Love :: Hat with a Feather

Beat to H-E-Double Hockey Sticks

You've heard of "Go to Hell Pants", right? Well, this is my "Beat to Hell Pocketbook". This gem is a vintage Coach bag, in the saddlebag style. It has some patina on it, let me tell you. And that's what makes it great.

The color is what really sold me on this bag. The plum color is a staple of my fall/winter color palette, and the depth of the color is incredible. Your eyes just drink it in.



Check out the cracking on the strap. I'll probably try to give it a little TLC, but not too much. This bag has been around, and I like to keep it looking that way.



The hardware has just the right dullness, too. And check out the little feet --



Paired with my Tyrolean hat, that killer lemon-yellow cardigan, and aubergine scarf and chocolate cords, we're ready for a casual afternoon of holiday toddies with Mr and Ms Fab and the crew* --





*most of "the crew" need At The Meadows monikers. The editorial staff is hard at work on it.

I Have This Outfit

No, not the one Kenan Thompson is wearing -- the one on the mannequin in the background. Imagine my surprise to see it on my screen while catching this weekend's SNL on hulu. Actually, I picked up the dress for a song last year -- I wonder how long it's been sitting in a prop closet at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Also, they were throwing around "Prada this" and "Prada that" in the skit, but that dress is not Prada -- or Saks for that matter. Works with the color story, though. Makes me think it should get debuted at a party this holiday!

Catch the skit here.

Holiday Brunch Downtown

Quick Interjection :: I wrote this whole little post about clothes and this and that -- but you know what? It's not really about the clothes. It's about color. The color you bring around with you all day, wherever you go.

Back to our regularly-scheduled post:

Actually, I love all these pieces. This is the kind of well-oiled ensemble that I really get into (you know what I mean -- it works and wow).

I have acquired quite an extensive wardrobe of hats, but I really want them to be wearable -- I'm not so much into the vintage for the sake of being vintage concept. And one of my goals this year is to wear them. Really wear them. This gem is a black velour felt cloche with cute little unaffiliated crest -- which I like. Nary an RL, TH, etc to be found. Love the velour "feather" element too.



Paired with my kilt, acorn bracelet (signifying my love of the City of Oaks), a fab muted green silk square and a cream coat --



Red lips and of course the much-discussed manicure -- and voilà! Ready for a day of Michigan Avenue hustle and bustle!

And after a day of dodging shoppers, lunching, visiting, and a final cappuccino, out into the cold night to find this --


The Christmas tree at the Hancock Center.

Wish List :: Dresses

These two ladies are magic! Pearl Bailey and Carol Channing have a little fun on Broadway. And check out those dresses! I need, need, need them. I love them both, but I think that Pearl's would look better on me -- Carol's got that angular thing going on. I'm sure that Trinny and Susannah would agree. APB!

Mizrahi Dishes

Just read an article about Isaac Mizrahi's new QVC gig, and these great plates were in the slideshow. The rest of the stuff -- eh. Maybe it's a WWD thing, but the models and merch just looked sad. And when I say WWD thing, I mean a bit unstyled -- fashion at it's most raw, just there on a white wall.

I enjoyed Isaac's commentary much more than the product, he's always a good interview. Very real and pointed. He even alludes to the Liz Claiborne thing of which I am not up to speed about what's going on, but it's making me think I need to do some google-ing. I do think he's very creative, and lives the creative lifestyle. A designer's life -- not fashion designer or fashion -- design as a bigger concept. I always like to see people who live it -- not in terms of their stuff, but about how they live with -- and through -- their process. It's a very different thing.

And on that note, back to the plates. Love the watercolor sketch quality. I find it's hard to make things like this... it's hard to put yourself out there and make it by hand, without the help of a camera or other image-making machine. I wonder if he actually did these sketches or just ideated* it that way. Curious.

Read the WWD article here.

