Bloody Fantastic

Edgy, trendy, and channeling Kate Moss are not the words I typically use when thinking about fashion, and especially not when thinking of splurges, but that is one more thing that makes the introduction of Top Shop so bloody fantastic!

Although it has been around since the 60's, the United States has only recently been introduced to the brand with the opening of the New York flagship store last year. But now all can enjoy the edgy trends with the launch of the Website.

With funky, up-to-the-minute lines such as the eponymous collection by Kate Moss, and at affordable prices, everyone can now enjoy some of the UK rocker edge.

I'm lusting after a wool blazer that hasn't come out yet, but here are a few other pieces that make a statement without developing multiple personalities...

Channel the 60's with this tartan taffeta blouse pair with "smart" cigarette pants and ballet flats.

I love this pencil skirt with the perfect ruffle accent capitalizing on a hot trend, the zipper in the back makes this one vixen-worthy.

And the belt, oh the belt...Because you can, and should...

This and much more, go on, get down with your bad self.

Emmy's Fashion

I have to admit that for the first time in probably my adult life, not only did I not watch the Emmy's I didn't even know they were on! I was however, eating up the fashion reviews this morning on the news and online...The Today Show said that Ms. Lauren Conrad's dress (that she designed) lacked the same Charisma she did, ouch! I love it the claws are out...

Another interesting point the commentator made was that fear of misstepping caused many of the starlets to go on the safe side with simple and strapless old glamour. There were few glaring faux pas that I noticed from the coverage today, but maybe I missed something.

My favorites were Olivia Wilde, she looked regal and beautiful, Christina Applegate daring and bold with an "I am woman hear me roar" attitude, and Kyra Sedgewick for her vixen, Jessica Rabbit ensemble...

You almost have to remind yourself that they have an entire team helping them look that good!!

Falling for Boots

As the temps cool my mind heats up thinking of soft cashmere, delicious sweaters with billowing necks, tweeds and the return of boots! to name a few...

A friend recently inquired (OK not sooo recently but work has been busy) what boots to invest in this fall. So I looked around and am happy to report classic is still classic! ha, and when you are spending a good chunk of money this is a very good thing!

Of course we'd all love to spend innumerable amounts of money on the newest Dior Jazz boot but you can find a solid, well-made classic for far less. My favorites are Cole Haan and Coach for well-made, classic styles...I've had a pair since 2004 from Coach and they could easily pass for this season.

What to Look For: a slightly rounded toe, medium heel (or stiletto if you're brave), luxe leather or suede with detailing but keep it subtle. Of course, riding boots are not only practical but timeless, and as much as I resisted the ankle boot is turning into a staying trend, so if you're brave go for it!!!

Times Are Tough

Maybe I just feel the need to make excuses for my lack of writing, but I will echo what many already know...Times are tough!

It seems that in addition to college loans and home foreclosures the "maybe-recession" has hit the department stores!!! Aghhhh. While it may have been a good thing for my wallet to go without, it has been a little bit more difficult for my sanity and for this blog.

So, I've decided to talk about where you can find good deals still (and they aren't always where you think).

Let's start with J. Crew -- Used to be I'd get excited just thinking about a trip to the outlets, for many reasons, but the J. Crew outlet in particular has long been a fan fave --until recently. Gone are days when I scored a cashmere sweater for $30!!! Now it is Hello $90 pants! WHAT? Even if I love the item and would pay full price in the store, don't insult me by putting that price tag in a J. Crew outlet. It is a matter of principle, but I just won't do it.

Now, what is interesting is if you head to an actual J. Crew store at the right time (which was about 2 weeks ago) and you could score a great linen blazer for $35 over 75% off! but don't be fooled into thinking the prices are the same everywhere, I've seen to frequently higher prices online or in differing stores. Moral of the story, shop around. (Or better yet, let me do it for you).

And this is a great time to do it with the change from summer to fall clothes in the stores. As you've probably heard before, it is smart to buy clothes at the end of the season on sale to put away -- but when your mouth begins to salivate (as mine does) for the mix of chunky knits and fall tweeds it can be hard to see ahead -- not to mention how will you even know what will be in style a whole year from now!! Well, these are respectable worries, but buying a few classic pieces could pay dividends next year or even this winter. Don't get me started on the Burberry cashmere coat Sister Muse 2 got at the outlet in Freeport for $200!!!! BTW, for those heading to Maine for a last summer hurrah -- make sure to hit up the outlets, Burberry has now turned into a clearance house and some of the prices are out of this world!! After you work up an appetite, head to Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster for some delish food and views of Maine that can't be beat!

