People Watching: By the Kennedy Center

While picking David up at work the other day, I watched as people walked past his building, and to and from the Kennedy Center (right across the way). One girl's brightly colored pants and accessories made her stand out and served as a reminder to the still darkly-clad DC business hordes that spring really is here. She wore slightly faded reddish-coral cropped chinos with a tucked white ruffle-neck blouse, bright blue wedge heels, a gold scarf, and awesome sunglasses. Even her open gray peacoat couldn't detract from the energy of the colors she was wearing.

Tennies: Inspiration

They may be as old as walking itself, but tennis shoes have still got it.

I grabbed a pair of basic white canvas sneakers for $10 at Old Navy last year, curious about how much I'd end up wearing them but excited at the prospect... Believe me, these easy throw-on kicks have earned their keep in my closet a hundred times over. They go with anything! I love the girl-next-door vibe that they lend to an outfit.

Because I'm in love with these little shoes, I thought I'd share some inspiration for warm-weather sneaker wearing...

via Madewell

via They All Hate Us

via Pinterest (J.Crew // Summer 2012)

via Remain Simple

Have a favorite pair of tennis shoes? What's your favorite way to wear them?

People Watching: Senpai + Kohai

If you're a fan of beautiful, one-of-a-kind, Free People-esque style, you must check out the designs offered by fashion label Senpai + Kohai!

Created by designers Melissa Choi (a very old friend of mine!) and Pia Panaligan, this line is unique in both its textiles and its purpose.

About their designs, quoted from their site:

Artistic approaches to fashion characterize our line. For our first collection, we were inspired by traditional embroideries and embellishments gathered from Melissa's travels to India. Our first collection used mainly natural based fabrics, many of which were hand dyed or painted. All the pieces are one-of-a-kind, hand-sewn party dresses, reworked found jackets, recycled fur and some hand painted hosiery, along with some silk scarves.

And about their purpose, which personally, makes me love their line even more:

The fashion industry being a fast paced business has been taken over by “disposable fashion”. We want to create a line of great quality-made pieces that don’t necessarily follow fashion trends and instead focus on traditional craftsmanship. With our world travels and multi-cultural heritage, we will incorporate these influences into our collections... Because we are from Philadelphia, a city that is a minority in the fashion world, we will stand out among our peers and help bring attention to the creative minds that dwell here.

I appreciate their desire to encourage fashion and the arts in their city, as well as their goal to produce clothing that is beautiful enough to transcend trends. I can't wait to see where Senpai + Kohai ends up in the fashion world -- I'm sure it's going to be amazing!

Finally, Spring.

via Everly True

We made it! The thermometer might not reflect it quite yet, but today's the First Day of Spring and the temperature will soon be looking up. I love those first few spring days when the breeze is more warm than cold, and you can care-freely break out the sandals and t-shirts.

Here's a little First Day of Spring outfit inspiration for you... I hope to be wearing outfits like these soon (either wrangling it over my baby bump, or in May, after Bea makes her appearance). I'm dreaming of...

Maxi skirts & slouchy tees:

via Icon Jane

Light jackets and baseball caps:

via Madewell

Heathery sweatshirts & cut off shorts:

via Pinterest

What are you just dying to wear as the weather gets warm?

Styling Tips from the Experts

via Refinery 29

A few weeks ago, my fashion buddy Krystle sent me an article from Refinery 29 about fashion stylists in the San Francisco area. Along with inspiring stories about their small beginnings in the fashion world, a few of the stylists also divulged a few of their styling secrets. For those of us experimenting with and attempting to find our own sense of style, here's some advice:

I love this from Trina Papini: 

"When you think the outfit is done — add one more step. It can be a necklace, a vest, a slight roll of your hem, a buttoned-up collar, a vintage pin, or bright lip color. One small jump past your comfort level and voilà!"

And from Tienlyn Jacobson:

"Experiment! That’s how you figure out what you love and what you don’t. But also, listen to yourself. If you don’t feel comfortable in something, don’t force it. Style has a lot more to do with confidence in what you wear than the latest trends."