Image: WWD (from the article slideshow)

*yes, this is a real word, or derived from one, anyway... from "ideate", which really means make ideas (sometimes brainstorm). It comes from my design school education.

Love :: Prince and Mercer

Directly from one of my favorite places on Earth. And I mean this corner: Prince and Mercer!

Via The Sartorialist, bien sur. Love the idea of checking out what's going on at a specific corner. That's why he's the best.

UPDATE: Just found her! The Christian Lacroix lady in the video below -- I need her rings and that jacket. I fall down.*




*that's my version of "I die"

Halloween Fun Delivered

Halloween is over. I went to a very fun party last night, and yes, dressed up. I went as a mail lady, circa 1978. In a 100% polyester United States Post Office regulation uniform, mind you. How did people wear this stuff?

I also whipped up some tricks and treats to deliver (see below). The mail was fashionably carried in a vintage Coach saddlebag -- looked great! I don't know if the mail ladies of the 70s sported white shortie gloves, but I raided the DAR drawer to add a little extra lady-like panache.

I originally bought this uniform for the logo patch:



The treats -- love letters to Paris and postcards:



And the tricks -- !!



Thanks to K and J for a great shindig!

Now the holiday season starts --

Debut :: Aye, We Speak Trad in Chicago

Royal Stewart Tartan -- if I am incorrect, be kind and just let me know, as I'm not a tartan scholar (but this gentleman, apparently is -- and suddenly I care nothing for haunting kilts, but only of ordering one from him). This incredible four-yard kilt was haunted in Chicago and debuted today. The trees are really popping with color now, and with a rainy, gray foggy sky, this was just the punch I needed. Tartan debut!

Though my ancestors were Scottish Kennedys, I feel right at home sporting the Royal Stewart, as one of those Kennedy men married Princess Mary of Scotland. And let me just invite the thousands, nay, millions of other descendants to share in our wearing of a bright red kilt!

Details: Four-yard kilt (read more about eight- and four-yard kilts here) with fringe on the front panel, two black leather straps with buckles, kilt pin in-tact (biggest surprise of the score), and many, many knife pleats in the back. Made in Jedburgh, Scotland by Rannoch Designs.

Hmm, now that I am referencing my handy little book "The Scottish Clans and Their Tartans", I may be wrong. Well, I will keep telling people it is Royal Stewart until a tartan scholar corrects me, and then I will thank him or her for keeping me on the straight and narrow. The little book was given to me by Mema -- the Kennedy herself.





A sartorial Scot --



And the other Scot's footwear --



"Avise la fin" :: Consider the End
Clan Kennedy motto


The only other bit o' motto that resonates with me as much as Clan Kennedy's is "Esse Quam Videri" (to be rather than to seem -- North Carolina's state motto).



But is there a castle? Why yes, Fiona, there is.




And for context, today's weather report -- just like the midlands!*




*Though I understand that this name is out of fashion. The "Central Belt" just doesn't sound very romantic.

NYC :: String Me Along

I was stopped dead in my tracks by this window at Rockefeller Center! Check out the type!

There's a real absence/presence thing going on here that I love. The outlines of the letterforms are created by connecting nails in the wall with yarn, creating an interesting reference to the digital bezier curves that create typography for printing. The Bodoni face really shines in the execution -- modern faces have thin, hairline serifs, and the yarn is perfect!


Bodoni typeface showing bezier curves.




The colors are spot-on fun-sophistication, and they really pop on the chalkboard-black walls.



Scale is important too -- these letterforms are all pulled together with the same weight yarn and typeface, but they are totally random letter selections. Type as scenery!



Check out how the curves are executed on this "J"!



J. Crew does great window displays. They're creative with design elements (type, color, composition) and use "white space" -- or I would say "empty space" in a 3-D environment -- to create a fun and sophisticated presentation. Kudos!

Debut :: NYC Street Shawl

I love a debut, you know -- even a cheapie one. This gem is from a street guy in SOHO (aka one of the best places on Earth), and I love it. It's totally in my fall palette, and no worries if it gets lost, snagged or otherwise ruined. All good!

