Holiday Must Haves

On my day off yesterday, I popped into iniam to drop off a few things. As I arrived, my jaw dropped as I saw the fantastic collections that had just been unpacked. Little by little, amongst all the sweaters and stylish daily wear, we have been receiving bits and pieces of holiday must haves. But yesterday, there was an eruption of beautiful holiday pieces that every girl would want in her wardrobe. Velvet pants and beaded pearl sweater by Milly and a stunning wire wrapped bead dress by Haute Hippie -- both are nothing less than a fashionista's dream. But wait! There is so much more...a chanel inspired cardigan set in a soft grey color palette and chic blouses sure to be the conversation piece at any hoiday party. Oh, AND you don't want to miss the gorgeous new hair accessories. The peacock feathered headbands are my favorite!

It's like Christmas in November...I'm so excited I am shopping I mean working today!

Tuesday Tips

I'm always dragging my feet when getting out of bed in the morning. I'd do just about anything for five more minutes of uninterrupted sleep. Sometimes looking awake supersedes feeling awake.

There are some trends we love because they make us look chic and then there are those trends that do even more than just making us look hip and fashionable. One of these trends is purple and blue mascara. I know violet lashes have a certain retro-'80s feel, "but the blue pigments go a step further, reflecting the whites in your eyes and making you look brighter, bolder, instantly more AWAKE."

I love the gorgeous, sophisticated violet of both Heidi Klum's Extra-Lengthening Mascara from her Exotic Jewels Collection for Victoria’s Secret, and Estée Lauder’s Limited Edition Sumptuous Color Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Amethyst!

So here's the plan. Tomorrow I'll sleep five extra minutes, skip brushing my teeth and use the time I save to apply violet mascara. I'll look bright eyed and bushy tailed as I'm searching for some breath mints!

Day Off.

taking the day off...tune in tomorrow!

My New Favorite T

I love James Perse tshirts -- all of them. The fabric, fit, and overall life span of these tshirts is nothing less than amazing. I feel a "but" coming on.

BUT, I've also fallen in love with another tshirt. I can't fully vouch for the quality, though so far so good, but the the fit is well....forgiving. The JCrew boyfriend tissue tee is my new BFF. It's long, a little loose and has a great neckline. The tshirt had me at "a little loose". It's great as a stand alone tee or equally as great when layered with a blazer or cardigan.

I haven't had as much luck with other JCrew tshirts, but this one is a keeper.

6 pairs of Shoes

I'm on the hunt for shoes again. My wardrobe could stand to have a few more flats so why do I keep gravitating towards OTK boots? I've always liked them, I just couldn't get myself into a pair, but now I am becoming freakishly obsessed. My Dolce Vita booties arrive tomorrow (I can't wait) and then I'll be on the hunt for some OTK boots. Since I'm off this week-end, I might pop into the city and spend a little time "investigating".

Whether or not over the knee boots or booties are your cup of tea, there are six types of shoes every women needs. I am by no means advocating that any woman should limit themselves to six pairs of shoes. I come from the "more is more" mind set -- at least where shoes are concerned. Having said that, the following are six shoe styles crucial in completing a woman's wardrobe:

1. Two inch kitten heel or wedge
2. Flat
3. Dressy/sexy high heel
4. Kicks -- a pair of sneakers that are fun (keep your Nike's for the gym)
5. Boots
6. All Weather Boots (rain boots)

I'm sipping on my cocktail (who cares if it's a tuesday night) and I'm shopping for shoes. I need a pair or all weather boots. Why the heck do I have a pair of heels in my shopping cart?

Move over Gilt and Rue La La -- you've got some new competition! There is a new sample sale site on it's way: Swirl, Sample Sales by Daily Candy.

The most noteworthy difference is that all the items featured on Swirl will be hand picked by by Daily Candy's editors and overseen by newly named Creative Director, Eve Epstein, who was until now editor in chief over all the Daily Candy properties.

Membership is exclusive to DailyCandy subscribers for the beta launch. So if you’re not currently a DailyCandy subscriber, sign you up to receive the DailyCandy “Everywhere Edition” when you sign up for Swirl.

The site is beta and will soft launch on November 16th. It's first come, first serve to sign up -- the full launch will come in some time in January.

Friday Favorite

Here's a look at my latest obsession. I'm in love with Lulu Frost, a line that includes beautiful, memorable, statement necklaces in addition to many, many other jaw dropping beauties. Lisa Salzer, the 26-year old mastermind behind these one of a kind pieces, combines antiques "including long-lost room numbers from the legendary Plaza Hotel, cut steel shoes buckles from the 1860's, forgotten keys, chandelier crystal, watch fobs, rare Victorian charms and other resurrected finds" which she combines with unexpected modern elements to create art that transcends time and trends.

I could go on but really the necklace says it all.

Only Hearts

Good or bad, I wear my husband's pjs to bed. I feel like I can hear some of you shriek as you are reading this -- it's the truth. His PJs are VERY comfortable, but let's just say they are anything but fashionable. Though I am always on the search for stylish and cozy sleepwear, for one reason or the other I keep coming back to my tried and true...until now.

iniam has started carrying a small group of foundation wear that includes a variety of body shappers and products to help conceal, lift, and smooth your body. It's been a great addition to our clothing and accessories. What I was really hoping to do was also include some sleepwear and a smidgen of of lingerie without worrying about the 34-A, 34-B, 34-C. Next month we will receive the first of several shipments of beautiful and sexy sleepwear by Only Hearts. The fabrics are fantastic and the variety is equally as exciting. We are bringing in sexy negligees and beautiful nightgowns. Best of all, we are getting in pjs that would make any woman FEEL as lovely as she looked!