PS: For the curious... I had no idea that Refinery 29 existed when I named my blog five years ago. Originally started as a place for me to write about what was going on in our early married life, The Twenty Ninth refers to the date David and I got married -- April 29.

People Watching: Family Party

My friend Kati sent me a picture of her sister Jackie rocking shorts with tights (which she's done with flare ever since she asked this question a few months ago). She looked chic and adorable, and I had to share her outfit:




I love that she wore purple tights -- the dark color kept things tame, while still adding a little bit of fun. Thanks for letting me share, Jackie!

People Watching: Pentagon City Mall, Saturday Night

I was running a last minute errand to the mall on Saturday evening, trying to get in and out as quickly as possible. That plan was foiled by the droves of people, walking slowly, bags in hand. One good thing came out of being slowed down: I saw a girl wearing the outfit above, and knew immediately I wanted to share it here.

Her jeans were skinny, and gray (with a blue tint), tucked into worn-in cuffed black boots with a snow-day meets motorcyclist edge. She wore a gnarly-knit light tan cardigan with black trim (not quite like the one above, but you get the idea) with a light, red scarf wrapped around her neck. She looked dressed for the weather, comfortable, and really cool.

The Imperfection of True Style

via Pinterest

Somewhere on the style spectrum between "impeccably tailored" and "saggy baggy," there is a happy medium called "imperfection."

I've been thinking a lot about what takes an outfit from being just "clothes" to being "stylish." Why do certain people get stopped on the street in New York by fashion photographers while millions of others don't? I know a lot of it comes down to the fact that they broke the rules, or they're wearing something incredibly one-of-a-kind or expensive. But I think there's something to be said for imperfection as well.

I think the difference between "getting dressed for the day" and "having style" can be as simple as personal details. Cultivating your style requires an odd mixture of caring enough to consider carefully what you're putting on, while at the same time disregarding that well-dressed voice of perfection in the back of your mind that says, "But you don't look like ______." It's the imperfect details that make your style unique and what it is. The un-tucked shirt hem. The unevenly rolled pant cuffs. The half-untied lace. The purposefully messy hair. An out of place but favorite necklace. Mismatched earrings. Things that trigger a "wait... what?" reaction.

Accepting imperfection allows clothes to be clothes, allows the fabric to bunch a little oddly, un-tuck a bit, blouse and pouf, trail on the ground. Online we see things styled just so, captured by cameras held just so. In reality, you move a million times a minute, and your clothes move with you, constantly changing your look throughout the course of a day. In reality, shirts and pants and shoes should kind of melt into your personality and daily living.

So wear your scuffed up sneakers with a dress and a baseball cap. Layer a hot pink blazer over a hoodie. Tuck your shoelaces willy-nilly or wear a black earring in one ear with a turquoise one in the other. If it makes you smile a little to yourself, if it makes you feel like you, if it causes a few double takes on your morning commute, if it's happily imperfect... congratulations. You've got style, and it's all your own.

For Monday.

In honor of Monday, since we're all probably feeling a little off our game, I offer you this:

David drew this last week and I can't help laughing whenever I see it. And a laugh is definitely needed right now... it's all fevers and flat tires over here today!

Staying Stylish on a Budget: More Tips!

via Fashion Gone Rogue

On my last post about budget style, my friend Michelle left the following tips in a comment. She had some really great ideas, and I wanted to make sure you didn't miss what she had to say! Read on for some great advice:

I'm not the best bargain-hunter I know, but I do have a rule that I will never pay full price for anything. Here are a few of my tips:

1. Sign up for a Gap credit card. You can use it at Gap/Old Navy/Banana Repulic/Piperlime AND cardholders often get a better discount during a sale. Additionally you get rewards certificates that are basically gift certificates you can spend in the store. I pay mine off at the end of every month to avoid interest charges.
   
