Skinny Style

I'm always looking for new places to get fun and unique items to spice up my wardrobe, especially items that don't break the bank. I was perusing some magazine in the airport yesterday and came across this site, Skinny Style and I love it! They have great little pieces to complement your summer wardrobe - and you know anything coral, turquoise, or gold and I'm already there! I really love this unusual bracelet!

If you aren't into buying online, they have a list of stores that carry it, such as Flat of the Hill in Boston as well.

Happy Shopping!

Gold Moccasins on the Cheap

Looking for inspiration and something a little different this spring and I stumbled on some gold driving mocs in J Crew - for a cool $150. The quality is no doubt rich, and for many can mantain a staple item - but for me it feels more like whimsy, so I was really excited to stumble upon a similar looking moc for $19 smacks!

Treasures hide in every corner!

Carrie Bradshaw and Bebe

I cannot tell you the last time I went into a Bebe - maybe briefly in 2000? I've always figured it is for Eva Longoria types, both in terms of style and size. So I was taken by surprise when I found myself wandering through this week, some unexpected pull weaving me through the slightly slutty attire. But lo and behold - I found myself openly grinning (by myself) at many of the whimsical tops and dresses that would make Carrie Bradshaw squeal with delight. Mind you, like SATC, these are not for the faint of heart, but if you're looking to go out on a limb, this is the place to do it - feathers, ruffles and bows oh my!

Remember how you felt wearing a boa around the house as a kid (wait was that only me?) Well this is the grown-up version - be bold, be daring and smile confidently knowing how bad-ass you are wearing one of these shirts. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

I'm in Love with Isaac and Liz

Usually when I flip through O Magazine I go fairly quickly through the fashion - frequently I think it is better suited for, well, for someone else. But yesterday, I was looking at the newest issue and was floored then ecstatic - Isaac Mizrahi has done it again! This time partnering with the decrepit line, Liz Claiborne.

I'm sure most of us haven't paid Liz Claiborne a second thought since the early 80s, if at all. But I think it is back and in a big way. I'm over the moon for the new line with Isaac. It is fresh, with vibrant colors and familiar prints that remind me of Mad Men and a time when women could be women.

It says spring 2009 - so I'm dying to know when I can get it! I plan to start saving my pennies now for a few spring essentials like the pink gingham skirt or the sailor outfit or the rattan clutch. OK, so maybe that it is more than a few pennies, but almost everything is under $200. The line is carried at a few venues including Macy's, check it out.

Old School Glamour, by way of Jewelry

Old School earrings are back - I'll admit, I first started paying attention to the elegant Jackie-O type earrings because Sister Muse 2 was not giving me much of a choice - Every time, Lily sported them on Gossip Girl I heard about it. And judging by this year's Golden Globes, she was dead-on. BTW - My vote for Best Dressed all around goes to Olivia Wilde, simply stunning, but I digress...

Glamorous baubles adorned the ears of many of the starlets, channelling Old Hollywood, simple in their styles (think flowered, crystal studs) these earrings emanate grace and class (which says Sister Muse 2 all over it). So, for Christmas I thought I'd found the perfect gift! But alas, the stores haven't quite caught on to the phenom and I couldn't find suitable baubles anywhere. *My guess is, they will be hitting stores this spring and into next fall (I mean who would've guessed that Jumpsuits are still coming in with even more vigor?)

Well, thanks to Sister Muse 2's perseverance, this story has a happy ending for her and hopefully for you too! The quick fix is to visit consignment shops and antique stores to look for interesting costume jewelry. You don't like clip-ons you say? Do not despair, though frequently these earrings are clip-on, just take it to a local jeweler and have them replace with posts which will run about $10.

Voila - you are now ahead of the curve with your vintage finds - A big thank you to Sister Muse 2.

Investing in Classics During a Recession

Now it is getting interesting...The bubble has burst and no matter where you look there are reminders of the economic turmoil facing our nation; including a heavy emphasis on fashion. The stories are everywhere - the elite shopping in private so as not to appear uncouth. Or designers such as Vera Wang, Carmen Marc Valvo and Betsey Johnson cancelling their fashion show or severely cutting back. The period of excess is over. It is no longer trendy to show off your ridiculously expensive purchases, and bragging rights over addresses, vacations and clothing are so passe.

