Christie Brinkley is 53?????

Okay - the fabulous Manolo has pretty much summed it up....

Christie Brinkley is 53 Years of Age!

Jealous as I am...Happy Birthday Christie! ; - )

Speaking of the Fab Manolo....

He's on a roll regarding fab flats....

Manolo the Columnist - Stylist Low-heels for Dog Handling

Personally, these would be stylish for just about anything! I love the look and the low heel - they look potentially crazy comfy! The price tag, though, raises my hair higher than the heels -- $221.00! And that's on sale! : - O


Flats Fast!

Oh boy, do I feel this fashionista's pain! I too have plantar fascitis issues and her description of what it feels like when it's on a tear is right on!

The shoe savvy Manolo runs right into the breach with several suggestions. I find the last one somewhat questionable - unless you're planning on accompanying Dorothy on a return trip to Oz! But hey, even the wise Manolo can stumble once in a while! ; - )



Chloe Luggage Leather Ballet Flats

Very cute...and very expensive at $480.00! These puppies had better be handmade for those dollars!

And, following up on my last comment....


$32.59!

Manolo, I love ya babe, but guess what? Most of us do not have $500.00 min to spend on shoes, no matter how fabulous! Carrie Bradshaw probably 90% of us are not!

Admittedly, now that I'm "of an age", I can't actually get away with really cheap shoes any more. Still, I keep my shoe prices somewhere between $50.00 - $100.00 - and lately, I've been working DSW real hard to get the best shoes I can within those numbers!

So Manolo, darling, take a chill pill. It's not that we don't appreciate a lovely shoe - it's just that we have these silly little things like rent/mortgage, food, clothing, feeding children, etc, to consider first.

And just remember -- if you're seeing Payless shoes on the runway, things can't be all that bad! ; - )

Where we shop...No suprise to me!

Hop over to Second City Style for their recap of a survey done by Scarborough Research on where women shopped in the last 3 months....

Where we shop....

Ms. Lauren expresses surprise at the results - but they make perfect sense to me. Most women, I would think, do not have all the bucks in the world for shopping - so they try for some kind of acceptable balance between fashion and finance. Time I would think is also a factor - if you're hitting Walmart for family essentials why not grab a pair of jeans to go as well, long as they fit?

Anyway, those are my morning thoughts on the subject! Check out the post and feel free to share your thoughts on either the Second City site or right here!

Okay Time for Some Fashion Fun!

If you're anything like me, you love shopping - even if you don't do any buying. That's one of the many things I love about the Internet - you can shop all day, even put the things you lust after in the shopping cart - and then not buy a thing! (Amazon, you rock!)

So it makes me just down right happy to have another place to dream shop....

ShopStyle

Not only it it a great looking site, it allows you to search for items from 40 retailers which, according to their faq, encompasses "major department stores, mall retailers/boutiques, and designer-focused websites like Bluefly and ShopBop." They also state they are adding more stores every week.

The site is broken down by Women, Men, Teens, Kids and Baby (which I thought was pretty interesting....you don't see too many shopping sites of this type that cover ALL age groups!) and, because they just plain need their own category, Shoes.

And, Hallelujah, they have both Plus and Petite size sections!

Navigation on this site is crazy easy and you can drill down by Brand, Store, Sale (WooHoo!), Price and Size.

And to make it just a bit sweeter, you can create an account and save your favs to your own stylebook. From there you can create looks from the items in your stylebook - so you can put those shoes that seemed so right with the dress you loved to see if they really are meant for each other!

And I love the fact that they also provide code for those of us who blog that will allow you to place a look on your blog! (You KNOW you'll be seeing some from me here! ; - ) )

All in all, definitely worth a visit!

If you regularly carry a laptop....

And you're sick of dragging it around in less than stylist grace, check out the following post over on What's Haute:

Metropolitan Style

I skipped over to the aforementioned site and I have to say that what their offering is head and shoulders above what I'm presently using!

My favs:

Milano 15.4 Inch Notebook

Personally, I'd carry this one as a work-a-day bag - tres chic! You can easly get all your bit's and bobs in this one - and look business tailored at the same time!


Champs Elysees 15.4 Inch NB Business Bag


TipToe 14 Inch Notebook Hand Bag


ToniWalker 15.4 Inch Notebook Backpack

So skip on over to What's Haute and get Haute Girl's take on her experience with one of their bags! Sadly, the MetStyle site doesn't have an online store and doesn't say where their bags can be purchased - so a guess a bit of Googling will have to be done if you want to purchase one!

White Blouse Ahoy!....

I was checking out the following post on Fashion Nette-work:


White Out

I know I show my age by calling them blouses instead of shirts, but hey, what are you gonna do?

