Two for the Road: 12/21/09

Date: 12/21/09

Bag: Gucci tote

Shoe: Seychelles Hyperspace boot

Worn with: Floral dress with short sleeve cotton cardigan and American Apparel black yoga pants

Going back to the archives...this Gucci tote was another purchase from the via Montenapoleone Gucci boutique in Milan during show season. It's still one of my favorite travel carry-on bags because of its two interior zip pockets to put all my knick-knacks while on the plane, it is super lightweight and I like the north-south shape of it. I am wearing a floral dress I got from Deluré boutique out at Rockbrook Village in Omaha, a cardigan from Urban Outfitters and the yoga pants are my staples from American Apparel. The Seychelles wine colored boots were the floor samples from Trocadero that I took home with me one day. They've become a favorite for their simplicity and comfort.

Two for the Road:12/19/09

Date: 12/19/09

Bag: YSL Downtown tote

Shoe: Joie over the knee double zip boots

Worn with: American Apparel black polka dot leggings, black fleece mini skirt and C and C California black long sleeved tee, Derek Lamb cashmere cardigan

I have a bunch of outfits that I photographed before the holidays but haven't had the chance to post. My new year's resolution being about blogging more regularly. The other resolution? To stick to a more uniform schedule of being at the Troc. I've just been spoiling myself rotten by not going in as much since it's been very slow in the Old Market. Anyway, on to the history of the accessories...the tote was a gift from the YSL Press Office. I love that it is reversible (to brown) even though I never have carried it on the other side. The metallic bronze color works with almost everything and the bag is so lightweight, I literally would carry this everyday. I also love that YSL bags don't scream "Designer Handbag" and there are no real logos (except to those in the know see the "Y" stitching). It takes a true confident woman who doesn't carry about labels to invest in YSL. While I love a Chanel and LV once in a while, I think way too many women are hung up on making sure people know what they're carrying. Gucci logos, anyone? The boots are from Trocadero and are the best boots I have ever owned. I love their versatility, comfort and overall chic factor. They work with anything to improve any outfit.

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: 12/5/09

Date: 12/5/09

Bag: Ruehl tan leather tote

Shoe: Bruno Frisoni gray patent bootie

Worn with: Gray v-neck t-shirt, American Apparel charcoal gray cotton cardigan, Union Bay camouflage cargo ruched bottom pants

Do not adjust your screen. Yes, I appear to be wearing pants. It's a very rare moment when I am sporting anything resembling trousers. Okay, maybe at night I slip into some drawstring sweatshirt material pants or some shorts but other than that, this is one girl who does not spend her money on designer jeans. I bought these camo pants at Kohl's; I don't know, there was something about them that I liked (I think the ruched bottom). I can only wear them with a long cardigan of some sort to cover my butt so I chose my trusty AA one. The shirt is by a designer I don't recall and I think I got it at Talulah G in Vegas. It has a great deep v-neck and I always get compliments when I wear it. The bag was a freebie from the Ruehl folks (a now-defunct upscale division of Abercrombie & Fitch). I love his tote because it's a great neutral color, really worn in leather and very roomy in size to fit almost anything. I'm glad I never gave this away because I have grown to rely on it for so many occasions. Great road trip bag to tote around stuff in the car like snacks, camera stuff, toiletry kit, books, maps, etc. The shoes are my first repeat! These are my beloved Brunos in gray patent leather. Killer heels, killer look. Hardly ever wore them in NYC but a new fave here in Omaha.

Two for the Road: 12/4/09

Date: 12/4/09

Bag: Jil Sander gunmetal leather small hobo

Shoe: Chanel black satin ballet flat with ribbon

Worn with: Kimchi Blue black tank top dress with gray skirt, Bravo gray waffle knit cashmere long cardigan, Louis Vuitton silver buckle black belt, American Apparel black stirrup opaque tights

This is my ballerina Chanel look and I felt like a princess when I wore this outfit. I bought the dress this past week at Urban Outfitters on sale for a mere $29.99. My two boyfriends liked it very much on me (one of whom is 6 years old). The leggings are also new from American Apparel and the sweater is my usual stand-by for cold days. The Jil Sander bag was a gift from the designer at the time: Milan Vukmirovic. I love this bag for all the many pockets on the outside and the neutral metallic color. The shoes were given to me at a Chanel Ballet Flat Luncheon held for Accessories Directors at La Grenouille restaurant in Manhattan. I remember the invite said to RSVP with your shoe size. Who wouldn't want to go to a luncheon when Chanel asks you for your shoe size??? I don't think there was one editor who didn't show up. When we arrived at the luncheon, everyone's seat had a place setting card with their name as well as a large Chanel shopping bag sitting on the chair. We all pretty much figured out what was in the bags.

