Living in Leggings

Maybe it's that they make your legs look a mile long, or maybe it's that they make easy to pedal around on a cruiser bike or hop on the back of a motorcycle for a spin (yep, I've done both in them), but I am wearing the hell out of my Uniqlo pant-like leggings.  Not sure about you, but I am so over jeans right now.  I want slim, stretchy, comfy, yet totally pulled together.  I have them in black, oxblood (the new color du jour of fall), and a creamy white--but I am sure a few more will be added over the winter.  And, for the hefty price of $19.90 and the fact that you can now shop Uniqlo ONLINE, there are no excuses. 

Check 'em out at Uniqlo.com

Completely Modern Holiday Hair

Now that my hair can officially be classified as "long", I am always looking for fun ways to put it up.  I got tipped off by Style.com on this completely refreshing, anti rat's nest messy top knot, and curling iron free do courtesy of Guido Palau's magic fingers at the Marc by Marc Jacobs show.  Best of all, you only need cheapy cheap clips from Goody that you can find at any drug store.

Here's what you need:

Two barrettes, one pony tail holder (for the more voluminous mussed-up look), brush, and hairspray as needed.

Here's how you do it:

- Create a medium-to-high ponytail

- Flip the ponytail up and pin it down with one chrome barrette

- Back brush it a bit for volume

- Bring the length back over the clip and pin again to create a voluminous silhouette

Enjoy!

Image and instructions courtesy of Style.com

Chicest Garage Sale Sign Ever!

Oh, well thank you for the lovely invite to your garage sale.  I would be honored to rummage through your cast-off's dear madame!

Desire/Acquire: The Perfect Day/Weekend/Office/Anytime Look

There is something about the outfit Marina Larroude, Style.com Senior Market Editor, is wearing in her Spring 2011 Shopping Guide profile that I am completely drawn to.  Maybe it's the easy-breezy casual, yet pulled together vibe.  Or maybe it's that I think those are fancy sweat pants.  Either way, it is most definitely that I can pull off this pairing with items I already own.  Though I love the blue and gray tones with wild shoes, you could pull this look off with any spectrum of colors: black and gray, brown and cream, or red and orange if you are Viviana Volpicella.

So, let's break it down:

- Nubby knit sweater.

- Ankle length trousers, jeans, or lounge pants in this case.

- Bag in same color family as your pants and top but not matching.  I think if you go with black pants and black bag you kind of miss the look.

- Chunky watch or a wrist full of bracelets to fem it up a bit.

- Shoes with a clean silhouette but an interesting print.  Strappy evening sandals with flouncies would not work here. 

Other than the Celine bag I am salivating over, I don't know much about the other pieces.  But, for a similar look,I think the items below would be perfecto!

PS - If you are heels adverse (which I am during the day) or want to tone the shoe portion down a bit pair with brogues, loafer, or driving mocs.

J. Crew Chalet Zip Sweater in Heather Dove - $39.99

J. Crew Merino Un-Sweatpant in Heather Carbon - $49.99

Parentesi leather tote in Slate Blue - $229 @ yoox.com

Yaneli by Nina Cheetah Wedge - $110 @ dnafootwear.com

Tonne Goodman is My Style Sister

I was having dinner a few weeks ago with a friend who is a blogger at a prominent fashion website, and she was telling me what the other editors in the office wear.  In a nutshell, she described it as so over the top with prints layered with stripes layered with bold colors and big accessories on top of that, and we collectively decided that it was completely over-styled and worn to say 'look at how fashionable I am' as opposed to looking great.  Basically style amateur hour. 

I guess this is why I love Tonne Goodman's style so much.  She favors classically understated pieces, a neutral color pallet, flats, straight hair, white jeans, minimal makeup, and I could go on and on.  I cannot deny my inherent love of black turtleneck sweaters, and you will never see me layer garments in a dizzying spectacle.  She is one of my favorite editors at Vogue, and I took it as a huge compliment when my friend J said I was 'totally giving him Tonne right now' when I layered black and gray turtleneck s (two of my favorite colors and one of my favorite winter looks).  So, every time I am feeling the 'dressing room dumps' that I just don't feel like myself in a of-the-moment leather jacket, sky-high platform heels, or a flouncy dress, I channel Tonne and say to hell with them all.  I am dressing for me.

PS - check out Tonne's inspirations for the month in Vogue's February issue (page 142).

Chic in Seconds: Perfecly Perky Ponies

Just looking at this ponytail roundup courtesy of WhoWhatWear.com makes me so jealous of these bang-less beauties!  Even raisin-faced Rachel Zoe is looking lovely since her face is seems more taut than in years past (so well-rested haha), and the picture of Elle Macphereson gets me uber excited about the forthcoming scarf season!  This is a perfect weekend look.  For a bit more glam tease hair at the top of your head and curl the ends.  Whatever you do, though, use neutral or clear hair ties or wrap a bit of hair around your fastener and secure with a bobby pin.  Voila!  Chic in seconds.

Image courtesy of WhoWhatWear.com