Hot Pockets

Between having a baby, planning a wedding and of course managing both a household with two kids, a dog and a husband-to-be as well as a business (the Troc, of course!), well, my time to surf the net and read fashion magazines has become pretty non-existent. It wasn't until the day before when I was searching for something to wear on my head for my wedding day that I stumbled across the just launched capsule collection by Derek Lam for eBay.

I love Derek Lam. I think his clothes are smart, timeless, super chic and just well-tailored. For Christmas one year, he gave us editors these amazing thick black cashmere jacket-cardigans. A shawl collar, no closure, hits at the right place at your hip and has pockets! I love pockets on anything and everything. Even my pajamas have pockets (two of them: one for the baby monitor and one for my cell phone). It's made by Simply Vera by Vera Wang (a brand I have mentioned numerous times before on this blog) available at Kohl's. It really is a must for new mommies. Plus, I think it's seriously chic enough to wear as a swimsuit coverup for the summer. I bought this tunic in an XS, S, M and L. Yes, you might find that excessive but if you're a new nursing mom, you know that you don't want your favorite and easy top to be in the laundry pile until the weekend. So for all you new mommies out there who are nursing, GO BUY THIS TOP! And even if you're not nursing, I recommend buying this ASAP! This is a great tunic for summer -- for sleeping, lounging and as I said before, as a swimsuit cover up.

But going back to Derek Lam, I had no idea about the new capsule collection and wondered how long it had been out. With my good fortune I saw that it just launched a couple weeks ago. I'm thinking about the short version of this dress seen on Rachel Bilson. What do you think? At $225, it's not exactly cheap. And I've heard mixed reviews on the quality...

But there is that huge selling point for me...it has pockets!

photo source tunic: Kohl's

photo source Rachel Bilson: Daily Mail UK

photo source Derek Lam dress: eBay

Two for the Road: 12/7/09

Date: 12/7/09

Bag: Rafe canvas vertical tote

Shoe: Naturalizer black leather motorcycle boot

Worn with: Simply Vera by Vera Wang scribble sleeveless tunic with black jet bead neck detail, Plenty by Tracy Reese black long sleeve tunic top, Forever 21 black leggings, American Apparel black fleece mini skirt

Yes, I'm rockin' Naturalizer boots and I love 'em. I got these at a Brown Shoe press breakfast and ever since I took them back to my office, I promoted the crap out of them. For one thing, these boots were comfy. But they were also really stylish, practical, with a fabulous lug sole, perfectly rounded pointed toe and two simple silver buckles that weren't showy, flashy, western in styling in that tacky Donald J. Pliner way. No offense but I have never met a DJP shoe that I have thought was editorial or something I would carry in my boutique. I know they're a huge retail moneymaker; but retail sales don't necessarily mean fashionable and stylish. I'm just sayin'. Sorry. But give me a well made Naturalizer boot and let's just say my editor-in-chief asked for a pair as well as my assistant at the time (shout out to my L'il Fleege). Editors stopped me asking me where I got my boots. And the best was when Hal Rubenstein, one of my colleagues at the mag, asked me if my fantastic boots were from Chanel. CHANEL! Can you believe it? Naturalizer boots disguised as Chanel! Then the Rafe bag is another freebie editor gift; my friend Vicky carried hers a lot and it was in a different color combo that was very chic as well. This bag has been in my wardrobe for a very long time and it's a great bag for a laptop and magazines. Really functional and just plain awesome. Go Rafe! I am wearing some Vera from Kohl's, my stand by AA merch and a great long sleeved top from Plenty, bought at the Tracy Reese shop on Hudson Street in the West Village.

Two for the Road: 10/21/09

Date: 10/21/09

Bag: Lambertson Truex burgundy leather satchel

Shoe: Alexandra Neel navy suede buckle harness knee-high boot

Worn with: Simply Vera by Vera Wang white ruffle tuxedo shirt, Ralph Lauren v-neck cashmere sweater vest, Simply Vera by Vera Wang charmeuse pattern skirt

My sincere apologies for not posting anything sooner. Today marks the 8th day that I have been under the weather and the 3rd day I've been on antibiotics for a cold and cough that just won't go away. I've been away from the Troc since last Thursday, October 22nd so in reality I'm just behind on two posts of what I've been wearing. My days off, well, let's say have consisted of me in a robe (Chaiken & Capone - old Christmas gift from when they were still together as business partners!), my new Ugg shearling slippers and my boyfriend's college sweatshirt. But last Wednesday, I managed to get myself to work (pre-fever and real illness setting in) and wore one of my favorite Lambertson Truex bags. It is the perfect shade of lipstick red and works well with both jeans and more work-appropriate outfits. I decided to wear a Simply Vera from Kohl's silk-like (read: polyester) skirt (with elastic-waistband and all!) that had a nice white-navy-wine-powder blue pattern to tie back with the L-T bag. I chose a navy sweater vest and a white blouse to wear on top and then figured wine shoes would be too matchy matchy so I dug up my Alexandra Neel boots. I love that they look like they're black at first glance but in daylight you notice that they are actually a great blue. Alexandra is this ex-dancer, Parisian, and oh-so-very beautiful in that naturally, French way. I loved always hearing about the inspiration of her collection and visiting her in her atelier/pied-a-terre near the Eiffel Tower. Her designs were so feminine but I loved that she put a little edge into her work as well. I look forward to sporting some more of her shoes in future posts. In particular: a military-inspired d'orsay pump. She is one designer I miss seeing twice a year in Paris; I hope to one day find the time to see her again in the coming years.

Two for the Road: 9/26/09

Date: 9/26/09

Bag: Gucci gray patent satchel

Shoe: Prada brocade d'orsay pumps

Worn with: Simply Vera by Vera Wang white tuxedo ruffle blouse, gray American Apparel gray cotton cardigan, Bottege Veneta silk skirt

It's not a big surprise to hear that the bag was yet another editor's gift from Gucci.

I don't quite recall the season; it was one when gray bags were all the rage (Fall 2005?). The shoes are very old Prada; I think I bought these in Milan along with a brocade skirt and brocade bag. I remember Anna Wintour had a similar Prada brocade skirt. The Bottega Veneta skirt was a sample sale purchase. I think it might have set me back about $50. I know, what a steal. The white blouse is from the Simply Vera line at Kohl's and the skirt is one of my usuals: American Apparel.