Two for the Road: 11/19/09

Date: 11/19/09

Bag: Dior denim logo saddle satchel

Shoe: John Varvatos for Converse gray flannel Chuck Taylors

Worn with: C&C navy striped long sleeve tee, American Apparel black cotton cardigan, DVF black wool mini skirt, American Apparel black cotton yoga pants

It was a casual day at the Troc for me. While I would have loved to have worn some sexy high heels, patterned tights and a fitted suit, I just wasn't in the mood. I have to admit in the mornings I just gravitate towards the same comfortable shoes and clothing in my closet. Plus I am really trying to not repeat a shoe or bag whatsoever and am proud of my accomplishment thus far. But soon I will be repeating some shoes or boots but with different bag combos than what has been documented here. The bag is a gift from the Dior PR office long ago; I'm not a huge logo fan but this is classic Dior -- an archive shape in denim logo. And I don't own many Diors so this was a keeper. The shoes were stored in my office for years before I finally took them home. Actually, I don't think I've ever worn them until I moved here to Omaha. I wasn't really a sneaker-wearing girl in the city; but what I quickly realized was that these are great winter options for footwear because of the gray flannel and black accents. I'm wearing these with a favorite striped shirt from C&C (I think purchased on a Vegas trip) with my trusty AA pieces and DVF skirt. I found a photo of the striped shirt I am wearing; I'm pictured with the famous poker player, TJ Cloutier and his wife at the Bellagio. This is probably about 5 years ago...and yup, the shirt is still in great condition!
The funny thing about this day at work was that I was wearing argyle socks underneath my pants (the only pair I own) and turns out that PJ was also wearing argyle socks. Must have been argyle sock wearing day. Here's a photo...

Two for the Road: 10/28/09

Date: 10/28/09

Bag: Nancy Gonzalez hunter green crocodile tote

Shoe: Joie black leather over the knee double zip boot

Worn with: Free People animal print long sleeved dress, American Apparel long cardigan, Forever 21 black leggings

It was my first day back at work after missing 5 days in a row due to a killer cold/flu. It's also the first of many days I will be sporting these new boots from Joie. Even though they are brand new to the store and brand new to my closet, they are quickly becoming a classic. The perfect go-to boot. I wore them with my animal print sweatshirt-weight cotton dress (a fave of mine that I picked up at Bloomie's right before taking off to Europe one season), my handy-dandy cotton cardigan from AA (I love the contrast beige buttons) and my usual black leggings. The "eyes" in the animal print on the dress are an emerald green; so yes, I matched back the green to my tote: my Nancy Gonzalez crocodile one (large enough to fit my laptop), a gift from Santiago Gonzalez, Nancy's son, PR-magnet, President and spokesperson and general bon vivant. I wonder how Santi is. Last I remember him, he was being über-fabulous at the Plaza Athénée in Gay Paree, with Nina Garcia and the gang...oh, the days of being a fashion editor with a giant expense account...

I'm not the only one who is sporting the new Joie boots. Cygne, shown here, was wearing hers the same day (and has been addicted to them since getting them a couple weeks ago). They have this great, contrast gray lining that folds over that makes them really versatile...she's wearing them with her new Botkier Rio tote.

Two for the Road: 10/22/09

Date: 10/22/09

Bag: Chanel Coco Cabas bag in distressed brown caviar leather

Shoe: Fendi rubber rain boots

Worn with: Brooks Brothers boy's blue striped button down shirt, tie, and plaid wool jacket with American Apparel jersey gray skirt and Hue gray tights

It was a rainy, cold day in Omaha so a great excuse to wear my Fendi rain boots. I love them because they are a neutral gray color and blend with anything "grown-up" in your wardrobe as opposed to the childlike, colorful rain boots so often associated with the style. One very rainy season in Paris, the pair of boots arrived in my room at the George Cinq from the Fendi PR office. It was surprising since Fendi is based in Milan and they were the fashion brand to send rain boots while we were in Paris. Hey, I wasn't complaining. Plus, I especially loved it when I was walking through the Tuileries on my way to a show and Andre Leon Talley commented on my choice footwear and I was able to tell him, "Yeah, the Fendi folks sent them to my room yesterday, [sucker]!" Clearly, he didn't get the gift. He probably got a fur with a reversible slicker. My Cabas bag from Chanel was a Christmas gift, probably the best gift ever from them in the history of Christmas presents. It was the bag and not everyone got the Cabas...I love my distressed brown leather one, chosen especially for me by my former assistant who then worked at Chanel. The Brooks Brothers ensemble was purchased in NYC with my 30% discount, the American Apparel skirt from Omaha and my tights from Halls in Kansas City.