   
2. Make a list of your top wants/needs each new season. It's your list so you can always change/add to it, but I find the list keeps me from wasting my money on things I'll regret later. (Note from Casey: I completely agree with this. For years now I've been making a "to look for" list as each season approaches -- it keeps me on track and helps me determine my priorities as I shop.)
3. Buy seasonal items toward the end of the season. This takes a lot of patience BUT pays off. You can get really high quality clothing for the price you would have paid for a knock-off at the beginning of the season.
4. Know what days your favorite stores mark down their merchandise. Also know when they tend to have a really big seasonal sale. I read online that the two biggest mark-down times of the year are after Christmas and at the end of June. But you can also get great deals over Thanksgiving and Memorial Day. I tend to delay purchases until one of those big sale times arrives if at all possible.
5. Here's one I don't take advantage of enough: if you're ordering online, use Ebates. If you have an account with them and purchase through one of their affiliate links, you get cash back at the rate of 2-8% depending on the store. They will actually mail you a check that you can deposit in your bank account!
6. Don't buy anything you don't love. Also, don't buy anything that doesn't fit well unless you know you can alter it or have it tailored for a reasonable price.

Thanks for reading and sharing, Michelle!

If you have tips like these you want to share, leave a comment or email me!

Staying Stylish On a Budget (Share Your Favorite Tips!)

Since spring is just around the corner and with it come shopping trips for warm weather clothes, I thought now would be a good time to answer the following question. Brittany asks:

"I'd be interested in a post on how to stay in style on a budget. With 2 kids and one on the way, a lot of times I think of how I need to spend money on the kids and not me, etc."

I'm glad I'm not the only one with a teeny clothing budget and a desire (guilt complex?) to spend any clothing money that comes my way on adorable duds for my little ones. So let's get real -- how DO you buy the clothes you love on a budget? Here are a few of my favorite tips (for more, go back to this post).

Work with & negotiate your budget: If there's a particular garment that you need or would love to have, figure out if there are budget categories you can cut back on for a month or so (for example, your grocery budget: plan cheap meals for a month, if it's cool with your husband/roommates) and then use the leftover money for that piece you want.

Stalk the stores you love and the pieces you love: Sign up for your favorite stores' sales emails, get familiar with their sale rhythms (i.e. Old Navy is bound to have some kind of online discount code on every. single. obscure. holiday.), and do online and in-store research before you purchase. I pin things that I'm interested in onto my style board on Pinterest -- it reminds me to go back and check in a few weeks to see if a certain piece went on sale or into clearance. 

Use discount codes: As mentioned in my Christmas shopping post, always search for a possible discount code or coupon before you buy online or go to a store. It's as simple as going to Google and typing in "*store name* discount code" or "*store name* coupon." My favorite online coupon code sites are RetailMeNot, Dealigg, and DealsPlus. All three of these typically offer reliable coupon codes for many popular retailers. A quick search like this can save you $5-$10, or even shipping costs. You can also follow blogs that post coupon codes or deals, and liking the Facebook pages of your favorite stores can help ensure you're up to date on any promotions they're running.

Use ShopStyle / Google search: ShopStyle is amazing because it allows you to search online retailers across the board for a specific item, while specifying color & price range. If you're not brand-loyal, this is a great option. In addition, sometimes a basic Google search (using their shopping tab) can be really helpful. The vendors that pop up can be a little obscure, but they oftentimes will carry something similar to a more expensive piece for a lot less.

Shop at cheap chic / thrift / discount stores: Whether you score on things for you or your kids at these types of places, the money you save can then be spent on one or the other of you somewhere else. That's why I'm always talking about shopping places like Forever 21, H&M, and Old Navy -- for trendier items and basics, you can't beat their prices (of course, if you're going for quality and longevity, that's a whole other ball game). Goodwill can also be a treasure trove, depending on what you're looking for, or you can always try places like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Ross. (See this series of posts from last fall on shopping at thrift stores for more tips & tricks.) Just resist the urge to buy things just because they're cheap -- stick to what you're really looking for!

Organize a clothing swap with friends: Last year, a small group of friends and I were all working on cleaning out our closets for one reason or another, so we all pooled our cast offs and traded! I scored some cute blazers (thanks to my office-working friends), a silk tank, a J.Crew tee I'd wanted for forever, and some fun jewelry, all for the low, low cost of cleaning out my closet and hanging out with my buddies. I highly recommend doing this, especially with friends who are as enthusiastic about it as you are and won't just throw in their high-school cast offs to trade (haha).

