright colors hanging around until Fall

We realize this is six months away but it looks like the color trend that we keep showing is going to be transitioning into Fall 2011. JCrew recently gave it’s first look into their fall collection (on sale in August through October) and we are loving the different types of pieces for your collections. The monochromatic mustard and tomato sweater/skirt combos, the strappy dark tan leather pump and the baby blue and lilac cropped skinny trouser are our favorites. Animal print made its way into the normally conservative retailer but styled into cute loafers, structured handbags and a very cute cropped jacket. A bright winter sounds like a fantastic idea as I stare out my cubicle window into a very dreary city day…

JCrew Fall Collection 2011

-WH

April 07th 2011

Bottoms Up - A Smattering of Skirts

Last night I couldn’t fall asleep so as I was thumbing through Lucky Magazine, I saw this green tulip scalloped hem skirt and fell in love. I love the kelly green but this also comes in cream and robin’s egg blue (perfect for Easter). Lauren Moffatt’s entire spring collection is absolutely darling and I love the garden theme.

Available at Lauren Moffatt

I figured I’d highlight a few skirts I’ve seen since I’m a fan of anything that doesn’t involve pants.

1. JCrew Revele Skirt -$148

I saw this in the JCrew catalog this week; the pleating detail isn’t too cheerleader-esque and the neutral shade with the detailing will go well with black silk and heels (maybe a cobalt pump for a pop of color?) for a night out.

Available at JCrew

2. Trina Turk Shaye Skirt - $248

This pleated longer skirt is right on point with the ladylike trend that’s out there. I love how Nordstroms paired this neutral shade with the amazing brightly colored print and cardigan shown here:

Available at Nordstrom or Trina Turk (in black as well)

3. Tibi Rain drop skirt - $245

You can wear this with a navy top or any of the colors in this print. It’s the same print as the raindrop shift we posted on our sales post yesterday (a little bit different coloring but you get the gist) but we love it. Tibi styled it with heavy gray leggings proving that this skirt can be worn throughout all four seasons.

Available at Cusp or Tibi

4. Topshop Yellow Belted Paperbag waist skirt - $70

Paperbag waists are one of my favorites. They are really flattering and look so great just paired with a simple t shirt. Switch out the cheap-ey looking belt for one of our own and you’re good to go.

Available at Topshop (other colors as well!)

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Indigo Knit Skirt - $128

This one is inspired by this awesome Carven skirt (available at Barneys for $395 which I just can’t justify). I am not a big fan of denim skirts after the age of 22 but this is a more sophisticated denim for those of us starting to worry about fine lines.

Available at Bloomingdales

6. Aqua lace mini skirt - $78

A basic black lace skirt is not a bad thing to have in your collection especially for less than $80.

Available at Bloomingdales

-WH

August 09th 2011

Styled for Under $100!

By Whitney

We have gotten some flack over our lack of outfits that are below a $300 price point. As an FYI, LW and I are not purchasing everything we feature. In fact, if we were, we would have some serious problems. However, we wanted to challenge ourselves to style an entire outfit for under $100. Shoes and purses are not included in this budget but other accessories are. We needed SOME breathing room!

To start, I picked a neutral dress that can go day or night. I own this basic from H&M and for someone who does not usually wear ivory or white, I love this dress.

H&M Dress
$34.95

The belt is really cheap and cheesy so I chose to trade it out for a silver skinny belt that I own. This was a tough belt choice because the dress can look a little too beachy or grecian depending on your choice. My favorite would be this peach patent skinny from JCrew. A pop of color always helps with a neutral.

JCrew Pin Slim Patent Belt
$19.99

As for earrings, stay with the pastels and go with these drops from BaubleBar. The blue color won’t stand out too much but will bring some life to your chiffon dress.

Aqua Boho Drops

$28

No necklace is needed as the pleated neckline is really quite pretty on its own, but throw on some gold bangles and you should be good to go. 40 pieces is a lot but maybe 10 of them around your standard watch for the evening.

Forever21 40 Piece Gold Bangle Set
$7.80

As for shoes? I went with gold Jack Rogers because I didn’t want heels that night but strappy gold sandals or flats are perfect with this.

A purse? I used my very old and broken in Louis Vuitton mini speedy bag which always gets made fun of by men bc it’s so small but it’s my version of Mary Poppins’ bag. It holds everything.

Grand total: $90.74

Use that left over $9 for a cocktail.

August 19th 2011

Friendship Bracelets Round 94

By Whitney

Last night I was walking around JCrew waiting for my dinner date and saw these bracelets in the corner. I put every color they had on so that I could take a picture for PP and I’m pretty sure the sales lady thought I was stealing but that’s neither here nor there. LW and I are not normally huge fans of JCrew but I must say these friendship bracelets were a pretty great find. They came in a sapphire, kelly green, turquoise, orange, white and black and were around $25. Cute gift if you’re in the market! They don’t seem to be online yet but we’ll keep you updated if so.