Two for the Road: 10/17/09

Date: 10/17/09

Bag: Oscar de la Renta black leather with gold cut-out handle

Shoe: Hermès platform black wedge

Worn with: C&C California black long sleeved cotton t-shirt, Miu Miu black and gold thread cardigan, American Apparel black yoga pants, DVF wool mini skirt

It might be 45 degrees in Omaha today but I decided to wear open-toed sandals. Why? Because I am really trying to wear a different shoe everyday and I couldn't quite find the right one to wear with this outfit and bag. The Hermès sandals are from a sample sale from like 1999. I swear these are super old but in great shape because I never wore them until years later when I rediscovered them and found them to be the perfect pair of shoes: lots of height, comfortable, sturdy and very classically chic with great lines. I decided to paint my toes a nice, dark wine color (Rescue Beauty Lounge's "Black Russian" -- formerly known as "Revamp" before Chanel had a meltdown...) in honor of the exposed look. My bag is one of very few Oscar de la Rentas in my accessories wardrobe (the others being a chic, brown croco minaudière as well as a crystal handled satin small version of the above bag). I received this "football" satchel from the PR team at Oscar and while many have probably gotten rid of theirs, I have kept mine because it is a real classic in my eyes. I love the gold hardware, the shape, the definite uniqueness of the bag. The skirt is the one I wear about once a week, the yoga pants are a mainstay (like my AA leggings), the black tee is a staple as well and the Miu Miu cardigan is from, where else...Milan, one season shopping 'til I dropped between fashion shows. "Fabio! We go to Prada and Miu Miu!" That's me telling my Milanese driver (the best one ever!) of where to take me upon landing at Malpensa or during a fleeting 45 minute break between shows.

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.

Two for the Road: 9/24/09

Date: 9/24/09

Bag: Jimmy Choo Mahala in navy

Shoe: Prada gold snakeskin flat sandals

Worn with: H&M lamé dress, American Apparel cardigan

The Jimmy Choo Mahala bag was a gift from the PR folks pre-fashion week. I love the navy color of the tote; it's definitely one of my favorites from the JC peeps. The funny thing is that they gave me the same bag in turquoise a season later. That bag did not fare the same fate as this beloved navy one; I ended up selling it. The gold Prada sandals are a pair that I purchased one season in Milan. I loved the mini platform and the matte gold material. In the beginning, they gave me terrible blisters and the stiff bottom made walking in the shoe extremely uncomfortable. It's only recently since I've moved to Omaha that I've broken the shoe in and now it is seriously one of my favorites. Really comfy, totally chic and goes with almost anything. It seems like every season I bought something at Prada, whether it was a pair of shoes, an item of clothing, a bag or a small accessory. Back in the day, you would arrive in your hotel room in Milan one night and a white Prada shopping bag would be there waiting for you with your show invite as well as a brand new handbag. Those were the days. Unfortunately many of us (including me) often times would return our gift and get something else in the shop. I think, honestly, that's why they stopped giving us gifts. Could you blame them? Totally rude, really, but then again, it's typical fashion. (Haha.) The dress is a new one from H&M; very retro-Gucci. The cardigan, yup, the same one from American Apparel.

Two for the Road: 9/23/09

Date: 9/23/09

Bag: Chanel shoulder bag and Anya Hindmarch tote

Shoe: Roger Vivier "Belle Vivier" flats

Worn with: Express black camisole, American Apparel cardigan, H&M gray bubble skirt