OK I clearly digress, because Lobster doesn't really go with the "times are tough theme" -- but with all the money you're saving....

My point is to be creative -- First off, look to your wardrobe, what do you have that can be re-purposed? What do you need to create a fresh new look? Then shop around. Look for sales...I have a friend that swears by eBay for jeans! I definitely think for jewelry, bags and sunglasses its a go! Go to the nearest ritzy suburb and look in consignment shops where the desperate housewives bring their lightly worn belongings...

And as I always say, mix and match, high and low = no one will ever know!! So don't forget JC Penney, Target, and the long forgotten Gap!!!

With my upcoming posts, I'll be sure to report deals and steals and what to invest in when watching your wallet. With summer ending and fall approaching there will be all sorts of fun shopping to be had!!!

What I'm Loving Now: The Jumpsuit

I've been searching for a reasonably priced jumpsuit that doesn't look trashy or risque and surprisingly even though they are sprinkling the red-carpets they are few and far between in actual stores. While I'm not expecting J. Crew to bust out with a black catsuit, was sort of hoping someplace would have a moderately priced jumpsuit.

This isn't the first time I've wanted something that has been hard to find, I've been searching for years for a pair of sleek leather pants a la Gwyneth on Oprah years ago. And no, the jean style that was in at the Gap doesn't count. Anyway, it has made me realized the gap between what we see in the magazines, runways, and on our favorite stars and what we can find in stores is large. And the more a trend hits mass-retail the better chance we the consumers have of finding the trend that can fit our needs.

Now I'll admit that my love of the jumpsuit came back to me full-force after seeing Carrie at her engagement party with a fierce strapless black jumpsuit dripping in gold jewels and roaring belt, but it wasn't the first time. There is something so sexy and kick-ass about a jumpsuit, so Studio 54 meets Catwoman and I love it!

The Muse would be ever so grateful to someone that can help her obtain the long awaited jumpsuit or leather pants!!!

Making SATC Proud

I get it, I’m terrible, I've been very remiss in posting and I have no good excuse as to why! Perhaps I was saving up for the Sex in the City Movie!!! No worries, I won't write any spoilers and to be honest, the plot was secondary to the clothes anyway!!!

Anyone that watches the show, knows the clothes are principal to the plot and act as a 5th or 6th (if you factor in NYC) character. Though it felt a bit over the top in the movie, I'm all over it! Most of the ensembles the women wear I wouldn't dream of wearing, but in the same way that they revolutionized the idea of being female and single in the city, Patricia Field and SJP created a wonderful sense of freedom to the fashion we wear. On the one hand they introduced us to the impossibly expensive shoes of Manolo and the coveted bag of next season, but on the other they showed us real city dwellers that it is absolutely fine to throw caution to the wind, on occasion.

More than once, I've stood in front of my mirror thinking, jeez, can I really get away with wearing this? Isn't it too bold? Too sleazy? Too demure? Too much?

When I have these moments of doubt I only need to think of Samantha’s choices and think, if it floats my boat why not??? What exactly am I afraid of? Making a fashion faux pas? If we didn't experiment and enjoy the sometimes perilous trends where would our individual style come from?

I was especially struck by the plethora of exposed bras. Personally I’ve never been a “bra-less wonder” in fact many times I’ve thought I'd love to wear this, but I couldn't wear a bra, and with a sigh of defeat walk away. The SATC ladies simply rock it like they mean it and while I don’t necessarily care for this style, I applaud the fact that they did! Everything from their bras, to color choices and mix of style and texture was simply outrageous!

To that end, recently I’ve heard a lot of mumblings on the present day dilemma of matching? It goes kind of like this, "OK, so I don't want to match?" with a one-eyed tilt of the head, trying to grasp the fact that after 20 or 30 years everything we’d been taught about matching was in fact wrong? I won’t throw the universe off of its course and say that matching is a no-no, but I think we have to be conscious of overkill and looking like an overgrown 3rd grader...And I say 3rd grader, because before that, I think most of us were just lucky to be dressed. I spent much of pre-school in cowboy boots and a red t-shirt. I preferred to wear Easter hats with the ribbon forward, much to the chagrin of Grandmother Muse. And you know what, every picture indicates I was happy as a clam. I think so much of our lives are tied up in the details of client meetings, and budgets that we forget what it is like to color outside of the lines. When I'm in a subdued suit (rarely I admit) I feel not only uncomfortable but crushed of creativity and freedom to be me. I want to be the little girls I see with boldly colored striped tights and polka dot dresses that I look at with a mix of fondness and envy.