While in some ways this makes it more difficult to be a style muse in other ways it is a huge sigh of relief. It is a welcome realization in my life to understand that I do not need to have so much (clothes or anything else) especially when others have so little. And before anyone thinks I've gone completely George Bailey - my stripes haven't changed all that much. I still believe in fashion and in representing yourself and your spirit through personal style.

But, as a culture, we will embrace a new way of living, at least this is my hope. It is the old adage of quality over quantity. Personally, my goal is to think French in 2009 -- meaning invest in a few necessary items now that are durable, classic and even luxurious and wear them with the quiet grace that is befitting of this period: a winter of stoic sensibility.

So while it may seem counter intuitive, now is in fact a time to buy. As a recent article by David Coleman in the NYT pointed out, luxury [read: quality] has never been so affordable. Now for people like me, that does not mean just because Manolo Blahnik's are marked down to $175 that you need to buy them - What it does mean is that you think about your needs and purchase wisely, sometimes for as much as 50% off - Saks in particular is having some great deals at the moment.

Look inside your closet - what is worn out? what is lacking? and make a list and buy only from that list. For example, The Muse is looking for a winter dress coat that will last an innumerable number of seasons and possibly a some black cashmere to add to the chest. But will not, repeat will not, succumb, no matter how inexpensive, to buying any sequins.

I'm brewing my version of fashion must-haves and will update soon!

Holiday Party Dressing Part I: The Company Christmas Party

'Tis the season...for sequins and lace and fur, faux if you prefer! My favorite time of year, throw some metallic my way and I'll be dancing in the street. However, Muse does understand certain occasions require a fair amount of clothing restraint a la the company holiday party -- but don't fret, there is a holiday outfit for everyone and every occasion. A few to start off with...

The company holiday party:



Remain understated, do not see this as an opportunity to display parts of your personality or anatomy that you wouldn't normally want your boss to see. This issue is only exacerbated by drinking too much and really making a fool of yourself. That said, there is no reason to be a stick in the fondue. Play up the festive with fabrics, a pop of color and/or statement accessories.



A few suggestions:

• Velvet pants, cashmere sweater and dramatic earrings


• Winter white pants and white or black top - layered gold necklace


• Black pants, tuxedo-esque top


• Knee length sequin skirt with black turtleneck


• The all classic sheath dress


• Lace Skirt and sweater

Places to look - Mix and Match at: The Express (I know, so college, but their holiday stuff is cute), Ann Taylor (again, I know, avoid anything to matronly), J. Crew, Club Monaco, and even Newport News (I love this dress in the photo).

And Please Remember -- no pantyhose - never, don't do it, if we stop buying them, eventually they will stop making them and the resistant will have no choice but to get on board.

First Lady Style

The frenzy has died down a bit today, and now I can turn my attention to the "dress" that Michelle Obama wore election night. Shockingly, the Muse didn't see this as the most important issue of the evening. In fact, I don't think it enters top 10 or more. There is so much to discuss, so much change, but this is indeed a blog on style, so I will not focus on the politics of the evening but rather what the next first lady will demonstrate in terms of style. And even though the Muse is an ardent feminist, I can still get down with wanting a first lady (or first female President) to have the style and grace of Jackie O.

As the Obamas prepare to journey to the White House the comparisons to Camelot are plenty and rightly so. Michelle Obama is young, vibrant and beautiful and I think that we'll see four years of grace and style (I hope).

That said, she didn't get it right on election night. Yes, kudos to her for choosing Narciso Rodriguez an amazing American designer, but that dress was just wrong. I believe in taking fashion risks, it is what makes fashion fun and style personal. But it is also the thing that makes us laugh looking back at old photos -- that perm, those leggings, booties! Any of our photos last a lifetime, but for the next First Lady they will have a different kind of permanence -- historical. Considering, there are museum exhibits of Jackie's Presidential style, Mrs. Obama has quite the shoes to fill to be considering in the same company.

For this reason, I believe the dress was a mistake. Aside from the unflattering fit, and unfortunate cardigan. The dress itself was bold, too bold for election night. For a night that will go down in history books. When in doubt go classic. Always. There is a reason that certain items like the Little Black Dress have surpassed the trends, they fit, they flatter and they let the woman shine through (cheesy but true). While I'm not saying she needed to wear an LBD or something so simple, all the lines, the cardigan, the colors - it was too much for such a momentous occasion.