Make a list of things you'd like to find, and send it to me! I'd love to help you search for those elusive pieces.

Here's the thing: I also have a lot of amazing, penny-pinching, money-saving, coupon-clipping, discount diva friends who, I'm sure, have some awesome tips for staying fashionable while still having to pay for kids. So, you lovely friends! Can you let us in on your secrets in the comments section?

The Sartorialist & Co.

via Style & The City

You know what's cool? The revolutionary way that street fashion is starting to shape the fashion world and what's seen on the runways.

Photographers and blogs like The Sartorialist, Style & The City, and Jak & Jil feature pictures of fashionable people in their everyday element: walking to work, drinking coffee, talking on their phone, looking fabulous (and maybe even a little odd). The fashion world has become slightly obsessed with the ease, history, and imperfection behind the clothes and outfits worn by the people captured in these photos.

I often wondered what makes street photographers stop and take notice... Then I saw this article about New York street photographers during Fashion Week: where to find them and how to make them find you (i.e. what are they looking for when it comes to the subjects of their photographs). It's pretty fascinating!

via Jak & Jil

via Jak & Jil

via Jak & Jil

Currently Loving: February

I always misspelled "February" growing up (kind of like how I still misspell the word "misspell"). It's got that tricky, nearly silent "r" in the middle. So I'd just write, "Febuary." I actually still say "Febuary." Probably because pronouncing that first "r" is a little pretentious, okay?

Let's talk lovelies and love and all that. Here's what I'm digging this month, from the top.

• Spicy Mexican Quinoa Soup: I found this recipe last winter, and it's become a cold-weather go-to around here. It's a spicy tomato-based soup, but it's served over quinoa and with sliced avocado which break up the heat. It's mild enough that Vi can still eat and enjoy it (and me too... I'm not exactly adventurous when it comes to spicy). Seriously perfect for sniffly noses and February temperatures. Highly recommend. (As does David.)
• Finding the Perfect LBD: Truth is, I've bought a couple little black dresses over the years -- for weddings or last minute holiday parties -- but I've never truly loved any of them. As of last week, I was still on the hunt for that wear-all be-all and end-all elusive LBD that everyone always talks about. And I found it. Perfect length, versatile fabric & style, can be dressed up or down, gorgeous sleeves, and amazingly on sale for 50% in the store. Yeah. I love this dress.
• Loving it Up on Valentines Day: My mom always made Valentines Day special for me and my siblings -- heart stickies on the windows, candy and a little present at the breakfast table, and after dinner we'd have a huge family valentines-making soiree. The table would be covered with pink & red paper, doilies of all shapes & sizes, gluesticks, glitter, markers, and stickers (usually Snoopy ones), and we'd all set to work constructing the cleverest, funniest, inside-jokiest valentines we could manage, to be distributed while we ate dessert. I have the sweetest memories of Valentines Day. This year, David and I plan to keep to our tradition of eating Five Guys, making sundaes, and watching a movie on the couch -- all our favorites. Ah, love.
• New Ankle Booties: It's kind of hard to sound mature when you're talking about "booties." It makes it sound like I'm referring to some kind of irreverent baby shower gift. Whatever their name implies, they are tres chic. These ones were added to my closet just recently, and I love them enough to share them with you here, even though it required me to write "booties" multiple times.

Are you loving anything in particular this month? Do share!

Style for Petites & the 5'4" & Under Set, Part 3

(via Collage Vintage)

Today we're finishing up our series on petite styling! Below are a few last fashion tips and a couple of links for a little more inspiration:

• Avoid big prints. They tend to overwhelm your figure if you're short. Stick to smaller prints and patterns so your face is the focal point.
• Always think in terms of verticality and lengthening: Even something as simple as a long pendant necklace can help with the illusion of height!
• Things like structured jackets, well-fitting tees, and heels are your best friends. Anything that doesn't lose you in a swath of fabric will only help you. Structured and well-fitting garments will draw attention to your figure rather than drown it.
• When it comes to length for skirts, tunics, and dresses, keep hems at the mid- to lower-thigh. Not only will that ensure that you have enough leg showing (but not too much!) to keep you looking lean and taller, but it'll also give the illusion of a longer torso as well, because you'll be more equally proportioned. 