More "real" New York posts to come, I promise -- like actual stuff about New York!

Three Days in New York

Off to the Big Apple for a small retreat. Looking forward to lunch at Fraunces Tavern, a patriot walking tour (or two) and getting some creative electricity. I've been having a wardrobe essentials moment lately -- seems every fashion article or post is "the essential wardrobe" or "ten items you must have", but I suppose that is the season. In a month it will be cocktail and holiday party looks.

However, my own wardrobe is starting to be a well-oiled machine. All the arms and legs of the system are working together, and I'm pretty pleased with the results. The wardrobe schedule for New York:

1 :: Sweater :: black silk/cashmere cable-knit with a shawl-style v-neck

2 :: Sweater :: cream cotton with 3/4 bell sleeves and a cowl neckline

3 :: Trousers :: black. enough said.

4 :: Cords :: brown corduroy with a slim boot-cut

5 :: Tee :: comfy, black

6 :: Shirt :: white button down

7 :: Blazer :: black knit

8 :: Shoes :: Robert Clergerie black suede lace-ups

9 :: Shoes :: Black patent leather pumps

10 :: Handbag :: The man magnet

11 :: Handbag :: Bright mustard yellow daily

12 :: Scarf :: Vintage silk floral (cream ground with magenta, gray, brown dynamic blooms)

13 :: Coat :: Vintage trench (a debut!)


New York photos to come! Have a great weekend!

Haunted :: A La Tête :: Le Deuxième

May I present the second haunted chapeau from the weekend: a classic green 1950s beanie. Love this because it is so wearable. No hemming or hawing -- no looking costume-y. Just easy style. Personally, I am a big beret person, and it's nice to keep the signature beret shape and have the structure of a proper hat.

This soft green integrates well into my fall color palette -- I never realized that I had one until Kitty pointed it out. Funny, she points out a lot of things that I never realized. The fall palette is one of mauves, browns, heathered soft green, creams and grays. I'm a brunette* with a Scotch-Irish complexion, so it's a classic look with a brown base. I am thinking about debut-ing it in New York. Chic!


*I love the word "brunette". It's so Betty and Veronica.

Haunted :: A La Tête

From the weekend haunting: this very elegant 1960s Italian felt hat with feathers. Even with the high crown (very 60s), I think this is very wearable for fall. Everybody expects one to turn up the volume a little when it gets cooler, and I love wearing luxurious fabrics this time of year. And in Chicago it's not like we get a robust fall... in a few weeks we'll be wishing for sunshine and dealing with the bitterness of gray and wind.

Still, this isn't the type of thing you just run down for a coffee in -- or do you? Probably not, since this hat requires a proper shoe and attire. Definitely heels. With a slick trouser and a fitted jacket or fab sweater and a soft fringed gray shawl. Look out!



As my dear friend the Architect (a reformed hat wearer herself) told me long ago, "when you wear a hat like this, anyone -- and everyone -- will think nothing of walking up to you and striking up a conversation."

I'd better polish up my conversation skills.

Off the Cuff!

Hey y'all -- went haunting today at a new spot and picked up these glorious little cufflinks.

Let me tell you about this haunt: I had heard about it and driven by a few times, but I only get up to this part of Chicagoland on Sundays, and they're only open on the first Sunday of each month -- today! So, I was pretty happy to stumble upon it and find out that there was a huge vintage jewelry trunk sale today only to boot. They had the jewelry in a separate room. As I tried to just step inside, the young man at the door said "No ma'am -- you have to get a number and check your coat and purse" -- fine, fine. It just seemed that every which way I turned a got a "No, ma'am" or you-can't-do-that kind of thing -- what do you mean, shop in your store?