My husband is in for a treat. Buh-bye fuddy duddy, hello hot mama!

Tuesday Tips

iniam recently received some fabulous new belts. We've got everything from skinny patent belts to studded waist belts that really glam up an outfit. I love accent belts but I hate it when the belt is too long. I have an easy and inexpensive fix. Try Zots by Therm O Web (125 zots for $3.59). They're clear adhesive dots intended for scrapbooking but are now also being used by stylists to keep belts from flopping around. Simply stick a zot on the underside of the floppy part of your belt and then press down to stay in place.

It was a good weekend. I enjoyed some wonderful family time and I also met with some college friends who I have not seen in at least (ahem)....10 years. Normally I would say time with friends and family would equal a great week-end, but Sunday ended with a messy house and two sore backs. We are getting the house painted tomorrow which means that my husband recruited me to join team "manual labor". It seems like my home is an on going project. First the bathroom, now paint, then some reupholstering and then possibly a kitchen remodel. I spent the better part of sunday trying to calm my screaming kids in between lifting the flat screen and pulling down wall art.

The highlight was crawling in bed with my laptop and shopping the net. I like to find and add things to my various wish lists so that if anyone, say my husband, wants to treat me for all my hardwork, say manual labor...then he'll know the right way to let me know I am appreciated. Of course there is so much to choose from! What I really want right now is a coat -- a camel colored coat at that. If it boiled down to one statement piece that I had to have, that would be the one. It's timeless, classy and coordinates with any silhouette in your closet. These days your coat can be your outfit so I feel it's justifiable to spend a little for the perfect one. The only problem is, I am coveting more than one -- decisions, decisions.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Michael Kors Coat
Milly Ruffled Darling Coat
JCrew Cashemere Station Coat
Burberry Prorsum Pleated Skirt Trenchcoat
Derek Lam Casheme Blended Cape


Ok this Burberry beauty is not camel colored but COME ON...yup, it's on the wishlist.

Honey, hope you are paying attention?

Booties Aren't Just for Babies

I really love booties. I don't own a pair. But I want a pair and I actually have clothing that will show them off! My hesitation thus far has been the heel height. The ones I love are quite high and so I find myself gravitating to yet another pair of flats. I keep thinking I can pull off hours standing on skinny little heels, but who am I kidding? Ok, so maybe I can't wear them all day but I can wear them to dinner with my husband or girls night out?

I did find a fun pair of Pedro Garcia booties that seem to have a thicker heel and perhaps might offer some more support. I am the queen of internet shopping so I haven't tried them on yet but they "look" promising and they are available in my size.

On the not so comfortable side and perhaps a style that makes no sense, I find myself yearning for booties with a peep toe. I realize that a peep toe goes against the very purpose of a boot, but mentally I have categorized peep toe booties in a "heel/pump" group-- I have no qualms with the style. In fact, I have gone as far as falling in love with a few pairs. In the end, it's the heel height that gets me.

Booties are a great compliment to a pair of leggings, skinny pants or even a dress and a pair of textured tights -- all of which I have in my wardrobe. I guess the only question now is: How many booties do I need?

I love fall!

My Favorite Outfit

As you know, I'm always on the quest for a great casual outfit -- something that can go from day to night, doesn't require ironing or prep time, and looks great with flats or heels. Of course I'm not about to share anything life changing - the following are all pieces you've seen over and over.

My go to out fit includes the AG premiere -- a skinny straight jean with an 8 inch rise jean that is great for a little belly support, a solid color tshirt or blouse of your choice and for the finishing touch, a long boyfriend blazer. I've tried on several jackets. Most jackets I looked at were going to cost me $500 or more. There are some beautiful options out there. Silk, cotton, wool, dressy, casual...all of them great and open for your personal interpretation. I love JCrew's version. It fits beautifully and is priced at $215. Not bad if you ask me.

First and foremost, the look is slimming. Cuff your jeans, throw on some flats and you are ready to tackle the day. Or...add heels and your ready for dinner with the girls or the date of your choice.

If you really want to make the look shine, add a long layered necklace --mixed metal chains intertwined with a little bling is the way to go. Even mixed pearls will add some va va voom. Add a cocktail ring and a clutch and you'll leave them wondering what you will be wearing tomorrow.

Ewwww

It's bad enough that flu season is approaching and we are worrying about someone breathing or sneezing on us for fear of ending up sick. Who would have thought that your purse may make you sick? Check out this article from Good Morning America....ewwwww!

On the bright side, iniam has purse hangers that you can attach to your table so that your handbag never touches the ground again.

The Perfect Dress

I'm still building a wardrobe that fits my lifestyle. My figure and my daily routine has changed since the birth of my little guys. I'm relentless for scouring the internet and my favorite stores for pieces that not only look good now but will transcend time. I'm not one to buy a lot of smaller priced items but rather I spend more on single purchase that I will keep in my clothing rotation for seasons and beyond. Now if one of those purchases was also able to camaflouge my "problem areas" well then it's like I've hit the fashion jackpot!

Puh-lease look past the horrid gold tights and try and focus on this BCBG Runway dress even though shamefully, the picture really doesn't do the dress justice. The rich black silk is complimented by beautiful draping and a figure flattering fit. The bodice is fitted while the pleated fabric fall at just the right place giving a sophisticated and sexy look while masking the tummy, hips and bum. The neckline is plunging and the back is bare. The dress looks good on both petite or large frames. Honestly, it's the perfect dress, and just in time for the holidays.

We have a couple left at iniam....you dont' want to miss it!