• Rachel Bilson has become a celebrity style icon for petite women -- Google her name and style (or do a search on Pinterest!) for inspiration. She's got some great tips and outfit ideas. 
• Extra Petite is a blog by a 20-something gal who loves classic J.Crew style. She has a lot of great tips on how to, as a petite woman, successfully shop in the kid's section of popular stores.
• La Vie Petite is a blog written by a petite mom with a fun sense of style. (Note: She does tend to dress very conservatively when it comes to skirt length, and honestly I don't think it's always very becoming... I'd stick to above the knee skirts/dresses if you're comfortable with it.)

Advice from Jenevieve: Some things I stay away from (as much as it pains me, sometimes) are maxi dresses, long skirts, skirts that hit right below the knee (unless I am wearing heels), capris (except the ones I work out in), and long blazers/jackets (coats are mostly exempt from this rule, because it's a practical thing).

Advice from Mindy: There are some things that you just need to be comfortable saying doesn't work best for your body type, and that's okay. One example for me was when thick belts were in a few years ago. I have an extremely short waist (i.e. no waist), so a thick belt just makes me look really boxy and thick around the middle. When belt styles became a little thinner, I still avoided them because I had it in my head that belts at the waist didn't work for me. It wasn't until late last year that I tried skinnier belts and realized that it was just thick belts that don't work for me -- thinner belts actually work great for my short/petite waist. So don't write-off of an entire style, but try to tweak it or add something to make it work for you. 



Mindy included these last couple remarks, and I thought she hit the nail on the head: It's just important to learn to be comfortable in your own skin. Tall girls wish they were shorter, petite girls wish they were taller. But the reality is there are a lot of styles that may not work the best for tall girls, short girls, busty girls, flat girls, curvy girls, long-legged girls, long-waisted girls... We all get to work with what we've got, and I think that's part of the fun of it!

Thanks for sharing, Jenevieve and Mindy! If anyone else has tips for petites, leave a comment and fill us in!

Spring 2013 Trends

Spring means airy & breezy, light & bright, sweet & floral. It's supposed to be 25 degrees here in DC today, but I can dream, right? Above are a few of the season's most wearable trends for this year. Any you're particularly looking forward to trying?

Currently Loving: January

I've got a number of Girl Friday interviews lined up for the next couple of weeks, but today, we're going to take a break for the January edition of Currently Loving!
Just a few things that are making the winter a little prettier and a little more colorful:

• Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain: Despite the mouthful of a title (and the fact that I just typed "Just Bitten" like some Twi-hard), this is my favorite lip balm/stick/etc that I've found yet. I love that it goes on like a chapstick (no heavy lipstick feeling), the color stays on for a fairly good amount of time, and I can kiss David without leaving a Hollywood-starlet lipstick stain on his cheek. I currently have it in both "Honey" (shown above... a neutral pinkish-nude color) and "Cherish" (a fun, light & bright pink).
• Crispy Black Bean Tacos, by Smitten Kitchen: We've made these tacos about 6 times in the past 2 months. They're that good. I made them for dinner one evening when we had friends over, and they loved them so much I had to get up halfway through dinner and cook up another batch (which, thanks to the simplicity of the recipe, took just a few minutes!). If you try them, you won't regret it! (Thanks to Becca for the recipe recommendation.)
• Citron: Such a good color for gray days. It hints at spring while livening up winter wardrobes. Plus the brightness transitions into summer really well. I'm currently loving it on this sweater from Target, and on a new v-neck tee I picked up the other day.
• Muk Luks Boot Socks, in Mint: A sweet Christmas gift from my sister-in-law, Marjorie. These socks are perfect for keeping feet warm while infusing a little March/April/May into an outfit, and will be cute with boots well into the spring, thanks to their fresh colors and feminine details. (Thanks, Marj!)