Anyway, I got over it after telling the shopgirl that "No, no, no" was not something a first-time customer wants to hear... on to the fun:

There was all kinds of jewelry, but all très expensive -- especially for a haunter -- it was retail, after all. I buggied a few items in my little white tray, but in the end put it all back and just got these beauties. I don't wear a lot of jewelry -- usually just pearls and pearl studs or little fat gold hoops, but these will flash up a plain shirt quick. The ladies at the DAR won't know what hit 'em!

More from the haunts all week! Stay tuned!

Quintets and Trinities

Today was my first time at the Women's Athletic Club (WAC) in Chicago. I was fortunate enough to be invited to a performance sponsored by the Chicago Chamber Music Society. Quintet Attacca performed four pieces, including two that were Latin-inspired. Quintet Attacca is:

Jennifer Clippert, flute
Barbara Drapcho, clarinet
Erica Anderson, oboe
Collin Anderson, bassoon
Jeremiah Frederick, horn

The WAC was formed in 1898 as the first club for women in the United States -- and it did not disappoint. I wanted so badly to take a few inconspicuous snaps of the small ballroom, but I couldn't bring myself do it. As if it would have ruined it. But the room was gorgeous. Art Deco to the hilt, and all around the perimeter of the room was a banquet with kelly green upholstered banquette with a black frame. Die!

After the concert, we had lunch in yet another beautiful Art Deco room with silver wallpaper with Asian motifs and silver leaf beams. Stunning, but again, no pics. Sorry! Our post-luncheon excursion was a quick stop at Cartier. Trinity ring, anyone?



The ram skull ornament is on the WAC building on Michigan Avenue. Image credit here. Copyright info here.
And check out Cartier, too!

Haunting :: JCrew-la-la

Very happy to report this score from a super-secret haunt. These lovely shoes were only $15 per pair. They are suede JCrew pumps (made in Italy) -- and I am so happy to have them for fall.

That muted citrus will pop like crazy with gray pants and a warm red silk blouse (with a wide gray snakeskin belt). I use this color almost as a neutral (see last week's Kate Spade post for a great way to integrate this color). The dove gray pair are a little more "standard" -- but lovely still. With a win like this, you can afford to get both pairs! Can't wait to debut!

Love :: New Kate Spade, Silk Blouses and Color

Lord I love this stuff. Not just the blouse, the dress, the coat... but the ways that these ensembles are put together. The pop! The glamour! Oh-la-la!

One of my wardrobe staples is the bold print silk blouse like the cream and black polka dot number shown above. I scour my haunts for vintage versions made in Hong Kong, usually from the 80s. Snip out the shoulder pads, fluff up the details, and you are ready to rock.

Check out the new Kate Spade website here.

Actual Email Correspondence

As I was writing this response to Kitty, I thought my description of my new haunted earrings warranted a quick post:

I just went to the local haunt at lunch -- didn't look at clothes though. Got an H2O sea salt scrub for $4.99... and some sterling/fwpearl (kind of old-lady, David Yurman but bamboo-esque metal rather than rope design) earrings on clearance.

On Jul 28, 2009, at 2:20 PM, Kitty wrote:

Sorry...it's busy here today. I saw some good Isaac Mizrahi/Liz Claiborne stuff at Xxxxx, so stop by your local haunt and check it out if you have time.


And the earrings:

Kevin Spacey = Jack Benny

And I love Jack Benny.

The Jack Benny Show is on MeToo late at night, and if I'm up, I make a point to catch it (right after Burns and Allen). I love checking out the styling of the shows -- the clothes, the hair, the mannerisms (and manners), and the interiors. There is something about the refined simplicity that I'm drawn to -- but they are just cardboard walls, though, right? No matter.

When I saw this clip of Kevin Spacey trying to explain twitter to David Letterman, I immediately thought of Mr Benny's mannerisms. Here's the clip -- if you like Jack Benny or need the lowest-level primer on twitter:




Then compare to Mr Benny's monologue:

Jack Benny color image above from Google's Life archive.