August 24th 2011

An outfit for fall

By Whitney

I am bored so I decided to style an outfit that would be cool for fall. I am styling without a budget because I feel like it. As you all know, I am not shopping until October but that does not mean I can’t look. I decided to pair a few pieces we’ve featured before and some newbies to give you some Wednesday entertainment.

I am really into cropped pants. My thighs, however, are not my strong suit so the cropped skinny is probably one of the most unflattering things I can put on my body. The JCrew Cafe Capri ($118) are a lightweight wool cropped pant that I am obsessed with. Shown below in navy, I’d go with black for this outfit of mine but they come in tons of colors. They aren’t too tight and the pencil leg will give me more of a balance between thigh and calf. I saw these in the store in yacht blue, baked citron and dahlia - if you can pull off the bright colors, these are so cute!

I need a light color thrown in here to balance out the dark bottom pant and I want a silk blouse of some sort to tuck in. 3.1 Phillip Lim blouses are my favorite and this muscle tee in antique white ($195) would do well.

I’d pair the pants with a Phillip Lim blouse that I’ve featured before or an American Apparel white or baby pink t shirt for a more casual look.

The Rebecca Minkoff Becky Jacket ($325) in my favorite color cobalt would do well here. The fit is so relaxed but the jacket dresses it all up. This jacket in coral was a huge hit this summer and I expect the black and royal blue versions to be the same when they come out.

My slipper flat post was not a huge hit but whatever people. These shoes are awesome and I would pair the Loeffler Randall Blaise Moccasin ($295) in either color patent with this look (probably the neutral since most of you know I can’t get enough of neutral patent flats…)

and I 100% would pair these with some textured flats because I love texture next to silky fabrics like that jacket.

Steven Madden Haircalf Tuxedo Flats - $120

Sam Edelman Alvin Smoking Flat - $130

Since most of my outfit is solid, I’d pair a really cool necklace with this. Accessories can be plentiful because there isn’t too much going on.

Lion Pendant? Okay, Charm and Chain but any man might start roaring at me.

Layered Bead Necklace from Tuleste Market on sale for $90? Perhaps…

If I were feeling particularly gutsy (and wealthy since this is $488), the Le Charlot Necklace in rainbow by Roarke is just awesome for a neutral ensemble like this one (lose the leopard flats if you go with this). The beading on a piece of rainbow chiffon fabric is truly stunning.

August 25th 2011

Late Summer at the Office

by Lauren & Whitney

We simply can’t get enough of these cropped J.Crew wool pants. They come in a variety of colors and are perfect for mixing and matching with blouses, blazers, cardigans, and the latest slipper craze!

EQUIPMENT silk sleeveless blouse, $188
J Crew long sleeve cardigan, $85
Single breasted blazer, $130
J Crew Pants, $118
J Crew Pants, $118
Jane True - Needlepoint - Womens, $395
Coach leather bag, $358
H m jewelry, £6.99
TopShop zebra ring, $18

September 02nd 2011

Horsing Around
by Lauren

As we all know I have “a thing” for animals and a really strong “thing” for horses. The fashion world has always sought inspiration from equestrians with its blazers, jodhpurs, riding boots, western boots, horseshoe charms, bits, stirrups & etc. but this year I have happened upon some really fun pieces with extra horse-spiration.

1) I just love this Rebecca Minkoff bag with the two zebra heads. It’s borderline trade dress infringement on Chanel…but who cares because zebras are bad a$$. [To anyone thinking “wait, zebras aren’t horses” right now - shutup and let me finish my post]

2) HORSE PRINTS. Be still my little heart. I ordered the galloping horse dress from Asos and will report back on this - isn’t it fun? Chic? Wild? I think my next purchase will be the carousel print dress I LOVE the color of this belt with that blue - and the cut of this dress looks like it would be great for a fun night out. As for the horse sweatshirt… would I wear this? You bet your 7 year old ass I would. I’d wear this with Misty of Chincoteague pride. Trust me, thats pride.

3) Horse inspired jewelry - this will always be en vogue. Its classic: from Gucci’s horse bits to Hermes’ equestrian orange bangles to horse shoe charms. These pieces stand the test of time.

4) Riding Boots: A wardrobe staple (duh). This is news to no one but looks like Chloe has a great pair out this fall… for a less expensive option - J. Crew delivers in this department every year.

5) & last but not least… equestrian-esque belts! I love the Barney’s one - for the price point, this is a great buy. It would look so cute over a sweater dress with riding boots… or over a low waisted pair of trousers. I’m not feeling particularly creative right now so if you have bigger, better plans for these belts, let me know