Now some of her samples are some what young, and rightfully so for what I'm sure is her main audience. But many of the styles can easily be pulled off by the plus 50 woman.

My personal fav:



Newport News - Stretch poplin blouse - $14.99

I think the touch of the drawstring organza cape collar gives it just that bit of out of the ordinary to make it interesting. Keep the skirt or pants simple and straightforward and you'll be rockin' the house in a classy way!

The blouse is on sale for $14.99 and they only have it in a size 16. So if that's your size and you're looking for something just a bit more interesting in a white shirt - check it out! (If I didn't already have my shopping dollars dedicated to something else this week - I'd be givin' it a go!)

Looks like Ann Taylor....

Is taking some online cues from Liz Claiborne -- got both these announcements in my e-mail this morning...



I hope one of the improvements they make will be to actually offer all their garments in all the sizes they do offer (no plus sizes for them!) - they have been rather slapdash in that regard! I don't know about their actual shoppers, but when I do check out their site on occasion, I find it irritating and off-putting!

Well, it will be interesting to see what they come up with!

Great Stores are.....

Priceless.

Over at You Look Fab Ms. Angie has a glowing tribute to what is obviously her favorite store...

A Tribute to Nordstrom

I have to confess I have never shopped nor purchased at Nordstrom. I was raised a Marshall Field's brat (Ah, Field's of blessed memory) and Nordstrom, in my mind, is a new comer to Chi-town, since they only recently (within the last 10 years or so) opened a store on the near North side - finally making themselves accessable to folks who don't live in the burbs! They also opened a outlet right on State Street - making up for lost time I guess!

Still I have heard nothing over the years but good things about the store and I have to say that the last time my sister and I were downtown, we were peeking in the outlet store window as we rushed pass -- and promised ourselves that we would stop in the next time we were in the Loop and had some time. I also admire their online site - which has a beautiful Plus Size section.

Looks like it's past time for me to make a real visit to Nordstrom's to judge for myself! ; - )

Over at Wardrode 911....

Ms. T. gives an example of K.I.S.S.:

minimal style

Now, I'm not a big fan of the whole "Ohhh, lets look to see what celebs are wearing so we can decide what to wear!" trend that seems to be rampant these days (Yeah, give me a moment to let my inner curmudgeon come forth!). But, as ever, Ms. T uses the example well with a sharp eye.

As ever, ladies, when in doubt, pear down! You may run the risk of being a tad boring - but you'll never run the risk of being more than a tad ridiculous!

Now my favorite over 50 celeb example of the minimalist - Diane Kenton!

Admittedly, she has a crazy love for belts of all kinds and a love of plaid I can't quite get on board with - but she keeps everything else so straight forward that most of the time she pulls them off without looking all the way over the top!

Check out some samples of minimal Kenton style at the following links:

Gallery at the Diane Kenton International Site

Fan Photos at So Feminime.co.uk

Yes the plaid coat IS a bit scary - but hey, she makes it work! ; - )

Diane Keaton Pics

On a men's site - believe it or not! And don't you just love the red with the white! Simple and bold all at once - what a combo!

Speaking of Spring Trends.....

Over at Fashiontribes they've posted their picks for the top 10 handbag trends for this spring and summer:

Top 10 Best Bags for Spring and Summer

Ah handbags! You always need one -- and they always fit! ; - )

(I'm thinking I got the 411 on this link from one of the many sites I love to visit -but for the life of me I can't remember which one - and back tracing my cyber-steps has not helped! So if I missed a credit to someone - my bad! - I'll do better next time! :-/

Dresses, dresses - and more dresses!.....

Well the Spring trend for dresses marches on! And I guess it is a mark of how long it's been since the dress has held center stage in fashion, that many a style site is giving dress how to tips.

Personally, as much as I love them, dresses rarely work for me now that I'm one size on top and a totally different one on the bottom! But if that's not your issue, you're thinking you'd like to add a new one to your closet for this spring, but it's been awhile since you braved the stores to purchase a dress, you might find the following tips helpful:

Over at About.com a few handy tips for choosing the right dress for your body type:

Flattering Dresses for Every Body Type



You Look Fab defines this spring/summer's dress looks along with suggestions for which one for which body type:

Dresses Dazzle in Spring and Summer

And in the spirit of the holiday....

Or not....

Check out the marvelous Manolo's riff on the U.S. Easter celebrations while giving tasteful Easter shoe advice...

Manolo the Columnist

Oh and by the way, HAPPY....

Easter, Passover (Bit late on that one - my bad!) and Spring! (If Spring ever comes - we're still freezin' it off here in Chi-Town!)

Anyway....Have a wonderful day!

The perfect summer shoe?....

Personally, I HATE thong sandals - for some strange reason, my toes just don't like having a post between them - it makes me crazy!