Andre Leon Talley, the editor at large for Vogue said in an insightful NY Times piece that Michelle “is not sitting around going through fashion look books and having confabs. She is just going through her closet and picking out what’s right for her.” While I'm not one to argue with Mr. Talley -- stylist or no stylist -- someone of this stature, of this public nature, needs a second and third opinion. And we cannot just believe she didn't plan, the entire Obama family is in perfectly matched shades of red and black.

Maybe she should have a shopping date with Carla Bruni who seems to be playing the card just right these days. Regardless of her choice Tuesday, I look forward to see her choices moving forward and am excited for the Inaugural Ball gown. And I think the message for the rest of us is that for the big moments simplicity let's the moment shine through.

Design Hive

I was recently introduced to this new Boston/Cambridge design project called Design Hive - where local designers go to show their new designs.

It runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 20. at the Maria L. Baldwin School, 28 Sacramento St., Cambridge. For details visit www.designhivemarket.com.

And check out the article from Boston.com for more information on the brainchild of it all!

Creating a buzz for new styles

When Val Fox was in New York last year, she loved frequenting the designers markets that adorn city blocks from SoHo to Brooklyn. She especially relished finding one-of-a-kind pieces from aspiring fashion designers.

"It was just much more interesting than going into H&M and picking out something that everyone else is already wearing," said Fox, 39, an e-commerce marketing consultant from Cambridge. "I know Bostonians would love to have markets like these and we really don't have any, at least not any that are exclusively about fashion and design."

So Fox took matters into her own hands. She dialed up local design schools, including the Massachusetts College of Art & Design and the Rhode Island School of Design, and she invited them to help her create a designers market that would transcend the typical shopping experience.

The result is Design Hive, a showcase for aspiring and established designers from all over New England. Held at the Baldwin School in Cambridge every Saturday through Dec. 20, the bazaar will feature DJs and more than 40 vendors selling one-of-kind wares, including modern and vintage clothing, handbags and accessories, jewelry, housewares, and pottery.

"It's not a craft market by any means. About 80 percent of the merchandise is clothing and jewelry that is fashion-forward and edgy," Fox said. "At the same time, it's very grassroots, democratic and accessible."

Her blueprint for the Design Hive was based on The Market, a wildly successful designers' market in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan. Every Saturday since September 2002, The Market has transformed a local gym into a colorful bazaar where talented, yet-to-be discovered designers showcase their latest styles.

"The Market is held in a gym, the Design Hive is in a school cafeteria, so it'll have a similar feel to it," Fox said. "We'll feature about 100 different designers spread over the eight Saturdays that are either unknown or little known. It's really a platform for people who are just getting started in the world of design."

Fox sees it as a great opportunity to catch a rising star early in their career - sort of like seeing U2 at the Paradise before they started selling out arenas. "You could discover the next Luella Bartley or Anya Hindmarch," Fox said. "And you could be among the first to check out their styles before they get picked up and go big box on us."

By KATE M. JACKSON

Ten Pounds Lighter

I know, I know, the instant cure, you've heard it before. Unfortunately besides diet and exercise there is little one can do....but!!! Dressing for your shape and size is always the first step in appearing thinner and with the shape you want. You've all heard the adage wear the size you are, not the size you want to be - i know that can be difficult especially when you finally can squeeze into your high school jeans etc. Why do I bring this up? A colleague reminded that I need to get her the name of my secret weapon, and I can't believe I haven't written about it yet.

You may have heard it mentioned on Oprah and an array of women's magazines about the perfect bra -- thinking that you have to go to NYC like every other fashion necessity...but alas no more, head over to Copley Plaza (if you're in Boston) and make an appointment (857) 277-7887 or look it up when you are in Atlanta, Chicago, NYC, Miami and Houston. The name of the store is Intimacy and they are the "Bra Fit Specialists" which is very important especially as 80% of women are wearing the wrong size bra!

Wearing the right size bra can seriously change the shape of your entire torso, for the better. And we're not talking about Victoria Secret fittings, or even Nordstrom -- it is not for the faint of heart. These women will completely bring you out of your comfort zone prodding and peering at women's vulnerable assets...but in the end they will find a bra that no only makes you look better but relieves the pressure and will keep your assets perkier longer.

I will warn you, that the price tag is a bit heftier than the average bra you'll find, but the results are truly worth it. You'll look and feel better in everything you wear.