Who knew fashion could say so much? I'll end with the advice that next time you're wondering if you can "pull-off" an outfit think of our fashion-forward friends of SATC and go for it!

Jammie Time!

I am pretty sure it goes something like this: wake up, scrutinize over your wardrobe for a milla-second, put on the most pulled together look you can muster, roll to work where you are inevitably complimented on some portion of your outfit (dress, skirt, shoes, jewelry etc) then go home and immediately change into your jammies (or some variation therein).

For the longest time I thought this practice was something that only existed in the all-female Muse household growing up. I'd watch shows like Lipstick Jungle and think no way Lindsay Price's character wears that around the house! But my secret fear was that she DID and I was the strange one. I can remember Mother Muse changing into some pretty choice jammie attire after school and the saddest truth was that Papa Muse kind of forgot what Mother Muse looked like in real clothes. Needless to say, the apple doesn't not fall far from the tree and these habits are deep seeded in me, and I had to know -- Does everyone have Jammie Time?

I began taking a sort of subtle poll of my friends and was beyond happy to find out that YES!!! everyone does Jammie Time!!! As if some release from the confines of your day, people change into sweatpants, jammies, yoga pants, brief cotton underwear...you name it! No wonder this is such a huge market for "loungewear". If you are looking for some cute loungewear check out lululemon and Target as nice alternatives to the Juicy Couture that swept the nation a few years ago!

Any Jammie habits or theories on Jammie time? Let the Muse know!

Who Needs Kitson!

As most everyone knows by this point -- celebrities and movies have taken over Boston! And of course, the Muse couldn't be happier! We have an influx of the best actors from Leonardo DiCaprio to Jennifer Garner. So it is no doubt that local shopkeepers are relishing the glamour stops these stars are making to our restaurants and boutiques.

As one comment mentioned our very own Crush Boutique made it into the rags as celebrities have been bopping-in including Miss Anne Hathaway! It is so nice to see Boston catching up with other cities in the fashion dept! And Crush is a great boutique aside from carrying trendy items, they know what looks good on their customers and are invested in making sure you look good for the BNO (big night out). I also think it is one of the least pretentious boutiques around.

It looks like soon enough it will be Robertson who? Baby's got a new boyfriend in town and his name is Charles ;)

Happy Earth Day

As you know, today is Earth Day!! And lucky for us it looks like we're getting better at recognizing the environment on a daily basis from the food we eat and the cars we drive.

For all you 'scuppies' (socially conscious and upwardly mobile) out there, today's Muse is for you!! With so many studies and the inundation of information -- use Nalgene, never mind the plastic is bad or the squiggle light-bulbs but watch out for the mercury!! -- It is tough to keep up!

But there is definitely something I can get behind -- eco-fashion! And there are several ways to partake. For example: if you shop from April 22-27 at Banana Republic 1% of sales go to Greener Cities. And BR has several initiatives in the queue to produce more eco-friendly lines.

Or try one of my favorite stores in NYC Te Casan which just launched a line of vegan shoes by Natalie Portman (and they're really cute, not just another celeb line).

I'm thrilled to try the new line of hair care products by Kate Hudson!

And for more ideas check out USA Today which had a great story today on Green Chic.

Add a Green Martini in eco-friendly glass (if that exists) and call me a Scuppy!!

While on the Subject of Men's Style

So I'm loving all the response from the men's style post! And it looks like it is on more than just the Style Muse's mind...Boston Globe online did a great piece, aptly named "Oh, no he didn't!".

How could I have missed my favorite faux pas of the pleated Khaki -- I can't tell you how many heated conversations I've had with guys about that one...and no, I don't care how much extra room they give you...

So needless to say there will be much more to come on Men's style!!! In the meantime I'm headed down-south for vacation...Hopefully my trip will be filled with inspiration!

[in honor of Gossip Girl's return] XOXO