What are you loving this January? Share with the rest of us!

H&M Wants Your Old Clothes!

This is pretty cool: starting February 2013, H&M is starting a clothes recycling initiative! As mentioned in this article, up to 95% of clothing can be recycled, either by being reused for fabric and textiles or by being passed along to others to be reworn. H&M is the first fashion company to offer a green, global opportunity like this!

The process sounds pretty simple:

• Bring in your old clothes (no matter the brand).
• Drop them off at a bin by the checkout.
• Get a $5 voucher for your next H&M purchase.

A good way to start off the year -- purge your closet, recycle what you're no longer using... and then "support the economy" with a coupon.

Think you'll take advantage of H&M's recycling?

And Color of the Year Goes to...

Let's keep talking color, shall we?

I found out a few years ago that every year, Pantone names and claims a Color of the Year. This is a real thing. The color for 2011 was "Honeysuckle" and in 2012, it was "Tangerine Tango":

And, drum roll please... the Color of the Year for 2013 is "Emerald":

Pantone states that Emerald is "the color of growth, renewal and prosperity -- no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity..." (quote via Design Taxi).

So we'll be seeing a lot of Emerald green in both fashion and home decorating schemes over the next few months. If you're eager to begin collecting Oz-appropriate pieces for your closet, here are some pretty picks to get you started:



And, if you're curious, here's a little background on the Color of the Year, via Wikipedia:

"Annually Pantone declares a particular color "Color of the Year." Twice a year the company hosts, in a European capital, a secret meeting of representatives from various nations' color standards groups. After two days of presentations and debate, they choose a color for the following year; for example, the color for summer 2013 was chosen in London in the spring of 2012. The color purportedly connects with the zeitgeist; for example the press release declaring Honeysuckle the color of 2011 said "In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues." The results of the meeting are published in Pantone View ($750), which fashion designers, florists, and many other consumer-oriented companies purchase to help guide their designs and planning for future products."

Kind of crazy and kind of cool, right? Pantone also produces seasonal color palettes -- here are the other colors that will be popular this coming spring!

Hot Pink Upgrade.

We've spent most of the past month talking about holidays and all they bring: sparkles, red, gold, etc. blah blah blah. I have to admit... I'm on holiday outfit overload at this point. Anyone else? Ready for a switch up? Upgrade? Trade in?

(via Purse Blog)

Please come now, Spring.

Underneath the veneer of holiday blogging, I've been secretly longing for warm breezes and bright colors (like fuschia fucshia fuchsia. Drat. Someday I'll spell "fuchsia" correctly on the first try. Today is not that day). This happens around January 1 every year... After the holidays, I have no use for Winter and its gray, dreary, shivery existence.

(via Viva Luxury)

I'm ready to pack away my browns & grays & creams and bust out the color! Which is probably why I've been wearing my fuschia fuchsia (DANG IT) loafers most days. I haven't gone so far as to binge on pictures of tropical locations yet, but the only clothes I seem to be able to see currently are brights.

(via Atlantic-Pacific)

April? May? June? Are we there yet?

Wishlist

Just a few things I'm wishing for this Christmas...

1: UO Rug: Something bright and colorful to put at the foot of our big armchair. 

2: Sequin skirt: For outfits like this. 

3: Amour necklace: You can never have too many circle gold pendants. Plus this one spins! 

4: AE Tank: Sadly, no longer available. But isn't it pretty? Perfect under a cozy cardigan. 

5: Lemon Zester: It's what my kitchen is missing. And I hate washing out my grater. 

6: Striped Washi Tape: For collaging and wrapping and stuff. 

7: Essie's Beyond Cozy & Mango Bango: Neutral + sparkly & bright coral nailpolish for gray winter days. 

8: Anorak jacket: Styled with jeans, socks, and boots... a great throw-on Fall/Winter/Spring jacket. 

What are you hoping for this December? Share a link in the comments if you've made a wishlist too so we can all see the pretty things you love.