But they are pretty cute on others -- and over at Wardrobe 911, Ms. T. is giving her usual good advice on what to look for in a slingback leather thong sandal:


Perfect Summer Sandals


Like I said, they're not perfect for me - but if you have loved them in the past and are looking to get a pair for this summer, take Ms. T.'s tips to heart as you head out to your favorite shoe store!

Oh yeah....

Go over to Well Past 50 and read the following delightfully true post:

Being 50 is Still Not Old Enough

Keep that chin up ladies!

Cute Summer Totes....

I'm not a big tote person - the totes I carry will usually have been given me as some kind of promotional gift.

But they are mighty handy! And over at What's Haute - Cheap and Chic they point the way to some cute and well priced tote options for this spring/summer season.

I went over to the Sheila d site to check them out myself and must say, they are pretty cute! My personal favorites, through, are her pouches!

So go on over and take a look - you might just find that new beach tote or farmer's market tote you've been contemplating! ; - )

More Fashion Fun!

The incomparable Urban Socialite clues us in to a fun new fashion site...

Poly Wanna Outfit?

It's loads of fun! And yes - it could just stop you from making a tragic fashion match up!

Enjoy!

Speaking of Crocs....

I subscribe to the Zappos' e-mail digest and the following is a great post from it:

From: Justine W.
Subject: Recycling Crocs

I've worn down the treads on my beloved Crocs, so I called the
company to ask if they're recyclable. Customer Service told me that
they will recycle them if you mail them to the company.
Specifically, they're shredded to make padding for children's
playgrounds. Unfortunately, municipal recycling programs don't
recycle Crocs at this time. The company is working on a more
expanded recycling program, but they have not released any details
yet.

Since Crocs are lightweight, I estimate that postage will be around
$2. If you do want to recycle your Crocs, clearly mark the outside
of the package with "RECYCLE" and mail them to:

Crocs
1510 Nelson Rd.
Longmont, CO 80501

(I don't work for Crocs. I'm simply a recycling advocate!)

Justine W.

Comment? mailto:digest-submit@zappos.com?Subject=Recycling-Crocs

So if you have some worn down Crocs and you'd like to recycle them, you now know where to send 'em!

Go Crocs!

You've seen them - those rubber dutch clog type shoes that look oh so comfortable (and they must be, since nurses swear by them!) - but hardly stylish!

Well watch out - 'cause Crocs has come out with a ballet flat that definitely ups their style quotient!

Hop over to $50 Suit for a great post on these darling new shoes:

Crocs Break the Mold

Ms. Tamara's idea about these being great walk to work shoes gets my vote!

(And if you'd like to see the yellow Diesel sneakers she refers to as her gone, but not forgotten walk to work shoes, check out her post In Someone Else's Shoes. Her comment on Chicago style is particularly insightful - We here in Chi-town are aware of, like and do fashion - but are not slaves to it, especially when it comes to what to wear for our weather!)

The new Rafe at Target Handbag Line is out...

And I like it!

I got a chance to see the following two at my local Target over the weekend:



Rafe® for Target® Duffle Shoulder Bag - Blue $49.99





Rafe® for Target® Orange Flap Shoulder Bag - $49.99

The bags look and feel wonderful! I have to confess, I fell head over heels in love with the blue bag! I like the style of the orange one as well - but I thought to myself as I looked it over that the color is a bit too bold for me! Imagine my delight when I went to Target.com and found that the same style is available in a natural canvas!

I'm not much for beach type straw totes - but I'm very much tempted to pick up this one....



Rafe® for Target® Printed Straw Basket Bag - $39.99

I love the design of this one and the balance of the print fabric and the straw portion of the bag. I didn't get a chance to see it in person but if it is the quality of the other two it's a winner!

Now my sister balked a bit at the prices - to quote "$50.00 for a bag!" But I think, for a PVC line of bags, the feel is great, they're roomy with a great striped fabric lining and the design is fabulous!

I have to admit that I was not impressed by the original Rafe line for Target. But it looks like he went back to the drawing board with a vengeance - this line for spring is 100% improved!

All the above in additional colors are available online at Rafe@Target. There are additional styles as well! So if you don't have a Target nearby - no worries!

So if you're looking for a new spring bag at a reasonable price - give Rafe @ Target a look!

Preparing your winter clothes for Spring storage...

No matter how goofy the weather has been of late (I don't know about you, but here in Chi-town we've had Spring, a touch of Summer and Winter again all within a week!), sooner or later it's going to be time to put the winter clothes up until next winter.

I've been stalling around the project of cleaning out my closet - but if you haven't, but just need a few tips and/or reminders on how to prepare your heavy clothes for their Spring/Summer rest, get on over to Wardrobe 911 for more of Ms. T's excellent tips on how to get your closet in shape for the change of seasons....

spring cleaning