Today I decided to go with two bags; one for all the necessities and one for my laptop and extra gear. The Chanel wool chain strap bag was a Christmas gift one year from the PR girls. The truth is that even as an accessories director, it was not often that Chanel sent handbags at the holidays. Usually, that was reserved for the beauty directors. Often times I would get a small zip clutch, wallet or jewelry. But I remember that this was the year that they gave many editors handbags and we all were very appreciative. I mean, who didn't want a Chanel bag? The Anya tote is from her Bespoke Ebury line, a custom, made-to-order handbag meant to pass down through the generations. The cool thing is that they can inscribe the bag personally with a note or decoration from whomever is giving the bag. This one was a surprise gift from Anya given to select accessories directors. If you look closely, you can see a message in silver; this was something that was "engraved" from a message that my nephew scribbled to me (the PR girls arranged to have someone "close" to each editor to do a message; in my case, it was my sister who then had her oldest son write it). The message says: Hi Emo (Korean for "Aunt on maternal side") with a picture of a boy (him), a heart (loves) and a girl (me) and then signed "Jonah" (but notice the backwards "J"). I mean, really, it's just the sweetest remembrance of my sweet little nephew. The shoes are the classic buckle shoe Belle Vivier, named after the Buñuel classic starring Catherine Deneuve, Belle de Jour. Bruno Frisoni has been designing for Roger Vivier as of late and I just love his whimsical take on the French brand. I chose these accessories after deciding to wear my new bubble skirt, my latest purchase from my recent trip to Tysons Mall outside Washington D.C. And the tank is an old one from NYC and the sweater, one of the standard cardigans I mentioned on an earlier post.

Two for the Road: 9/19/09

Date: 9/19/09

Bag: Pollini gunmetal metallic leather shoulder bag

Shoe: Catherine Maladrino for Repetto Paris

Worn with: CK Calvin Klein mint green silk tank, American Apparel long charcoal cotton cardigan, American Apparel iridescent metallic black skirt

I received the bag from Pollini one season. At first it didn't really impress me and I thought I would most likely give it away. But then I realized when I looked inside, I couldn't. Inside was a brass placard with my engraved name. Sure, I could have just simply removed the luggage-like metal tag and sent it off to my friend's consignment shop, Tokyo Joe or any other consignment store. I decided against it and turns out it has become one of my favorites for its simplicity. It's a bag that needs to be on a shoulder to fully understand its awesomeness. Basically a slouchy style hobo in a neutral metallic, it goes with almost everything. Plus it can become completely flat and is really lightweight so it's a great one to pack in a suitcase for travel. The shoes were an editor gift as well; they arrived in my office one day just like many before and after it. They were Repetto ballets but customized by Catherine Malandrino in gray leather with white stars. I love Repetto ballerinas...they have that perfect squared off toe and are super comfortable. And with the slightly rocker/graffiti-esque star pattern, they can give an edge to an otherwise conservative outfit. I am after all wearing a daddy-like cardigan, which by the way, is my most recent purchase from American Apparel. The perfect cardigan, I bought it in three colors: charcoal, navy and black. It will be the new staple in my wardrobe this season. Believe me, when I find something I like, I'll get it in many colors and wear it over and over again!

Postcards from Doha

So I've been living in the Doha for a month now, and I never could have predicted what I've experienced. Besides the lack of women, and the women you do see are completely covered up with abayas, the constant construction/sandstorms and the bizarre driving tendencies (last week I drove by a truck going backwards on the interstate) I love the shocking differences of this culture. Accessories are big here because women are covered up all the time. The difference is is that here they are way into brands (logos), which I think is kind of tacky. Just because you have latest Louis Vuitton logo handbag doesn't mean you're fashionable. But that's just my personal opinion. The women sure know how to dress though—seeing their platform shoes and jewelry peaking out from under their black abayas along with their perfectly painted nails and blown out hair is breathtaking (spa culture is also big here). Shopping malls are everywhere and the temperatures are so hot now (the average is around 108 degrees Fahrenheit) that most people either leave the country or spend all day indoors. Since I have to practice modesty (covered shoulders and nothing more than two inches above the knee) I've been wearing lots of T-shirt dresses with leggings, along with my Matt Bernson Flash sandal. The top ways I've been fighting the heat (I break a sweat walking across the street to get coffee) are....

1. Using aloe vera instead of face moisturizer. It soaks right in and doesn't sweat off.

2. Eating watermelon! It gets really old chugging water all the time here, and produce here is really cheap. It costs about $5 for a giant melon.

3. This white top from American Apparel. I layer it over my tank tops and the armpits are baggy enough for maximum airflow. 

Besides the extreme heat, it's just nice to know that my stereotype of the Middle East as a war driven, uber-conservative out of touch place is way wrong. I feel like an American idiot. I'm even going to try and stay after my internship ends at the end of August. I really want to see the Tribeca Film Festival in November. We'll see what happens...I'll keep you posted.